Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF OCTOBER 8 - 12, 2018
OCTOBER IS NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH!
Help me in celebrating this October as we honor the hard work and dedication of of our Northwest Elementary Cluster principals all month long.
National Principals Month is your opportunity to say “thank you” to principals and to share with the community all the great things that principals do.
The key to student success is a great school, and the key to a great school is a great principal- the instructional leader.
On behalf of Ms. Porter, Ms. Singer and I, Thank you principals for all you do everyday for our nested learning community. You are appreciated!
HABIT #5-SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
VISION, MISSION & CORE VALUES
CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY GOALS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Advance teacher effectiveness and improve the quality of instruction through research-based professional learning practices
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
Close achievement gaps through effective data practices and alignment of core content curriculum.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
Develop and sustain a positive and supportive climate and culture of high expectations through effective communication, inclusive practices and leadership development.
3 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
BALANCED LITERACY
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Illustrious Leaders,
Thank you for such a productive Northwest Network meeting on Thursday. I would also like to thank Ms. Porter for her commitment to our scholars and leaders with her leadership at our cluster training.
I was extremely pleased with our teams’ collaborative spirit and efforts towards collaboration and feedback that was witnessed with your peers in the network. It was evident that the collaboration added value to each of your instructional lenses.
During our network meeting you analyzed the common assessment data with the test in hand to see areas of opportunity and growth alongside taking a deeper dive into the PLC rubric with exemplars. I appreciate your resilience and dedication to EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY FOR ALL OUR SCHOLARS!
We also engaged in professional development with the Personalized Learning Department regarding Blended Learning From that experience, hopes are that you were able to glean areas that were confirming and areas of improvement so that your campus improvement plans can be revised utilizing blended learning across all core content areas on your campuses so our scholars can be more proficient in the use of technology.
Stephen Covey's message continues with highlighting habits with this week's habit: Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood.
Stephen Covey believes this principle is the key to effective interpersonal communication. This habit is about communicating with others. It's about developing the habit of listening carefully and really understanding the other person BEFORE giving your thoughts. This is not easy to learn to do. In my practice I've often heard people saying that no-one really understands what they're feeling. If you're a parent you might hear that from your own children. Communication is the most important skill in life. You spend years learning how to read and write, and years learning how to speak. But what about listening? What training have you had that enables you to listen so you really, deeply understand another human being? Probably none, right?
This is because we often feel compelled to give an opinion or to give advice to someone in need. If you're like most people, you probably seek first to be understood; you want to get your point across. And in doing so, you may ignore the other person completely, pretend that you're listening, selectively hear only certain parts of the conversation or attentively focus on only the words being said, but miss the meaning entirely. So why does this happen? Most people listen with the intent to reply, not to understand. You listen to yourself as you prepare in your mind what you are going to say, the questions you are going to ask, etc. You filter everything you hear through your life experiences, your frame of reference. You check what you hear against your autobiography and see how it measures up. And consequently, you decide prematurely what the other person means before he/she finishes communicating. Do any of the following sound familiar?
Because you so often listen autobiographically, you tend to respond in one of four ways (graphic organizer below):
- Evaluating: You judge and then either agree or disagree.
- Probing: You ask questions from your own frame of reference.
- Advising: You give counsel, advice, and solutions to problems.
- Interpreting: You analyze others' motives and behaviors based on your own experiences.
- Interpreting: You analyze others' motives and behaviors based on your own experiences.
This habit really captures the humor that becomes apparent when we realize the ways we often "listen" and respond, even when we have good intentions.
So start practicing this right now. Have fun with it! In your next conversation with someone put your natural and automatic responses aside and focus on genuinely understanding them. Ask questions such as "Tell me more..." or "What happened next...?" You'll find that when you 'seek first to understand' your response might be different to what you expect, and that you start finding the creative solutions and third alternatives described in Habit 4.
Thank you Principal Leaders for being the leader that you are and continue to be, the hard work you do daily and many hardly notice, your dedication to the work of educating our scholars, setting high expectations for yourself and your staff and most importantly for being the instructional leader that you are. I am proud to be your lead alongside each and every one of you!
How many of you can relate to the above?
Covey summarizes this beautifully. "If I were to summarize in one sentence the single most important principle I have learned in the field of interpersonal relations, it would be this: Seek first to understand, then to be understood."
Here's to another great week of teaching and learning!
"WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT...GO FOR THE GOLD!!
Ms. Torres
Emmett Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
HABIT #5 GRAPHIC: SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND, THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD
WEEKLY UPDATES
MONDAY, October 8
ELT w/Dr. Hinojosa- 8:37 a.m.
