Monday Morning Motivation
Central Elementary News-February 26-March 2
Engagement, Relationships and Fun!
Dear Staff,
It is wonderful to be back home again in Indiana. The conference was affirming, energizing, and thought provoking, while giving me a few ideas on how we can continue to be a highly effective school. In listening to one of my favorite presenters, I was reminded of our mission statement. The key to our success or the success of any school is rooted in its ability to love, care, inspire, and support students, while never giving up and believing ALL students can learn. As a staff, we must:
- Have high expectations for all students. When children know how much we care, you can reach them. High expectations transcend all barriers.
- Have fun and passion. Think of the message our comments and body language sends to students as they walk into our rooms. Are we telling them, “I am so glad you are here today and I am so excited about what I am teaching you!”
- Be enthusiastic for nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm. It is the little things that matter--sit down with the children, model what you want, make personal connections. Look for passion. If we cannot get excited about coming to school, why should the children.
- Never give up on a student. Because even on our worst day, we are still the best hope for so many students.
The conference confirmed for me that the way to raise student achievement is through genuine, caring relationships and high expectations from a persistent staff, who never gives up. We must lovingly not accept excuses for under-performing students by expressing, "I know you can do better because I believe in you."
Please join me in this journey in making Central an amazingly kind, extraordinary school, helping our children experience the joys of childhood. Last week, you were often in my thoughts as you mean so much to me. I feel blessed to work at Central Elementary with all of you.
It is going to be a great week of showing what we know!
Julie
Central Calendar
Monday, February 26
- ISTEP convocation 9:00-9:20
- Fire Drill 3:00--Please make sure your children know we have to complete one for February. I will announce as well in light of recent events, so everyone is prepared and not scared.
- PTO meeting 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 27
- ISTEP Begins--Be mindful of testing areas and schedule to reroute students away from testing rooms
Wednesday, February 28
- ISTEP
- Science meeting 4:00 Admin Office
- Central Elementary Parent Book Club 7:00 Library
Thursday, March 1
- ISTEP
Friday, March 2
- ISTEP
- Jim Tharpe's Last Day
Monday, March 5
- Imagination Lab Steering Committee 4:00
Tuesday, March 6
- 5th grade music program 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 7
Thursday, March 8
- Faculty Meeting 7:30 a.m.
- School Board Meeting 7:00 p.m.
Friday, March 9
- Chinese Acrobats 9:15 a.m.
- End of Nine Weeks
Announcements and Reminders
- ISTEP Small Groups--After the convocation, we will practice having students go to small groups for testing. The purpose is so students know where, who and how they will be testing. Therefore, on test day students can go right to his or her seat and get started on the test. Third Grade 9:30-9:45, Fourth Grade 9:45-10:05, Fifth Grade 10:20-10:35. These may be adjusted based on the ending of the convocation and your conversations with your special education teammates.
Teacher of the Year/R.O.S.E. – It’s that time again when you will have the opportunity to nominate your amazing colleagues for Teacher of the Year. Keep an eye out for more details coming.
Postcards – Please make sure every students receives a positive postcard before the end of the school year. They are located in the office.
Google – As you know, Plainfield Schools is moving to Google! We will being learning more about the resources and tools as we make the switch this fall. For now, make sure you can sign in through Google.com. See document below for signing in and accessing DRIVE.
Please remember to do a radio check if you have recess duty.
- This helps the office know you are outside for recess.
- Also, this verifies that the radio is working.
If you stay indoors, please have one of you on recess duty call the office to let our secretaries know.
- Opening Minds--Please read Opening Minds Book Study-Chapters 5-6 , while notating your thoughts before the faculty meeting in March.
- PTO Mini Grant-March 9th deadline
- Domains 1 and 3--As you UPLOAD, please LABEL the evidence! There is not a set number of pieces of evidence.
Engagement Levels--I shared this with several after their observations and am passing along for all!
Teachers in Grades 3, 4, and 5--Please remind parents of the following:
Staff Celebrations!
Honoring Jim Tharp
March Birthdays!!!
Happy Birthday to you!
March
Julie Smith 5
Nicole McClatchey 15
Rhianda Szepski 15
Elizabeth Boles-Manuel 23
Force and Motion Marble Game in Mrs. Stevenson's Class
Mrs. Cragen's Class Building Bridges
Our Mission
Providing engaging academic experiences, the Central Elementary Community will inspire and support students to become caring, confident, lifelong learners.