Akers' Updates
January 17, 2020
School News
Staffing Update: We added an additional half-day Reading Enrichment and Dyslexia teacher, Erin Gorman. She has a space set up in the 4th grade flex area to see students. Erin comes to Rennell in the afternoon after she teaches Dyslexia at Copeland in the mornings. Please introduce yourself when you see Erin and welcome her to Rennell!
Please keep this quiet for now, as we are not ready to discuss with parents who will have what teach yet, but... great news... the district has provided us with an additional allocation to add a third Life Skills teacher to our building! Hooray! More hands on deck! I will be posting that open position online early next week to gather applicants and wanted you to hear it from me and not through the grapevine. Also- if you know of any available teachers who might be interested (maybe someone who just graduated in December or has chosen to stay home the last few years but is ready to come back) please let me know!
Blended Learning Visitors: On Wednesday, Marcia Kish can to visit and recommended that MANY district leaders come to see the great teaching and learning happening at Rennell. Thank you to EVERYONE in the building for making our guests feel welcomed. I was told many times how impressed they were by hallways quietness, reteaching in halls, friendly greetings, clean and tidy classrooms, and so much more. Even if you didn't have a visitor in your classroom, we are open concept! Everyone contributes to how our school feels and they could tell that kids are loved here and people are happy here!
Thank you also to our teachers who welcomed visitors into your classrooms - I'm sure it was nerve-wracking to have multiple people walk in and start talking about what's going on and the type things on their computers! Just so you know... they were saying and typing GREAT things! I have heard absolutely nothing but positive feedback on your implementation of blended learning as well as kudos on your math and science instruction from those leaders. Thank you for being a showcase campus where others want to come and see what good teaching looks like! I am so proud of what you do everyday with kids!!!
Feedback from Coaching Visits: I am working with Marcia to get the feedback that she and other visitors wrote to you - there seems to have been a glitch in the system (it was supposed to email to you at midnight) I can see that it is in the online system and if you don't receive your feedback soon I will go in and send it out to everyone from Marcia's online coaching program.
Culture Focus: Bask in the Spotlight
Looking Ahead
Friday, January 17 - Teachers CF-Tess Reflection DUE
Monday, January 20 - Student/Staff Holiday
Thursday, January 23 - Team Meeting at 7:50
Friday, January 24 - Mom Prom from 6:00-8:00 - We need volunteers!
Monday, January 27 - District Horizons Showcase
Tuesday, January 28 - Team Leader Meeting at 8:00
Thursday, January 30 - #EachOneTeachOne at 7:50
Monday, February 3 - Chick Fil A Night from 3:00-8:00
Wednesday, February 5 - 100th Day of School
Wednesday, February 5 - Garland Walks Rennell and Coaches
Thursday, February 6 - Staff Meeting at 7:50
Thursday, February 6 - Garland Training 2/3 at Rennell
Friday, February 7 - Spring Individual and Group Pictures
Friday, February 7 - Garland Training 4/5 at Rennell
#EachOneTeachOne
So far... we'll be hearing about Making Magical Moments with Molly Redner and pulling and using Freckle Data with Kristi Shepherd. What might YOU share???
PD Opportunity - edCamp Cy-Fair
PD Focus - edTech LIVE!
Staff SHOUT OUTS
- A-Team and everyone else who helped make Monday so special for me. I will never forget that surprise and will be forever grateful :) - Allison S.
