El Dorado Monday Memo
Week 27 March 9th, 2020
#ToroFamily
I hope you all had a great weekend! I want to thank you all for being the rocks of stability for our students during a very tumultuous time not just in our district but in the world and history. I appreciate the way all of you have kept the "noise" out of your rooms and have been just focused on serving our students. Thank you for all you do and your commitment to be there for our kids. This week will definitely be a test of this and as we prepare for it, lets all be sure to bring a little extra love, support and patience for our students and each other. Be sure to check the Weekly Meeting Calendar here for IEPs/504s/SSTs etc this week (Emily will be updating Monday morning). There is a lot going on this week so please check below for updates and have a great week!
Updates for the week...
3rd Quater Learning Walks Monday 3/9-Friday 3/13
This week we will be holding our Learning Walks for the 3rd Quarter. Data collections sheets, clipboards and pens will be all set up in the Wellness Center. Please come down during your prep one day (or more) this week and pick 3 classrooms to visit. We are asking students our 3 Questions: What are you getting good at? What does good look like? What level are you on?When you return, leave your data collection sheets in the basket and please indicate which classrooms you visited so as not to hit the same ones too many times. We look forward to this amazing week of learning together.
Wednesday, 3/11 CA Collaborative for Educational Excellence
On Wed morning we will be having the CCEE come and visit our site to tour classes to see and hear about all of the amazing work you are doing. Our district is partnering with this nonprofit as they are doing an "audit" of all the work we are doing throughout the district. They will be visiting many schools throughout the district over the next few weeks. They will be coming first thing in the morning and after a brief overview, we will come and visit classes. Please do not feel the need to stop and engage with them unless specific questions are asked.
Wednesday, 3/11 PLC Meetings 1-2, R.A.P. Meeting, 2-3 Library
Please be sure to fill out your Systems/Instruction/Culture Reflection sheet which can be found here. We will be reviewing what is working and looking at ways to support those things that need some tweaking.
Monday, 3/16 MDUSD In-Service Day
For our In-Service Day next Monday, we will be staying onsite (PE and VAPA are reporting to other sites) and participating in PD around implementing AVID in different areas. We will be joining the Elementary AVID sites as they come to EDMS for the morning. You can find the schedule here. The GRAY sessions are the AVID sessions and the RED sessions are specific to EDMS and middle school. Please plan on attending 2 different sessions one from 8-10:40 and one from 11-12:30. If you have any questions please let us know.
Wellness Center
As we continue with our be "helpful" theme for March, help students reflect on ways they can be helpful at home. Parents/guardians are very busy with work and other responsibilities, so the more help they get at home, the better.
This week focus on at least one thing you can do to be helpful at home. Here are some ideas:
- Wash and put the dishes away after dinner
- Clean your room
- Do the laundry for your family
- Ask your parent or guardian what you can
do to be more helpful at home.
Remind students that their parents/guardian is always helping them, now it's time for them to do their part with being helpful.
Julie and Kari
EDMS Counselors
This Week in AVID...
This Week in AVID - March 9, 2020
This year's AVID Summer Institute is coming to the Bay Area and will be in the City. The dates are August 3rd-5th. Please let me know if you would like to attend and we will get you signed up. Transportation to and from will be covered as will any meals not provided by the conference. More information can be found here.
Storyboarding nonfiction is an engaging way to break down texts and capture main ideas. HERE is a guide to get started with your students. This is a great way for visual learners to summarize what they read.
Jeanne Johnson - Instructional Coach for AVID, Social Studies and Secondary Literacy Google Classroom: EAVK628
Toro Sports...
Football sign ups are on the front of the office and tryouts will be starting on Tuesday 3/10. Go Toros!
Events, Updates, Links, Etc
Mon 3/9: Learning Walks begin [all week]
Wed 3/11 CCEE Visit Classrooms [a.m.]
Wed 3/11 PLC Mtg 1-2, R.A.P. Mtg 2-3 Library
Mon 3/16: In-Service Day [Schedule Here]
Fri 3/20: Minimum Day Dismissal 12:16
Thur 3/26 Minimum Day Dismissal 12:16
What we are working on...
Learning Walks (Instruction)
PD Day
Master Scheduling
What I'm Reading/Listening to
In Search of Deeper Learning
Rigorous PBL
Links to Resources
El Dorado Middle School
Chris Clausen
@chrisclausen
@edmsinfo
Email: clausenc@mdusd.org
Website: edms.mdusd.org
Location: 1750 West Street, Concord, CA, United States
Phone: 925.682.5700
Twitter: @edmstoros