Warner Update
Making a difference, one person at a time
Takeaways and Strategies
THE BIG TAKEAWAY...
Innovation is not about technology. Innovation is a mindset. For example, if you add 30 ChromeBooks to a room but your pedagogy doesn't change, that is not innovation.
Over the last several years I've watched Warner Elementary redesign learning spaces. What makes me proud is that we have also tried to change the way we deliver to kids. This is intentional and purposeful.
We all understand that perfection is impossible, we can find ways to improve and grow. You are doing great things! Keep moving the needle and keep being willing to think differently and try new approaches. It's perfectly fine to be uncomfortable.
Strategies Moving Forward...
We've got three weeks before Spring Break. I'm putting a challenge out to our staff. Each day share at least one of the following...
- A quote
- A video
- A picture
- A shoutout
Choose at least one. Highlight your classroom, lift a colleague, or simply choose to see the great in our school. The key is to use the hashtag #OneWarner. If you post on Instagram, FaceBook, Twitter just end your post with the hashtag so that our entire community will have a glimpse into what makes Warner special.
Each day up to 3 individuals will be randomly chosen to receive a prize...
- a beverage of your choice
- gift cards
- extra recess or break
- personally delivered lunch
- and more
There are times in life that it is easy to feel defeated. We build strength in lifting others, sharing kindness and focusing on the little things that produce joy. March can be exhausting, but this three week challenge has the ability to allow us to slow down and capture the great moments that happen every single day.
In addition, I encourage you to check out the first post by George Couros at the bottom of this update.
NEXT WEEK AT A GLANCE:
Monday, March 12th: Board Work Session 5:30pm
Monday, March 12th: PD at ParmaAM
K-2 8:30-11:30 with Annemarie in the library (small group instruction)
3-5 9:00-11:30 with Dan Luciani (standards-based grading)
11:30-12:30 Lunch on your own
PM
K-2 12:30-3:30 with Dan Luciani in the cafeteria (standards-based grading)
3-5 12:30-3:30 with Annemarie in the library (small group instruction)
Items you will need to bring with you for the Small Group Instruction PD:
- Calkins Reading Units of Study (if you have one)
- Reading Brain notebook/journal (see me if you don't have one already)
- Highlighter, sticky notes, scissors
Tuesday, March 13th: Bible Release
Tuesday, March 13th: 9am Admin Meeting
Tuesday, March 13th: Raising Readers Family Reading Event 6pm (dinner provided)
Wednesday, March 14th: Grades K-2 assembly at 8:45am
Wednesday, March 14th: USA Day (wear your red, white & blue)
Wednesday, March 14th: PLC time - this week's encouraged focus will be on discussing students that are currently receiving RTI intervention and sharing ways to support them in tier one instruction. Additionally, ask the question, have our RTI students made gains, stayed the same or fallen back?
Wednesday, March 14th: 3pm Imagine Math training at Bean El.
Thursday, March 15th: AM Annemarie workshop training in classrooms (more info below)
Thursday, March 15th: 9:30am 5th Grade Band Recruiting at Warner
Thursday, March 15th: Panther Pride Lunch
Thursday, March 15th: Kids Hope Bowling Party
Thursday, March 15th: CP Federal Credit Union
Friday, March 16th: 9:30am K-5 Admin Assessment Rubric Meeting at Parma
Friday, March 16th: Read-a-thon day
Friday, March 16th: Posters Due
Friday, March 16th: 1pm Special Education Meeting on compliance
Friday, March 16th: Wear Green for St. Patrick's Day ; )
Info on Professional Development Thursday/Friday
Thursday, March 15 (Parma library)
You can sign up for EITHER Thursday OR Friday:
Learning Labs for Small Group Instructions - Grades K-2 in the morning and Grades 3-5 in the afternoon. I will be sending out a google doc to sign up for this PD. This is a follow up for Monday's PD. We will be observing instruction in a 2nd grade(a.m.) and 4th grade (p.m.) classroom....don't panic....Annemarie will be doing the instruction, and we will be observing the lesson and then discussing.
Friday, March 16 (Parma library)
You can sign up for EITHER Thursday OR Friday:
Learning Labs for Small Group Instructions - Grades K-2 in the morning and Grades 3-5 in the afternoon. I will be sending out a google doc to sign up for this PD. This is a follow up for Monday's PD. We will be observing instruction in a 2nd grade(a.m.) and 4th grade (p.m.) classroom....don't panic....Annemarie will be doing the instruction, and we will be observing the lesson and then discussing.
* Observations will take place Tues-Thurs this week
* If you'd like me to be a guest reader please email me the best time for you and I'll add to my calendar.
* Tuesday is the March BDAY lunch for staff