Principal's Corner #11
November 8, 2019
COUGAR STAFF SHOUT OUTS
- To Joan Salinger and Paras, thank you for helping me when I needed it the most! So thankful for colleagues like you.
From Melissa Adler
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- To Jackie Moore and Dawn Thompson, Jackie for being so creative and providing each staff member with a cute reminder of how special they are. And for Dawn for helping Jackie put it altogether and distributing them in all the mailboxes. You both rock!!
From Tiffany Steinmetz
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- To Caroline Garey and Shana Eilers for working together to help determine the best placement for one of our first graders and for ensuring a smooth transition.
- To Kristina Layman, Amy Bainbridge and Darren Dennstedt for working together to schedule conferences back to back to back for one of our families.
- To Ann Litschewski for advocating for her students needs and working collaboratively with staff to ensure it happens.
- To Patti Rojec for stepping in and creating a smooth transition for our students in the clinic. We are fortunate to have you here.
- To Amy Schneider for joining to Cougar Staff and just jumping into the para roll. Thanks for joining our team.
From Katie Johnson
SpEd Collaboration Day
Important Safety Reminders
Working in conjunction with Cherry Creek School District’s Safety and Security Office, we are committed to creating a safe, supportive and welcoming learning environment for ALL of our students. Our Comprehensive Safe Schools Plan addresses physical safety/security AND the psychological safety of students. I would like to use this week as an opportunity to remind us all about the various safety procedures we have in our school district.
In every classroom, there should be a red "Emergency Code: Quick Reference Guide". If you don't have one, please email Alison ASAP. We hold various drills throughout the school year to be sure we, and our students, know what to do in the event of an emergency. This reference guide outlines our actions to take during an emergency situation. Below I have summarized each of our drills, but I strongly encourage you to take a few minutes and review the Quick Reference Guide.
- Evacuation: When there is a significant danger such as a fire, smoke, gas leak, chemical spill inside the building or you are directed to exit the building. These drills can be announced OR unannounced in advance. This emergency is typically signaled by the fire alarm.
- Secured Permitted/Lockout: Where there is a significant risk OR dangerous person outside the building follow specific actions to stay in your room. This drill will be announced as a drill, unless it is not a drill. This emergency is signaled via intercom.
- Shelter-In-Place: When there is a dangerous weather event, tornado reported, or a hazardous material incident in the immediate area follow specific actions to stay in your designated space. This drill will be announced as a drill, unless it is not a drill. Please note, we will have a Shelter-In-Place drill later this month; the quick reference guide is below. This emergency is signaled via intercom.
- Lockdown: Where there is a significant risk OR dangerous person inside the building, to stay safe, take specific steps. This drill will always be announced as a drill, unless it is not a drill. This emergency is signaled via intercom. In the event you are the first witness to an emergency lockdown situation, it is important you know how to make a school-wide announcement: dial 88 (wait for tone) 700.
If you have any questions, concerns or need clarification, please feel free to ask me.
Literacy from Lois
Thank you to everyone that dropped by for some IRLA tips and tricks! I enjoyed meeting with each of you. Please remember that my role here is to support you and your students in all areas of literacy. I will be sending out a literacy survey next week. As we enter the second trimester, I would love to focus on providing optional, differentiated literacy work sessions relevant to you and your students.
Our IRLA Foundational Toolkits are here and ready for use! They are in the book room on the black shelf. There is a toolkit for each level from yellow to 2 Red. If you are interested in checking out one of the toolkits, let me know. I can quickly go over the components of the toolkits and make sure that you have all of the necessary baskets/manuals. There will be a very simple check out system in place next week. You will simply place the clothespin with your name on the chart by the kit you are using.
If you are looking for books for guided reading or small groups, remember to check the book room. There are books from level 1R to purple, both fiction and non-fiction. If you need any other resources, please let me know.
- Monday, November 11: Veteran's Day Assembly, AM Assembly Schedule
- Tuesday, November 12 & 13: Sungate (3rd/5th Grade only)
- Tuesday, November 12: Katie Out (ADCO)
- Wednesday, November 13: Staff Meeting (District Leadership presents Future Forward)
- Thursday, November 14: 1:45 & 6:30, 3rd Grade Program
- Friday, November 15: Katie and Alison Out, EPC
- Friday, November 15: School Spirit Day: Wear your Blue and Green!
- Monday, November 18: SpEd Collaboration Day (Watch for more information)
- Monday, November 18: PASS Meeting 5-6pm, Innovation Space
- Friday, November 22: Katie Out, UIP Workshop
- Friday, November 22: School Spirit Day: TWIN DAY