Thomson Staff Newsletter
May 30, 2016
Important News & Notes
Teacher Data
Please remember, I am asking that you have all student growth data entered into Google Drive by Monday, June 6th. Anna has been scheduling evaluation meetings beginning June 7th and I will need the data in order to finish your evaluations. Once you have uploaded all of your data into your Google Drive folder, please send me an email to let me know you are ready for me to complete your evaluation. Also, in preparing for your evaluation meeting with me, please be thinking about the professional goals you would like to set for yourself for next year. We will be completing your goals document as part of your evaluation meeting.
PTO Walk-a-thon & Color Run
Please make sure that all fundraiser money is turned into the office before you leave Tuesday. As stated in the Tidbits, for the Walk-a-thon & Color Run students will be allowed to wear sunglasses or hats. Per Megan Rule last year, sunscreen can be applied to students. While we will not be out long for this event, this may come up as part of Field Day. Parents and family members will be allowed to come and watch, but they will not be able to participate. The schedule for the June 1st Walk-a-thon & Color Run is as follows:
- 1:15-1:45 p.m.-Proctor, Holland, Ross, Lints, Howes, Driskill, Lambaria
- 2:15-2:45 p.m.- Pietras, VanEvery, LeMieux, O'Brien, Kellie, Williams, Wheaton
- A special 10:00 a.m. Walk-a-thon & Color Run will be held for Johnson's a.m. preschool students.
The event will take place in the back field where a track will be set up. The students will walk/run for approximately 20 minutes and then have a Popsicle/Freeze Pop provided by the PTO. Teachers will also be given plastic grocery bags while outside so that the students can take off their decorated t-shirts and put them in the bags prior to re-entering the building. If you have a student that can not have this, please see me right away. I will ask that students not be taken out on the playground for extra recess during the Walk-a-thon/Color Run. If you have any questions, please see me.
In case you get questions or want to let the students know, prizes will be distributed on Friday, June 3rd.
Kindergarten ELA Assessment PD
Please don't forget that Wednesday, June 1st from 4-6 p.m. is the Kindergarten/Early 5's ELA Assessment PD session. Remember ALL teachers are invited and encouraged to attend. This meeting will be held at Thomson. Thank you in advance for taking the time to attend this session if possible and helping with this very important project!
Cell Phone Usage
I addressed cell phone use at the staff meeting last week, but since all staff do not attend, I wanted to review in the staff newsletter as well. Now I am fully aware how important cell phones can be to each of us, however, please remember that the District Employee Handbook addresses cell phone use by staff. At no time should cell phones be in use when students are present. This includes all staff! As always, if you have an emergency which requires the need to have your cell phone out to receive a call or text when students are present, you are required to see me.
Insurance Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for MESSA health insurance continues through June 6th. At that time all enrollment paperwork, whether you are making changes or not, needs to be completed and returned to Kathy Morris in the Personnel Office. Please be sure to take time this week to review her email regarding Open Enrollment. Again, all of this information is due back into her no later than Monday, June 6th. All information regarding the Open Enrollment can be found in Kathy's email and all documents/forms can be found on the district website, staff pages, templates, employee benefits.
Cardinal Code Focus for the Week: Assemblies
While we will not be having any formal assemblies between now and the end of the year, we will be having several special events. It is important to review with your students how they should follow the Cardinal Code during these events. Especially important is being respectful, listening and following directions given by any adult.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, May 30th-No School, Memorial Day...Enjoy!
Tuesday, May 31st-PTO Fundraiser Money Due
Wednesday, June 1st-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: Last minute Color Run questions, Field Day, any final questions regarding end of year data), PTO Walk-a-Thon & Color Run, Kindergarten ELA Assessment Meeting-ALL KINDERGARTEN & E5 TEACHERS WILL HOPEFULLY ATTEND.
Friday, June 3rd-DRA Window Closes; PTO Fundraiser Prize Distribution
Saturday, June 4th & 5th-Davison Relay for Life, stop by the DHS Stadium and support your fellow staff members!
Monday, June 6th-DHS Graduation 7:00 p.m. at Dort Federal Event Center, participating staff should be there by 6:15 p.m.
Tuesday, June 7th-ELA Meeting 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Wednesday, June 8th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: End of Year Building Data Review, Review of SIP for 2016-17); DAE Graduation, 7:00 p.m. DHS Auditorium
Thursday, June 9th-Kindergarten Math PLCs 1/2 days
Quotes Worth Reading...
"Beginnings are usually scary and endings are usually sad, but it's everything in between that makes it all worth living."
-Bob Marley
This year has been a crazy ride of emotions for me and truly one of the toughest years I've had, but also one of the most rewarding and one I will be very sad to see end. I have learned a tremendous amount about myself this year. Some of the relationships I have built with students and families are ones that I hope don't end as the students move and go on. I have been making phone calls to families over the last week, as I encouraged you to do in last week's staff newsletter, and I will tell you I am so happy that I have. The surprise and joy of the parents/guardians tells me that the feelings that I have are shared by them. I look forward to making more of these phone calls over the next few weeks and will enter the summer knowing that while I may not have always been able to solve the problem or have the 'right' answer, I did put kids first!
Birthdays and Celebrations
Happy Birthday: None this week!
Don't forget...Staff luncheon put on by the social committee is this week! Thank you Social Committee!