Team Thomson News & Notes
November 6, 2016
Important Information for You!
Parent-Teacher Conference Week
You should all have been given your report cards to be given out at Parent-Teacher Conferences. Report cards should not be sent home with students this marking period, but rather used in conversation with the child's parents this week. Remember, it is our goal that we have 100% participation in conferences. I appreciate those efforts I have already seen in trying to reach this goal...conferences before school or after school. These efforts do not go unnoticed by the parents or me! If there is parent that you absolutely can not get reach for a conference, please let me know. Also, please let Sue and I know if there is a conference that you would like me to sit in on. I am here to support you in anyway needed.
Conference times for this week are:
- Wednesday, November 9th from 4:30-8:00 p.m. Dinner will be provided and ready for your enjoyment by 3:45 p.m.
- Thursday, November 10th from 10:00 a.m.-2 p.m. and from 4:00-8:00 p.m. (with a half-hour break during the first segment for lunch...if you will be leaving for that 30 minutes, please let the office know)
Intersession #1 is in the Books-Follow-up
Last week when I thanked those Thomson Staff members that worked Intersession, I forgot to include Emily Williams who taught the GSRP Intersession students. Additionally, I found out that Kay worked over Intersession preparing food for Head Start students. Thank you to you both!
Thomson Mock Election
Holding mock elections allows our students to participate in an activity afforded to all law-abiding adults in the United States. This is a great opportunity to help explain to students the responsibilities that American citizens have in the process of running our country. As this day approaches I ask that each of you monitor what is brought up in regards to how people vote, information regarding the candidates and student opinions of these candidates. This will be of importance both on Tuesday and on Wednesday of this week. Our ballot will include the two major party candidates and an 'other' choice after communication from parents with valid reasons from having this option be included. Kudos to Cheri Nill for planning our own Thomson Mock Election! Also, don't forget to wear your Red, White, and Blue on Tuesday!
PTO Pals & Fundraiser Pick-up
Don't forget that Tuesday is also PTO Pals, as well as, our PTO Fundraiser Pick-up. You should have the schedule for PTO Pals already. Also, if you use Remind 101 or have an email list serve for your parents, any reminders that Tuesday is also PTO Fundraiser Pick-up would be beneficial. Fundraiser pick-up will be from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Also, if anyone is able and willing to help with the unloading and sorting of the fundraiser items, it would be greatly appreciated. Remember, this is our PTO's largest fundraiser and all the money is used to support our students and your classrooms. Thanks in advance for your help with getting the word out and helping if able!
Mastery-Based Learning
Holly Halabicky recently shared a video featuring Sal Khan's (founder of Khan Academy) TED Talk about the importance of approaching learning for mastery. Please click on the link below and take take about 10 minutes to view Sal's talk which will beg we ask the question, "How do we fill in the (swiss cheese) holes in students' learning so they can build learning upon learning to master concepts? How are you connecting this question to the work we have been doing with Common Core this year?
Cool to Care Kick-off
Don't forget, Cool to Care begins Monday, November 5th to support Outreach East. Our students and staff have always been so generous! This year I've again set our building goal of 3,500 items for Cool to Care. Items that are in need include canned goods, boxed goods (including cereal, pasta, stuffing, etc.), toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, personal hygiene products, diapers, and anything else a family might need in regards to a typical grocery run. Watch this week for a special 'Thomson Cool to Care' Flyer to explain our incentive system.
Professional Development Reminders
Imagine having to enter the professional development opportunities attended by a staff of over 250 people. Further imagine having to enter this information without staff ID numbers (which is required to enter professional development). Oh and by the way, employee names do not appear when ID numbers are entered or can not be read. Sort of a mess isn't it?
When documenting attendance at professional development it is imperative to include a legible ID number. Failure to do so may result in…
- The form being returned to you which increases the risk of PD forms getting lost in the mail.
- The PD being credited to another teacher.
Quotes Worth Reading
"You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved."
-wordtothewerd.com
Thomson Elementary
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
Important Upcoming Dates:
- November 7th-Cool to Care begins; Data Day; Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m.
- November 8th-Election Day! Fundraiser Pick-up
- November 9th-Parent-Teacher Conferences, 4:30-8:00 p.m.
- November 10th-No school for students; Parent-Teacher Conferences, 10 a.m.-2 p.m and 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
- November 11th-Comp Day for Teachers & Administrators
- Monday, November 14th-Data Day
- Tuesday, November 15th-Playground Monitor Meeting 10:30 a.m.; ELA Committee Meeting 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 16th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: DEF Presentation & Unpacking of 5D Student Engagement/Dimension #2); Child Study Day (Please send names to Maida and I)
- Thursday, November 17th-Family Game Night 4:30-7:30 p.m. for all certified staff (5-7 p.m. for families)
- Friday, November 18th-Leadership Team Meeting 7:30 a.m.; Thomson Trading Post Open