WELCOME BACK!!!!
PREPARING FOR TAKEOFF
Week 19!!!
Principal's Message
I hope this message finds you in great spirits and well rested. We are set to return after some very cold days. Please be on the lookout for any students that may be lacking coats, socks, gloves etc. We know that many of our older students prefer to wear hoodies instead of coats, but when you spot something odd about a student coming to school not dressed for the weather please let us know so that we can gather up resources to support them.
We are embarking on our testing season, so it is time to gear up and lock in!!!! Remember that our testing conditions are a priority and how we practice is how we will perform. Be on the look out for testing schedules, groups etc. as we set the tone for our testing season.
As we gear up for the Middle of Year (MOY) Testing Season beginning this week, we wanted to provide you with some important information.
We will be holding a Test Taking Meeting (TTM) on January 18th to discuss testing expectations, schedules, and responsibilities. Your dedication and hard work have laid the groundwork for our students, and now it's time for them to showcase what they have learned so far.
Effective monitoring and creating a conducive testing environment are key factors in maximizing student productivity. Energy is contagious, and by approaching this season with a proactive mindset, we can inspire the same seriousness in our students. While we aim for efficiency, it's crucial that the time spent on testing is both effective and purposeful.
Our goal is not to prolong the testing process, but rather to make the most of the time we have, ensuring it is utilized in the most effective and efficient manner possible.
Thank you for your continued commitment to our students' success. I look forward to a successful MOY Testing Season!
We've entered the 3rd Quarter!! As we hit the second half of the game, it's crucial to maintain our momentum. Stay connected to our school's mission and vision, keeping our WHY in focus. What will our RING Be? What Banner will we lift up at the end of the school year? Our dedication to improving pacing, enhancing lesson plans collaboratively, and strategically implementing small group instruction for intervention is paying off. Your consistent efforts are yielding positive shifts in our students' academic endeavors and reinforcing stronger instructional practices. Well Done!
Here are a few things we need to get back on top ASAP and feedback will be given to all this week:
1. Teachers must pick up their class from the cafeteria in the morning.
2. Teachers must walk students to their prep classes and lunch (This should not be solely on the SECA or TA).
3. Teachers and staff must dismiss students at dismissal. We are to not observe them walking out, but walk them out.
4. If you see students out in the hallway or doing something they should not be doing, you have every right to speak to the student/s as well as let the deans know.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our school and students. Together, we can make this school year a success.
Best regards,
Crockett
Winter Door Decoration Contest Winner(s)
Congratulations to our Winter door decorating contest winners:
1st place is PreK Mrs. A. Robinson, Ms. King & Ms. Lee!!!!!
2nd Place is Mrs. Battee's Class!!!!!
Congrats!!!! We will come around with your awards!!!!!!
Class Transitions
Teachers, it is your responsibility to pick your class up upon entry, to and from prep and escort them out of the building during dismissal. It is not the sole responsibility of the TA or SECA to do this. Our TAs and SECAS are with our students the majority of the school day including during the active times e.g., prep, lunch and recess and we do not want to see them burnt out attempting to get students to and from class. We have monitored transitions this week and next week we will engage in difficult conversations in the event students are not being monitored by the classroom teacher.
1st Floor Restoom
We have growing concerns about the 1st floor restroom being neglected during the day. 2nd floor students are not to be sent to the 1st floor restrooms unsupervised. For example, this past Friday there was milk poured on the floor along with cereal and tissue. An adult must accompany students to the restroom outside of their normal restroom break. Make sure we are contacting the main office if students are being let out to go to the restroom.
ESP Evaluations
ESP MOY Evaluation invites have begun to be sent out. Please check your emails and calendar invites.
REACH Observations
REACH Observations have begun to take place. For formal observations we will begin to send out pre-conference observation invites and for informal observations we will stop in for a minimum of 15mins to gather the necessary information for the observation.
McDonald's -VS- Chick Fil A
Remember the service we want to provide to our students, families and each other. We should be at our best at every given opportunity because our students deserve it and if you require support, do not hesitate to let us know because we want to provide you with the same excellent service.
Wendell Smith PBIS
Every staff member will have Scholar Dollars (for individual students) and Seagull Class Bucks (for classes who are meeting expectations). As we continue PBIS it is important that we hit the ground running and distribute aggressively, especially the scholar dollars. We do not take scholar dollars back, so once students are given dollars we can not take them back. Check out the link of the PBIS deck. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1pj8xsJUvddKrNP6Y6WSSerQOUXJzbOVPfiCbLWlxwqA/edit?usp=sharing
Reminders
- Incentivize your students! Our students are very extrinsically motivated, use that to your advantage. For students who need more support, create them a behavior chart that will result in a quick positive reinforcement. Stay consistent, you will see a difference.
- Buzz the office when you are sending students out for ANY reason and be sure that you give them the hall pass. If you do not have hall passes, please email AP Tidwell-Bailey.
- If a student needs to be removed from your class, buzz the office, and be sure to fill out the discipline referral form as soon as you can.
- Teachers should walk with their classes for ALL transitions. Especially coming back to class from prep and lunch/recess. This will help to get the students centered and focused faster.
- SEL is a high priority. We have allocated a school-wide SEL from 8:15-8:30a. and are flexible with a hard stop at 9:00a. If you have not been able to incorporate some kind of daily SEL, then it is time to reflect on transitions. Do you have a timer/countdown in place for students at the locker? Do you have expectations for students coming to class prepared so that they aren't going to their lockers multiple times a day? Are you picking the class up on time from breakfast?
2nd Floor Transitions
We are continuing to see progress on our transitions. Transitions are moving smoother and it is noticeable throughout the building. As a reminder, remember that we must lead our students and not walk with them, we must ensure that they are functioning in the hallway at a level that is acceptable. We will be monitoring our transitions heavy this week because it is important that teaching and learning takes place with minimal disruptions as possible. It is ok to have students stop and try again until they meet the expectations. Let's continue to push through this.
Every Staff Member should have SEAGULL BUCKS to distribute to classes who meet expectations school-wide!!!!
Mark Your Calendars
Jan 17th School-Wide Spelling Bee
Jan 17th Attendance Incentive PM
Jan 16th Afterschool Resumes
Jan 19th Q2 Awards Assembly
This is our tentative schedule for the assembly:
- 8:30-9:00a 7th and 8th
- 9:15-9:45a 5th and 6th
- 9:50-10:10a 3rd and 4th
- 10:15-10:45a 1st and 2nd
- 11:00-11:30a PK-K
Jan 22nd MOY Testing Begins (iReady + STAR360) schedule will be shared 1/17th
Jan 29th PK-2nd Parent/Guardian Day
Jan 31st Student of the Month: UNITY
Every Friday is out of uniform, see flyer for themes.
Behavior incident Form
Smith SY24 Behavior Incident Form
Please submit any behavior incidents in our link as we continue to monitor and support student behaviors.
Counseling Support for students
Please fill out the referral form for student counseling services for students who need support