Team Thomson News & Notes
Week of: February 23, 2020 #ThomsonRocks
Important Information for You!
Family Reading Night
As we head toward Family Reading Night this Thursday (weather permitting), I want to again thank the amazing planning committee for thinking outside the box and really thinking about activities that would be transferable to home and fun for our students and families! As previously shared, all certified staff are to be available at 4:30 p.m. to help with set-up. The actual event will run from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at which time an announcement will be made as usual thanking families for being there. If staff could just return items to the lounge as they leave, it would be very helpful. If there are any support staff who would like to work, please let Megan and I know. Also, staff are welcome to wear their special reading t-shirts or Thomson staff t-shirts and jeans for this event.
Free Books
This information is being shared with you on behalf of Michigan Construction:
Calling all Michigan elementary teachers! We're celebrating reading month by giving away "truckloads" of elementary level construction books to deserving teachers. Each winner will receive 10-15 books chosen for their classroom libraries! You will also have the opportunity to schedule a CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Professional to deliver your truckload and be a guest reader. Fill out the form below to enter your classroom for a chance to win. Entries must be received by February 29, 2020. Winning classrooms will be announced the first week of March.
Enter your classroom here: https://pages.michiganconstruction.com/truckload-of-books
Gearing up for the 2020 Census
Schools and districts are encouraged to support the state’s efforts to assure that ALL Michigan residents are counted in the 2020 US Census. If you're interested, here are some ideas passed along from Michelle Edwards:
- Statistics in Schools Week: Everyone Counts! – March 2-6, 2020: Weeklong series of classroom activities provided by the U.S. Census Bureau’s Statistics in Schools (SIS) program to educate students about the importance of the once-a-decade count. For more information, go to https://www.census.gov/content/census/en/programs-surveys/sis/2020census/sisweek.html
- State of Michigan’s Census 2020 website: www.michigan.gov/census2020
- Be Counted Michigan 2020 (statewide census resources): www.becountedmi2020.com
- US Census Bureau Census 2020 website: https://2020census.gov/en
Brown’s Blog Episodes
In case you have missed any of Superintendent Brown's Blogs, they can be viewed in the YouTube links below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBUXwvJz6y0&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RkQ86yifNn8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WN2D6ioUghE
Mindfulness & Restorative Practices Institute
At our training, the presenters asked us to think about what makes school a good day. While our students are little and their responses are more 'black and white' than you might get from older students, Karla and Andrea asked some of their students and below are some of the responses. I think this is a great exercise in getting to know your students and to think about how to incorporate their thoughts into instruction.
It's a good day at school when...
Karla's student responses:
"We be nice to our friends." -Elliot "I'm a good boy and I get stickers." -Fisher K.
"We play." -Blakely "We play outside." -Graham
"I play with my friends" -Archer "My watchdog comes to school." -Colton
"We do a craft." -Olivia "We have friends." -Audriana
Andrea's student responses:
"Playing with friends." - Miranda "When we have parties.' Emerson
"Fun Friday." Ellyette "When we go to gym." George
"When we stack cups for 100's day." Gannon "When we do groups." Lena
Quotes Worth Reading
I will breathe.
I will think of solutions.
I will not let my worry control me.
I will not let my stress level break me.
I will simply breathe and it will
be okay because I don't quit.
-Shayne McClemdon
Note from Mr. Lobban
As you all are aware of, the needs of students are ever-changing. In the past few years, there has been a heightened awareness, especially in our State and County, in the areas of trauma, mental health, poverty, social-emotional learning, and the behaviors that result from these antecedents. The District has and continues to take steps this year to improve the system we have to better support these students and our employees that work with them.
Additionally this year, we created a new PK-12 MTSS Behavior Coach position and hired, Amy Chorley. Amy will be supporting teachers and teams in the area of behavior in a manner similar to the role that our math and literacy coaches do. Additionally, Amy will support aspects of our planning and implementation of improved MTSS practices and procedures with respect to behavior, climate, and social-emotional well-being.
Lastly, one of the other opportunities that have been recognized in our District is our need to better communicate throughout the process of these office managed behavioral interventions. I've reminded all administrators that part of attending to behavior interventions is maintaining timely and appropriate communication with the individual(s) that are seeking further help through the office. We know that when concerns regarding behavior come to the office, those referring it on, by nature of the process, may feel out of the loop and removed from the process. Therefore, it is important that those handling the intervention communicate the plan of action. Moving forward I've asked that in an effort to improve communication administrators will make a copy of the referral, including the action taken, and deliver it to you in your mailbox.
These are a few of the steps that we have/are taking to better support students and employees throughout the behavior intervention process. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to your building administrator or me.
Do ONE Thing and Make a Big Difference!
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays This Week: None this week!
Kudos!
Thank you again to Lacey Benton (and to Julia Tober) for volunteering to represent Thomson and kindergarten on the District Health Committee!
To Julie VanEvery for organizing the wonderful field trips to the Williams Property. From everything I heard, this was a wonderful experience for our kids and a lot of fun!
Table of Honor
Julie with a Former Student
Table of Honor
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Week of February 23rd-Book Fair
- Monday, February 24th-CMC, 4-7 p.m.; PTO, 6-7:30 p.m.; National Tortilla Chip Day
- Tuesday, February 25th-District Book Study #3, 4:15-6:15 p.m.; Fat Tuesday
- Wednesday, February 26th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: Sup. Brown, Family Reading Night)
- Thursday, February 27th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); DK Curriculum Meeting All Day; Family Reading Night, 4:30-7 p.m. for Certified Staff
- Friday, February 28th-Trading Post; Superintendent Retreat (Natalie); National Chili Day
- Week of March 2nd-PLC Week
- Monday, March 2nd-Board of Education Meeting
- Tuesday, March 3rd-Tornado Drill
- Wednesday, March 4th-Early Release Day, Dismissal 2 hours Early; PD from 1:45-4:45 p.m. (Agenda: School Improvement)
- Thursday, March 5th-General Admin Meeting (Natalie)
- Friday, March 6th-PTO Pals; Employee Appreciation Day
- Monday, March 9th-Poverty Training at the GISD (Natalie)
- Tuesday, March 10th- District Improvement Meeting
- Wednesday, March 11th-Staff Meeting, 7:35-8:15 a.m. (Agenda: TBA); MTSS SAT (Child Study) Day, please send names to Jason and I
- Thursday, March 12th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); National Plant a Flower Day
- Friday, March 13th-Trading Post
Thomson Elementary
#ThomsonRocks
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911