Ram Nation News
Week of September 4, 2018
Vision
#OnANewLevel
I trust you had a great and relaxed 3-day weekend and are now refreshed for our third week in school. We are #OnANewLevel very strong, with a lot of enthusiasm and positive attitude. I know that each one of you continue to work hard being very purposeful in the planning and execution of each lesson. Also, I have seen the strengthening and collaboration of the various teams as you build trust as the foundation of a high effective team. Our students are very blessed to have a group of dedicated and enthusiastic educators as part of their educational path.
Ms. Saucedo and her family worked this weekend in beautifying our teacher's lounge. One of the boards displays the picture above which reminds me of the reason why we selected each one of you. I am very proud of the team that we have become and that each one of you chose to be a part of this team!!! There is a high level of responsibility when hand picking teachers, great teachers. Research shows that a good teacher not only improves academic achievement in the classroom, but also enhances his or her chances to attend college and earn more money. Also, as educators, we have a very significant, lifelong impact on all of our students. This impact involves not only the teaching of particular academic skills, but building the whole child and fostering students' self-esteem.
We hand picked each one of you because the qualities you displayed related to laser-focused work, growth mindset, high expectations, and inspiring relationships. Because of our shared beliefs and our implementation, our students will have a bright future with a life of opportunities.
Attendance
Continue to encourage our students to be present and on time on a daily basis. It really makes a huge difference when our students are present learning.
THANK YOU
- All teachers who have updated bulletin boards; I have noticed many appealing and purposeful displays reflecting what is taking place in our classrooms and promoting a college-going culture.
- All teachers and support staff who are on time and present during morning duty and present during transitions so that our students are safe while building positive relationship with each one of them.
- Mr. Willis for his leadership and support as he has agreed to be our Safety Coordinator for this year. We had a very smooth fire drill last week and will make some adjustments to decrease our evacuation time.
- Ms. Guerra, Ms. Woods, and Ms. Davis for their leadership as they led the expectations assemblies with their respective grade levels. We know that having these type of conversations with our students helps to have everyone on the same page and have a clear understanding of our expectations. Couldn't ask for a better group of principals!!!
- Ms. Rendon and Ms. Ingram for the support and being a team player as they have been working diligently making sure that materials and lessons are ready for the substitute teacher filling in for the science and social studies vacancy respectively. We are excited that we have our science teacher on board and we have recommended the candidate for the social studies position.
Climate and Culture
Collaboration in PLCs
REMINDERS FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF SCHOOL
- Continue to be prepared and provide high expectations for our students. Remember, consistency is key and will set up our students for success. (TEI 1.5 and 3.2)
- Greet students with smiles and consistent firmness (TEI 3.3)
- In order to have a solid foundation for our climate and culture, it is critical that we practice and be intentional about one of our core values - Inspiring Relationships. During arrival and transitions, let's ensure we are present in the hallways and be very intentional in narrating the positive while encouraging students to follow WALQ and getting to class on time. (TEI 3.3)
- Be very consistent in the effective implementation of various practices discussed during our TEI orientation and lesson alignment conversations. With regards to Alignment (learning objective), the proficient rating states: Focuses students at the beginning and throughout the lesson, by clearly stating (TEI 2.1)
- What they are learning
- Why it is important
- What mastery looks like
- How to connect it to prior knowledge and their own lives and explaining to students
- Engage learners throughout your lessons. It will support the increase in student achievement and reduce disruptions. (TEI 2.4 and 3.3)
- As you continue to update your bulletin boards, ensure that you have an appealing and purposeful display to reflect what is taking place in your classroom. (TEI 3.1)
- Submit lesson plans by Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (TEI 4.2)
DAILY EVENTS
- Labor Day - No School
- Staff is reminded that summer dress code ended Friday, Aug. 31. The district will return to full business attire on Tuesday, Sept. 4. For more information about the district’s dress code, see DH Local.
- Doors will continue to open at 7:40 a.m. everyday.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 Monthly Staff Meeting after school - Library
- Calibration Walks - We will be walking classrooms checking for alignment, exemplars, and aggressively monitoring.
- National Life Group during lunches - Snacks/light lunch is available if interested.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 - 6:00 After school collaboration with PLCs to analyze students' data and current performance to draft tutoring list.
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Debate Coaches Meeting - Edison Middle School, 2940 Singleton Blvd. - Mr. Johnson / Ms. Iberosi
Thursday, September 6-
- 8:30 - 10:30 - A cross-district team of 15-18 people from the various departments such as, Reading Language Arts, Social Studies, Bilingual/ESL and ILCs will be visiting our campus to engage in learning walks to get on-the-ground exposure to how the curriculum and coaching are playing out.
- AFT during lunches - Snacks/light lunch is available if interested.
- Meet with your grade level teams to align your Lesson Plans, continue the analysis of the common assessment, and analyze data profiles for your students.
- 4:45 - 6:00 After school collaboration with PLCs to analyze students' data and current performance to draft tutoring list.
- 6:00 - Lesson Plans Due
Friday, September 7 -
- Department Collaboration PLC - Department Chair and AP/CIC
- Tutoring List due - Turn in to grade level AP and copy Mr. Cordoba
Upcoming Events
September 11,
- Middle School Campus Activity Coordinator Meeting, 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - Edison Middle School, 2940 Singleton Blvd. - Ms. Baker
September 13,
- 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. - ACE Connection - Meadows Foundation Visit. We will have 30 guests who will be visiting classrooms and collaborating to learn about the impact of our practices in student achievement.
September 14 -
- Professional Development Plans (PDPs) Due - Follow instructions from your appraiser.
- Development of the Student Learning Objective (SLO) and submission online using Cornerstone (see below for steps and refer to separate e-mail with more details and attachments)
Tuesday, September 18
- After School Program Begins
September 21 -
- Compliance Video Deadline
Presidential Service Awards
Keep in your thoughts and prayers!!!
Congratulations!!!
Happy Birthday -
We want to wish you the best and many blessings for the years to come.
9/5 – Iresha Hayes
9/28 – Perla Calderon
9/29 – Carlos Carballo
Rusk Middle School
Email: jcordoba@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/rusk
Location: 2929 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: 972-925-2000
Twitter: @RuskAllTheWayUp