Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF JANUARY 29-FEBRUARY 2, 2018
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY GOALS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Distinguished Leaders,
Things are happening quickly as the time to make next years’ Master Schedules and Spring budget decisions are fast approaching. We must be prepared and be ready to make decisions that will impact our campuses according to the needs of our scholars in a positive way.
February 8, you will have the opportunity to attend a Spring Budget intimate one on one sessions with Ms. Weber, our Talent Partner. This meeting should fully prepare you for your Final Spring Budget meetings on February 13.
Jiv Daya Foundation is a wonderful opportunity to increase the level of technology being implemented on elementary campuses. We are once again applying for this grant and am confident that we have a wonderful chance to earn this as a feeder. Therefore, our application is due the week of February 9. Be on the look out for any data requests or input to complete our application that will benefit so many scholars.
I am excited to finally say that as a feeder family, we will ALL be attending The Leader In Me Symposium next week. This PD opportunity will impact so many of our scholars in our feeder. The commitment we made at the beginning of this year as a feeder to implement The Leader in Me is another exemplar of working towards being ONE TEAM!
As we continue to 'Sharpen the Saw' at each of your campuses, let's all stay focused more than ever this upcoming week on observing instructional practices and giving teachers immediate feedback (twice a day) so that our scholars can receive the best GOOD FIRST INSTRUCTION as possible for the remaining instructional days prior to testing.
Have an awesome week LEADING, COACHING, TEACHING ,LEARNING AND MAKING ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENTS!
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, January 29, 2018
- Tom Field Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Cary MS Campus visit w/ED and AF's-Calibration walk
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Thomas Jefferson ECHS-Mrs. Massey @ 2:30 p.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- Sudie Williams Brochure meeting w/Ms. Mansell-Ms. Torres
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Saldivar ES.-Mrs. Macklin@ 8:30 a.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- PEI Checkpoint #3-Cigarroa ES.Mr. Burak@ 10:00 a.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- PEI Checkpoint #3-K.B. Polk ES.Mrs. Rothermund @ 1:00 p.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- AIA Leadership Team Meeting-Ms. Torres-NCX #1350-1:30 p.m.
- Joe May campus visit w/Reading AF
- Cigarroa Campus visit w/Reading AF
- Medrano and Cary Middle School Transition Camps
- Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
- Talking Tuesday @ Adamson HS 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Medrano Campus visit w/ED and AF's-Calibration walk
- K.B. Polk Campus visit w/AF's
- Aspen Challenge at Union Square-9:00-4:30 p.m.-Ms. Torres/Ms. Massey
Thursday, February 1, 2018
- The Leader in Me Symposium in Richardson, Texas-Thomas Jefferson Feeder Principals and Executive Director-8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
1-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
- ED/Deputy Chief Meeting 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.-Haskell 2nd floor
- The Leader in Me Symposium in Richardson, Texas-Thomas Jefferson Feeder Principals and Executive Director-8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
- PEI Principal Checkpoint #3 Ends
- ISIP-MOY testing completed!
THOMAS JEFFERSON PRE-SPRING BUDGET MEETINGS
Below is your scheduled time to be able to come and work with Brittany regarding your Spring Budget meeting that is scheduled on February 13, 2018. The only campuses that are receiving allocations are Elementary campuses who will be receiving 1-2 allocations for an AP(’s) that will be coming from the Middle and High Schools and/or Special Ed. Units placed on your campuses for next year.
Please ensure you are on time to your Pre-Spring Budget meetings so that you can have any question answered prior to the February 13 Spring Budget Meeting.
THOMAS JEFFERSON SPRING BUDGET MEETINGS-FEBRUARY 13, 2018
FREE -MATH AND READING -REGION 10 RESOURCES FOR YOUR CAMPUS! ONE DAY ONLY!
We have resources for you! Region 10 has delivered several boxes of books (i.e., The Literacy Continuum & The Reading Strategies Book) and instructional aids for Dallas ISD MATH and RLA teachers (grades K-8) who serve Title I schools.
