Rountree Report
March 18, 2018
WELCOME BACK!
Spring is almost here! I hope you enjoyed some rest and relaxation over your break. I spent some treasured time with my sweet husband and boys. I also got to spend some extra time with my parents. The break was just what was needed to be ready to return and finish 4th quarter strong! As you know there will be a lot packed into this quarter and it will fly by. If there is anything that you are aware of that we need to be planning for please make sure to touch base or send a reminder to be sure it is on the calendar.
TST UPDATE
Classroom teachers please schedule a time on either March 27 or 28 to meet with myself and Brittany to review TST students and progress. You should plan for about 15-20 minutes. You will not meet with Nicki on those dates in order to give your TST updates. Individual meetings should help honor your time. Email me with the day and time you would like to meet. Keep in mind this means that due to our Chicago visit this week, TST update next week, and early release the following week you will not meet formally with Nicki for the next 3 weeks. Of course if you need something let her know and she will also be touching base.
BALLPARK MEAL NUMBERS
Friendly reminder to send me the numbers of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders eating at the ballpark for the Cardinals field trip ASAP. The cost of the lunch is $2.45.
Math IC/Canvas discussion/DON'T FORGET!
Math IC
We will pick up 2 more components to review for the next few weeks. The Canvas discussion board is a required component of our focus on the Math IC this year. Discussions are taking the place of additional staff meetings around the components. (In essence saving you time) Thanks to those of you that have already posted! Postings must be completed by Friday, March 23rd. This is a hard deadline--individual meetings to review components will be scheduled if discussion post is not completed. I would also appreciate you commenting on at least one of your colleagues posts. There are several great ideas and resources already on there so take a look! Specialty teachers--please go to the discussion and see the question(s) specific to you.
***Please let me know if you and your grade level partner would like to take a half day to observe math workshop. 1st grade took advantage of this opportunity this week and they really enjoyed their visit.
***Please take the time to review the 2 components below and comment in the Canvas discussion.
Component 2 Planning
Component 7 Small group instruction
Monday, Mar 19
Nothing yet
Tuesday, Mar 20
Dr. Jungmann will be in the building for a visit from 10-11
Staff meeting 4-5 (SLC resources and planning/ MAP schedule and specials changes)
Wednesday, Mar 21
4th grade field trip 9-2 Solar farm
3rd grade field trip 10-2 Nathaniel Boone
Thursday, Mar 22
Future owls 9am
Kdg Prep 6pm
Nicki and I will be in Chicago for an external IB site visit. We will be touring a couple of PYP schools and hope to bring back some new ideas.
Friday, March 23
Nicki and I are in Chicago
Literacy Connection
Literacy Connection
Writing Prompt and Scoring Guide Updates
Teachers provided feedback regarding our current district writing prompts and and district writing scoring guides during our Super CDC meeting. Teams of teachers are using this feedback to revise, rewrite, and provide resources for teachers across the district. They will be available for teachers this summer.
Based on teacher feedback, the majority of teachers would like to continue using the format of a district writing prompt at the beginning of the year and the same district writing prompt at the end of the year for one genre. Each grade level prefers to assess students using the following genres:
Kindergarten--Narrative
First Grade--Narrative
Second Grade--Narrative
Third Grade--Opinion
Fourth Grade--Opinion
Fifth Grade--Opinion
In addition to the beginning of the year and end of the year district prompt, we will provide teachers with prompts and resources for the other genres. This will allow teachers to use a writing prompt as a formative assessment and a summmative assessment for each genre they teach. These additional prompts will not be required, but will help teachers as they plan their instruction.
Principal's Meeting District Update -- As promised:)
- We will be continuing our focus on Math next year. It is very appreciated that we have time to become better at something before changing the focus!
- For your planning purposes add August 8th to your calendars. SPS NOW and IGNITE have combined to bring you ACTIVATE. SPS ACTIVATE is from 8-3:05 (location to be determined). There will be 7 40 minute sessions--with some required (like dyslexia training) and some optional. Lunch will be provided.
- Both the literacy and math IC connections in this newsletter are from our principal's meeting training as well.
- Student and building safety was discussed. Facilities are being studied to determine any additional security needs. There were collaborative table discussions regarding the data in the chart below. CELEBRATION--Through my discussions with Officer Ball it came to my attention that there was a need for a gate that opens at the end of the small playground. Building services has already been out and this will be completed very soon!
- The readjustment to Campbell boundaries, if closure is approved, will result in a handful of students being assigned to Rountree.
MAP Resources
Students need to be spending time in using the MAP tools!
As a reminder, there are many MAP resources to help students prepare for the state assessment. These resources will allow teachers to practice using the online tools and view sample released items. The resources can be found in Canvas>CIA>Assessments>K-5>MAP Resources.