Old Town Star Staff News
9/16/2013-9/27/2013
Our Next Week...
Monday, September 16
Celebrate Freedom Week!
Mya’s Coaching Day
Start Date for Teacher Self Report, Part I
Walsh MS open house 6:00pm.
Tuesday, September 17
Minor’s Coaching Day
Minor’s off campus AM (AP meeting)
Celebrate Freedom Day!
Happy Birthday Genna Percefull!
Wednesday, September 18
Mya’s Coaching Day
Lock down drill 9:00am.
Fire drill 9:15am.
Brief Faculty Meeting & Special Committee’s Mtg. 3:10pm.
Thursday, September 19
Minor’s Coaching Day
ARD Mtg. (see separate schedule)
Friday, September 20
Pinwheels for Peace Celebration 8:00am. on blacktop
United Way Day of Caring
CAT mtg. 8:50am
SST’s 1st & 2nd grade (see separate schedule)
Happy Birthday Shannon Ridley!
*Be sure to check out our Professional Learning and Events Calendar regularly as revisions/additions are made often...
Weekly Reminders...
- For student and staff safety, please be sure to grab your "walkie talkies" for recess! We need a consistent way to reach you in the event of an emergency and also when parents need to pick students up early!
Out & About...
Engaging the Brain...
Alternate worked example solutions with problem-solving exercises.
Have students alternate between reading already worked solutions and trying to solve problems on their own. As students develop greater expertise, reduce the number of worked examples provided and increase the number of problems that students solve independently.
An Eye On the Gifted...
In today's article, we share 9 of 32 different strategies to help you differentiate math instruction in your classroom:
- Work backwards
- Create something new
- Engage experts
- Use formative assessments
- Change your language
- 'Instead of' vs 'In addition to'
- Lure of the Labyrinth
- Most difficult first
- Number systems
Visit TAGTonDemand.com and get a summary explanation of each of these strategies, courtesy of EA Young Academy.
Star Gazing...
Congratulations to Rachel Jones, star second grade teacher...our STAR Teacher of the Week receiving the most nominations!
Her colleagues write:
"Rachel does a fabulous job organizing all the information for our team, keeping us on track, and encouraging us when we get frustrated. I'm so glad I'm on her bus!"
"She takes such good care of her team. She goes way above and beyond what is expected of a team leader. Plus she is always cheerful about everything."
"She has done an awesome job getting our team on the "energy bus". She has kept meetings positive and running smoothly."
Check out Mrs. Jones's Blog http://mrsjonesstartexans.blogspot.com/! We appreciate all you do for your students and our learning community! You are entitled to a five-day jeans/shorts pass and an opportunity to park in the space designated all next week!
Warmest thanks to each of you for your hard work and preparation on another great turnout at our Curriculum Information Night!
Thanks for another great week of teaching and learning!
Remember to affirm someone today!
Have an absolutely fantastic long weekend!
Instructional Tech News
Into the The Oudoors is a new site featuring videos and lesson plans about a wide variety of topics related to nature. The site is divided into six main topic areas; life science, farm science, social science, physical science, environmental science, and natural resources science. Each primary topic area includes a handful of sub-topics. Click on any sub-topic to find videos, lesson plans, and links to additional resources. http://intotheoutdoors.org/
Want more information on the Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS)? Check out this site: http://goo.gl/J6KOZY
Professional Resource of the Week! Check out your copy today!
The Week After...
Monday, September 23
EGGI Week: Design Your Own Career Pathway Door Contest!
Mya’s Coaching Day
Progress Report Window Opens (all students)
Retirement Reception for Dr.Chavez 4:30pm.
Tuesday, September 24
EGGI Week: Display Your College Memories
Minor’s Coaching Day
Wednesday, September 25
EGGI Week: Show Your College Pride with Favorite Spirit Shirt
Mya’s Coaching Day
Universal Screening Kg 8:00am.
Early Release Day
PTA Staff Luncheon 12:45 Science Lab
Thursday, September 26
EGGI Week: Your Future Dress Up Day
Minor’s Coaching Day
ARD Mtg. (see separate schedule)
Friday, September 27
EGGI Week: Old Town is On the Bus (OTE Spirit Shirt Day)
Mya off campus today (Presenting at TASA Conference)
CAT mtg. 8:50am
SST’s 3rd – 5th grade (see separate schedule)
Staff Compliance training due today!
JDRF Walk for a Cure (during PE)
*Be sure to check out our Professional Learning and Events Calendar regularly as revisions/additions are made often...
Old Town Elementary Mission & Vision...
Email: mya_mercer@roundrockisd.org
Website: http://schools.roundrockisd.org/oldtown/
Location: 2200 Chaparral Dr, Round Rock, TX
Phone: (512) 428-7600
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OldTownElementaryPTA
Twitter: @OTESchool