Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF OCTOBER 22-26, 2018
HABIT #7-SHARPEN THE SAW
VISION, MISSION & CORE VALUES
CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY GOALS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Advance teacher effectiveness and improve the quality of instruction through research-based professional learning practices
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
Close achievement gaps through effective data practices and alignment of core content curriculum.
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
Develop and sustain a positive and supportive climate and culture of high expectations through effective communication, inclusive practices and leadership development.
3 SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES
BALANCED LITERACY
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Illustrious Leaders,
As we continue to highlight our 7 Habits, our last habit is Sharpen the Saw. Sharpen The Saw is a conversation about planning and continuous improvement. This week as leaders you engaged in Sharpening your Saw during the Elementary District Principal meeting , during CILT and during campus Professional Development. Sharpen The Saw discusses self-renewal, self-care, self-respect and self-improvement..
The pace of change keeps accelerating, which I feel makes it even more important that we focus on improving ourselves and/or our organizations.
To help us all figure out our relationship with time, personal change and... Sharpening The Saw... Stephen R. Covey balances the concept across 4 main categories (or dimensions).
These dimensions are:
- Physical
- Spiritual
- Mental
- Social / Emotional
Whether we are speaking of people, departments or organizations, Sharpening The Saw must be balanced across these four ādimensionsā... otherwise an imbalance will be created. We can offset an imbalance for a while, but not long-term. When organizations ignore four-dimensional balance, inefficiencies, defensiveness and lack of synergy (Habit 6) ensues creating a loss in productively, customer satisfaction and ultimately profitability.
Sharpening The Saw is an ongoing process of personal change ā not something you can binge ā like your favorite TV show. You need to define your own balanced, four-dimensional life to be successful! If you are a leader, part of your role is to help the people who report into you and/or look up to you (your family), explore these dimensions and establish goals for themselves.
We all have busy lifestyles; therefore itās no surprise we have to insert Sharpen The Saw into our Time Management best practices and make it part of our Quadrant II priorities (Habit 3). Our future success and ongoing reputation depends on us taking action. Iāve seen students have great success with this concept.
Stephen says, āIt means exercising all four dimensions of our nature, regularly and consistently in a wise and balanced way. To do this we have to be proactive.ā I love the words exercise and balance. Proactive means we have to plan for it ā to put it in our schedule and protect the time (Quadrant II), for all 4 of the above mentioned dimensions.
Self improvement takes time ā just like working out and getting fit. Covey sees self-improvement as a never-ending upward spiral of āLearn, Commit, Doā. Personally I see it as a never-ending spiral of āCommit, Learn, Do.ā No matter what your preference of order of those three words, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is something you have to be mindful of and continually practice.
When you begin working out, a trainer will help you receive maximum benefit and minimize injury. In the same vein, a personal coach will help guide your personal change and keep you on track.
- What Is Your Purpose?
- What Are You Committed To?
If you work with a personal coach, get them to help you define what your motivator is. What do you want to do / be? What are your values? How do your core competencies need to migrate? What inspires you? How can you live with purpose and integrity... following our values. How can you stay focused on:
- Win/Win... Habit 4
- Listening... Habit 5
- Synergize... Habit 6
Sharpening The Saw is anything that will help you renew your energy and keep you balanced.
Again, how do you Sharpen Your Saw (keep the four dimensions in mind)?
How you sharp the saw is personal. For example, what if you took one night / week without TV to get in touch with your values? Instead of TV you:
- Read for pleasure (not work)
- Get a degree ā or another degree
- Read for school or a night class
- Made art
- Cooked all night with your family / friends because you love to cook not because you have to cook.
- When to the gym ā and enjoyed the steam room
- Meditated
- Went to a play (not a movie)
- Walked in the park / went snowshoeing
- Listened to music
- Hand wrote a journal ā or letters to friends / family
Stephen R. Covey suggests targeting 1 hour / day to focus on Sharpening Your Saw. If that works for you then terrific.
Over time remembering to Sharpen Your Saw will get easier to plan and do. How are you Sharpening your Saw?
Here is to a productive week of teaching, learning, growing and leading!
"WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT...GO FOR THE GOLD!!
Ms. Torres
Emmett Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
WEEKLY UPDATES
MONDAY, October 22
- ELT w/Dr. Hinojosa-Ms. Torres 8:37 a.m.-12:37 p.m.
- Campus visitation w/Math ILC @ Tom Field, Saldivar & Joe May
- Saldivar PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-1:30 p.m.
