Kleckner's Korner
Week of October 19, 2020
How we are all feeling and yet....
we keep on going because WE know the 326 faces that belong to each of us at Park Crest matter. We know all of our students need us to grow them and make them better in every aspect of their lives.
You all are working tirelessly at making learning engaging, obtainable and relevant. You come to work each day, give 110% and some days you may still feel like you're not making progress..but you continue on...
Know that we see you, we feel you, and we are here for you.
There are weeks/days, and I'm sure you have them too, where I walk out of our building and wonder what I accomplished and then I remember:
- I saw the smile on Ines' face when she told me one of her kinder students started reading this week.
- Ashley, Tish, Joann and I met with a parent who had concerns about her child's behaviors, the meeting could have gone south really fast but they glowed with the things that he's already doing better than he did last week and mom walked away with skills to start implementing at home!
- I saw 1st grade smile when they 'remembered' what a planned out IPC felt like, even though we aren't there yet, they remembered.
- I heard Jean say...'today was a good day'.
- I watched a rap video Sandra created with her students about pronouns!! Who raps about pronouns? OUR 4th graders!
- Jordan and I plotted a scheme to try and have Jennifer laminate all of the phone lists for the 47th time this year...We are ALL hired up! #finally
- I watched Coach receive a $350 GEF grant for golf equipment! Apply now!
- Karen N. came and talked about Boo-Fay (that just makes my heart happy)!
- I watched Marshana get her steps in while waiting for a student to go to the restroom..does she ever stop?
- I belly laughed with Jennifer when a young student called to ask if he could wear a costume for Funky Friday and when she told him no he proceeded to tell her he'd decided to wear spiderman but asked if he could wear Chucky...she reminded him he couldn't wear either.
- Karen C. comes in every afternoon and lets me know whether she quitting that day and 3/5 days this week she decided to come back the next day! She's done this for the past two years...I hope she let's me know when she's 'for real'.
- I talked with a parent who has never met a staff quite like Park Crest - she didn't know what to do when we showed her so much generosity.
Reading through these you might be thinking...none of those are things she actually accomplished and your completely right, my only accomplishment was to be here, listen and celebrate even the small victories you have each day/week.
I hope each and every one of you know that we are here for you and we see you. Please continue to reach out with anything you need and let us know how we can help!
Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. ~Alice Morse Earle
Planning and Units of Study
This week 2nd-5th completed their first round of IPC planning. Did it look the same as it has in previous years? No. Does it meet the needs of where we are right now? It's getting there. It's messy, it's new and it's taking a lot longer. But you know what? They started and right now that's where we are, starting to get a plan in place that's going to continue growing our kids. Growing our kids what we do at PC!
Parent Teacher Conferences - October 22nd
Our conference night will be October 22nd from 4:00-7:30.
Reminder:
- Sign In Sheet - This is very important because we must have this form submitted to the Title I Crate showing we held conferences and talked with parents about our Parent Compact and student scores.
- Schoolwide Conference Form - optional but you must have a form of some sort to email parents.
- Sign in Sheet - due to Jocelyn by November 1st.
From the office of Nurse Gilbert!
Flu shots will be offered here next Friday! There is still availability from 7:15 a.m. until 8:00. Free with district insurance and most other insurances too.
Sign up here:
https://www.passageware.com/ClinicSignUp/GISD
Also, if possible, please submit your attendance no later than 11 am. I'm trying my best to make calls when a F2F student is absent and the earlier I get a copy of the attendance the better.
Thank you!
Notes from Selena....
Here are DRA charts and examples to show parents where their students are for virtual conferences (made by other ELSTs):
English:
Spanish:
Small Group Reading Instruction Resources:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MvgZ3vKdiHBfoQDV4vVgJ5M3Y9iKSDDbe0o88W4s-8w/edit
These will be linked to the Balanced Literacy buttons on my Canvas page as well.
Weekly Administrative Information Packet
1. 20-21 STAAR Progress Measure - ALL TEACHERS (ESPECIALLY 5th Grade)
2. EAP Webinar - Informed or Infirmed Healthy Media - information
3. Eduphoria Strive FAQ - All Staff
4. GCU Informational Meeting - information
5. Updated STAAR Designated Support Information Speech to Text - ALL 3-5 Teachers
Shout Outs!
- Selena - Thanks for all help with materials!!!! - from Corina
- Traci and Jean - I have seen the two of you working so patiently with our most challenging students. The two of you crouched in the hall to calm our little one was so touching. - from Jana
- Jordan and Jennifer - thank you so much for lunch and cookies on Boss's Day! - from Andrea
- Molly - Thanks for helping with copies and all the support you give me! - from Corina
- Grace - Thank you for organizing the lunch and for taking so much time to create the little packets for the faculty meeting. - from Jana
- Esther - being so prepared for intervention to start and creating information to help guide teachers with all of the forms to fill out! - from Andrea
- Karen Campbell - Thanks for hunting down virtual materials for me! - from Corina
- Sueli - Appreciate your support with technology!! - from Corina
- Brenda - thank you for the sweet note and gift card. - from Andrea
- Office Staff - You girls are amazing! Thank you for always being willing to help! - from Jana
- Karen Campbell - She is so supportive to the staff. It's so inspiring!! - from Dahlia
Important Dates to Remember ***Denotes New Information
October
**19 - 1-5 PLCs focused on Intervention PSMs/1069s
**20 - Canvas Champ Support Faculty Meeting - all teachers
22 - Parent/Teacher Conference Night 4:00-7:30
23 - Employee Flu Shot Clinic - 7:15-8:15
**26-30 - Boo-Fay Week
**28 - PLCs focused on STAAR Accomodations
**29 - Virtual Meeting with Dr. Caddell with Curriculum and Instruction
November
*3 - Student/Staff Holiday (Building will be closed - no one allowed on campus)
*10 - CIT Meeting (Koteski, Lira, Casco, Justiniano, Davila, Sarmiento, Johnson, Campbell)
*11 - Early Release/Half Day District PD Day
*12 - F2F and Remote Picture Day (schedule to come from Jennifer, Remote from 4:30-6:30pm)
*21 - Substitute Appreciation Day
*23-27 - Thanksgiving Break
*30 - Virtual Book Fair starts
December
*17 - Q2 Virtual Student Awards (possible date)
*18 - Winter Sing a long
*21 - January 1 - Holiday Break
January
*4 - Earned Flex Day
*5 - Q3 Begins
Counselor’s Corner
If you need assistance with individual concerns or counseling services, please reach out to Mrs. Medrano-Johnson at gmedranojohnson@garlandisd.net,
or fill out the following Park Crest Request for Counseling Services form.