If you would like to "shop" for your campuses, please come to the warehouse (3111 W. Commerce St.) on Tuesday, January 30, between 8:30am and 10:00am. Feel free to bring CICs with you and something to use to load and move your items!
JIV DAYA FEEDER GRANT OPPORTUNITY
The Jiv Daya Foundation was established in 2002 in Dallas, TX by Dr. Viny Jain and his wife, Kanika Jain. The StEP initiative began in 2011 with small sets of Kindle Paperwhite e-reader devices donated to individual classrooms. By 2013, the tablet technology developed such that Kindle devices could be used in all subjects - not just for reading.
The primary goals of StEP are to:
· Provide access to digital tools in under-resourced settings
· Harness technology to support innovative and individualized teaching
· Prepare young students for the digital dimension
The Jiv Daya Foundation works with the feeder and school sites for one academic year. During this year, they will train administration and teachers in device usage, device management system, and digital resource usage. All training is required. After one academic year of partnership, sites are expected to self-maintain program and continue usage of devices.
The Foundation strongly believes that all campuses have unique technology needs and should have unique goals tailored to those needs.
A team has been selected to lead and submit the grant application for the feeder, however we will need your support to meet the deadline. Please be on the lookout for emails, Google forms, and documents that we will be using to collect and gather data to complete the application process once again.
This is our year! I am more than certain we will get this grant because our scholars deserve it! Let's think positive!
JIV DAYA FOUNDATION MODEL
POWER SCHOOL TRAINING
As you are aware, we are moving to Power School system where we will be able to do so many things and use one system instead of many to find information, data, create student scheduling, etc. CRC’s, Instructional Coaches, AP’s, teachers, and Principals will need to be trained on the system. This system will be used to schedule students when returning from summer vacation in July. Chancery will NOT be used for this purpose, therefore, if your CRC’s/Data Controllers are not attending trainings to be well versed in the system, your campus will be having difficulty with enrolling. I highly recommend that you inform your teams of the upcoming trainings being held at NCX Building.
There is Mandatory Elementary Principal training upcoming that must be attended based on the feeder day. Please refer to the table below. Registration through Cornerstone is required.
SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATES
In the effort to ensure total transparency and communication regarding upcoming changes in the Special Education department regarding next steps in Destination Access, I wanted to inform you how this may affect some of your campuses. The goal is to move all the students that belong to the TJ feeder back to the TJ feeder. This does not necessarily mean to the home campus. That would occur in a couple of years. Below, is a table that I created to communicate the changes that were given to me on Friday by Tanya Browne and the Special Education department. If you are NOT mentioned in the table below, your special education special programs will remain the same as you have this year.
EXTRACURRICULAR PARTICIPATION
Principals should encourage an increase in participation in extra-curricular. Students’ participation in extra-curricular activities should be inputted by the designated Activities Coordinator. While our end goal is every student participating in at least one activity, we must reach our yearly goal as we work toward 100%. Extra-Curricular activities serve as 5% of the School Performance Framework that determines campus autonomies.
For this year, we must reach the following:
- High School – 69%
- Middle School – 64%
- Elementary – 54%
INFLUENZA RESOURCES
Influenza peaked earlier than predicted and activity has increased over the past few weeks in Dallas County, such that high levels of influenza are currently circulating in our area. Severe complications of influenza and outbreaks are best prevented by continuing to educate our school communities about simple disease prevention measures, and to promote influenza vaccination unless medically contraindicated.
There are letters approved by Communications in English and Spanish to be distributed to your school community this past week. Please ensure that the highlighted information on the letter template is completed prior to being sent home with students. We are also working to share this information on the Dallas ISD website for parents to access.
As a partner in public surveillance we continue to monitor and report student daily absences for each campus to Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS).
Below are a list of links that contain excellent information and resources for schools about influenza.
