October 5~9, 2015
Coker Cubs Weekly News
Coker Mission--Every Child, Every Day
We support and foster a positive community of successful, life-long learners and leaders by meeting the needs of every individual while challenging each one to reach full potential.
Heimer Parking Lot Closed
Coker Fair
PTA still has plenty of volunteer spots available for all certified staff members to sign up for on the Teacher Fair Sign-Up or the regular Fair Sign Up. Please notify me ASAP if you have extenuating circumstances that prevent you from serving at this year's event.
Also, if staff members have middle school, high school, or college-age kids that would like to volunteer, please let them know they can sign up on the Fair Sign-Up Genius. In addition, any of the college student observers assigned to Coker are welcome to sign-up to volunteer if they would like to do so. They can use the QR code or web address on the Volunteer posters to get to the Fair Sign-Up Genius.
Lastly, PTA has not received all of the Fair Volunteer Sign-Up Sheets that were posted in the classrooms at Parent Orientation. The sheets can be returned to the PTA box in the workroom, even if they are blank. If parents ask if they need to sign up on the Sign-Up Genius even if they have completed the sheets, the answer is no. PTA will assign them spots based on the preferences listed on the classroom sign-up. However, if they have not yet been assigned a spot and they would like to sign-up on the Sign-Up Genius, they can. PTA will make sure they do not get double booked when I assign spots from the classroom sign-up sheets.
Reminder: Individual Schedules Posted
If not already accomplished, all staff members should have their individual daily schedule posted on the staff shared/administration/schedules folder by Friday, October 2nd. As necessary changes are made to your daily schedule, please update the posted version accordingly. Thank you!
Individual Student Pictures
Each teacher will soon receive a class set of individual student picture strips provided by Lifetouch (for any student in attendance on picture day last month). PTA has requested that all 2nd-5th grade classroom teachers reserve one of the small individual pictures to use for the Accelerated Reader bulletin board that is in progress.
As the completed Accelerated Reader Participation permission forms come in, PTA would appreciate that the student's picture be attached to the form. From that point on, PTA will mark the photo with a numbering system and be able to comply with the FERPA and district guidelines.
NEISD Expectations for Creation & Monitoring ISPs
Please review the NEISD Expectations for Creation & Monitoring Individual Student Success Plans that was included in the September 21st EBD and forwarded as an email from me on September 29th.
Let’s synergize as classroom teachers to ensure that all students in need of an ISP have a completed one in Compass prior to the district’s extended deadline of November 1st..
Address & Phone Numbers
If a staff member has a change of address or a change of phone number, you may access Employee Space> My Profile> Personal Information and notify the Administrative Assistant. Also, if you hear of a move by one of your students or a change in their phone number, please notify the Data Processor right away.
Leadership Quote--October
“Real leaders are ordinary people with extraordinary determination.” – Unknown
Caught Being a Leader
Leader in Me Implementation
By Week 7 students will have learned the first six habits. Students should be able to identify habits in almost any form of literature--from fiction to content-area text. Continue to reinforce leadership language throughout the day. Discuss how accomplishing goals makes them feel. Celebrate together!
Guide students through the Habit 6 section of The Leader in Me Activity Guide. Read the Habit 6 story from The 7 Habits of Happy Kids.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
BOOK FAIR WEEK! See GooCal for times
Monday - 10/5
OHI
Robotics Club
Choir
Cheer Class
Tuesday - 10/6
3rd Grade Field Trip @ Honey Creek (Lane, Mata, Trevino)
PTA FLO Training @ Piper Bass (Gill)
Responding to Misbehavior Training (Gill)
Strings
Art Class
Wednesday - 10/7
Get over hump day, Read a book (Wear read shirt and jeans)
Compass Training 2 @ RAMEC (Gill)
3rd Grade Field Trip @ Honey Creek (Harlow, Arman)
Faculty Meeting
Bricks4Kids Class
Thursday - 10/8
3rd Grade Field Trip @ Honey Creek (Baird, Hand, Sanchez)
Bilingual AP Meeting (Chavez)
Math Number Talks @ Ramec (Gill AM & Chavez PM)
SpEd Meeting
Strings
Dance Class
Golf Class
PTA Fundraiser Pick-up
Boy Scout Pack 90 Meeting
Friday - 10/9
No Field Trip Day
Silver Spoon Awards
Leadership Team Meeting
Coker Handbook Tidbits-Homework Policy
Research reveals that homework, when carefully designed, implemented and evaluated, is an effective tool for improving understanding, enriching learning, encouraging personal connections, reinforcing concepts, and providing opportunities to pursue special interests. Therefore, homework will not be graded but will be reflected in the Work Habits section of the report card. Homework may be guided or independent practice designed to help the student master the content and to extend student learning, and may include written work, studying, preparing for class and/or assessments and other activities related to classroom work, but assigned to be done at home.
In elementary, homework should be sent home at least three times a week (grades 1st-5th) and should include reading every night.
The following allotted times are maximum times for a student to work with all subjects each night:
Kinder At the discretion of the teachers
Grade 1 10 - 15 minutes
Grade 2 15 - 20 minutes
Grade 3 20 - 30 minutes
Grade 4 30 - 45 minutes
Grade 5 45 - 60 minutes
Click here to access the Handbook for detailed information.
Coker Handbook Tidbits-Leaving Campus
Always inform the office and sign in and out at the front desk, noting time and reason prior to leaving campus.
Another staff member may not sign you in or out.
Lunch time is “duty free” time and staff members may leave campus during this 30-minute time period.
The time between student dismissal and teacher dismissal is also work time during which teachers are not free to leave. However, there are meetings and in-service workshops which may require your departure before 3:50, and that is understandable.
The daily conference period is contract duty time and it is not appropriate to leave campus on a regular basis, unless given administrative approval.
Occasionally medical appointments, sick children and other concerns may require your departure before 3:50pm and must be approved by an administrator.
If an emergency requiring your dismissal arises, let an administrator know. We will help to ensure that your class or responsibility is covered.
Paraprofessional Employees Interested in Certification
In an effort to assist our Educational Aides in their objective to become certified teachers Human Resources has provided a link to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s/College for Texans. This website lists various types of financial aid, grants, scholarships and loan opportunities that can assist our employees with their goal of becoming certified teachers. We strongly encourage the hiring of educational aides who strive to become certified teachers.
Important links regarding the application process-
COLLEGE FOR ALL TEXANS:
http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?objectid=630430A7-DF46-DC9C-FA99030E5CE7CC77
For Information about applying and paying for college, click on the link below:
http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=443524AE-DE4C-2AAB-90D8E437D77B2564
If you have questions call Midge Balanciere, 407-0464, or Patty Koebke, 407-0469.
"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game." ~Babe Ruth
Tiffany Gill, Principal
Email: tgill@neisd.net
Website: http://blogs.neisd.net/tgill/
Location: 302 Heimer Road, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: (210) 407-2200