Sunday Shakedown
Weekly Memo for Washington Elementary
Principal Post
Week at a Glance
- Third grade math planning day at Jefferson
- Wolf at ASC 9-11 for post-conference with Dr. Ailshie and Dr. Arnold
- Sherri Chess to hold Spire training for any interested employee...please try to arrange coverage if you need to attend. Conference room 9:30-10:30
- Birthdays with the principals
- 1st grade planning day at Jefferson
- LCE math collaborative meeting
- LCD Literacy/science collaborative meeting
- Wolf out all at Blended Learning training
- Field Day! Don't forget to let Angie know if you would like to order from Skip's
Professional Musings
I am attaching a schedule for some optional professional learning opportunities in literacy. These dates have now been approved and so I wanted to share them with you so that you could place them on your calendar. We tried to schedule trainings for Mondays when you do not have faculty meetings. This way, you can keep track of dates easier. In some cases, Mondays were not available and so another date was selected. This is noted on the form. The work sessions will be an opportunity for teachers to share resources that go with the unit and an opportunity to build a sequence of questions for texts. These are optional sessions that will count toward your 6 hours of professional learning credit.
Many teachers are using Words Their Way. The online website can be a bit tricky at times. The link below will help you through the different components of website materials.
Words Their Way Toolkit training site:
http://mypearsontraining.com/products/wtw-vtw-pdtoolkit/overview
InDeS Roles for the week. How can Shasta support you?
Data Coach: Reviewed draft books with classroom teacher, discussed grouping students based on needs, created attainable next steps for struggling writers.
Instructional Coach: Supported the use of technology in the classroom through the use of Google Classroom, creating and uploading assignments, creating small groups within Google Classroom.
Meetings: Attended Grade-Level Planning Days with Kindergarten and Third Grade.
Resource Provider: Gathered resources for quick access to use during planning (Common Core Appendix B, practice writing prompts, practice tests for TN Ready, additional texts to use when creating common assessments).
For Your Information:
Help Needed by the Tennessee Department of Education
The TDOE is seeking "content developers" for grades K-5 for the standards rollout training. The deadline for applying has been extended to September 28. For the role description and application, please click on the file below.
The TDOE is also seeing classroom teachers who are willing to videotape "a great lesson that really highlights the instructional shifts" and/or one that shows a lesson "aligned to the academic standard and expectations for the content and grade level." The taping would include the lesson as well as an interview about the lesson. In addition, it would require some lesson plan development with Nicole Jimenez, Deputy Director for Teacher Training and Support, from the Office of Academic Strategy and Operations. Her contact information isNicole.Jimenez@tn.gov.
· Content Developer_Role Description and Application
Google Hangout is a unified communications service that allows participants to initiate text, voice or video chats, either one-to-one or in a group. In order to fully utilize the software, more training needs to occur and since students are not using the software in appropriate practices, it will be turned off the evening of Friday, September 23.
This is a powerful resource that can provide real time feedback as well as extend learning opportunities beyond the school day. However, if it is not used appropriately it can cause classroom disruptions as well as student disciplinary infractions. Over the next few months, the C&I team will begin to exam & research the best instructional use of Hangouts for grades 4-8 and determine if other software may be appropriate for this type of unified communications including options within Canvas. Along with this research, more support will be provided on the integration of digital citizenship into classroom practices and how other districts are utilizing unified communications for enhanced student learning.
For more information or questions about unified communications, please contact Scott Pierce or Laurie Norris.
NIET Best Practices Portal
The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a public nonprofit organization committed to improving educator effectiveness. The NIET best practices portal is an interactive web tool, available to ALL TEACHERS, that provides real-time access to individualized support in order to improve instruction and evaluation.
To login, please use your KCS email address (e.g., jhooker@k12k.com), then enter your password. If you do not recall your NIET password, click "forgot password" and a new password will be sent to your email address.
From the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM)
"What Makes Music Education Great in Your School District" Recognition Program Kick Off - Beginning today, eligible school districts throughout the U.S. are invited to submit an online application with a link to an original one-minute student-produced and faculty-advised video on the theme, “What makes music education great in my school district?” Since 2014, The NAMM Foundation has hosted 13 residencies in communities throughout the U.S. celebrating music education, and students, teachers, school and community leaders that are creating music learning opportunities for all students. Your school district could be next!
Submit a Video to Win! - Review the official rules and submit an online application here. A link to your video is required. Winners will receive a two-day residency with the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, guided tours of the Bus as well as the opportunity for a group of students to work with Lennon Bus producers and engineers to create a music video for an original song. During the two-day residency, The NAMM Foundation will host a town hall event to showcase music programs in the district and feature performing groups, teachers and school administrators sharing their stories of the value and importance of music education for school and community. View the eligibility requirements and read the official rules by clickinghere.
Application OPENS: 9/14/16
Application ENDS: 11/18/16
Anticipated Award Notification: 12/1/16
2017 Best Communities for Music Education - "Save the Date” of October 11 and participate this year in the 2017 Best Communities for Music Education and SupportMusic Merit Award application, available here.
Subscribe to the "Talking Up Music Education" podcast - Talking Up Music Education is a podcast produced by The NAMM Foundation about music education. Download and subscribe today.
Thanks, celebrations and appreciations
- Thanks Erik for calling cars on Friday while I was with a student
- Thanks to our global team, who will share more with you at faculty meeting, for helping to plan this initiative
- Thanks to our PTA who secured several business sponsors
- Thanks to Rebecca for planning our upcoming Olympic themed field day.Can't wait!
- Thanks to all for turning in your Patriot Promise card booklet so Amy can tally. If you haven't done so, please get them to her.
- Thanks to our PTA for the great team monetary donations...be thinking what you would like to order and let Michelle know
- THanks to Becky Mooney and our PTA, we will be having a school performance of The Ugly Duckling, by the Barter Players here at Washington in March.
- Thanks to everyone for a great Tailgate Thursday-food and fellowship is always fun!