Thomas Jefferson Tribune
"WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT!"
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 11-15
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY PLAN
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CAMPUS CLIMATE AND CULTURE
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
MEET OUR NEWEST ADDITION TO OUR TEAM... ASHLEY CAMPOS, ACADEMIC FACILTATOR FOR ELAR
Now in her fourteenth year in education, Ms. Campos began her career as a special education teacher in Dallas ISD at Esperanza "Hope" Medrano Elementary School. After working in special education for five years, Ms. Campos has fullfilled various roles such as a classroom teacher and Campus Reading Specialist in Richardson ISD, an Assistant Principal in Irving ISD, and, most recently, as an ELAR District Instructional Specialist for Faith Family Academy. Ms. Campos has worked as an Academic Facilitator before, serving the Roosevelt and Samuell feeder patterns. She is very excited to be back in Dallas ISD to join Ms. Torres and Ms. Roberts and serve the Thomas Jefferson feeder!
Ms. Campos completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Texas at Dallas and her M.Ed. at Tarleton State University. She is passionate about quality reading/writing instruction and adult coaching and professional development. In her free time, Ms. Campos enjoys reading narrative nonfiction, watching documentaries, seeing live music, running, and watching Dallas sports teams. Her favorite quote is, "The highest result of education is tolerance." -Helen Keller
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Leaders,
CONGRATULATIONS to another successful week.
What a wonderful week it has been getting to visit all campuses in the TJ feeder and getting to know each and every new addition to your leadership team. I am excited about all the wonderful possibilities that are to come and the good instruction that I have encountered already.
You should have already begun the planning of your goal setting conferences with the scholars and teachers as principals and assistant principals. Every scholar should know what their goal is according to their data, every teacher should know scholar goals and their class goals, and every principal should know their campus goals. Is Good First Instruction being observed? If not, how will you ensure that Good First Instruction occurs on a daily basis. Do you have supports in place for your novice teachers? How strategic have you been in planning for Good First Instruction? Without strategy the execution is aimless and without execution strategy is useless. Have you been effective in your game plan and execution for scholars? Stephen Covey provided us with the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Which of these have you implemented and how have they become Habits in your day?
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand then to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
Last week, I began my regular campus visits. During this cycle, we observed instruction and discussed strengths, upgrades and next steps. The trends observed were student engagement, implementation of some ELL strategies and modeling clear expectation. This is the first step as we will begin closing our feedback loop with campuses recently visited.
The leveling process will occur on Wednesday for ALL the elementary campuses. Please ensure that you are fully prepared for our meeting. You have been sent an email with a scheduled time for your meeting and noted items to bring. "Strategic planning will help you fully uncover your available options, set priorities for them and define the methods to achieve them." Robert J. Mckain
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, September 11, 2017
- "PATRIOT DAY"- ALL flags should be half-staff in observance of 911
- Leveling Excel document due to Ms. Torres @ 10:00 (Elementary campuses only)
- School Leadership will review teacher/student ratios starting today for Fall leveling
- Principal are able to see teacher scorecards
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Joe May Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Middle School Fluency Assessment Window
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
- Back to School Night-High School -4:30pm – 7:00pm
- Math AF TOT for upcoming CIC Training
- ED Pre-Conference w/Deputy Lusk @ 10:00
- Tom Field Campus visit w/ED and ELAR AF
- Cigarroa School Campus visit w/ED and AF's
- Leadership Team Meeting-1:30-Ms. Torres
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Middle School Fluency Assessment Window
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
- Back to School Night-Middle School -4:30pm – 7:00pm
- Fall Leveling Feeder Pattern Meetings All Elementary Schools @ Joe May (schedule will be sent to you) 9:00-4:00
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Middle School Fluency Assessment Window
Thursday, September 14, 2017
- Back to School Night-Elementary School-4:30pm – 7:00pm
- ELA AF TOT for upcoming CIC Training
- Foster Campus visit w/ED and Math AF
- Cary MS Campus visit w/ED and Math AF
- Medrano Campus visit w/ED and Math AF
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Middle School Fluency Assessment Window
Friday, September 15, 2017
- Neighborhood Visitation logs due TODAY
- ED meeting @ Haskell -8:00-"Equity Study"
- Sunset/TJ Feeder ED's and Admin meeting 9:00 a.m.
- ED and AF's Planning Session
- ECHS/P-Tech Meeting for EDs (3:00-4:00 at Haskell)
- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window continues
- Middle School Fluency Assessment Window
- Hispanic Heritage Month begins
- TEI Scorecards available for Teachers to view via Oracle
Saturday, September 16, 2017
- Prep U Super Saturday Extracurricular Activities Fair
Schools and offices to fly flags at half-staff on Monday, 9/11
Monday, September 11, 2017, is Patriots Day, observed in memory of people killed and injured in the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.
All Dallas ISD campuses and offices are reminded to lower U.S. flags to half-staff Monday at sunrise. Flags should be restored to their normal position at sunset.
