GATE Staff Newsletter
January 12, 2020
I left some of the important/still relevant reminders below. Please read through this newsletter and make sure you're following through on the items that apply to you. Thanks!
Please...
1. If you haven't taken a field trip yet, please meet if needed and let me know where you're going. The goal is to have 2 per year. EACH CLASS has $300 toward reducing the costs of field trips. PLEASE USE IT!
2. Remember - you have less than month left to finish your second FOSS kit before pick up.
3. F&P: Make sure you've gotten this into Illuminate - I sent separate directions last week.
4. Please keep track of intent forms that come back using the roster I gave you.
9. PTO Items:
- Please think about what you'd like to use your PTO money on! They are ready to spend for items you need but you need to ask! See below for your amount remaining. You can either email Megan Marx with what you'd like purchased or use the reimbursement form in the workroom and attach receipts. Either way - use the money!
- PLEASE come to the next PTO meeting on February 13th. It's from 2-4pm (you'd just go after dismissal) on purpose to allow for more parents and teachers to attend.
Coming Up This Week...
Tuesday:
9:15-9:45: Bigelow Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
10:15-10:45: McDermid Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
11-11:30: Lowe Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
3-4 Staff Meeting - Jordan Johnson presenting
Wednesday:
8-8:30 Gierman Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
Kate @ Elementary Principal's Meeting 9-12
Thursday
8:45-9:15 Heil Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
9:30: MSU Partnership Meeing
11-11:30 Pfeffer Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
1:00 Next year planning with AMS
Friday
8:15-8:45 Burmann Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
9am - Tours
10:15-10:45 Breeden Mid Year Inquiry Meeting
2:30 Hive Huddles
Looking Ahead....
1/27: Board meeting 7pm
1/29 SOC Info Night at 6:30
1/30 Day 1 of Teacher Lab (see schedule)
1/31 P2 Assembly in Media Center @ 2pm (no hive huddles)
Other School Dates
- Jan. 27: Board Meeting at Admin Building 7pm
- Jan. 29: SOC Information Night @ Meadows 6:30pm
- Jan. 31: F&P: All 2-5 students suspected of performing below grade level in reading tested by today.
- Feb. 3-Mar. 3: School of Choice Application window
- Feb. 5: School Social Worker Appreciation Day
- Feb. 5: SOC Information Night 6:30pm in Media Center (for new applicants)
- Feb 13: PTO Meeting @2pm-4pm! Come to be a part of our PTO!
- Feb. 13: Classroom Spring Parties - TBD by teacher
- Feb. 14-18: No school; Mid-Winter break
- Feb. 19: FOSS Kit Pick up!
- Feb. 27: Early Dismissal at 1:05pm
- March 4: Spring Photos Day
- March 5: 1/2 day
- March 6: 1/2 day; End of 2nd trimester
- March 12: PTO Meeting - Time TBD
- March 19: Early Dismissal @ 1:05pm
- March 21: Avondale Comicon @ AHS
- April 6-10: No school; Spring Break
- April 15: 1/2 day
- April 21: 4-5pm: SAVE THE DATE/TIME! Board listening visit. Avondale's Board members will be at Meadows from 4-5pm in the media center on this day. This is the GATE staff's opportunity to share successes and also pose questions and concerns. It's your chance to have a voice with the board.
- April 24: Brainstormers return- assembly @ 1pm in the Media Center
Please vote by 9am on Thursday!
Interested in Coaching Basketball?
Details regarding the league and expectations are listed below.
- There is no size limit on teams which can be co-ed. Any 5th grade child can participate unless behavior or grades are an issue.
- There will be a fee for each child which will pay for the players shirts.
- There is no stipend this year for coaches of the league. We will be looking into stipends for the 2020-21 season for coaches.
- This year we will be looking at 5 periods (instead of 4 quarters) for each game. The reason for 5 periods is to allow all kids to play and also taking into consideration large vs. small teams.
- Practices will start in February for the competition. The gym will be reserved after school on the days of practice (usually 2 days per week).
- All games will be at the High School in the Fieldhouse. Two games will be played at the same time. All games will start at 6PM and be completed no later than 7:15PM. The last date will be a 6pm start time and 7:15 pm start time.
- Games will be played using the regulation size court in the Fieldhouse.
- The last date will have teams of comparable skills play each other.
*A mandatory coaches meeting will be held on January 22, 2020 in the Board Room at the Administration building. All rules and information will be provided to coaches.
Dates of Competition for this year will be:
All games begin at 6PM except the April 30th date
- Tuesday, April 14, 2020
- Thursday, April 16, 2020
- Tuesday, April 21 2020
- Thursday, April 23, 2020
- Thursday, April 30, 2020
Academic/Behavior Concerns
-Discipline Form: When sending to office/Kate
-Referral Process & Referral Form: For chronic concerns regarding academic, speech or behavior evaluation
NWEA MAP Testing
Communicate with parents so they know.
Remind students of their goals - they should reach 1/2 their spring goal - do they want to set personal goals as well?
Create a low-stress environment - it's just to see what they know right now so we can make adjustments in class.
Other useful resources:
Teacher Lab Menu & Recording Sheet
Mid-Year Inquiry Meeting Sign Up - Required for all 5D+ Evaluated Staff
Healthy 2020 Challenge!
Weekly Dose of Encouragement
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
Professional Development Slides - For Your Reference
FOSS Kits
Please let me know if you have any questions about the FOSS kits you received.
2nd-Solids and Liquids (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
3rd- Motion and Matter (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
4th- Energy (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU
5th- Mixtures and Solutions (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
2nd/3rd: Amanda Merrill - 2nd grade kit
2nd/3rd: Kimberly McDermid - 3rd grade kit
3rd/4th: Rachel Breeden - 3rd grade kits
4th/5th: Michelle Gierman - 4th grade kits
4th/5th: Erica Burmann - 5th grade kits
Staff Meeting Dates
1/14 3:05pm-4:05pm
2/11 3:05-4:05pm
3/10 3:05pm-4:05pm
4/14 6:45am-7:45am
5/12 3:05pm-4:05pm
6/9 6:45am-7:45am