Dragon Tales
January 27, 2020
What a busy week! Middle School visits, PLC's, CGI training, committee meetings, Groovin with Dads, Gala Basket, two awards ceremonies and Movie Night! We did it!
As we get deeper into the second semester it is so easy to get tired, feel unsuccessful, unappreciated and just down! This is why it is so important to take care of yourself and each other! You are doing hard work and being asked to do things that maybe other teachers are not having to do. But until we turn our campus around, we have to be persistent in our efforts! If you need something, reach out for support! We have two instructional coaches and a team or interventionists who are ready to support! We are lucky to have them :)
Our data may not be where we need or wish it to be, but I still believe in you and our students! We are on the right track, we just need to keep at it! As I was reading the message from Dr. Killian, I realized that I am human too and also guilty of being a vampire with my own team in some moments. But I keep putting my running shoes back on and I encourage you to keep your running shoes on too! We don't have space or desire for full time vampires! They are not on the right bus! Don't let them derail your hard working efforts! Stay focused on our students and what they need. Stay excited about creating a culture of excellence here are DES!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmUi3gRqiks
Kudos to...
- Thank you Ms. Henry for ensuring our 5th graders had a good experience and for getting all of those tests done with our GT candidates.
- Thank you Coach Warren and Coach Soto for another successful parent event.
- Thank you intervention team for supporting all teachers in getting their data completed on time!
- Thanks Ms Riojas, PTO President, for Movie Night! Sorry you didn't win the Pikachu!
- Thanks everyone who was able to support the Gala Basket. We were able to pull together a large tub full of family games and snacks. Kudos to Brandenburg and Floyd for wrapping it!!!
- Way to go PRIDE committee for two fun and successful awards ceremonies! Thanks intervention and specials for supporting them!
- Thanks office staff for managing all of the visitors on Friday!!!!!
Hope I didn't forget anyone!
Have a wonderful week!
Carolyn
Things to know...
- Our observer this week, Dana, had a lot of great things to say! She could really tell that our teachers care about doing their best and want to learn more about instruction! She said our students were also so at ease with her being in the room and even shared their work with her. She also said that she gathered a lot of good ideas that she can take to thenext school she is working with on a Reservation! What a compliment to YOU! I am not sure when we will have access to her observations, but I am confident that in addition to sharing things we might consider working on, she will have a lot of good things to say about what she saw.
- The 100th day of school is coming up! Jan 29th! This is a big deal, especially for our younger students. If you have anything special planned, let Jessica know!
- EA's, if you are interested in leaving early on Fridays, please see Jessica so she can ensure you are documenting your early departure correctly on your paycheck. Need to make sure it is a true reflection of your time :)
- Primary teachers, remember to get those dragon bites to the library by Thursday late afternoon so we can include ou students in the drawings!! They are so excited picking out their little prizes!
- Remember that we still have openings for students to receive services for therapy here on campus. If you have a potential candidate, see Ms. Henry.
- Please refer to the attached committee list to ensure you are reporting to the correct committee :) If you don't see your name, let us know so we can add you where we need you!
- Please honor the lunch times on the schedule. Any deviations from the schedule cause stress to cafe monitors and the custodian. Please!!!
We have a tie!
Congratulations: Ms. Soto and Ms. Espinosa
Teachers of the week gets to park right up front! (Share that spot!)
Thanks for keeping the fish bowl full this week!!
Keep feeding the energy bus!
DES Teacher Birthdays!!
Some additional names were added to my list. Sorry we missed you last week!
Belated Happy Birthday to Ms. Swetnam!
Jan 26: Ms. Diana
This just announced from Admin...
HB 684 Seizure Recognition Training
(submitted by Holly Galloway)
All school district employees whose duties include regular contact with students must complete updated seizure recognition training by May 1, 2020. The training is a 50 minute video that can be completed in the professional learning platform. The training that was completed earlier this school year does not meet the requirements of HB 684. Course: 12289 HB 684 Seizure Training (2019-2020)
Note: It is my understanding that you can not pause, fast forward or expedite this training. So, make sure when you start you have a full 50 minutes to sit and watch it. Just trying to save you any additional time!
