Bulldog Weekly Update
January 17 - 20, 2023
Monday Motivation
Notes from the Principal's Desk
What a tremendous week of hard work. Our students really showed up in 5th and 6th grade for their very first MCAS trial for both Math and ELA. This was no small feat; it took many hands and minds to bring this opportunity to our classrooms, and for it to run so smoothly. Thank you to all our teachers for sticking through it, problem-solving, and relying on each other for help.
In addition to our academic feats, this was also a week of tremendous planning. The after-school program starts next week, thanks, in large part, to Mrs. Burgess, Mrs. Curran and administrative support, Justien Martin. Information regarding February Vacation week went out this week as well. Our students benefit heavily from structure and continued learning during academic breaks. Our Interim Assessment data will give us insights as to who will be good candidates to attend but we also need strong, positive teachers to lead it. It's great surplus income and it only runs for part of the day. Most importantly, it can be a chance to develop a trusting bond with a student you don't know well--and these will carry throughout the rest of the school year.
The school and district
In closing, I leave you with some thoughts regarding Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King fought for the rights of all people, equity for all people. The Civil Rights Movement promoted access and fairness for all citizens, with a lens toward the needs and opportunities afforded to People of Color. I would be remiss if I did not openly reflect on the connections I make to my own life and career, those of my friends and families, my children and spouse, every year on this day.
I am honored to be part of a legacy of inclusion and diverse leadership within Butler School, a rarity in our district, and in districts across Massachusetts. Our school is unique as well, in it's racial, ethnic, and religious composition and we should never take that for granted. The tapestry of our professional lives is enriched by the diversity of voices and experiences if we only allow ourselves to see and hear them.
Those who push for progress, for fairness, and the rights of all people to be seen and heard, must remember that we--white and non-white alike--stand on the shoulders of giants. Dr. King made it possible for women like me, Mrs. Pena and Daroth Yann, and Latifah Phillips, and all of the other deeply invested women and Women of Color, teaching and leading across the district to pursue a career we love and maintaining an identity we could not live without.
The message of equality, of inclusion, of love, is a message for all people. While King advocated non-violent protest and peaceful rebellion, he also understood that sometimes, you do have to get FIRED UP if you want to see change. When it comes to our students, and our staff, in our school, in our district, we need to get FIRED UP. We must remember that for so many of our students, we are their best part of the day. SO! Get FIRED UP about your students and be willing to show them that you carry the torch for Dr. King--you will help to light the way on their road to the future.
After School Starts Tuesday 1 - 17 - 23
Apply to Work for February Vacation Week 2/21 - 2/24
Understanding Assessments: Interim, Formative, Summative
Getting Into Alignment
As The Daily Coach notes, getting into alignment with a school or organization is not about compliance--and it's not as simple as being on the "same page." It's also not about following orders from the leader, or leadership team. And, it's not about whether more copiers work at another school. They don't.
Just think about it. The NFL hires and fires thousands of employees each season. Not one team has the golden compass to successful dynamics worked out from the beginning--but some are closer than others. With 32 teams in the NFL, and a hundred-thousand decisions to make, every owner, manager and head coach has to figure out the best calls to make. What works for some doesn't work for others.
The Butler School is not without it's professional challenges. We are growing. We are in the early stages of new leadership with a nearly new instructional team. It can take MONTHS to establish a sense of belonging and YEARS to build professional trust and develop collegial bonds. That is a goal within our school. The school's culture is dependent upon it.
Is the work of building a healthy school culture in alignment with your values?
The school is also 100% focused on students and students' needs. We are a school that gives and gives and gives to it's children. We can even function with a myopic lens at times, consumed with how we are going to provide every student the right opportunities for success. It's a lot of work, and a lot of worrying, and a lot of love to children who are not connected to us outside of this school...
Does that level of commitment align with your own?
We think of parents as partners. We respect and value their contributions. Without parents, student achievement would not be possible. And when the parental network is shaky, we turn to whoever is a strength in that child's village to ensure they make it to 8th grade, end of June, with measurable growth. We pride ourselves on getting every student to the finish line. EVERY STUDENT.
