Eagle News
Building Blocks of Success Week of May 9, 2016
Dallas ISD Core Beliefs
- Our main purpose is to improve student academic achievement.
- Effective instruction makes the most difference in student academic performance.
- There is no excuse for poor quality instruction.
- With our help, at risk students will achieve at the same rate as non-at risk students.
- Staff members must have a commitment to children and a commitment to the pursuit of excellence.
Campus Action Plan
Key Actions
Allen Elementary will increase student achievement by providing purposeful instruction in Reading, Mathematics, Writing, and Science.
Improve the quality of instruction by increasing rigor and student engagement.
Allen Elementary will improve positive perception of school climate and culture by all stakeholders including students, staff, parents and community.
Campus Improvement Plan
Problem Statement 1: 47% of the "all students" category did not meet the state standard in writing.
Annual Goal: 76% of the "all students" category will meet state standard in writing in the 2016 STAAR.
Problem Statement 2: 67% of the African American students did not meet the state target in reading.
Annual Goal: 76% of the African American students will meet the state target in reading in 2016.
Problem Statement 3: Less than 5% of all students met 2 or more subject area tests at Final Level II in the 2015 STAAR assessment.
Annual Goal: 15% of all students will meet 2 or more subject area tests at Final Level II in the 2016 STAAR assessment.
Staying Positive
Dear teachers and staff,
Your work this year has been inspiring, thoughtful, caring, student focused, and fun! When I think about what the perfect school looks like, I think about Gabe P. Allen. We have the perfect school: all kids are present; with all their issues, drama, attitudes, insights, passions and energy.
You all have work hard to make a difference in student's lives. The Cinco de Mayo Program was an example of how we are making a difference in our student's lives. Their happiness and enthusiasm, as they were performing, was contagious. Our parents were so proud and happy.
Let's continue with the hard work. As we have this week STAAR round, let's all help each other to have a successful week. Most importantly, let's show students that we believe in them. On Monday morning, when you see our third, fourth, and fifth graders give them a smile.
Thanks to each one of you for all you do!
Proud to be an Eagle!
Week at a Glance...
Magnificent Monday, May 9, 2016
Math STAAR Test
Please be on time
Terrific Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Reading STAAR Test
Please be on time
Wonderful Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Science STAAR Test
Please be on time
Thrilling Thursday, May 12, 2016
Attendance is due by 9:00 am
PLC/PD TBA
Fabulous Friday, May 13, 2016
Attendance is due by 9:00 am
Notes:
Teachers and staff, please remember that it is very important, to follow our testing procedures. We will be audited during this round of STAAR testing. No specials and recess. Teachers will eat with their classes. Let's all shine, but most importantly let's monitor our scholars and ensure that they bubble in all their answers correctly.
Teachers are Appreciated at Gabe P. Allen
We celebrated our 5 de mayo program. Here are the pics.
Our guests dancers: Mr. Laudig and Ms. Martinez
Our parent volunteers are amazing. They worked hard to prepared our students. Teachers, thank you for your flexibility, and for allowing the pull out of students for the practices. Kudos to Ms. Thomas for coordinating with the parents and to Ms. Selsemeyer for connecting all the efforts. Gracias a todos.
Our 3 to 5 grade scholars singing during the 5 de mayo performance.
These scholars were ready for the show!
Thank you for your hard work.
Summer Learning for Teachers
Teachers we will have formal conversations around strengths and growth areas. We want to ensure that you leave for the summer knowing what you are to attend this summer.
HERE FOR THE P2LD SUMMER CATALOG!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10A3SWnGxd3XsT0WOBjmnewJzaZas9TUG84TiGBBHWl8/edit
Individualized PD Planning Document
CLICK HERE FOR THE SUMMER PD AGREEMENT!
Ending the Year on a Positive Note
Edutopia
It's that time of year. You look up at your calendar and begin counting down to the last days of school. You might even have little numbers in the corner of the boxes indicating how many days are left in the year or until graduation.
Likewise, your students are on the edge of their seats. Maybe the weather has been getting nicer and nicer, or maybe students are in a hubbub about the upcoming dance or graduation or their summer vacation.
Administrators are wringing their hands with everything that needs to be done before the school doors close for the summer. Maybe they have preparations for summer programs, or maybe they're awaiting those all-important preliminary test scores from the State.
May is a tough month for anyone who works in a school.
I won't pretend to be immune to that end of year feeling, but I'm determined not to let it make me crazy.
Here's how we can stay sane and end the year with a bang.
Celebrate Your Accomplishments
Rather than counting down the days, start a list of your most successful uses of technology this school year. Celebrate your growth and make either a pencil and paper list (I'm picturing one of those papers under a magnet on your fridge or tacked to your corkboard), a blog post or Facebook note listing at least 5 things that you have done better this year (try tagging a few colleagues or teacher friends in your Facebook post to get a nice conversation going), a few new things you have tried or changes you have made in your classroom because of technology. This could be as simple as creating a filter in your email inbox, trying out a new Web 2.0 tool, starting a blog or using email to correspond with parents.
Encourage Student Reflection
Have your students reflect on their own use of technology and have them brainstorm ideas for next year. Let them offer up ideas for how technology could have been implemented in a lesson or project or have them list their favorite ways that the class has used technology this year.
Practice a Positive Mindset
When you walk into the staff lounge, do so with a smile and find something positive to share with your colleagues about this year. Try to pull a happy memory out of them of a successful lesson or bright moment in their year. Both of you will return to your students feeling refreshed.
Those are a few of my approaches. What else can we do to end the year on a high note?
District Climate Survey
STAAR TEST CALENDAR
May 9- Grades 3-4 Mathematics
Grade 5 Mathematics (retest)
May 10- Grades 3-4 Reading
Grade 5 Reading (retest)
May 11-Grade 5 Science
May 2016
Patricia Martinez 05/14
Mackenzie Moore 05/16
Theresa Martinez 05/24
Gabe P. Allen Elementary
Sheila Ortiz Espinell- Principal
Franceslia Rodriguez- AP
Russell Sims-AP
Email: sortizespinell@dallasisd.org
Website: dallasisd.org/allen
Location: 5220 Nomas Street, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 794-5105
Twitter: @GPATeachers