Campus Instructional Coaches' Professional Development Dates and Registration for 2017-2018
Teaching and Learning and School Leadership Academic Facilitators are excited about the opportunity to provide all Campus Instructional Coaches (CIC) professional development for the 2017-2018 academic year.
Each professional development session will include:
- Instruction aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
- Effective teaching strategies
- Practical classroom strategies to promote student success
Come and learn what you can do to continue to build capacity with your teachers and improve student achievement! Registration information is detailed in the table below. We look forward to seeing you there.
RLA CIC
Hulcy STEAM MS
Math CIC
Hulcy STEAM MS
STUDENT TRANFERS
If your campuses have room for transfer students, you will be asked to take students as we do not want any of our students leaving our district.
If you currently have transfer students please ensure by January, you are meeting with parents regarding the status of the students enrollment on your campuses , whether they are being allowed to stay or they will not be allowed to stay the following year on your campus for reasons such as, e.g., behavior,. attendance, etc. At the end of the spring semester you must notify the parent in writing if you are not allowing their child to return, to your campus. Failure to notify the parent in writing, will result in the child staying on your campus the following year.
Calling All Outstanding 4th-8th Grade Students
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders for summer 2018 Lone Star Leadership Academy camps! Participants travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin/San Antonio, or Houston/Galveston area to join delegations of other distinguished students from across Texas for a week of fun, learning, leadership development, and visits to significant Texas destinations. Each day participants explore notable Texas sites, learn about unique careers from professionals, and work in small groups to develop specific leadership skills. In addition to improving their leadership abilities, participants gain self-confidence and independence and develop new friendships with other high-achieving students from across the state.
Nominees must:
- Be in 4th-8th grade
- Maintain an 85 or higher average
- Demonstrate leadership ability
- Be involved in school/community activities
Nominate your outstanding 4th-8th graders online at: http://educationinaction.org/nominate-leaders
Nomination Deadline: Friday, November 3, 2017
The Student Code of Conduct is required by state law and is intended to promote a positive learning environment and safe schools.
The document is provided in English and en español and can be found online using the link above. Hard copies of this document will not go home to students but may be provided only at the parents request. This year, counselors are highly encouraged to present a power point presentation to students to review the Student Code of Conduct and address any questions and concerns.
THOMAS JEFFERSON P-TECH EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
COMPLIANCE VIDEOS CHANGES!
DISD will NOT use Region 10's Child Abuse Training for compliance purposes. The Child Abuse and Dyslexia Training are being offered in Dallas ISD's learning site, which are also hyperlnked at https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/48516. Staff members must login using their EAD.
Compliance videos will need to be viewed by October 2017. A cut off date will be determined soon. Please create and use a process to collect all necessary certificates and keep them in-house.
THE LEADER IN ME
Experience The Leader in Me Symposium
Just a reminder that the Leader in Me Symposium will be held February 1-2 in Richardson, Texas. Please ensure that you register to attend as we are attending as a feeder. Information on the symposium is below.
Join educators at the all-new 2017-2018 Leader in Me Symposium. Together, we are transforming paradigms in education by empowering students and staff to model 21st-century leadership skills in order to achieve their full potential.
The Leader in Me Symposium is the most influential and inspiring event series for educators. This year Symposium will be coming to over 20 locations to inspire thousands of educators across North America. New enhancements have been made to the featured sessions, school tours, and networking experience. In addition, participants can now attend either a full two-day or a condensed one-day version of Symposium.
At The Leader in Me Symposium, you will:
- Share innovative ideas with other administrators, superintendents, directors, principals, and teachers.
- Develop new skills and principle-centered effectiveness with The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® training.
- Learn best practices from experts in a variety of featured sessions.
- Discover how Leader in Me Schools are achieving success on a local school tour (two-day Symposium only).
- Gain inspiration from thought leaders during keynote presentations.
The link to register is:
http://store.theleaderinme.org/leader-in-me-symposium-dallas-tx
TEI
Excellence Initiative Website: Click the links to access the TEI website and resources.
http://www.dallasisd.org/excellenceinitiatives
http://tei.dallasisd.org/home/resources/
2016-2017 Compensation Salary Handbook: http://tinyurl.com/ze4tzj5
2016-2017 Compensation Supplemental Earnings Handbook: ttp://tinyurl.com/joknekj
September 11 - 29
TEI Call Center support available from 7am - 6pm for questions regarding 2017 TEI Scorecards
972-749-5712
September 15
2016-2017 TEI Scorecard are available for teachers
September 15 - 29
Teacher rebuttal window in Oracle for TEI Scorecard
October 2
Deadline for submission of the SLO Goal Setting
October 3
1st TEI Campus Expert Steering Committee meeting
November 2
DTR Application deadline for eligible teachers based on the 2016-2017 TEI Scorecard
APEI
2017 TEI Scorecards for Teachers
TEI Call Center September 11th-29th
7AM-6PM
972-749-5712
Principals should consider meeting with the following teachers:
- Earned an effectiveness level of Unsatisfactory
- Applied to DTR and did not receive Distinguished
- Potential to disagree with evaluation results
Annotated Scorecard: Click here to view
How to Calculate Salary: Click here to view
Principals, please see details here on how to access TEI Scorecards: Click here to view
Achieve 3000
The Assessment windows are as followed:
BOY: 9/5-10/13
MOY: 1/9-2/9
EOY: 4/16-5/25
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN KUDOS
THOMAS JEFFERSON STUDENTS ASSIST IN EFFORTS TO SUPPORT HURRICANE HARVEY FAMILIES
THOMAS JEFFERSON'S RTI PLC's AT WORK
United Network donates to Joe May Staff
GREAT NEWS!
