GATE Staff Newsletter
Martin's Memos 9.8.19
Congratulations on Finishing Week 1!
You all did a fantastic job this past week! The kids did an amazing job - and it's all due to your high expectations. Thank you!
I hope you all had a chance to rest and relax this weekend. I **tried** to!
Please note that I will need some help with the carpool lane for dismissal on Monday as I have my Elementary Principal's meeting and Ad Council meeting in the afternoon. Erica - you are my alternate for carpool. I'll come find you in the morning and explain what I do - I'm sure it will go perfectly!
I'll be sending these newsletters out every Sunday/Monday. Please read this newsletter thoroughly - there's a lot of information in it! Let's have another great week of learning!
Coming Up...
- 9/9:
-Teachers must complete self-assessment and growth plan in Pivot by today.
-Schedule your pre-inquiry meeting with Kate. Sign up on my door. (Excluding Kristen, Jennifer, and Anne)
-Kate at AdCouncil/Elementary Principal's Meeting from 2-5 (PM Carpool - Erica)
-Kristen Genslak (speech), Jennifer Spencer (resource), and Anne (social work) will start their schedules this week.
- 9/10:
-GATE Curriculum Night 6-7:15pm. Please let me know via email if you'll be combining with another teacher and which room you'll be in. Plan on sharing your slides for approximately 45 minutes with 30 minutes remaining for questions or visiting with special area teachers. I shared the Google Slides presentation with you already.
- 9/12:
-Kate meeting with Coleen Brunni regarding our School Improvement Plan 10:30-11:30
- 9/13:
-During everyone's planning - Please come to my office to discuss NWEA MAP testing set up/discussion of testing procedures. It won't take longer than 15-20 minutes.
-Hive Huddles 2:30-2:50
- 9/16-9/20:
-MAP Testing Week! Please email me which dates/times you'll be MAP testing for reading and math. Complete both tests within this week. Kristin Bowl said that all students would be entered by the testing week. To test, the students don't log into the computer. They click "Apps" in the bottom corner, and then click on NWEA.
- 9/17:
-Kate at 5D Training in Lansing all day (AM Carpool -Adrianna, PM Carpool -Erica)
- 9/18:
-Kate at 5D Training in Lansing all day (AM Carpool -Adrianna, PM Carpool -Erica)
- 9/19:
-DK-12 Early Dismissal - PD in afternoon for GATE in workroom
-PTO Meeting at 7pm in Media Center
- 9/20:
-Hive Huddles 2:30-2:50
Other School Dates
- Week of Sep. 16th: Fall MAP Testing (Reading and Math)
- Sep. 19: Early Dismissal (12:53)
- Sep. 19: PTO Meeting 7pm in Media Center
- Oct. 1: P2 Assembly/Fun Run Intro 2pm (Parents not invited)
- Oct. 2: Avondale Resident Information Night 6:30-7:30pm in Media Center (For Avondale residents interested in applying to GATE for next year)
- Oct. 4: Picture Day in Media Center. Schedule to come.
- Oct. 10: Girl Scout Information Meeting 6pm, room 153
- Oct. 10: PTO Meeting 7pm in Media Center
- Oct. 11: GATE Fun Run! (More info to come)
- Oct. 12: MAGC (Michigan Association of Gifted Children) Fall Conference
- Oct. 16: Avondale Resident Information Night 6:30-7:30pm in Media Center (For Avondale residents interested in applying to GATE for next year)
- Oct. 17: Early Dismissal (12:53)
- Oct. 24: GATE Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-8pm (Teachers will send out sign-up)
- Oct. 29: GATE Parent/Teacher Conferences 4:30-8pm (Teachers will send out sign-up)
- Oct. 31: Classroom Fall Parties/Halloween parade (Time TBD)
Positivity Project (P2)
Don't forget - all resources are available at posproject.org.
I can't wait for our Hive Huddles on Friday! Check out the link to the Huddle list below. I'll make announcements and have small groups of students travel at a time.
