Thomas Jefferson Tribune
"WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT!"
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18-22
EDUCATION GO GET IT WEEK
September18-22, 2016 is Education Go Get It Week, when all scholars in the district learn about post-secondary educational opportunities, including college, military and vocational training. The purpose of Education Go Get It Week is to provide both information and encouragement to all students in regards to pursuing a post-secondary education. I am confident that each campus has planned collegiate activities to support Education Go Get It Week. I am excited to receive all the photos of the activities that are planned for this week!
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY PLAN
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CAMPUS CLIMATE AND CULTURE
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Leaders,
As we enter the 4th week of school, I trust that you have built a common reality about the transformation taking place in our district, your campuses and classrooms, whether it be about TEI, new staff, or new systems put in place. As principals, it is incumbent upon you to equip teachers to manage the change and embed such change in their classrooms' systems and structures. I am encouraged by the level of implementation of LO’s and DOL’s in the campuses visited. Continue to embed quality instructional practices and the writing across core contents as you are accountable for all your scholars' achievement and growth. Ensure that you are also providing your teachers with quality EFFECTIVE feedback in order to have them refine what they need to improve in their instructional delivery. Professional Development should be centered around trends you have identified on your campuses that require additional focus for continued student academic growth and achievement.
Please note in this edition of the Tribune that there are many professional development opportunities for your teachers and CIC's. Ensure you communicate these opportunities with your staff so that they may take advantage of all sessions aligned to campus goals and initiatives and feeder priorities. As you are aware, the writing focus on your campuses should be in full bloom. There is an opportunity to attend the Gretchen Bernebei training in October at Region 10 for K-12. I highly encourage you to send a team to this training to assist with your campuses in writing across all the content areas.
Last week, I highlighted Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The First Habit is to BE PROACTIVE! What does being proactive really mean?
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Being proactive is more than just taking action. In this first habit, Stephen Covey tells us we are responsible for our reactions to people or events. We are Response-able and have Response-ability because we have the ability to consciously choose how we respond to any situation.
Stephen Covey makes the point that humans can think things through and don't need to be caught up in simple stimulus response patterns like Pavlov's dogs. To be proactive is to choose your response rather than relying on instinctive reactions.
So, what's your Response-ability like? Stephen Covey introduces the story of Viktor Frankl to emphasize the point that we have the freedom to choose our response to whatever happens to us. Frankl was a psychiatrist and is well known for his theory of Logo-therapy and publishing "Man's Search for Meaning". While enduring Nazi concentration camps, Frankl realized that we can always choose our response, no matter what happens to us.
"Man's Search for Meaning" is essential reading, by the way, and should be high on your list. It's an easy, powerful read.
People who do not consider their reactions are reactive and often blame others or things outside of themselves for what happens. They don't take any responsibility. They'd say I failed the paper because the examiner doesn't like me. Does that sound familiar?
Proactive people take responsibility for their response, often looking for what they can learn from what happened. They might say I failed the paper...maybe I didn't spend enough time learning or didn't plan my time. What can I do differently next time?
The Circle of Influence
To help you develop proactivity, Stephen Covey introduces the concept of the Circle of Concern and Circle of Influence.
He says proactive people focus their time and energy in the Circle of Influence where they work on things they can do something about.
This is a powerful metaphor. It's a tool that helps people identify what's important and what they can do to positively influence their future rather than feeling like a pawn on a chessboard.
Therefore, BE PROACTIVE. Be responsible for your reactions to people or events.
Here's to another great week of teaching and learning!
