THE SKY NEEDS STARS
NUDGE: ROBERTS MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLUME 31
Here is another one of my personal confessions. I have been challenged about my own style of parenting with all the recent events of helicopter parents. Let us be real, there is a lottery of how you were born. Even with my own children, I am constantly nudging them to basketball, track, football, paying for tutoring, and calling teachers to see how I can support at home. Now, I am not saying I am paying thousands of dollars to get my kids into college, but I am guilty of hovering. Plus I don't have the money.
What about our Roberts students? This is a school that has more than 50% economically disadvantaged students that attend each and every day. How do they compete in a world where there is an unfair advantage for those who were born into privilege? To get into college, they would have to get in on their own merit. They would have to do well on the SAT to be considered for a four year college. May I give you my opinion? The SAT score has very little relationship with how well you will do in college. The SAT score measures where did you grow up, how did you grow up, and how much did your parents spend on preparing you for the test.
How do we give Roberts’s students the key to the front door? What I want every student to learn is that there is no longer just one door, but several. I believe it is perfectly fine for us to be helicopter teachers in the beginning, but gradual release is a necessity. If there is a lack of parent involvement, I believe it is our call of duty to help our students believe that their personal narrative matters. The stories they tell themselves of all the possibilities, their ability to contribute, and their ability to persuade will give them access to many college gatekeepers. This is why we have to push them forward to get to grade level or above skills that are necessary to compete. With the cards stacked against our kids, what we do for them matters. What does it take to be a savvy helicopter teacher? By you loving on them, creating a curiosity rich environment, and being their protectors, you give them a leveled playing field. Maybe by being a helicopter teacher for many of our disenfranchised students, we may possibly nudge them in the right direction of the continuum of success.
This is why we believe in our system we created to ensure we track each of our students progress. This school is intentional about personalizing small group instruction and systematically intervening when students struggle. By focusing on growth and progress, we teach our students that college is attainable with their own merit through grit and personal development.
The 5th grade test is here! Thank you for being a helicopter teacher for those who needed the extra attention! They will have to pass on their own merit! You poured every ounce of yourself to get them better. Let us see what they can do!
Jorly
Mims making progress towards standards in small group workshops.
Ebinger affirming student progress with frequent check ins
Pellerin guides students to SUCCESS in small group
Redd reinforcing skills and concepts through small group instruction
Reading Academy make up days ended with books for each student!
Way to go RMS Orchestra! Thank you Ms. McKelvey for all that you do for our students!
Front office gearing up for an AWESOME Astros season!
Name That Book
T-Tess Summative Time
It is hard to believe, but it is time to start working on your TTESS Summative Appraisals.
Below are the before, during, and after components of the Summative Process. We wanted to give you a head start on uploading your evidence to support goal attainment and prepare for your summative. Please ensure you complete the teacher responsibilities listed below including submitting your GSPD (Goal Setting and Professional Development) with any evidence that supports goal attainment. Let us know if you have any questions or need assistance.
PROCESS FOR T-TESS SUMMATIVE:
BEFORE SUMMATIVE CONFERENCE
- Sign all walkthroughs and observation documents -----This must be done electronically via Euphoria Appraise
- Make sure to sign any walk throughs that have been completed with the understanding that walkthroughs will continue to happen
- Instructions Signing Final Appraisal Documents in Strive (All job types)
- Due 4/5- Upload any documentation in support of goal attainment, evidence of growth in Domains 1-3, and/or evidence for Domain 4
- This must be done electronically via Eduphoria Appraise
- Instructions: Uploading Documents to Your Evaluation Process in Strive
- Due 4/5- Complete Goal Setting and Professional Development Template
- This must be done electronically via Eduphoria Appraise
- Goal Reflection Document (GSPD Instructions)
***Reminder: Make sure you click on the “SUBMIT TO APPRAISER” button on after completing parts 1 and 2 of the process.
- Be prepared to discuss your progress on this year’s goal you set earlier in the year, your progress for Domains 1-3, your evidence for Domain 4, and the goal/focus area you have in mind for next year.
SUMMATIVE CONFERENCE INFO
All Summative Conferences will be held between April 8th and April 19th. Your T-TESS Appraiser will be scheduling these in the coming days.
Here are 2 OPTIONAL forms to help you prepare for your summative conference:
- Teacher End of Year Conference Self-Reflection Form- Reflect on your year of growth and provide a rating and evidence for each dimension (1-3) based on the T-TESS rubric (https://teachfortexas.org/Resource_Files/Guides/T-TESS_Rubric.pdf). See the sections on the bottom right of each page that state, “Possible Sources of Evidence.”
- Goal Setting Reflective Tool: Reflect on each domain and determine the area of focus for next year.
DURING SUMMATIVE CONFERENCE
- Discuss 2018-2019 goal(s) and/or area of refinement growth.
- Discuss and examine 2018-2019 evidence for Domains 1-4.
- Identify your 2019-2020 goal(s) and professional development activities.
AFTER SUMMATIVE CONFERENCE
- T-TESS appraiser will submit summative document via Eduphoria Appraise.
- Teacher will review and sign summative document electronically via Eduphoria Appraise.
Please let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!
Monday
- Wear JEANS and a RMS SPIRIT SHIRT for the Pep Rally!
- 6th Math PLC - Connect and Traditional
- Orchestra has the Atrium reserved
- Club Schedule for Pep Rally
Tuesday
- Jeans and RMS Spirit Shirt
- Math 5th grade STAAR
- STAAR Materials check out begins at 7:15am
Wednesday
- Alysia Mauricio's Birthday
- Jeans and RMS Spirit Shirt
- Reading 5th grade STAAR
- STAAR Materials check out begins at 7:15am
- Progress Reports Go Home
Thursday
- STAAR Thursday ( STAAR Tuesday moved here)
- 6th Grade Progress Skating Incentive
- 5th Grade STAAR Makeups
Friday
- RMS Spirit Shirt and Jeans
- 5th Grade Progress Skating Incentive
Saturday
- Get Fit Jog at Veterans Stadium