November Eagle Parent Updates
November 2015
Leadership: A Holistic Approach
If you were to ask employers what they wanted in their employees- how do you think they would respond? According to an article titled, What Do Employers Really Want? Top Skills and Values Employers Seek form Job-Seekers, the author shares that numerous studies have identified critical employ-ability skills, sometimes referred to as ‘soft skills,’ which include but are not limited to communication skills (listening, verbal, written); analytical/research skills; interpersonal abilities (the ability to relate and inspire others); problem solving/reasoning/creativity; teamwork; flexibility; and positive attitudes/energy/passion.
As we prepare our students for jobs that have not yet been created, we believe that academic success in addition to practicing successful habits- will help to develop well rounded, productive citizens of a working society.
This summer as we were interviewing teacher candidates – our team sat down and talked about behaviors/characteristics that we wanted in our QVE team members. Some of the qualities we named were positive attitudes, creative, ability to accept/provide feedback, professional, and flexible. Our belief is that we can train people to perform a job – but we cannot coach those who have negative attitudes and low expectations.
As a leadership development school, Quail Valley has adopted the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey as a way to teach our students 21st century leadership and life skills to create a culture of student empowerment based on the premise that every child is a leader. Every child has the power to make choices and/or react or not to react to any given situation. This includes how they respond to their progress or lack of progress.
We believe that if students take responsibility for their learning- then they will be motivated to make the necessary corrections to their behavior so that they are successful.
At Quail Valley we aim to prepare our students for the global workforce by:
- · Having each student track/monitor his progress through their personal data notebooks as they set personal and academic goals.
- · Providing students with opportunities to showcase their strengths and take on leadership roles.
- · Offering our students valuable leadership lessons by having staff model and help them practice successful habits.
- · Adopting The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey as our common language and practices.
You are a part of a team that seeks to find innovative solutions to learning by creating a school that meets the needs of our 21st century learners. Are you prepared to take on this challenge? I am!
Let's make it a great learning week or not. The choice is yours.
Excuse Notes
Parents please make sure that you are sending in correctly executed excuse notes when your student is absent. You may email them to marcia.pena@fortbendisd.com or send hand written notes to the school. They must be turned in within 5 days of the student’s absence. The state requires complete information. Listed below are some examples.
Incorrect: Johnny was sick on Friday.
Correct: Student’s first and last name was ill on 10/16/2015.
Please excuse.
Parent’s first and last nameParent’s phone number
Thank you so much for helping to ensure we have accurate data.
Habit of the Month: Put First Things First
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 3: Put First Things First
To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There's no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities.
Habit 1 says, "You're in charge. You're the creator." Being proactive is about choice. Habit 2 is the first, or mental, creation. Beginning with the End in Mind is about vision. Habit 3 is the second creation, the physical creation. This habit is where Habits 1 and 2 come together. It happens day in and day out, moment-by-moment. It deals with many of the questions addressed in the field of time management. But that's not all it's about. Habit 3 is about life management as well--your purpose, values, roles, and priorities. What are "first things?" First things are those things you, personally, find of most worth. If you put first things first, you are organizing and managing time and events according to the personal priorities you established in Habit 2.
Books that reinforce Habit 3:
· The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
· The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone (or other versions)
· Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
· Pancakes for Breakfast by Eric Carle
· Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
· Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan
Encourage your child to use words and phrases like prioritize, most important, responsibility, put first things first, sequencing, and planning. You can join your child by using some of this language at home.
Check out www.TheLeaderInMe.org. Here you will find activities for your child in “The Student Schoolyard”. In “The Parents’ Place” you will find fun ways to involve the entire family in Habit 3!
Share this video with your child!
What's Up at QVE this Month?
Monday, November 2nd QV Gents Induction Ceremony 5:00 pm- 6:00 pm
Tuesday, November 3rd Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs Literacy Night 5:00- 6:30
Wednesday, November 4th Celebrate 50th Day of School
Thursday, November 5th Principal Connection with Ms. Spears from 5:30 - 6:30
Thursday, November 5th QVE PTO Meeting from 5:30 - 6:30
Sunday, November 8th QVE Color Run at 2:00 pm
Monday, November 9th - Friday 13th Book Fair Week
Tuesday, November 10th Veteran's Day
Tuesday, November 10th TEXANS Assembly (more information coming soon)
Wednesday, November 11th CBLT Meeting in Library at 3:30
Wednesday, November 11th Health Awareness Day Fair, Wheeler Field House, 4:30-6:30
Wednesday, November 11th Chick-Fil-A Night 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Monday, November 16th - Friday, November 20th Anti-Bullying Week
Thursday, November 19th NEHS induction ceremony 6:30pm at Marshall High School
Friday, November 20th Synergize Celebration
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Literacy Night
Quail Valley Elementary Literacy Night!
November 3, 2015
5:00-7:00
Serving Up Some Delicious Sessions!!
Principal Connections with Ms. Spears This Thursday, November 5th!
Please join me for our first Principal Connection as I share with you some of the wonderful learning experiences we're offering to our 21st Century Leaders!
You will learn about:
- The mission of Quail Valley Elementary
- Leadership Development Model
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- Data Notebooks
- Your role in our leadership model
I'm looking forward to connecting with you!
Principal Spears
QV Gents Induction Ceremony, November 2nd 5:00 pm - 600 pm
November Staff Birthdays
Patience Edwards November 2nd
Courtney Ngwolo November 6th
Marica Pena November 17th
Jessica Rodriguez November 21st
Student Data Notebooks
All students at Quail Valley Elementary will have the opportunity to become leaders of their own learning by setting goals and tracking their progress using a data notebook. By writing goals/objectives based on actual course or subject objectives, students will practice beginning with the end in mind as they have control over their pace of learning. Goals/objectives are also written by students to capture short-term gains to motivate themselves to achieve long-range goals.
These personal data trackers will help provide students with timely feedback that will help students to correct the course of action, as needed. Data notebooks also will also allow students to document progress so that they can predict course grades, providing “no surprises” at the end of each quarter.
Data notebooks are constructed in a way for students to observe short-term gains, a powerful motivator to achieve long-term goals. With tools to manage learning, students are provided with the means for self-empowerment and motivation.
Ask your student to share their data notebook with you the next time you're on campus!
QVE Book Fair November 9th - Friday, November 13th
Parents:
We need your help with writing Book Fair wish lists for our Kinder and 1st grade students on Monday, November 9th, and Tuesday, November 10th. Our times are from 12:00-12:50 and 12:55-1:45. If you can help, please email Ms. Briggs at dianne.briggs@fortbendisd.com by Friday, November 6th.
Thanks for your help!!
Ms. Briggs
Ms. Roberts Integrates Technology to Make Learning Engaging and Fun!
Join QVE on Social Media!
Our goal is to have 100% of our QVE families following us on FB and Twitter! See how below:
Follow us on Facebook - go to Quail Valley Elementary Eagles and click "LIKE." Rate our page and tell us how much you like it!
To join Twitter- Our twitter handle is QuailValleyES
Follow us on PTO Facebook - go to Quail Valley Elementary PTO
Don't miss out! Follow us today!