Wilson Ranger Post
December 5, 2016
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Zvolanek!!!
"New to Wilson" Process
Wilson actually has a process, but it hasn't been clearly communicated to everyone. So, here it is!
- Within 10 days of getting the email from Michelle that a new learner's records have arrived, please review the records.
- Then please click on this spreadsheet. (Save it to your Drive now...maybe even give it a STAR.) There are columns for the counselor, nurse, special ed, ESL facilitator, classroom teacher and AP. (It appears only a few people have been diligent in the process/known about the process.)
- Add your name and review date to the spreadsheet. And take action if it pertains to you. Or communicate with Mary if something needs to be done. This is so we catch special requirements (speech, 504, RtI, etc).
Thanks so much for helping to make the transition process a smooth one for each of our new learners.
Red and Black Super Star Nominations due Dec 9
Click here for the nomination form.
We will announce the winners at the 1st Rise and Shine of the New Year.
January and February Math Academies
Please email Chris is you would like to attend 1 or both.
January 10, 2017 - 3rd-5th,
January 11, 2017 - K-2nd
Problem Solving: More Than a Word Problem
Problem Solving refers to mathematical tasks that have the potential to provide intellectual challenges for enhancing students' mathematical understanding and development. Problem solving should play a prominent role in mathematics. Educators will learn how to incorporate problem solving meaningfully into everyday mathematics instruction through the use of strip diagrams, manipulatives, and other tools.
February 8, 2017 - K-2nd,
February 9, 2017 - 3rd-5th
Integrating Technology in Mathematics
The key to successful technology integration is the efficient use of digital tools that are appropriate for the task. Technology provides us all with the ability to develop our own toolkit of flexible resources for use when needed. In this Educator Academy, educators will build their toolkit of digital resources as they explore ways to integrate technology with mathematics. Educators will also have the opportunity to learn from the Digital Learning Coaches about integrating coding, robotics, and other tools!
STEMScopes
Below is a QR code that you can use in your classroom, so your learners can easily access the website to log-in. Please see Mary if you have any questions!
Your Grade Level Goal
One suggestion is to add progress on common assessments and not just BOY, MOY and EOY to help your team see your successes along the way.
And just in time for Handwashing Awareness Week, the Stomach Bug appears!!!
From Nurse Jill:
So, I know the stomach bug has been bad this year (amongst other things)! I am doing my best to request special cleanings to be done in your classrooms as I hear of kids having the tummy bug or any other contagious illness. If you find that you don’t get copied on an email for a special cleaning request and feel your room needs to be cleaned, let me know and I will email the head of custodial services for a cleaning to be done. Also, I am providing a link to a theory of how to keep the stomach bug at bay if you feel you have been exposed. We are currently undergoing this regimen at my house because, frankly, we will do ANYTHING to prevent the spread of the tummy bug! So, if you feel inclined, read below when you get a chance. Pretty interesting! Grape juice may become a staple in your household! And, I am going to continue to recommend that you wipe down your tables, door knobs, chairs with Clorox wipes at the end of the school day to help with the spread of germs. Be sure to let those surfaces dry before using them again!
http://musthavemom.com/stomp-out-stomach-flu-with-grape-juice/
National Handwashing Awareness Week
December 4th-10th is National Handwashing Awareness Week. In honor of this week, I am planning to work with specials teachers during PLC time for each grade level from December 1st-8th to review proper handwashing technique! I plan to do a small re-cap during the December 9th Rise and Shine assembly. Please continue encouraging your kids to wash their hands as much as possible, especially after using the bathroom. And if a bathroom is not available to them to wash their hands, please have your learners use hand sanitizer. Thank you!
Hour of Code from Debra Marshall
What is Hour of Code?
The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students of all ages in 180+ countries and over 45 languages.
Yolanda and I have created a set of introductory coding activities based on the Hour of Code. Beginning December 6, you and your learners are invited to code with us during your regularly scheduled library check-out time. I will be sending out Outlook invitations.
When you come for your coding session, Yolanda and I will begin with a brief video and explanation of Hour of Code. Learners will then be able to choose a coding activity to work on for 25 minutes. We will be using the library IPads, so you don't need to bring anything except excitement and creativity.
