Cat Tracks
Spring Shadows Elementary Wildcats Staff Newsletter
November 4 - 8, 2019
Focused on Literacy
Confident Communicators!
Feel the Love of Children Learning!
Our Vision
Our Mission
Core Beliefs
- Each student has unique intellectual, emotional, social, and physical qualities.
- We embrace a child’s individual values, interests, and personalities.
- Parents are confident in their child’s social and intellectual educational growth.
- Educators lead their craft by preparing learners in our fast changing world
The Silliest Teacher in School
Our teacher gave detention
to the fountains in the hall.
She handed extra homework
to the artwork on the wall.
We saw her point a finger
at a banner and a sign.
She said their bad behavior
was completely out of line.
The principal approached her
and said, “What is all this fuss?
I heard you tried to punish
all the tires on a bus.
“You’ve made the teachers angry
by disrupting all their classes,
so if you want to keep this job,
you have to wear your glasses!”
“The Silliest Teacher in School” © 2009 by Darren Sardelli. Reprinted from Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie. Copyright © 2009 by Laugh-A-Lot Books. Used with permission from Darren Sardelli.
Source: Galaxy Pizza and Meteor Pie (Laugh-A-Lot Books, 2009)
Principal's Message
As we enter this November, I have become very introspective about my life. It actually started with a wonderful conversation I recently had with Mr. Cabrera about the wonderful cycle of life and how we celebrate those that have come before us in Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
I'm getting older. I used to be a younger hot shot educator..... you know the kind.... the ones that grace our hallways focused and determined.
I used to be able to multi-task like it was nothing at all! I used to be so hungry for everything- learning, teaching, sharing, etc. I would teach all day, tutor, then work night school with Ms. Bunny at Ridgecrest, putting in about 13-14 hour days in school. Eventually I substituted the night work for grad school and doctoral school, all while juggling administrative work during the day. I felt very productive.
I used to have an incredible memory. Now, I struggle to remember when my last meeting was, so I've gotten into the habit of saying, "recently" so as not to name actual dates or times.
I'm getting a little slower, but I'm also savoring the wisdom I have accumulated in the nearly two decades of my educational career. I know, I know, some of you have me beat. I'm just talking about how I'm admittedly going into another era in my professional life and life in general.
And back to my conversation with Mr. Cabrera. We both reminisced how much we missed the dear loved ones that had entered that wonderful new life of theirs beyond ours. It made me think about all the people that have impacted us. It made me slow down and think about all the sacrifices our families have made so that we can be where we are. Regardless of our circumstances, we have to "slow the game down" as Awais tells me.
We have to stop.
And Breathe. And Smile. Because we are Alive.
We have every amazing thing passed down to us from our ancestors to ensure we are successful in everything we do. Every single moment is our choosing. We are the designers of our lives. How will we spend it? What emotions will we choose to evoke? How will we impact others?
We have an opportunity. Will you seize it this November?
With love, respect, and admiration,
Rachel Martinez
Fall Check-Ins
- Review progress of professional and growth goals.
- Bring in data for every child in your class including PSA Data & Common Assessments, Reading Levels, Grades, MAP Data, or other data deemed for your department.
- Discuss trends for students including strengths and weaknesses according to priority standards taught up to this date.
- Bilingual teachers will begin to formulate testing decisions for LPAC decision making for their students based on data.
- Discuss next steps for you and your class (counseling and extra interventions for both behavioral and academic needs.)
Calendar
Monday, November 4
2nd Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Salazar
- 8:30-10:00 ILT Mtg
- 2:45-4:00 Team Leader Huddle
- Update November Bulletin Boards with Student Generated Work!
Tuesday, November 5
3rd Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Salazar
- SPIRAL Day
- 2nd Grade Science PSA 1
- 3rd Grade Reading PSA 1
- 4th Grade Reading PSA 1
- 5th Grade Reading PSA 1
- Data Dive 1:00-2:00
- After School Tutoring
Wednesday, November 6
4th Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Salazar
- 3rd Grade Science PSA 1
- Faculty PLC 2:45-4:00: Academic (Dyslexia Training)
Thursday, November 7
PLC Day
Announcements: Salazar
- 5th Grade Math Common Assessment
- 4th Grade to Cornerstone Academy for Peter Pan Field Trip
- 10:00-11:00 2nd Grade Science PSA Data Conference/ Dyslexia Screener Training
- 11:00-12:00 4th Reading PSA Data Conference
- 12:30-1:30 3rd Reading PSA Data Conference
- 1:30-2:30 5th Reading PSA Data Conference
- After School Tutoring
- 3:00-4:00 PTO Meeting
Friday, November 8
5th Grade Extended Planning
Announcements: Salazar
Shout Outs
Male Role Models
- Mr. Nosrat joined our team this year and knows his kids very well! He also knows his content so well that he crushed his first data conference by pushing the team to remember to align our assessments to the actual TEKs required of students on that grade level. Way to go!
- Mr. Hernandez is always going to bat for his teams (whether they know it or not) and in leadership meetings pushes for understanding how to level out the playing field while maximizing on student growth.
- Mr. Daniel Garcia is our enrollment sub (future teacher) that has graced us with his talent since August! He started helping us in 5th, moved to Kinder, and now is supporting 2nd. In his quick 2 weeks at 2nd- he helped the students improve their math scores within one week with small group design.
Acts of Kindness Month
Water Challenge!
SBISD and SSE Water Challenge Winners!
4 week Challenge: September 30, 2019 – October 27, 2019.
- Each Monday, SSE staff members may win the following: 5 raffled leave early passes for those joining the Water Challenge. 1- $50 Amazon Requisition for your classroom/office for the TOP WATER GUZZLER of the Week.
- Week 1 Winner- Ms. Green
- Week 2 Winner- Ms. Luna
- Week 3 Winner- Ms. Luna
- Week 4 Winner- Ms. Green
Wow! These Ms. Green crushed it again! We have 2 top guzzlers on campus and these Queens reign supreme as Water Queens! They are Ms. Green and Ms. Vazquez who consistently reported their water intake! Congratulations! You will have a special prize!
Many thanks to all those who participated- you will find a little something in your box. :)
Rachel Martinez 1, 110
Priscilla Green 2053.1
Rocio Vazquez 1,702
Karen Simpson 2019
Maria Luna 1412
April Guykens 1308
Angie Veliz 544
Vivian Urrutia 672
Keep drinking!!! WATER that is!!!!
Spring Shadows Elementary
Email: rachel.martinez@springbranchisd.com
Website: https://cms.springbranchisd.com/sse2/
Location: 9725 Kempwood Drive, Houston, TX, United States
Phone: (713) 251-7100
Twitter: @twitter_rachelmartinez4