Jill Stone Campus visitation w/ED & Math ILC
McShan Campus visitation w/ED & Math /Science ILC
Conrad/Jefferson Cluster meeting w/Ms. Torres, Math & Science ILC @ 3:15 a.m.
PEI Checkpoint #2 begins today
Ms. Singer out today
- ISIP BOY Assessment Window Open K-2
- Print Report Cards
- Stephen Foster visitation w/ED
- ED/Principal Candidate screening-Ms. Torres-11:00 a.m.
- Tom Field visitation w/ED
- CIC Elementary Conference at Edison Learning Center
- Principal for A Day Reception 3:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, October 10
- Polk campus visitation w/ED and ILC@ 7:30 a.m.-Focus is PLC
- Cigarroa Campus visitation w/ED & Math ILC
- Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Cluster Meeting 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.-ALL Campus Principals are REQUIRED to attend-@ Cigarroa Elementary School
- PEIMS Round 1 Review Due
THURSDAY, October 11
- United 2 Learn Advisory Council Board Meeting @ 10:30 a.m.- 12:00
- Joe May Campus visitation w/ED & ILC
- Highland Meadows Campus visitation w/ED & Math ILC
- Parent Conference Night 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
- ELEMENTARY FAIR DAY-NO SCHOOL
- Principal of the Year Final Application Due
Grade Failure Intervention Plans due to Ms. Singer
Principal of the Year Applications due
United 2 Learn-Campus Community Day Application due
Bilingual Exception/ESL Waiver reports due today
Look at What's Happening in the Conrad & Jefferson Cluster !!
Congratulations to All Conrad and Jefferson ES Teachers of the Year !!!!
Jill Stone and K.B. Polk partnered up to address curriculum alignment by unpacking the TEKS.
.
Northwest Network EDs and ILCs Collaborative Planning
Northwest Network Principals' Meeting 10/4/18
Conrad & Jefferson Fifth Grade Science Teachers Were Actively Present at Stephen C. Foster ES for PD
Kudos on your proactive efforts in synergizing with teachers who are working towards obtaining a "BIG WIN!!!" in science this school year!!!
(Roll Call: Burnet, Cigarroa, Foster, McShan, Saldivar, Stone & Walnut Hill)
Kudos to Highland Meadows on Measuring Learning Outcomes through the Use of Rubrics
Understanding Poetry In Reading
Good Win, Friend!!!
Analyze a Word Problem to Solve Using Multiple Representations
PEI CHECKPOINT #2
CAMPUS LEADERSHIP DESIGNEE
A WAIP memo went out on August 2nd prompting principals to make their campus leadership designations for the 2018-2019 school year with a deadline of August 24th. At this time, we still have several schools that have not submitted any designations. We have several departments that are trying to reach out to the selected individuals but can not due to the lack of responses in the spreadsheet. Please make sure that your campus is filled out by the end of the day October 12th. Please put “n/a” if your campus does not utilize a position that is listed. If you have any questions contact Christian Piers.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
LEAD PRINCIPAL PATHWAYS FOR CURRENT PRINCIPALS
What is LEAD Principal Pathways?
LEAD Principal Pathways is a School Leadership and Teaching & Learning collaborative effort to provide choice as leaders engage in a deeper study of the four district priority areas: Balanced Literacy, Social Emotional Learning, Supporting Diverse Learners, and Blended Learning. Grounding theory in daily practice, Principal Pathways will offer a 90 minute learning session at each Principals’ Meeting for the remainder of the year.
How Will I Choose My “Pathway”?
First, consider where you want to deepen your impact and move your practice to the next level. Review the course descriptions here to determine the Pathway that will be most impactful for the needs of your campus. Next, complete the Principal Pathway Course Survey here no later than Monday, October 8th 4:00 PM. Prior to the October Principals’ Meeting, you will receive confirmation of your course selection for the 2018-2019 LEAD Principal Pathway.
Finally, but most importantly we know that leadership is second only to classroom instruction among all school-related factors that contribute to positive student outcomes. It is for this reason we are committed to providing you tools and resources to support the work you do each day in your schools through LEAD Principal Pathways. We look forward to our launch this month!
UNITED 2 LEARN COMMUNITY DAY APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY
Important Note: If your project requires landscaping and/or interior design help do not worry about listing the exact needs (unless you already know exactly what you want or have a specific request that needs approval) at this time. They need your vision or the scope of what you are looking for in order to get approval.
Once they have all of the projects approved, they will assign a landscaper/designer to come to your campus for a site visit and they will help you design your vision and create the materials list. This will take place between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15th.
