The Gratz Weekly Scoop
August 29, 2016
Newsletters
Angie
Collaborative Learning Time:
CLT will be in the Art Room to begin. We will then break off into grade level teams with our perspective Data Team Reps. These will be discussed that morning.
- Be prepared to begin with a focus on our Norms. I will send out a form afterwards to see your thoughts and agreements on these.
- We will look at our SIP Goals (Math and Reading) from last year to get a picture of where we were and where we will head this year (MAP data was already reviewed with each team in our meetings this week- this knowledge will guide this discussion.)
- Collaboration on Student Assessments- in teams with Data reps- (teams that have given the SLO's bring your assessments; those that have not bring your own copy of your SLO's you will give students.) Our Focus today will be Math.
- As time allows Data Rep will share out Data Sheets with each team- containing data that Mr. Bailey is providing for us. How to use these this week during your common plan time/team meetings will be discussed.
"Happy Birthday to You"
Kenny Yang 30th
September
Lisa Simms 3rd
Sarah Lewis 22nd
Big Events for Next week:
- PTO meeting on 8/29 will not be one teachers will attend due to Curriculum night the next evening.
- DRA Training will be 8/30 in the Library from 8:30 to 9:20-- there will be coverage in the gym at this time. Please be prompt so we can stay on time. Specials teachers will have their plan time that day. Coverage will be all support staff. Mr. Samuel will oversee this in the gym.
- 8/30 Student Advisory Committee will begin meeting. Mr. Samuel is heading up this initiative this year. He will communicate out all needs and information.
- Curriculum Night is Tuesday evening from 5 to 7-- 8/30. Brandy has collected the info flyers that have been returned from parents to give each grade/class an idea of the # of parents you will have in attendance. Please make sure you have updated with her where your team will hold your meeting, in order for us to better direct parents that evening.
- District Wellness Meeting is 9/1 at 4:15 for Wellness Champion Reps and Administration
To Do's:
- Have you turned your schedule to Dee?
- Have you viewed the online Compliance Training Videos from Mr. Fanning? The due date is September 1st.
- Vertical Team Members and PLC Team Members, Please make sure you have your MPS2's taken care of for those dates and Subs secured- the earlier the better.
- Have you viewed and made Meghan aware of any of medical info she has pushed out this last week in regards to cough drops, Epi Pens training, etc.? If you have any questions please see her.
- Literacy Coaching- Please follow up with Brandy if you have been notified about meeting. If you have not and have a need please email Brandy specifics with what you are looking for at this time. Several of you were asking about anecdotal notes and how to format your small groups lessons. These are non-negotiables this year.
- Lessons for the week prepared and out daily on everyone's desk for us to see when we walk through.
- Learning Targets Posted-- strong examples of what the expectation/target is for the student in kid friendly language is best. Take a look at this video if you have some questions or thoughts. We will touch on this again at our Faculty Meetings throughout the year. This is a great example of S's understanding what is expected of them in their learning and not just it being an activity. . http://www.iwalkthrough.org/learning-targets/
- Spartan Tutoring Letters due to me by this Friday, 9/2. All details will be pushed out in a separate email. Note your preference as to Math or Reading- we will have both, but #of each will vary along with availability of these positions.
- SLO's given and common scoring time put aside- for discussion. Monday will give some time to this- plan as a team other times to work into your week.
Building Info/Staff Info:
- We will start Walk Thurs and Evaluations Next week-- My coaching days are Wednesday and Friday. Dave's are Tuesday. If you are sent a time to set up a Formative Eval Please see the appropriate secretary to get those on the calendar.
- I have made it a goal to set up a meeting time with every staff member this year. I have started with some of you this week. It is more of a "to kick the year off in a positive direction and Coaching" meeting. Please do not let this stress you. It is meant to be a support.
- Grandparent Lunch is coming up soon-- I will get the dates from OPAA. We will run it as we did last year. There will not be a classroom activity afterwards. These will be done as events such as our Curriculum Night and Spring events we have planned for families and extended families.
- PTO will be by to check the Blue Bags they are brought in for the Fall Fundraiser-- feel free to keep these on our back counter or hang/place it outside your door.
- Check the Google Calendar for Updates. Meetings for the week.
- Next Friday will not be a Jeans donation day or Freebie day. I will have these posted on our Google Calendar. These will be occasionally and not weekly. Thank you-
- Math ELO's for this year will be worked on by Team members this week. Mr. Samuel and I will be there and a part of this process. The due date for MATH ONLY is before Labor Day.
- Mr. Taylor has worked hard last week to train our student how to use the tether ball equipment so it can be properly used at recess. If it becomes an issue let Mr. Samuel be made aware.
- Star and DRA Testing Window opens on 9/1 and runs to 10/1. DRA: As these levels are solidified for those that fell into the criteria of needing to be assessed at the Fall Window record them promptly in SIS. This is to be completed by the end of the window. Thank you for your hard work!
- Required Parent Involvement Activities will be sent out with your Log for the year-- via Google-- if there is one listed that is a conflict, please see me in regards to the matter. Make a copy and then you can edit it with your days.
Eagles Info:
Just a reminder EAGLES gifted program begins meeting the week of August 29th.
EAGLES GBE students will be walking back and forth to the middle school for the next few weeks.
Please be advised students may need to adjust their schedule for lunchtime on those days.
It looks like I will be grabbing volunteers as I need them for escorting the students to and from the middle school.
Thanks for your flexibility and continued support of the gifted program!
Why Teach? Do you bring it like no other?
Tech Corner- View pure- a great resource to cut unwanted items out of videos used in class.
Parent Newsletter for August will go out by Friday- an original hard copy will be placed in your mailbox. Please make the appropriate # of copies for families you know need a hard copy version. If there is a sibling at GBE check with your fellow teachers and send only one copy. Thank you.
Looking ahead at events for GBE:
9/6 1st Building Leadership Team Meeting at 7:30: Projected Goal date for RTI Start
9/7 1st Sped Staffing at 7:45 Conference Room ; SAC mtg at 8:05 with Mr. Samuel
9/9 PTO Fall Fundraiser Ends
9/14 Back to School Bash for GBE on the playground - Bring Family- come and go event
9/16 Mid Quarter-- evaluate your gradebook-- is this a picture of the learner
9/18 Homecoming Week and Spirit Days- see Google Calendar
9/23 Early Out/Homecoming Parade- Spartan Spirit Day; Mid-Quarter Grades Go Home
Check the calendar for other team or committee meetings each week! This is an absolute must in order for everyone to be on the same page. Please take this professional responsibility upon yourself to stay up to date. I will not be listing each team/committee meeting in the newsletter each week, as it bogs down the newsletter and is available in other areas for teachers and staff.