GRE Staff Newsletter
February 3, 2020
Dear Team,
Finally we turn the page from January to February. Was it just me or was that the longest January ever? Thank you for digging in, being consistent, and working your tails off this past month. You deserve a snow day...but it's not snowing-so let's wear jeans on Monday instead:)
In December, I met with Angie and Mark for my Principal mid year evaluation. As we were talking I shared with them our work around our Tier I building wide goal. Just as we do with our students, it's way easier to show them how amazing you are and how hard we've been working then for me just to tell them. Plans were made, dates were set and then life happened and they ended up being all on the same week! I had such a blast walking around to your classrooms with Angie and Mark and although we couldn't make it to all rooms, they were able to see some of the highlights of our work. Just as you guys get nervous for your OTES evaluation, I still get nervous for my OPES:) It's easy to talk about each of you though, and the work we've done at GRE. For just a moment, think back to our Fall Data teams where we worked together to develop our building wide goal. We did the work to develop stronger mini lessons that included clear teaching points and visuals like anchor charts. We've looked at independent reading to practice those teaching points, and we've worked on clear reading rotations that focus on growing better readers. YOU have done this work. YOU! I am so proud of each and every classroom in our building. Because of you and your hard work-we made our goal in December and have continued to build on our momentum...even in the longest January of the century:) Keep going team! You are making a difference. Don't lose sight of the groundwork you have laid.
Here's to a great week!
Kate
Toolbox Tips
News to Share
1. I forgot to remind our Chapter Five Power of Our Words book to have their materials ready for our staff meeting this week so I'm pushing it back. This will help us have enough time for Chelsea's work with us as well. Stay tuned for new learning from this important resource!
2. With the increase of our student's needs, the district has hired an additional school psychologist who will be in the district one day a week. Chrissie Hinshaw has joined our student services team and will be helping Chelsea throughout the remainder of the school year. If you see her at GRE on Thursdays, please give her a big welcome.
3. Megan Truax sent an email this week about Neighborhood Bridges. I could not be more excited for this resource to hit BW! Neighborhood Bridges is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was launched in January of 2017. The model for neighborhood is to create a Gateway for Kindness utilizing technology and social media to advocate for children and families in need...and then engaging the community in filling those needs. Neighborhood Bridges is about kindness, speed, efficiency, and bridging all community resources to drive direct support in care to our neighbors. I will be the advocate for GRE so if you know of a student or family in need, let me know. I'll share more about this opportunity after my training this week! In the meantime, help support this important work by getting the word out and following us here:
https://www.facebook.com/BigWalnutBridges/
Twitter at @BridgesWalnut
Instagram @BigWalnutBridges
4. Eagle Extensions start this week so be sure you are paying attention to which student goes where if they are participating in EE. This also means we will need to be consistent with our dot duty support since some of our coverage teaches an EE.
5. We have Eagle's Nests this Friday-Katie will share out resources by Wednesday to help you prepare.
6. The Big Walnut Education Foundation (BWEF) is excited to join Big Walnut Schools in a campaign to send cards and letters to our troops. The troops find these notes incredibly uplifting and fun to read while deployed. In turn BWEF would like to offer grants to teachers whose classroom participates in the campaign. To qualify a teacher who has students that write letters will be entered into a drawing. Click here to learn the specifics.
Upcoming Events
Monday, February 3rd- E Day; Jeans Day
Tuesday, February 3rd- A Day; Staff Meeting @ 7:30
Wednesday, February 3rd- B Day;
Thursday, February 3rd- C Day;
Friday, February 3rd- D Day; Eagles Nests 9:00-9:40
Upcoming Events
February 7 Eagle’s Nest
February 13 PTO Meeting 6:30pm
February 14 K-4 Valentine Parties 2:30-3:20
February 17 NO SCHOOL: President’s Day
February 20 P/T Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
Feb. 24- Feb. 28 Read Across America Week
Feb. 28 Rockin’ Recess