Welcome to the 2015-16 School Year!
"Teamwork Makes the Dream Work"
Remembering Our "Why"
Tomorrow our students and families will return to school anxious to start another year of learning and discovery. For many of them it will be their first time meeting their new teachers and for most it will be a new experience altogether as they enter another phase of their lives. For us- it's all about our "why" and playing out our purpose. Simon Sinek, author of the book Start with Why, reminds us that "[p]eople don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it." Many of our "why's" derive from a place of hurt or pain and having the passion and desire to make things better for others. Although our "why" may differ; our sole purpose is to serve others in some way or another. We want to help our students find their area of service and develop their “why.” As you enter into the new school year - embrace your "why" and allow it to guide your "how." By doing so - you'll always be aware of the impact and the influence you have on others.
Quail Valley is a learning community like no other! We are creating innovative solutions to learning while building a culture of trust, communication, and family. I am proud to lead you on this journey as we change the face of education and become a premier learning community!
Let's get ready to inspire, equip, and help our students pursue a future beyond what they can imagine!
Let's make it a great year or not. The choice is yours!
Fort Bend ISD Interactive Playbook
http://www.fortbendisd.com/cms/lib09/TX01917858/Centricity/Domain/135/PLAYBOOK%20-%20FBISD%20Talent.pdf
PDAS Information
Dear Eagles,
Would you like to become an exemplary educator? Would you like to gain the knowledge and direction to advance in your career? The purpose of our Professional Development & Appraisal System (PDAS) is to provide you with feedback that will guide you to success.
This year we will continue using Professional Development & Appraisal System (PDAS) but next year Texas is transitioning to a new evaluation system, T-TESS.
Below are the following walk-through expectations for the 2015-2016 School year:
For this year teachers evaluated on the PDAS system will receive:
- 1 formal 45 minute observation and
- 2 formal 15 minute PDAS walk-throughs during the fall semester and
- 2 formal 15 minute PDAS walk-throughs during the spring semester
The total observations for PDAS evaluated teachers this year will be 1 formal 45 minute observation and 4 formal 15 minute PDAS evaluations.
Mr. Strutton and I will be meeting with each of you for a pre-conference to discuss your goals for the 2015-2016 school year and how we can assist with helping you reach your full potential.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year as we become the #1 learning community in the state of Texas!
Best regards,
Principal Spears
Teacher PTO Liaisons Needed
P.S. All teachers/staff are encouraged to attend our PTO Meetings =)
We appreciate all you do!
Practice, Practice, Practice
As we start our year - we understand the importance of teaching our students the expectations. We can't simply assume that students know how to enter class, how to put their backpacks away, how to sharpen pencils, and so forth. In order for us to get the behaviors we desire we must practice, practice, practice.
Mr. Strutton has put together a schedule to for each grade level to practice lunch and dismissal. Please see your times below:
Cafeteria Practice Schedule
August 24th- 28th
8:15 - 5th
8:35 - 3rd
8:55 - 2nd
9:15 - 4th
9:35 - 1st
9:55 – Kinder
Dismissal Practice Schedule
August 24th-28th
1:00 – 2nd
1:20 – 4th
1:40 – 5th
2:00 – 3rd
2:25 – 1st
2:45 – Kinder
From Ms. Rodriguez, Counselor
Beginning on Monday, August 24th, you should be implementing a “Morning Meeting” routine (It is listed as “health time” on your master schedules.) This is a time for you and your students to connect, build community, and positive culture within your classroom.
Some quick guidelines for these meetings include:
- Students MUST be near you, gathered on the floor
- Expectations should be reviewed - such as only positives are spoken, one person talking at a time, everyone listens when someone is talking, no naming students if there is a problem, etc.
- Last about 15 minutes
During this time you may want to talk about your class contract and begin to establish/create one with your students. If you have extra time, you could use a quick ice breaker and/or game could be played so that students are able to get to know you as well as their classmates, and you get to know them. Doing ice breakers throughout the week would be great to continue building the positive culture and community within your class. For those of you with a switch class, you will be doing this with your switch class too.
Need ideas? Feel free to contact me if you need resources or would like for me to come in and model a Morning Meeting, I'm always happy to help!