2017-2018 Influenza Resources:
https://www.dallascounty.org/department/hhs/influenza.html
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTTERN KUDOS
THANK YOU K.B. POLK FOR OPENING UP YOUR DOORS- FOUR CAMPUSES JOIN IN THE LEARNING!
Grades 3-5 Engaged in the Learning about Text Sets
Teachers learn about text sets from the Text Set authors!
PK-2 Refining their understanding of Guided Reading
GREAT JOB BURNET- UNPACKING THE TEKS!
Unpacking the TEKS and planning for aligned Instruction
Making the Thinking Visible
Clarifying Student Expectations
Dallas ISD'S INAUGURAL AMAZING SHAKE!
Overview:
· What: Dallas ISD’s Amazing Shake: Round 2
· Where: Dallas Education Center – 9400 North Central Expressway, 13th Floor (Room 1350)
· When: Friday, February 2, 2018 from 9:00-1:00pm
· Why: Prepare your top 5 scholars to SHINE brightly in their communities and beyond
- What: Scholars will be scored on their handshake, eye contact, back and forth communication and ability to answer a current event question.
Principal/Shake Coach Next Steps:
- Step 1: Confirm your school’s attendance in the 2nd round by responding to this email by Friday, December 15th .
- Step 2: Ensure you have secured a signed permission slip by parents/legal guardians for students to participate in the 2nd round of competition
- Step 3: Arrange transportation for your top 5 students to attend the 2nd round of competition
- Step 4: Incorporate current events into the school day.
On Friday, February 2nd for the 2nd round of competition of Dallas ISD’s Amazing Shake at 9400 North Central Expressway (Room 1350).
Here are sample questions your students should be prepared to answer:
- As a citizen of Dallas, how would you address a concern that you have read in the newspaper or heard in the news?
- If you could make any changes to your school, what would they be and why?
- How should bullying be addressed?
- Considering the Flint Water Pollution crisis, how do you feel about clean water and the fact that some children in the world do not have clean water?
- If you were President of the United States, what would you change immediately, and why?
Here are the numbers for your Shaker’s sticky tags. Please do not include the Shaker’s name on their sticky tag.
Yesenia Prado, Burnet 1
Jerimiah Fortson, Burnet 2
Julian Flores, Burnet 3
Elisha Rebon, Burnet 4
Isabel Contrarez, Burnet 5
Kevin Enriquez, Saldivar 1
Deborah Arriaga, Saldivar 2
Emma E. Cruz, Saldivar 3
Justin Flores, Saldivar 4
Carolina Mendoza, Saldivar 5
Ji Antoine, Foster 1
Amireli Saenz, Foster 2
Olivia Reynolds , Foster 3
Bryan Gonzalez, Foster 4
Angel Grimaldo Martinez, Foster 5
Jacob Rios, Foster 6
Good luck to all of our participants!
LONE STAR LEADERSHIP ACADEMY!
Call for Outstanding Student Nominations!
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2018 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state. Nominees must be in 4th-8th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate leadership ability, and be involved in school/community activities.
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online at:
'UNITED TO LEARN' FULL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR TJ ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
CAREER MANAGMENT SYSTEM-MID YEAR REVIEW WINDOW OPENS
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
GET YOUR 5th SIX WEEKS RLA CURRICULAR RESOURCES HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
Great news!! All 5th six weeks curricular documents have been posted on TRS and Curriculum Central. You can also access them on the 2017-18 Suggested Curricular Resources document linked here. Please let me know if I can assist you in any way. Spread the word!
STAAR ELAR PD Available!
