Paxton Faculty Newsletter
Week of April 1, 2019
At Paxton, we do everything with PRIDE, PASSION & PURPOSE in EPIC proportions!
Let's make it P.O.P!
Mission:
Paxton School enables student achievement with a dynamic faculty devoted to high academic standards and commitment to continuous improvement and success.
It’s H.A.M.R. Time!
High Expectations + Accountability + Motivation = Results
In the Spotlight
Wear BLUE on April 2nd to honor those with autism!
April is Autism Awareness Month, and Tuesday, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day! Walton County School District celebrates the value and uniqueness of every child, and recognizes the challenges that people with autism, and those who love them, face every day. Across the district, teachers, administrators, and students will be wearing BLUE to honor those with autism!
Differentiated Accountability: We are proudly educating 785 future leaders.
Referrals - Total Number 223
In order to minimize the number of referrals for the end of the year, it is important for all personnel to be consistent in our expectations and be VISIBLE. Let's work together to finish STRONG with the least number of referrals in the months of April and May.
Instructional Focus
Formal Evaluations
If you have not signed up for your formal evaluation with Mr. Jackson or myself, please do so. We would like to have all formal evaluations complete by the first week of May.
Keep the following "Look Fors" in mind when planning for your observation. For a complete list, I would recommend reviewing the rubric.
- Daily Learning Target (posted and discussed)
- Standard
- Alignment between the standard, learning target, and activity
- Is the rigor of the activity in alignment with the depth of the standard?
- Student engagement
- Formative Assessments
- Level of Questioning
- Are students experiencing "productive struggle"?
- Is the lesson teacher-centered or student-centered? or Who is doing the most work, teacher or student?
- Differentiation
- Classroom climate (routines and procedures)
- Technology (student or teacher use)
Professional Development Updates
It is important for you to upload evidence on Edivate related to your PLC for your deliberate practice.
Important Information
- Faculty Meeting: 4/2/2019 @ 3:05 in Media Center - Charlie Morse will be speaking for the first 20 minutes and then there will be updates from our different departments and committees. Originally, elementary teachers were to be dismissed and then secondary teachers were to stay for the final discussion on grading and reporting. Since I cannot be there due to the arrival of my new granddaughter, the secondary teacher portion of the faculty meeting will be rescheduled.
- Testing: Please make sure to remind students that testing is occurring all over the campus this week and everyone needs to move from one place to another as QUIETLY as possible.
- Safety:
- Please do NOT release students early at the end of 7th period unless you plan to supervise your class. There is not supervision until the bell rings.
- All classroom doors must be locked at all times. As part of their daily duties, Officer Davidson and Officer Shover will be checking to see if doors are locked throughout the day. If the door is not locked, they will ask for it to be locked. Thank you for your help in keeping our students safe!
- Cell Phone Usage in the Classroom: It is imperative ALL teachers adhere to the following classroom procedures regarding cell phone usage in the classroom. All cell phones are to be off and out of sight in the classroom. This includes listening to music with earphones. Classroom Disciplinary Procedures regarding cell phones: Record the infraction on the Behavior Tracking Form in the Student Planner and take the phone up. The phone should be sent to the office and parents will be contacted. It is imperative we all have the same expectations regarding cell phone usage in the classroom.
- Attendance: Attendance should be taken each day. Secondary teachers need to take attendance each period in an effort to monitor students throughout the day.
- Passes: If you give verbal permission for students to go to the bathroom before the tardy bell, please ask them to take a pass.
- Substitutes: Please use only the CURRENT and APPROVED Substitute List if you choose to obtain your own substitutes. Also, when making substitute notes, please include that students are not allowed to use cell phones. All cell phones should be OFF and Out of Sight.
- Passwords: Please do NOT give out your passwords to anyone.
- Absences: Any time you are going to be out, please contact Ms. Cain, Ms. Neale, or Mr. Jackson.
April Happenings:
- 4/1-4/30/19 - STAR Testing Window
- 4/2/19 - Faculty Meeting
- 4/2-4/5 - ELA FSA Writing & 3G ELA FSA
- 4/10/19 - 3-5 Awards Day @1:30
- 4/15 & 4/16 - Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
- 4/17/19 - K-2 Field Day
- 4/18/19 - 3-5 Field Day
- 4/19/19 - Early Release Day & Grades 6-11 Awards Day (6-8 @ 8:30 & 9-11 & 10:00)
- 4/20/19 - Prom
- 4/23/19 - Interim Reports
- 4/25/19 - Principals' Meeting
- 4/26/19 - BRAG
Calendar Additions:
NOTE: If there are any changes or additions, please contact the front office.