Cat Tracks
Spring Shadows Elementary Wildcats Staff Newsletter
December 9 - 13, 2019
Focused on Literacy
TCRWP Affiliate Training with Jonathan
Our Vision
Our Mission
Core Beliefs
- Each student has unique intellectual, emotional, social, and physical qualities.
- We embrace a child’s individual values, interests, and personalities.
- Parents are confident in their child’s social and intellectual educational growth.
- Educators lead their craft by preparing learners in our fast changing world
Principal's Message
It is great to see all the good work you do day in and day out. If you feel a slight push, it is only because we are in the thick of things when quality learning is happening. Both for kids and adults. Learning is not easy. In fact, it is in the struggle that learning occurs. Not only does learning occur, but then we have to allow ourselves to practice so we can get good at whatever it is we learned. This week, I encourage you to have a growth mindset conversation with the kids during community circle. Kids need to know the basics on how their brain works and that we are always looking for growth and eventually mastery.
On that note, the same goes for us adults. You are learning new curriculum and you are learning new techniques to teach your current set of students. The only way to get better at our craft is to be well prepared, practice (with a small group), then teach with a whole group, and finally reflect on what went well. If 80% or more of your kids are getting it, then good first instruction just occurred. If less than that, then go back to the drawing board and see what occurred. The reflection part is crucial! Make efforts to talk about your content and how kids are learning. These discussions are part of your collaborative meetings with your team. See, this is where you as a team come together to discuss what kids do when they get it or don’t. Then together you talk about specifically what you will do so they do get it.
Speaking of collaborative meetings, it was good to see folks working at different paces on their own this last Thursday. Don’t be afraid to get down to the specifics. Remember your time together is not a Che list, rather an opportunity for you and your team to reflect on your practice and decide what is next. How will you help each other so everyone sitting at the table is successful? Remember - a group is only concerned about their own individual success. A TEAM ensures everyone is successful and lends a hand when someone is off track.
Academic December Goals: Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships
- Evidence of Reader's and Writer's Workshop in daily practice
- Evidence of Conferring and/or Guided Reading in daily practice
- Evidence of Math Workshop (guided math) in daily practice with campus wide focus on math problem solving (at appropriate grade level)
Wildcat Love and respect,
Rachel Martinez
Calendar
Monday, December 9
Kindergarten Extended Planning
Announcements: Klauer
12 Days of Christmas: Make a card for nursing home residents.
- 8:30-10:30 ILT
- 2:45-4:00 Team Leader Huddle
- 3:30-5:00 5th Grade Reading and Writing PD (Ridgecrest)
- 3:30-5:00 Kindergarten Reading and Writing PD (Wilchester)
Tuesday, December 10
1st Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Klauer
12 Days of Christmas: Wear Your Favorite Holiday Sweater/ Shirt
- SPIRAL Day
- Cindy Off Campus (7:30-10:30)
- 2nd Grade Math PD (Treasure Forest)
- 7:30-10:30 Cindy Off Campus
- 4th Grade Writing Common Assessment
- 2nd & 4th grade math common assessment
- 12:00-12:45 Cornerstone & WAIS visit 5th Grade
- 1st Grade TCRWP PD
- After School Tutoring
Wednesday, December 11
2nd Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Klauer
12 Days of Christmas: Do a Christmas Science experiment and wear a Christmas headband!
- 1st grade field trip- Dewberry Farms
- North brook Middle Holiday Orchestra 9:15-10:15 (K-2nd only) gym
- 4th Grade Math PD
- Faculty PLC 2:45-4:00: PBIS, Luna & Hill Shower
Thursday, December 12
PLC Day
Announcements: Klauer
12 Days of Christmas: Red and Green Day, Read Aloud a Book to your Group.
- Rachel @ Principals mtg.
- 3rd Grade Common Assessment
- CIS at Cluster Mtg.
- 2nd Grade Reading, Writing, Phonics PD
- After School Tutoring
Friday, December 13
3rd Grade Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Klauer
12 Days of Christmas: Make a Christmas card for your teacher.
- Jingle Bell Jog
- Spelling Bee
Saturday, December 14, 2019
- Cycle Houston 2nd Grade Bike Giveaway
Shout Outs
Many thanks to Gaby & Priscilla, Maria, and Noe for helping with Jonathan’s visit early in the week.
Gracias to the team leader who are fearlessly leading their teams for student learning and better collaboration to make those necessary student achievement improvements!
Holy Spirit 1st Grade annual party!
Thank you Peggy for our Santa referral!
Don’t forget to thank our Blessings ladies for Christmas!
Our Reading Round Up Readers are Great!
Dolls for All Tea cup Party
Thank you Sister school Wilchester!
Great first instruction in Ms. Mendoza’s class!
Tight objectives
Evidence of student hands on work.
Spring Shadows Elementary
Email: rachel.martinez@springbranchisd.com
Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sse2/
Location: 9725 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: (713) 251-7100
Twitter: @twitter_rachelmartinez4