Maverick News
What all IES staff members need to know on 12/10/15.
IES Mid-Year Celebration
All IES staff,
Come party with us at 1:30 in the library on Friday, Dec. 18th. We are bringing back the peppermint pig! Please be prepared to share a tale of past year’s good fortune from your classroom (professional and students celebrations) as we tap the pig for prosperity for the new year!
You will be asked to share your celebrations by using one of the stems below for your professional and student celebrations...
I took a risk this semester by trying ______ and it has had a positive impact on ___________.
I attended professional development on ______ and it has impacted my instruction by _______.
I was not confident with my ability to teach ______ but after trying it __________.
(Name of Student or I have a student that) has improved (exaggerated adjective) in ______ because they _________. I'm so proud of him/her!
(Name of Student or I have a student that has) exhibited a growth mindset by setting a goal in (Subject/topic) and working hard to meet their goal. I'm so proud of him/her!
I’m really excited how (Name of Student or a student of mine) stretched themselves in (Subject/topic) and can now (performance tasks related to subject/topic).
President Signs ESEA Rewrite, Giving States, Districts Bigger Say on Policy
For the past quarter century, federal education policy has been moving in one direction: toward standards-based education redesign, a greater reliance on standardized tests, and bigger role for Washington when it comes to holding schools accountable for student results. Click here for the full article. Click here to go to the ESEA homepage.
IES Events and Birthdays
12/15: TMIS Show Choir performs, 8:30
12/15: Mark out at Math Data Talks
12/16: Mark out at Principal's Meeting
12/17: Fine Arts Night and Cookies with Santa, 6-8pm
12/18: PRIDE Rally, 8:15; Winter Parties 10:15-11:45; Early release, 12:00; Mid--year celebration 1;30
12/18: Happy Birthday to Connie Clifton!
12/20: Happy Birthday to Pam Parmley!
12/26: Happy Birthday to Tina Malley!
1/2: Happy Birthday to Maria Alcala!
1/4: Staff Development: Transforming Instruction Presentations
1/7: Keith out at meeting all day; Mark out at meeting 12-4
1/8: Happy Birthday to Carla Hood & Laura Feemster!
IES Holiday Card
Happy Holidays from Your Office Staff!
All Next week:
Enjoy Holiday music from 7:30-8:00 over the intercom
You are encouraged to leave after dismissal each day
Basham/Clifton/Patrick will be doing morning arrival in the front
Monday, December 14:
Tacky sweater/Holiday shirt (participants wear jeans) There will be a prize for the tackiest! J
Tuesday, December 15:
Wear your Tree skirt. Show your holiday spirit by wearing a tree skirt. There will be a prize for the best! J
Wednesday, December 16:
Winter Wonderland Snacks in the Lounge from PTA
Jeans with Holiday shirt/hat/holiday colors
Thursday, December 17:
Fresh baked cookies and holiday drinks in front office
Jeans with Holiday shirt/hat/holiday colors
Friday, December 18:
Jeans with Holiday shirt/hat/holiday colors
Find the Joy Amidst the Chaos During the Holiday Season
Last year I saw a very poignant quote posted on Facebook regarding Black Friday. It said, “Because only in America, people trample others for sales exactly one day after being thankful for what they already have.”
The irony of this quote struck me. With of all the craziness we invite into our lives during the holidays, it is easy to lose site of the meaning behind the holiday we are celebrating. What’s ideally supposed to be a season of focusing on family, gratitude, giving, creating memories, and (for many families) faith, often becomes a time of rushing around, stressful family gatherings, and excess of everything including food, alcohol, parties, gatherings, and stuff we don’t really need.
The truth is, often times (and not only pertaining to the holidays), we don’t end up with the experience that we imagined in our minds. Sometimes we are able to have stress-free, calm, peaceful, relaxing and fulfilling occasions, but this isn’t always the case. It’s normal to run around for last minute shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, and more cleaning, so that by the time we sit down at the beautifully decorated table with delicious smelling food, we are so tired that we secretly can’t wait until the evening is over so we can relax! It’s almost as if we just want to get through it, and therefore are not even enjoying the process. And then we end up repeating the same patterns year after year with the optimism that “this year will be different” and yet we don’t do anything differently that will lead to that change.
I understand that this isn’t the case for everyone; some are very organized and don’t feel stressed by all the holiday to-do’s. But if you are stuck in a Ground-Hog-Day-like-experience with the same story playing out year after year, don’t judge yourself; you are human and habits are hard to break, even when you have really good intentions to do so. The holiday season is inherently frenzied, and we are fighting an uphill battle in how to find the joy amidst all the chaos. But it’s there; you just have to be more aware and present to notice and appreciate it.
The solution starts with cultivating the tools to help get you get centered when you begin to feel unbalanced. When you find that your busyness is taking away from what is really important, then it is time to slow down, take a few deep breaths and reconnect with yourself and your intentions. Mindfulness is the practice of living with greater awareness, attention and intention, and connecting to your breath, which continually draws you into the present moment. We often get stuck on autopilot and go through the motions of life, and thus miss a lot of what is happening around us. Practicing mindfulness helps break free from those habits and patterns that no longer serve you and create more a more present way of being.
Mindful tips for surviving the holiday season:
~ Take a minute and just breathe
~ Let go of what you can’t control
~ Increase your presence
~ Look for the joy amidst the chaos
~ Focus on gratitude
~ Increase compassion, for yourself and others
~ Be in the moment, rather than focusing on the past or the future
~ Let go of the attachment of how you thought it was supposed to be and accept what is
~ Practice responding and not reacting to what is arising in the moment
From joreerose.com
Independence Elementary, Keller ISD
Our Mission
We, at Independence Elementary School, as compassionate professionals, will inspire and empower our students to become independent thinkers, responsible citizens, and lifelong learners by building relationships, having high expectations, providing a safe and nurturing environment and embracing the community.
Our Vision Statement
Inspiring Dreams
Empowering Minds
Strengthening Our Community
Our Goals
By June of 2016, 67% of observed student tasks will include students using academic language, as measured by Instructional Rounds walk-throughs.
By June of 2016, 85% of K-4 students will demonstrate proficiency on Math Readiness Standards and 85% of 3rd and 4th grade students will demonstrate proficiency on STAAR, as measured by common summative assessments and STAAR.
By June 2016, 85% of K-4th grade students will demonstrate proficiency on Writing Process and Readiness Standards and 75% of 4th grade students will demonstrate proficiency on STAAR , as measured by Writing Process and Readiness Rubric and STAAR.
Email: mark.basham@kellerisd.net
Website: http://campus.kellerisd.net/schools/IES-121/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 11773 Bray Birch Drive, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Phone: 8177446100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iesmavericks
Twitter: @Independence_ES