CANNON TIMES
A Newsletter For Cannon Staff 2018-2019
Principal Points - Week of January 21, 2019
SPOILER ALERT: I share a version of this same post each year at this time because every year, Dr. Ryan assigns district administrators to re-read, the LETTER FROM BIRMINGHAM JAIL, written by Martin Luther King Jr. on April 16, 1963. What is so amazing to me personally, is how incredibly relevant and significant this document is, even though it was written over 50 years ago. Each time I read it, I can't help but question if things have changed and/or stayed the same since this era of such historical significance. It's truly a timeless piece of writing that could have been written today!
Although we won't be in school on Monday, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I hope that you will take a few moments to consider how these seven important lessons learned from this prolific hero in American history relate to us both personally AND professionally, even today!
7. There is strength in numbers.
More than 250,00 people came out to listen to King’s “I Have A Dream” speech and he publicly spoke more than 2,500 times. It just takes one leader to stand up for a belief and people will follow naturally.
6. We’re all in this together.
Dr. King knew that he wouldn’t make any progress fighting for civil rights alone—he knew that he needed people by his side and that people needed him. You have a huge support system of people who care about you and your success - let's work together!
5. Be you.
MLK, Jr. didn’t care who you are—he just wanted people to be themselves. Being comfortable with who you are will help you go a long way in life!
4. Words have incredible power.
King stood against violence and supported nonviolent protests. He truly believed that his words alone could make a difference—and they did.
3. Passion is vital.
MLK, Jr. was passionate about equality and justice for all and it’s what set him apart from everyone else. Be passionate about your beliefs and your dreams!
2. Experience a setback? Move forward.
While fighting for his beliefs, Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested numerous times, abused, and even had his home bombed, but he continued on. Make a decision to either let your setbacks stop you, or you can charge ahead.
1. Believe.
Believe in yourself -believe that you can do it. You can make a difference.
Finally, take a moment to enjoy the video below of this year's inspiring winner in Dallas ISD's 2019 Dallas MLK Oratory Competition, Jarisa King. She delivered such a powerful speech about what she believes Dr. King would say to today's youth. WOW!!
Proud to be your principal,
Tona :)
#BeCannonProud
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Lisa's Coaching Corner
Middle of the year assessments (MOY) should be complete and entered into Eduphoria. As you know from the beginning of the year (BOY), I am able to pull the data so you don't have to enter it twice. However, to make that happen, the entire grade level's data needs to be complete BEFORE I begin that process. Please have ALL data entered by Tuesday, January 23rd before you leave school. If you need help with entering data, please let me know so I can help you on Tuesday. If you cannot meet that deadline for any other reason, please let me know.
When Anne and I met with teachers in December who have Tier 2 students we saw lots of GAINS! This is great news!
TARGETED INSTRUCTION + TIME = LEARNING
"Because learning styles and instructional needs vary from student to student, we must provide each student with targeted instruction—that is, teaching practices designed to meet his or her individual learning needs. We also know that students don't all learn at the same speed." (Buffin, Mattos and & Webber) Some will need more time to learn. The graphic below shows this when you change up the variables and constant factors.
One of the main reasons and the MAJOR goal of our Tier 1 data meetings is to evaluate OVERALL gaps or weakness in our students. It is imperative that we continue to evaluate our district curriculum to make sure it is meeting the needs of our students. One of those weaknesses identified in the fall for ELA was phonics. There was also feedback given at my last Coaches/Learning Liaison meeting of math updates as well to better meet the needs of the teachers and students.
Our Humanities will soon be "going through the process" to update the curriculum due to the new ELA TEKS, so our feedback is critical. We are fortunate to be in the process of adopting new textbooks/resources that include phonics, so please make sure you take time to look at the samples and look for an idea or lesson that you can try in your class. The resources will be delivered to your TPA soon and all staff recently received an email containing a survey link about the adoption materials that will need to be completed by 2/15. We will remind you about this after the materials arrive!
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DATES TO REMEMBER
01/21 Student/Staff Holiday - Martin Luther King Day
01/22 PLC Week A - 3rd grade 2:15-3:45
01/22 School Board Appreciation items due to Tona by end of day
01/23 PLC Week A - 4th grade 2:15-3:45
01/24 PLC Week A - 5th grade 2:15-3:45
01/24 District Spelling Bee - 1:00 pm @ CTMS - Good luck Piyush!