Communications Sheet
LOOK AT THE TOP 2 STATEMENTS.
YES- IT'S SIGNED. If they are signed, you're good to use their image and name anywhere. Even if the parent initialed in other places, you're good.
NO-IT'S BLANK. Look below at what was initialed. These are your students you need to keep out of public photos/names.
If anyone has the time/is willing to create a school spreadsheet - let me know.
Staff Meeting Dates
Staff Meetings will be in the workroom from 6:45-7:45am. It had to be in the morning to accommodate for our part time teachers.
11/12
12/10
1/14
2/11
3/10
4/14
5/12
6/9
A Word on Student Behavior and Motivation...
Extrinsic vs Intrinsic. Which do we want?
We need to stop asking ‘How motivated are my students?’ and start asking ‘How are my students motivated?’. Motivation is not a single entity that you either have a lot or little of. There are two kinds: intrinsic and extrinsic. If you are intrinsically motivated then you are doing something for its own sake; if you are extrinsically motivated, you are driven to do something, or not do something, based on a reward or punishment that may be waiting for you. But that is not even the interesting part—the real catch here is that these two kinds of motivation tend to be inversely related. When you grow students' extrinsic motivation by bribing them (or threatening them), you run the risk of growing their extrinsic motivation while their intrinsic love for what you want them to learn shrivels. Rewards can only ever gain short-term compliance from students when what we really desire is their authentic engagement.
Public displays of behavior.
There are many different versions of the colored card system....they are all the same. Are we shaming our students into behaving in a public setting? Oppositely, are we publicly rewarding students and inadvertently showing the class who isn't getting those rewards? Are we rewarding mediocre behavior?
Group Rewards
Is it fair to punish or reward an entire group of students for one or two students' actions?
Better than carrots and sticks...
-Teachers getting to know their students and building relationships and trust.
-Teachers involving students in generating classroom expectations. (Take Care...)
-Teachers involving students in generating classroom consequences based on the situation.
-Teachers holding students accountable to those expectations and consequences.
-Teachers having discussions with students after incidents/problems/concerns asking:
What happened?
What were you thinking?
Who was affected by your actions?
How did this make people feel?
What can you do to make things right?
How can you do things differently in the future?
My Experience
There was a long time when I thought that I needed to have fancy rewards systems, to always have a "class vs Ms. Martin" competition, to have tickets, points or "bucks" to hand out. But what I've found is that it was always a battle, included lots of time and effort on my end, and it was never a short-term solution to any long-term issue. What I found that worked better was focusing my efforts on the specific students that needed more attention. I observed their behavior, focused in on what was happening, when it was happening, and what their motivations were. Then I started trying accommodations that would help them - academically, socially, emotionally. Being intentional. I made behavior plans and consistently followed through. I challenge you to think about your practices in the classroom using the questions below. My goal for this school is to be a place where students are inspired to learn, not enticed. I purposefully did not want our school to participate in PBIS for that very reason. As always, please let me know if you'd like help with this in your classroom. My answer will ALWAYS be - yes.
Take a moment to reflect
Am I motivating my students intrinsically or extrinsically?
Am I doing this in a public setting?
How can I still encourage students - but without a rewards system?
How can I teach/encourage/inspire intrinsic motivation?
How can I focus my efforts in on my few students that need help behaviorally?
Does this mean I can't encourage or recognize my students? (of course not)
I have a fantastic book on restorative practices called Hacking School Discipline if you're interested in borrowing it. We will have some PD sessions based on this topic this year. Again, my goal for this school is to be a place where students are inspired to learn through authentic engagement, not enticed with points or rewards.
If you have any questions specific to your classroom, don't hesitate to ask.
Updates on Supplies...
-The copier was ordered more than a week ago, so hopefully we will receive it next week. It will also be placed in the workroom.
-Agendas are STILL on backorder. My hope is that you are using some sort of paper option to keep track of assignments/home expectations/communication while we are waiting for them to arrive.
-I bought some AAA batteries and will put them in the supply room on the island if you need any for your mouse, etc.
