WATERFORD WEEKLY
November 18, 2016
WATERFORD MISSION
At Waterford Elementary we believe in all students and staff learning and growing together; where innovation, diversity, and relationships are valued.
WATERFORD VISION
Waterford Elementary School
Goshen's Opportunity for a Productive Tomorrow
"Before We Can Teach Anyone We Have to Get Their Attention!"
While attending the Indiana Association of School Principal's meeting last week, I had the opportunity to listen to Dr. Adolph Brown. Dr. Brown is an award-winning tenured educator and senior administrator and the founder of the Wellness Group, Inc. He is also the author of Real Talk and Messages from Granddad. He is best know for his"4R Approach".......Rigor, Relevance, Relationships, and "Real Talk." As you can see from the above picture, Dr. Brown got MY attention as well as the others at the conference.
As a classroom teacher, many years ago, my students always got my attention when they did something funny, shared a goofy story from home, brought me a special gift, or when they didn't perform as well as expected on a classroom formative or summative assessment. When that happened, I began to ask myself questions such as, "What didn't they get?" "Why were they unable to perform up to my expectations?" "How can I help them to do better next time?" These questions are still relevant today as a school leader. As I reflect on our journey at Waterford and our recent grade, I think about what I can do to ensure that every one of you are successful and help our kids "get it." What can I do to help us achieve our mission and vision? One thing I have learned as a school leader is that I must constantly look in the mirror in order to change, improve, and/or grow. As I transitioned to Goshen Schools a few years ago, I found myself doing this more than ever. The power of self-reflection allows us to deeply look inside the heart of the matter in order to call attention to the "man in the mirror".
As you are working with our students, and they so eloquently "call your attention," I challenge you to ask yourself the same questions I asked myself; look in the mirror and deeply self-reflect on how you can best help our kids change, improve, and grow.
Keep learning, keep growing, keep sharing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5vz6iwV38U
Play after reading above. Make sure you are signed into your google acct.
Choose Your Attitude, Make Their Day, Be Present, Play
Choose Your Attitude
I have been very impressed by the attitudes that the IDEA room staff has shown this week. It has been a "whole lotta crazy town" in that classroom this week. It would be easy to get frustrated and become negative when they are dealing with these extreme behaviors every day. They have done just the opposite. There has been laughter, an increased effort to work as a team, and amazing communication. Kuddos for a job well done!
Make Their Day
This week we were reminded of the the great parental support we have here at Waterford. I'm sure that many of your "days were made" when Amanda Witmer and her helper offered to come in a help with numerous tasks to take things off your plates. Thanks Amanda for setting this up and supporting our teachers.
Be Present
Mark Yoder began giving a student who is struggling with behavior 2 minutes of undivided personal attention/time/conversation each day this week to try and build a relationship. It reminded me of how important it is to make "deposits" into students lives before the withdrawals need to take place.
Play
The pictures below say it all!!
TLT Update
The TLT identified critical elements for follow-ups this week through the eyes of a career teacher. Data from our site review indicated that we needed to continue to "provide more focused and consistent follow up support." Our data also indicated that we needed to maintain Ma/Me Coaching Support (Score of 4) and increase our Ma/Me Instructional Leadership from a 3. The critical elements identified are:
Collaborative Conversation
Student Work
Building Teacher Toolbox
Connections and Application
Your individual Master or Mentor will explain these in greater detail next week and you are welcome to give feedback to the leadership team on these critical elements.
Math Curriculum
WHAT'S ON "TAP" FOR NEXT WEEK
WINDOW C: 11/7-12/16
Monday, December 5th:
Katrina Out this Week for Dual Immersion Visit in Salt Lake - Will return on Friday
RA Cluster 7:05-8:05 a.m.
3-5 Cluster 3:05-4:05 p.m.
Happy Day Club
PTO Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, December 6th:
Boy Scout representative will be here over the lunch period to talk with the boys about Boys Scouts. This will take place in the cafeteria.
Wednesday, December 7th:
K-2 Cluster 3:05-4:05 p.m.
Thursday, December 8th:
IREADY Training - 12:30-1:30 4/5, 1:30-2:30 2/3, and 2:30-3:30 K/1
TLT 3:10-4:30 p.m.
Boy Scout Parent Meeting in Library - 6:00
Friday, December 9th:
Principal Training IReady 12:30-2:30 - Katrina Out
FUTURE DATES TO GET ON YOUR CALENDAR:
Saturday, December 10th: Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Wednesday, December 14th: Christmas Luncheon for our 1st Grade Parents
Friday, December 16th: Singing off the Walls at 8:15 a.m.
Saturday, December 17th: Staff Christmas Party
Wednesday, January 4th: 6 Week Sketch Planning - Randy will get schedule to you before Xmas
New Hires
Naomi Zook has been recommended as our new prime time para in 1st grade, once she finishes up her student teaching. We hope to have her started in this position before Christmas.
Haley Hough (pronounced Huff) has been recommended as our new one-on-one para for a 1st grader in Mr. Burton's classroom (AKA Mrs. Durnell). We hope that she will be able to start by December 12th. Haley has been working at Bashor over the last few months and also has experience as a para in another school district.
Welcome Naomi and Haley!
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
News from Central Office
Teacher Contracts
REMEMBER, we will be sending out the extra-curricular and/or extra “duty” contracts next. These include things like coaching, club sponsorship, hours above, teaching an additional period, etc. There are likely to be questions because there really is no official “wage scale” to which to compare the salary amount. The wage scale in the master agreement is for new hires. Teachers may need to be reminded that their base salary amount for the 2016-17 school year is the same as 2015-16. Although we are keeping track of the teacher’s actual years of experience, the salary amount is reflective of the teacher’s experience level as of the beginning of the 14-15 school year. The stipend amount was not added to the base. If teachers have questions about the contract, please have them contact Sarah Deegan. Thank you!
Professional Leave Request Forms and Process
We will continue to use the new blue form for all professional leave requests that will require reimbursement OR require the teacher to travel out of district. For all other professional leave requests, you may simply make the request in the willSub system.
Warm Winter Coats are Here!
Goshen Schools and the community have teamed up with United Way for the 2016 Winter Coat Drive. Area schools and some businesses received a box for the collection of new/used coats for kids. These donated items were then delivered to the GCS Administration Center. With the generous help of our National Honor Society student volunteers, the coats will be sorted and organized for pick up. Coats will be offered to our GCS community, for any child or adult wanting a jacket for this winter.
Families may pick up jackets during the following times and dates: Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 from 8am – 4pm at the GCS Administration Center, enter through the side entrance. For more information or questions contact 574-971-4149 or use the following link: http://ghs.goshenschools.org/2016/11/29/united-way-winter-coats-available/
Feel free to share this information with students and families in need. Thanks for your support.
Bus Driver Referral=Referral Bonus
Transportation departments around the nation are currently struggling to fill vacancies for bus drivers, and Goshen Community Schools is no exception. Despite the change in the bus driver pay scale last year, GCS continues to need more drivers. At this point, to alleviate doubling up on routes or using substitutes on a routine basis, GCS would need to hire seven drivers immediately! How can you help? Refer a friend! On Monday night, the school board approved a bonus system, as an incentive to find more qualified drivers. Here is how it works: A referral bonus of $300.00 will be given to any staff member after a driver that they referred completes 60 days of driving for GCS. The new driver will also receive a $300.00 bonus after completion of their first 60 days of driving. Please help spread the word!
Have a wonderful break!
About Us
Email: koverton@goshenschools.org
Website: http://waterford.goshenschools.org/
Location: 65560 S.R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-533-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterford.elementary
Twitter: @WaterfordElem