There are many updates this week. Please ensure you read the newsletter in its entirety,
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, September 18, 2017- - -(EDUCATION GO GET IT WEEK)
- ED/Deputy Chief 'Think Tank' Meeting@ 7:45 a.m.-Ms. Torres
- Meeting w/SMU-Principal Impact Collaborative @ 10:00-Ms. Torres
- Sudie Williams Campus visit w/AF's
- K.B. Polk Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Follow Up-Climate and Culture Workshop-Amazing Shake w/Billy Snow-H.B. Bell-1st floor conference room 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ( Any campus principal/AP/AF)interested in the Amazing Shake, )
- Assistant Principal Training Week
- Achieve 3000 BOY Assessment Window continues
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
Tuesday, Septembe19 2017
- Thomas Jefferson Early College P-Tech High School Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Burnett Campus visit w/ELAR AF
- Leadership Team Meeting-Ms. Torres 1:30@NCR Rm. #1350
Achieve 3000 BOY Assessment Window continues
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Math AF Facilitates CIC Professional Development
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
- Medrano MS Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Joe May Campus visit w/ED and Math AF's
- Teaching Trust-Aspiring Leaders Program Interview-4:00 p.m.-Ms. Torres@ Joe May
- District Wide College Fair @ Ellis Davis 5:30-8:30 PM
- Achieve 3000 BOY Assessment Window continues
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
Thursday, September 21, 2017
- Walnut Hill-PLC Campus visit w/ED and Math AF
- Cary MS Campus visit w/ED, AF's and PSP
- Tom Field Campus visit w/AF's
- UNITED Network ED meeting with Mrs. Williams-Franklin MS 12:00-(TJ ED, Hillcrest ED, and W.T. White ED)
- Two Way Dual Language PLC @ Buckner 1:00-4:00
- Achieve 3000 BOY Assessment
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Reading AF Facilitates CIC Professional Development
Friday, September 22, 2017
- ED/Deputy Chief Instructional Walks Meeting @ Mosley Elementary 8:30
- NAF meeting w/Principals and ED's-Lunch- Ms. Torres & Ms. Massey@Nancy Mosley Elementary 12:30-2:00
- Foster Campus visit w/AF's
- Saldivar Campus visit w/AF's
- Achieve 3000 BOY Assessment Window continues
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
Walnut Hill- Feedom Week!
CIGARROA REAL SCHOOL GARDEN REPRESENTS DISD WELL ON UPCOMING CBS SPOTLIGHT
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT AT BURNET ES
ROBOTICS IN ACTION
STUDENT SUCCESS INITIATIVE SESSION
MINDFULNESS ACTIVITIES
2017 Fall Campus Administrator Training
The Thomas Jefferson feeder RTI campus teams which may consist of the assistant principal (or principal), campus instructional coach, counselor, and diagnostician (if available). will attend the Fall Campus Administrator Training on October 3, 2017 at the H. B. Bell Building, Room 713 from 8:30-11:30. This session will provide information about the role of the Student Support Team (SST) and its responsibility to implement the Response to Intervention (RtI) process. Participants will learn how to use information from the reading and mathematics universal screening instruments to make instructional decisions and identify students for intervention. Further, participants will understand how to identify interventions and document information in the Schoolnet Interventions Module.
SPECIAL EDUCATION UPDATES
EIA REGULATION-FAILURE REPORTS
EIA Regulation (our grading policy) requires failure rate intervention plans be developed if rates exceed the thresholds at each level (elementary, middle or high) for a teacher / course / or subject. Further, it requires a plan be developed by the principal at the campus level if the threshold exceeds such rates across a subject (course for secondary) or grade level.
Teachers have plenty of time to decrease failure rates. Please send home missing assignments. Points may be deducted for those assignments.
Please be reminded that homework can only be utilized if it helps the grade. Students should not have failing grades on their report cards due to homework. Attached, you will find EIA Regulation policy.
The teachers should ensure they are providing the following for students. ( read chart below).
Below is an example of what should be displayed on every school's website as well as a quick “how-to” guide on directly typing information into a template in Word in order to copy and paste it into the web creation tool. This will allow consistency across school websites. Be reminded that people visit websites/internet before making a visit to the campus. Let’s make a great first impression!
The official deadline to complete updates of school websites is Wednesday, September 20, 2017 by the close of business. School Leadership will begin checking for updates that afternoon.
Campus websites were originally created with an Our School Channel, and under the Our School Channel was a general information section:
HOW-TO TEMPLATE:
General Information
Principal: Principal Name and contact email address
Counselor(s): Counselor(s) name(s) – contact email address(es)
Grade Levels: Ex: PK-5th Grade (use standard grade level designations)
Trustee District and Trustee Name: Ex: Edwin Flores, District 1
School Division/Feeder Pattern: Ex Woodrow Wilson Feeder Pattern
Executive Director: Executive Director name here
PTA Information: Ex: link to PTA page or “PTA meeting dates and times are listed on our calendar.”
