Old Town Star Staff News
February 17, 2014- February 28, 2014
Our Next Week...
Monday, February 17
Mya’s Coaching day
ARD Meetings (see separate schedule)
Tuesday, February 18
Minor’s Off Campus AM (AP meeting)
Wednesday, February 19
Mya’s Coaching Day
Character Ed Awards Kg – 2nd 7:45am
Popcorn Day
Disaster/Lock Down Drill 9:00am
Fire Drill 9:15am
SLT Mtg 3:10pm
Thursday, February 20
ARD Mtgs (separate schedule)
½ Day Planning 4th grade (AM) 2nd grade (PM)
Character Ed Awards 3rd – 5th 7:45am
SBAC Mtg 3:15pm
Friday, February 21
SST Mtgs. 3rd – 5th
CAT Mtg 8:50am
Weekly Reminders...
- Take time to "audit" your learning displays and bulletin boards to ensure they are up-to-date with what you are currently teaching!
- Be sure you are reinforcing positive behavior with the red Star Tickets and making time to take your students to the Star Store to spend those hard earned tickets!!
- Share an affirmation or two for your colleagues in the staff lounge!
- Check out our Professional Learning and Events Calendar regularly as revisions/additions are made often...http://goo.gl/u8peV
PBL Spotlight: Our Grade Level Driving Questions for Project 2
Kinder: How can we create habitats to attract living organisms to our outdoor classroom?How can we recycle or reuse the trash in our school to create useful objects?
1st: How do animals survive in their world?
2nd: How would the disappearance of honey bees affect me and the Round Rock community?
3rd: How is soil Formed? TEKS 3.7A Formation of Rocks and Soil
4th: How can we as reseachers create bird houses that will entice birds to build their nest in a particular habitat?
5th: How can we provide information about ways to reduce, recycle, or reuse resources in our community?
TaG Math: How can Geometry be taught through the alphabet?
TaG ELA: (3rd) - How much wisdom can fit in four lines? (4th) - Is failure an option? (5th) - What would the bard want us to know today?
Art: How can we, as artists, collaborate to help solve social issues, such as hunger? (Empty Bowls)
PE: How can we create a work of art that demonstrates what we have learned and the purpose of Jump Rope for Heart?
Music: How can we create as a whole class an Orff ostinati with a known song?
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be ignited.” -Plutarch
Be better than you were yesterday. Jon Gordon, The Energy Bus
Starrrrific Websites!
Always looking for tools to build student's critical thinking skills?
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself~John Dewey
Star Gazing...
Congratulations to Vicky Arms , star Instructional Coach ...our STAR Teacher of the Week receiving the most nominations! You are entitled to a week long jeans pass and designated parking!
Her colleagues write:
- Vicky is a gifted and encouraging coach. She has a wealth of great ideas and relevant experiences. I learn something new from her every time we conference and every time I watch her with my students. She also has a real snazzy sense of style! We appreciate you, Victoria!
- Vicky did a wonderful job with the Kindergartners in Ms. Robinson's room. I enjoyed her interactive writing lesson.
- Vicky once again led us in a beneficial (and fun with the Family Feud!) in-service on Science Vocab Development. Her coaching tips are helpful and stretching-- and doable. Thank you, Vicky, for all you give and teach the teachers and students at OTE! We appreciate you!
- Vicky has been a wealth of knowledge in supporting our campus in so many areas! Thanks for all you do!
Aiming for the Stars...
Warmest appreciations to each of you for your flexibility with Tuesday's delayed start! BIG THANKS to Margaret and Chris for your presentation on Strategic Thinking and to Annie for your stewardship with the Words Their Way materials and for taking on our school supply lists this year! Huge CONGRATS again to our Teacher of the Year, Kelly Dorman and to each of our runner ups: Emily Littleton, Eddy Piwetz, and Mackie Flansburg! We are so fortunate to have each of you Rock Stars on our team! BIG KUDOS to each of our PTA Grant Award recipients:
- 4th Grade Teachers (Baldini) PBL Project for Playground Equipment $1,223.58 & $150 toward installation
- 4th Grade Teachers (Mustin) PBL Project for Birdhouses $299.61
- 1st Grade (Durham) PBL Project for Egg to Chick OvaScopes $227.97
- Art (Glover) Art Display ($311.14) & Friendly Weaving Loom ($232.60)
- Environmental Club (Rummel) Boot and Longhorn Mosaic ($582.22)
As always, thank each you for your hard work in striving to deliver world class instruction to our STAR Texans! Remember to post an affirmation or two for your colleagues in the staff lounge and have an awesome weekend!
Eye on the Gifted...
Professional Resource of the Week! Check out your copy today!
The Week After...
Sunday, February 23
Happy Birthday Nikki Weisensel!
Monday, February 24
Mya’s Coaching Day
Tuesday, February 25
Minor’s Coaching Day
½ Day Team Planning: Specials (AM) SpEd (PM)
Wednesday, February 26
Mya’s Coaching Day
½ Day Team Planning 1st (AM) Kg (PM)
5th grade Art fieldtrip to Blanton Museum 9:00am
Vertical Team Mtg 3:10pm
Thursday, February 27
ARD Mtgs (separate schedule)
Principal’s Coffee 8:00am
Minor Off Campus (STAAR Training)
Talent Show Rehearsal 2:45 - Cafeteria
Friday, February 28
SST Mtgs. K-2
CAT Mtg 8:50am
Talent Show 6:00pm
Old Town Elementary Mission & Vision...
Email: mya_mercer@roundrockisd.org
Website: http://schools.roundrockisd.org/oldtown/
Location: 2200 Chaparral Dr, Round Rock, TX
Phone: (512) 428-7600
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OldTownElementaryPTA
Twitter: @OTESchool