Bear Tracks
November 16, 2017
A Note From the Principal:
Dear Bear Tavern Staff,
Happy Friday and good luck at conferences! You work so hard to know our students and curriculum, so enjoy the chance to talk about it and show how much effort and passion that you put in each day.
We will not have a Bear Tracks next Thursday, so I want to take a minute to remind everyone to enjoy their break and really be present to make some great memories and cherish the time with your friends and family.
I continue to be impressed and amazed by our staff's ability to reflect and adjust. Whether it is the best way to utilize movement breaks in class, the best resource to allow students to meet an objective, the best strategy to help a student increase self control or any number of things, I have seen, first hand, how you pay attention to detail and make the most of every minute. Even day to day tasks are attacked with precision and with expertise. And our kids need it! We'll talk a bit about it at the faculty meeting, but we have students with so many stories. We never know exactly what any student is dealing with, but many of our most challenging students, the ones that often leave us feeling frustrated or confused, are ones who need the most support, warmth and help. Even when we feel like we're not making a difference or when we feel like we're not doing enough, please remember that the energy and effort that we are pouring in are exactly what that student needs.
Remember that we are lucky and fortunate to have the chance to make a difference in our kids. Especially the ones that make it difficult to see the impact. If we stay consistent with our approach, we are tenacious with our effort and we lead with the heart, we have the chance to make an impact that will last way longer than our careers will.
I am thankful to be your colleague and that you are helping our kids.
Have a great weekend and enjoy a special Thanksgiving Break!
Sincerely,
Chris
Key Information:
- Dismissal Reminders - Please remind your students (specifically grades 2-5) that are bus riders to report directly to the buses when they leave the room at dismissal. It is important that all students receive the same message and that we are universal in our expectation.
- GEOY & Support Staff of the Year - Click Here for important message from Mr. Suozzo regarding Governor's Educator of the Year and the Support Staff Member of the Year. Click for the following: GEOY info, GEOY form, SSOY form, Eligibility Criteria for SSOY, Past Winners,
- Gratitude Slips - Check on the bulletin board in the main office. Grab a slip and let someone know that you appreciate her/him.
- **SPECIAL BIO GOOGLE FORMS** - We have a wonderful digital display in the lobby of the school. We love it because it allows us to show pictures from the twitter feed, show upcoming events, share the lunch menu and engage families. We are working to continue to maximize it's potential and I'd like to use it in the 2nd half of the year to celebrate and showcase every staff member. We'll do it in teams (i.e. grade level, special areas, CST, therapists, SPED, TIP, paras, custodians, kitchen staff, etc.). To start we will have a group photo and some fun facts. We've created a Google form to get info (some serious, some a bit more fun). Please take a look. CLICK HERE for form. The form won't be required until mid-December, but I want to give everyone time to take a look and to process. You can fill it in now if you'd like! More info will come...
- Crayola Colorcycle - Check out this professionally made commercial and please show it to your class! CLICK HERE for the commercial.
- Piggy Banks - Please make sure that all students received them and periodically talk it up in your classroom. Banks will be collected the week of December 11th-15th.
- Educator of Year / Support
- PARCC Dates - Lot's of info to come but dates for PARCC: ELA - May 16, 17, 18; Math - 21, 22. Science (2 days for 5th grade Science - May 7 & May 8 [May 7th is early dismissal, but we'll still go w/ PARCC])
- Trout Blog - Please share w/ your students. Lot's of good information! bttrout20172018.blogspot.com.
- Google Site - Remember that we have our BT Google Site that has tons of information about forms, procedures, resources, etc. CLICK HERE to access it. Use it when you need.
Upcoming Events:
Friday 11/17 - Early Dismissal (PM Pre K only) - Parent Teacher Conferences
Week of 11/20:
(Book Fair runs until 11/22)
Monday 11/20 - Early Dismissal (AM Pre K only) - Parent Teacher Conferences (Evening Conferences) *Dinner from the PTO! 4:30 - 6 pm*
Monday 11/20 - Thanksgiving Stations (1st Grade) 9 - 10:30 APR
Monday 11/20 - RECESS w/ Mr. Turnbull & Mr. Fauvre (meet at blacktop at start and end of your lunch time).
Tuesday 11/21 - Early Dismissal (PM Pre K only) - Conferences (TMS & CHS)
Tuesday 11/21 - Thanksgiving Stations - Kindergarten APR 9-11 am
Tuesday 11/21 - Thanksgiving Mini Feast - 1st grade (in classrooms) 10-11
Tuesday 11/21 - Thanksgiving Feast - 2nd grade APR 11-12
Wednesday 11/22 - Early Dismissal (AM Pre K only) Staff can leave at student dismissal time
Thursday 11/23 - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday 11/24 - No School
Week of 11/27:
(Kids' Holiday Shop 11/27 - 12/1)
Monday 11/27 - Faculty Meeting
Tuesday 11/28 - GrandPals - Miller