Points of Pride
Back to School 2019
Welcome Back!!!
I don't know about all of you, but I had an amazing summer! I was able to go to Washington D.C. to go to the Model Schools Conference (same group that does Data Teams) and learned SO much. Then I went to Florida for 10 days, and went to the beach, every day. I don't know if I have had a more relaxing trip. We also sold our house, and are in the process of buying a new one. Lastly, my mother-in-law received a clean scan and both the mass on her hip, and the one on her lung were gone. As I reflect, I don't know if I have ever had a better summer :)
I hope that you all were able to get some time to recharge and relax from the "daily grind." I can't wait to hear about all of your adventures!
Check out this edition of our newsletter to get "up to date."
Gilbert Fire Code
"Food for Thought" on Rooms....
As you are setting up your room for 19/20, I am going to challenge you to think a little differently. This is not a requirement, but something that I have put a lot of thought into, so please humor me :)
I think all of us would agree that our students are WAY more easily distracted than in the past, right? If every square inch of our classroom is covered in decoration, does that help, or hurt these students? In addition, if the room is fully decorated before the students arrive, does that make it "your room" or "our room?"
What would happen if our rooms were more empty to start the year, and you did an anchor chart, then it was hung up? Right now, your learning signs are cute, but they don't mean anything to the students. I know that there is some Pintrest pressure to have an adorable room for Meet the Teacher, but let's be intentional in what we are putting up. If it doesn't help our students or have a specific purpose, let's take it down.
Room Ideas....
Lastly, one of my main goals for this year (much more on this soon) is to better teach the "whole child" by integrating social/emotional skills across the curriculum. With that being said, every classroom should have a "safe place" where a student can go if they are needing a break (due to frustration, fear, anger, etc.). This should not be in the hallway, as it needs to be a safe place and discourages elopement (which was quite the epidemic last year).
Welcome to the Pride!
- Jaylen Breeze will be teaching our Amanacer Preschool program. She came very highly recommended by the preschool coordinators.
- Kelsey Massey will be teaching our K,1 COPE class this year. She comes highly recommended from NAU.
- Heather Penner will be teaching 5/6 COPE. She has been teaching in a general education setting for the last few years at at charter school in Phoenix. She moved to the east valley and is finishing her Master's in Special Education.
- Laura Peeples is teaching 5th grade this year. We are excited to have her passion and creativity on staff :)
- Kathy Thomas will also be joining the 5th grade team this year. She had previously taught in Utah and at Knox Gifted Academy in Chandler.
- Jenah Hanson will be joining the 6th grade team. She moved from South Dakota where she finished her student teaching in the fall, and was a long term substitute during the spring semester.
- Carrie Rios is joining us as a paraprofessional in the K/1 COPE classroom. She has two students at Settler's and was previously a teacher in the Tempe district.
- Bonna Dudash- is joining us as a paraprofessional in the K/1 COPE classroom. She is joining us after transferring to Settler's from Mesquite Elementary.
- Kristin Szepe is going to be a paraprofessional in our 2nd grade COPE classroom. She is coming to us from Ashland Ranch and has a lot of great experience that we are excited to add to the campus.
New "Help Desk" Procedures
In your Rapid Identity there is a link with the help desk to initiate the procedure. In the following link it will walk you through the new procedures:
New Science Standards Update....
Mick (our science coordinator) has decided to wait to start implementing until the 20/21 school year. Yay!
New Carpet
Here are a couple other notes regarding the carpet:
- As you are putting together your classroom, please wear close-toed shoes. Bradley's (my son) teacher broke her toe moving things around her classroom trying to set up for the carpet installation at Highland Park. While I know it's hot and flip flops are comfortable, don't sacrifice your safety.
- Additionally, the removal of the old carpet has caused an increase in the number of bugs that I have seen around campus (I haven't seen anything dangerous) but we definitely destroyed their homes for the last 20 years. Be mindful about this as you bring food into your classrooms.
Mark your Calendars:
- School Carnival: October 25 @ 5-8
- PTSO Family Night: January 30 @ 5:30-7:00
Google Classroom
I plan on adding a lot of information in there that will be useful to you.
If you need the code or directions on how to join, please email me ASAP.
Curriculum Nights
The district usually asks us to wait in scheduling these at the elementary level until I get my admin 19/20 calendar (which I should get next Tuesday). They do this so that we don't do elementary Curriculum Nights on the same night as any junior high/high school Open Houses.
These will be scheduled very early next week and I will send the dates out as soon as they are calendared.