Staff Bulletin
January 18, 2019
Keith Staff Purpose Statement:
Coming Events
January 21
January 22
January 24
Announcements
Technology Updates:
WLCSD is participating in Speak Up, a national research project and free service to find out information about digital learning. Districts can use the survey tools to learn what students, educators, and parents have to say about education issues. Schools who choose to participate will get back localized reports with all the data findings to use for planning and school improvement efforts.
Compiled district data can be used to inform technology decisions and drive our new Tech Teacher Leader Program.
Below are the direct links to your school’s surveys. The parent link will be shared in upcoming newsletters, but I've included it for those of you who fill both roles here at Keith!
· All surveys should take less than 20 min.
· Surveys are multiple choice with a few open ended questions.
· Elementary Student surveys are done as a group; students raise hands and teachers submit the data for the entire class.
· Surveys can be completed any time between now and Jan 31, 2019.
Keith Elementary School
Grades K - 2 Group
https://speakup.tomorrow.org/DirectStart.aspx?TYPE=DS&DIST=19162&SCH=84975&SURV=6
Grades 3 - 5 Group
https://speakup.tomorrow.org/DirectStart.aspx?TYPE=DS&DIST=19162&SCH=84975&SURV=55
Teacher
https://speakup.tomorrow.org/DirectStart.aspx?TYPE=DS&DIST=19162&SCH=84975&SURV=3
Parent Survey
https://speakup.tomorrow.org/DirectStart.aspx?TYPE=DS&DIST=19162&SCH=84975&SURV=5
IReady and IRIP Dates:
- iReady Window 1: 9/19/18-10/24/18
- IRIP Window 1: through 12/10/18
- Ready Window 2: 1/3/19-2/1/19
- IRIP Window 2: through 3/22/19
- iReady Window 3: 5/6/19-6/7/19
- IRIP Window 3: through the last day of school
Here is a link to the IRIP information - reporting is the same as last year! Please let me know what questions you have!
IReady Diagnostic Window 2 - Information from Mr. Hess
It’s hard to believe that we’re getting ready for the second i-Ready Diagnostic administration. The second Diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding student growth, which is why it’s so important that students try their best. These results allow you, your school leaders, and teachers to better support students in achieving their Typical and Stretch Growth goals. Below are important next steps and resources to share with your school leaders.
Establish expectations and communicate with school leaders so they have clear plans for building buy-in and energizing students for the second Diagnostic. Utilize the pre-diagnostic resources in iReady Central to help students prepare for a successful diagnostic session.
The 2nd diagnostic has already been assigned. Students will be prompted to start their assessment the next time they log in.
As a reminder:
- K-1st grade students are recommended to have two to three 15-20 minutes testing periods per subject
- Grades 2+ are recommended to have two 30 minute testing periods per subject
- It’s recommended to keep the same testing schedule as the fall diagnostic. For example, if your 3rd graders tested in Reading first and Kindergarteners tested last, we recommend keeping the same order, if at all possible.
- It’s recommended to complete the diagnostic in one subject before beginning the other subject.
Teachers: please see this checklist to prepare your students and to remind yourself what to watch for during testing!
Please note: If a student receives a red rush flag, schools may want to consider re-testing. This would require a building leader assigning a student a new diagnostic as a student’s diagnostic cannot be reset unless it is in progress.
Video with directions to support preparation for the mid-year diagnostic and monitoring results.
Diagnostic Administration Best Practices
Here are some Best Practices to consider when assessing students at each site for the administration of the diagnostic:
- We would recommend building in additional sessions for each grade level, to accommodate students who are absent or may need additional time to complete their assessment.
- Having any additional staff in testing room to help monitor students is highly beneficial as well. The adults cannot assist to answer diagnostic questions, but can be very helpful to monitor on task behavior and answer any technical related questions for the students (especially our younger students).
- Assisting students who need help logging in correctly
- Troubleshooting any audio issues
- Help to identify and verbally redirect students are potentially rushing or not taking the test seriously as they should
- Encourage students to do their best and continue working on the diagnostic even if they do not know the answer.
- Students will need paper and pencil for the math diagnostic.
Have a great day! Thank you for all that you do for kids!
