Monday Morning Motivation
Central Elementary Staff News----November 16-20
Central Science Day!
Dear Staff,
Friday was an absolute blast! From the Chemistry is a Blast presentation, to 3-M sharing the wonders of sound, to the in-class science experiments, the day was filled with total student engagement. It was fun to see and hear the excitement from our K-2 students, while they were watching the balloons burst into flames. It made us all jump a bit.
A special thank you goes out to our instructional assistants, who fearlessly jumped at the chance to be scientists again this year. Even though it is a lot of work and sometimes a little chaotic, they shared with me that they "love this day" because of how much the students like it. Joy and enthusiasm is contagious.
While walking around, a teacher said to me, "Why don't we do this more? It makes you want to throw the books to the side and do more activities like this. The students were really getting into it." She was correct. Hearing students talk with each other about the chemical reactions, focusing their conversation on science, is a powerful affirmation of this type of lesson. We know there is research which supports the idea that hands-on learning is more likely to engage students, but also it can actually boost comprehension.
Two teachers have approached me about starting a science/STEM club in the spring. This is something I am very interested in supporting here. Based on Friday, there is sure to be high interest.
Have a great week!
Julie
A Week at a Glance
Central Calendar
MONDAY, November 16
- Math Process Meeting at Clarks Creek LGI room for Grades 3-5 @ 4:00
- PTO meeting cafeteria @ 7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, November 17
- Grade Level Meetings-review minutes from leadership committee meeting
- Meeting with Architects in library @ 3:50 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, November 18
- Cabinet Meeting at Central Office
- Optional Professional Development meeting in LGI with Jill, Ashley, and Lexi @ 3:50 p.m.
THURSDAY, November 19
- RTI Committee Meeting
FRIDAY, November 20
- PHS Into the Woods Performance here at Central at 9:00 a.m.-9:30
Announcements and Reminders
- (fyi-most recent information at the bottom)
Please make sure you have scheduled your long observation with Karen.
Red Ribbon Week November 23, 24, and 25
December 8-11: Santa Shop
PTO Meeting Monday, November 16, 2015
Be sure to meet with Mr. Caston, the section 125 guy, on November 16th or the 17th
Grades 3, 4 and 5 review ISTEP+ data during Tuesday grade level meeting. Additionally, discuss with teammates minutes from Big Idea Committee meeting on Thursday.
Reminder that the grade-level data team meeting has been moved to November 24.
Would you please speak with your team about how you divide up your day in the event of a 2-hour delay and send the information to Randi. THis will allow her to create a special education schedule for the assistants.
Reminder, we do not go outside for recess if it is 20 degrees or below. As it gets cooler, please go out at your own discretion.
Make sure you are showing the Central Character Company videos and completing lessons every Thursday. If you have questions, please see Diana.
Curriculum and Instruction
Just passing along for your information. I saw this in my Indiana Association of School Principal's Newsletter and thought it might be of interest to one of you.
We know that involving young people in conversations about giving inspires them to take action. We invite teachers and schools to leverage the global #GivingTuesday movement as a spark for your classroom, school, and community. Let’s teach 300,000 students worldwide that their kindness counts. Learn more about philanthropy lessons and TeachOne Mini-grants for teachers from Learning to Give http://www.learningtogive.org/teachone
Joy Maker Challenge – Nov. 23-Dec. 23
Join generationOn for The Joy Maker Challenge, which connects youth ages 5-18 to meaningful, hands-on service projects during the holiday season. For each kid or teen who participates, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots, up to 1 million dollars’ worth! Participation is free and easy!
1. Visit generationon.org/joymaker to sign up and find volunteer project ideas and lesson plans .
2. Complete a service project between November 23rd--December 23rd.
3. Share the story of your service for a chance to win grants!
FAQs: Proposed School Hours 2016-2017
From the PCSC district website
TEENS NEED MORE MORNING SLEEP
Administrators, faculty, PTO officers and others have been discussing the possibility of changing school hours beginning with the 2016-2017 academic year. While the change, in terms of overall minutes, is small, it could be significant for student performance in the classroom.
The Board of School Trustees will vote on this in the next few months, so that parents will have adequate time, if needed, to consider child care or scheduling needs when the new school year begins.
We've prepared this FAQ to help everyone better understand the issue, the research behind the proposed change, and the factors taken into consideration.
http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/cms/lib09/IN01906707/Centricity/Domain/4/School Hours FAQs.pdf
Celebrate Staff
- Attendance percentage for the week ending November 13, 2015= 97.71%
- It is wonderful to see the student work displayed in the hallways, which celebrate Veterans Day. Thanks for pausing for such an important day.
- Science Day was truly a BLAST! Everyone did a great job being flexible as the schedule seemed to run smoothly. I overheard several students exclaim, "This was the best day, ever!"
- Thank you to our very generous staff and students for donating gifts to our first grade student, who was involved in a house fire on Monday. We really are a Central Family and it is something to Celebrate.