The Eastern Star Staff Newsletter
October 6, 2023
Image of the Week
This was a moment. First, this totes adorbs little preschooler asked to hold my hand while jogging. Ugh, of course I will! Second, as we rounded the corner, we saw the 5th graders lined up to give hi-fives. What proceeded to happen was just the absolute best.
Please, show this video to your students if you can with the message that this is what it looks like to plant seeds when building a school community and safe place that people want to be a part of. Our oldest STARS positively supporting our youngest STARS! Somebody is always watching. #shinebright
Principal Ponderings
"Chicken wing chicken wing hot dog and baloney [sic]..."
One of the reasons of my desire to move back to the land of the littles was what will have occurred by the time you read this.
"Chi-cken suit! Chi-cken suit! Chi-cken suit!"
I love it! Being silly and seeing the kids laugh and have fun over the silly things we do as a staff at the elementary level is what I love. It's in my wheelhouse and I'll never not (sorry for the double negative) swallow my pride to do something silly for the good of the group. No shame in my game! Eastern is and must continue to be a place where kids and adults love to come each and every day and it's our collective responsibility as an Eastern Staff to ensure that it is!
General Information
NWEA Scores-Family Information
Staff Meeting Change
Growth Plans
- Staff on evaluation are to complete their growth plan as well as their fall SLO. Please, share your growth plan with me in iObservation ASAP.
- SLOs can be placed in this Google Folder. I'd like those by October 13 which will allow for data review meetings to take place should that influence your SLO creation.
Note: In the 23-24 Evaluation slide deck from the district, it did state that one SLO is required for teachers who are NOT on evaluation. It has in parentheses "this is in process" so I will get clarification. Just wanted to share that information and I'll get back to you to confirm.
Delta Math
Here are a couple of links to helpful overview resources:
Get to Know Delta Math (a section of their website)--recommend watching the Implementation Video
Elementary Teacher Resource
Kelly shared this document with me today which is a one-stop shop for useful links pertinent to us at the elementary level. It contains links that pertain to the following:
- Content District Leaders
- Curriculum Scope and Sequence (4 core and Specials)
- IRIP Information
- Mental Health Team
- Aimsweb benchmarking/progress monitoring schedule
- and more!
It's definitely worth a look at a bookmarked favorite. It will be linked in our staff links down below, as well.
Eastern Elementary Social Contract
Moving forward, this is our social contract to guide us as we strive to make Eastern a 10 each day!
As the building administrator at Eastern Elementary, I make the following commitments to the staff of Eastern Elementary:
I will provide staff with grace and forgiveness as we continue to learn and grow.
I will treat all staff respectfully.
I will be transparent in decision-making when applicable.
I will foster a positive morale to build a positive climate at Eastern Elementary.
I will be consistent and clear in my actions.
As the staff at Eastern Elementary, we make the following commitments to the administration of Eastern Elementary:
We will give grace and forgiveness as you continue to learn and grow.
We will put forth our best effort and attitude each day.
We will treat you with respect.
We will trust your decisions and act in good faith in carrying them out.
We will be honest with you.
As staff members at Eastern Elementary, we make the following commitments to each other:
We will assume the best intentions.
We will be encouraging and supportive of one another.
We will be trustworthy.
We will be respectful.
We will be a good TEAMmate.
If any of the above commitments are not met, we will agree to:
Take responsibility and be accountable for our actions.
Show grace to ourselves and others.
Have direct and respectful communication.
Upcoming Events and Projects
October 18
- JK to pumpkin patch
- Preschool to orchard
- First grade to Moomers
October 19
- Fire Drill, 3:15pm
October 24/26 and November 2s
- PT confserences: if you feel something or a piece of information may cause some tension, reach out early. Nobody likes surprises...unless you're at the Oprah Winfrey Show and get a new car.
November 13
- Safety presentations
- Michigan State Police: Grades 1-3, 9:15
- OK2Say: Grades 4-5, 10:15
Recommended Reading-Listening-Watching
Beyonce was right, "Who run the world? Girls!"
Upcoming Birthdays!
Heather Stout - October 14
Aimee McClellan - October 16
Ade Harris - October 17
Sarah Odette - October 18
Stephanie Schall-Brazee - October 20
We want to recognize that you make the Earth a better place with your day of birth. If we missed you or you don't think we have it, please, fill out the proper form or inform our office staff.
What I'm Reading
The All Blacks are one of, if not the, most successful rugby TEAMs in the history of the sport. In Legacy, author James Kerr, is taking the reader through what has made them consistently successful.
New Learning:
Sacrifice. We all make sacrifices for what we do on the daily. There is always an opportunity cost. The author reminds us, and sometimes it can be a smack in the face, that we only get one shot at this thing called life, so we, as leaders (yes, we're all leaders) need to make sure that life we are leading is worth it. That is why it is so important to have your core values and allow them to help guide us.
TCAPS Board of Education Monthly Office Hours
Staff Links
2023-24 Certified Teacher Evaluation Timeline
2023-24 Certified Teacher Evaluation Slidedeck
Eastern Elementary Resource Room "The Hub"
Elementary Quick Link Resource Document
Hold for Second Step District Calendar
Hold for PLCs
Mandated Reporter Online System