GRE Staff Newsletter
February 17, 2020
Dear Team,
You want to see energy in motion? Watch elementary students at a classroom party! Whew! Thank you for the extra patience and love you gave students this past Friday at our Valentine's Day Parties. When things get tough at school, you only have to look in a students face to remember your why!
This week we will hold our final round of parent teacher conferences. These conferences have been reserved for those difficult conversations, those students who are on the bubble, or for students who are struggling behaviorally. Doesn't sound super fun...so remember-parents send us their whole heart every single day. When we talk about their children, it is personal, so remember to do it with kindness. Practice your conversations in your head so that you have a chance to hear how it sounds. Would you want those things said about your child? Hard information must be delivered, there is no question, but we can do it with kindness, professionalism, and respect. If you want to talk through any difficult conversations, please let me know. I am here to help!
Here are a couple other tips for parent teacher conferences and two quick resources to read through if you are looking for more ideas.
1. Approach Parents with Positive Assumptions
2. Be Solution Oriented
3. Invite parents to share their thoughts
4. Address just one or two concerns
5. Follow Up and Follow Through
Here's to a great week! We got this GRE!
Kate
Tips for Parent Teacher Conferencing
Making the Most of Parent Teacher Conferences (*Includes strategies for when you conference gets off track)
News to Share
1. We will have PAC on Tuesday. Here is a draft agenda.
2. The Leo Club will have their first marker pick up on the 28th at 2:30. If you have dried out markers, please send them to the office. This is part of their "Colorcycle" campaign.
3. Our Best Buddies Program is once again supporting the Spread the Word INCLUSION initiative and would love your support. Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign to raise awareness of the hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed)” and encourage people to pledge to stop using it. A National Awareness Day will be held on March 4, 2020. Visit www.r-word.org to take the pledge today and find campaign resources. If you still have your yellow shirt from last year, plan to wear it on March 4th! If you'd like to order a new shirt, we are offering a couple different styles this year. Visit the website below and place your order prior to 2/21 to guarantee delivery prior to March 4th.
http://bestbuddies.bigwalnutapparel.com/
A portion of these sales will go directly to our Best Buddies Chapter and allow for more students to attend the Best Buddies Leadership Conference 2020.
4. Rockin' Recess is next Friday, the 28th. The schedule will be posted after PAC meets tomorrow.
5. Read Across America Week is next week! Stay tuned for more details to come out soon. Pull your favorite books off your bookshelf and be ready to share your love of reading with your students!
Upcoming Events
Monday, February 17th- No School; Happy Birthday Shelly Olson!
Tuesday, February 18th- D Day; PAC 3:50-5:00
Wednesday, February 19th- E Day; PBIS Meeting 8:00-8:30 (Sweet's Room)
Thursday, February 20th- A Day; Parent Teacher Conferences 4:00-8:00 (Dinner at 5:40-6:20)
Friday, February 21st- B Day;
Happy Birthday Cathy Black on Saturday 2/22!
Upcoming Events
February 20 P/T Conferences 4:00-8:00pm
Feb. 24- Feb. 28 Read Across America Week
Feb. 28 Rockin’ Recess
March
March 3-5 CoGAT & IOWA (2nd & 4th)
March 6 Eagle’s Nest
March 9th-13th 1st Grade Informances during Music
March 19 Spring Pictures
March 12 PTO Meeting 6:30pm
March 19 3rd Grade Recorder Performance 6:00-7:00 PM
March 19 Spring Pictures
March 20 Eagle Ed
Mar. 23-27 NO SCHOOL