North Side Paw Prints
Staff Newsletter
November 15, 2013
Volume 5, Issue 14
Mission Statement: "Maximize potential in all people every day"
Vision Statement: "To create a culture in which all children can learn lifelong skills to succeed"
Congratulations Becca Moore and Cori Valenti for Going the Extra Mile this Month!
Weekly Quote
Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you handle it.
~Coach K
Weekly Reflection
Upcoming Dates
November
Nov. 20th - Progress reports due to the office; Philharmonic Performance (4th-6th grade) at 1:00 and (K-3rd grade) at 1:45
Nov. 21st - Progress reports issued; 2nd Grade Concert 6:30 Cafeteria
Nov. 21st-22nd - Section 125 representative, room 112
Nov. 22nd - Fundraiser money due
Nov. 25th - Acuity B (LA and Math) Window Opens
Nov. 26th - Going the Extra Mile Nominees due to the jar in the office.
Nov. 27th-29th - Thanksgiving Break
December:
Dec. 4th - Acuity (Science/Social Studies) Window Opens
Dec. 5th - Staff Meeting 3:10 in library
Dec. 6th - Father/Daughter Dance 7:00-8:30pm
Dec. 6th - SOM names due to Venita
Dec. 9th - Breakfast with Santa 7 - 8:30 am
Dec. 9th-13th - 3rd Grade go swimming 9:00-10:00am
Dec. 10th - Acuity B (LA & Math); Window Closes PTO Meeting 5:30 in library
Dec. 16th - Leadership Meeting 3:10 in conference room
Dec. 17th - Acuity B (Science/Social Studies) Window Closes; Winter Program grades K-1, 6:30 pm
Dec. 19th - Fundraiser Prize Assembly 1:30 in gym
Dec. 20th - End of 1st Semester
Dec. 23rd-Jan 3rd - Winter Break
This Week's Case Conferences
11/18 at 8:40: Sibert and Stoll
11/18 at 10:00: Pepple
11/21 at 7:30: Wible and Kneller
Featured Instructional Strategy of the Week
Social Media Update!
We've converted one of our best-selling original products--The Trait Mate: 6-Traits Starter Lessons--to a digital format. The download, now available through Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT), features 20 single-page lesson plans.*
Each lesson includes:
- Connections to the Common Core standards.
- A 10-15 minute lesson plan to teach writing.
- A suggested toy or object to use as a visual trigger during instruction.
- Suggested activities for students to apply during Independent Writing Time.
- Suggested conversation points to cover during the Author's Chair.
*Most of the lessons in the Trait Mate are also featured in Launching the Writer's Workshop: Grades 3-12 (the yellow book) by Kristina Smekens and Maureen Scane.
All Smekens TpT products are CCSS aligned.
Featured Video of the Week
In this video, Kristina Smekens does a book review for Real Kids, Real Stories, Real Change by Garth Sundem - a high interest book for kids.