Uniform Information:
o Top: <colors go here>
o Bottoms: <colors go here>
If school does not have a uniform, delete above and use: Dallas ISD Student Dress Code Policy
School Colors: <school colors here>
Mascot: <school mascot here>
Extracurricular Activities Offered:
o Ex: Debate Team
o Athletics: Football, Boys and Girls Basketball
o Debate
o Music: Choir, Marching Band, Symphony
o Academic Decathlon
o Dance
Short School bio/Informative paragraph here:
Campus Instructional Coaches' Professional Development Dates and Registration for 2017-2018
Teaching and Learning and School Leadership Academic Facilitators are excited about the opportunity to provide all Campus Instructional Coaches (CIC) professional development for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Each professional development session will include:
- Instruction aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
- Effective teaching strategies
- Practical classroom strategies to promote student success
Come and learn what you can do to continue to build capacity with your teachers and improve student achievement! Registration information is detailed in the table below. We look forward to seeing you there.
RLA CIC
Hulcy STEAM MS
Math CIC
Hulcy STEAM MS
- Academic Rigor
- Routines, Anchor Charts, and Word Walls
Reading
- Academic Rigor
Note: Math CIC's who attended any of the above sessions offered this summer, you are not required to attend this first CIC training only.
The Reading Language Arts department is seeking input from colleagues to review drafts of the second and fourthsix weeks common assessments. Pass this invitation on to coaches and teachers who you believe will provide the most thoughtful feedback on them.
Please share the link to the Google form with the individuals you nominate and encourage them to submit it to us. We will review applications to participate in the common assessment review sessions and notify those who are selected in a timely manner.
The common assessment review sessions will take place at the Bell Building (LTD) from 4:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. during these time periods:
- 2nd six weeks common assessments: Week of September 18–22, 2017
- 4th six weeks common assessments: Week of January 29–February 2, 2018
ONLINE STAAR WRITING TRAINING MODULES
Online STAAR Writing modules may be found on http://assessment.dallasisd.org/. Teachers should login under "Teacher Login," select "WRT Rubric Training," and then select the module they wish to complete.
- Expository essays and the grade 4 expository rubric for grades 3-5
- Expository essays and the grade 7 expository rubric for grades 6-8
- Expository essays and the high school expository rubric for grade 9
- Persuasive essays and the high school persuasive rubric for grade 10
- Analytical essays and the high school analytic rubric for text-dependent writing and the optional English III STAAR test
Each module is about an hour and includes in-depth discussion of the respective writing rubric. There is also a brief discussion of the TELPAS Proficiency Descriptors as well as quizzes covering each section of the training. Each training ends with authentic student compositions followed by analysis and scoring using the rubric.
K-2 ISTATION IS NOW AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MATH INSTRUCTION
Take advantage of this opportunity to help our middle schools focus on kindness. The national Kindness challenge is specifically designed for Middle Schools who are practicing SEL and/or Restorative Practices (RP), and is absolutely something that all middle schools can benefit from. Visit www.KindnessChallenge.com for more information and to sign up for this challenge.
GRAMMAR AND WRIITING DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE YEAR AND FOR STAAR.. FEATURING GRETCHEN BERNABEI
This workshop will model layered instruction, weaving between grammar and writing, using materials Gretchen has adapted from STAAR released tests and live student STAAR essays. Specific high-yield strategies covered include:
Grammar:
Nailing fragments and run-ons, using the sentence wringer
Wiping out usage problems (like its/it’s and there/their/they’re) once
and for all
Showing your students how to use their parts-of-speech knowledge
Keeping track of your grammar-teaching-in-context
Reading:
Kernelizing passages for comprehension and multiple choice ease
Recognizing and using pitchforking in questions
Extracting text structures from passages
Writing:
Generating quick lists and kernel essays
Choosing from five text structures for expository or persuasive essays
Using icons for developing details
Participants will receive a copy of Grammar Keepers and Text Structures from Nursery Rhymes
Who is it for?