UNITED 2 LEARN COMMUNITY DAY APPLICATIONS DUE FRIDAY
Important Note: If your project requires landscaping and/or interior design help do not worry about listing the exact needs (unless you already know exactly what you want or have a specific request that needs approval) at this time. They need your vision or the scope of what you are looking for in order to get approval.
Once they have all of the projects approved, they will assign a landscaper/designer to come to your campus for a site visit and they will help you design your vision and create the materials list. This will take place between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15th.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Conference night is the perfect time for students to showcase their learning as well as for you to conduct PTA/PTO membership drives! Please use this time to connect with your families.
Thursday, October 11--Elementary Parent Conferences 4-7 PM
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT REMINDERS
OCTOBER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
October Campus PD is a great time to provide follow-up training based on campus needs and priorities. Topics should include literacy, SEL, and content PLC time.
Elementary PD Day - Friday, October 19 agenda due in Google doc by October 2 by COB for review
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN OUR NETWORK
The expectation is for Conrad/Jefferson teachers, CICs and administrators to attend in order to support each other during planning for quality instruction for the upcoming six weeks.
Please click on the link below to register by Monday, October 22, 2018.
PEIMS SNAPSHOP DATE
The PEIMS snapshot date is October 26th. You will receive a weekly report every Friday during the month of October. Please ensure that you meet 100% on PEIMS. If you foresee any problems with completing ARDs by October 26th, please let me know. Thank you
TEACHER ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Just a reminder that attendance plays an important role on our scholars being served by their classroom teacher vs. a substitute. We do not want our fill rate to dip to its lowest level as it did last year. Ensure that you stress the important of being present each and every day.
As you know, the pay rates for substitutes have an incentive and it costs the District additional money on Monday and Friday because those are the days your staff is showing the most missed days. Please ensure that you are aggressively monitoring the substitute situation when it comes to approved absences for your staff.
DATA ON THE HORIZON
COMMON ASSESSMENT WINDOW
District CA1: Reading Performance Percentages
District CA1: Revising and Editing Performance Percentages
District CA1: Mathematics Performance Percentages
District CA1: Science Performance Percentages
SOCIO -ECONOMIC FORMS COLLECTED AND ENTERED
Please REMEMBER to collect and enter all socio-economic forms before Thursday, October 25th to ensure optimal funding and appropriate measures for 2019 Accountability.
FAILURE REPORTS
EIA Regulation (our grading policy) requires failure rate intervention plans be developed if rates exceed the thresholds at each level (elementary, middle or high) for a teacher / course / or subject. Further, it requires a plan be developed by the principal at the campus level if the threshold exceeds such rates across a subject (course for secondary) or grade level.
We are now at the mid point of the six weeks. Teachers have plenty of time to decrease failure rates. Please send home missing assignments. Points may be deducted for those assignments.
Please be reminded that homework can only be utilized if it helps the students grade. Students should not have failing grades on their report cards due to homework. Please refere to EIA Regulation policy.
The teachers should ensure they are providing the following for students. ( read chart below).
Coaching Connection Corner
Connect with Reading
During the second six weeks of students' learning, it is highly recommended that teachers continue to use backwards design planning for instruction. Day to day instruction should be aligned to CA2, CA2 blueprints, and Fall ACPs for this six weeks. Although curriculum resources are provided at the district and campus levels, a great habit of practice is to evaluate all instructional resources for alignment during PLCs prior to instruction. To ensure the success of our students learning, think and take action with the " end in mind."
Connecting with Math
Since PLCs are in full effect, there has been a shift in promoting 1st class instruction for students. To maximize time during your PLC meetings, it is highly encouraged that teachers come to the lesson planning PLC with a rough draft lesson plan completed for review by the team. With this practice in place, time can be utilized for teachers to demonstrate what students will be doing during the learning process with objects, pictures, charts, etc. When teachers are able to model upcoming math lesson activities, feedback is shared amongst the team and horizontal/vertical alignment becomes evident on our campuses. Let's continue to "Sharpen the Saw" to yield great results!!!
Connecting with Science
1. Provide vocabulary in text format with a visual representation
2. Engaging during students' learning
3. Utilize as reference tool as a replica in student journals
for Understanding Vocabulary
Literacy Letter
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
THE LEADER IN ME SYMPOSIUM 2019
Experience The Leader in Me Symposium
Just a reminder that the Leader in Me Symposium will be held February 7-8 in Irving, Texas at the Irving Convention Center. Please ensure that you register to attend as we are attending as a cluster. Information on the symposium will be upcoming.
Join educators at the all-new 2018-201p Leader in Me Symposium. Together, we are transforming paradigms in education by empowering students and staff to model 21st-century leadership skills in order to achieve their full potential.
