the RAH
Dec 4 - Dec 8, 2017
If Christmas Letters were honest...
from J-
I've had some great discussions about math workshops with principals and teachers over the past few weeks. A few themes have developed, and I've looped Catherine Castillo in on the themes that we will discuss at our next elementary leadership team meeting. There is some great effort and work being done to support students in this content area.
As we enter December, we know that the holiday season (between Thanksgiving and Christmas) adds a range of emotions to students and adults alike. For too many, it is not a desirable season. Others look forward to it, but are unable to cope/manage/focus on what is right in front of them. Regardless, we see some evidences of the season with a greater range of behaviors. The time-tested response that mitigates these behaviors is following what we do day in and day out- keep high expectations in place, and learning routines predictable and positive. This sends the message to the students that while their world outside may be changing, that school is a place where they know what to do, know they can be successful, and they will have a caring adult advocating for their well-being, safety, and success. Thank you for using this time of the season to promote all of the warm wishes, peace on earth feelings WHILE still emphasizing learning, personal, and character development is what do while we are at school.
Have an amazing week! Let me know how I can support-
December Issue
Everyday
Set the temp-
from Bret-
See the HR flowchart found here regarding Tower.
Please encourage qualified teachers interested in future administrator positons to apply for Explore administrative positions. We have several positons open.
About half the learning coaches and I visited Willard this week to talk about their coaching model (Jim Knight). Additionally, the learning coaches meet next Thursday and the agenda is here.
PTA Council meets at Sherwood on December 6th @ 9:15.
BLM December training
The December Blended Learning Mentor training will take place Thursday, December 14 at Kraft Administration Center in Meeting Rooms A & B. Elementary cohort will meet from 8-10:45 and Secondary cohort will meet from 12:30-3:15. A full agenda and session sign-up will follow next week. We are requesting, in an effort to alleviate substitute shortages, all substitutes should be requested by teachers through Penmac no later than Wednesday, December 6 or a substitute will be assigned for them. Please let Nichole Lemmon know if you have questions.
From Innovation & Information-
Imagine Grants
Thank you for nominating teachers for Imagine Grants’ 12 Days of Innovation awards. We are excited to begin awarding the $500 grants to teachers on December 6th! Watch Twitter @ImagineSPS1, #ImagineGrant for the daily announcements. Winners will be surprised by a visit to their classroom the following day.
Explore
Here is the Proposed Calendar. Both the calendar and proposed site listings are in a final review by Cabinet. We will communicate a finalized calendar and site listing very soon. Be watching for all remaining Explore positions to be posted later this week. Principal placements will start as soon as we have a finalized site listing. Lastly, it is time for site principals to begin thinking about who their Explore liaison will be. Be watching for an email regarding liaisons in the coming days. Looking forward to Explore 2018!