Welcome Back!
How Might We?
As a part of renewing our mission and vision, our District recently came up with an insightful addition simply titled, Our Promise. This in my mind, addresses academic as well as social-emotional need of our kids.
Our Promise:
Every student in Dallas Public School District is known by name, strength and need, and graduates ready for career, college, and community.
This is a challenging time for all kids and it is evident that our role in recent years as a school has had to adapt. Never before have our kids needed us more. Getting our year off on the right foot is important! Together, we have an opportunity to reimagine what the first days of school can look like in setting our students up for success.
Last summer I had an opportunity to take part in an activity which focused on a design thinking exercise, geared toward retooling the first day of school for students. My excuse making game can be very strong at times! My first thought was; well that would be really difficult to pull off because... Thus, our first day came and went as it has for the past twelve years. Not horrible at all, but I had to keep thinking about potential opportunities that went unrealized. This year however, with a renewed focus, I truly believe that with a few changes we can increase our chances of meeting the needs of all kids.
We have talked a lot about change for the sake of our kids and their futures. Let's continue to create something together that will be amazingly powerful for our students, and will push educators around the world to create something for their students based on our leadership.
Change is an opportunity to do something amazing, Do not just embrace it; create it.
How might we reimagine the first day of school with the kid experience in mind?
Have a wonderful year!
Our Inservice Week Together
Brief outline of the first week:
Monday (8/27)
8:00 – 8:30am Welcome Gathering, Library (light refreshments)
1:30pm – 2:30pm - Design Thinking, Library (Team Building Activity)
Tuesday (8/28)
8:00 – 11:30am - All Staff Meeting, Library (light refreshments)
11:30 – 1:00pm - Wildcat Fiesta! Cafeteria
1:00 – 2:30pm - First Day of School Think Tank
Wednesday (8/29)
8:30 – 10:30am - SPED licensed staff at DO (Board Room)
Thursday (8/30)
7:30 – 11:15am - All-Staff Welcome, Nesmith Readiness Center
11:15 – 12:00pm - DEA meeting, Bollman Theater
2:00 – 4:00pm - OEBB Open Enrollment
Friday (8/31)
Get ready for kids!!!!
Wildcat Fiesta
Following our morning session on Tuesday, we will have our annual Wildcat Fiesta welcome-back potluck! It is nice to see old friends and colleagues and sit and enjoy each other’s company. We will be serving about 60 people, please contribute as follows:
- Office - meat and taco shells
- 7th Grade - drinks and cups
- Elective/Exploratory - side salads, chips/dip
- PE - desserts
- 6th Grade - plates, silverware, napkins
- 8th Grade - sides for tacos
Welcome new Wildcat staff!
Nolan Bradley - PE
Lindsey Hughes - SLP
Cody Heally - 7th Grade Science
Breanna Webb - 6th Grade Social Studies
Drew Reinhardt - 8th Grade Math
Welcome Back - Tiffany Walter
A few changes as well:
Joyce Garland - 7th Grade Social Studies
Marianne Hatch - 7th Grade ELA
Brenda Clark - 6th Grade Co-taught
Kimberly Noack - 8th Grade ELA
Merryellen Price - 8th Grade Co-taught
We also have a plethora of Educational Assistants joining us, but just waiting for final hiring. We will welcome them all when we have a better list. This has been a busy summer!