Science Fair Information
- Science Fair Projects due: Monday, Jan 27
- Science Fair Judging: Tuesday, Jan 28, 8:30- 11:00
- Math & Science Night (With projects on display): Thursday, Feb 6*
*All teachers expected to be in attendance
Remember: Holocaust Remembrance Week
(submitted by Marc Schwarz and Kimberly Roark)
Last year, the Texas Legislature passed a bill requiring public schools to annually observe a “Holocaust Remembrance Week.” The specific date was left to the discretion of the Governor. We just received communication that he has designated the week of January 27-31, 2020.
According to the statute, Holocaust Remembrance Week should include age-appropriate instruction concerning the history of or lessons learned from the Holocaust. How that is accomplished is left to the judgment of individual districts, campuses, or teachers. At the recommendation of the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC), elementary schools should “cover broader themes, such as community, tolerance, being an upstander, or anti-bullying” instead of explicit instruction on the Holocaust itself, which may not be appropriate for younger students.
The Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission (THGC) website has a wealth of ideas, resources, and guidance for teachers. Please encourage your staff to utilize this link as they consider how best to, in the words of the statute, “educate (students) about the Holocaust and inspire in them a sense of responsibility to recognize and uphold human value and to prevent future atrocities.”
Due this week! Online Comprehensive Security Awareness Training
Another reminder:
In accordance with Texas House Bill 3834, Pflugerville Independent School District has enrolled all employees in an online comprehensive Security Awareness Training. While we know a mandatory training is not exciting, it is imperative for us to defend our organization against cybercrime, and unfortunately, network security is now a part of everyone's job. Please have this online training completed by 01/31/2020 11:59 PM.
This is the link for you to start this training: https://training.knowbe4.com/auth/saml/5b45856fb57
Please log in with your district email and password, then click the "Start Course" button on your training page to begin your training.
NOTE: It is important to close your training browser window to record your assignment completion, or if you need to pause the training for an extended period of time. Once you log back in, it will allow you to resume your training.
Thank you so much for your efforts in protecting our student and staff data!
PfISD Technology Services
Special note: I did laugh out loud when it said one of the most suspicious things is when you get an email generated at 3 or 4 in the morning! So for those of you that are new, yes I do occasionally send out emails at that time! LOL
Calendar of Events
Jan 27:
A-Team off campus
Science Fair Projects Due
Jan 28:
Special Lunch: Thanks CILT and Martinez! Captain Red's country fried steak! Yum!
Science Fair Judging (8:30 - 11:00)
CAAC 3-5 pm
Fine arts Night, PHS
Jan 29:
100th day of school! Wear jeans and college shirts or 100 day shirts
Data Dig *schedule coming later
Staff meeting: Mandatory TELPAS training
Jan 30:
Data Dig *schedule coming later
CGI Training 2:30 - 4:00
Feb 1 (Saturday)
PfISD Elementary UIL at PHS
Feb 3:
Interim Assessments begin
Feb 4:
T3: Note and Notice Training
Feb 5:
Committee Meetings
Feb 6:
PLCs
Spring Class Pictures
Math & Science Night
Feb 10:
TELPAS writing window opens (Collect samples later in the window)
Jeans and a nice shirt day for paid Sunshine Members
Theme week with Jeans coming!!!
Feb 11:
TELPAS Calibration Session 3:15 - 5:00
Principal's Coffee 3:30 - 4:30
Feb 12:
CGI Training (Schedule will come later)
Staff Training: MOY LPAC training
Feb 13:
CGI Training (Schedule will come later)
Feb 14:
Valentines Day Party Day
Feb 17:
No School
Feb 19:
Staff Training: STAAR training: mandatory for all staff!
Feb 20:
PLCs
TELPAS Calibration Session #2 3:15 - 5:00
Feb 26:
A Team off campus
Feb 27:
DES Career Fair
Feb 28:
The Big Event
March 11:
All CILT team members at training (ESF)
March 12:
All TELPAS ratings turned in
March 13:
No school / Staff PD :)
March 16- 20:
Spring Break
March 23:
Jeans day for paid Sunshine members
March 24:
Grades Due
March 26:
PLCs
Kinder Rodeo field trip
March 30:
CAAC 3:00 - 5:00