Principal's Newsletter
January 22nd, 2016
WOW's
WOW to our SPED department for all the extra hours they are putting in to prepare for their file review.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to our interventionists for attending PLC meetings to provide input on students. Thanks for all the work you put in to help our students succeed.--Dr. DeWeese
I am extremely grateful to be on a team that works well together. Janice, Heather, Carrie and Kody have welcomed me and made me feel a part of the group since day 1. Because of our open, working environment, we've been able to get through tough situations with positivity and increase the learning of our students. Thanks guys!--Kristen Cuneo
WOW to Daisy Skelly for working so well with the ELLs in my class. She is always so insightful and extremely kind to the children she serves, as well as all of the kids in the class. I couldn't do it without her!--Stacey Cervera
WOW to Eleanna Liscombe and Susan Adams for organizing the 2:1 pilot program. It takes so much work behind the scenes and I'm grateful for their time and expertise!--Stacey Cervera
WOW to Erica Coyne on an AMAZING choir concert! All of the kids did a great job and Erica’s hard work showed!==Brandy Leffeler
WOW to Katherine Allen for helping our 3rd grade students tackle the rigorous Enhanced Topic Assessments by making and sharing her Scoot activity with us. ~ 3rd grade team
WOW to Mrs. Gotsch for conducting an awesome Class Meeting to address a very delicate situation. She rocks at listening to and communicating with students!--LaTonya Foster
WOW out to Brianna Butler for doing a great job subbing in PE. She is always smiling and interacting with students. It's great having her at the Ridge!--Linda Carr
Intervention Data Team Update
Progress Monitoring vs. Anecdotal Notes
Progress monitoring data is used to assess student progress or performance in areas identified through a universal screening as being at-risk for failure. It is a method to determine if students are benefiting appropriately from the Tier 1 instructional program, identify students who are not making adequate progress, and help guide the construction of effective intervention programs for students. It is typically implemented to follow the performance of students who are at-risk for learning difficulties, but it can also follow an entire classroom of students. Progress monitoring is paramount in determining if students are benefiting from the instruction they are receiving.
Anecdotal notes are used to record specific observations of individual students and behaviors. The notes provide information about student learning and determine direction for future learning. They are often written as a result of ongoing observations during a lesson. They are brief, objective, and focused on specific outcomes. Notes taken during or immediately after an activity are the most accurate.
Reading and writing anecdotal notes should be used to determine next steps for small group instruction. They can provide guidance on skills to address and feedback to give to students. These notes can ensure that Tier 1 instruction is tailored to the specific needs of each student.
Building expectations for progress monitoring were communicated on September 22nd in the Principal's Newsletter. All students who fall below the 25th percentile on any sub-test are required to be progress monitored weekly by the classroom teacher.
Both anecdotal notes and progress monitoring data are need to make decisions about students. However, to ensure that we stick to data-based decisions progress monitoring data on students who are receiving interventions is non-negotiable.
Intruder Drill Feedback
I know this drill is a scary one and can often be intense, so thank you for all your hard work to follow the procedures we have put into place. There were a few areas that we need to tweak. That work will be completed through the safety committee at their next meeting. Committee members will share out concerns and next steps with their PLC teams.
Revised Timeline for the Assistant Principal Position
February 9th- Building Level Interviews
February 17th- Superintendent Level Interviews
February 18th- Approval of recommended candidate at the BOE meeting
Where is Your Principal?
- Kick of Special Olympics and Time for Kids
Tuesday, January 26th--PLC Meetings with Carrie Hepburn
Wednesday, January 27th-- EDC Meeting, SPED Check In, SPED PLC, IEP and EDM
Thursday, January 28th-- FHEA Meeting, BST Meeting, IEP, District Assessment Meeting
Friday, January 29th-- Principal Meeting, Special Olympics Assembly
Monday, February 1st--Administrative Team Weekly Meeting
Tuesday, February 2nd- PLC Meetings
Wednesday, February 3rd- Re-evaluation meeting, SPED PLC
Thursday, February 4th- Screening Interviews
Friday, February 5th- Title Funds Planning Meeting
Staffing Timeline for 2016-2017
February 5th- Preference forms are due to Jane by 4:00
February 5th- 18th- Administrators will staff the building for 2016-2017
February 19th- Staffing will be posted by noon
Approved Staffing for 2016-2017
Kindergarten - 6
1st Grade- 6
2nd Grade- 6
3rd Grade- 5
4th Grade- 6
5th Grade- 5
Reading- 4
Literacy Coach- 1
Gifted-1.4
SPED- 6
ELL- 2
ESC-1.5
Counseling- 2.5
Compliment from a Parent
I love when we get positive feedback from parents. One of the highest compliments we can receive are from people being in the building. The email below was received last week from a parent.
Dr. DeWeese,
I had the pleasure of selling ice cream during lunch at Harvest Ridge several weeks ago.
I would like to share with you that I was very moved by the teacher who pre-paid for ice cream for her entire class. She made sure that kids who might not have money for ice cream did not go without or get excluded.
I can't remember her name. I think it began with an A...Mrs. Allen?
It is so wonderful to know how caring the teachers at Harvest Ridge are.
I was also impressed with all of the students' behavior during lunch. All of the students who purchased ice cream waited politely for their turn and were very well-mannered.
Sincerely,
Leah Fiske
Thoughts are powerful, and negative thoughts can prevent you from achieving your goals. The flip side is that positive thoughts can be just as powerful. The next time you feel unmotivated use some of the positive thoughts below to reenergize yourself. They work!
1. Mistakes are learning opportunities. If you mess up, you can only become better for it.
2. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Nothing worth doing is easy.
3. Everything can be improved. Even if you start out rough, you can always make improvements to your approach.
4. Trying and failing is better than doing nothing. This is universally true.
5. Nothing great happens overnight. Work and patience are your friends.
6. I can do anything. It's a simple phrase, but it helps to remind yourself- you really can do anything you set your mind to.
7. This is why I can. Instead of giving yourself reasons why you can't do something, give yourself reasons why you can.
8. There's no "perfect" time. If you're waiting for the perfect moment, forget about it-- there's no such thing.
9. Everybody starts somewhere. Nobody is born successful. Everyone starts somewhere, and usually from the bottom.
10. One step at a time. Don't try to do everything at once. Reduce it to baby steps.
The power of positive thinking isn't just an adage. It's scientifically proven that positive thoughts can improve your mood, feelings, and performance. These thoughts should get you started doing whatever it is you need motivation to do. The rest is up to you.