Ridgeview Newsletter
November 15th - 2015 Issue #12
Power Walks for the Week
In the Hallways – Make sure to focus on using manners, quietly walk in halls, and stay to the right.
Please do not give up on taking our kids on Power Walks. it is VERY important that we all make time to these every week!
Many thanks to Shannon and all swimming volunteers!!!
This Week's Schedule
Monday – November 16th, 2015
- Art @ RV - D Day
- Amber, Stacy, and Candi in Maybell (a.m.)
- 3:45 - 7:00 p.m. Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences
- 6:00 p.m. Maybell PAC Meeting (Amber in Maybell)
Tuesday – November 17th, 2015
- Instructional Rounds
- 3:30 - 4:45 p.m. Staff Meeting
- 5:30 p.m. DAC Meeting @ Admin
Wednesday – November 18th , 2015
- 8:30 a.m. Elementary Principals Collab
- 9:00 p.m. Community Forum (Stacy)
- 3:45 - 7:00 p.m. Elementary Parent Teacher Conferences
Thursday – November 19th , 2015
- 7:00 a.m. Substance Abuse Prevention Program Meeting @ Cool Water Grille
- 9 a.m. Counselor Collab @ SR
- 3:00 p.m. School Board Meeting @ East
- Observations: Wheeler, Trapp
Friday – November 20th , 2015
- Not a lot on the calendar :)
November's Safety Topic
We have a new way of doing SAFETY MEETINGS! Please follow the link below to complete the November Safety. It can be found on the District Website
Moffatsd.org > News and Information > For Staff > Safety
Parent Teacher Conference Tips
1. Approach Parents with Positive Assumptions
Parents are your friends. They want to partner with you. They want to see their child succeed more than anything else. Parent conferences might be an opportunity for you to surface your beliefs about parents and reflect on them, but when you engage with parents, even if you hold some doubts about them, put those aside. Welcome every parent as your strongest ally in working with your student (their child).
2. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare
What is your goal or objective for the time you have with parents? What exactly do you want to communicate? What would you like the outcome of this meeting to be?
Here's an example: My goal in Maria's conference is for her mom to see the growth she's made in writing this fall and to determine some ways that she can be more organized. I also want to hear her mom's perspective on the social challenges she's dealing with.
Then prepare your materials. Have notes, tests, and work samples, but plan exactly what you want to share. Don't just sit down with parents and open a massive folder bursting with student work. Put sticky notes on the items you want to share, select the best examples of the growth, and jot down a few notes.
3. Be Solution Oriented
Be specific when asking for change. Telling a parent, "He's distracted a lot," is useless. What is the parent (who isn't sitting next to her child all day) supposed to do with that piece of information? How can she help her child or the teacher?
Whatever support you ask from a parent needs to be something that is within her sphere of influence. Asking a parent:
"Can you talk to him about being more focused?" is possible, and parents can talk and talk, but the results might be limited.
A teacher could say: "I'm concerned because your son is often distracted during independent work in my class. Here's what I'm doing to try to help him . . . . Do you see this behavior at home ever? Do you have any other ideas for things I could try? Can you think of anything you might be able to do?"
Always convey a growth mindset. All behaviors can change given the right conditions. If you want to see changes and have concerns about a student, be prepared to offer specific, actionable solutions.
4. Take the Opportunity to Learn
What could you ask parents that might help you better support your student? What would you like to know? If this is the first time you're sitting down with parents, it's a great opportunity to hear their perspective on their child's school experience so far, on what their child likes to do outside of school, on the questions, and concerns they have about their child. So what do you want to ask?
5. Show that You Care
For parents, conferences can be terrifying or wonderful. As a parent, I have sat across from teachers whose feelings I couldn't identify -- I actually questioned whether or not they cared about my son as a human being and as a student. I have also sat across from teachers who I wanted to jump up and hug; they so clearly cared about my boy.
Don't underestimate the power of the positive, and lead with it. Be specific in the positive data you share -- tell an anecdote or show a piece of work. Make sure you truly feel this positivity. We can all sniff out empty praise. There is always, always something positive and praise-worthy about every single child. It's your job to find it and share that data with parents.
Happy conferencing!
Tips compliments of Jill Hafey
Parent-Teacher Conference Tip Sheet
for Principals, Teachers, and Parents
TO DO. . . . . . .
- Parent Teacher Conferences
- Sign-up for a slot with American Fidelity
- Post Learning Targets and bring ‘em back!
- Complete Power Walks with Kids for Hallways
- Read the Newsletter
- Incentive goal????
American Fidelity
All employee's who work more than 30 hours per week must schedule an appointment to meet with an American Fidelity Representative, even if they do not want to elect any insurance coverage. Please click on the Google Form link below to schedule an appointment time. The form includes an add-on called a "choice eliminator" so it should only allow one person to select a time slot.
Important Note for Kindergarten
Kindergarten TS Gold Implementation for 2015-16
In alignment with the expectations for all other grade level teachers in elementary school, Kindergarten teachers should continue to document student performance and achievement using TS Gold 2.0 in the following three areas: Math, Literacy and Language. This is in alignment with the use of assessment matrices for 1st - 5th in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics.
For those concerned about alignment with Colorado State Standards, the following link could be helpful in understanding the connection between standards and TS Gold. http://teachingstrategies.com/content/pageDocs/CO-GOLD-Alignment-PS-2011.pdf It is our suggestion to keep track of content standards you find are not covered in TS Gold.
In terms of the requirement of school readiness plans, it is expected that the Kindergarten Teachers will develop a school readiness plan for each student in their classroom on or before the 3rd trimester report card that meets the requirements as outlined in state law and can be found on CDE’s website.
Principals need to know what types of supports and resources are needed to accomplish this task/expectation for the 2015-16 school year.
One-on-One Computing
Amber Clark
Email: amber.clark@moffatsd.org
Website: http://ridgeview.moffatsd.org/
Location: 600 Westridge Rd, Craig, CO, United States
Phone: 970-826-6595