01/24 Cubs Night Out @ Cici's Pizza
01/24 GT Parent Information meeting 6:00-7:00 pm @ PDEC
01/25 Math Coach of the Day - K-2 during conference periods in PLC room
01/28 STEM Leadership meeting - 3:05 pm
01/28 Math Coach of the Day - 3-5 during conference periods in PLC room
01/29 PLC Week B - Kindergarten 2:15-3:45
01/30 PLC Week B - 1st grade 2:15-3:45
01/31 5th Grade Chromebook Exchange - 8:00-11:00 am
01/31 Fire Drill - 1:30 pm
01/31 PLC Week A - 2nd grade 2:15-3:45
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CONGRATULATIONS!!
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REMINDERS & UPDATES
EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEY & JEANS DAYS! - As of this newsletter, I have been informed that approximately 54% of our staff has completed the GCISD Employee Survey by Gallup. Last week, you received an email with the survey link included from Gallup. All principals have been asked to remind staff to participate in the survey, so to add an extra incentive, Cannon staff will have extra JEANS DAYS each Monday in February if we have 95% participation or more!! . Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback in this survey!
TEACHER APPRECIATION NIGHT WITH THE DALLAS MAVERICKS The Dallas Mavericks are hosting a Teacher Appreciation Night on February 27th! The following link will allow you to purchase discounted tickets to that game. www.mavsgroup.com/mavsteach
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? GCISD is revamping a campaign on former students and we need your help! GCISD wants to highlight graduates of its schools that have gone on to make a positive impact in their communities and/or have interesting stories that deserve to be shared. This can include alumni with unique professions, noteworthy accomplishments, incredible obstacles to overcome, etc. If you know GCISD alumni who deserve to have their story told, please nominate them and they may be featured on GCISD social media channels and/or the district's website. Where Are They Now Website
ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATION UPDATE Occasionally, third parties ask the District for permission to survey District students. Please review the administrative regulation for information about the District's rules related to third parties surveying students. If you have any questions, please contact Tona.
Love Your Device Contest
The Love Your Device contest is back this year with expanded topics to include digital citizenship! Check out our website for detailed information about rules and how to submit entries. Students may work individually, as a small group or as a class. This year's contest is for grades K-8.
The basic information for students:
1. Design a project, a video, a poster, or a slide show covering any aspect of device care or digital citizenship.
2. Submit your entries by February 7. Winners announced February 14.
3. Prizes include t-shirts, tech toys, popcorn parties and more.
Your campus will receive posters soon to help advertise the contest. Feel free to include the information in parent newsletters or other communications.
Contact Kat Sparks if you have any questions. Happy creating!
JANUARY IS BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH!
JANUARY IS BOARD APPRECIATION MONTH!
GCISD School Board Trustees will be recognized at the monthly school board meeting during the board meeting on Thursday, January 24th. All schools are asked to shower the school board members with some love & special recognition by providing student-created posters, cards, letters or other objects of appreciation! Please meet as a team and discuss how your team will contribute to this effort. All grade levels are expected to participate.
Scholar work should be dropped off in my office by the end of the day on Tuesday, January 22nd. This year's theme is "Planting Seeds of Success" Please refer to the following link to read short bios on all GCISD trustees. From this link, you will be able to click on each board member name to read all about them. Thank you!
JANUARY BOOK OF THE MONTH
Doll-E 1.0 is the perfect book to kick off our Book of the Month for 2019!! Be sure to check out all of the resources Kristi has provided below, as you prepare to share this month's book with your scholars in the classroom! The BoM Video and Smore embedded below will also be shared in the parent newsletter.
Our Cubs are going to LOVE this month's BoM Design Challenge, which is to design and build their own robot or doll out of found objects and scraps. Then they will get to use Scratch and Makey Makey to build a database to make their doll or robot talk! How cool is that?
Please encourage your scholars to participate in this awesome Book of the Month challenge!
TECH NEWS FROM JULEE
Maker Achievement Badges
Maker achievement badge sessions are scheduled to begin in January. You will be receiving a sign up from me soon. I have dedicated 10 recess sessions to the Level 1-Robotics badge. Each grade level can assign 10 students per session, therefore you will need to discuss scheduling and selection of your students with your grade level before signing up. Each student will only need to attend one session to earn their badge. Please email me if you have any questions after you receive the sign-up.
