Colt Round Up
Friday, September 29, 2017
"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable." - Mary Oliver
With Apprecation:
- Bravo to Karla for her work getting our gardening program up off the ground this fall. Have you seen the pumpkin plants Mrs. Carter and Jesse planted over by 4/5 grade quad?
- Our cafeteria team is amazing - they love our kids so much and do everything in their power to help them refuel so they are ready to get back to work in the classroom!
- Kudos to Pam C. for supporting the greeter program and student leadership! Diane is also pitching in one morning a week to support our students and keep them safe. Way to go!
New Information/Things to Do:
- FALL LEADERSHIP ASSEMBLY: it's happening for grades 1-5 on Fri., 10/6 from 8:15-8:35ish right when the first bell rings. Our hope is to have it ON the blacktop, but if the weather is uncooperative, we'll move into the MPR. Details coming soon!
- iSAFE LESSONS: see Annie's email for the PDF lessons, or visit Common Sense Media online here. Pleae get your verification back to Annie ASAP!
- PE VERIFICATION FORMS: it's that time; forms are due to Pam by the end of the day on Wed., 10/4. Forms went into your box on Friday.
- OCT. 16-20 is FALL DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK: the focus is on evaluating sources/fake news, social media, smart device use/gaming and positive online presence. Click here for resources and curriculum ideas you can incorporate into your classroom.
- SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: LCES is hosting the school board meeting on 10/17 at 7 pm. We'll be showcasing our VAPA programs - with an emphasis on our art docents. We'd love to have you join us!
Focus on Best First Instruction - October is about beginning with the end in mind
During our October walk throughs, Jen and Will are looking to see some type of objective, I can..., or learning target or intention posted in some fashion for ELA and Math lessons. It may be on the white board, by your agenda, in student notes, etc... We'll also be asking students "why are you doing this activity?" and listening for them to be able to explain beyond saying "math" or "writing" to describe the purpose, outcome, or learning as a result of the of the lesson, activity or series of activities.
We know this is a new expectation. We are looking for PROGRESS, not perfection...so give it ago and aim to be adding targets for ELA and Math daily by the end of October.
Want to learn more about the value of a stated or posted learning target?
- John Hattie YouTube video about how to establish learning intentions & success criteria
- Mike Mattos YouTube video about how to get "insanely clear about learning outcomes"
- Summary of John Hattie's book Visible Learning for Teachers
- A connection between learning targets and PLC work
Click here for photos showing how this is already being done in our classrooms!
The Leader In Me - Update
As a result, we CAN continue to refer to TLIM and the Seven Habits (7H) in the classroom as we would any other book or model that you are familiar with.
However, we CANNOT:
- continue to use TLIM workbooks or other TLIM generated materials
- use TLIM materials from their website or printed materials given to us by TLIM in order to create visual displays, theatrical displays, curriculum, or giveaways.
The agreement specifically uses the word "create" so we will not be removing our mural or metal signs, but we won't be embellishing them going forward.
In addition, the agreement specifically states that we cannot advertise or communicate to the public that we are a TLIM school so you'll see signage come out of the office and MPR to that effect.
If you have TLIM signage up in your room (i.e. the habit cutouts with the characters), they need to come down because they are concepts copywritten by TLIM...but you can replace them with your own materials that you made and that reflect the same concept.
Older Stuff/Reminders
- COLT PRIDE TICKETS: Please be sure your students put any tickets they've earned into a bucket (let Jen know if you need one) - we'll ask every staff member to pull 2 tickets on Friday, 10/13 in the morning; winning ticket holders will be invited to the red tables at 2:30 on Friday to enjoy a special treat!
- SUPPORT ONE OF OUR OWN WHO IS BATTLING ASL: Lori Reitman is coordinating a Cornhole Tournament on 10/7 to benefit ALS in honor of Shelly Hoover. Find details here.
- WORK ORDERS: Staff can access the work order for Markus on your staff drive under “CUSTODIAL WORK ORDER” folder. It is a typeable form then you can just email it to Markus.
- TEAM SELFIE: Please take a team selfie for our staff room wall. You can email it to Tricia or text it to Jen (702 324 6884).
PBIS Corner
GAMES to PLAY!
Each month, we'll ask you to incorporate a new game into your PE routine so we can use that game at recess. This month, it's HULA HOOP TIC TAC TOE! Check out this fun relay game! Here is a website with the rules and a video showing the kids playing. Here's a video with way fun music!DOCUMENTATION - WHEN?????
We'll be talking about our PBIS forms at our staff meeting...we plan to make an adjustment to them to clarify when you document...if you provide a tangible consequence (i.e. a time out or loss of privilege), then you SHOULD fill out a form AND you SHOULD make a contact home (in person, phone or email).
Upcoming Meetings/Activities:
Where are Jen & Will the week of 10/2?
- Will is here in the afternoons the week of 10/2
- Jen will be at the DO on Wed. after 2 pm
- Kerry Callahan will be on campus on Thursday morning and may visit classrooms
- Skip Langdon will be doing walk throughs with Jen & Will on Thursday afternoon
LCES is hosting the School Board meeting on 10/17 at 7 pm. We'd love to have you join us!
To Consider:
- 10 neuro nuggets
- PBS NewsHour about how teachers tap into brain research (video & interview)
- Myth or Fact? - take this quiz and learn more about your own notions of how chidren learn best compared to data