Thunderbird Times
December 11 - 17th
Finish Strong
It is no secret ... we had a rough start to this school year. I will not go into a list of items that demonstrated a difficult first 6 weeks, but will summarize to say, they were significant. Further, this is not anyone's fault, and there is no blame to give.
There are a variety of reasons that impacted a challenging start, and some of these reasons are still present, but there is only one issue to remember: We must move continue to serve our students, make decisions based on kids, and move forward.
And to this calling, we definitely have endured and shown what educational service should be. The current climate and student culture of our kids now, compared to where they were, it is like Night and Day. Teachers and staff, you have done an unimaginable job, and have done it well!!
We can see the product of your hard work by seeing smiles on students faces, their academic growth, and the support and joy of parents seen at the Winter Carnival. You have a made a difference.
We are in our final days of the Fall semester, our break is literally right around the corner, and so is the district ACPs.
I had the pleasure, and pain, of running the Dallas Half Marathon yesterday. Upon coming up to mile 12, with one point one miles left, I realized how true the statement is in running, sports, and education: It does not matter how you start the race, but how you finish.
How true this is for us!! It does not matter how we started our school year, it matters how we finish.
We will not walk our last mile of the marathon, we will run, and we will sprint with pride across the finish line. We have earned this. FINISH STRONG!!
Onward!
14th Week in Review
Winter Carnival - just amazing!! Look at a few selected pictures throughout this newsletter and Teacher Shout Outs for more details!
We finalized our ACP Checkpoint and ACP Plan for the last week of school.
We have had 2 Saturday School sessions, one on Dec 2nd and the second on Dec 9th.
Dallas ISD's Climate Survey has started and will end on Wednesday Dec 13th; you should receive a link in your email.
We had UIL and Robotics tournaments and Chavez Students were WELL represented with their results.
Discover Dallas ISD was on Saturday and brought future parents to our booth.
Teacher Shout Outs!!
The Winter Carnival surpassed any expectation or vision of what I ever thought it could be!!
The booths all had students, teachers and staff ran every activity and volunteered their time for students, KIDS WERE EXCITED, parents will happy, and they shared their excitement and even brought more family members and friends in as the evening continued!!
A big thank you to Koenig, Street, and Knebel!! They have decorated the Hallways and other areas for the carinval. They have made the front office area bring smiles to anyone who walks in. Very much appreciative!!
Thank you to Knebel and Street!! They created and organized our Carnival Book Drive!! Every child who came through our carnival received 1-2 books of their choice!!
Our last 5 Days
Teacher Driven Instruction (not textbook driven):
Our lessons should be students centered. Our questions planned by the teacher and at the highest levels of rigor.
Small Group Instruction:
Our small groups should be driving students forward. Document these groups in the binder.
Lesson Planning:
Planning should involve Depth of Knowledge/High Level questions, student stations, and small group instruction.
TEKS Understanding:
Diagram the most challenging TEKS for student impact.
High Level Questioning:
Resources: Hattie's Barometer of Influence, Costa's Level of Questioning, Depth of Knowledge, etc.
Upcoming Events
December 11-15: Book Fair
December 15: Insight Global Gift donation and celebration
December 16: Last Saturday School session
December 18: ACP; 4th ELA & 5th Science
December 19: ACP; K-5 Math
December 20: ACP; K-5 Reading
December 22: Winter Break Begins
January 8: Teacher Work Day
January 9: Students Return
No PLCs Dec 10 - 15th
In coming to a close, we have been focusing on Instructional Planning and Small Group instruction these past few weeks. Recently, Small Group Binders were reviewed and several teachers stood out as having their logs completed, organized, and showed how students have been progressing. These Teachers will receive parking spaces as recognition for their efforts!
Principal and Assistant Principal Parking spaces from Dec 5 to Dec 11: Cruz & Brown
Principal and Assistant Principal Parking spaces from Dec 12 to Dec 18: Adams & Arnal
Thank you to Cruz, Brown, Adams, and Arnal for taking this initiative 100% forward!
We are the on the path to be Premier Campus in Dallas ISD!!
- Chavez Learning Center will increase academic achievement by increasing the percentage of students earning 'Meeting Grade Level" in all subjects.
- Chavez Learning Center will increase the campus Culture and Climate by improving its relationships, morale, and positive interactions between staff, parents, and students.
- Chavez Learning Center will work continually to improve and deliver high quality instruction to all students.