Tech Talks
Tech Talks will kick back up in the new year!
Doodle 4 Google 2019
The contest is open to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade in the United States. To enter the contest students should create a drawing that represents something that inspires them. The drawing, of course, must include the word Google somewhere within it. The artwork must be submitted on this official entry form.
This year's national Doodle 4 Google winner will receive a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology prize package for his or her school. Check out this video about the 2nd grader who was the 2018 contest winner!
If you're thinking about using some classroom time to have your students draw for the Doodle 4 Google contest, take a look at the free lesson resources that Google offers. Making drawings for the Doodle 4 Google contest might also be a good indoor recess activity on those cold days!
Two of this year's celebrity judges are Jimmy Fallon and Kermit the Frog. Here they are to introduce the Doodle 4 Google contest.
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Worth A Read, Watch or...Listen!!
VIRTUAL VALENTINES! The Virtual Valentine Project is an awesome platform out there for you to get some ideas about how to make Virtual Valentines with your class. There are two different levels for how to get involved. You can either just register your class and use some of their awesome suggestions for how to create virtual valentines, or you can take the next step and get connected with another classroom somewhere across the globe and have your students share their valentines with each other. Check this out now, to have time to prepare before Valentine's Day!
JUST FOR FUN...Check out the video below about how a barbershop is helping local kids to build their confidence by reading in front of others while getting a haircut. Plus, they receive $3 for reading while in the chair! Win-win inspiration!
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DISTRICT ASSESSMENT & STAAR UPDATES
2nd ROUND OF EMBEDDED ASSESSMENTS
Finalized Spring EAs are now in Humanities curriculum. Unpacking resources can be found in the embedded assessment section of the unit to serve as a possible guide for unpacking that EA as teachers enter the unit.
MID-YEAR READING ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
STAAR RESOURCES & UPDATES
INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES PLAYLIST FOR TEACHERS 2018-2019 is a terrific resource that many of our Cannon staff is currently already using, not just as STAAR resource, but as a great resource for instructional/formative assessment strategies that you may have never tried. These playlists of strategy suggestions are extensive and are categorized by:
- movement and discourse playlist
- rehearsal and practice playlist
- extending thinking playlist
- learning from mistakes playlist
- evidence of learning playlist
Tip from one of our local professionals - Lexi Rix includes this link in her weekly lesson plans with a reminder to try a new instructional strategy each week - GREAT idea!
STAAR Mini-Practice Tests
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is releasing a series of mini-practice tests, including Spanish versions, that are meant to provide students an opportunity to practice using new online features in the STAAR Online Testing Platform ahead of the spring 2019 test administrations. The mini-practice tests will include the basic calculator tool (English and Spanish versions for mathematics), the dictionary tool (English and Spanish versions for reading and writing), and American Sign Language (ASL) videos (English versions only). These mini-practice tests will be available in the STAAR Online Testing Platform beginning December 31, 2018.
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CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION CORNER
Science Blog and Curriculum Map Information
If you teach science, please take some time to read the GCISD Science blog and watch the screencast explaining our newly designed elementary science curriculum map. Please subscribe to the blog in order to stay up to date!
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INFORMATION TO SHARE IN PARENT NEWSLETTERS
GCISD Pre-K Information Night
GCISD Pre-K information night for 2019-2020 school year on Tuesday, January 22, 2018. This will take place 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the GCISD Professional Development Education Center (PDEC), 5800 Colleyville Blvd.
GCISD Community Showcase at TECC
Have you ever wondered what goes on inside of a GCISD classroom? Have you ever been curious about how LEAD 2021 looks in action? Join GCISD for a Community Showcase at the Technology Education and Career Center (TECC) at Grapevine High School on January 31 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m for a tour led by students and staff. This opportunity is limited to the first 20 participants. Click here to sign up for this Community Showcase.
"The Talk" Presentation
Parents are invited to a conversation with Dr. Jeff Livingston MD, a local OB/GYN, about how to talk with their children about sex.
"The Talk", can feel intimidating and we hope that this presentation will empower parents with knowledge about what to share and when to share it.