- United 2 Learn-Fall Teacher Showcase for ALL Conrad/TJ Teachers @ Joe May-3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
- TJ Principals Submit United to Learn Campus Community Day Applications and send a copy to Ms. Singer
Campus visitation w/Math ILC-Burnet, K.B. Polk & Foster
District Wide-Reading Pre-K@ Joe May ES 4:15-6:15 p.m.
Red Ribbon Week begins
- Burnet PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-8:30 a.m.
- Jill Stone PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-10:00 a.m.
- Tom Field PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-11:30 a.m.
- McShan PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-1:30 p.m.
3rd Six Weeks @ a Glance for Mathematics-3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.-K-5 Collaborative Planning session for Conrad/TJ Teachers @ Joe May
WEDNESDAY, October 24
- Campus visitation w/Math ILC-Jack Lowe, Jill Stone, & Highland Meadows
- District-Wide AP Meeting
- K.B.Polk PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-9:00 a.m.
- Cigarroa PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-10:15 a.m.
- Highland Meadows PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-11:30 a.m.
- Walnut Hill PEI Conference w/ED @ Saldivar-1:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, October 25
- Conrad/Thomas Jefferson Principal Instructional Rounds w/ED & Math ILC @ Cigarroa-8:00 a.m.
- Principal Mentor/Mentee Meeting w/ED @ Cigarroa-1:00 p.m.-(Billups/McLaurin/Jaramillo/Rivera/De La Guardia/Loskot/Burak)
- New Principal Meeting w/ED and Math ILC-(Billups/Jaramillo/Burak/De La Guardia)
- Jack Lowe PEI Conference w/ED @ McShan-2:30 p.m.
- ALL Socio-Economic forms DUE TODAY (entered by CRC) to ensure optimal funding and appropriate measures for 2019 Accountability.
- 3rd Six Weeks@ a Glance for Science-3:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m.-3-5 Collaborative Planning session for Conrad/TJ Teachers @ McShan
- ED/Deputy Chief Meeting @ NCX-8:30 a.m.
- Leadership 'B" Meeting w/Mrs. Healey @ 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Math ILC Meeting w/Teaching & Learning
DATA ON THE HORIZON
COMMON ASSESSMENT WINDOW
In an effort to ensure that classroom visitations occur during common assessment week and to avoid trying to stifle through all the different schedules of the campuses, I would like to ensure that we ALL follow the following CA #2 schedule.
The district puts out recommended time frames of testing. Please be mindful of the testing guidelines. The time frame below is to provide time for any scholar who may need accommodations. Remember: that each test last no longer than one hour. Should you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON CLUSTER KUDOS!
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU MRS. LOSKOT FOR REPRESENTING OUR CLUSTER!
WALNUT HILL ES CELEBRATES EUROPEAN AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
NORTHWEST NETWORK CILT TRAINING
K.B. POLK'S MATH CIC GIVES REAL TIME COACHING FEEDBACK TO A 4TH GRADE MATH TEACHER. IN THE MEANTIME, 4TH GRADE STUDENTS WERE PROACTIVE IN THEIR LEARNING. THE 4TH GRADE STUDENTS INVITED ILC, MS. PORTER, TO THE TABLE FOR MATH SUPPORT!!!!
PEI CHECKPOINT #2
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
UNITED WAY
The Kick-off for United Way campaign for 2018-19 will be November 1. The window of opportunity to contribute to United Way is Nov. 1-Dec. 14. This year the District goal is $200,000.
PEIMS SNAPSHOP DATE
The PEIMS snapshot date is October 26th. You will receive a weekly report every Friday during the month of October. Please ensure that you meet 100% on PEIMS. If you foresee any problems with completing ARDs by October 26th, please let me know. Thank you
TEACHER ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Just a reminder that attendance plays an important role on our scholars being served by their classroom teacher vs. a substitute. We do not want our fill rate to dip to its lowest level as it did last year. Ensure that you stress the important of being present each and every day.
As you know, the pay rates for substitutes have an incentive and it costs the District additional money on Monday and Friday because those are the days your staff is showing the most missed days. Please ensure that you are aggressively monitoring the substitute situation when it comes to approved absences for your staff.
District CA1: Reading Performance Percentages
District CA1: Revising and Editing Performance Percentages
District CA1: Mathematics Performance Percentages
District CA1: Science Performance Percentages
SOCIO -ECONOMIC FORMS COLLECTED AND ENTERED
Please REMEMBER to collect and enter all socio-economic forms before Thursday, October 25th to ensure optimal funding and appropriate measures for 2019 Accountability.
