Wildcat Roar
News and Info for Wildcat Staff 2.4
Affirmation of the Week
I have within me the strength, the patience, and the passion to change the world through my students by using every moment to maximize student learning.
To make-up lost instructional time, Friday's conference became a regular school day. However, we know that parent-conferences are important to building bridges within our community and working together to maximize student achievement. In order to accommodate conferences, coordinator meetings have cancelled this week so that teams can meet with parents.
As we said in last week's faculty meeting, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday should be dedicated to holding scheduled parent conferences. Wednesday's faculty meeting time should also be dedicated to conferences. Contact parents and schedule face-to-face or phone conferences. Please log all conferences using the Google Doc (noting the grade level-specific pages at the bottom) linked HERE.
Be sure to remember to
- Begin conferences with positive attributes of students.
- Provide data and work samples.
- Provide clear feedback on student performance based on factual information.
- Work with the parent to develop a concrete action plan for students.
- Leave on a positive note about the student again.
- Finally, read the poem below and remember to pick your battles.
Mock Milestones
Tuesday 6th and 8th grade students will complete mock Milestones testing. While this process should be short, 7th grade should make alternative plans that do not involve the computer labs, Chromebooks, or iPads. 6th and 8th grade teams should plan to meet with Mrs. Kemp and Mrs. Rosado in the Media Center during your planning time Monday. Even if you're not a 6th or 8th grade teacher you may be utilized to test/proctor and will receive a meeting invite.
Make-Up Learning Plan
Throughout February and March, our school day will be extended by 30 minutes. We know that we need to utilize this time wisely, but also need to keep students engaged. To that end, the additional time in February will be utilized to provide a Black History course that focuses on constructed responses. This month will culminate with an essay and oratory contest for students to apply what they've learned. The focus of March will change to health. Thank you to the PBL Task Force for providing lessons for the school!
Data
As we move forward into second semester, using data will be critical to the success of our students. Task forces are focusing on the use of data to guide their work. Similarly, make the best use of all available data to look at each child as an individual and plan strategically for how we can help each student make the greatest academic gains possible. This week, use planning time to look closely at data (MAP, classroom assessments, etc.) to reflect on instructional practices and plan as effectively as possible. Also, make the most of Mr. Z's office hours for help with data analysis and maximizing the use of Mastery Connect. We will be working in groups to dive deeply into data in the coming weeks.
To Do List
- Schedule and hold parent-teacher conferences and LOG TIMES USING LINK ABOVE. Utilize planning time T, W, and Th, along with Wednesday's faculty meeting time.
- Plan to be without technology beyond class desktops Tuesday.
- Bulletin boards should be updated by last Friday. Please look for feedback on bulletin boards (which should display quality student work) early this week. As you update bulletin boards, please also visit other learning spaces, such as classroom doors and displays. We should ensure that these spaces reflect our core values at all times.
- Task force chairs should secure relevant data (determined in last week's faculty meeting) and bring it to next week's meeting.
This Week
Event Information
Testing Meeting -6th and 8th grade teachers
When?
Monday, Feb 5, 2018, 12:00 AM
Where?
Media Center
Important Links and Numbers
Lesson Plans
- Room Clean Up Report: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nk8FVadRK0-bBdKmmVma0y74-85huuhIgPcUvM1wCDdUQklCTktDNVJFWEpJV0hVQVZXNkFQSE9PRy4u
- Tech Requests: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/28827
- Digital Instructional Resources: www.portaportal.com Guest Access: dkemp
- Milestones Blueprints: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones-Test-Blueprints.aspx