Join us on Tuesday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the GCISD Board Room at 3051 Ira E. Woods Avenue in Grapevine.
The presentation will be recorded and available for viewing through the GCISD website on the Social Emotional Support page.
RACHEL'S CHALLENGE SHIRT CONTEST
Students, you could be the artist behind our new Rachel's Challenge shirt for 2019 and everyone could be wearing your artwork. See the details in the flyer. Spanish Flyer
Parent Technology Academy
GCISD Parent Technology Academy is BACK! Sessions are scheduled monthly with more to come! Come and learn along with others about the ever-changing world of technology in which your children are living!
Spring Parent Technology Academy Sessions
GCISD Technology is excited to announce our Spring Session line up with several new sessions. Stay tuned as more will be added to our list as we keep receiving the request from the community.
January 23rd - Social media impact and building your student profile in Linkedin ( co-presented with Microsoft ) -SIGN UP HERE
Hear real-life examples of students that have lost scholarships or college acceptance due to social media disasters. Then hear from Microsoft as they outline ways to build a Linkin Profile to attached recruiters and more!
February 12th - Hour of Code - Parent Edition -SIGN UP HERE
Come dive in and experience what students across GCISD do each day with hands-on activities around coding
February 26th - Understanding Minecraft ( Presented by Microsoft) -SIGN UP HERE
Come and learn about the power of Minecraft in education, get tips directly for Microsoft on parental settings for use at home.
March 21st - Internet Addiction " Gaming"--SIGN UP HERE
More than 5 million kids may be addicted to video games. 31% of males and 12 % of females report that have felt addicted to gaming. Come to hear from Dr Kay Trotter, PhD, LPC-s, RPT-S from local Kaleidoscope Behavioral Health as she discusses the signs and symptoms of this growing addiction. Learn some tips and be a part of the discussion around online gaming and internet addiction.
April 16th - Apps Parents Need to Know -SIGN UP HERE
Take part in this interactive discussion around the growing world of apps that students are using. Go being the scenes to hear the truth behind the apps and what dangers there are to those who use them
Virtual Session Coming Soon - Fortnite ( a Parents Guide ) - SIGN UP HERE
Many have asked some come and experience Fortnite for parents. Hear about details of the game and dive into parental settings for the various gaming systems students use to play online.
All sessions can be found on the Parent Technology Academy Webpage
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TWITTER REMINDERS FOR @canSTEM
BIG thanks to all of our staff members that have already been actively tweeting about the great learning going on in your classrooms!
Please help us reach our campus goal for all staff to participate in a 5-minute a day communication plan, as stated in George Couros's quote shown here. It's truly a simple way to SHARE & LEARN from the best minds in GCISD! I am going to be highlighting our school twitter account HEAVILY with parents & our school community, to help create our own "outward culture of celebration"!!
As a reminder, please include our school's handle, @canSTEM, and our hashtag, #BeCannonProud in all of your tweets, so that they can be automatically retweeted on our school account. At the end of the day, simply go to @canSTEM and scroll through our school's tweets for 5 minutes and see what your colleagues are sharing! If you want to learn more from them about an idea they shared....you will only have to walk across the building to get more information firsthand!
Please click here to see our staff list of social media accounts. Please add/update any information so that we can make sure we follow each other!
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TO-DO LIST
- Set a timer and complete daily attendance ON TIME every day!
- Complete the GCISD Employee Engagement Survey and if our staff has 95% or more of our staff complete the survey, we will have extra JEANS DAYS each Monday in February!
- Don't forget to turn in School Board Appreciation Month items to Tona's office by end of the day on Tuesday, January 22nd!
- Review all of the January Book of the Month information and encourage your students to participate.
- Share information with your students about the Love Your Device contest.
- Check out the Doodle Google contest for kids information in this newsletter! .
- Check out the MoY Reading Assessment information in this newsletter.
- See the Information To Share With Parents section of this newsletter for communication about campus events & other district news that needs to be included in your own newsletters, blogs, etc...
- Please click here to see our staff list of social media accounts. Please add/update any information so that we can make sure we follow each other!
- Review the information in this newsletter about the 5-minute a day communication plan. Tweet & blog about all of the great things you are doing in your classroom/grade! Don't forget to use @canSTEM and our hashtag #BeCannonProud this year in all of your tweets!