Monday Morning Motivation
Central Elementary Staff News----April 18--April 22
We are Ready--Part Two!
Dear Staff,
This week, we begin the second round of ISTEP. Although we are only testing grades 3-5, several grades are making adjustments in their schedules to make this happen. Every team and staff member who I have asked to help out has done so willingly. Knowing that changing our schedule is an inconvenience, I am grateful for the positive attitudes. Our staff understands that doing well on this test is a School-wide win. Teachers have worked tirelessly to make sure their students are ready. It has been fun walking through classrooms and seeing students confidently answering questions both online and on paper. Students are relaxed because they have practiced a great deal for the big game.
Below is a excerpt from the book Developing the Leaders Around You by John Maxwell:
Team Success Brings Individual Success
If your team members believe in the goals of the team and begin to develop genuine trust in one another, they will be in a position to demonstrate true teamwork. Notice that I mention the team members will be in a position to demonstrate true teamwork. That does not necessarily mean that they will do it.
For there to be teamwork, several things must happen. First, team members must genuinely believe that the value of the team's success is greater than the value of their own individual interests. Second, personal sacrifice must be encouraged and then rewarded-by the team leader and the other members of the team. As this happens, the people will identify themselves more and more with the team, and they will recognize that individualism wins trophies, but teamwork wins pennants.
Here's to a focused ISTEP week!
Julie
A Week at a Glance
Central Calendar
MONDAY, April 18
- ISTEP begins grade 4
- 4th grade meeting at 8:00 a.m. to talk about ISTEP
- Classified Staff Dinner 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the High School
- PTO meeting 7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, April 12
- ISTEP begins grades 3 and 5
WEDNESDAY, April 13
- ISTEP continues
- 5th grade data meeting with PCMS
THURSDAY, April 14
- ISTEP continues
- RTI meeting Cancelled
FRIDAY, April 15
- Walk-A-Thon
- Schedule:
- 9:00-9:40--first grade warm-up and walk
- 9:20-10:00--Kindergarten warm-up and walk
- 9:40-10:20--2nd grade warm-up and walk
- 10:00-10:40--3rd grade warm-up and walk
- 10:20-11:00--4th grade warm-up and walk
- 10:40--11:20--5th grade warm-up and walk
- 11:20-12:30 5th grade lunch party
- 2:45-3:15 School Convocation to award prizes
Announcements and Reminders
Computer Labs are closed for the next three weeks. There maybe some windows of times when they are available and Shonda will let you know. Please plan accordingly and thank you for your flexibility!!
Please do not send people to make copies on the copy machine next to Shonda's desk during ISTEP times. You should have a schedule. If you need a copy during those times, you may use the office.
Awesome McAllister's leftovers in refrigerator in teacher's lounge. Help yourself.
Please note, after school on May 24th the Gym will be covered with plywood. After lunch on May 25th the boxes will begin being moved by high school athletic teams.
Here’s what I am telling parents, who want to bring younger children/siblings to the Walk-A-Thon:
Thank you for wanting to participate in the Walk-A-Thon. If you bring your child, you will not be able to participate in the capacity of a volunteer. Our children walk along the neighborhood streets and we need our volunteers to have their full attention on the children for their safety. However, you are welcome to sign up and come as a participant.
Please call me if you have any questions or concerns.
Begin scheduling Domain 1 and 3 meetings with Karen. I would like to have these completed by Friday, May 13th. These meetings can be before school, during prep, or after school.
SInce we ran out of time at our faculty meeting, please plan to share your Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites strategies at our next meeting. You can share both at one time and don't feel like you have to take more than a couple of minutes.
Dickey's 4/26 4-9 pm. No flyer needed.
In July a New District and School Website will go live for the public. The goal is to create a user friendly, clean web page, highlighting all the wonderful things happening in Plainfield.
FYI the LINK Observatory: Space Science Institute offers warm weather field trips. See linkobservatory.org if you are interested in learning more
Running Club
Shaving crème spelling
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Title: Indiana Academic Standards for Science 2016 Adopted
The Indiana Academic Standards for Science 2016 were adopted today by the State Board of Education. To access the new standards please navigate to http://www.doe.in.gov/standards/science-computer-science
High Ability Process
High ability identification data team meeting with grade-levels for grades K-4 will be on April 26th
As you are completing the spreadsheet, you do not need to write anything for teacher recommendations as we will discuss your thoughts at the meeting. Cogat numbers can be found in student files although I am trying locate a report from last year from Central Office. I will get back with you on this. Remember, you do not have to grade writing prompts. We will talk about bubble kids at our meeting and determine as a grade level who and how we will grade those.
Things to do prior to the meeting in grade 5:
APRIL 20th
· Review the spreadsheet once I get it to you in preparation for our identification meeting on April 20th
· 4:00 p.m. meeting with the middle school assistant principal, a math teacher and a language arts teacher to discuss place
Things to do prior to the meeting grades 2-4:
· Please plan to give a writing prompt the week of April 11th
· Review the spreadsheet once I get it to you in preparation for our identification meeting on April 26th
Things to do prior to the meeting grades K-1:
· Review the spreadsheet once I get it to you in preparation for our identification meeting on April 26th
End of the Year
April and May Activities for Central Elementary
April 6 – Kindergarten Round up AM & PM @ Clarks Creek Elementary
April 7 – Kindergarten Round up PM @ Clarks Creek Elementary
April 15 – Central Staff Packing Party
April 18 – PTO Meeting
April 20 – Relay For Life Jeans Day
April 22 – Walkathon and Walkathon Celebration (2:45-3:20)
April 25 – 5th grade Flat Rock Parent Meeting
April 28 – 4th & 5th grade Growth and Development
April 18 – May 6 – ISTEP Testing for grades 3,4,5
May 6 – Walkathon Principals’ Minute to Win it @ Clarks Creek Elementary
May 9th and 10 preschool transition conferences here at Central
May 9 – Study Buddy Party
May 10th Kindergarten Screening in the afternoon
May 11th Pat Cooney from middle school to talk with 5th grade
May 12 & 13 – 5th grade Flat Rock Field Trip
May 16 – PTO Meeting
May 18 – 3rd grade field trip Jameson Camp
May 20 – Field Day
May 23 – 5th grade breakfast & celebration AM
KG – 4 grade Central Celebration AM
May 24th-Step Up Day
Spring Assessments!
- ISTEP Part 2 Window April 18-May 6, 2016 (all students grades 3-5). We will begin on the 18th and it will be online.
- Grade 3 will be taken by way of paper/pencil, beginning on April 19th
- Grades 4 and 5 will be online and begin April 18th
Celebrate Staff
Thank you very much for your flexibility with regard to computer labs and ISTEP.
Great turn-out to pack Friday night. It was fun! Thanks to the PTO for dinner!
Congratulations to the following teachers for being nominated for Teacher of the Year!
Krista Bullington
Carey Hackleman
Anne Johnson
Megan Johnson
Randi Levine
Dana Loudermilk
Annie Pagels
Samantha Trempe
Shelly Weaver
Congratulations! We are proud of you!