Weekly Staff Notes #2
Sept. 12, 2016
Week One!
Greetings Everyone,
Lot's of information below so I will keep this short!
Loved watching all the relationship building that occured last week. You are awesome! And thank you for the well wishes. I am already feeling better.
One little note, please let me know if you are interested in using the SMORE newsletter program (that I am currently using). The district will get a discount if we have enough subscribers.
Fondly,
Francesca :)
Timely Tidbits
On Monday, we are expecting more results from the company that tested our water and pipe sources for lead. As soon as I know something, I will communicate that information to you. Please remember communication to our community will be coming directly from district office and is not school generated.
Focused Learning Teams
Only a few licensed staff members have communicated their interest in a specific focused learning team group for the 2016-2017 school year. Please let me know what team you would like to be a part of. Your choices are Climate/Culture which will focus on PBIS and Restorative Practices, ELA which will focus on Writing and Math which will focus on mathematical practices and discourse. I need to order the books that will be accompanying the groups and want you to have a choice without directly assigning.
Details and Calendar for meetings - Coming Soon!
A few have asked for this so that you can get it on your calendar. Please know that I am reworking staff meetings to create a fresh, more productive and teacher centered meeting. In addition, I am trying to find a way to include instructional support staff. My plan is to have the most current version to you by Wednesday. Your patience is appreciated.
International Dot Day - Thursday, Sept 15, 2016
International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration, began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Dot on September 15, 2009.
The Dot is the story of a caring teacher who dares a doubting student to trust in her own abilities by being brave enough to “make her mark”. What begins with a small dot on a piece of paper becomes a breakthrough in confidence and courage, igniting a journey of self-discovery and sharing, which has gone on to inspire countless children and adults around the globe.
And each year on International Dot Day – with the help of people just like you –the inspiration continues. What started as a story in the pages of a book is transforming teaching and learning around the world as people of all ages re-discover the power and potential of creativity in all they do.
To get started, sign up to download our Educator’s Handbook and visit our gallery of past projects for inspiration and ideas. And don’t forget to get connected to people just like you who are committed to teaching and learning with creativity.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW!
Attendance Reminders
TARDIES:
· If you have already taken attendance and marked a student absent, PLEASE MAKE SURE STUDENT GIVES YOU A TARDY PASS FROM THE OFFICE.
o If they do not give you a tardy pass, that means they did not check in at the office, they will still be marked absent, and a panicked parent will call the office thinking that their child did not make it to school today.
o If they do give you a tardy pass, that means they have properly checked in at the office and I will change the absence to a tardy. All is good!
ABSENCES:
· Please make sure you mark both am and pm for all attendance.
· Even if all your students are present, you need to save your attendance both in your am time and your pm time.
CONCERNS:
· If you start to have any concerns about attendance, please let Teri know immediately. We will likely ask you to make an attendance call.
If you have questions, please let Teri know. Thank you so much!
District Attend-Achieve Resources
http://www.hsd.k12.or.us/Parents/Resources/AttendAchieve.aspx
Back to School Night this Week!
GRADE LEVEL PACKETS
I have received and approved most grade level packets. If you have not submitted yours yet, please do so ASAP. For vital information, please make sure you have a spanish translation section.
PRESENTATIONS
Please use some of this time to build connections with your families. It is just as important to build relationships with families as it is with students. Families want to know their student is safe, welcome and cared for so that they can learn and grow.
Back to School Night Schedule
5:30-6:00 Classroom presentations
6:00-6:10 Transition time for parking lot and parents
6:10-6:25 Principal presentation and introduction of 4-6 and specialist in the gym
6:25-6:55 Classroom Presentations
6:55-7:00 Transition time - at 7:00 an announcement will be made stating it is time for our teachers to go home! :)
Dates to Remember
ALWAYS REFER TO THE OUTLOOK CALENDAR
AS THE MASTER CALENDAR
Announcers this week: Vorderbreuggen
Lunch room this month: Office, Brenda and Patty
This week...
Sept 12 - Leadership Meeting at 2:30
Sept 13 - FS Out @ District Meeting ALL DAY
Sept 14 - Data Teams with the Specialist @ 7:15
Sept 14 - Collaboration times begin today
Sept 14 - Principal Directed Academic Seminar @1:45 (6th grade pod)
Sept 15 - CARE Team @ 12:30
Sept 15 - Back to School Night (K-3 5:15, 4-6 6:10)
Sept 15 - International Dot Day
Coming up...