- Shout out to Sammie for always being willing to cover the clinic when I need her despite how crazy busy she is!!! Thank you sweet friend!! - Jenise
- Fifth grade math teachers for hosting a awesome math night this past Tuesday night for our fifth grade parents. - Bales
- Silvestri, congratulations on being teacher of the year. Although we already knew you were the best. - Bales
- Bailey Burke for planning and organizing the Barn Hill Preserve visit! We are so excited about it & appreciate your hard work! - Jessica Huettel
- Shout out to Terri for always being so helpful! - Jodi
- Shout out to Carmen and Terri for helping Erin! - Jodi
- 2nd grade team - Thank y'all for being such an awesome team. You all have welcomed me in so graciously, and have been super helpful! I could not have been blessed with a better group of teachers to start my teaching journey with! - Jada
- Sherry Johnson for always encouraging me and and appreciating what I do! - Shradha Kaura
- Mary Ellen - Thank you for being an amazing partner teacher, and for constantly being there to guide and support me. I am honored to be your partner! - Jada
- Shout out to Ms. Garcia, Ms. Hill, Ms. Redner, Ms. McMorris, Ms. Patel, and Ms. Fuller for begin so flexible and gracious with scheduling! - Jodi
- Mrs Searby for writing such an encouraging card for me, you are amazing! - Shradha
- Shout out to Deanne for cherishing joy in others! - Jodi
- Deanne, Belinda, Monica, Melva & Sammie - thank you for always working together as a TEAM and helping out in areas that need to help! THANK YOU! - Terri Carreon
- Shout out to Ms. Szkody for always being willing to help! - Jodi
- Congratulations to Allison Silvestri, Teacher of the Year! So deserved, we love you at Rennell. - Terri Carreon
- Allison B. & Kayla H. - You ladies don't know how happy I am that I get the chance to work with y'all, and still see y'all every day! Jumping in mid-year hasn't been so scary with you two by my side! I'm proud of you ladies! - Jada
- 4th grade math for being ROCKSTARS at blending on Wednesday with all of the visitors! You ladies are doing AMAZING!! - Ashley Loftin
- Mrs. Akers - a big THANK YOU for loving the staff like you do! - Terri Carreon
- Sherry for laminating my task cards - Ashley Loftin
- Rennell Para's - thank you for all of your hard work and for love for our students. You make Rennell a better place. - Terri Carreon
- Shout out to Jessica for being amazing and so willing to help me out!!! - Laurell
- Thank you Saira for keeping the kiddos for me.. you are the best partner! - Valerie
- Shout out to Carmen for helping test our kiddos and for taking time to help me!! Extra thankful to have you! - Laurell
- Shout out to Abby and Leslie, planning has been crazy but we are doing great through all of it! - Valerie
- Abby, Kelly, Kendall, Melissa, Kristi, Tara, Alayna, Shradha, Edith, Liz, Ina, Kelsey & Ashley- thanks for being open to all the visitors in our building yesterday. They were all impressed with the blended learning opportunities that our students are experiencing! Thanks for all you do on a daily basis to make learning fun and engaging. - Sherry J
- Bailey Burke for organizing the zoo coming to visit us!!! - Devereaux
- 2nd-5th grade Math Teachers, thank you for an amazing Math Night! Parents were able to experience rotations and blended learning because of you. I am blessed to work with such an amazing group of educators. - Sherry J
- Jamie, thanks for bringing an abstract idea to life on the Science wall. Great ideas will be caught in the "web of inspiration" over the next couple weeks. - Sherry J
- Deanne, the Math Move Me space now has an official title because of you. Thank you. - Sherry J
- Leslie and Valerie, thank you for the open invitation that you have offered to potential observers. These opportunities will be utilized as we continue to showcase blended learning on our campus. - Sherry J
- 1st Grade Team, thank you for extending station rotations by embracing blended learning studios! You rock! - Sherry J
- Shout out to Erin for jumping in and being eager to help! I'm so glad you are here! - Jodi
- Jamie Diodato! Thanks for always coming prepared to guide us through reading planning! #Team4th - Molly Redner
- Liz Rutledge! I'm so glad we're partners - thank you for being AMAZING this week, even with so much on your plate! - Molly Redner
- All the math teachers who planned and prepared for Math Night and blended learning visitors on the same week mid-year reflections and grades are do. You are rock stars, and we see you being awesome juggling all of those responsibilities with grace! - Your better halves *wink*, The ELA teachers
- Ms. Huettel for going the extra mile helping my sub during dismissal. - Ms. Martinez
- to Mrs Z, Mrs Torres, Mrs Kreitz, Ms Becca, Mrs Dusablon and so man other Red Hawks for helping me transition to PPCD! You all are awesome! - Grigs
- Shout out to Molly and the Admin team for starting the planning of the 10 year Celebration of Rennell! Looking forward to a great reception! - -Kelsey
- Shout out to my 4th grade team for being amazing this week! You ladies are the best and I'm lucky to work with you daily! - -Kelsey
- The 3rd grade team for always being so helpful & supportive! - Allison Bernier
- Mrs. Stelly for your help with one of our Pre K friends. It was appreciated. - Mrs. T.
- Melissa Smith and Julie Hill for always putting your students first and for loving your students as if they were your own kids! You are amazing teachers with kind hearts and your students are lucky to have you both. :) - Lauren Bottley
- Monica Leal for doing WHATEVER it takes when it comes to our students! You are amazing. - Lauren Bottley
- Kathryn Szkody for always being there to answer all of my questions, for taking care of me during my first year of teaching resource, and for creating such a large pair of shoes to fill. Love, - Lauren Bottley
- Katie and Kirsten thank you for jumping in and helping out where needed at the front office. - Terri
- Shout out to Kirsten Lee for always helping me out when I need you! You are very much appreciated! - Mayra Martinez
- To Ms. Rahman for always lending a helping hand!!! You're the best!! - Mayra Martinez
- Big Shout out to the mystery person with a truck that helped my husband jump my car last night! Apparently a Prius isn't powerful enough to jump another car :) - Andrea Powell
- Shout out to the PreK/ESCE team as you transition to full day...y'all are amazing!!! Thank you for being flexible with all the changes to speech schedules. - Andrea Powell