Teaching & Learning Newsletter
February 19, 2016
C2E
One of the reasons that mental imagery can be so valuable in performance contexts is that the human brain cannot distinguish between an imagined experience and a real experience. Both are equally real for your brain.The same areas of the brain light up in an imagined experience or imagined performance as in a real experience or performance. For that reason, positive performance imagery has enormous potential.
Terry Orlick, PhD, In Pursuit of Excellence
Affirmations
We would like to express our gratitude for the work being done by the associate teachers. Their willingness to "roll up their sleeves" and quickly go to work is helpful as we all strive to improve student performance
Coaching Tip
Good questions open up conversations, generate respect, accelerate learning and build relationships. Questions are the yang to complete the yin of listening. If we don't ask questions, we won't have the opportunity to listen. If we don't listen, our questions won't serve much purpose. When we see others as equals, we usually give them at least equal time at the center of our conversation, and that requires asking questions that allow our conversation partners to say what they wish.
Jim Knight, Better Conversations
Action Required Items
Core Content Area News
ALL ADMINISTRATORS
DDRT Meetings
DDRT Meetings continue to take place each Monday. Click here to access sign up sheet. Please note that you are asked to input whether the concern is academic or behavioral as well as if the primary concern is in reading or math. This helps with scheduling support in the meeting. Finally, thank you for continuing to document RtI in Aware as this helps ensure communication of student information.
Nominations being accepted for Student Heroes Program
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is now accepting nominations for the 2016 Student Heroes Award. The deadline for nominations is March 11.
The Student Heroes awards program recognizes Texas public school students in prekindergarten through high school who do outstanding things to benefit their fellow Texas students. Click here to nominate a student.
High School
Dates for Pulling Benchmark Data for Accountability Predictions
Data from secondary spring benchmarks will be pulled on April 12. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by April 11 since questions over SEs that have not been taught are zero weighted at this time. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of April 12. All questions will be weighted in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions by April 15.
Read 180 and System 44 Superhero Students and Teachers
Nominations are now open for Superheroes! Educators are asked to complete the preliminary nomination for at least one student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Read 180 or System 44. Principals are likewise encouraged to nominate teachers who have demonstrated commitment to equipping students to overcome academic challenges. Click here for more information.
The dates for the Secondary Spring Horizontals are shown below.
The dates highlighted in yellow are new dates due to a change in benchmark scheduling:
Middle Schools
The dates for the Secondary Spring Horizontals are shown above.
The dates highlighted in yellow are new dates due to a change in benchmark scheduling.
Dates for Pulling Benchmark Data for Accountability Predictions
Data from secondary spring benchmarks will be pulled on April 12. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by April 11 since questions over SEs that have not been taught are zero weighted at this time. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of April 12. All questions will be weighted in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions by April 15.
Read 180 and System 44 Superhero Students and Teachers
Nominations are now open for Superheroes! Educators are asked to complete the preliminary nomination for at least one student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in Read 180 or System 44. Principals are likewise encouraged to nominate teachers who have demonstrated commitment to equipping students to overcome academic challenges. Click here for more information.
2015-2016 Algebra Pre-Entry Program
The Algebra Pre-Entry Program (Algebra Readiness) is a process by which 7th grade math students are screened and recommended for placement in Math 8 or Pre-AP Algebra 1 based on multiple measures and teacher recommendation. Please pay particular attention to the timetable available at the following link. Click here
Call for Outstanding Student Nominations
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2016 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state. Nominees must be in 4th-8th grade, maintain an 85 or higher average, demonstrate leadership ability, and be involved in school/community activities.
Elementary Schools
DRA/EDL Scores on report cards:
K-5 report cards will include DRA/EDL middle of the year scores and scores will be identified as on or above level and below level. A parent letter explaining these new scores will be shared out with principals on Monday to include with the report card. Schools will be responsible for making copies of this letter.
MATH Benchmark Day Consideration:
When campus leadership teams are deciding on their dates to administer the MATH benchmark for grades 3, 4, 6 and 7, please consider giving this on a Monday since the students will take the actual STAAR test on May 9th which is a Monday. This will help simulate the actual STAAR testing environment.
Data from elementary spring benchmarks will be pulled on March 9 since questions over SEs that have not been taught are zero weighted at this time. Teachers planning to use scores for grades should retrieve those scores by March 8. Adjustments to the weighting of test questions will be made the morning of March 9. All questions will then be weighted in order to obtain the most accurate prediction possible. Principals should expect to receive index score predictions prior to leaving for Spring Break.
PD Opportunity for Pre-K Teachers
Dr. Jean will be hosting a one day seminar in Austin on April 21, 2016 titled: Active Learning Adventure: Let's make it purposeful, plan-ful, and playful. This would be a beneficial training for your teachers. Please consider sending some of your teachers. For more information, contact Schronda McKnight, PreK Coordinator at 209-1061 or schronda.mcknight@bryanisd.org
Hard Hats for Little Heads
Just a quick reminder to book your buses for Hard Hats for Little Heads.
When: February 25
Time for buses: 8-11am
Where: Reed Arena
Who: 2nd graders
If you have any questions, please contact Janyce Kinley.
Advanced Academics
Advanced Academics programs in Bryan ISD have an exciting spring semester ahead of them. Check out the newsletter for a rundown of upcoming events, celebrations of success and tips for engaging gifted students. Please click here to view the Advanced Academics Newsletter.
Special Education
ARDs
Please remind staff to be prompt and prepared for ARDC Meetings. Special and general education teachers should bring benchmark results, grades, updated PLAAFPs, goals and objectives, and progress made on current goals/objectives to enable ARDC to make informed decision for students.
Bilingual Education
ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
Bilingual Framework
The week of February 22 is a B week for the bilingual framework.
PRINCIPALS
Certification Exam Prep Course Opportunity
Texas A&M is offering online certification preparation courses for the Bilingual #164, the BTLPT #190, and BTLPT writing certification exams. These courses are free for Bryan ISD staff members. Courses are completely online. To access the information flyer with the Spring 2016 course schedule click here. Teachers can also register for the courses by clicking here
Curriculum & Instruction
Email: leslie.holtkamp@bryanisd.org
Website: www.bryanisd.org
Phone: 979-209-1049
Twitter: @bisdambassador