THE FLIGHT RECORDER
Statesville Road Elementary's Weekly Newsletter
Principal's Point to Ponder
What I Know for Sure
If any of you watch Super Soul Sunday on the OWN network, you know that Oprah ends her interview by asking her guests this question: "What is it that you know for sure?" Her guests usually reply with profound insights on life, love, spirituality, or what they believe to be universal truths. The things they come up with cannot always be proven by scientific research or recreated in a lab, but her guests have come to these revelations based on life's experiences that have created a deep unshakable faith in something. No matter what happens, they do not let go of the things they know for sure. So, as we approach the week that we find out our end of grade test scores for the 2012-13 school year, I must remind you that we might see as much as a 30-40 point drop in proficiency rates. This is the time to articulate what it is we have faith in and not let go of what we know for sure: We know that the data driven instructional practices we have in place are effective. We know that targeted small group instruction is what will move our kids in terms of growth. We know that any significant change takes consistency over time. We know that the best in each of us is individually and collectively needed to reach our school goals. We know that we are part of a transformative movement that is changing the trajectory of our kids lives. If we maintain committed to our plans, we will see improvement from what will be our new baseline. If we do not grow weary in the face of adversity and setbacks, we will soar like eagles. This I know for sure!
If any of you watch Super Soul Sunday on the OWN network, you know that Oprah ends her interview by asking her guests this question: "What is it that you know for sure?" Her guests usually reply with profound insights on life, love, spirituality, or what they believe to be universal truths. The things they come up with cannot always be proven by scientific research or recreated in a lab, but her guests have come to these revelations based on life's experiences that have created a deep unshakable faith in something. No matter what happens, they do not let go of the things they know for sure. So, as we approach the week that we find out our end of grade test scores for the 2012-13 school year, I must remind you that we might see as much as a 30-40 point drop in proficiency rates. This is the time to articulate what it is we have faith in and not let go of what we know for sure: We know that the data driven instructional practices we have in place are effective. We know that targeted small group instruction is what will move our kids in terms of growth. We know that any significant change takes consistency over time. We know that the best in each of us is individually and collectively needed to reach our school goals. We know that we are part of a transformative movement that is changing the trajectory of our kids lives. If we maintain committed to our plans, we will see improvement from what will be our new baseline. If we do not grow weary in the face of adversity and setbacks, we will soar like eagles. This I know for sure!
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK
Ms. Carter's 4th grade math class is all about integration! The chart above demonstrates how she is not only helping kids see the relevance of math in our everyday lives, but also shows how her students are experiencing the IB unit theme in math. The best implementation of our IB program happens when students' tasks, activities, and assignments are seemlessly integrated. This brief warm up activity is a good way to integrate the IB theme, math, writing, and comprehension of text all at once.
What's Happening This Week?
Monday, November 4, 2013 (Day 4)
- Happy Monday!
Tuesday, November 5, 2013 (Day 5)
- Election Day....be sure to vote!
- Tuesday Folder: November School Newsletter (will be in your boxes on Monday)
- Williams at Principals Meeting -- PM
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 (Day 1)
- 3:30pm - STAFF MEETING (EOG data)
- Hall, Carter, Parmenter, Warren, Hayes, Allen at Differentiation Academy (all day)
- Lungarini at Testing Coordinators Meeting (all day)
Thursday, November 7, 2013 (Day 2)
- Student Council Voting
- Sadler at Title I Meeting -- AM
- Hall, Carter, Parmenter, Warren, Hayes, Allen at Differentiation Academy (all day)
Friday, November 8, 2013 (Day 3)
- Walser at OLPC meeting (all day)
- Project LIFT Expo (5:30pm) and West Charlotte High Football Game (7:00pm)
- Happy Friday!