Team Thomson News & Notes
#ThomsonRocks September 3, 2018
Important Information for You!
NWEA-MAP Testing
Here we go! Please make sure that you have read through the Assessment Guidelines and prepared yourself for this week's practice testing. I know that we are all a little nervous about how things will go and how are kids will do, but I can tell you from watching the students in STEM with Wendy, they are pretty good at manipulating the Chromebooks. Additionally, remember that we have a scheduled worked out that provides lots of support for our students while they independently take the tests.
Link to the Practice Test YouTube Video:
http://warmup.nwea.org/mpg_student_menu.html
Link to MAP Assessment Guidelines:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-1fsemvmSHQ7W24zmaqjnQvkbnH971yAsLyTNHsT-O8/edit?usp=sharing
Link to MAP Testing Schedule:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/14ntBl4u8S1GQvKvW96Yz-LtImhMyuErQDG1SWGbQxWQ/edit?usp=sharing
ALICE Training
On Thursday, September 6th, all certified staff and secretaries will be receiving the link for the one hour online module. ALL certified and office staff MUST complete the one hour online module prior to September 11th. This hour online training will be counted as part of the three hours total of professional development that you will be granted. Hourly staff will be paid for the two hours they attend the actual training. If you are an hourly staff member and cannot attend, please see me right away.
Positive Parent Phone Calls
I have heard from a few parents this year how much the positive parent phones calls have meant to them. By the end of this week, each parent should have been contacted with a positive about their child. Please email or let me know when you have finished making your calls.
Daily Schedules
If you have not yet turned in your daily schedule, please do so by Friday, September 7th.
Cardinal Code Teaching
Don't forget to continue teaching Cardinal Code and routines this week. Just because you taught it last week doesn't mean the students will remember or do it this week. Remember, these are 4 and 5 year olds...if students aren't 'getting it', it is most likely because they truly don't know, remember, or understand fully...please remember to reteach, not retell. There is nothing wrong with having kids practice something until they get it right, but why not make a game of it as opposed to getting upset or frustrated.
Emergency Help
The Thomson Staff has always pulled together to ensure that we have a safe, successful environment for our students, staff, and visitors. I appreciate the way everyone always chips in and works together. I want to share a couple reminders about medical and behavior incidents. In the event of a medical emergency, we will call the MERT team into service. If you are in the hallway or office when a medical emergency arises, please move out of the way of the medical team or secretaries and tend to your own classroom or work. I know it is our natural tendency to want to help, but too many concerned adults can interfere with the process of caring for the individual involved in the emergency. Our team is trained for these events. If additional help is needed they know who to ask for help.
In the event of a behavior situation, please move around the situation without getting involved unless asked for help by the adult managing the behavior. Again your desire to help is appreciated, but additional adults give more attention to inappropriate behavior and can hinder the process of de-escalation. If additional help is needed the adult assisting the student will ask for help. I appreciate everyone following these requests in order to best provide the involved parties with the optimal care for the situation.
Growth Plans
Last week I sent out information about writing your Growth Plans. I really want you to take the time to really reflect and think about your own professional practice, your self-assessment, district and building initiatives, and your students. Since you are only being asked to really submit the opening paragraphs, please take time to make this meaningful. I do not want these Growth Plans to be a 'check off' box. As always, if you have any questions, please let me know. Growth Plans are due to me by Friday, September 14th. We will then revise the Areas of Focus and Action Steps in our Growth Plan meetings.
Video Below
Below is a Welcome Back message from our Interim State Superintendent. While we have already been back two weeks, but her message is wonderful!
Quotes Worth Reading
"The hardest things are the easiest to avoid because it's simple to convince yourself they are out of reach. But they're not. How often in life do we finish a task or reach a goal that is far beyond the capacity of the person we were when we started it?"
-The Positivity Project
Thomson Elementary
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays: Amy Chorley, September 6th...Happy Birthday to You!
Make your calendars...Homecoming Parade is September 30th! I hope you will consider walking with our students and families!
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Monday, September 3rd-No School for Staff or Students. Happy Labor Day!
- Week of September 4th-Practice MAP Testing
- Tuesday, September 4th-DK/K Curriculum Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m. at (Thomson). All Certified Staff are strongly encouraged to attend.
- Wednesday, September 5th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: Safety procedure review, Curriculum Communication, NWEA/MAP Assessments)
- Thursday, September 6th-General Admin Meeting (Natalie)
- Friday, September 7th-5D+ Self-Assessment due by all Certified Staff
- Week of September 10th-NWEA-MAP Testing
- Monday, September 10th-PTO Fundraiser ends
- Tuesday, September 11th-ALICE Training, 4-6 p.m.-ALL Staff
- Thursday, September 13th-DIBELS Assessment window closes; Motor Moms & Dads Parent Training Meetings, 10 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
- Monday, September 17th-PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 18th-Picture Day!
- Wednesday, September 19th-Lockdown Drill with ALICE procedures; Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: ALICE, NWEA/MAP Testing)
- Thursday, September 20th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); CMC 4-7 p.m.
- Friday, September 21st-Leadership Team Meeting, 7:15 a.m.
- Week of September 23rd-PLC Week
Lucky Duck #38
If you do not have a 'Lucky Duck' or have no idea what I am writing about, please see me to get one.