-I bought some small American flags for all of your classrooms. Please come grab one by the temporary mailboxes on Monday.
Thanks for your patience! I'm trying to hunt down the things we need!
Clubs
I'll be getting some flyers put together for the clubs we are interested in running and we'll send them home in this week's Friday Folders. Once we know student interest in the clubs - we'll finalize which we can do.
F & P Training Opportunity
Attention Avondale Educators!!!
Are you new to Fountas & Pinnell Benchmarking? Have you been using it but would like a refresher? Please plan to join me at one of the following dates to learn best practices in the F&P process.
- Monday September 16 4:15-5:15 Woodland Elementary or
- Wednesday September 18 4:15-5:15 Auburn Elementary
Use the following link to register! Fall Benchmark Training
Compensation and Kalpa hours available.
See you there!
Happy Reading !
Weekly Dose of Encouragement
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW
GATE Applicant/Interested Parent Tours
Most dates are on some Fridays at 9am, but there are some parents that cannot attend those that will come on other days/times. I'm giving you all a heads up now - if you see us walking around the school or peeking in your classroom - you won't be surprised. No need to stop and have a quick chat about what your students are doing unless you have time. In other words, don't stop teaching. :) It's a fantastic opportunity for interested families to see what we have to offer. It benefits all of us when we are able to show them what a fantastic environment we provide for our students!
Here's the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a49aca62da0f58-avondale
GATE Application Dates - FYI
Every year I coordinate all of the application process for next year's students. This involves two important "windows" - one for resident students of Avondale, and one for students outside of the district that we call "school of choice" students. Any student can apply if they live in Oakland county or any county contiguous to it. Students come in for testing and take the MAP math, MAP reading, and complete a narrative writing assessment. These are scored and students must score in the 93rd percentile or higher in both MAP tests in order to be considered. You are always welcome to attend the information nights or be a part of the selection teams. Please let me know if you're interested.
2019-2020 Applications: Important Dates
October 2nd 6:30-7:30: INTERNAL Information Night at Meadows
October 16th 6:30-7:30: INTERNAL Information Night at Meadows
Nov 4 - Nov 15: INTERNAL Application Window
Nov 20th: Writing assessment conducted at each home school
December 13th: Selection team meeting at Meadows
December 16th-17th: Internal Parent Notification
January 10th: Letter of intent OR Appeals DUE
January 16th: Internal appeals meeting
January 17th: Notification of decision for internal appeals
January 29th 6:30-7:30: SCHOOL OF CHOICE Information Night at Meadows
February 5th 6:30-7:30: SCHOOL OF CHOICE Information Night at Meadows
February 3rd - March 3rd: SCHOOL OF CHOICE application window
March 9th and 11th: Writing assessment and Math MAP assessment.
March 16th and 18th: Reading MAP assessment.
March 23rd: Selection team meet
March 26th-27th: School of Choice Parent Notification
April 3rd: Letter of intent OR Appeals DUE
April 13th: School of Choice appeals meeting
April 16th- 17th: Notification of decision for school of choice appeals
FOSS Kits
We will have two FOSS kits this year. The kits are supposed to be delivered soon. They will be used during Trimester 1 and Trimester 2.
2nd-Pebbles, Sand, Silt (Fall drop off, Nov 6 PU), Solids and Liquids (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
3rd- Water and Climate (Fall drop off, Nov 6 PU), Motion and Matter (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
4th- Soil, Rocks, and Landforms (Fall drop off, Nov 6 PU), Energy (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU
5th- Earth and Sun (Fall drop off, Nov 6 PU), Mixtures and Solutions (Nov Drop off, Feb 19 PU)
2nd/3rd: Amanda Merrill - 2nd grade kit
2nd/3rd: Kimberly McDermid - 3rd grade kit
3rd/4th: Amy Dixon- 3rd and 4th grade kits
4th/5th: Michelle Gierman - 4th grade kits
4th/5th: Erica Burmann - 5th grade kits