October 9, 2017
A Communication Tool for the Seven Hills Staff
Holding Ourselves Responsible to Respect Agreements:
and 10 representing living each descriptor daily) in the following areas:
- self
- staff
- students
- team
- facilities
- administration
After taking time to reflect on how well we are holding up our end of the respect agreement, I asked that you carefully consider one area that you could focus on improving over the next grading period. Considering the paradigm that change starts with me, what can you do differently that would both uphold the respect agreement and have a positive impact on the campus, your team, students, and yourself? It may not be the area you rated the lowest...it might be the area you think would have the greatest impact on yourself and others.
This was the last part of our time together on Friday. It was getting hot and everyone was worn out from a fun game of "Meet Me in the Middle," so I wanted to remind you of the activity and encourage you to revisit your self-reflection and area of focus before the week begins.
NISD Learning Cycle: Focus on Literacy
We are currently in the first content learning cycle of the year. This learning cycle has a focus on literacy. Throughout the learning cycle we will be sharing information to support literacy instruction. We will also conduct walk-throughs to gather data on areas of strength and opportunities for growth. We look forward to sharing great instructional strategies and best practices with you in this cycle.
Let's start with a few tips and ideas for supporting the skills block:
- How are you using the Skills Block? Check out the anchor chart below for the key elements of the Skills Block.
- 3-5 Teachers...Did you know that Invitation to Notice was "born" at Seven Hills? A video of Invitation to Notice being modeled is linked below. I encourage you to take a minute to review the teacher model....even if you have been using the strategy regularly, just like athletes review film, it is good to review that which you do every day in order to refine your craft.
- Looking for simple ways to improve students Sight Word recognition? Try a sight word “password”. Students must read/say the word every time they enter the classroom. This could also be the word students are looking for in their books during independent reading time. How many times is that word in their book? For more ideas, check out Whitney Beck’s classroom; she even has a sight word of the day song!
What Are the Key Elements of Skills Block?
Make Use of Every Available Instructional Minute!
An Invitation to Review the Invitation to Notice!
All Big Kahuna Fundraising Due to the Office on Tuesday, October 10!
Sharpen the Saw Club Schedule:
We will try the schedule below this week for Sharpen the Saw Clubs. We will see how this schedule works, and make adjustments as needed. Thank you for your continued energy, excitement, and flexibility! Last week was wonderful!
7:45-8:30 a.m. -Sharpen the Saw Clubs
8:40-9:30- 5th
9:30-10:20- 4th
10:20-11:10- 3rd
11:10-11:40- Lunch (Specials Team)
11:40-12:30- Conference (Specials Team)
12:30- 1:20- Kinder
1:20-2:10- 1st grade
2:10-3:00- 2nd grade
There have been a few questions about whether or not Sharpen the Saw Clubs will be used as a behavior incentive. The purpose of these clubs is to provide students with enrichment opportunities. The clubs are providing opportunities for students to participate in learning and activities beyond the core content area, supporting our belief in developing the whole child. For some students these clubs provide experiences they do not have beyond the school day. This is a time to refresh and renew. These are intended to be offered to all students, and should not be something that students are earning or working toward participation in. That being said, if students cannot meet the expectations of a leader during Sharpen the Saw Clubs, they may need to visit with an administrator. At the very least, the Sharpen the Saw Club sponsor needs to communicate with the classroom teacher and possibly sign the behavior log informing parents. If you have a student who is not meeting the expectations of a leader in the classroom or at school, and you would like to consider removal from these clubs, you need to visit with an administrator. No student should miss without visiting with an administrator.
Habit 6: Synergize!
Wonder
Precepts for the Week:
- Monday: Holiday
- Tuesday: Invite others to wonder with you - Austin Kleon
- Wednesday: Inward happiness almost always follows a kind action. - Father Fabor
- Thursday: Be yourself. You will not get a second change to. - Daniel
- Friday: The sun will come out tomorrow. - Annie
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month:
What is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning disorder that involves difficulty reading due to problems identifying speech sounds and learning how they relate to letters and words (decoding). Also called reading disability, dyslexia affects areas of the brain that processes language.
What Causes Dyslexia?
The exact causes of dyslexia are still not completely clear, but anatomical and brain imagery studies show differences in the way the brain of a person with dyslexia develops and functions. Dyslexia is linked to genes, which is why the condition often runs in families. You're more likely to have dyslexia if your parents, siblings, or other family members have it. The condition stems from differences in parts of the brain that process language.
We have decided to extend the due date for Challenge #1 to Friday, October 13. Ms. Goosey and Mrs. Bryan have created a Dyslexia Awareness Challenge for all staff members to participate in, if you choose! Anyone who completes all 4 challenges by the end of October will receive 2 jeans passes! Log into google classroom and enter the classroom code to join our challenge! Teachers will complete one challenge each week, a total of 4 challenges by the end of the month.
