Anchor Weekly
A newsletter for Alta Vista Staff~Week of December 2, 2019
Don't Forget! Next Week's Calendar
- Thanksgiving Break on November 25-29
- NWEA MAP Testing starts Monday, December 2
- Outstanding Teacher Award Ceremony on Tuesday, December 3 at 6:30 pm at Waco High
- Faculty Meeting (Vertical Alignment) on Wednesday, December 4 at 3:30 pm
- Baylor Lady Bears Celebrate Transformation Waco on Wednesday, December 4 at 7 pm at Ferrell Center
- Reading PLC with Region 12 on Thursday, December 5 (Gr 3-5 Math & Reading)
- 5th Grade Field Trip to CCMS on Thursday, December 5 at 8:15-10:30 am
Stay Tuned for the Alta Vista 10 Days of Christmas Starting Monday, December 9
- 5th Grade Spinal Screenings on Tuesday, December 10-Wednesday, December 11 (Limited Nurse Availability)
- Math Planning with Mr. A/Region 12 (1 per grade level) on Tuesday, December 10 at 12:00-4:00 pm
- Alta Vista Holiday Concert on Tuesday, December 10 at 6:00 pm at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church
- Optional Technology Training: Google Classroom with Lisa Monthie on Wednesday, December 11 at 3:40 pm
- Math Coaching with Mr. A/Region 12 (Select Teachers) on Wednesday, December 11
- Math PLC on Thursday, December 12
- District ELAR Support on Thursday, December 12 at 4:00 pm @North Waco Elementary
- CDMC Meeting on Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 pm
- NWEA MAP Testing Due on Friday, December 13
Coming Up Soon: Early Release & Staff Holiday Party on Friday, December 20
Captain's Log
I appreciate your flexibility with the varying library schedule. As you are well aware, the library is the only space we have available to accommodate large groups for performances, interventions/enrichment, meetings, and professional development, especially while lunch is being served. In addition, Ms. Olivarez is frequently asked to sub for teachers when no one else is available instead of us combining classes together. Please understand that when the library is closed, it is done at my request to accommodate campus events and circumstances. Ms. Olivarez and Ms. Spark will work hard to reschedule you for a different time. If you have any concerns or questions, please let me know.
I hope everyone has a wonderful week off. Sleep late, eat lots, and enjoy the time with family and friends. I am thankful for each of you and the positive impact you have on our students and families.
Mrs. Helton's Week At A Glance
- Monday-Data Meeting with Leadership Team (All Day)
- Tuesday-ARDS
- Wednesday-TTESS & Meeting with 3rd-5th at conference time
- Thursday-CHAMPS Coaching Classroom Management Training off campus (All Day)
- Friday-Transformation Waco Meeting off campus (10:30-2:30)
Teacher To-Do List
- Update student work on bulletin board to reflect 3rd six weeks standards (don't forget TEK); student work should reflect the subject you plan (12/4)
- Recruit and practice with your UIL teams
- Record 2nd lesson with Swivl (12/20)
Conscious Discipline & CHAMPS
How is your ratio of positive-corrective interactions going? Ms. Orchard will be doing another round of observations/feedback. Let her know how she can support you with this strategy.
Resources:
PLCs
Make sure you check the PLC Notes Template to review "To-Do" items prior to PLCs each week. Bring your laptop, planning calendar and materials, assessment data, and student work samples each week.
12/4: Vertical PLC at 3:30 pm; vertical teams (Math, Science, Reading, Writing-the subject you plan) will meet to review student work on display in hallways
12/5: Reading with Region 12 (Gr 3-5 Both Subjects)
12/12: Math (Gr 3-5 Both Subjects)-We will be planning for the 4th six weeks
Resources:
December Makerspace
She would love for you to save the following items for students to use: toilet paper tubes, bottle caps, squeeze pouch caps, small plastic containers.
Email Mrs. Helton if you want to schedule a time for her to visit!
Self-Care for You!
Teachers and staff – are you ready for some rest?
With Thanksgiving break right around the corner, we thought, ‘what a perfect time to talk about SLEEP.’ Whether you haven’t seen the back of your eyelids since summer, or you feel like it takes you way too long to wind down for bed, we’ve got some tips and tricks to a better nights sleep. – As always, self-care is vital, especially considering the amazing, hard work you’ve been doing this school year so far. So allow yourself to take time, breath deep, and catch a few extra Z’s.
What happens if I am not getting enough sleep?
- Impairment of memory
- Decreased immunity
- Slower metabolism
- Increased cravings for junk food
- Fatigue
- Increased risk of car accidents (nearly the same as drunk driving)
- Increased risk of substance abuse
- Increased sensitivity to pain and alcohol reception
- Increased risk of depression
Extra resources for continued learning in this aspect of self-care:
Staff of the Week
Congratulations to Ms. Prebosnyak for being our STAFF OF THE WEEK. She is always flexible and willing to help where ever she is needed. She has been a great support on the 5th grade team.
Banish the Reading Logs
Here's a great article about the effectiveness of reading logs. It offers some interesting suggestions to possible alternatives that increase your student-to-student communication.
Vertical Planning Days
- Math Planning Dates (Grades K-5): December 10, February 18
- Science Planning Date (Grades K-5): January 10, February 19
- Reading Planning Dates: December 5 during Reading PLC
For math and science, planning will be 1/2 day each from 12-4 pm. You will need to create a 1/2 day school business absence in TEAMS for the afternoon if you plan that specific subject (1 per grade level).Please work with Ms. Bonnie to secure subs for these days (grades 3-5 only). Grades K-2 will use the aides assigned to their grade level.
GT Update Opportunities
Foundation 30 Hours of GT Training OR Initial Administrator/ Counselor training (Deadline December 13, 2019)
Day 1: Nature and Needs of Gifted Learners, Responsive Learning
Link:http://txgiftedcourses.responsivelearning.com/SelfRegistration/
Registration Code: c11277WISD11371
Day 2: Screening, Assessment and Identification, Responsive Learning
use the link and code provided above
Day 3: Differentiating in a G/T Classroom, Google Classroom (oqa726)
Day 4: Critical and Creative Thinking, Google Classroom (mslr7j)
Day 5: Depth and Complexity, Google Classroom (eg3pzl)
Annual Update Options- All annual updates are due no later than May 1, 2020
Book Study (September 1-December 20, 2019) 6-Hours Credit Each
Living with Intensity, Susan Daniels (Eduphoria course link)
Mindfulness in the Classroom, Season Mussey (Google Classroom 2mp2z0i)
Frames (ebook)- J. Taylor Publishing. (Must be purchased and downloaded from JTayloreducation.com. Item # JTE-5D) (Google Classroom q359noe)
90 Minute Google Classroom Updates- Complete 4 to fulfill your 6-hour Update
Depth and Complexity: Creating Tiered Instruction (Google Classroom wtda9jh)
Differentiation in the Classroom: The Basics (Google Classroom ifxecn)
Depth and Complexity: Creating a Choice Board (Google Classroom F5gm8ec)
Depth and Complexity: Creating a Frame (Google Classroom 67xr2h)
*Additional courses will be added throughout the year.