Martin's Memos
Volume 2, Issue 33: May 10, 2019
This Week
Parents,
Please read the information in our newsletter below and let me know if you have any questions. Have a great weekend!
Check out our newest podcast linked below!!!
-Ms. Kate Martin
Positivity Project - P2
Leadership
Leadership means that you value each member of your group and inspire people to do their best. Leadership can be both formal and informal. It is concerned with getting others to do what needs to be done while maintaining group morale to ensure readiness to act in the future. This character strength’s focus is on the personal qualities of leaders, rather than the practice of leadership. These qualities include the ability to understand others and inspire them toward a common goal, the capacity to mitigate conflict and mold consensus, and the desire to lead other people.
For individuals, leadership is a way to achieve what you know is important, as groups of people invariably achieve more than individuals. If you want to achieve your vision for the future, you need to inspire others to join you. As an individual’s ability to lead develops, so does that person’s confidence and sense of self-efficacy. However, common dangers to guard against are egotism and arrogance.
A group’s effectiveness and sense of inspiration are tied directly to the leader. Study after study shows that leaders (and managers) have the biggest influence on group success and morale. Leaders can be developed and it starts with character. As General Schwarzkopf said, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.”
MAP Testing
MAP
Our Spring NWEA MAP Tests are approaching. I can't wait to see all of the growth the students will show. The 4th and 5th graders will test with their homeroom teacher. Ms. Martin's MAP testing dates are:
Reading
5/13
Math
5/15
Leadership Team Food Drive
The Leadership Team is excited to announce that we will be having a second Food Drive before we wrap up our school year. As you know, summer can be a very tough time for students who are not food secure because they will not be getting schools meals each day. Our goal for this fundraiser is to help Avondale Blessings in a Backpack stock their shelves for summer.
The food drive will begin on Monday, May 6 and last through Friday, May 17. Each grade level/ group will be responsible for bringing in a different item (ours is listed below) and the group who brings in the most items will earn an extra recess and popsicles (generously provided by the PTO).
Our Food Drive Items:
Gierman/Martin-Canned soup
Let's FILL this box to the BRIM!!!
Pictures of the Week
This Week...
Math: Students continued in their math groups.
Purple group - working on unit 4
Yellow group- finishing unit 10
Green group- beginning 11
Orange group- working on unit 2
Social Studies/Science (5th): We continued our unit on the American Revolution. The students had a quiz on Friday.
Reading: We continued with book clubs (the students already have their new novels and job sheets!) and our reading workshop times. We also continued our reading unit with the William and Mary GT Curriculum titled "Patterns of Change".
Writing: We finished our expository writing unit. The students are then starting to learn how to write a scientific paper by planning an experiment, conducting it, recording results, and then writing their findings as an essay.
Enrichment: We started a new enrichment project! The students are all working at their own pace and have to find an alternative presentation method other than Google Slides or Prezi.
Looking Forward to Next Week...
Math: Students will continue their in their math groups.
Social Studies (5th): We will be starting to prep for a Mock Trial! Mr. Broughton, Blair's dad, will be coming in to tell us more about the law and trials.
Reading: We will continue book clubs (the students already have their new novels and job sheets!) and our reading workshop times. We will continue our reading unit with the William and Mary GT Curriculum titled "Patterns of Change".
Writing: We'll be continuing to integrate science and writing! Students will learn about how to write a scientific paper. We'll begin with lessons reviewing the scientific method, then the students will actually design and complete an experiment, collect the data, and then use that information to write their own scientific paper.
Enrichment: Enrichment 5.0 is in progress!!!! No Google Slides allowed :)
Avondale GATE PTO Information!
Current Avondale GATE families,
Please click the link to learn about the GATE PTO candidates that are running for a position.
May 14th: There will be no need for ballot elections - our only contested position, the volunteer chair, will be led by a trio!
After this meeting and elections are completed: The Avondale GATE PTO will be officially formed and stay under Woodland's guidance until the summer.
Upcoming Important Dates
Normal School Hours: 8:32 - 3:39 (GT dismissal 3:34)
Half Day Hours: 8:32 - 11:45 (GT dismissal around 11:40)
Early Release: 8:32-1:39 (GT dismissal around 1:34)
Late Start: 10:32-3:39
- May 14: PTO Meeting @ 7pm
- May 21: 5th Grade Music Concert @ 7pm
- May 27: NO SCHOOL - Memorial Day
- June 6: Kindergarten Music Concert @ 2:45pm
- June 7: Field Day
- June 13: HALF DAY - PM Records
- June 14: HALF DAY - Last Day of School
Contact Me
Email: kate.martin@avondale.k12.mi.us
Website: katemartingt.weebly.com
Location: 6465 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098, United States
Phone: (248) 537-6900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017787916756
Twitter: @AvondaleGATE