Does that align with your philosophy as a teacher or leader?
When you maneuver in accordance with an organization, things feel more natural. You're not rowing against the tide. Like anyone, you have good and bad days. A great day with your students can still result in a challenging day with adults but ultimately, what you need and want, and what you give, are complementary to your company. What you get out of your position anywhere should drive you, intrinsically, to continue to improve, excel or at the very least, try. Schools are systems: living, breathing, adapting, growing. What it really comes down to is this: is the system working for you enough that you are willing to work for it?
Week at a Glance
- Holiday (No School)
Tuesday, 1/17
- SST
- Leadership - Moody
- Basketball Game @ Daley
- 7th Grade Interim Assessment | ELA
- Content CPT -- Staff CLSP Self-Assessment (Filled Out Independently, Not In Groups): https://forms.gle/que7DBH4ycec2vTD6
- ILT Meets After School -- 3:10 - 4:40p
- First Day of After School Program
Wednesday 1/18
- Leadership - Maluccio
- 7th Grade Interim Assessment | MATH
- Admin CPT
Thursday 1/19
- Admin Team Mtg.
- 8th Grade Interim Assessment | ELA
- Basketball Game Home Game
- College Day Wear
- 8th Grade Interim Assessment | MATH
- Butler Day - Wear your Butler gear
- IS District Meeting
Applying What We Learn, Even When it's Difficult
As we take time this weekend to process the impact of our recent professional training, the second of three learning opportunities which bring the work of Glen Singleton to the heart's and minds of our classrooms, it's important to recognize that what we want to get out of a learning experience depends quite a bit on what we are willing to put into it.
The Courageous Conversation training is not just about addressing racial inequality. It's a framework for engaging with each other professionally in ways that are productive and which reinforce the values, mission and vision of our school; that is is part of a larger aim of these workshops. They are also about finding your voice, recognizing your platforms and leverage, and using these to articulate concerns, share joy, and model shared social norms that uplift and undergird a supportive cultural and academic environment within our school. And in that sense, they are fundamentally about fostering greater equity for our students.
Check & Connect Wraps up Session One with Bounty!
Check & Connect Wraps up Session One with Bounty!
Staff Spotlight:
On The Horizon...
- 1/16 Dr. MLK, Jr. Commemorative Holiday
- 1/17 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM SESSION 2 Begins Tuesday | ILT MEETING 3:10
- 1/23 Climate and Culture Meets After School in the Art Room
- 1/24 All School Vertical PD (After School 3-5) | OPTIMIZING CO-TEACHING
- 1/30 iREADY Mid-Year Benchmark Window Opens
ILT Updates
Next Team meeting - 1/17/23 TUESDAY
Check in with your grade-level team representatives for more information. Meetings take place every other Wednesday. ILT content is shared by grade representatives on the team at Grade Level CPTs. What happens in ILT drives what will happen in CPT!
ILT REPS:
Brett Sullivan -- 5th
Cheryl Ferris -- 6th
Alie Cabrera -- 6th
Peter Francis -- 7th
Jen Fraser -- 8th
Christina Pappalardo -- 8th
Vannak Theng -- EL
Krista St. Louis - Special Education
SEL
Please see Lori Casey for any updates. NO SEL in January.
Culture and Climate
Check in with your grade level team representatives for more information. A calendar of upcoming dates will be forthcoming!
NEXT MEETINGS ARE AFTER SCHOOL MONDAY:
- January 23rd
January Staff Birthdays
Don't Forget to say " Happy Birthday"
Alejandra Cabrera 1/15
Lori Dunkerly 1/23
Butler Community
Email: jmoody@lowell.k12.ma.us
Website: https://www.lowell.k12.ma.us/Domain/10
Location: 1140 Gorham Street, Lowell, MA, USA
Phone: 978-937-8973
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lpsdbutler/