Badger Bulletin
Working the Willkie Way!
What!? Another early edition?
Hello Badger Family!
I know that you're probably wondering what the heck is going on seeing how this is the second week in a row that the badger bulletin has come out way early. Again, there are things I wanted to communicate, and didn't want to wait until Friday. I know this may throw a few of you off balance, but I love the format of the S'MORE and thought this is better than sending everything in an email. So, here we go!
I know that you're probably wondering what the heck is going on seeing how this is the second week in a row that the badger bulletin has come out way early. Again, there are things I wanted to communicate, and didn't want to wait until Friday. I know this may throw a few of you off balance, but I love the format of the S'MORE and thought this is better than sending everything in an email. So, here we go!
Word of the week...Compassion!
I mentioned a few weeks ago that the holidays are not the most joyous time for many folks. Truth be told, I have never really cared much for the holiday season other than the fact I like the cold weather and I like the time off, but that's the extent of it. Many of you may remember my story from the beginning of the school year, and can probably guess that the holidays were not always...well, a happy time. But it is important to remember that it is not just the kids that sometimes struggle, it's us adults as well. The holidays bring with it the stress of entertaining family, buying just the right gift, paying the credit card bills when they come in, and the list goes on. That's why the word of the week this week is compassion.
I watch a lot of TV for someone who doesn't watch TV. I have my favorite shows that I record and will sometimes binge watch them on the weekends once I have 4 or 5 recorded, because time is limited through out the week. I was recently watching an episode of the new show Pure Genius and in one scene a police officer was recalling the day he graduated the police academy. He was remembering that his captain had told him that the most powerful weapon he had in his arsenal was compassion. That really struck a chord with me, because I think the same holds true for us as educator.
As we gear up for another much needed break I want to encourage you to really think about what it means to be compassionate, not only to others, but to ourselves as well.
On that note I want to direct you to a newsletter that Jennifer Cross sent us before the Thanksgiving Break. It's just a reminder that we are not alone and that there are resources out there if and when we need them. Please take care of yourselves this holiday season! Click here for the newsletter
I have also attached the PDF with other info.
I watch a lot of TV for someone who doesn't watch TV. I have my favorite shows that I record and will sometimes binge watch them on the weekends once I have 4 or 5 recorded, because time is limited through out the week. I was recently watching an episode of the new show Pure Genius and in one scene a police officer was recalling the day he graduated the police academy. He was remembering that his captain had told him that the most powerful weapon he had in his arsenal was compassion. That really struck a chord with me, because I think the same holds true for us as educator.
As we gear up for another much needed break I want to encourage you to really think about what it means to be compassionate, not only to others, but to ourselves as well.
On that note I want to direct you to a newsletter that Jennifer Cross sent us before the Thanksgiving Break. It's just a reminder that we are not alone and that there are resources out there if and when we need them. Please take care of yourselves this holiday season! Click here for the newsletter
I have also attached the PDF with other info.
With Badger Pride,
Danny
Employee Engagement Survey
I want to thank those of you who have completed the Employee Engagement Survey and encourage the rest of you to do so. Just click on the link below to get started. This is an important and truly helpful opportunity. Please don't pass it up. Thanks!
Click here to access the survey.
Click here to access the survey.
Faculty Meeting next week
We will have a short faculty meeting next week as there is some information the district wants us to present before the break in case you have any feedback. It has to do with the District of Innovation initiative that will be going before the DPAC in January and then to the school board after that. There will be two opportunities for you to attend. Please make plans to attend one or the other.
Tuesday December 13th @ 3:45
Wednesday December 14 @ 7:45
Tuesday December 13th @ 3:45
Wednesday December 14 @ 7:45
Tomorrow is Instructional Rounds! Please make plans to attend!
We will continue Instructional Rounds (IR's) this six weeks and the schedule is listed below. As you will notice the IR's will be lead by the Learning Coaches and Department Chairs this year.
How this works.
On the designated day you are invited to meet in the large conference room during your conference period. You will be assigned a group and your instructional leader will give you brief instructions and you will then go visit classrooms.
Each visit will last about 10 minutes each and you will be collecting data as you look through the lens of a specific rubric.
Once you complete your walk throughs you will return to the conference room and collaborate/calibrate your findings.
The purpose is to see what the students are doing and where it falls on the specific rubric.
I realize that giving up your conference period cuts into your planning time, but this is important work we are doing and I have a plan to give you that time back if you participate.
Schedule
Wednesday, December 7th:
How this works.
On the designated day you are invited to meet in the large conference room during your conference period. You will be assigned a group and your instructional leader will give you brief instructions and you will then go visit classrooms.
Each visit will last about 10 minutes each and you will be collecting data as you look through the lens of a specific rubric.
Once you complete your walk throughs you will return to the conference room and collaborate/calibrate your findings.
The purpose is to see what the students are doing and where it falls on the specific rubric.
I realize that giving up your conference period cuts into your planning time, but this is important work we are doing and I have a plan to give you that time back if you participate.
Schedule
Wednesday, December 7th:
· Lens: Relevance-Willis
Wednesday, February 15th:
· Lens: Student Engagement-Williams
Wednesday, March 8th:
· Lens: Rigor-Stevens/Walker
Wednesday, April 19:
· Lens: Relevance-Pandit
Yearbook Sponsor
I am in need of a Yearbook Sponsor for next school year. This position comes with a small stipend, and a lot of work (how's that for a sales pitch?). Seriously, if you think this is something you may be interested in shoot me an email and we will discuss it.
Holiday Gathering and other fun stuff
As I said last week, this year's holiday gathering will be in the form of a catered lunch. Once all the kiddos have left for the holiday break on December 16th, we will meet in the cafeteria for good food and fellowship.
We also have fun stuff planned all next week, so stay tuned for more info.
We also have fun stuff planned all next week, so stay tuned for more info.
Calling all chili cooks! Chili Cook Off Next Tuesday
We will have our annual Chili Cook Off next Tuesday. If you want to enter the contest, bring a crock pot full of your best chili to the downstairs teacher's lounge nest Tuesday December 13 and someone will be there to assign you a number for judging. We have invited our School Board Member, Dick Elkins, to be one of the judges.
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Even if you don't want to be judged, you are welcome to contribute a pot of chili to the event. Everyone is welcome to come and sample all the wonderful entries!
There will be prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place.
Even if you don't want to be judged, you are welcome to contribute a pot of chili to the event. Everyone is welcome to come and sample all the wonderful entries!
The week ahead... and next week too.
Monday December 5 , 2016
- Boys Basketball 7th Grade @ Indian Springs Middle School; 8th Grade @ Home
Tuesday December 6, 2016
- ARDs and 504's
- Instructional Rounds during Conference Periods
- 3;45 AVID Site Team Meeting Room 120
- PTO Meeting
- ARDs, ARDs, ARDs
- Girls Basketball 8th Grade @ home; 7th Grade@ Indian Springs MS
- Campus Improvement Training- Knowles out all day
- Basketball Tournament
Saturday December 10, 2016
- Basketball Tournament
Monday December 12 , 2016
- Boys Basketball vs. Prairie Vista 7th Grade @ home; 8th Grade @ Home
- 6:30 - 6th Grade Choir in cafeteria
Tuesday December 13, 2016
- PTO meeting
- 6:30 - Winter Band Concert @ CTHS
- 6:30 7th/8th Grade Choir Concert
Wednesday December 14, 2016
- Holiday Open House @ Board Room
Thursday December 15, 2016
- Girls Basketball vs. Prairie Vista 8th Grade @ home; 7th Grade@ Home
Friday December 16, 2016
- Early Release
- Luncheon
- Happy Holidays