Join our class in google classroom the code is: 1rk08q
Homework Hub:
Homework Hub will launch this week!
What is Homework Hub?
Homework Hub is an opportunity from 7:20-7:40 for you students to get additional assistance and or time to complete their homework with staff that do not have a homeroom class. We can listen to reading, practice spelling words, work on math and so much more.
Where do I send students for homework hub?
Homework Hub meets in the cafeteria on the opposite side from where breakfast eats. Students that eat breakfast can get their food and come to HH to begin working. Once the 7:40 bell rings we send students to class.
Homework Hub Help Needed:
If you do not have a homeroom class we would love your support at homework hub! Please sign up using this link under the dates you are available to help. Ideally we would like to have atleast 2 staff members each Tuesday and Thursday! Thank you! https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jU-gtJmiXrw38bdO2c4d_T_OT1fp-XOKxfCIvGd5LbY
Campus and District Announcements and Updates:
A BIG THANK YOU to Marina and Idalia for translating and supporting our parents and teachers on the October 5 conferences! We appreciate you!
Chicken Coop: Please visit with your students this week about our chicken coop. We have a brand new coop this year. The coop was donated to the school, and will be a great home for Sophia and Coraline. They are still visiting the Davis'. Sadly, our coop has already been damaged. Some of the wire mesh has been kicked in and some of the trim pieces have been torn off. The coop is being repaired, but we need your help in explaining the expectations for keeping away from the coop and taking care of it.
Required ELPS/TELPAS Training: Here is the link for the 2017-18 ELPS/TELPAS Connection training. It is required that all teachers complete this training. Please register by clicking the link https://eduphoria.nisdtx.org/wshop/default.aspx?cid=13507
You can access the training in the notes and attachments section of the course. Please complete the Google form on the last slide of the PowerPoint to receive credit.
Teachers should also complete the registration and Google form for credit.
Please complete by or before October 16th, print and turn in your certificate of completion into Kelly Bryan’s box once you have submitted your answers and received credit for completing this training. If you need help with this please let Kelly and Goosey know. They are willing to help you.
Please continue to check the Edugence google folder. Hayley is updating it weekly as she receives new information from district. When in doubt on how to do something in Edugence check the folder, then if it’s unclear or your question cannot be answered let Hayley know! :)
Fall Virtual PLCs: Please check your Moodle pages and emails from Hayley to make sure you have one grade level member or more registered for these Fall PLCs. From first overview, these look to be full of GREAT resources, and materials for instruction. What a GREAT opportunity to get the information on your own time and at your own pace. Remember, if you choose to only have one grade level representative "attend" these sessions, your team will need to find time to share the new learning with everyone.
Seven Hills October - Health and Fitness Calendar. Coach Grounds passed out Health and Fitness Calendar’s last week. Join us in modeling a healthy lifestyle. Complete any 25 days on the calendar and turn it in October 31st to receive a prize!
NEF Jeans Day. It is now MONDAY, OCTOBER 16!
Please encourage your staff to wear jeans with a college shirt to raise awareness of the Northwest ISD Education Foundation. This does not matter whether you gave to NEF during the employee giving campaign or not. This is simply to raise awareness for the Education Foundation among our employees. We have some fun activities planned throughout the day.
- NEF Grants: If you're interested in applying for a teaching grant, click here. The application process lasts through Oct. 27. Dream BIG! Seven Hills has not applied for an NEF grant in the last 2 years. If you have ideas that you would like to more fully develop, please let Kim, Leslie, or Hayley know. Q is also really good at grant writing. We would love to help you.
- T-TESS Observations are Beginning Now. Your evaluator will be reaching out to you to schedule your observation and pre-conference.
50's Day is Friday, October 13:
Save the Date:
Week of October 9 - 13: Habit 6: Synergize
- Student Holiday/Staff FLEX Day
- PTA Fundraising Event
October 10:
- ILT Planning Day
- No Grade Level PLCs
- Parent Conference Night; 3:45 - 6:45 (FLEX Hours - see email from Kim Blackburn on 9/30/17)
- Big Kahuna Fundraising Due
- Celebration Boards - Beginning of year leadership activity should be posted by today
October 11:
- Math planning with NISD Math Coaches
- Dr. Griffin visits campus for literacy learning cycle walk-throughs
October 12:
- SST B (Check calendar invites)
- Sunni and Dr. Espinosa visit 7 Hills for literacy learning cycle walks
- Staff Meeting, 3:30 - 4:30
October 13:
- Sharpen the Saw Clubs
- 50's Day
- All teacher WIGs that are being used as the exemplar should be posted in the classroom and scoreboards updated.
- ALL students should have Leadership Notebooks set up (paper or digital) and PIGs should be updated, any scoreboards updated, and If WIGS are set, they should be in the notebook and any scoreboards connected to the WIG should be up to date.
- Class respect agreements and mission statements should be posted.
Happy Belated Birthday to You:
Brenda Franks 10/3