Wildcat Roar
News and Info for Wildcat Staff 2.26
Affirmation of the Week
We hope you have had a restful and reflective break to return energized and committed to the success of our students. As we near the end of the year and "Testing Season," it is important that we stay firmly committed to the habits, attitudes, beliefs, and expectations we have agreed upon to increase student achievement.
As we discussed in PD last week, there will be an intense focus on using data daily to provide small group, differentiated instruction that focuses on helping each individual child master standards and move to the next achievement level, as well as providing ample opportunities to increase the use of effective test-taking strategies and building the stamina needed to perform well on the Milestones. The PD calendar has been modified to provide more time for data analysis and instructional modifications. Additionally, all staff will return to push ins 3/5 to support small groups of students, including coordinators and administrators. Support has been scheduled for those teachers who submitted the required documentation from our last PD together. If you have not submitted your data plan, please do so by Monday. Please see the calendar and events below for more information on scheduled PD/meetings.
As we focus on intense test preparations, be sure to also remember to use restorative, affective language and implement progressive discipline strategies. We are nearing the 4th quarter. Let's finish strong!
To Do:
- Submit your data and small group plan to Ms. Kemp by Monday, COB.
- Prioritize instruction based on content weights and student needs as evidenced by data.
- Intensely focus on moving Beginning bubble students to Developing with materials and resources that mimic the Milestones.
- Provide opportunities at least each week to practice testing strategies in a testing environment.
- Celebrate the accomplishments of students and provide opportunities for them to track their own progress with standards.
WHY
In order to make sure students are prepared for the upcoming Milestones, we will be offering Saturday school as an intervention.WHO
Saturday School will focus on moving "bubble" kids who are Beginning, but on the cusp of reading Developing. Student participation will be by invite only.
WHAT
Saturday School is an opportunity to work with smaller groups of "bubble" kids and give them the intentional and focused support they need to move to the next level of achievement. Teachers will provide highly intensive instruction focused on improving performance on the Milestones. Instructional guidance will be provided by Ms. Kemp and Ms. Mahan.
Teachers will be paid $30/hour for your service. We will need teachers dedicated to a specific grade and subject, but we will also need teachers willing to serve as substitutes in case someone needs to be absent during a session. One teacher will be selected to serve as the Saturday School Administrator. See Ms. Kemp for details on this role.
Teams, meet as a grade level and use your data to determine who would best benefit from additional instruction in 6,7, and 8 ELA and Math and 8th grade Sci and SS. Submit a list of participants to Ms. Kemp by Tuesday, 2/27. Groups should be kept below 12 (give or take) per teacher and should not include chronic and severe behavior problems in order to maximize focus and impact for all students. The first grade level to submit their participants will win a prize. More than one teacher can teach a particular subject and grade. Teachers can also elect to teach a different grade and subject than they currently teach. All teachers, specialists, etc. are eligible.
Once your list is approved, teams should call the parents and explain why their child is strongly encouraged to attend Saturday School. Additionally, a letter will be provided by Ms. Kemp to go home with the student as well as guide your conversation with the parent. Students who attend Saturday School should be highly rewarded with LiveSchool points and other grade/class incentives.
WHERE AND WHEN
Saturday School will take place each Saturday at Price until the test from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. with the exception of the Saturdays before and after Spring Break. The dates are:
- March 3, 10, 17, 24
- April 14, 21
TO DO:
- Let Ms. Kemp know you will be available to teach Saturday School or interested in serving as the Saturday School Administrator by Tuesday 2/27.
- Meet with your grade level team to determine who you will invite. Provide this list to Ms. Kemp by Tuesday 2/27.
- Contact the parents of invited students by phone. Send the provided letter home with these students.
Data
Friday Black History Theme: Favorite Black Influencer
To Do List
- Bulletin boards should have bene updated two weeks ago. If you haven't done so, update bulletin boards and displays MONDAY 2/26. As you update bulletin boards, please also refresh other learning spaces, such as classroom doors and displays. We should ensure that these spaces reflect our core values at all times.
- Provide Ms. Kemp with your plan for utilizing data to help prepare students for testing (see materials given during PD 2/15. This was due before Winter Break.
- Task force chairs should secure relevant data (determined in last week's faculty meeting) and bring it to this week's meeting.
This Week
Important Links and Numbers
Lesson Plans
- Room Clean Up Report: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=nk8FVadRK0-bBdKmmVma0y74-85huuhIgPcUvM1wCDdUQklCTktDNVJFWEpJV0hVQVZXNkFQSE9PRy4u
- Tech Requests: https://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/28827
- Digital Instructional Resources: www.portaportal.com Guest Access: dkemp
- Milestones Blueprints: http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Assessment/Pages/Georgia-Milestones-Test-Blueprints.aspx