Thunderbird Times
February 26th - March 5th
Making Minutes Count
Thank you for a VERY good day on Wednesday when the Deputy Chief, 3 Executive Directors, 6 Academic Facilitators, and multiple principals were having a training hosted here on our campus. There were impressed by the transitions in the building and the learning that was happening in the classrooms as they passed by your classes. You all made a positive impression on that what is happening at Chavez!!
As we close out February and begin March this week, we are reminded that no matter what, time carries on. Spring Break, STAAR, TELPAS, STAAR again, and the End of the Year will be here before you know it. It is already crazy to think we are in our third month of 2018 this week!! With this mindset, prioritize Instructional Time, we only have a limited amount; be strategic with interventions - during the school day, tutoring, and Saturday school. And reach out, if you need fresh and new ideas on how to approach a standard - ask your team, our Instructional Coach, ask your vertical colleagues, and Lopez and myself.
We are at a critical moment, we can continue forward at a strong pace only if we rely on each other and work as a team.
We have 9 more Instructional Days before Spring Break!! Stay focused, intentional, and deliver quality instruction as we end out the days before the week break!
Onward!
23rd Week in Review
We had a GREAT week last week!!
We had a Animal Show in our Auditorium for Pre K, Kinder, and 1st. They got see a variety of animals including armadillos, birds flying around, it was quite an event!!
Fifth Grade got to visit University of Texas at Arlington's Kids Day.
We had our 1st Grade PTA Performance and Spring SBDM meeting.
We were a host site where Principals presented Campus Action plans for the Spring Semester.
We had a full day of Professional Development with presenters including: Nyantika, Mitrakas, Padilla, Dena, Lopez, and Garcia.
Chavez participated in a second Community Choice School event at the Roseland Partners Community Center.
Teacher Shout Outs!!
Thank you Nyantika for preparing a session on Special Education and IEPs! The training really communicated the need for Consistently, Independently, and Effectively regarding testing accommodations.
Thank you Padillia and Mitrakas for facilitating Kinder - Second PLCs on Monday!
Reminders
- Check email daily
- No videos, other than for instructional purposes.
- Instruction Begins at 8 am
- Ensure RECESS is monitored (student behavior, language)
- Daily Preparation: posted Lesson Objective, posted Demonstration of Learning; instructional activity copied, DOLs available to be reviewed.
Timeline Urgency
10 Instructional Days before Spring Break, then
15 Instructional Days before STAAR 5th Grade Math/Reading & 4th Writing & Common Assessments, then
5 Instructional Days before TerraNova, then
10 Instructional Days before STAAR 3rd through 5th Math/Reading/Science
We have prepared and moved kids forward, but We are Not Done Yet.
Continue to plan, execute, assess, and REPEAT. We have limited time, big hurdles to overcome, and our kids depend on us.
Be Present and Prepared.
Upcoming Events
February 26: Class Picture Day
February 27: ND Feeder Pattern Meeting @ Chavez
March 2: Dr. Seuss Birthday, Reading Day
March 2: Coffee with the Principal
March 5: Transfer period opens
March 12: Spring Break
March 30: Inclement weather day; Transfer period closes
April 9: STAAR and Common Assessment Week!
PLCs March 5th - 9th
Reviewing high powered questions - using questioning stems in teacher delivered questions, aligning with STAAR rigor, reviewing DOLs. Please bring DOL samples / Instructional activities aligned with questioning.
We are the on the path to be Premier Campus in Dallas ISD!!
The TEACHER is the most critical and crucial element in the classroom that impacts student learning. Our job is to be consistently present and prepared. In reviewing teachers who have shown exceptional examples of going ABOVE and BEYOND, they will receive parking spaces as recognition for their efforts!
Principal and Assistant Principal Parking spaces from February 27 - March 5:
De Llano & Louden!!
Thank you for going above and beyond for our students!!
When all our staff comes together as a team - Teachers, TAs, support staff, ALL staff - then we WILL BE successful.
- Chavez Learning Center will increase academic achievement by increasing the percentage of students earning 'Meeting Grade Level" in all subjects.
- Chavez Learning Center will increase the campus Culture and Climate by improving its relationships, morale, and positive interactions between staff, parents, and students.
- Chavez Learning Center will work continually to improve and deliver high quality instruction to all students.