Points of Pride
February 9. 2020
Instructional Focus:
This week 4, 5, and 6 grade decided to take the "plunge" into Standards-Based grading for the 2020/2021 school year. I am excited about this transition, and know that a lot of great conversations are going to happen. There is going to be struggle at times, but I honestly feel that this methodology is "what's best for kids." Settler's Point will be one of the first 10 schools to be trained and start implementing (woo hoo for being "cutting edge" :)
This decision set the course for next year's focus and PDs, as we focus on "Standards-Based Instruction," which best facilitates standards-based assessment and grading. I know that grades K-3 have been doing this for awhile, but it will be good to finetune and unify our practices. I am looking forward to reading, researching, and interviewing leaders that have already made this jump. Additionally, coming together to educate parents on this change will benefit all our families.
Lastly, I saw this quote (below) on social media this week and it caused me to do a lot of reflection. Parents, isn't this what we want for our personal kids? Think of the power that our words have!!!
Robert
Politics....
As this election gets closer, please remember that it's our job to teach students how to think, not what to think. Whether you like our current president/different candidate, it's vital that we keep those opinions out of the classroom.
Gaga Ball Rules...
In the past, Julie was using the pit and reinforcing rules with the students. This hasn't been the case in her absence.
I was able to get a copy of the rules (I didn't have a copy of them written), and I would encourage you to go over with your class/grade.
Teacher Recess
I went out to the first recess last week and all of the equipment was all over the field.
Upcoming Events:
2/10-2/14: B Week
- 2/10: 5th, 6th, Kindergarten and 2nd Monthly Instructional Meeting with Robert during specials; Muttigree's @ 3:00
- 2/11: Leadership Meeting @ 7:15; ICLE Coaching 12:30-3:30; Mesquite Junior High Registration Meeting with students @ 1:00; Dads' Club Meeting @ 7:00, Location TBD
- 2/12: 1:55 Release-Campus PD
- 2/13: Grand Canyon Park Ranger Presentations @ 3:00-3:00
- 2/14: 4th Grade to Natural History Museum @ 9:30-2:00; STEM Club to Disneyland @ 3:00
2/17-2/21: A Week-APEX Begins
- 2/17: No school-President's Day
- 2/18: APEX Team Huddle @ 7:20
- 2/19: 1:55 Release-PLC
- 2/21: Whole School Picture @ 1:30
2/24-2/28: B Week
- 2/24: 1st, 3rd, 4th-Instructional Meeting during specials; Muttigree's @ 3:00
- 2/25: School Council @ 3:30
- 2/26: 1:55 Release-PLC
- 2/27: APEX Obstacle Course Day: 8:30-9:30-1st Grade and AM Preschool; 9:30-10:30-3rd and 4th; 10:30-11:30-5th grade; 11:30-12:30-6th grade; 12:30-1:30-2nd grade and PM Preschool; 1:30-2:30-Kindergarten (Lunch schedules will probably look a little different this day as well-will get that out once we work it out)
6th Grade Committee...
Proceeds from these sales will go to help fund the sixth grade activity and promotion festivities at the end of the year.
Whole School Picture...
Gail Roser has a picture taking drone that will fly overhead and take our picture as we stand in the shape of the number 20 to commemerate our 20th anniversary at Settler's Point.
I have never been a part of one of these, but I am excited about this. Please be flexible and I am getting some feedback from other principals on how to best orchestrate this.
We are encouraging everyone to wear a spirit shirt, doesn't matter which year. If someone doesn't have a shirt, green will be the color to wear.
Campus PD on 2/12
We will be focusing on "Station Rotations" and "Write to Learn" from our trainings with Julia. If you have already tried a strategy, I would love to have you share what you have tried, and what you learned (good or bad). If you have questions, let's discuss. It's my goal to do a brief 10-15 minute recap on what we learned, and then give the rest of you time to plan using these. Please bring what you will need to plan to the library, as I want the planning to be in the library and do a gallery walk/share at the end.
Specials teachers/Preschool, please spend this time to plan for your courses.
Compensation for Next Year....
At Tuesday's Board meeting, after working with two different consulting companies, a different pay scale was approved. One of the main issues was proposition 206 (raising the minimum wage) created "compression." To show this, prior to this proposition going into effect, 5% of our classified staff made minimum wage, this year 53% is making minimum wage.
The district will utilize a "range" of pay for each position. The minimum hourly rate is listed in last week's Board documents, as well as, what went into determining why some positions are paid higher than others. Again, this is for the 2020-2021 school year.
For certified staff, not a whole lot was changed, as the minimum wage didn't impact this class of employee as much. As the district goes through the budget process, more should come out about what your pay will look like for the 2020/2021 school year.
If you have specific questions, please feel free to chat with me. A lot went into this, but it's a lot to write about in a newsletter :)