Team Thomson News & Notes
#ThomsonRocks Week of: March 31, 2019
Important Information for You!
Welcome back from what I hope was a wonderful Spring Break!
We are entering our last quarter of the school year (can you believe it) and we have eight full weeks until our May Intersession. While these eight weeks will be very busy with Kindergarten Round-up, Bike Helmet Day, Farm Day, NWEA and DIBELS assessments, I know that if we are mindful with our time and remain focused on the end goal of having our kids ready for what lies ahead, it will be an amazing last quarter.
Additionally, I would like to thank all of you who worked on the School Improvement Plan prior to Spring Break. I know it is hard to
Literacy Essentials
You have probably noticed, but I haven't included any review information on the Literacy Essentials in some time. While we have not all completed the modules for Essential 1 and 2, we have walked through each of these one bullet at a time. As we move into the last quarter, I would like us to focus on Essential 3: Small group and individual instruction, using a variety of grouping strategies, most often with flexible groups formed and instruction targeted to children's observed and assessed needs in specific aspects of literacy development.
Remember the Literacy Essentials are based in research and best practices and are all about what the teach can do within the learning environment to support literacy development. Literacy Essential 3 states that the TEACHER:
- ensures that children use most of their time actually reading and writing (or working toward this goal in kindergarten and early first grade)
- coaches children as they engage in reading and writing, with reading prompts focusing primarily on (a) monitoring for meaning, (b) letters and groups of letters in words, (c) rereading
- employs practices for developing reading fluency, such as repeated reading, echo reading, paired and partner reading
- includes explicit instruction, as needed, in word recognition strategies, including multi-syllabic word decoding, text structure, comprehension strategies, and writing strategies
- is deliberate in providing quality instruction to children in all groups, with meaning-making the ultimate goal of each group’s work
Over the course of the next several weeks we will explore each of these bullets in depth. If you have any questions on how to incorporate any of these into your daily practice, please let Megan C. or myself know. This is about us all learning and growing together!
Don't forget...End of 3rd Marking Period & Report Cards
After missing so many school days due to snow the end of the 3rd marking period has been moved from this Thursday, March 21st, to Thursday, April 18th. This will allow for time in the third marking period to actually work with students as well as even out the third and fourth marking periods. Report cards for the third marking period report cards are expected to be completed by 4 pm on Wednesday, April 24th. Report cards will be generated and printed on Thursday, April 25th for review. Cards will then go home with students on Friday, April 26th. Remember, our Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th from 4-7 p.m.
5D+
As best laid plans sometimes go, prior to Spring Break my plan to get all third round observations completed did not happen due to student matters, some School Improvement items that needed attention, Elena being sick, and the normal daily interruptions. So, upon return to school this will be a main goal and quite honestly part of my days that I truly enjoy...being in your classrooms. I look forward to getting into every classroom for a third or fourth observation prior to Kindergarten Round-up.
Cardinal Code Focus for the Week: All Common Areas
This week's Cardinal Code Lesson Focus for the week is Common Areas. It is important to review general behavior during this week. As we return from Spring Break and the weather begins to warm up, this is especially important as it sets the tone for the remainder of the year.
April Child Study/Growth Years/Parent-Teacher Conferences
As you all know, April Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held April 10th from 4-7 p.m. While these are intended to be walk-in conferences for any parent wishing to talk with their child's teacher, I encourage you to reach out to the parents of children that you have academic or behavioral concerns or those parents of students that you are considering a growth year for. For enrollment planning, we would like to have all growth year forms signed sooner than later and no later than May 10th.
The April Child Study Date is just around the corner, if you have a student that needs to come to Child Study, please let Jason and I know right away. The April Child Study date is set for the 16th.
Quotes Worth Reading
Even though we had that white stuff fall from the sky and stick around Sunday, we have officially made it to Spring. So, here are a few quotes about renewal...
"The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."
-Harriet Ann Jacobs
"I believe in the process. I believe in four season. I believe that winter's tough, but spring's coming. I believe that there's a growing season. And I think that you realize that in life, you grow. You get better."
-Steve Southerland
Celebrations & Announcements
Birthdays: None this week...
Don't forget, Annette's Retirement Party has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 16th beginning at 4:30 p.m. at MD's. Please be sure to sign up in the lounge so the reservation can be made.
Important Upcoming Dates:
Wednesday, April 3rd-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: School Improvement Follow-up, P-T Conferences, KRA Update)
Thursday, April 4th- Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie)
Monday, April 8th-Board of Education Meeting-Thomson Table of Honor Students Lead the Pledge of Allegiance...all Thomson Staff are invited to support our students while they lead the Pledge
Tuesday, April 9th-Kindergarten ELA Release Day, Williams Property
Wednesday, April 10th-Fire Drill, ELA Learning Lab, Parent-Teacher Conferences 4-7 p.m.
Thursday, April 11th-General Admin Meeting (Natalie)
Friday, April 12th-Leadership Team Meeting, 7:15-8:15 a.m.; District $5 Jean Day for Dimes for Diapers
Week of April 15th-PLC WEEK
Monday, April 15th-Bike Helmet Day; PTO, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 16th-Child Study Day; DK ACC Release Day, Williams Property; Annette's Retirement Party
Wednesday, April 17th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: TBA)
Thursday, April 18th-Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie); CMC Meeting, 4-7 p.m.
Friday, April 19th-No School Good Friday
Week of April 22nd-Kindergarten Round-up!
Thomson Elementary
#ThomsonRocks
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