Monday Message
5.9.16
It's easy to fall into the routine of focusing on "just getting to the end." I realize that it can be a crazy time of year, but I know that when I only focus on the end of things I miss all of the wonderful things that happen in between now and then. Our students haven't stopped learning. You all haven't stopped providing opportunities for them to grow, and I know that this will continue right to the end.
I believe wholeheartedly that changing the message about the final days of school will have an impact on student engagement and behavior. Ask yourself this question: Are you making the days count or are you counting the days? It's 12 words that can make a difference for our kids and for you.
Calendar (AKA Where Will Tim Be This Week?)
Monday, May 9th:
- Fire Drills periods 3 and 8
Tuesday, May 10th:
- Fire Drill period 2
- Faculty Meeting (Gathering, Tracking, and Looking at Data), 2:15 PM, Library - Bring your Chromebooks
- Skidmore K-12 Restorative Justice Committee Meeting, 3:30 PM, Skidmore College
Wednesday, May 11th
- SchoolTool Unlock for Quarter 4 Progress Reports
Thursday, May 12th:
- BLT meeting, 2:15 PM, Library Classroom (Bring Chromebooks)
Friday, May 13th:
- Annual Talent Show, 7:00 PM, LGI
Upcoming Dates:
5/18 - Joint MS/HS ITL Meeting (3:00)
5/24 - 5th Grade Parent Night (6th grade teachers do not need to attend)
5/26 - 5th Grade Field Day (Rain Date - June 6th)
Faculty Meeting
Tech Tips from Jerilyn
Here is an extension that I strongly recommend for those who have added previously created Word, Excel, or PPT to their Drive. With this extension, you can edit Office documents within Drive. Without it you have to download, adjust, save, and re-add to Drive. You cannot make new Office documents, but it helps those who already have them.
Teachers can go to the Chrome Web Store, type Office Editing for Docs, Sheets, and Slides in the search bar, and click Add to Chrome.
In the middle school, this extension should be on their Chromebooks because it is installed in the Chrome OS by default, but they should look for it on their top menu bar. It has an icon like the picture above, a circle with blue, green, yellow with a pencil in the middle. If it isn't available, add it.
May 27th Conference Day Update
I will be sending out a sign-up document with descriptions of sessions this week so that you'll have a chance to plan your day. Check out the link to the schedule to see what is being offered (so far). We've got a great list going, and a huge thanks those of you who have already stepped up! Don't forget to let me know if you're willing to share your expertise or new things you've tried this year with colleagues.