Sunday Shakedown
Weekly Memo for Washington Elementary
Principal Post
- Increase ELA proficiency
- Deepen the impact of PBL
- Expand explicit instruction and tier two interventions for social-emotional growth
Our time may seem plentiful, but this semester will come and go in a blink. We will need to make every day matter. I hope that tomorrow, you will find time to plan and work on these goals as you collaborate, look at data, and write effective lesson plans.
News from Sally Piercy
Grace and peace,
Sally
Thank yous, appreciations, and celebrations:
- Thanks to our custodial staff who deep cleaned ECLC and SACC , as well as other areas over the break
- Thanks to Cherie for hosting a wonderful holiday party before the break
- Congratulations to Sally Piercy on her retirement, effective immediately. I know she will appreciate continued prayers for her mom
- Thanks to Sharon Keller for reporting to duty in another building on Tuesday, just to help a student of ours transfer to a new program.
- We will have cocoa in the mailroom after car duty this month to warm you back up!
- Billy Etter will be here on the 8th, then traveling for his son's surgery the rest of the month. Continued prayers are welcome! Linda Rothwell will be subbing. Reminder that the LCG team is taking donations for the Etters Monday morning. See Cherie to contribute
Week of January 8-12
Inservice day at GWES. Meet in the CONFERENCE ROOM 8:00-9:00, casual dress
Tuesday:
Tenure reception for those who have been invited by HR @5:00 at ASC
GWES students lead the pledge at the board meeting
Wednesday:
Wolf in Knoxville for Read to be Ready Training
Thursday:
RTI meetings-I wonder if this is necessary, it seems we just made changes before the break.
Friday:
Principal's meeting
A look ahead:
January 8 professional learning day at GWES. Plans include:
- follow up to PBL work that occurred at last collaborative- finish those plans and solidify elements
- work on ELA units with consult from admin or Shasta (she will likely be here half day)-email her if you would like to touch base
- work on Math units and prepping for data conferences regarding nine week assessments
For Your Information:
Teacher of the Year: It is that time of year again! Teacher of the year candidates can be nominated at the link below. This will need to be completed by the 10th.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SC8P9GJ
Weather: Reminder that if the temperature is below 35 we will have indoor dismissal.
Fire Drill Announcement (required): As you know, fire drills are mandated one time every 30 school days. This year, four fire safety educational announcements must be shared. The message below is number three: A fire can breakout with little or no warning. The more prepared you are, the safer you will be/ Smoke detectors should be located on every floor of your home and near all places that you and your family sleep. Smoke detector batteries should be changed on a regular basis.
Beyond academic interventions: New addition: The room across from LCG that is a therapeutic calming space is rarely in use due to the combination of both Billy and Cherie into one space. To meet the needs of some of our most underdeveloped students, we have added a therapeutic play space to this room (geared for K/1 students). It contains educational materials to build social skills, turn taking, role playing, sensory, and oral language skills. Our thought was, as an intervention for children who lacked these experiences, 20 minutes sessions in the room for small groups could be scheduled. Any sped or reg teacher or assistant may hold a group session in the room. We have not received all materials yet, but will soon.
In addition, don't forget, our sensory room is also a therapeutic space for students to have sensory stimulation to improve engagement of different areas of the brain, helping students absorb and retain information follow sensory stimulation. Other benefits include improving balance and spatial orientation to help with visual processing and fine and gross motor, and provide comfort and calm to help children with self-regulation when overactive or distressed by working through a circuit that utilizes high energy and ends with focused attention to task.
Walkie Talkie Radios: At times lately, we have tried to reach your teams through radio and cannot reach anyone. These radios are the primary line of communication to preserve instructional time. Please unsure that the IA has it and hands it off when you are outside. Someone from the team should be accessible by radio at all times.
it is a requirement that each teacher be present and attentive in the zones of playground supervision. See photo below for a reminder.
Guidance Regarding What Can/Cannot Be Posted During Mandated Testing
The state recently released additional guidance of resource and support items that are no longer allowed to be visible in the classroom or school during the testing sessions. The state has indicated these are things that a student should be able to recall independently. Following is a specific list provided from the state. It is not “all inclusive”, but includes examples that are prohibited. Michael Hubbard provided the test coordinators with this list and have asked them to share this now and throughout the year to ensure teachers are aware prior to testing. Please email or call Michael Hubbard with any questions, mhubbard@k12k.com or 378-2125. SEE IMAGE BELOW
Read to Be Ready Summer Camp: Please send me student recommendations and if you as a teacher are interested in teaching please let me know. At this point, your interest does not guarantee participation. This is simply a measure of interested teachers (must have PK-3 experience).
Lower SES and DRA. 10 students at Title Schools and 5 students at non-title Schools. This will take place the entire month of June. Do not contact parents. Just send list of students that would benefit from this programming. Kids could repeat. Participating last year would not eliminate them.
WSIC News
Link to the WSIC, please be certain to watch each day: https://goo.gl/vjw2eP