Cat Tracks
Spring Shadows Elementary Wildcats Staff Newsletter
April 27-May 1
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
Principal's Message
Last week of April is here and we have been virtually schooling for 6 weeks now! You all have been champions for our kids through all this change.
I want to take a moment to talk about change. You are amidst an extraordinary amount. When you return for 2020/2021, more change will be present. The mere fact that school will never be the same after this pandemic, means truly reflecting on our skills and our practices as educators.
Personally, I have always enjoyed and embraced change. Usually, the more I understand it, the better I embrace it. In fact, I embrace change every 3- 4 years. I have always preferred to change it up for my career because it keeps me fresh. This last time, I actually stayed longer than I intended in this position. Now, with my baby time clock ticking, my career lifestyle had to change. I made my decision around December, but since we were on a mission... I did not want to derail your focus.
Then Covid 19 happened. So that change happened to the world! It has ensured we bring change to the forefront in every respect of our lives. As for education, it has brought many inequities to full light. It made us truly face that the way our institionalized way of schooling has to change. It also brought a light the importance of what teachers and educators do day to day is crucial.
Here are three implications for change at SSE next year.
CHANGE IS NECESSARY-
We can use our achievement data and changing demographic information to graphically demonstrate the need to change the way we operate. The pressure from the accountability measures, and Federal programs can help nudge us into a state of understanding that change is necessary. That is not always a pleasant, fun step, but it's crucial. Together with Raymond, it’s important to dive into best practices for higher student achievement.
Why? Because we have been doing a lot of good things but now it’s time to change it so you are GREAT and your data proves it.
WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE CHANGE PROCESS
There is more research on the stages and process of school improvement available today than ever before. We can dig it out and begin to appreciate what is in store for our schools. We know improvement generally follows a cyclical, self-regulating schedule: define the issues, determine strategies to approach the problems, initiate changes, and evaluate progress and effectiveness. We can share that information with our school communities so they know and understand the stages, what characteristics each stage exhibits, and how to proceed productively around the cycle. Recognizing the steps alleviates the fear and dread that accompany the unawares.
CHANGE IS FUN
Change is fun. That's right, say it with me: Change is fun. We can all upgrade our skills, knowledge, and practices. And what's better than starting a new school year with a new roster of students? Deep down, teachers and everyone else in the school community love change and yearn for a publicly acceptable manner to alter what they do. So let's open the doors for change, celebrate the arrival of new materials, rejoice in new ideas, and revel in new professional discourse.
It would almost appear foolish to place much emphasis in the way things were, or even the ways things are -- because it isn’t that way any longer. We're left with only one reality if we're to improve the way we conduct our business: change. As educators, I am counting on you to support and back embarking upon the school improvement process and self-improvement process. Regardless of where we are- we are working on one mission. It’s about ALL kids achieving.
Wildcat love,
Rachel Martinez
General Questions Document
Open Forum Google Doc for Questions.: We still have this document open for general questions you have. I will answer.
Week 6 Priorities
1) PLCs with Grade Levels: Make sure to review the Digital Backpacks for this week and then decide as a team what you will be grading your students for each subject. Remember- we are a common assessment campus. Invite Cindy to review grade level rosters for next year.
2) Student contact with grading continues. Please see specific instructions sent by Cindy Gardner.
3) Monday Logs: These logs need to be turned into your Lesson Plans google folder by end of every Monday at 4:00 p.m. for the previous week. DOCUMENT WHAT YOU DO!!
4) Master Schedule of ZOOM Classes: Please invite sse@springbranchisd.com and your zoom classes will be put into our master schedule. We appreciate all of you!
Calendar
Monday, April 27, 2020
- 9:00 a.m. Kronos Check-In
- 9:00-10:00 a.m. 4th PLC
- 10:00-11:00 a.m. 2nd PLC
- 11:00-12:30 p.m. 1st PLC
- 12:00-1:00 p.m. 3rd PLC
- 1:00-2:00 p.m. 5th PLC
- 1:30-Principals meeting
- 2:00-3:00 p.m. Kinder PLC
- 4:00 Logs
Tuesday, April 28
- 8:00-9:00 Team Leader/ ILT Huddle Zoom
- 9:00: KRONOS CHECK-IN
Wednesday, April 29
- 8:00 Math Zoom K/1- by Lindsey
- 9:00: KRONOS CHECK-IN
- 9:00 Math Zoom 2/3- by Lindsey
- 10:00 Math Zoom 4/5- by Lindsey
Thursday, April 30
- 8:00-9:00 ILT Check-In
- 9:00 AM KRONOS CHECK-IN
Friday, May 1st
- 9:00 AM KRONOS CHECK-IN
- Zoom Faculty Mtg @ 1:00 p.m.
- Humanities Zoom Meeting @ 2:00 p.m.
Wildcat Love, Rachel Martinez
Shout Outs
Reading Buddies
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