Eagle Updates
Week 5 September 21-25, 2015
Happy Birthday QVE!
On Tuesday, we will celebrate the 40th birthday of our GREAT campus! For 40 years Quail Valley has been an organization founded on the mere purpose of educating others to ensure we have better communities and ultimately a better world!
Think about this for a moment….Quail Valley Elementary was built in 1975, the same year that Congress passed the Education for All handicapped Children Act (Public Law 94-142) now called Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law was created in an effort to provide an appropriate education for the millions of children with disabilities that were not receiving a proper education. PL 94-142 encouraged states to create policies and practices facilitating the needs of the students (http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.zipkin/the_education_for_all_handicapped_children_act).
So at the same time our school was being created, the world was moving towards more compassion and a better understanding of the various needs of students and developing strategies and plans for how to best support those needs. Therefore by the time that Quail Valley was up and running - this community had already adopted a mindset of education for all!
The first person to send an email to "all staff" with the words "Happy Birthday QVE!" will receive a $20.00 gift card to Lasagna House in Sugar Land! Thanks for reading our weekly updates.
This mindset holds true today as we are constantly striving to produce innovative solutions to learning. Our wonderful teachers and staff are passionate, dedicated, and purposeful about leading the world of education and discovering ways we can best support "all" learners in our care.
Quail Valley is truly the place to be- and I am honored to be among those serving on this great campus!
Happy Birthday QVE!
Let’s make it a great week or not. The choice is yours.
Principal Spears
PDAS Pre-Conference and Goal-Setting Sessions
Dear Eagles,
Over the next few weeks, you will receive a calendar invite from me and Mr. Strutton inviting you to a PDAS Pre-Conference/Goal Setting Session. During this time we will meet to collaborate and learn more about you; your short and long term goals; and how we can best support you in your goal areas.
As your coach/appraiser this year, we want to make sure we are creating the right conditions for you to continue to be inspired and motivated to perform at your personal best!
The pre-conference is an opportunity for us to build rapport and discuss any questions you may have about the PDAS evaluation.
These sessions are designed to provide support and encourage reflection and professional growth. The pre-conferences will take place prior to all formal observations and will provide us (your coach) with an opportunity to ask questions and gain an understanding of your strengths and opportunities so that we can begin planning for success.
The pre-conference may last 10–20 minutes or longer if needed, and also allows you time to ask clarifying questions about the PDAS Standards.
During this session, you will also receive a form which will allow you to propose a couple of dates/times for your formal observation.
We are looking forward to getting to know each of you a little better as we continue to find ways to inspire and equip all students to pursue futures beyond what they can imagine!
Interested in Receiving $10,000 to Fund an Innovative Idea?
Dan Rather And Rice University Announce New Inaugural Award To Recognize Innovative Ideas That Improve Texas Education "The Rather Prize, Will Award $10,000 Annually" - Submissions Now Being Accepted!
Veteran journalist Dan Rather, with his grandson, Martin Rather, and in partnership with Rice University's Center for Civic Leadership, have announced the creation of the Rather Prize, a new award intended to recognize the best ideas for improving education in the state of Texas.
The Rather Prize consists of a $10,000 unrestricted educational grant to a Texas-based student or educator. Eligible applicants for the Rather Prize include teachers, students, and those who recently attended a Texas educational institution within the last three years, as well as retired educators.
Texas currently ranks 39(th) nationally in education and earned a grade of C- as compared to the national standard, according to Education Week's annual Quality Counts--Preparing to Launch: Early Childhood's Academic Countdown ranking. The state ranks 40(th) nationally on spending per student.
The application for the inaugural award opens today, and will close January 31, 2016. Submissions will be evaluated for implementation by the Center for Civic Leadership. The winner will be announced February 15, 2016, and will have an opportunity to attend and present his or her idea at the SXSWedu conference in March 2016 in Austin.
More information about submitting for the Rather Prize can be found at www.ratherprize.org, and at @RatherPrize on Twitter.
Show your QVE Spirit and Purchase Your Sugar Shindig Ticket Today!
Would you like to postpone paying your faculty fund?! Yes?! Then purchase a Sugar Shindig ticket instead!!
So what exactly is the Sugar Shindig? I thought you’d never ask!
This is a fundraiser sponsored by the Fort Bend Education Foundation who awards thousands of dollars in grants for teacher’s each year.
On Friday, October 9th – you will join your QVE team members for a fun evening as we enjoy a fajita dinner, dancing to music of a live band, and most importantly an opportunity to showcase your QVE spirit.
The school with the most attendees will be treated to a grilled luncheon by our superintendent, Mr. Dupre and his leadership team!
What are you waiting for? Purchase your tickets today!
Please see our Sugar Shaker, Ms. Portugal for more information.
Parent-Student-Teacher Collaboration Conference
Parent-Teacher conferences are scheduled for Friday, October 9th from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm. As a leadership development school we are teaching our student successful habits that will lead to success in school and in life. The Parent-Student -Teacher Collaboration sessions are a great way to provide students with an opportunity to ensure that all voices are considered as we plan for success. Formally known as parent-teacher conferences, the Parent-Student-Teacher Collaboration Session will allow all members to take an active role in the learning process.
It is important that parents and students feel connected and involved in learning, especially when critical decisions are being made to support student needs.
