Team Thomson News & Notes
April 22, 2018
Important Information for You!
Last week was a wonderful week welcoming families to school! With the help of many, we welcomed 260 families to Davison for the 2018-19 school year. I sincerely appreciate the warm nature with which teachers worked with the new little ones and the gentle tone that was taken when talking to parents who were at times very nervous themselves. A special thank you to everyone for your support in the building last week. it is not easy for me to be in and out, but with the help of all you day to day business at Thomson didn't miss a beat. Lastly, I would again like to recognize our amazing office staff. Although, secretaries from the other buildings are extremely helpful, Anna, Sue, and Anne spend countless hours preparing for, setting up, thinking through, and cleaning up Round-up...a very special thank you to these amazing women!
A Solemn Reminder About Connections
Like many of you, I have been reading quite a bit about Barbara Bush this past weekend and have been inspired by many of the words I have read and speeches I have watched that she gave. Mr. Harper shared this so very eloquently in this newsletter this week, I wanted to share with all of you. He wrote: This past weekend a great American citizen was laid to rest. Barbara Bush was a no nonsense influential First Lady who advocated for causes she believed impacted civilization. Literacy was a major cause she supported, sending a message that if a person cannot read he cannot fully participate in the freedoms of our great nation. Guiding her advocacy for literacy, the homeless, and those afflicted by HIV/AIDS, she cited the power of relationships saying, "You will have important roles in life as doctor's, lawyers, and teachers but none are more important than your role of making human connections."
Reflecting on our District Mission Statement: Davison Community Schools: Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin; we know this happens through Connections, Curriculum and Opportunities. Nothing happens without making the Connections first! It seems, perhaps, that is a premise which merits recognition as the most important role we will will have on this earth.
I know that in the business of day to day, the 'immediate' (while in itself things that can not be ignored) can push the 'important' to the back. Let's make sure that our connections to kids, each other, families and focus on literacy remain our 'important' and our 'immediate'.
5D+
I am looking forward to getting back into classrooms working on third round observations. My favorite part of this process is observing teaching and learning and reflecting on your practice as individual teachers and our practice as as an entire building. I am working on finishing up feedback using either verbal conversations or written depending on time and place. I appreciate the time you take to reflect on your practice. In the video included in this week's newsletter, the focus is on reflective practice. It as the question, do you aspire to be an experienced teacher or an expert teacher? Please take a moment to watch the short video and see what connections you can make to our 5D+ process. I found it to be inspiring.
Additionally, as we head into the 'home stretch', it is important that we remain focused on our instruction and ensure that we thoughtfully plan lessons and activities that help our students apply and stretch their thinking and learning.
Cardinal Code Focus of the Week:
This week the Cardinal Code focus is HALLWAY. Please take the time to review the appropriate behavior for while walking in the hallways. This includes on the way to recess and the bus, not just when the students are with teachers or other staff.
Staff Meeting Wednesday
This Wednesday's staff meeting will begin a little differently than normal. A friend of mine shared with me an activity that she did with her staff that they all found to be very inspirational and helped energize them for the last nine weeks of school. Please bring a writing utensil and morning beverage of your choice. As always, all staff members are invited to attend if they would like.
Quotes Worth Reading
A few more quotes from the late Barbra Bush.
"Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treated other people-your family, friends, and co-workers, and even strangers you meet along the way."
"Where will our country find leaders with integrity, courage, strength, all the family values in ten, twenty, or thirty years? The answer is that you are teaching them, loving them, and raising them right now."
"If more people could read, write, and comprehend, we could be much closer to solving so many of the other problems our country faces today."
Thomson Elementary
Home of the Thomson Teddies!
And..
Where Kids Come First and Futures Begin!
Email: nmiller@davisonschools.org
Website: www.davisonschools.org
Location: 617 East Clark Street, Davison, MI, United States
Phone: 810-591-0911
Celebrations & Announcements
No birthdays this week, but don't forget to sign up for the Cinco de Mayo luncheon.
Also don't forget, Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week is the week of May 7th! Our PTO has some very special things planned for our Star VIP Staff. As I shared with staff that attended the staff meeting, Thursday, May 10th is a special day that requires (ok, maybe not requires, but would be fun if you did) some 'crowd participation'. On May 10th staff are being asked to really dress their best, like maybe you were attending the Oscars...so break out those old prom dress, bridesmaid dress, formal gowns cluttering your closet, or visit a local Salvation Army. Any staff member that really participates will have their name put in a drawing for additional prizes.
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Week of April 23rd-PLC WEEK
- Monday, April 23rd-ACC 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 24th-Child Study Day; DI Meeting, 4:15-5:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, April 25th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda (changed slightly): Reflective Activity; Planning for the End of Year: Field Trip, Testing, Evaluations, etc.); PTO will be in the rooms to complete a special project.
- Thursday, April 26th-Tornado Drill, CMC 4-7 p.m.
- Friday, April 27th-'Pie in the Face Day', Assembly at 2:00 p.m.
- Monday, April 30th-Office Field Audit (Call Sue or Anne P, NOT Anna W. if you need something from/of the office), ELA Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 1st-DIBELS Testing; Science Curriculum Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 2nd-DIBELS Testing
- Thursday, May 3rd-Fire Drill; Elementary Principals Meeting (Natalie)
- Friday, May 4th-"Stand for Change" Anti-Bully Day
- Week of May 6th-Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week...details to come.
- Monday, May 7th-Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 p.m. in the High School AMR
- Tuesday, May 8th-Bike Helmet Day for Kindergarteners
- Wednesday, May 9th-Staff Meeting, 7:35 a.m. (Agenda: Behavior & Restorative Practices; Social Studies Curriculum Meeting, 4:15-6:15 p.m.
- Thursday, May 10th- General Admin Meeting (Natalie), ELA Curriculum Meeting 4:15-6:14 p.m.
- Friday, May 11th-Lockdown Drill