Cool Cats Update
Sunset Valley Elementary
Week of January 23 - 27
Simply Knead
Rebecca Brown from Simply Knead will be here on Monday, Jan. 23rd doing chair massages from 9:30 – 2:30. Please sign up on-line at www.simplyknead.com
January Bobcat Gatherings & Committee Meetings
- Thursday, Jan. 26 - Campus Teacher of the Year voting at a shortened Bobcat Gathering then...Nacho Hour @ Chuy's 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm
- Thursday, Feb. 2 - NO Bobcat Gathering so that you can have time to get ready for Open House
- Friday, Feb. 3 - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Data Talks during planning time to look at DRA, AimsWeb & IStation Data
- Monday, Feb. 6 - Kinder & 6th Data Talks during planning time to look at DRA, AimsWeb & IStation Data
- Monday, Feb 6 - Literacy Library Committee meeting
- Thursday, Feb 9 - Team Leadership meeting
- Monday, Feb 13 - Cookies & Cocoa with Kristen & Anna for 2nd, 5th & 6th during planning
- Wednesday, Feb 15 - Cookies & Cocoa with Kristen & Anna for Kinder, 1st, 3rd, & 4th during planning
- Thursday, Feb 16 - Bobcat Gathering - Drum FIT time!
- Monday, Feb 20 - TELPAS training & Social Studies Resource review
- Thursday, Feb 23 - Bobcat PLC - Analyzing 4th 6 weeks Common Assessments
- Thursday, March 2 - Team Leadership meeting
Data Talks Rescheduled
Important Dates to Remember - Please include appropriate items in your grade level newsletter
All NEW items have been highlighted
- January 23 - West Fork HOA Meeting in Cafe @ 5:30 pm
- January 24 - 4th grade Writing Released STAAR & 5th grade Math Released STAAR
- January 24 - 2nd grade music performances
- January 26 - PTA Spirit Night @ Pei Wei in Alliance
- January 26 - SVES/BWES Band Spirit night at Chick-Fil-A @ Alliance & Presidio locations
- January 30 - ICLE Observations from district admin. team
- January 30 - February 3 - SVES Book Fair
- January 31 - February 1 - Tiffany Neal, ELA Instructional Coach on campus
- February 2 - SVES Open House & 5th grade Show-Off 6:00 pm- 7:00 pm
- February 3 - Kinder Rodeo during PE (Kinder & 5th grade switched times for co-curr)
- February 16 - Wellness Champions Lunch & Learn (lunch provided for all)
- February 24 - All grade level budgets must be spent
- March 9 - District Instructional Rounds @ SVES
Instructional Rounds
- I would expect higher level questions that would make me think deeply about what I am learning.
- I would feel comfortable and safe to share my knowledge.
- I would be able to recall knowledge & give details, use my prior knowledge and know routines.
- I would know expectations for working with peers, adults (teachers), and on my own.
There was one particular observation that stood out the most for me. All teams agreed that our students were HAPPY. Wow! What a tribute to you!
The Principal's Den- from One Cool Cat to Another
- The Roman month Februarius was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar Roman calendar.
- February frequently occurs in lists of the most commonly misspelt words in the English language.
- Before Julius Caesar’s calendar reform of 45BC, February was the only month with an even number of days. All the rest had 29 or 31.
- February is the only month that can pass with no full moon. This will next occur in 2018.
- February is National Pet Dental Health month. It is also Hot Breakfast month.
February also marks the time of year when many of us feel the effects of all the stress that this job can bring. "Via a chain of processes, stress promotes the release of cortisol into the bloodstream, which has wide-ranging effects on the body. Perhaps more concerning, though, are its effects on the mind. It pushes us into ‘all-or-nothing’ thinking: impulsive, quick-fix behavior intended to get us out of immediate trouble." Most of us recognize when we are feeling this but what we don't recognize is what is truly causing it. The important thing is that we are there for one another when we are feeling like there aren't enough minutes in our day to get everything done. A priority to one may not be the priority of another. But we still push ourselves to get it all done and get it done with style & sometimes perfection. Remember, your students and most importantly, your family are affected when our stress comes out. For me, I become quiet and want to be by myself. That practice causes others around me to feel that I am upset at them!
So, it's time for some REJUVENATION! Keep sharing your beautiful smile to all those you see everyday. Keep recognizing others for their hard work. Heart @ Work slips are a great tool to use. Keep reminding yourself that you are amazing at what you do. You've worked hard to get here! Define what support looks like to you & reflect on our current practices. Is the support system currently in place working for you? And finally, the stars were aligned when you decided to work in the field of education. You were meant to be with kids. You are at Sunset Valley because of how incredibly talented you are. This job is VERY hard BUT you are tougher! Take a few minutes to watch the video below. If you've never seen "Lessons of the Geese" now is the time to see it.
The Bobcat 6
- Be prepared every day.
- Intentionally plan using a variety of strategies to meet the needs of all students.
- Seek solutions and always focus on what is best for kids.
- Know what you need to learn and seek the knowledge out.
- Build positive relationships and communicate effectively.
- Be accountable.
Campus Teacher of the Year
On January 26th, Sunset Valley will vote for our very first Teacher of the Year! Debbie will be putting together a ballot along with an explanation of the rules for the process. KISD is excited to honor our 41 campus Teachers of the Year at a breakfast at the Administration Building on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 9 a.m. Sodexo has graciously agreed to serve as our breakfast sponsor for the event.
- The Top Ten teachers of the year will be invited to the Education Gala and the District’s two winners will be announced the evening of the Gala. (In the past, all campus TOYs were invited the Gala. Now it is just the top 10)
- The Communications Department will pay for all campus TOYs’ half-day substitutes on the day of the breafast.
- Each campus TOY will receive $150 to spend on their classrooms from Communications’ online advertising revenue.
- The district will announce the Top Ten TOYs at the Celebration Breakfast.
- All campus TOYs will be awarded a plaque.
- In addition to the campus TOYs - all Principals, Board, and Cabinet will attend the breakfast.
2017 Education Foundation Gala will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2017 (Time/Location TBD).
College Colors Days
Where in the World are Anna & Kristen?
Thursday - Kristen will be at TCHS for Instructional Rounds
District Instructional Calendar
February 20, 2017 – Student Holiday (Teacher Professional Development)
March 13-17, 2017 – District Holiday (Spring Break)
April 14, 2017 – District Holiday (Bad Weather Make-Up Day)
April 17, 2017 – District Holiday (Bad Weather Make-Up Day)
May 27, 2017 – High School Graduation (at UTA's College Park Center)
May 29, 2017 – District Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 2, 2017 – Last Day of School