~Mark
Keith Committee Work
A Note from Lori Burke and Michelle Black:
Vocabulary Information
Professional Learning Corner - January
Making Thinking Visible
CLAIM / SUPPORT / QUESTION
A reasoning routine
Purpose: What kind of thinking does this routine encourage?
The routine helps students develop thoughtful interpretations by encouraging them to reason with evidence. Students learn to identify truth claims and explore strategies for uncovering truth.
Application: When and where can I use it?
Use Claim Support Question with topics in the curriculum that invite explanation or are open to interpretation.
Launch: What are some tips for starting and using this routine?
The routine can work well for individuals, in small groups and for whole group discussions. Begin by modeling the routine: Identify a claim and explore support and questions in a whole group discussion. On the board make one column for SUPPORT and one column for QUESTIONS. Ask the class for evidence that either supports a claim, or questions the claim and write it in the appropriate column. Take turns using the routine so that each student makes a claim, identifies support and asks a question. Following each person’s report, take a moment as a group to discuss the topic in relation to the claim before moving on to the next person. Be patient as students take a few moments to think. You may need to probe further by asking: What are some other questions you might want to ask about this statement? or Can you think of reasons why this may be true? Encourage friendly disagreement– once a student comes up with an alternative perspective about a claim, encourage other students to follow. The questions can challenge the plausibility of the claim, and often lead to a deeper understanding of the reasoning process. Let students know it is fine to disagree with one another’s reasons and encourage them to come up with creative suggestions for support and
questioning. After everyone has had a turn, reflect on the activity. What new thoughts do students have about the topic?
CLAIM / SUPPORT / QUESTION - A reasoning routine
Professional Development/Staff Meeting Dates
2018-2019 Professional Learning Dates
Monday, 8/27 - 9am-11am - Keith Media Center - KALPA #948195
Tuesday, 9/18 - 1-4pm - Keith Media Center - KALPA #948199
Thursday, 10/11 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center #963533
Wednesday, 10/31 - 1-4pm - District PD - Keith Media Center #966357
Thursday, 11/15 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center #971113
Thursday, 1/10 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center #972650
Thursday, 2/7 - 1-4pm - Keith Media Center
Thursday, 2/28 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Friday, 3/22 - 1-4pm - District PD Location TBD
Thursday, 4/11- 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Thursday, 5/9 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Remaining 2018-2019 Leadership Team Dates (with Marty Chaffee and Julie McDaniels)
Tuesday, February 12 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Tuesday, March 12 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Tuesday, March 26 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
Wednesday, April 24 - 7:45-8:45am - Keith Media Center
***These were originally School Improvement Team meetings, so adjustments will need to be made for that committee. I would like to publish all remaining committee meeting dates for everyone in next week's staff bulletin, so please be sure to email me a list of those dates for the math, school improvement, and PBS teams. I had the ELA committee dates and those are below, and I noticed that the ELA team may need to adjust a day in March. (The dates above are not as flexible due to coordinating with Marty and Julie's schedules.)
Remaining ELA Team Dates
Tuesday, February 26 - 7:45-8:45am - Nashella's Room - 121
Tuesday, March 26 - DATE MAY CHANGE BECAUSE OF CONFLICT ABOVE
Tuesday, April 23 - 7:45-8:45am - Nashella's Room - 121
Tuesday, May 21 - 7:45-8:45am - Nashella's Room - 121
Parking Lot Duty Schedule
Staff Responsible for Dragon Pick Up
Job Responsibilities for Parking Lot Duty
Gym Door - Taking dragon pick up cards from parents who walk up to the door
MC - Announces names in the gym
Supervisor in Gym - Helps keep kids quiet for MC to announce
Supervisor in Gym - Helps keep kids quiet for MC to announce
Hallway near gym doors and main entrance - helps flow of traffic between gym and students going to bus
Outside Dragon Pickup - Help Bob and supervise students and flow of traffic
Outside Dragon Pickup - Help Bob and supervise students and flow of traffic
Staff Birthdays!
Diana Tyrrell 1/22
Keith Elementary School
Email: MarciAugenstein@wlcsd.org
Website: http://wlcsd.org/schools/elementary/keith/
Location: West Bloomfield Township, MI, United States
Phone: 248-956-3700
Twitter: @KeithElementary