Superintendents' Newsletter
January 2016
Time for a Mid-Year Check-Up!
1. What is their focus this year for their building/students/teachers? (Does it match your focus for them or their building? Does match your district initiatives?)
2. What is working well? (What practices, strategies, procedures do they have in place that are improving the climate and the learning in the building?)
3. What is not working well? (What is challenging them? How are they going about solving the problem(s)? Are they connecting them to their school improvement goals? Are they working with staff to identify strategies?)
4. How are they collecting student data? (What processes have they put into place for staff to review data, implement interventions, monitor and assess progress?)
5. How are they planning to show evidence for their own evaluation? (How will they demonstrate evidence of student growth? Progress towards school improvement goals? Attendance? Student, parent and staff feedback?) Don't forget about having them use their iPad to document evidence!!
Don't like the questions? Great! Use what you like--throw away the rest. The questions are like a box of chocolates....
Some Discussion Ideas:
- Give them the questions ahead of time and have them come prepared to talk about each
- Talk about the questions and have them discuss with all of the principals in your district (share)
- Have them discuss with other principals then meet with them individually
Here is the suggestion made to your Principals:
Revisiting goals lets your staff know that you have not forgotten, or let them forget your target for the year. You help to make them and yourself accountable for what you said in the fall. It also helps you and your staff make mid-course corrections if the pace or the target is not being reached.
"So, how's it going?"
Have you been reading about Fixed and Growth Mindsets?
Here is a great info-video that illustrates the difference between
Fixed and Growth Mindsets.
View it Yourself
View it with Your Staff
View it with Your Students
View it with Your Parents
What would happen if students knew about this?
What would happen if parents knew about this?
Must-Watch Video Of The Day: New RSA Animation Of Carol Dweck Talk
From edutopia, a Flipboard magazine by edutopia
I, and many others, always look forward to the infrequent release of an RSA Animated talk. They are visualizations of talks given by…
Themes from the Principal/Curriculum Directors Meetings:
Curriculum Directors' Discussion/Information:
Supporting new teachersSetting priorities for building
Teacher evaluation conversations
MTSS implementation at secondary level
MDE Updates and Assessments
Pupil Accounting/Seat Time Waivers
Reauthorization of ESEA
Discussion of 3rd Grade "Retention Bill"
Reading Workshop presentation by Kearsley
Curriculum Coordinators presentation by Lake Fenton
Program Evaluations
Davison's journey on Standards Referenced Grading and Balanced Calendar
Reflections on Readers and Writers Workshop for Secondary Students
Early Literacy Grant
New Science Standards
What Curriculum Directors need to know about SAT/PSAT
Early Warning Reports
Updates on GCI
Principals' Discussion and Information:
Supporting new teachers
Setting priorities for the year
Emergency Operations Plan
GCI Updates
Professional Learning
Alternative Education Programs and best practices
Michigan Merit Curriculum
Transgender
Photonics Program at Baker
MTSS
SAT/PSAT
Powder Puff Solutions
Synergy and Illuminate: Early Warning Reports
Fixed and Growth Mindsets
Lock Down Drills at Lunch
CTE Algebra II
Ryan Ulshaffer and Majik
State Updates and Presentations
Effective Grading Practices
Measuring Student Growth
Identifying Struggling Students
Academic Tutoring Options
Professional Learning Communities--getting back on track
Open Carry
AdvancED Lessons Learned from Districts
Learning Resource Center presentation by Flushing
Commit to FIt
Social Media Apps. Vault and others
Spring Assessment Planning
Cognitive Coaching updates
Building a Positive School/Classroom Culture
The Leader in Me presentation by Goodrich
Early LIteracy Grant
Building Safety/ Drop off and Pick up
Google Calendar
Immunization Requirements
Early Literacy Grant Awards
- Districts should have received notification of the Additional Instruction Time Grant
- The Assessment Reimbursement Grant is open until February 1st
- We will review both of these at Curriculum Directors on January 26th.
Spring 2016-Testing Schedule Update
Quick Facts to Know about Spring Assessment Changes:
2. Removal of classroom activities in both ELA and Math
3. There is no longer a grade 11 ELA and Math M-STEP, MDE will use the SAT for 11th grade ELA and Math accountability
School Improvement Key Dates to Remember:
School System Review (SSR) OR Interim Self-Assessment or Self Assessment
DUE March 18
School Improvement Plan (SIP)
DUE September 1
DISTRICTS:
District System Review (DSR) OR District Interim Self Assessment or Self Assessment
DUE April 22
School Testing Conference: February 16-18 in Ann Arbor
Assessment Links and Updates
M-Step
MDE Link to all Things M-STEP
SPOTLIGHT
Update from Office of Assessment & Accountability
- January 14: Spring 2016 Guide to State Assessments
- January 7: Classroom Activities Eliminated, Pre-ID, Accommodations Webinar
- December 17: M-STEP Building & District Aggregate Data Public Release
- December 10: M-STEP Parent Reports, WIDA ACCESS for ELLs
- December 3: Test Results Embargo Reminder, WIDA, Accommodations
- August 20: News on 2016 M-STEP & MME, KEA Pre-ID
Principals Guide to the SAT
Professional Learning at GISD
January 2016
February/March 2016
Ideas for the next Superintendents' Committee of the Whole:
- Review what Superintendents need to know about the Spring Assessments
Education and Learning
Email: mbehm@geneseeisd.org
Website: www.geneseeisd.org
Location: 2413 W Maple Ave, Flint, MI, United States
Phone: 8105914408