Monday Memo
Week of December 3rd, 2018
In case you missed it.....
December Generosity
Bear Art
Ryan's superpower.....Giving
Important Dates
GRANDFATHER TEACHING FOR DECEMBER: COURAGE/BRAVERY
CHRISTMAS DANCE CHALLENGE WEEK
Monday, December 3rd - Day 2
- Food Drive begins
- Prep repay (hopefully for those that lost prep last week)
Tuesday, December 4th - Day 3
Wednesday, December 5th - Day 4
- 9:15am - Student meeting including SERT/Admin team
- 10:30am - Jenn meeting with Nicole Davis
- 6:30pm - 7:30pm - Grade 1 to 6 Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 6th - Day 5
- 10am - Jenn meeting with Nicole Davis
- 2:40pm - Room 115 Case Conference
Friday, December 7th- Day 1
- Crazy Hat and Hair Day
- 3:20pm - Support Staff team meeting
Upcoming
- December 10th - Staff meeting
- December 10th - School Council Candy Cane grams go on sale for the week
- December 11th - Dianne's Retirement Celebration
- December 14th - Kindergarten Concert and Open House
- December 14th - Grades 3-6 to Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Important Information for the Week
Purple Binder
Last week, Christine and Keri spent much time reviewing our Purple binders - where we document and keep information about our highest needs students. By going through this process it helped to remind us that documentation is so important on SO many levels. It is our professional duty to document the strengths and challenges of our students. This looks different for some than others, but it must be done. It is also a key part of your assessment notes for Learning Skills as well as IEP's (including page 4's). It is also a shared responsibility, and is not up to one group (such as support staff) alone. The data we collect informs practice when analyzed and helps form our next steps. We'll be discussing this process for ALL teachers in ALL classrooms in more depth at the Staff Meeting and there will be an upcoming cafe offered by Christine and Keri. Those staff who have students with purple binders currently will receive more specific info through email. Your SERT/Admin team look forward to continuing to go deeper in this area with you over the next few weeks.
Prep Repay
I have sent an email privately to all of you who lost prep last week, including a schedule of how to repay. Fingers crossed the job gets filled - and let's hope this week we have better luck!
Walkie-Talkies
Just a reminder that we are very careful who uses walkie-talkies on a regular basis throughout the entire school day. Every time a walkie is used, there are 10 locations where it can be heard - which includes all those around the person (support staff, Admin, office) who have a walkie. This also includes students, guest staff, parents and visitors to the school. As a small school team who carry them with us all day, we have worked hard to limit our conversations and how much information is shared using this communication tool. A reminder that confidentiality for our students is VERY important and deserved. If you find yourself using a walkie for a safety reason, please only give the very basic details to guide us in supporting you. "Support to (location)" is the main way to do this. If you need to share concerns about a specific student, "Eyes on (initials) on the (1st/2nd) floor" is also sufficient. Once we come to support, we will get the details in person - but we never want this confidential info to be shared school wide. Thank you for protecting our students!
Office Art
I'm looking for another class to support our beautiful frames in the office. A huge thank you to Jodi's class who created winter fox art that has been displayed for the last month. Anyone looking for an art lesson for this week? Perhaps even something connected to our Grandfather Teaching of Courage/Bravery? It would be a great way to have your class work displayed for all to see. Please let me know if you're interested!
Grade 1 - 6 Holiday Concert
We have done our best on the office end to communicate through the Peek at the Week and on Edsby, Twitter and Instagram about our Holiday Concert, and the fact that it is at Port Hope High School. Please help - it appears families are missing that information when reading through! If you could please make sure that families are aware it is NOT being held at the school at that students need to arrive in the PHHS gym by 6:15pm. Please also reinforce that once the concert begins, all students are to stay with their class until it's over (no early leaving). Steve will be providing additional information about practices leading up to the big event shortly.
Festive Fridays
For the three weeks of December, each week will have a class challenge to complete together. At the end of the week if the challenge is met, then your class gets to participate in the Festive Friday. The three challenges are all arts-based and can be differentiated by you for your specific class.
Week 1 (Dec 3-7) Challenge: Christmas Dance
Your class needs to come up with a Christmas-y dance together. If you complete this challenge, everyone gets to wear Christmas Hats/Hair on Friday, December 7th.
Week 2 (Dec 10-14) Challenge: Christmas Song
Your class needs to come up with a Christmas-y song together. If you complete this challenge, everyone gets to dress as their Favourite Christmas Character on Friday, December 14th.
Week 3 (Dec 17-21) Challenge: Christmas Play
Read a holiday-themed book together as a class. Re-create the story If you complete this challenge, everyone gets to wear Christmas pyjamas on Friday, December 21st.
Secret Christmas Sock Exchange
This year we're going to change things up a bit!!!! It's the First Annual GT Secret Christmas Sock Exchange. Please see below - if interested, please sign up on the white board in the staff room by Friday. Names will be drawn next week.
Just one more thing.....
Jennifer Sampson
Email: Jennifer_sampson@kprdsb.ca
Website: https://ganaraskatrail.kprdsb.ca
Location: 34 Percival Street, Port Hope, ON, Canada
Phone: (905)885-5631
Twitter: @ganaraska_trail