Bear Tracks
January 11, 2019
Note from the Principal:
Dear Staff,
Happy Friday.
There are a lot of announcements and things to keep track of this week, there's no doubt about that. But as you digest them and process them, I hope you see what I saw - that there are so many common threads among the activities and they all do a small part to make the larger mural of our school innovative, exciting and unique.
I think that we are taking tangible steps to make learning interactive, authentic and FUN. We are also working toward really 'talking the talk,' of addressing diversity. By making conscious choices about the books we choose for the Road to the Reading Final Four and the materials we use on a regular basis, we are setting ourselves up to have meaningful and necessary conversations about diversity, acceptance, empathy and service. While all of the activities coming up are different, they all fit beautifully together to create great experiences for our students!
Please take a look at each of the items in the Article of the Week. As Professor Davison reminded me, lists of materials are good, but they are not fully effective without dialog, discussion and collaboration. My hope is that we can read up and start thinking, so that in the upcoming faculty meeting (1/28) and upcoming PLCs, etc., we'll have chances for meaningful and constructive dialogue and planning. But the first step is to think about what's out there, what we can incorporate and what we want for our class and school in the area of tolerance, multiculturalism and open-mindedness. We have a lot of work to do, but a great team with which to do it.
Continue to work hard, and remember to celebrate our successes. There are amazing people doing incredible things all around us. And while it is initially daunting to process all of the activities that we have in the next few weeks/months (Den Groups, World Read Aloud Day, Wellness Day); they are exactly what makes our school special. I'm very proud of all of you. Keep it up, your efforts ARE making a difference!
Sincerely,
Chris
Coming Up:
Week of 1/14/19:
Monday 1/14 - Focus Group Mtgs (formerly grade level)
Monday 1/14 - No 4th Grade Chorus
Tuesday 1/15 - GrandPals - Cafeteria - 9:45 - 10:15 - Miller's class.
Thursday 1/17 - 3rd Grade BRAVO - 2:30 in Bryanna's room
Friday 1/18 - Crazy Hair Day
Friday 1/18 - DEN GROUPS - *AM Special Schedule*
Friday 1/18 - Pre K Collab Day
Week of 1/21/19:
Monday 1/21 - No School MLK Day
Tuesday 1/22 - PJ Day (part of Pennies for Patients)
Tuesday 1/22 - Staff Breakfast
Tuesday 1/22 - GrandPals - Cafeteria - 9:45 - 10:15 - Sydorko
Thursday 1/24 - PTO General Meeting 7:30
Friday 1/25 - Wear Pennies for Patients Colors (preK&K-Red, 1-Orange, 2-Yellow, 3-Green, 4-Blue, 5-Purple)
Friday 1/25 - PTO Carnival Night
Week of 1/28/19:
Monday 1/28 - Faculty Meeting
Monday 1/28 - Neon Day (Pennies for Patients)
Tuesday 1/29 - GrandPals - Cafeteria - 9:45 - 10:15 - Niefer
Wednesday 1/30 - Wear BT Day (Pennies for Patients)
Friday 2/1 - GRADE LEVEL COLOR DAY (Sports Jersey Day moved to Mon. 2/4)
Key Information:
- CONGRATULATIONS - To our 2018-19 BT Governor's Educator of the Year winner - Christina Virtucio! Very well deserved! It will be an exciting spring.
- Den Group Details Jan. 18th; AM Special Schedule- Click HERE for full details. Each Den Group will need to choose a read aloud book by Wed. 1/16 and list it HERE (read previous link for explanation).
- WORLD READ ALOUD DAY (Important Information) - We'll be celebrating WORLD READ ALOUD DAY on Friday, February 1st. We'll start the day with a whole-school gathering at 8:45 am, where we will announce the 32 books that will be part of the 2019 BT Road to the Reading Final Four. We'll also introduce World Read Aloud Day and get the kids pumped for reading! We will be done by 9:15 am or close to it. we will, again, have special guests from our community read aloud to students. This year, rather than use Den Groups or a Special Schedule, we will ask HR teachers to indicate at least one time during the day that he/she would like to have a guest reader. Teachers will be asked to sign up for at least one slot, but can select more than one time and we'll try to fill them based upon the number of guests. Everyone will be guaranteed at least one reader. Once teachers indicate their time(s) [Please CLICK HERE and fill out by Tuesday, 1/15] we'll create a SignUp Genius and invited guests will select a class based upon their availability/interest. There will be lots of other special activities and reading locations (stay tuned for announcements), but for now, the critical thing is that HR Teachers select slots by Tuesday...
- Road to the Reading Final Four Nominations - Nominations are now open! We'll be accepting nominations until Jan. 23rd from students, families, AND STAFF. After 1/23, we'll narrow the field down to the 32 books that will be part of the 2019 ROAD TO THE READING FINAL FOUR! We will, again, be recording read alouds for each title and using our giant brackets to narrow the field down to our 2019 BT Picture Book Champion. The quality of the activity depends on great books being nominated, so CLICK HERE to recommend some favorites. Let's make sure to pick some classics, new books and be mindful of some multi-cultural selections!
- Pennies for Patients - Please see here for details.
- Universal TIP Mtgs UPDATED SCHEDULE - We will have our Universal TIP Mtgs. Mon & Tues, Feb 4th (K, 1 & 3) and 5th (2, 4 & 5) in the AM. Details and specific information to follow.
- Casual Day $ - This month, we'll be raising money for Mr. Joe, the driver of BT3, who is courageously battling cancer. Please be mindful; Wednesday mornings will be unique for a bit, so please don't forget to support Mr. Joe. He's one of us. Our first week was the lightest week of the year.
- Wellness Day - We need some skilled staff! We are getting set for a great day on February 28th and we are increasing our community partnerships this year and it will be awesome. If you are interested in facilitating a session, jump in! Here is the form. If you have any questions, let me know.
- BINGO! - You better believe it, it's Bingo Time! Get ready in the month of January for some staff bonding, some fun and some professional growth. It will be fun for all who participate and everyone is welcome. Plus, you will not believe the prizes! Check out this MEMO for details and the printable BINGO board (Big Board in Faculty Room).