Ram Nation News
Week of October 2, 2017
Vision
#AlltheWayUp
This year, we have engaged in professional development and implemented the planning of our lessons with the end in mind;
- We have used STAAR release questions to ensure that our learning objective and instruction is at a high level.
- We are planning rigorous lessons addressing high leverage TEKS preparing our students for the next grade level, ACPs, and common assessments.
- This week, we will be able to meet by grade level and subject to discuss common assessment data and to dig deep into high leverage TEKS to see what the students should know and be able to master this content. Also, we will be able to collaborate and plan a reteach.
Furthermore, as our students finished with their common assessment and have received their grades, it is crucial for us to reflect on their work and our teaching practices. Refer to the picture above as you continue to have discussions with our students.
- For many people on the outside, they just see the SUCCESS that students may be accomplishing.
- We know that any success accomplished, it is the fruit of the efforts, sacrifices, hard work, dedication, and all of the other items, to name a few, depicted above.
- Our students have worked hard the last few weeks; however, we know that our students have had different experiences in the past few years and have many gaps. Therefore, it is critical for our students to know they need to continue to stay focused, set goals, and work hard to make progress.
I am very proud of the work you continue to do, the impact that you are making in the lives of our children, and the fact that you are creating active, engaged scholars.
This week's planning review by the leadership team will focus on the alignment of the objective throughout the lesson cycle. In classroom visits, we will be looking for teachers engaging students in collaborative grouping and classroom discussions.
THANK YOU
- Ms. Molla, Ms. Carroll, Ms. Perez, Ms. Vargas, Ms. Cooray, Ms Wilson, and Ms. Brown for implementing the student data profile supporting student goal setting and growth. I will be looking for evidence of conferencing and goal setting in all classrooms.
- Ms. Addison, Ms. Martin, Ms. Guerra, and Ms. Woods for their commitment to excellence and improvement as they participated in the Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training last Saturday. They were able to role play and get certified to handle difficult situations when dealing with our students.
- Ms. Bush-Wells, Ms. Davis, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Molla, and Ms. Brown for their dedication to continuous improvement as they participated in the writing training to solidify the writing plan and implementation.
Ms. Baker and AVID Site Team
Ms. Iberosi and Mr. Johnson
Ms. Chabot
Volleyball
Football
Cheerleaders
Inspiring Relationships that Build Climate and Culture
Thank you so much to Ms. Lewis, Ms. Ingram, Ms. Iberosi, Ms. Perez, Mr. Geiger, Ms. Chabot, and Ms. Michael for a great time together.
REMINDERS FOR THIS WEEK
- Let’s keep including more Student to Student Engagement, tied to the LO. Based on my observations, we need to ensure that we have taught, modeled, and practiced MRSs in order for effective implementation.
- Conduct conferences with each student so that they know what mistakes they made as they took the common assessment. Also, set goals so they know what they need to do to achieve and make significant progress.
- During transitions, let's make sure to have 100% participation and hold each other accountable to be present in the hallway supporting students. Our goal is to narrate the positive and have at least 10 positive interactions. APs and CICs will be working with each one of you to provide individual support.
DAILY EVENTS
- Hispanic Heritage Month continues through October 15
- Weekly PLCs - Room 103 - CA 2 Exemplar and CA Preview Protocol.
- 11:30 - 1:30 Flu Shot clinic - If you are participating, bring your insurance card and ID.
- 4:30 - 7:00 Turnaround Meeting - ILT in room 103
- 4:45 Weekly PD- Grade Level Chair Rooms. All teachers will meet during grade level meetings. 6th Grade - Mr. King; 7th Grade - Mr. Perez; 8th Grade - Ms. Blanks; Electives - Ms. Rocha; Special Ed - Ms. Trent.
- 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. - Volleyball games at Loos Field House Vs. Spence.
- 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. - Football games at Loos Field House Vs. Cary.
Tuesday, October 3 -
- Data Meeting 6th grade
- Grades Due - Make sure to verify all of your gradebooks once you have input at least 2 grades/week. Also, if you have a Mass class, you will need to ensure to input a grade - since you have the same kids; the grade will be similar to your math class.
- 4:25 p.m. After school continues - please follow the procedures discussed.
Wednesday, October 4 -
- Data Meeting 7th grade
- Export Grades - Reyes/Woods
- 9:00 and 10:00 - Activity Fund Training. If you need to attend, please follow up with Ms. Miranda to sign up and ensure coverage for your classroom. Refer to her e-mail previously sent for more details.
- 4:25 p.m. After school
Thursday, October 5-
- Data Meeting 8th grade
- 7:30 a.m - 5:45 p.m BRES Midprogram evaluation.
Scott and Melissa will be in and out of reading and math classrooms gathering data on the alignment of the instructional program (NOT teacher performance). They are simply looking for 2 things: 1) the alignment of what's happening in the classroom to the instructional calendar and lesson plan and 2) the alignment of the learning tasks to the LO and DOL. They may stay anywhere from 5-20 minutes.
- 4:25 p.m. After school
- 5:00 Lesson Plans Due
Friday, October 6 -
- Report Cards printed.
- 3:00 - 6:00 Teaching Trust Teams 2 Meeting at TT office - Lewis/Michael
Saturday, October 7 -
- Discovery Day - Please see other Ram Nation News for more details.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 10
- Parent Conference Night 5:00 - 8:00. We will distribute report cards on this day.
Friday, October 13
- Professional Development Day.
Friday, October 20
- Fair Day - NO SCHOOL
Rusk Middle School
Email: jcordoba@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/rusk
Location: 2929 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-925-2000
Twitter: @RuskAllTheWayUp