Spruce Scoop
Joy. Hope. Resilience.
August 2, 2019
A little Summer "So Long" Humor (well almost)
Principal Taylor's Message
Welcome Back Timberwolves!
I hope this Spruce Scoop greets everyone continuing to rejuvenate, rest, and create fun memories. I have had the pleasure of meeting with many Spruce Timberwolves and I am thoroughly impressed with the level of passion and commitment of our Spruce community. Our scholars are surrounded by so many adults that provide guidance, empowerment, and strength. It has been invigorating and inspiring to be on campus and develop connections with our community.
My driving purpose is to create access and opportunity for young people to thrive and I have found a like minded and hearted community at H. Grady Spruce High School. Scholars have exponential opportunities that will allow them to grow creatively, academically, and socially. This is an exciting time to be at Spruce, as we continue to strengthen what has been built and refine our practices to ensure we elevate ourselves for the benefit of our scholars.
We have an exhilarating year ahead and out work is rooted in the ultimate responsibility of serving our young people. Education is the most important work of our time!
At the BARR training Maya Angelou's Rainbow video was shown. It made me think about all the people that have contributed to my growth, which is so applicable at this time of year. I also connected to how important the belief is to bring the rainbow others have given to you into the new year and be a rainbow for others, so their growth continues.
Take a moment to listen to her inspiring words and think about how "Being a Rainbow in Someone Else's Cloud" applies to the new year at Spruce with students, peers, parents, and staff. We are in the work together, through the celebrations and challenges, so please always remember to "Lean In"!
Please review the Spruce Scoop and prep for full days of learning and plan accordingly.
Kindest Regard,
F. Taylor
Proudest Principal in DISD
Room Assignment Map 2019-2020
Teachers may begin to set up rooms on Tuesday, August 6th.
Please remember to be mindful of the floors and maintain the spotless environment our Custodial Team have so diligently worked on all summer.
Super Spruce Classroom Checklist
Returning Week Schedule 2019-2020
Please review the Returning Week Overview Schedule. As you review make note of these few highlights:
- All PD days begin in the Library
- Lunch On Your Own (LOYO) - these days lunch time is appx. 1.5 hours, plan accordingly.
- Strongly suggest bringing lunch with you on Monday on 8/12 as there is only 1 hour allotted.
- Please make note of the Big Rocks and Content Planning Time.
- Daily Agendas will be provided that include locations and session times.
- Mrs. Fisher will send out Heritage Potluck information on 8/16.
Beginning of the Year Pre Work
- Please take a moment to complete the brief 8 question DISC assessment. We will be using the results as one way to collaborate over the course of our BOY PD.
- Listen to Focus 3 - 20 Square Feet Podcast. Owning, Controlling, and Rocking your "20 Square Feet"
1st Week Block Schedule
1st Week Block Schedule
- Hallway Transitions (1st period)
- Hall Passes (2nd period)
- Tardy Policy (come back to-3rd period)
- Classroom Entry (4th period)
- Classroom Exit (5th period)
- Cafeteria (6th Period)
- Dress Code (7th period)
- Arrival and Dismissal (8th period)
Thank you in advance for embedding this very important culture component into your instructional lesson. The goal is to support, remind, and practice Super Scholar behavior!
The Mini Lessons will be revisited, in a similar fashion at the top of 2nd semester.
Start Strong. Stay Strong. End Strong.
REVISED Process: Staff Clock In
What: Clock In Times
- Administrators: 7:50 am
- Teachers: 8:00 am
- Clerks: 8:00 am
- Teacher Assistants: Ranger 7:30, 8:00, or 8:15
- Monitors: 7:30 am
- Parking Attendant: 7:30 am
Rational:
Our morning events involve many unknown variables. We do control our behavior and attitude. Our consistent, on time, and welcoming arrival behaviors support that we are ALL safe and we can handle any unplanned situations. When we know we are all here and positioned at our morning duty assignments, we lean into one another and this allows EACH START OF EACH DAY, WAY MORE JOYFUL.
REMINDER: Staff Parking
What: Parking
100% of Spruce staff is to utilized the designated staff parking in the rear of the building. Exceptions are reviewed by administrator on a case by case basis.
