Dolphin Digest
Echo Lake Staff Weekly News
December 8, 2023
Congratulations Kathy!
Congratulations to Kathy Woodard for maintaining your NBCT! We are fortunate to have you at Echo Lake!
Updates & Opportunities
Morning Clubs
Are you interested in hosting a morning club for our Dolphins? We plan to have 2 more sessions this year. Each session is 6 weeks and morning clubs are from 7:50-8:10.
Session II - January 22-March 1
Session III - March 11-April 26
If you are interested in a morning club for either of these sessions, complete the information here with your name, idea for the morning club, preferred day of the week, and targeted grade level!
K-5 Gifted Teacher Information
It is now time to complete your piece of the identification process for your student(s) who have been referred. I will be working with you FRIDAY, Dec. 15th during your LAMPS time. (K teachers, we need to meet Thursday at 3, due to activities.) You will need to bring your computer to room 29 (beside the art room). It may help to bring notes, work samples or evidence on students in completing the inventories of characteristics on your students. On Dec. 15th, we will start with a “questionable/ borderline, or challenge” student to help answer questions on this part of the process. The link below, is used for each student that is referred in your class by January 12th.
If you’d like to begin or explore before next FRIDAY, the link is working. I will answer any questions when we meet.
Online Teacher Perception Inventories Jotform Link (Please note you need to complete each student in one session. It does not save as you go along. )
Resources to Reference:
- Slocumb-Payne Teacher Perception Inventories Training Notes
Updated Leaf Lesson Document
Starting in December, please help us track information about Leaf Lessons for our school quality plan using this document. Click on your grade level tab across the bottom, and enter the Leaf Lessons completed monthly. Shorten the title/topic as needed, but please indicate which lessons were completed during the month. Links to the science grade level page are on each tab.
Student Devices over Winter Break
Please note that student chromebooks/iPads will not be sent home over winter break. Since students will not have academic assignments over break, all devices will remain at school. Please let Chris or Ellen know as soon as possible about any questions or concerns.
Spring 2024 Randolph Macon Fieldwork Placement
Randolph Macon would like to place 5 students at Echo Lake for the Spring 2024 semester, Feb. 17-May 12.
If you are a fully licensed regular ed elementary teachers with at least three years of teaching experience and would like student from Randolph Macon, please email Ellen!
Calendar Items & Reminders
Please refer to the ELES Google Calendar
December 13 - Make Up Picture Day
*The office will call students by grade level to come to the cafeteria for make up pictures.
December 14- PTA Meeting and 2nd grade performance
Saturday, Dec. 16 - ELES Staff Holiday Celebration (see invite below)
Monday, December 18- Spelling Bee 1:00 in the library
Thursday, December 21- Sing and Ring - 9:15-10:15 in the gym
*bring your bells
Echo Lake 23-24 Events (updated)- This list of events will be updated with grade level performances and additional events as we continue to plan the year.
Staff birthdays have been added to this calendar!
Highlighted dates are for student participation as well! Please communicate this in your newsletters. It will also be in the News From the Lake!
STEAM/Literacy Night
Mark your calendar and plan to join us for STEAM/Literacy Night in January!
Important Information
Throwback Thursday
We need more staff Throwback Thursday pictures for the announcements! Please send Courtney a picture of you as a kid to me to be included in TBT!
Positive Behavior Referral Form/ Book Vending Machine
We will begin a new round of Positive Behavior Referrals. Our focus is on students seeking Opportunities to do their best, even when no one is watching or opportunities to help others! Let's show our best AVASAR traits!
Teachers Praise Teachers
Remember to shout out each other’s awesomeness here! Use the January padlet for our next faculty meeting!
Volunteer List
As you prepare for upcoming field trips or activities involving volunteers, please check the ELES 23-24 Volunteer List to ensure the volunteer's approval.
Coaches Corner
ILC
We’d love to feature a few teachers on the morning announcements in January reading aloud one of our STEAM night books. We need a few volunteers, and guess what! Volunteering comes with a prize! Please let us know here if you would like to read a book!
Please bookmark this link. This spreadsheet is how we are communicating technology issues; please do not send students to room 37 with broken computers - fill this out first and we will be immediately alerted. Thank you!
Reading Coach
Professional Learning Opportunity:
The Richmond Area Reading Council is offering a winter conference on Tuesday, December 12th at the Deep Run Rec Center (located in Deep Run Park). Beth Estill will be discussing how to integrate science and social studies in language arts to support language comprehension. It’s free for VSLA members or $15 if you are not a member. You can sign up here.
ORF
Mid-year window began Monday, December 4th. You will need to create a Record for the mid-year data points. Choose Benchmark 2.
Please assess all students for the mid–year.
*If a student scores under 50%, you will do an IDI and will be put in this spreadsheet. You do not need to do a PAST. Please reach out if you need the materials for this or an extra set of hands to administer follow up assessments.*
Newsletter Information (include in your communication to families)
December 13- Make Up Picture Day
December 15 - Keep it Cozy in your PJs!
December 21- Sing and Ring (bring bells)
Ellen Gonzalez, Principal
Email: elgonzalez@henrico.k12.va.us
Website: https://echolake.henricoschools.us/
Phone: 804-527-4672
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EchoLakeElem
Instagram: @echolakeelem
Twitter: @EchoLakeElem