Head U Gator News
February 18, 2019
Grateful Heart...
I am grateful for...
...Julia, who came up with a plan for students to pick the specials class they went to Friday! Another great example of student voice/choice. Such a small "tweak" but students loved it.
...Leah, for handling a parent conference with grace and poise and then seeking feedback from others in attendance. What a great example of professional learning!
...Cindy Farris, who has been eagerly preparing for a new student with some challenging behaviors.
....Colleen for spending lots of extra time with a student who has exhibited challenging behaviors. She spent an hour on Saturday talking to a private therapist.
....Tracey Stone, who started only a few weeks ago and done a great job learning a new job, handling overwhelming numbers of people (Valentine's Day!), building relationships with students, and not ever complaining. We appreciate her very cheerful attitude.
...Meagan Sanders and Megan Arnold for leading a GTU class with great enthusiasm.
....Karen Blackwell for organizing and planning an Olympic unit with her team. The students have enjoyed the activities that relate to current events!
Monday reminders
We will break for lunch (about 11:30) and the afternoon (1-4ish) will be reserved for you and your team to plan together. I strongly believe this is the best kind of professional learning when you can have time to delve more deeply into upcoming units and embed strategies you might not yet have been able to utilize. Please use this time wisely and well.
Presentation rubric
A parent sent me this link and I thought you might enjoy having the rubric for your use when scoring projects that involve speaking and presenting:
Here is a link to the whole article. It has some good points, especially if you sometimes struggle with effective discussions among students:
https://www.edutopia.org/practice/oracy-classroom-strategies-effective-talk
SKYPE opportunities
So, if you want your kids to participate, the invitation is available but you'll have to be flexible. Also, Tracey Stone's husband believes he can arrange for Brian Curtis to SKYPE with us as well.
VALOR
Applications for VALOR (Vanguard Association of Learning, Observation, and Reflection) will be coming out in February. VALOR is a group of innovative teachers that commit to reading, learning, observing, and reflecting together. If accepted you will have the opportunity to visit classrooms all over the district as well as be observed by your peers based on group and personal goals and receive individualized feedback from an instructional coach. Following is specific information on the application process:
Applications (google form) will go out February 12 in an email from Dr. Newell and due by Feb. 26 at 5 pm. The VALOR team will score based on a rubric and on input from campus principals
A group will be selected to move on to the interview portion and if you make it, you will be contacted by a VALOR team member to set up a time for the interview at your campus either during your conference or after school
You will be contacted by Dr. Newell with the final decision
We hope to invite about 24-28 people to our next class of VALOR
For more information, please visit our web page, ask a former VALOR teacher, or contact Melanie Gonzales (melanie.gonzales@gcisd.net).
“It takes courage to be introspective about your craft as a teacher.” - Dr. Suzanne Newell
Your journey begins with one step. Consider applying to be a part of the vanguard and taking that first step and finding that courage!
Tuition PreK
In the 2018-2019 school year, GCISD will offer a tuition-based pre-k program at Bransford Elementary, Colleyville Elementary, O.C. Taylor Elementary, Grapevine Elementary, Heritage Elementary and Bear Creek Elementary. There will be limited availability at Timberline and Silver Lake Elementary for a blended program that includes English and Spanish (an option if you are considering Dual Language in Kindergarten).
The district will offer a 10% discount to current employees for the campus based pre-k program. Before and after school care will also be available in our KidzU program for employees with children enrolled in pre-k at no additional cost. The total cost of the program will be $5,650 including a $100 registration fee and $150 supply fee both due in the spring to reserve the seat. The first monthly payment of $540 will be due July 30.
GCISD employees will have priority placement on the requested campus for their pre-k student. Simply fill out this Google Form to provide us with information we need at this time. Forms must be complete by March 9. Additional registration information will be collected once the class placement is confirmed.
Calendar
Feb. 19th
No school for students- teacher learning day
Feb. 20th
2:55-4 p.m. Good News Club
Feb. 21st
Lockheed engineers here
Choir 3,4,5
Feb. 22nd
CTMS counselors will be here to talk to 5th grade
2:55-4:00 Mad Science
Feb. 23rd
Gatorville