Dragon Tales
March 23, 2020
Dessau Elementary will foster a child's love of learning
and support academic and social growth.
Happy Spring!
I know that many of you probably had some different plans in mind for the first day of Spring! But, of course, things changed! Only a few days into the Spring Break Social Distancing experience and I am bored out of my mind! I keep wondering if I would feel different if I had little ones running around. But I am guessing those of you who do have little ones might be experiencing some other kind of feelings about now! LOL Trying to keep a sense of humor :)
On a more serious note, I am sure most of you are felling a little nervous about this whole situation. Let me help a little by letting you know that ALL staff members will be getting paid while we are out! Yes, EA's and office staff, you will get a full pay check :) Teachers, we will too! I hope that brings you a little relief :)
As the stress of our distancing and personal needs grows, it may be difficult for some of us to stay positive. Please know that it is okay to have the blues and be scared. Please remember that one of the wonderful strengths our campus has is an amazing network of support! Don't be shy, reach out to someone. Stay in touch with each other in case some of us are alone. If you are not sure who to call... call me :) Sending a great big hug your way!
Some things to note...
- As of Monday, everyone needs to check their email daily. Information will be passed along as we get it.
- It is expected that all teaching staff (salary employees) are available during work hours. If you are asked to "work" and you are somehow unable, leave time will be used. Please understand that I will give you notice when possible about any specific work requirements. I would encourage teams to meet at least once a week via conference call or on-line, but please do not gather in person.
- If you have a way to communicate with your parents, please keep in touch to send your students a message and encourage them to read at home. At this point we don't want to make too many heavy suggestions about work, just make friendly contact so they don't feel isolated.
- If you absolutely need to access something at school, Trudy or myself will make ourselves available to provide you quick access. No one is allowed to work on campus and in compliance with guidelines, only 10 or less at a time will be allowed. Once we know who needs quick access, we will make a schedule to make ourselves available to let you in. NO ONE is allowed without us accompanying you :) If you do come up to campus, we need to stay 6 feet away from each other :) No hugs :)
Here is what the district said:
Campus buildings cannot be used for any staff meetings.
As much as possible we are working to keep our buildings clean.
If staff need something from the building, an AP or the Principal must be present in the building when staff are there.
The statewide limit of no gatherings of greater than 10 people must be adhered to at all times.
The Principal will need to schedule these times (staff need to pre-arrange with the principal) and adhere to the 10 person limit.
Staff should not be allowed to come in and work from the building, only to come in briefly to pick up any needed resources.
Kudos:
In addition to the following kudos, I just want to say how excited I was to work with all of you on our PD day! There were so many smiles; it felt so good! Thanks for the positive feedback about the learning in each of our station rotations. I wish I could have bottled up all of that positive energy! Our tree came out awesome! If your hand print did not already make it on to the tree, make sure you add it when we get back :) Thanks for your engagement and participation!!!
- Thanks to Ms. Martinez, Ms. Brandenburg, Ms. Floyd and Ms. Roberts for leading PD!
- Way to go Brandenburg with our STAAR training!
- How about our awesome EA's! Thanks for helping to set up and take down everything on Friday for PD! And.... for the tree!!!
- Outstanding conversation and learning in the EA session about campus "look-fors." So impressed with the level of learning and dedication to doing a job at a high level! Go Team!
- Thank you Jessica and office staff for getting all of our treats set up for us! We appreciate you!!!
- Thank you to the members of our CIP team. It is nice to have a team so positively focused on our future.
- Way to go team leaders. Another successful day of learning in the Rock Gym! Your ideas and TEAM attitude make all of the difference!
Have a sunshine filled week!
Carolyn
Things to know...
- No one enters the school without Trudy or me in your presence.
- You MUST make yourself available during work hours. :)
- Check email everyday :)
- Don't go to campus.
- Stay tuned for info on getting grades submitted.
- We need to get all end of the year grade level awards assemblies on the books for May! Let me know what your team wants to do!
- PRIDE committee, please be on stand by to make some decisions about awards.
- Revisiting brain breaks: brain breaks are not an outside / recess activity. ALL brain breaks will take place within your classroom, lasting 1-3 minutes. Instructional time must be protected.
- Remember to complete the mandatory state training on seizures :)
ESF (Effective School Framework) Update
Since we have so many new folks, we thought it would be helpful to pause and remind everyone that we are an ESF campus. This is due to our student performance on state assessments not meeting targeted levels. ESF allows us to plan as a team how to move our work forward and create a road map for action items throughout the year. Our DES team is made up of our A-Team and each team leader on campus. This past cycle we were able to celebrate some benchmarks where we either met our target or showed great progress toward completing:
- Created and launched our new campus mission and vision statements (new posters already on the hallway walls and posters for your classrooms coming soon!)
- Held our MOY data talks and organized Tiered interventions.
- Provided time for teams to collaboratively plan for small group instruction.
- Invited district coordinators to model and present strategies to build capacity in teachers.
- Established a routine for turning in, reviewing and providing feedback on lesson plans.
Thank you to our teacher leaders for your strong and collaborative voice this year.
Who won some extra help this week?
Ms. Castillo & Ms. Andresen
Ms. Riojas has had a change in her availability but wants to keep this going! She can help you grade papers, cut things out, anything from home. I will give her your names so you can arrange the details :)
PBIS Corner
PBIS
GET RESET after Spring Break!
Please encourage your campus to "reset" school-wide expectations after break. It is the perfect time to re-teach classroom expectations, revisit/revise social contracts and discuss respectful, responsible and safe behavior!
What if you could start the school year over again? What would you change?
This article has 5 steps to consider to restart your classroom!
Hitting Reset
*Additional Reset Resources are in the PBIS/Intervention section below.
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a multi-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates schools where all students succeed.
Plan your classroom reset after break!
Check out these websites for information and ideas:
When to Reteach Behavior Expectations?
Having classroom management issues? Six tips for resetting expectations.
PTO Fundraiser: $2 chocolate bars YUM!
In an effort to have tight control over any money collected, please send students with their envelopes directly to the office so we can collect them.
DES Teacher Birthdays!!
Happy Belated Birthday to Ms. Contreras (I think we left her off)
Freeman - 28
Calendar of Events
The calendar has had some changes....
April 9:
- PLC day
- 2:00 Assembly: Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser???
April 10:
No School ????
April 13:
Jeans and a nice shirt for paid Sunshine members
April 14:
PK Registration 8:30 - 2:00
April 15:
- CIP Workshop
- Kindergarten Registration: 8:30 - 2:00
April 16:
PK & Kinder Registration 10:30 - 6:30
April 23:
- Kinder / 1 Musical
- PLC day
April 30:
GT Showcase 2:00 in the library
May 1:
Field Day
May 4-8:
Teacher Appreciation Week :)
May 4:
Jeans day for paid Sunshine members
May 8:
PLC day
May 14:
Service Award BanquetMay 18:
CAAC
May 21:
PLC day
May 25:
No School
May 28:
- Early Out
- Party Day
- 5th grade awards assembly and grade level party
May 29:
Teacher work day Yes, you must report to work! :)