The Leader in Me Symposium is the most influential and inspiring event series for educators. This year Symposium will be coming to over 20 locations to inspire thousands of educators across North America. New enhancements have been made to the featured sessions, school tours, and networking experience. In addition, participants can now attend either a full two-day or a condensed one-day version of Symposium.
At The Leader in Me Symposium, you will
- Share innovative ideas with other administrators, superintendents, directors, principals, and teachers.
- Develop new skills and principle-centered effectiveness with The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® training.
- Learn best practices from experts in a variety of featured sessions.
- Discover how Leader in Me Schools are achieving success on a local school tour (two-day Symposium only).
- Gain inspiration from thought leaders during keynote presentations.
A TRAIL OF BREADCRUMBS-WRITING & GRAMMAR WORKSHOP FEATURING GRETCHEN BERNABEI
Grammar and Writing Development
Through the Year and for STAAR
featuring Gretchen Bernabei
This workshop will model layered instruction, weaving between grammar and writing, using materials Gretchen has adapted from STAAR released tests and live student STAAR essays. Specific high-yield strategies covered include:
Grammar:
Nailing fragments and run-ons, using the sentence wringer
Wiping out usage problems (like its/it’s and there/their/they’re) once
and for all
Showing your students how to use their parts-of-speech knowledge
Keeping track of your grammar-teaching-in-context
Reading:
Kernelizing passages for comprehension and multiple choice ease
Recognizing and using pitchforking in questions
Extracting text structures from passages
Writing:
Generating quick lists and kernel essays
Choosing from five text structures for expository or persuasive essays
Using icons for developing details
Participants will receive a copy of Grammar Keepers and Text Structures from Nursery Rhymes
Who is it for?
Anyone teaching writing (pre-k through 12)
Anyone who lays the instructional foundation (grades 4-11) for STAAR writing and reading tests
November 28-29 in Richardson, TX
8:30am - 2:30pm
Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Rd. #102
Richardson, Texas 75083
OCTOBER
15-Think Tank Mtg. -w/Lead ED
15-Monthly Fire Drill DUE TODAY
15-Fall Emergency Drill (not a fire drill) DUE TODAY
16-District Wide Elementary Principals Meeting/CILT day
16-Bilingual/ESL Waiver Due October 16th (SEE WAIP 9/20)
19-Elementary PD
22-United 2 Learn Fall Teacher Showcase @ Joe May-3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
23-Reading & Math SWAG for Pre-K-5
23-31-Red Ribbon Week
24-District-Wide AP Meeting
25-ALL Socio-Economic forms DUE TODAY (entered by CRC) to ensure optimal funding and appropriate measures for 2019 Accountability.
26-ED/Deputy Chief Meeting
26-Leadership 'B' Meeting 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
31-TBSI Trainings end
FEBRUARY
7-8-The Leader in Me Symposium-Irving Convention Center-All Principals should register to attend
MARCH
23-Northwest Network Super Saturday-Time TBD
EMMETT J. CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Jack Lowe Elementary: Principal, Sandra Barrios
- Jill Stone : Principal, Rosalinda Pratt
- Highland Meadows: Principal, Julian Davis
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Selena Deboskie
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Kourtnei Billups
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Edgar Jaramillo
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase' McLaurin
- McShan Elementary: Principal, Cecilia Criner
MEET OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON LEADERSHIP TEAM
JACK LOWE SR. ELEMENTARY
JILL STONE ELEMENTARY
HIGHLAND MEADOWS ELEMENTARY
DAVID G. BURNET ELEMENTARY
LEONIDES CIGARROA ELEMENTARY
TOM FIELD
STEPHEN C. FOSTER
JOSE 'JOE' MAY
K.B. POLK CENTER FOR THE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED & GIFTED
JULIAN T. SALDIVAR
WALNUT HILL DUAL LANGUAGE GIFTED & TALENTED
MCSHAN ELEMENTARY
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP COACH
OUR BOARD TRUSTEES REPRESENTING OUR NETWORK
EDWIN FLORES
DISTRICT # 1, Northwest Dallas, Addison, parts of Carrollton and Farmers Branch
Walnut Hill
DUSTIN MARSHALL
District #2 North and Near East Dallas
K. B. Polk
DAN Micciche
DISTRICT #3 Northeast Dallas
Highland Meadows, Jack Lowe Sr., Lee A. McShan Jr, Jill Stone at Vickery Meadow
MIGUEL SOLIS
DISTRICT # 8 Love Field, Northwest Dallas, and Central Dallas
David G. Burnet, Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, Tom Field, Stephen C. Foster, Jose "Joe" May, Julian T. Saldivar