2018 Spring Professional Development for RLA Grades 3–12
bit.ly/spring18RLAPD
Feb. 5 5:00–7:00
Where Are the Questions? Developing Effective Questions for Text Sets
Feb. 12 5:00–7:00
Just in Time for the 5th Six Weeks
Feb. 15 5:00–7:00
Supporting Students with Conclusions and Inferences on STAAR
Feb. 19*8:30–11:30
Close Reading as a Scaffold for STAAR
Feb. 19* 1:00–4:00
Supporting Students on STAAR: Active Reading Strategies & Inferences
STEM MATH ELEMENTARY PD
STEM MATH SECONDARY PD
DALLAS MAVERICKS EDUCATION PROGRAMS
ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain
The Dallas Mavericks Honorary Co-Captain program recognizes students who enjoy and excel STEM/STEAM education programs. As an ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain, selected students will receive two (2) tickets to a Mavs home game, the opportunity to enjoy pre-game shoot around, sit on the bench during team introductions and meet the Mavericks team captain at half court. One (1) ExxonMobil Honorary Co-Captain will be selected for each Mavs home game! To nominate a student, fill out the online form and submit it now through Friday, February 28, 2018. Students must be nominated by a counselor, principal, or teacher or by nonprofit organizations/after-school programs. If you are with a nonprofit organization and not a school, please use the nonprofit’s information for “School” and select the “counselor” option on the nomination form. Learn more and nominate students here: https://www.mavs.com/exxonmobil-honorary-co-captain/. Nominations DUE: Friday, February 28, 2018
Classroom Champions: Recognizing Teachers & Excellence in the Classroom
The Dallas Mavericks and The UPS Store, in association with Teach For America DFW, are teaming up to present the 14th Annual Classroom Champions program, created to recognize North Texas educators for their work in the classroom. Each month from November until March, two DFW Metroplex teachers will be selected as Classroom Champion “Teachers of the Month” and recognized at Dallas Mavericks home games and online throughout the Mavs season. At the end of the season, from March 16th – March 30th, a community vote will be open to the public where MFFL’s have the opportunity to vote online for five Classroom Champion “Teachers of Year” out of the previously selected 10 “Teachers of the Month”. Each of the five winning teachers are awarded $1,000 for themselves and $1,000 for their school. To learn more and nominate a teacher, visit: https://www.mavs.com/classroomchampions/. Teachers are selected every month with the deadlines: January 1, February 1 and March 1, 2018.
Mavs Reading Challenge
The Mavs Reading Challenge is a 15-week program designed to improve reading literacy throughout Dallas and encourage the love of reading for kids of all ages. Dallas parents, students and teachers can sign up online or at any of the 29 Dallas Public Library locations. Track your reading throughout the winter and spring, for the chance to win special prizes from the Dallas Mavericks and presenting sponsor Whataburger. Learn more and sign up now: www.mavs.com/readingchallenge/ Reading Challenge: December 1, 2017 – March 18, 2018.
Mavs Scholarship Program - $5,000 College Scholarships
The Dallas Mavericks, Harrison Barnes and Century 21 Mike Bowman, Inc. have teamed up to present the 8th annual Dallas Mavericks Scholarship Program to DFW Metroplex high school seniors in financial need. Seniors will have the opportunity to apply for one of four $5,000 scholarships for college. To apply, high school seniors must attend a high school within 75-miles of the American Airlines Center, attend a two- or four-year college or university in the fall of their completed senior year, need financial assistance, be in good academic standing, and complete the application and essay. Learn more and apply at www.mavs.com/mavs-scholarship-program/. Scholarship applications are due Friday, February 23, 2018.
THE DASH FOR THE BEADS GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS!
The Dash for the Beads is a non-profit organization that conducts an annual 5K, 10K, and 1mile fun run in Oak Cliff. The proceeds from the event are used to support youth in the areas of health and fitness and arts and music.
In 2018, the Dash for the Beads (DFB) organization will award grants to local organizations that support the above areas of interest. There will be three (2) categories of grants:
- Program: Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 for program grants supporting the above areas.
- Capital: Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 for capital grants (see explanation below) supporting the above areas.
Program Grants: A physical fitness, nutrition, art or music service or activity provided for youth. Ex: after school program, band camp, theater arts or music camp, provision of nutritious food, soccer team, art therapy program.