Below are the roles of all members:
Teacher
· Provides time for student to talk about his/her progress using data notebooks.
· Acts as a facilitator between student and parent as they set goals for success.
· Advises parents on ways they can help their child at home.
· Provides time for student to share his progress and ways parents/teacher can support him with finding success.
· Make sure more positive messages are shared with parents
*There may be parts of the meeting that the student may not need to be present, especially when talking about matters that can impact the child’s self-esteem. Teachers should ask students step outside while these matters are discussed.
Student
· Use data notebooks to communicate his/her progress to parent.
· Advise parent and teacher on ways they can support at home and school.
· Identify at least one goal for the 2015-2016 school year.
Parents
· Listen to students as they describe their progress.
· Pose questions for clarification and ways they can support.
· Ask teacher clarifying questions whenever there is information that is not clear.
· Bring pen and writing pad to record notes that will help you help your child be more successful.
· Ask teacher and student for tips on ways to support child at home.
Team Challenges
What's Happening at QVE?
Tuesday, September 22nd QVE Celebrates 40th Anniversary from 4:00-5:30
Wednesday, September 23rd FALL Picture Day
Friday, September 25th Holiday/Fort Bend County Fair Day- No School
Thursday, October 1st Ms. Blevins Baby Shower after school
Thursday, October 1st PTO Meeting at 6:30 pm in the library
Tuesday, October 6th QVE Bowling Night at 6:00 pm at Stafford Lanes
Wednesday, October 7th Faculty Meeting from 3:30- 5:00 in library
Monday, October 12th Student Holiday/District Professional Development
Tuesday, October 13th PLC Lead Meeting
Wednesday, October 14th SLT
Wednesday, October 14th Chick-fil-a Spirit Night with the Enrichment Team
Monday, October 21st Committee Meetings after school
Tuesday, October 22nd Report Cards sent home
Saturday, October 24th Color Run 9:30-11:00
October 26th - 30 Red Ribbon Week
Thursday, October 29th Team Leader Meeting at 3:30 in conference room
Testing Windows
PAPI Window: The PAPI window is open from 8/24-10/2
DRA Window: The window opened 8/24 and closes 10/2. You have plenty of time to complete; starting tomorrow, you have 26 school days. J
Math DNA: The window to administer the performance Math DNA is Aug. 31-Sept. 11
Grade Reporting Information
- August 24th Start of Grading Period #1
- September 11th Progress Report #1
- September 15th Progress Report #1 goes home
- October 2nd - Progress Report #2 (end of 1st six weeks)
- October 6th - Progress Report #2 goes home
- October 16th - End of Grading Period: REPORT CARD #1
- October 20th - REPORT CARD #1 Goes Home
*Please subscribe to activities calendar to review other important dates and information. Need help subscribing? Contact Ms. McKinnon at shelley.mckinnon@fortbendisd.com
Classroom Walk-Throughs
We have been visiting classrooms and seeing some amazing learning experiences happening on our GREAT campus! Our goal at Quail Valley is to be a leader in education and embrace innovative solutions for today’s problems. In order to meet this goal, we must have on-going tools that will communicate how we’re performing in our goal areas.
Our walk-throughs are not meant to be a one-way form of communication as we welcome sitting down and discussing feedback to ensure we are all aligned- that’s the only way we get better. If a question is posed on your walk-through form, please respond via email within 48 hours so that we can ensure we are all being reflective on our practices.
We look forward to learning with you this year and implementing new ways to make QVE the BEST learning community in the district! No the state! Okay- the world!
What Starts Here Changes the World
Beginning this month, every Wednesday is College Day! What is College Day? Students, parents, and staff members are encouraged to wear their favorite college shirt, parents’ alma mater, or a college they hope to attend in the future!
Why? Early college awareness, that’s why! Students who are exposed to college from an early stage are more likely to view college as a viable option. Early college awareness is a key to raising aspirations and helps young students see possibilities in their future and most importantly, it helps students to understand how to access those opportunities. And here at QVE we are all about inspiring and equipping our students for futures beyond their imaginations – and what better way to promote this than to expose our students to colleges!
Join us as we prepare our students for school and beyond as we get them college ready! And it's only $1.00!
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Ms. Rodriguez, Counselor
Back by Popular Demand! QVE Potlucks are back!
By popular demand, the climate team is bringing back the monthly potluck this year!
Each month, one team will host a potluck for faculty members. Your team’s responsibilities include:
· Choosing a theme (i.e. Mexican, Italian, soups/salads)
· Decorating/cleaning up the lounge
· Creating a sign-up sheet one week in advance for ALL staff members (not just your team) for dishes they can bring
· Encouraging faculty members to sign up/attend the potluck
Here are your hosting dates:
Sept 24th
Admin Team
Feb 29th
Kindergarten Team
Oct 30th
Math/Science Team
March 24th
SPED Team
Nov 20th
ELA/SS Team
April 29th
Enrichment Team
Dec 11th
2nd Grade
May 27th
Admin Team
Jan 29th
1st Grade
Our first potluck of the year this Thursday, September 24th and will be hosted by the fabulous admin/office team in the lounge. The theme for this event is “Tailgating.” The sign-up sheet for food items is on the desk near the mailboxes. It's going to be a wonderful time!