Beasley Weekly Bulletin
Week of February 8, 2016
From the Desk of Dr. BC
As you know, yesterday was Super Bowl 50 and the Denver Broncos defeated the Carolina Panthers. Trying to reflect about yesterday's win, I tried to connect some take-away(s) from the game and how it relates to our instructional priorities. Even though the game was exciting to watch, I could not help but to formulate opinions about the dangers of this sport. It also had me thinking about the movie starring Will Smith called "Concussion"; and how it presented some arguments about the safety of the game and intriguing me to want to know more.
ARGUMENT-CENTERED LITERACY
Our instructional priority is to use argument-centered literacy as a way to get students to critically think by defending claims or positions by citing evidence. One method or process that you can do with students is to first ask them to think of what single word they think of when they think about football and list those on the projector, ELMO, white board or etc. to direct student attention. Cluster the words to form a 'word cloud'of football's attributes. Then try to create a debatable issue. For example, "If football is dangerous to play, is it ethical to watch?"
Next, connect the discussion provide brief context for this debatable issue by summarizing the overall position of this argument. I am trying to get you all to think about the dynamics and power of this instructional strategy. If our students are to show literacy growth we must push the envelope on how they perceive what they read and how they read. As educators, it will cause us to examine our perceptions and how we can extend learning on such broad and complex ideas.
We will continue with this approach and I predict that in time we will see more reading growth in our SQRP rating. Our goal this year is 80% growth in reading. Please remember to keep the end in mind.
Principal's Weekly Updates
Here are the following updates for the week of 02/08/2016:
Caught Being Good Program Begins.
Dean Dowell has provided an in-service to staff on 02/05/2016 about the Caught Being Good Program and the Beasley Bucks. All teachers should have received their Beasley Bucks on Friday. If you have not, please see Dean Dowell. The store will be open on Fridays only. It is important that staff communicate to students that they will need to bring both cash and their Beasley Bucks in order to use the store. They may not use only Beasley Bucks or only cash. Students must have both. Please, remember that this is only for students who are good. The funds will go to support our Beasley Sports Program.
Ice Packs
It has been brought to my attention that students are flushing ice packs down the toilets and it causes the toilets to flood. Please be mindful about students who are bringing ice packs into the washroom.
Parent Advisory Council (PAC)
The Parent Advisory Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 in the LRC. We may engage parents in an constructive argument that includes: Claims, counter-claims and refutation that will allow them to gain a greater sense of our instructional priority.
Local School Council (LSC)
The Local School Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 9th, 2016 in the Auditorium.
PreK-2nd Report Card Incentive
AP Haynes will be spear-heading activities to celebrate students who are on the Honor Roll on Thursday, February 10th. The activities will include face-painting, games and etc. Please see Mrs. Haynes if you have any questions.
Valentine's Day Dance K-8th (MVMS Initiative)
Ms. Hickman will be spear-heading our school-wide Valentine Day Dance on Friday, February 12th, 2016. She will send out the schedules to teachers and staff. The dance is similar to the Fun and Fitness Dance that was held for Halloween. Please see Ms. Hickman if you have any questions.
7th/8th CPS Basketball Tournaments
The Varsity Girls Basketball Team is scheduled to play in the CPS Championship Game on Saturday, February 13th, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. If the Varsity Boys Basketball Team wins they are scheduled to play on Saturday, February 13th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. The location is yet to be determined. We hope that you can plan to come out and show your Beasley pride in our teams. Information is forthcoming.
Daddy/Daughter Dance
Ms. Hickman will be spear-heading our Daddy/Daughter Dance that will be held on Saturday, February 13th, 2016 from 1:00 p.m .to 4:00 p.m. in the gym. The dance is for K-4th grade students only. Please see Ms. Hickman if you have any questions.
2nd Quarter Report Cards
Report Cards are scheduled for distribution on Thursday, February 11th, 2016. Student Off-Track Notification Letters are to to go home with students particularly in 3rd, 6th and 8th.
NWEA MOY Data
We are currently in the process of trying to analyze the NWEA data to determine areas of celebrations and areas of challenge. More information is coming very soon.
Student Attendance YTD
Our student attendance rate is currently at 96.3%. We need your support toward encouraging students to come to school every day.