Teaching Trust Professional Development
Sonia Loskot attended an evening of learning with Teaching Trust Cohort II colleagues.
LEARNSTORM
LearnStorm is six-week learning challenge designed to help your classes practice skills, build growth mindsets, and earn fun prizes for grades 3-12.
Schools with at least three teachers who have classes that completed all six LearnStorm levels will be eligible to apply for the LearnStorm School Grand Prize. The School Grand Prize will include national recognition and a fun school rally.
Grand Prize applications will open after the challenge begins on September 12. Check back then for more information!
Join in to celebrate all student learning and growth. Click on the link below to sign up on August 15th. The challenge starts September 12th and ends on October 20th. I highly encourage EVERYONE to try this on their campus.
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
SEPTEMBER
18-21--Assistant Principal Training Week
18-22-Education Go-Get-It Week
20--District Wide College Fair @ Ellis Davis 5:30-8:30 PM
22-ED Training @ Mosley Elementary
26-'UNITED To Learn' Network Meeting-Elementary Principals ONLY-Parish Episcopal Church-11:30
27-Instructional Walks w/ED and Deputy Chief-Cary MS and Medrano MS
28-29-Changing the Odds Conference-(Momentous Institute)-ED, AF's, Mr. McLaurin, Mrs. Loskot, Mrs. Macklin, Mrs. Whitfield, Mr. Jackson
29- Last day to enter requisitions using 2016-2017 Priority and Focus School Grant Funds
OCTOBER
6-Last day for Texas Middle School Fluency Assessment (TMSFA) BOY-7th grade-Window closes today
6- Last day to enter a receiver in Oracle and submit invoices to Accounts Payable for Priority and Focus Grant Funds
9-Community Bond Meeting-TJ High School w/Trustee Flores-5:00 p.m.
13- Last day for AP to process invoices for purchases orders created with 2016-2017 Priority and Focus Grant Funds
15-Hispanic Heritage Month ends
20- ESTAR & MSTAR BOY Assessment Window Closes
9-29-Kids Teaching Kids 21 Day Challenge Begins
NOVEMBER
10-Drill Log for the Fall Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
MARCH
9-Drill log for the Spring Semester is due TODAY via email submission to the Office of Emergency Management
Elementary and Secondary Dual Language Schedule
MARSHALL MEMO #701
What Is Rigor, Anyway?
In this Edutopia article, New York teacher Brian Sztabnik notes how often the word “rigor” crops up in faculty meetings, educational conferences, and worried chats with colleagues (“Is this book rigorous enough?”). But what does rigor mean?
Making students’ work more difficult?
Giving them more homework and classwork?
Assigning work further up Bloom’s taxonomy or deeper on Webb’s Depth of Knowledge?
Hold on, says Sztabnik. “Rigor is a result, not a cause… Rigor is not defined by the text – it comes from what students do. It is not standard across a curriculum – it is individual to each student’s needs. It is not quantified by how much gets crammed into a school day – it is measured in depth of understanding.”
Sztabnik describes how novelist David Foster Wallace taught his literary analysis course at Illinois State University. Wallace used seemingly middlebrow works like Lonesome Dove, Carrie, and Silence of the Lambs and said to his students, “Don’t let any lightweightish-looking qualities of the texts delude you into thinking this will be a blow-off-type class. These ‘popular’ texts will end up being harder than more conventionally ‘literary’ works to unpack and read critically.”
That’s the point, says Sztabnik: “Rigor is the result of work that challenges students’ thinking in new and interesting ways. It occurs when they are encouraged toward a sophisticated understanding of fundamental ideas and are driven by curiosity to discover what they don’t know… Let us aspire to something greater than making difficult work for our students. Let’s take them to that intersection of encouragement and engagement, where they confront ideas and problems that are meaningful. Let’s stretch their thinking. Let’s unleash their sophistication. And let’s foster a love of deep knowledge.”
“A New Definition of Rigor” by Brian Sztabnik in Edutopia, May 7, 2017,
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/a-new-definition-of-rigor-brian-sztabnik
Click on link below
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Marelenise Phillips-Roberts
Ashley Campos
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.