Rational:
Available parking for our visitors (parents, community partners, or district) is one of the initial opportunities we have to communicate our welcoming and accommodating culture. The goal is to ensure 100% of our visitor parking in the front of the building is clear throughout the entire school day, all day, every day. Every opportunity to promote "Super Spruce" is seized, no matter how small it may appear.
REMINDER: Display & Bulletin Boards
What: Display & Bulletin Board
All staff members who are responsible for a display case or bulletin board, have updated items or posted a welcome back message for our scholars. All display and Bulletin Boards are to be complete by Friday, August 16, 2019.
Rational:
Display cases and bulletins are a means of communicating what is valued at Spruce. The condition and upkeep of these areas, communicates our level of Excellence and Pride. Ensure each organization, dept., team, etc have a consistent process that supports current, appealing, and clear communication throughout the year. Promote "Super Spruce!"
Spruce Campus Wide Calendar
- Staff meetings (Wednesdays, once a month, exception September)
- Sporting Events
- Fine & Performing Events
- Campus Events
- Testing Days & Campus Testing Meetings
Staff meetings are subjected to change. The goals is to communicate monthly staff meetings via the calendar and to have one a month.
It is important that we recognize ALL the Excellence in Teaching occuring in all of areas of our academic programs. The highlights are on a weekly rotation throughout the year. Each content/department will be highlighted on a weekly basis.
Highlight will be posted second week of school.
Catch a Timberwolve Staff member being Excellent, Joyful, Hopeful, Resilient, SEL Champion, or simply did or said something that was the spotlight of your day/week!
Thank you for taking a moment to highlight your fellow staff member! You made someone's day!!
Spotlight post start second week of school. Be on the lookout the first week of school to share a spotlight.
WAIP information that is specific to an individual, team, grade, content, will be emailed directly.
Leadership Retreat 7/30/19
Insights around "control the controllables"
BARR Training - Building Assets Reducing Risks (Day 1)
Spruce Leaders Principal PD Week~ Loving the Learning
Timberwolves Summer Fun
Ms. Brown supporting Timberwolves Cheet
Mrs. Lewis's Partner In Smiles!
Ms. Gladney @ Class of 2022 Welcome Back!
Mr. Varney's Cutie Pie!
Mr. Sheppard with Band leaders at the SASI Leadership camp @ UNT
Mr. Jewell proposed in Egypt!
Ms. Walker-Reed @ National Convention in New Orleans
Ms. Williams @ Barcelona, Spain
Ms. McDaniel -Summer Smiles!
Mr. Berlanga - Lake Superior in Michigan
Ms. Turner Summertime Fun
Mr. Richardson @ Athletics Conference
Mr. Ball, Wife -Amanda, and Grandson- Walker
Mr. Aleman- Summertime Swag!
Mr. Powers's Sunshine Smile!
Ms. Boyer - Living on the Edge!
Ms. Draper in Costa Rica
Parque Morazan.
With Mom in Arenal Costa Rica
In Teatro Nacional
Ms. Sausameda - Split loyalties (Rangers & Astros)
Ms. Taylor- Exploring Detroit ~ NAF Conference
NAF Academy 2019: Detroit~ Green, Taylor, & Turner
Ms. Schroeder Scuba Diving in Nicaragua!
H. Grady Spruce High School
Located in the heart of the Pleasant Grove region of Dallas, Texas, H. Grady Spruce High School serves a diverse population of students and their families. Our neighborhood maintains a strong tradition of community, hard work, and pride. Families have made Pleasant Grove their home for generations, and many of our students can claim a legacy of Spruce alumnae that go back to the founding of the school.
H. Grady Spruce High School was built in 1963, replacing Rylie High School. The school is named for Henry Grady Spruce, a native of Omen, Texas, who earned degrees from Southern Methodist University and the University of Chicago. He devoted much of his 35-year YMCA career to youth, including 25 years as director of the Dallas YMCA's Camp Crockett near Granbury.
Email: frataylor@dallasisd.org
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/spruce
Location: 9733 Old Seagoville Road, Dallas, TX, USA
Phone: 972-892-5500