Bear Blast
December 2019
Each snowflake no matter where in the world is unique and different. Each child no matter where in the world is unique and unlike any other.
What's Included?
- Important Dates
- Library, Literacy, Media & More Smore
- New RTI Coordinator
- Water Stations
- Restorative Discipline
- Enrichment Second Semester
- Optional PD
- Mid Year Check Ins
- NWEA Revised Dates
- Cafe Tables/Chairs
- Service Projects
- Equity & Inclusion
- Butterfly Bulletin
Dates Coming Up
12/9: Equity Members available before/after PLC in Media Center
12/12: Choice PD @ 7:45 am
12/20: PTO Breakfast in Cafe @ 7:50 am
1/6: Students and Teachers return to school (Peace Learning Center rescheduled for Aug)
1/20: NWEA Window Opens
Happy Dreamer by Peter H. Reynolds
Tumble and Bounce
A bridge.
A bridge by definition is something that is intended to reconcile or
form a connection between two things.
It may stand straight, firm, and solid but after time...it may wobble, creak, and become disjointed.
You are educators. You are teachers. You are BIG dreamers that make EPIC experiences for the kids lucky enough to walk through your doors. The excitement and energy of the beginning of the year and fall have gone leaving us with darkness and cold December.
We have 11 magnificent days left to INSPIRE and create happiness for not only the kids but for one another.
"Sometimes the world tell us to sit still...be quiet...pay attention...focus...." hang up documentation, clean up your learning spaces, do more inquiry, get a new provocation, celebrate every holiday and read a book that represents every face in your room. Whoa.
These are moments when we feel overwhelmed or question are we good enough?
Do I have what it takes?
"These are moments we may feel alone and BOXED in." Yet we always find a way back.
You are really good at being YOU.
So who is that? What is your identity?
What makes you tick? What is your jam that gets you all excited and full of energy so
December can feel like fall?
"Just be YOU."
We can't be good at it all so what will our one thing be the next 11 days?
We can all be a bridge.
We can all be something that is intended to reconcile or form a connection between two things....two teammates...two students...two families...old teammates.
We can all be a bridge.
Go be a bridge.
Glow Run Success - Water Stations
Restorative Discipline
At this point in the year we have under 20 office referrals and 90% of them are Physical Altercation (more than 1 person involved) where someone was harmed with a high volume occurring in cafe or recess.
We could not be prouder of your creation of calming areas around the building. Keep discussing with teams what is working and not working in order to recreate even better practices as we think about relaunching procedures and expectations upon our return in January!
Do all of the students in your classroom know this is an option for them and how to use the timer, objects, zones of regulation posters to assist them so you can keep teaching?
Enrichment Schedule Jan-May
Please see revised schedule here.
Positives listed for students included:
1. Students taking on tasks presented to new levels demonstrating unknown skills to teachers.
2. New relationships formed between adults and students that are not typically with one another.
3. New relationships formed between students with mixed groupings occurred.
4. Students becoming invested in learning experiences with high engagement and motivation due to choice, teamwork & interests.
We owe it to ourselves and students to continue to embed the freedom and flexibility this type of collaboration allowed. Connections formed and sustained because of new families or bonds are exactly what this type of learning brings.
Our second semester challenge to each grade level is to make it a priority to:
- Collaborate with one enrichment teacher at minimum on current standards that can be incorporated into specials classes.
- Take on pairing up with another class to open up learning experiences for teamwork, new connections, and collaboration.
- Allow inquiry at a level that you have not done before with at least one activity or project.
SFS Mid Year Check Ins
If for any reason you need to change your time - please find the sign up here.
Revised NWEA Information
There will be more information coming regarding how we will structure small groupings, schedule of testing, etc in January. Until then, please begin to consider how and when your F&P and Math semester assessments should be scheduled. We have flexibility in January or can still close up the semester before leaving for winter break with these assessments. This is a great discussion for an upcoming PLC.
Something to consider is completing reading and math benchmarks for the students in Tier 2/3 prior to December 20 in order to analyze and bring to the table with teams in future January PLCs. Collaborative lead will have more information in the coming weeks.
Cafe Furniture
As we think about how this will change the flow of entering and exiting the cafe - it's always a good reminder to consider any adjustments you can make with the transition as well.
- Bathroom breaks (please avoid using the restroom across from teacher's lounge unless 2nd grade).
- Lunch Cards (please ensure cards are passed out to students prior to getting to cafe.)
- Coats/Hats/Gloves (please continue to remind students that they must have a coat to enjoy outdoor recess)
- Lines (please have students walk in a single file line as two lines on both sides of the hallway are causing too much congestion.) .
Safety Reminders
As it continues to get cold, we often want to park closer to the doors as possible. Our preschool families are still required in the winter to park and walk kids in. Please continue to park in the spots closest to grass or away from Hope Church side leaving as many visitor spots available for drop off and pick up that occurs twice a day for our littles.
Doors
Liz has asked that when we enter and exit any doors in the building to turn and check by pulling on handle to make sure the door has locked.
Congrats to Sue Gaudreau - our new BSE RTI Coordinator!
December Service Projects
A few grade levels are doing things prior that lead up to the culminating event. All culminating events may or may not be on December 20th. Please take the lead on doing service learning anytime throughout the year as we move forward. We cannot wait to see what happens in 2020!
Thursday 12/19
1st 2:20-3:20 PM -Toys for Children's Bureau
Friday 12/20
Kinder 10-11 AM - Winter Donations to Salvation Army
4th 10:45-12:45 AM - Memory of K9 Memorial Rocks
3rd 1:30-2:30 PM - Zero Hunger Food Item Collection
Personally Arranged
2nd with Kinder Collab for Book Giving
Equity and Inclusion Chat Monday Dec 9
Our belief at BSE is that we want every child celebrated in some way all throughout the year. We cannot celebrate all holidays that exist throughout the year in December. Why? Because it could be perceived that we are doing that so that we can celebrate Christmas.
Celebrate Eid in April, celebrate Rosh Hashanah in September, celebrate Christmas in December....what else can we learn about? We must be aware of what holidays are important to our families in order to respectfully include them into our classrooms at the appropriate time. It matters to our families. They notice when we make the slightest effort. We won't always get it all right but we sure can be inclusive and try. The more we know, the more we can do better with what we know. We have to always give students an opt out option just as we would with an allergy. Are there ways we can incorporate experiences so that no child really needs to opt out of anything we do?
Just like we read inclusive books all year long, we celebrate equity all year long with the choices we make with instruction.
If you are unsure but really want to talk through some ideas that you have to bring culture in your classroom and stay legal with what we are allowed to do as a public school please stop in the library before or after PLC on
Monday December 9 to chat with members of our Equity Team.