At the conclusion of the activity, learners will receive a Certificate of Completion of Hour of Code.
To learn more about the ports, click here. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1xwnrOMR3aUsU8KguMUXlr_txIL92h5niuaHk6PXEt68/edit#slide=id.g35ed75ccf_015
Blogging Challenge
Applications for H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards due Dec. 4
If you know of a teacher, principal, district, school board or early childhood facility who has been nominated for an H-E-B Excellence in Education Award, encourage them to apply before the deadline at midnight on Dec. 4. Nominees can apply online at www.heb.com/education.
Last year, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards awarded more than $800,000 in cash prizes, gift cards and grants. Since its inception in 2002, the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program has awarded over $8.5 million to Texas educators, schools and districts.
For additional updates, follow the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program on Facebook at facebook.com/HEBExcellenceinEducationAwards.
About the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards:
H-E-B launched the Excellence in Education Awards program in cooperation with the Texas Association of School Administrators in 2002 as a positive way to support public education in Texas. It has become the largest monetary program for educators in the state, spotlighting best practices and celebrating the passion and creativity of Texas educators.
H-E-B asks customers, Partners (employees) and community members to nominate teachers, principals, districts, early childhood facilities and school boards in Texas. Each nominee is sent an invitation to complete an application online and is asked about their professional experiences, educational philosophies and achievements both in and out of the classroom.
A team of judges reviews the applications, narrowing the field to semi-finalists. From that pool, five regional judging panels comprised of former winners, administrators, and university and community leaders not affiliated with H-E-B select 40 teacher and principal finalists. Finalists and their schools receive a cash prize of $1,000 to $2,500, depending on category.
Three separate panels select eight school districts and five early childhood facilities as finalists, awarding $2,500 to $5,000 in cash prizes. Up to five school boards may also be recognized, and awarded $5,000 towards the district they serve. Additionally, one or more school boards may receive a special judge’s award totaling up to $25,000. Site visits are conducted to determine winners.
Teacher and principal finalists are invited to Austin, May 6, 2017 to compete on a statewide level for larger cash prizes totaling more than $400,000. A statewide panel of judges, not affiliated with H-E-B, conducts a personal interview with each finalist to select winners.
Eight winners — two principals and six teachers — will be announced along with two school districts, one large and one small, a public school board and an Early Childhood Facility, at a celebratory dinner on May 7, 2017.
Each winning principal—one elementary school and one high school—will each receive $10,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools. The winning large school district will receive a $100,000 cash prize and the winning small school district will receive $50,000. The winning Early Childhood Facility will receive $25,000 and a school board could be awarded up to $25,000.
The six winning teachers will include one elementary and one secondary teacher in each of three categories:
The Rising Star Award — honors exceptionally promising teachers with less than 10 years of experience. These winners will each receive a $5,000 check for themselves and a $5,000 grant for their schools.
The Leadership Award — honors teachers with 10 to 20 years in the classroom. These winners will each receive a $10,000 check for themselves and a $10,000 grant for their schools.
The Lifetime Achievement Award — salutes teachers with more than 20 years of experience. These teachers will each receive $25,000 in cash for themselves and a $25,000 grant for their schools.
Science Updates from Linda Cook
Dana Center Science Training- Dec. 6
The District be replicating the highlights of last year's Dana Center training for science teachers on Dec. 6th after school. See the link below. Last year a science vertical team from Wilson recieved this training. This training will be at Wilson this year. Please send a rep from your team.
https://coppell.schoolobjects.com//wshop/default.aspx?cid=8291
Dec. 13th - Elementary Science Content Specialists will meet to share what we learned at CAST, continue our focus on rigor in the science classroom, and prepare for our January work on identifying High Priority Learning Standards.
Science Updates from the Texas Education AgencyTEA is still accepting public feedback on the proposed streamlined science TEKS. In January, the TEKS Streamlining Committee will review public comments and will make further changes to the TEKS. A new public comment time will follow the next revisions. The projected date for approval of the streamlined TEKS is the April State Board of Education meeting, with implementation in the 2017-2018 school year.