Capital Grants: A physical project that supports youth in physical fitness, nutrition, art, or music. Ex: playground, soccer field, kitchen appliances for food program, improvement of physical space.
Click here for more information! https://dashforthebeads.org/grants/
TEI
DTR application deadline for eligible teachers with no prior TEI Data DTR application deadline for group 2 applicants is January 17. The Primary evaluator should verify teachers’ applications prior to submission.
At this time, teachers should have at least half the number of required spots documented in schoolnet. If this is not the case, the expectation is that it be rectified immediately. I will follow up with each campus during my next visit to check progress.
A spot proration guide was emailed to you so that you can be sure that your campus is on track related to the number of spots needed for your campus.
2017-2018 DALLAS ISD DISTRICT-WIDE TESTING CALENDAR
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
FEBRUARY
6-Dialouge with School Leadership 3:30-4:15 p.m.
7-Joe May Campus Visit w/Ed and AF's
7-New date-New Principal Meeting w/ED @ Joe May Conference room -8:30 a.m.
7-New date-New Assistant Principal Meeting w/ED @ Joe May Conference room-9:30-11:15 a.m.
12-16 New dates-District wide 4th Six Weeks Common Assessments (TRS Version)
23-Title I Requisitions due today
MARCH
9-Drill log for the Spring Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
27-Math AF TOT for CIC Content Training
29-Reading AF TOT for CIC Content Training
MARSHALL MEMO #720
Metacognition as a Tool for Improving Student Success
In this article in Edutopia, Youki Terada says getting students to think about their thinking “can close a gap that some students experience between how prepared they feel for a test and how prepared they actually are.” Overconfidence is a common problem among students as they walk into exams. It was dubbed the Dunning-Kruger Effect after a landmark study two decades ago.
One reason students have this false sense of mastery is that they’re using ineffective study methods, including rereading material and highlighting. “They review a passage and move on without realizing that they haven’t thoroughly understood and absorbed the material,” says Terada. “It’s far too easy for students to overestimate their understanding of a topic simply because they’re familiar with it.” This dynamic is especially damaging for weaker students because they don’t realize why they’re doing badly, become discouraged, and aren’t motivated to use better strategies next time.
A second reason students are poorly prepared for tests is that teachers haven’t checked for understanding as they teach. “Don’t assume that every student understands the material just because no one asks a question,” says Terada. “Keep in mind that struggling students may not know what questions to ask, or may feel too embarrassed to ask any.” The best teachers encourage question-asking and frequently use low-stakes assessments like exit tickets, pop quizzes, or one-minute papers to identify gaps in knowledge and immediately follow up.
A third reason students are ill-prepared as they walk into tests is that they’re not tuned into their thinking strategies, have a fixed mindset about learning (I’m not good at math), and haven’t learned to take charge of their own learning. Teachers need to explicitly address all three. Terada suggests giving students the self-questioning techniques below (they’re geared to middle and high school, but can be adapted for elementary):
During instruction, students should ask themselves:
- What are the main ideas of this lesson?
- Is anything confusing or difficult?
- If something isn’t making sense, what questions should I ask the teacher?
- Am I taking good notes?
- What can I do if I get stuck?
Preparing for tests, students should ask themselves:
- What will be on the test?
- What areas do I struggle with or feel confused about?
- How much time should I set aside to prepare for this test?
- Do I have the necessary books, supplies, technology, online access, and a quiet place to study?
- What study strategies will I use?
- How can I test myself to be sure of what I know and fix what I don’t know?
- Should I study with a friend? Use note cards?
- What grade would I get if I took the test right now?
After a test, students should be required to answer these questions:
- Which questions did I get wrong? Why?
- Were there any surprises?
- Was I well-prepared?
- If not, what could I have done differently?
- Am I receiving useful, specific feedback from my teacher to help me progress?
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Tamieka Porter
Lisa Maia
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Dustin Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.