EMS/ELA STAFF NEWS
11/18-11/22
On deck for DUTY this week...
AM: L.Lammers, Leiker, Mallot, Rademacher, Watkins
PM: Clausen, Moore, Lane, Palmisano, Somers, Mebust
Please remember to report to your post (see schedule) on time (AM 8-8:15) (PM 3:45-4PM).
If you are unable to report, please find a colleague to cover for you.
Congrats to Mrs. Pickering and the cast of the EHS/ELA/EMS production of Check, Please!!
GOOD NEWS....regarding attendance & tardies
Based on some new practices with tardies and attendance, we have seen some positive results.
Attendance rates for the last three weeks were as follows:
EMS
91%
70% (Snow day week)
93%
ELA
98%
92% (snow day week)
98%
Also, tardies are on the downward trend. Rhy and Stephanie have been working on calling parents and sending letters about tardies, as well as meeting with students about our concerns around tardies. Keep fighting the good fight...remember to hold kids accountable to our tardy policy.
EMBRACING THE DIP
On the quarter one check in, 13 of 19 responses indicated great concerns with classroom management and student behavior. From classroom observations as well as teacher check-ins, we realize this is standing in the way of learning in some of our classrooms and with some of our students.
Here are some of the statements teachers gave:
Poor classroom management leading to undesirable outcomes.Constant redirecting of certain students and their “no care” attitude
The lack of effort from the students and the amount of behavior problems in certain classes.
So, what do we do?
Admin pulled all the students in for a reset this last week, but we know that conversation only goes so far. It is the day-to-day digging in from our teachers that will make the biggest difference.
For the next 5 five weeks, Cindy, Annessa, Erin and Mandy will be giving feedback to all teachers using the Get Better Faster Scope and Sequence Management Trajectory.
Many teachers have already mastered all of these skills, and for some, we hope this will provide you with concrete feedback on your next action steps for management in your classroom.
Our expectation is that all teachers will show mastery of all the management trajectory within first semester. We will partner with you in this work, and look forward to great results.
As teachers, we need to recognize when tolerance of worsening behavior has happened in our rooms. Strengthening management practices in each and every classroom will have a collective positive impact on our students.
Hot Topics...
Passes at lunch...are always required for student to leave the lunchroom and visit a teacher's class (as we want to keep the halls clear and protect your lunch time). Please give students a pass if they need to leave the lunchroom as well as if they are leaving your room and will arrive late to the cafeteria. We want to hold students accountable for their whereabouts. Thank you so much for your help with this.
When subbing...please be sure to follow the plans and seating chart left by the regular classroom teacher as this provides students with some consistency of expectation, even when their regular teacher is out and can help reduce unwanted behavioral issues.
If a student is in need of seeing a counselor...please remember to send a chat to Mrs. Wood or Mrs. Lauer and wait for their response before sending a student with a pass. Students with IEPs see Mrs. Lauer and all others see Mrs. Wood.
Grading...if late, please remember to enter student work as missing in the gradebook until you receive it. Especially when students are absent/excused, it is important that they know how the missing work impacts their grade.
Math Lunch Lab... Math teachers are inviting students who need specific skill support to a lunch lab (taught by interventionist Ms. Vasquez). 7th grade students will get help on Tuesdays, 8th grade on Wednesdays and Algebra students on Thursdays. Students will receive an invitation pass and are encouraged to participate (snacks provided:-)
New IT resources are available for Englewood educators....
WIDA's self-paced eWorkshops provide quality Professional Learning that you can complete when you want, where you want, and at your own pace. Learn along with colleagues in your local professional learning community - each eWorkshop has content that is perfect for PLCs! Prefer to engage with smaller chunks of content on your own? Watch one module at a time during your prep period, at home, or on the bus.
Please email Lorenzo_Moreno@engschools.net and Gary_Hanson@engschools.net by November 1st to receive your login credentials for these eWorkshops. The completion of these eWorkshops can be used to fulfill the CLDE professional development re-licensure requirements.
CPR/FA---If you are in need of renewing your CPR/FA or need to take the class for the first time we have 2 options for classes. You can take an all day class or an online class.
The online class cost $20.00 and will be covered by the district. If you sign up for the online class and miss the class you will need to pay back the district. After you take the online course you will need to print your certificate and bring it to a skills check in during time frames of 10-11 AM or 1-2 PM.
The dates for online course are:
Wednesday 11/13/19
Monday 12/9/19
Tuesday 2/4/20
Thursday 03/05/20
Friday 04/10/20
The full day course (8:30am-3:30pm) dates are:
Tuesday 10/22/19
Wednesday 01/29/20
Thursday 05/07/20
Please see Stephanie La Scala in the EMS Health Office to get more information and to get signed up for a class time.
Looking ahead...
November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
December 4: RCR Team Meeting 3:50-5
December 8: Team 7/8 field trip 10am-2:30 pm
December 11: EMS/ELA staff meeting 3:50-4:50
December 12: Band/Orchestra Concert 6:30-7:30pm
December 16: STEM field trip 8:30am-2:30pm
December 17: EMS/ELA Board Recognition 6pm
December 18: RCR Team meeting 3:50-5pm/ILT Meeting 4-5:30/Choir Concert pm
December 19: End of 2nd Quarter
December 20: Staff work day: grades due 1pm