Coaching Connection Corner
SCIENCE
Connecting with Science
Grades 3-5 Science Six Weeks at a Glance Planning with Mr. Martin Osae
Thursday, October 25 @ Lee McShan ES
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Science is taught across the state of Texas from PreK-12. Early childhood science is filled with exploration actions inside and outside of the classroom where students are applying processes skills through observations and age appropriate journaling. Science is to be taught 45 minutes each day in grade PreK-5. All science instructional planning guides and six weeks common assessments are to be submitted to campus CICs or instructional leadership teams no later than Thursday, November 1, 2018 by the COB for review.
ACP Goals 90% of the students at 80% or higher and 50% of the students at 90% or higher for the Fall ACP.
Connecting with Math
hosted by Jefferson & Conrad ES Cluster
Tuesday, October 23, 2018
Joe May ES
3:30-5:30 p.m.
ACP Goals 90% of the students at 80% or higher and 50% of the students at 90% or higher for the Fall ACP.
Connect with Reading
hosted by Jefferson & Conrad ES Cluster
Monday, October 22, 2018
Joe May ES
3:30-5:30 pm
(165 Registered RLA Teachers and CICS!!!!!)
PreK-5 Reading Third Six Weeks @ a Glance
hosted by T&L Department
Joe May ES
4:15-6:15 pm
ACP Goals 90% of the students at 80% or higher and 50% of the students at 90% or higher for the Fall ACP.
Literacy Letter
THE LEADER IN ME SYMPOSIUM 2019
Experience The Leader in Me Symposium
Just a reminder that the Leader in Me Symposium will be held February 7-8 in Irving, Texas at the Irving Convention Center. Please ensure that you register to attend as we are attending as a cluster. Information on the symposium will be upcoming.
Join educators at the all-new 2018-201p Leader in Me Symposium. Together, we are transforming paradigms in education by empowering students and staff to model 21st-century leadership skills in order to achieve their full potential.
The Leader in Me Symposium is the most influential and inspiring event series for educators. This year Symposium will be coming to over 20 locations to inspire thousands of educators across North America. New enhancements have been made to the featured sessions, school tours, and networking experience. In addition, participants can now attend either a full two-day or a condensed one-day version of Symposium.
At The Leader in Me Symposium, you will
- Share innovative ideas with other administrators, superintendents, directors, principals, and teachers.
- Develop new skills and principle-centered effectiveness with The 7 Habits of Highly Effective PeopleĀ® training.
- Learn best practices from experts in a variety of featured sessions.
- Discover how Leader in Me Schools are achieving success on a local school tour (two-day Symposium only).
- Gain inspiration from thought leaders during keynote presentations.
OCTOBER
31-TBSI Trainings end
FEBRUARY
7-8-The Leader in Me Symposium-Irving Convention Center-All Principals should register to attend
MARCH
23-Northwest Network Super Saturday-Time TBD
EMMETT J. CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Jack Lowe Elementary: Principal, Sandra Barrios
- Jill Stone : Principal, Rosalinda Pratt
- Highland Meadows: Principal, Julian Davis
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Selena Deboskie
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Kourtnei Billups
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Edgar Jaramillo
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase' McLaurin
- McShan Elementary: Principal, Cecilia Criner
MEET OUR ILLUSTRIOUS CONRAD/THOMAS JEFFERSON LEADERSHIP TEAM
JACK LOWE SR. ELEMENTARY
JILL STONE ELEMENTARY
HIGHLAND MEADOWS ELEMENTARY
DAVID G. BURNET ELEMENTARY
LEONIDES CIGARROA ELEMENTARY
TOM FIELD
STEPHEN C. FOSTER
JOSE 'JOE' MAY
K.B. POLK CENTER FOR THE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED & GIFTED
JULIAN T. SALDIVAR
WALNUT HILL DUAL LANGUAGE GIFTED & TALENTED
MCSHAN ELEMENTARY
INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP COACH
OUR BOARD TRUSTEES REPRESENTING OUR NETWORK
EDWIN FLORES
DISTRICT # 1, Northwest Dallas, Addison, parts of Carrollton and Farmers Branch
Walnut Hill
DUSTIN MARSHALL
District #2 North and Near East Dallas
K. B. Polk
DAN Micciche
DISTRICT #3 Northeast Dallas
Highland Meadows, Jack Lowe Sr., Lee A. McShan Jr, Jill Stone at Vickery Meadow
MIGUEL SOLIS
DISTRICT # 8 Love Field, Northwest Dallas, and Central Dallas
David G. Burnet, Leonides Gonzalez Cigarroa, Tom Field, Stephen C. Foster, Jose "Joe" May, Julian T. Saldivar