Westwood Weekly
Staff Newsletter - Week of September 30-October 6, 2019
Shout-Outs!
- Happy Birthday to Marianne Johnson (10/1)!
- Welcome to Westwood Stephanie Driscoll (new teacher in B1), Taylor Mirner (new teacher in A6), and Marilyn Papillion (AHI, B2)!
- Special thanks to the 2/3 team for your time, effort, and creativity in supporting the class transition for your students and their families!
- Thank you to Jon and Erin for your willingness to cover for C3 to support the exchange of students on Friday!
- Thank you to Lauren, Jennifer, Megan, Jennifer, Joni, and Kerry for taking time out of your busy schedules to participate in the interview and selection process!
- Farewell to Vanessa Cardenas (AHI for Greg in A3).
Highlights this Week!
All Month: Disability Awareness; Anti-Bullying Awareness
This Week:
Monday - Fire Drill (TBA)!
Hip Hop Class (2:25-3:30)
Annual IEP for Eliza C (2:30, A3)
Nancy at 504 Training (3:15, WCC)
Tuesday - Fall Picture Day; i-Ready Math Diagnostic Window Opens (K only)
-School Site Council Meeting (3:00, Library)
-Back-to-School Night Revisited (6:00 - C2, C3, C4, C6, A6)
Wednesday - Walk/Bike to School Day!
-Community Coffee
-SST Meetings (8-11, D6)
-Teacher Discretionary Day (Staff Meeting, 1:55-3:25)
-IEP Meeting for William S (3:30, B1) - tentative
Thursday -
-Nancy at TK-12 Principal's Meeting (7:30-11:30, WCC)
-Lego Class (2:25-3:30, E4)
-Annual IEP Meeting for Benjamin O (2:30, D5)
Friday -
-Coding Class (2:25, Library/E-4?)
-PE Minutes Due by 2:37
Saturday
-Campus Clean-Up Event (9-12)
Upcoming Events:
10/8 - McTeacher Night (4-7pm)
10/14 - Rock Steady Juggling Assembly
10/15 - Soul Shoppe Workshop: Fiery Feelings
10/19 - EDMS Family Fun Walk - Register by October 7th
This Week in AVID
We have been facilitating AVID Learning Modules around the district and have been amazed at how many teachers are using WICOR strategies to engage all students. It was also brought to our attention that some teachers are wanting these tools but need a little reminder. We often need a new tool in our belt this time of year and the routine has set in. HERE is a list of some strategies that foster engagement. Try one this week!
Jeanne Johnson - AVID Instructional Coach
Google Classroom Add Code: 7uwcLg
PBIS Weekly Focus
Positive Behavior Student Referral: Tired of focusing on the negative behaviors in your classroom? Let's shift gears! You will find a Positive Behavior Referral Form in your boxes. Recognize a student who deserves a pat on the back!
Counseling Referrals: Leatha has updated the School Counseling Referral Forms for Teachers and Parents (available in our Handbook). Please be sure to follow the instructions, and fill out all sections completely, followed by a note in Aeries.
Dynamic Mindfulness: Do your students appear to be moody and/or lack attention? Read this article to learn why practicing Mindfulness can affect brain networks and improve these states of mind.
i-Ready to Roll!
Grades 1st-5th will continue to engage in the online instructional program (Goal = 45 minutes/subject/week). Here are some tips for tracking and supporting students' online learning:
Handbook Helper
Get Moving! - Check out the Physical Education folder in our Handbook for some great activities to share with your students to help them get moving. Also check out the October Fitness Challenge Calendar for more ideas. (Thanks to Michaela for sharing!)
Rhythmic Phonetics Resources - Help instill the letter sounds, and support spelling skills. Nancy Bennett has recently uploaded the training videos in our Handbook (Thank you, Nancy!).
Responsible Use Agreement - Jill will be placing the Employee Responsible Use Agreement in your boxes. Please be sure to review is carefully, then sign and return.
Parent-Faculty Club Business
Looking for Class Talent - The PFC is looking forward to hosting our Talent Show again January 24th! Signing up and doing a solo act can be daunting. We we want to encourage as many group acts as possible. Our coordinator, Sierra Kulak, is hoping with more time teachers may be able to use PE time or music class time to put together an act representing a grade or class - consider connecting it to a theme in your curriculum. And of course, we encourage more staff members to perform this year as a treat for our students and families.