Anyone teaching writing (Pre-K through 12)
Anyone who lays the instructional foundation (grades 4-11) for STAAR writing and reading tests
Is this the same as Gretchen's previous workshops?
Participants will receive new links to STAAR materials adapted by Gretchen, using the STAAR 2016 and 2017 released tests from grades 4 and 7, EOC I and EOC II. The basic strategies are the same.
Agenda:
Day One – Building the Moves
Focus on Instruction and Development of Skills
Day Two – Showing the Moves
Focus on Assessment
I highly recommend this workshop for our feeder teachers and principals!
Registration link can be found below.
TEA UPDATE...
Calling All Outstanding 4th-8th Grade Students
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2018 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state.
Nominees must:
- Be in 4th-8th grade
- Maintain an 85 or higher average
- Demonstrate leadership ability
- Be involved in school/community activities
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online at: http://educationinaction.org/nominate-leaders
Nomination Deadline: Friday, November 3, 2017
WAIP
THOMAS JEFFERSON P-TECH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
ECHS 9th and 10th grade teachers collaborated during PD focusing on the importance of Academic Tiering and RTI. PD was led by Instructional Coach Taylor Davis, who made sure all teachers understood the value of both and how both impact student achievement.
COMPLIANCE VIDEOS CHANGES!
DISD will NOT use Region 10's Child Abuse Training for compliance purposes. The Child Abuse and Dyslexia Training are being offered in Dallas ISD's learning site, which are also hyperlnked at https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/48516. Staff members must login using their EAD.
Compliance videos will need to be viewed by October 2017. A cut off date will be determined soon. Please create and use a process to collect all necessary certificates and keep them in-house.
THE LEADER IN ME
Experience The Leader in Me Symposium
Just a reminder that the Leader in Me Symposium will be held February 1-2 in Richardson, Texas. Please ensure that you register to attend as we are attending as a feeder. Information on the symposium is below.
Join educators at the all-new 2017-2018 Leader in Me Symposium. Together, we are transforming paradigms in education by empowering students and staff to model 21st-century leadership skills in order to achieve their full potential.
The Leader in Me Symposium is the most influential and inspiring event series for educators. This year Symposium will be coming to over 20 locations to inspire thousands of educators across North America. New enhancements have been made to the featured sessions, school tours, and networking experience. In addition, participants can now attend either a full two-day or a condensed one-day version of Symposium.
At The Leader in Me Symposium, you will:
- Share innovative ideas with other administrators, superintendents, directors, principals, and teachers.
- Develop new skills and principle-centered effectiveness with The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® training.
- Learn best practices from experts in a variety of featured sessions.
- Discover how Leader in Me Schools are achieving success on a local school tour (two-day Symposium only).
- Gain inspiration from thought leaders during keynote presentations.
The link to register is:
http://store.theleaderinme.org/leader-in-me-symposium-dallas-tx
TEI
Excellence Initiative Website: Click the links to access the TEI website and resources.
http://www.dallasisd.org/excellenceinitiatives
http://tei.dallasisd.org/home/resources/
2016-2017 Compensation Salary Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ze4tzj5
2016-2017 Compensation Supplemental Earnings Handbook: ttp://tinyurl.com/joknekj
September 11 - 29
TEI Call Center support available from 7am - 6pm for questions regarding 2017 TEI Scorecards
972-749-5712
September 15
2016-2017 TEI Scorecard are available for teachers
September 15 - 29
Teacher rebuttal window in Oracle for TEI Scorecard
October 2
Deadline for submission of the SLO Goal Setting
October 3
1st TEI Campus Expert Steering Committee meeting
November 2
DTR Application deadline for eligible teachers based on the 2016-2017 TEI Scorecard
Achieve 3000
The Assessment windows are as followed:
BOY: 9/5-10/13
MOY: 1/9-2/9
EOY: 4/16-5/25
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN KUDOS
LEARNSTORM
LearnStorm is six-week learning challenge designed to help your classes practice skills, build growth mindsets, and earn fun prizes for grades 3-12.