Sept 19 - Staff Meeting @ 2:15 (3rd grade pod)
Sept 21 - Date Teams with 1st grade @ 7:15
*Rhythms starts today*
Sept 21 - Principal Directed Academic Seminar (SAFE SCHOOLS 1:45-3:15)
3 C's Schedule-Calendar
* All teachers are expected to take students in to the computer lab starting this week. easyCBM needs to be completed soon so now is a great time to start. If you need help, please ask your teammates or Francesca. After easyCBM - other possible sites - Google everything, Ladd Weebly site http://www.laddacres.weebly.com, code.org to name a phew:)
Counseling Schedule - Starts Monday, Sept. 19, 2016
* Sam will be in touch with you regarding services. As a reminder, the counselor can help teach Health standards but the grading or assessing is not her responsibility.
Confucius Schedule - Starts Monday, Sept 26, 2016
* Reminder - teachers must stay with students during Chinese class. Your role is to ensure students are behaving properly. Very few students have opted out in the past 3 years. If you come across a family that would like to opt out - send them to me. Remember - our school wide goal is to create 21st Century Learners. Part of that process is becoming multi-culturally, linguistically exposed students of the world. The CI helps us on this journey.
Data Teams & Collaboration Meetings - This Wednesday!
Rotations begin this week with Specialist in the Data Team spot of 7:15-8:15. This is new and we are thrilled. This time will give our specialist the opportunity to learn about the process, any notable student information and will be given the chance to add concerns or offer thoughts. Next week, 1st grade is up and we will begin with last years intervention students (aka 'green folder')
During grade level planning time on Wednesday's, we meet as a team (ESL, SLP, ERC) and grade level teams to co-plan upcoming co-teaching lessons as well as provide support for specific students. Since we are committed to co-teaching, and collaboration is incorporated into our School Improvement Plan, we find value in this meeting time.
Reminder: If you are the team that meets for Data Teams in the morning, you are not expected to meet for the grade level planning time.
Translations
A friendly reminder and intro for new staff
In order to be better organized and to make sure all translation call requests are taken care of promptly the ESL team needs the call log sheet filled out and left in Brenda’s Mailbox in the main office. A copy of the log was attached in last weeks email.
In addition, they’d like to have at least 3-4 days for document translation and if the document is extensive a bit longer would be much appreciated. Please attach documents to the log sheet or email them to Brenda and cc: Griseldo.
End of Day Dismissal
Ting Events
College and Career Gear-Wear day!
Every Wednesday is College and Career Gear-Wear day at Ladd Acres! Students and staff are encouraged to wear college and career colors and garments. We want to be examples for our Astros and help them begin to think about being college and career ready!
Energizers—quick breaks that get children moving, breathing, and having fun together while building relationships!
1. Know your students—and yourself. Pay attention to what your students need by asking yourself:
2. Model how to do each energizer. Plan ahead by considering the skills involved and how you will teach them.
3. Take your time. When teaching more complex energizers, scaffold by introducing the components slowly.
4. Make each energizer your own. Once you have learned and taught an energizer, have fun with it by making it your own. Give yourself permission to be innovative and creative by making adaptations that fit your class.
5. Invite the children’s ideas. Inviting children’s suggestions increases the level of fun and also communicates that you value their ideas.
6. Repeat the children’s favorites. The key here is to stay in touch with children’s interest level and know when it’s time for a familiar favorite—or when it’s time to move onto something new.
7. Find ways to include reluctant students. Make sure that all students have an opportunity to participate. This may require making accommodations for those students who are shy or reluctant.
8. Write out songs and chants. Providing lyrics helps all children feel comfortable and successful.
9. Join in and SING. Participating in energizers with students helps to build a strong sense of community in your classroom. Since children’s voices are naturally about an octave or two higher than adults, you may want to use your highest voice.
10. Plan how to end lively energizers. Consider using quiet signals, quiet countdowns, or a rhyming chant to settle children back down. If you anticipate that students may struggle with settling down, use reminding language to prompt them beforehand. (For example, “What will it look like when we move back to our seats?”)