THE FLIGHT RECORDER
Statesville Road Elementary's Weekly Staff Newsletter
Principal's Point to Ponder
In the game of football, a runner often makes an extra push for extra inches even if his initial effort already produced a first down in the run. In this situation, the runner does not have to push for extra inches, but he uses his discretionary effort - the energy he chooses to expend -for the extra gain. This week we are coming to school knowing the majority of our kids' Discovery Education, TRC, and MAP data shows growth in the right direction. We also know we have taught the content for Unit 3 and our students are ready to take the Common Assessments on Monday- Wednesday this week. So in a sense, we have already made the first down. We could be satisfied with that. We could come to work this week, relax, and celebrate. But is that what a champion educator would do? Absolutely not! We are champions and we will use our discretionary effort to secure extra gains this week. We will choose to be on time, begin instruction at 8:00, plan super engaging lessons, as well as be vigilant in monitoring and holding kids to our school wide behavior expectations. This week requires our discretionary effort because it appears we are ahead in the game, we are already tired, and we want the game to end. Discretionary means you have the decision to choose---it is at your discretion how you expend your energy this week. Expending that small amount of energy now will result in a larger amount of gains later. Let's go team!
Instructional Strategy of the Week -- Building Relationships
Kudos / General Reminders / Agreements
- Kudos to Patterson and the TRC testing teams who have tested so far! You all are working efficiently and with a sense of teamwork that is giving us the information we need to better serve our kids.
- Kudos to Hall and the Staff Culture Think Tank for a fun-filled, well attended staff holiday social last Friday!
- Kudos to all who covered or assisted any class in any way on last Friday. Teamwork makes the dreamwork!
- Kudos to Abdel-Hameed for planning a Hispanic Parent meeting for this Monday! If you are able to support this event by providing child care, please let Abdel-Hameed know.
- Peer Observations due December 16th. Please follow the email sent by Hall and let Hall know if you have any questions.
- Common Assessments are Monday - Wednesday of this week. I did not put a reminder in last week's Flight Recorder, but I trust your assessments are loaded in School Net and ready to roll (grades 2-5).
- In honor of school spirit week, staff can wear appropriate jeans every day this week.
- Classes may have holiday parties on Friday, December 19th. Plan a time for your holiday party prior to the school wide assembly, which may run to close to the end of the day.
Monday, December 15, 2014 (Day 5)
- School Spirit Week: Winter White Out (wear all white)
- 7:55am - Monday Meeting
- Common Assessment - Unit 3
- 3:15pm: Cunningham, S. McAfee, J. McAfee, Chambers meet with Burgess in Conference Room
Tuesday, December 16, 2014 (Day 1)
- School Spirit Week: Scarf Day
- Williams at Project Lift Principals Meeting (PM)
- Common Assessment - Unit 3
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 (Day 2)
- School Spirit Week: Ugly Sweater Day
- Common Assessment - Unit 3 (if applicable for your grade level)
- DDI Full Day Planning : Lee and Christy (look for email from Williams with details)
- Holiday Assembly Rehearsal (see email sent by Lungarini for rehearsal times)
- NO STAFF MEETING
Thursday, December 18, 2014 (Day 3)
- School Spirit Week: Pajama Day (adults, please make sure your pajamas are appropriate for the work place)
- DDI Full Day Planning - 4th and 5th grades (look for email from Williams with details)
- 6:00pm: Glee Club Concert
Friday, December 19, 2014 (Day 4)
- School Spirit Week: Red, Green, White Day
- 8:00am - 8:30am: Real Men Read
- School Wide Holiday Assembly (see email sent by Lungarini with start time)