Wolf News
Staff Bulletin
Octubre/October 17-21
A note from Jen...
It was a short week but boy didn't it feel like the longest week so far! So much happened this week and I am so proud of all of you for enduring such a difficult week and still walking away on Thursday afternoon with a smile. You should feel proud of your strength, your perseverance and your diligence. We are walking on a journey that will require all of these traits that you hold so well. Please know that I am here to support you. I am here FOR YOU! Don't feel alone. Don't feel like you can't come and talk to me. Don't fee like history will repeat itself. I’m a first year principal and really want to support you and grow as a leader. I have a lot to learn and we have yet to get to know each other. I am so glad we are not perfect because all those imperfect moments is what makes us stronger and wiser. :) I hope you enjoy your weekend and get lots of R & R! We have a wonderful school year ahead of us that will be filled with tears, laughter, and great memories. Together we are going to rock it and accomplish anything we set our minds to do for the sake of our students!
LET'S DO THIS!!!!!
Academic Seminar
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016, 02:00 PM
Library
Walk through focus this week...
~What is the learning target of the lesson?
~Is the task/activity aligned to the learning target?
More info...
- Great news! Student growth goals due date will be extended since Perform has been down. :) Second great news we can meet as a team if you all have the same SGLL.
- Service dogs- We have a couple of students who have service dogs and we may see them from time to time in our building or school grounds.
- Parent vue- Just a reminder, I don't want you to get overwhelmed at end of year trying to input all your assignments.
- We can display your conference schedule at multicultural night if you like. If interested send Alex your conference schedule.
- Great work this week with PLC's!
- To help get your maintenance requests needs met please send in a work order
- Prize for first class to complete the family culture survey.. Office emailed to families the link last week. (So far Anderson and Phillips are in the lead) We can make copies for the families that do not have email just send us your head count. :) https://goo.gl/forms/tY5CgdXwk6lkmYFo2
- It's not too late! ;) If still interested in having an uninterrupted 15 min break in my office where I provide sub coverage for you... sign up here ;) https://docs.google.com/a/hsd.k12.or.us/spreadsheets/d/1USuTu90Ra2A8bGGbJjXoO-zGkfAR-F9kGMIubuNnIGA/edit?usp=sharing
Coaches Message #coachescorner
Dual Language Tip
The bridge explicitly teaches students how their two languages are similar and different. The bridge develops metalinguistic awareness.
Class Management Tip
Why do we have to raise our hand?” “Why can’t we talk while we’re working?” “Why do we have to walk in line?”
The questions may be different, but they’re all meant to challenge your methods. They’re meant to challenge your decisions, your motives, and in some cases, even your authority. They’re often asked with an accusatory tone and always in front of the class. You must be very careful how you respond. Because if you become defensive, if you cross your arms and say “because I said so” or “because I’m the teacher,” you’ll put yourself at odds with your class.
Classroom management is most effective when students buy-in. It’s most effective when they believe you have their best interest at heart and appreciate what it’s like being in their shoes. It’s most effective when they willingly go along with your methods. Because, in this day and age, ‘my way or the highway’ doesn’t work. It merely seals your fate to a career of stress and battling with students. So when a student questions your policies, procedures, rules, or expectations, it’s best to think of it as an opportunity to show that you put them first.
“I wish you could call out whenever you wanted. That would be ideal. And if it was just a few of us, you could. But because there are 28 students in this class, it wouldn’t be fair to everyone.”
“I understand what you’re saying, but one of my most important jobs is to protect your learning. Talking during independent work time, while everyone is trying to concentrate, is distracting.”
“It would be fun to head down to lunch or the library in a big mob. I’m all for it. But unfortunately, we have to allow room in the hallway for others to pass by. We also have to be careful not to disturb classrooms along the way.”
By using the power of why, and appealing to the true reason behind your decisions, you can turn such questions around. You can assure your class that everything you do has a purpose that benefits them, those around them, and the class as a whole. A great many students believe that teachers enjoy bossing them around—because that’s the conclusion they draw when you don’t provide the ‘why’ of what you do.
The more open and transparent you are in explaining the logic of your methods, the more your students will embrace them.
So when you get a question that is meant to challenge you or throw you off your game, seize it. Welcome it. You can even encourage it.
“Please challenge me on anything. If you want to know why we’re doing this or that, please let me know. I’m happy to answer.”
It’s an approach that sets you apart and demonstrates the purity of your motives. It causes your students to swim with the tide rather than against it. It proves your sincerity.
ESL Message #eslcorner
Cognates/Cognados
Did you know that there are literally hundreds of words in English that have a cognate in Spanish? The beauty of this lucky fact for our Latino students is that if we help them identify those cognates, they will be armed to rapidly recognize words that will help them deepen understanding of English, even for our beginners. This holds true especially for those students who already read Spanish.
A Cognate Corner on the Word Wall is one way to support our ELLs, and will also help the kids who don't speak Spanish to pick up some second language vocab! Try giving points to Cognate Captains, etc. You all are so creative and will come up with better ideas, for sure!
The website below is one of many resources that can support your use of cognates in the classroom, even if you don't speak Spanish.
http://spanishcognates.org/cognate-ending
Witch Hazel ESOL team
Student Incident Reports
Please report student incidents that happen in your classroom.
The link to the SafeSchools Accident Tracking Site is:
Student Accident Reporting OPEN link
Please contact Michelle Brady at CNET 6691/ bradym@hsd.k12.or.us or Leah McCarthy at CNET 2765/ mccarthl@hsd.k12.or.us if you have questions.
Shout Out!!!
This week's shout out goes to an outstanding teacher who has done an amazing job keeping herself and students regulated when sudden situations change in her classroom. Her technique is to continually check on her students, show them that she cares, and have ample of discussions with them so they understand what is going on. Her students greet her every morning with a big smile that shows their teacher crafted care for them. No wonder one morning one of her students came up to her and said "Miss. Truesdale, I just want to put you on a display case and take you home with me"
!Felicidades Audrey, Es muy especial saber que tus estudiantes te estiman mucho! !En hora buena!