Schools with at least three teachers who have classes that completed all six LearnStorm levels will be eligible to apply for the LearnStorm School Grand Prize. The School Grand Prize will include national recognition and a fun school rally.
Grand Prize applications will open after the challenge begins on September 12. Check back then for more information!
Join in to celebrate all student learning and growth. Click on the link below to sign up on August 15th. The challenge starts September 12th and ends on October 20th. I highly encourage EVERYONE to try this on their campus.
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
SEPTEMBER
25-First Six Weeks Common Assessments begin
26-'UNITED To Learn' Network Meeting-Elementary Principals ONLY-Parish Episcopal Church-11:30
27-Instructional Walks w/ED and Deputy Chief-Cary MS and Medrano MS
27-New employee assignments are finalized
27-New Dual Language training @ Joe May-5:00-7:00 p.m.
28-New TJ Principals and AP's to TJ Feeder and profession meeting with Ms. Torres-Haskell-2nd Floor 1:00-2:00 (Foster and Cigarroa) 2:00-4:00 p.m. (New AP's)
28-29-Changing the Odds Conference-(Momentous Institute)-ED, AF's, Mr. McLaurin, Mrs. Loskot, Mrs. Macklin, Mrs. Whitfield, and Mr. Jackson
29-First Six Weeks ends
29-Grade Failure Report Available
29-Employee moves due to leveling
29- Last day to enter requisitions using 2016-2017 Priority and Focus School Grant Funds
OCTOBER
6-Last day for Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA) BOY-7th grade-Window closes today
6- Last day to enter a receiver in Oracle and submit invoices to Accounts Payable for Priority and Focus Grant Funds
9-Community Bond Meeting-TJ High School w/Trustee Flores-5:00 p.m.
13- Last day for AP to process invoices for purchases orders created with 2016-2017 Priority and Focus Grant Funds
15-Hispanic Heritage Month ends
20- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window Closes
9-29-Kids Teaching Kids 21 Day Challenge Begins
NOVEMBER
10-Drill Log for the Fall Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
MARCH
9-Drill log for the Spring Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
Elementary and Secondary Dual Language Schedule
MARSHALL MEMO #702
How Truancy Affects Elementary School Students’ Achievement
“Chronic absenteeism signals educational and developmental risk,” says Michael Gottfried (University of California/Santa Barbara) in this Elementary School Journal article reporting his three-year study of truancy and tardiness in a district’s elementary schools. Gottfried was interested in how a student’s truancy plays out during a school year, how it’s linked to achievement, and when educators can most effectively intervene. His findings:
Truancy in the fall is not linked to lower achievement in spring standardized tests, but truancy in the spring is highly correlated with lower achievement in those tests.
A high number of fall tardies predicts a high number of spring tardies.
A student who was chronically absent in the fall term has a much higher probability of being chronically absent in the spring term than students with fewer absences.
“It appears,” says Gottfried, “that the path by which fall and spring truancy negatively associate with student outcomes is that fall truant behavior influences spring truant behavior, which in turn influences exam performance. The patterns set early in the school year have ramifications, in other words, for outcomes later in the year.”
Gottfried draws these conclusions. First, educators should carefully monitor truancy in the early weeks of the school year, diagnose the reasons, and work hard to change the pattern so that it doesn’t continue and lead to poor performance in the spring.
Second, schools should also be on the lookout for student tardiness early in the school year. Although tardiness early in the year isn’t correlated with truancy later on, it is highly correlated with continued tardiness, and being late for school has an impact on achievement and classroom environment.
Third, the study suggests that educators should track truancy and tardiness throughout the school year, watching for patterns.
Finally, Gottfried says schools should disaggregate tardiness and truancy data, watching for patterns by gender, ELL status, and other student characteristics, and customize interventions accordingly.
“Does Truancy Beget Truancy? Evidence from Elementary School” by Michael Gottfried in The Elementary School Journal, September 2017 (Vol. 118, #1, p. 128-148),
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/692938; Gottfried can be reached at
ClICK THE LINK BELOW
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Marelenise Phillips-Roberts
Ashley Campos
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.