Sipley School Weekly Howl
Week of September 9, 2016
Inspiring Education and Innovation
You Make a Difference
"You make a difference" is a mantra that has characteristics evidenced in the words and actions of our staff. I see the greatest level of purpose, passion, attitude, and pedagogical talents within everyone's work, which is a natural progression of professionals who always strive to be at their best. It is expected, valued, and appreciated. I want to thank everyone for their individual and collective work as we start our year together.
As we think of this mantra, how are our students showing contributions to the classroom and school? Are we recognizing them for their great work?
#Sipleymakesadifference
Welcome Back
Morning Meetings
Benchmarking Updates
STAR Reading or STAR Early Literacy is to begin on Tuesday. STAR Math is scheduled for Wednesday. If you need to flip those or change your testing date, please let me know. The times for STAR testing is up to the teacher. STAR Make-ups will take place on Thursday and be completed by Nicole DeLambo.
SWAT will take place on Thursday and Friday. SWAT will take place in the gym. PE will be outside or in classrooms. Here is the schedule for SWAT:
Thursday
Berger - 8:25-8:55
Ley - 8:55 - 9:25
Dorsey - 9:30-10:00
Siran - 10:00-10:45
Campbell-10:45-11:15
Holub - 12:25 - 1:00
Siran - 1:15 - 2:00
Maris - 2:05 - 2:50
Friday
Zei - 8:25 - 9:15
Jackson - 9:40-10:10
Prekwas-10:20-10:50
Pyburn - 1:20 - 2:05
Ceresa - 2:05 - 2:55
Spear - 1:20 - 2:05
Serpe - 2:05 - 2:50
Be Aware of The Benchmark Schedule
Student Discipline
My administrator academy this year focused on SB100, which brings changes to student discipline and really ensures that schools are doing as much to prevent, support, and provide the interventions that a child needs to be successful in school. The academy focused on restorative justice more than anything. I would like to share a discipline checklist that was introduced to us, which I feel should be used when determining whether or not a suspension is appropriate for a child, under the new SB100.
- Is the offense eligible for suspension? We shouldn't be suspending students for cell phone policies, uniform policies, tardies, or absences.
- Would the student's continuing presence in school cause a threat to school safety or a disruption to other students' learning opportunities? Key words here are threat and disruption. We need to be mindful of this standard when imposing out of school discipline for categories that rely principally on subjective interpretations such as insubordinate behavior, defiance, disobedience, or disrespect. The thought here is what may be insubordinate, defiant, disobedient, or disrespectful to one person may not be to another, hence it is subjective.
- Has school staff exhausted alternatives to suspension (or expulsion)? No out-of-school discipline should be employed unless available, appropriate behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been exhausted. Alternative and available options other than out-of-school suspension should be determined as early as possible following the incident.
- Has the student previously violated the school code? Other behavioral interventions should have been implemented and documented showing that interventions have been exhausted. If there isn't an appropriate of available intervention, a suspension could be considered.
- Is suspension appropriate given the student's grade?
Again, the major focus is never on what to do when behavior occurs, but what can be done to prevent a behavior from occurring and escalating to levels where a suspension needs to be considered.
A Glance at the Week Ahead
Monday - School Improvement Team Meeting - During Lunch
Tuesday - Happy Birthday, Kathy Wuest!!!
Tuesday - Admin Meeting
Tuesday - STAR Testing Begins
Tuesday - Mid-Day Collaboration - Chapter 5 on Closing the Attitude Gap Discussion
Wednesday - Vision and Hearing Screening
Wednesday - No Cook Night - Doggie Diner - Grab lunch there! They deliver!
Wednesday - 1st Grade Readers Workshop Training (AM)
Wednesday - 2nd Grade Readers Workshop Training (PM)
Thursday - SWAT Testing
Thursday - STAR Make-ups
Thursday - 3rd Grade Readers Workshop Training (AM)
Thursday - 4th Grade Readers Workshop Training (PM)
Friday - SWAT Testing
Friday - 5th Grade Readers Workshop Training (AM)
Friday - 6th Grade Readers Workshop Training (PM)