L.E.S. Friday Memo
One School, One Team, One Goal!
Mark Your Calendars!
All Aboard the Polar Express! On Thursday, December 21st at 9:15 am, the entire school will view the Polar Express. For students, it will be a surprise! Teachers will bring their students to the gym and leave for some "me" time. Just pick your students up when the movie ends at approximately 10:45 am. Merry Christmas!!
Holiday Cookie Bar sponsored by the PTA in the teachers lounge on Weds 12/20 10:45 am-2:00 pm. Enjoy!!
December 18-22nd: Wear jeans all week, feel free to leave immediately after bus dismissal through Tuesday, December 19th and again on Thursday, December 21st......there will be a brief United Way presentation in the Media Center on Wednesday, December 20th 3;45 pm-4:05 pm...stay tuned for Friday, December 22nd.
December 22nd: Wear your favorite ugly Christmas Sweater or best Christmas Outfit. Students will be the judges at the school-wide sing-along on the morning of December 22nd!
Door decorating contest ends on Friday, December 15th. Winners will be announced on Monday afternoon, December 18th.
Upcoming Week in Review!
Faculty and Leadership Team Meetings postponed for the month of December
Ledo Pizza Spirit Night: Tuesday, December 13th 4 pm-8 pm
Chorus Christmas Caroling in Leonardtown: 10:45 am-11:30 am
Family Holiday Brunch: Thursday, December 14th during lunches.
Osprey "Tree" drive gifts due on Friday, December 15th.
Important Message!
- December's edition of the Health and Physical Education Update
- ESOL December Newsletter: https://www.smore.com/nmgr7
- Teaching English Language Learners: SMCPS, in a partnership with Notre Dame of MD will once again be offering 3 classes over the next year focused on English language acquisition. Successful completion of the 3 courses will prepare participants to take the ESOL Praxis in the spring of 2019—with the end goal of being ESOL certified. All gen ed teachers are welcome to participate! See attached flyer. Contact Wendy Tarr for more information: wmtarr@smcps.org
Elementary Math: Optional workshops regarding assessment use and analysis will be offered in January and February.
- Counting Profile: Three one-half day workshops will be offered to primary school teams ideally comprised of a primary teacher, an IRT and a Special Education teacher. Participants will analyze the Counting Profiles given in January and collaboratively make instructional decisions regarding next steps. Workshops will be offered on February 6th from 8:30 - 11:00; February 6th from 1:00 - 3:30; and February 7th from 8:30 - 11:00. Substitutes will be provided. Registration forms will go out in the next few days. Logistical details will be in the Math Memo.
- Fraction Four-Square Assessment Workshops: The purpose of this series of workshops is to examine the standards and standard progression, then collaboratively develop four square formative assessments. Each workshop will be from 8:30 - 11 at the Loveville Training Room. Substitute will be provided for the workshop itself. The workshops are scheduled for the morning in order to allow time for collaborative planning at the school in the afternoon if desired.
- January 10: Fraction Foundations (Grade 3, 4 and 5 teachers, special education teachers, and ESOL teachers)
- January 24: Fraction Addition and Subtraction (Grade 4 and 5 teachers, special education teachers, and ESOL teachers).
- January 30: Fraction Multiplication (Grade 4 and 5 teachers, special education teachers, and ESOL teachers).
- February 13: Fraction Division (Grade 5 teachers, special education teachers, and ESOL teachers).
We are seeking nominations for our exceptional staff! If you would like to nominate a colleague, please send names to Jeff or me by December 15th. Thank you
TEDTalk! Is there such thing as the happiness advantage?
In the short video below, Shawn Achor does a good job using humor to talk about how happiness inspires us to be productive in whatever we choose to do in life. Enjoy!