Wildcat Roar
NEWS AND INFO FOR WILDCAT STAFF 4.15
We want to be as clear as possible about expectations. Remember:
- DO NOT TELL STUDENTS TO GET OUT. STUDENTS CANNOT BE PUT OUT IN THE HALLWAY. This includes "versions" of this that can sound like giving students options, telling them they can leave because you know they don't want to be there anyway, etc.
- DO NOT REFUSE TO LET STUDENTS IN YOUR CLASSROOM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PASS. If a student doesn't have a pass, they should receive the consequence that should already be consistent and communicated throughout the grade level. The consequence cannot be refusing to admit them into the classroom. LEAVING STUDENTS IN THE HALLWAY UNATTENDED BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A PASS IS NOT AN OPTION.
- Follow your schedule. Refrain from holding classes, asking teammates to transition late, splitting classes, etc. If you think you need to split a class, you must get approval from Mr. Abdur-Rahman directly.
- Remember the expectations for transitions and follow them as a team. Use the transition rubric to help you, if needed.
- Stay in your classroom during instruction. This is the most stressful time of the year, and sometimes we may seek to escape stress, just like students who walk out of class. However, please respect the instructional time of your teammates and avoid interrupting classes unless absolutely necessary. We cannot waste one second at this time of the year.
- Instruction should be well-planned and executed. You should be using small groups every single day to provide differentiated instruction that is laser-focused on what specific students need in order to be prepared for Milestones. There are no "free" days, entire class periods to work on projects, etc. If you need time to work on remaining showcase products, this should take place in a small group rotation at this point. Teacher-led, differentiated, test preparation should take place every single day.
- Remember that testing creates a great deal of anxiety for students and staff. Our communication with students should be focused on building their confidence, not berating them and tearing them down. We know that our students have learned a lot, but a lack of confidence can sabotage their success. Speak life and success into ALL of our students. And be kind to each other :-) It's hard out there!
This is not an exhaustive list, but these are some of the events that are steadily increasing and contributing to chaos. We know this doesn't sound warm and fuzzy, but it is necessary to keep structures, routines, and procedures in place. We want to set our students up for success, not failure. As a result, each and every violation of the expectations above, as well as those previously communicated, will result in immediate written reprimands.
If you have any questions, please see an administrator. We are happy to help problem-solve.
PBL TIMELINE - YOU ARE HERE
PBL Showcase Dates
6th and 8th - April 18
7th - April 19
Raise the roof for the 6th grade team! They hosted parents, 5th graders, guests, and staff for their PBL Showcase last week! There were so many wonderful things to learn, experience, and see. All students were involved in a variety of ways. Students were prepared and excited, eager to share their learning. Congratulations!
Should Already Be Complete:
- Everything!
PBL To Do This Week:
- Participate in the 6th and 8th grade showcases this week!
May...
- 17 - 8th Dance
- 20 - 7th Field Day
- 21 - 6th and 7th Awards, 8th Field Trip
- 22 - 6th Field Day
- 23: 8th Field Day
- 24: 8th Awards
This is just another reminder of testing dates:
- GMAS - 5/1 - 5/16. Please do not schedule ANY field trips, events, personal absences, etc. during this time period. While all grade levels are not testing at once, it is possible that staff may need to be moved around to accommodate the amount of small groups that may be needed. Any staff member with any certification may be used for testing at any time during this window, including paraprofessionals, support staff, and administrators. Please assume that you are involved in testing and be pleasantly surprised if you are not needed. Of course this has already been stated repeatedly and is in the handbook, but no absences will be approved during testing or the last week of school. All testing dates are considered critical dates and all staff members are expected to be present.
Please click HERE for a link to a shared document that will track each of the required steps that need to take place PRIOR to a child receiving a failing grade on a report card. It is simple to use. Add a child's name to the form and an X to the boxes that are complete. You can also add any comments or notes that would be helpful for admin to know. Most importantly, we will use this information to make sure we are doing everything possible to support our students. Students should be held accountable for their own learning, but it also is up to us to maintain the belief that every child can succeed. Passively allowing a student to fail is not an option.
Instructional Resource of the Week
What is Test Anxiety?
"Test anxiety is a psychological condition in which people experience extreme distress and anxiety in testing situations. While many people experience some degree of stress and anxiety before and during exams, test anxiety can actually impair learning and hurt test performance.
Test anxiety is a type of performance anxiety. In situations where the pressure is on and a good performance counts, people can become so anxious that they are actually unable to do their best." Click HERE for more information about symptoms, causes, and strategies.
Follow the links below for resources to help you prepare students to overcome test anxiety.
https://childmind.org/article/tips-for-beating-test-anxiety/
http://www.pbs.org/parents/expert-tips-advice/2017/11/six-ways-help-kids-tackle-test-anxiety/
TO DO LIST
- Turn in lesson plans for the next TWO weeks by 8:00 a.m.
- Update the grade tracker (link above).
- Sign off on all TKES events.
THIS WEEK
IMPORTANT LINKS AND NUMBERS
Lesson Plans
- YouTube Whitelist: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc9VbhfNUemkJWYebOJtE5hF2H6hJF7Q2LCNa6_A9klUpKI5A/viewform?usp=pp_url
- Facilities Request: https://purposebuiltschoolsatlanta.formstack.com/forms/maintenance_janitorial_request
- Supply Request: https://tinyurl.com/ybtnbpwg
- Absence Request: https://tinyurl.com/yas5tbze
- Field Trip Request: https://tinyurl.com/ydx6kr4d
- Media Center Requests: https://goo.gl/forms/DT5rVm8OdUtIzzWh1
- Tech Requests: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/28827
- Digital Instructional Resources: www.portaportal.com Guest Access: dkemp
- Milestones Blueprints: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones-Test-Blueprints.aspx