Bear Tracks
September 22, 2017
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
Happy Friday!
Looking at the two weeks ahead, it looks like the events are simmering down a little and we are officially settling in to the 2017-18 school year.
I am really proud of our opening. Like a duck, even when we were moving our feet really fast and making adjustments during the first few days, we stayed calm and productive on the surface. From our student's and families' points of view, it was an awesome start. I hope you are excited for a special year.
I'd like to also just let you know again how great of a job you did at Back to School Night. We showed families what we value and what we are all about. The atmosphere was electric and your passion and dedication was evident and on full display. Enjoy the weekend and let's keep moving forward and continue to challenge ourselves to learn and grow in order to make the year unforgettable for our kids. Remember, every child who walks in the halls of Bear Tavern is "our" kid, no matter what we teacher or do at the school. We are a unit and we work hard to connect and to help every single student.
Keep up the amazing work and continue to cultivate and share #BearTavernPride !!!!
Enjoy your weekend.
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- Being on Time / Staying Until 3:45 - We need to have a professional and equitable environment. Please note that I am counting on you to be in by 8:20 (15 min before the start of the day) and stay until 3:45 (15 min after the end of the day) unless you let me know. We don't ever want an environment in which we can't put family first and tend to occasional personal issues, or where I am watching the clock and the sign in sheet, etc. We need to have a two way trust in which you know that I'll work with you, but that I know you will let me know if something pops up and you will use good, professional, judgement at all times. In two years I don't know that I have ever said "no" to a situation where someone had to leave early or come in a few minutes late, but it is critical that I am made aware and that a communication takes place prior. Thank you for keeping this in mind as we set a positive tone for 2017-18!
- Rachel Simmons - You may have heard that we are focusing on Cultural Competencies and Character Education this year (the goal is to have a district framework then have schools be able to address the framework with some autonomy). One component of this will be a visit in November from Rachel Simmons, an author and expert in adolescent and child relationships. She'll be in district 11/1 and 11/2. Our 4th and 5th graders will go to the PAC to see her Thursday, 11/2 at 1 pm and TMS students will come to BT on Friday 11/3 as a follow up (9:40 - 10:40 am - 4th grade and 10:40 - 11:40 am - 5th grade). CLICK HERE for the master schedule for Rachel's visit 11/1 & 11/2.
- CAP/PEI Kids - We won't be doing "DARE," or "LEAD" this year in 5th grade. Instead, we'll be working, as a district, with PEI Kids. We will have lessons over 2 days in each class K-5. The lessons will be 60 minutes with a follow up question time after. Our scheduled time is mid November to mid December. A specific schedule will be distributed, but I wanted you to be in the loop.
- Health / Family Life - Our Health time this year will be April 23 - June 18th. We'll have a specific schedule later in the year. Family life dates will be: 5th Grade - 3 days between Jan 22 - Jan 31, and 4th grade will be 2 days between March 26 - March 29. Again, details will follow, but I want you to have the general time frames.
- EPI-PEN - As Pam said, we are at a shortage of sub nurses, so the more 'Epi Pen Designees' we have this year, the better as far as trips go. CLICK HERE for the Epi Pen presentation; if you watch it and are interested, check in with Pam to be officially certified.
- Picture Day - Pictures will be October 4th & 5th. Sign ups are on the counter in the main office. HR teachers, be sure to sign up for a slot.
- WEEK OF RESPECT - Look for a memo, but we will celebrate the Week of Respect October 2nd - 6th. We'll have announcements and quotes each day of the week with specific messages and themes. We'll culminate with a Den Group day on 10/6. Stay tuned.
- Fire Safety - We'll be having our Fire Safety presentations in early October. See my email. PLEASE NOTE - 5th Grade is Tuesday 10/10 during Morning Meeting, 4th Grade is Wednesday 10/11 during Morning Meeting and preK - 3 will be Thursday 10/12 (see below). the original email said Wednesday, but it was moved due to a field trip. The preK-3 date is 10/12.
Upcoming Events:
Let Me Run (Every Tuesday and Thursday)
Girls on the Run (Every Tuesday and Friday)
Art Enrichment (Every Tuesday and Thursday)
Friday 9/22 - Superintendent Visit
Week of 9/25:
Tuesday 9/26 - Den Group Mtg (for Den Group Committee) 8 AM Conference Room
Thursday 9/28 - General Meeting PTO 7:30 pm
Friday 9/29 - Reader's Breakfast
Week of 10/2: (Week of RESPECT)
Pictures 10/4 & 10/5 (sign up in office)
Tuesday 10/3 - Principal's Cabinet - 8 AM Room 101