Monday Morning Message
Week of February 18, 2019
3 Day Weekend
Tuesday PD @ PVE - As we look forward to the change of pace on Tuesday and the time with our colleagues, feel free to wear jeans with ZCS spirit wear or another professionally appropriate top.
Here is the schedule for the day in case you need to take another look. We will have name tags for you in the main hall leading towards the cafes, adjacent to the front office. Taking your name tag and signing up on PD express will be your sign in for the day. Coffee and breakfast type snacks will be available (granola bars, muffins, etc) as well lunch provided by El Toro.
Dr. Seuss - This past week, I was enlightened to Dr. Seuss' checkered past that has become a bit controversial over the past couple of years. In effort to strengthen our cultural understandings and out of respect for our increasing diversity, I am including a link to an article from the School Library Journal which provides additional insight.
Article from School Library Journal:
No one can discount his impact on early literacy. However, with our need and desire to be culturally responsive to our community, I believe we should move forward with sensitivity. The NEA pulled back on "Dr. Seuss Read Across America Day" in 2017, and now I understand why.
Upon learning this, I respectfully request that we not set aside time/days to "celebrate" Dr. Seuss. I am not calling for censorship of his work or removal of all Dr. Seuss books. Rather, I expect our team of professionals honor and respect our increasingly diverse school family.
This is the type of conversation that we would typically like to have in person, but with March 1 (Dr. Seuss' birthday) rapidly approaching , I wanted to make everyone aware. Thank you for understanding.
Upcoming Dates
February 18 - Presidents Day - No School
February 19 - District Professional Development - No Students; No Staff Meeting after school
February 22 - Related Arts Energy Conservation Show
February 26 - PTO Mtg @1:15, ZCS Growth Meeting with Dr. Robison @ 2:40; Reject Film at PAC
March 1 - Eagle Extravaganza!
March 4 - ILEARN Mtg in Design Lab @ 2:45 (3rd, 4th and SPED)
March 5 - No Staff Meeting (Rescheduled to March 12)
March 7 - Wellness Night 5:30-7:00
March 12 - Staff Meeting @ 2:35 w/ Dr. Stephanie Loane (See info below)
March 14 - 4th Grade ZWest Transition day 9:30-11:00, 1/2 Day PD Sessions (See info below)
March 19 - Staff Share @2:45
March 22 - 4th Grade Dad's Club Breakfast @7:15; Eagle Play Dress Rehearsal for student body 9:15-10:15 (Switch Thursday and Friday RA Schedule)
March 26 - PTO @ 1:15
March 29-April 5 - Spring Break!
April 10 - Kindergarten Round-Up
February 26
Notice how our leaders are posed with two Eagle students in the picture on the right!
Part II: Have you ever had a student who is continually sluggish or "zoning out? What about those students who easily become agitated, irritable, hyper, unfocused, and fidgety? That sluggish kid is showing a lack of response, or insufficient response to the sensory environment (under-responder) while the hyper kid is having an exaggerated response of the nervous system to sensory input (over-responder). All Eagle staff have access to BrainWorks products due to a PTO grant. BrainWorks provides alerting, calming, and just right activities that can easily be incorporated into the classroom to meet the needs of all students. If you are interested in learning more about this program come to the brief, optional in-service on Feb. 26 after Dr. Robison's meeting. Hosted by Britani Sepanski.
Professional Development with Dr. Stephanie Loane
The link here is a working draft of the moving pieces for the day, including some shifts for related arts team members. I'll update details as we get closer.
Our PD Day on Feb. 19th is officially in PD Express!
https://pdexpress.zcs.k12.in.us/pdexpress/login.aspx
Below are directions to sign up for this PD (for Certified Staff):
· Log into PDExpress
· Hover over In District PD then choose In District PD Catalog
· In the top left corner, under your name, you will see 2 tabs: List and Calendar-choose Calendar
· The January calendar will be showing so click the NEXT button to go to the February Calendar
· The Elementary PD Day 2019 will be found on Feb. 19th (there is a green check mark next to it)-choose this!
· A new screen will pop up and in the top right corner will be a REGISTER button-Click it!
· The last screen asks you to submit and that’s it! You are registered!
Please register before February 19th! Thank you!
Future Think Tank Opportunities
- First, here is the link to the recorded Think Tank from before winter break. The sound is excellent!
- Each of the following dates will have two 30 minute time slots. I am happy to help you gain that 30 minutes back by covering a recess/lunch duty for you the week that you sign up.
- Talk with your team and sign up here!!!
PLC Corner
We will plan on meeting in the conference room.
- 2/22 - 2nd, 3rd (part I), and 4th PLC (Identifying Data Trends, part II); 1st Grade Level Collab Time
- 3/1 - 1st and 3rd PLC (Identifying Data Trends, part II); 2nd and 4th Grade Level Collab Time
Kindy (Alternating Thursdays):
- 2/28 - (Identifying Data Trends, part II)
MTSS (Multi Tiered Systems of Support) for Behavior
Diane will be our point person and first layer of support. As we move through the process, teachers will have the opportunity to bring the students in need to our MTSS Team for further collaboration, support, and brainstorming.