HAWKworthy News!
Together We ARE Decatur Proud!
Sprint to the Finish...29 Days to Make a Positive Impact
News from Mr. Gearlds
Blue Academy Family,
Happy Saturday everyone! I hope you all had a great week as I know it's been a very busy week. Thank you all for the thoughts, messages and prayers sent towards my back. I'm still experiencing a tremendous amount of pain shooting down from my right shoulder to my fingertips. I'm hoping lots of rest this weekend will make things better... fingers-crossed. Three days of little to no sleep is no fun. A big Thank You to Miss Bersani for scheduling the Sub Zero In-House Field Trip today. This was a great way to connect Science/STEM to some of our areas of study at Blue. Thank You to all teachers for giving up part of your day to participate as I know this is a very busy time of the year. We definitely created some "Core Moments" for scholars that have never experienced something like this activity.
Our PD Monday will focus on iLearn and answering questions in regards to the upcoming assessment. Next week is a critical week to make sure all scholars have completed the practice test, as well as, a good time to have a 1:1 conversation with each scholar about how they will be successful on iLearn. I will also be calling some scholars to the office for some 1:1 conversations to provide some encouragement.
Retention Names... Thank you to those that have completed the Retention Packet information and submitted to me. If you have NOT done so and have a name on the radar, please get with me ASAP so we can have further conversations.
We are on the "Home Stretch" with 29-school days left. Continue to smile, laugh, and pick each other up. Your positivity is impactful and making a difference towards the lives of our scholars.
Have a great weekend and please be SAFE Blue Academy Family. Thanks for always making every second count. Together We ARE Decatur Proud!
Yours in education,
Mr. Gearlds
Decatur Township Technology Showcase @ Blue!
iLearn Information!!!
Great Videos Released by DOE for Educators and Parents
Our office is developing several three-minute videos to share with parents and educators about assessment systems and transitions to support assessment literacy. Please share these valuable resources via newsletters or parent messages.
- NEW! What do families need to know about IREAD-3?
- How is Indiana considering building a system of assessments?
- How is Indiana assessing with technology?
- How does ILEARN dive deeper into knowledge and skills?
- You Nailed It! Writing on the ILEARN Assessment
- You Nailed It! Mathematics Process Skills on the ILEARN Assessment
Weekly Motivation... April 15-19, 2019
Gearlds' Calendar
4/15-
7:35- PD Monday
9:00- Bersani Post-Conference
9:15- Gearlds/Richey/King/Nesbit Mtg.
9:30- Meet with a Parent
12:00- Gearlds/Richey Mtg.
4/16-
7:30- ILT Mtg.
9:00- Principals Mtg.
10:45- Health Ed. Pros with 4th Grade
12:00- Mtg. with Starbase about 2.0 Opportunity
5:00- Decatur Township Technology Showcase
4/17-
Midterms Due
Gearlds out for IPLI
STEP PLC Day
6:30- Referendum Mtg.
4/18-
8:00- Blue Academy Baby Sprinkle
8:00- Blue Academy Breakfast Pitch-in
10:15- STEM Scouts Spring Mtg.
4/19-
Popcorn Friday
Newsletter Release
8:15- K. Groce Post-Conference
1:00- D. Wilson Post-Conference
2:35- Fun Friday!!!
Richey's Calendar
7:35- PD Monday
9:00- Meeting with IA's
9:15- Gearlds/Richey/King/Nesbit Mtg
10:30- CC
12:00- Gearlds/Richey Mtg.
3:00- CC
4/16-
7:30- ILT Mtg.
9:00- Mtg. with Parker
9:40- Student Concern Mtg.
10:40- Health Ed. Pros (4th Grade)
4/17-
PLC Day
8:00- CC
4/18-
8:00- Baby Sprinkle
8:00- Blue Academy Breakfast Pitch-in
10:30- CC
1:00- CC
4/19-
8:15- J. Henson Post-Conference
10:30- CC
12:30- CC
DELC Community Room and Gym Calendar
(GYM) 4:00-9:00 Volleyball
Tues 4/16 - 2:50-3:30 GA Safety/Crisis
3:30-8:00 Technology Showcase
(GYM) 4:00-9:00 Volleyball
Wed 4/17 - None
(GYM) 2:40-9:00 Volleyball
Thurs 4/18 - 10:00-3:00 ECM
6:30-8:00 STEM Scouts
(GYM) 4:00-9:00 Volleyball
Fri 4/19 - 12:00-1:00 Cummins (Barney)
(GYM) 4:00-9:00 Volleyball
Sat 4/20 - None
Sun 4/21 - None
Blue Academy Building Activities
e-Learning Corner
Decatur Township Assessment Calendar... Updated 1-16-2019
Growth Mindset-Bringing STEM to Life
Digital Competencies in Decatur Township
Our Technology Team has put together a great Digital Competency resource for all teachers. This feature is located on your iPads under the App Portal. I would encourage you to locate these resources and reference them as you plan/create different activities for your classrooms. Mr. Starnes is great about providing as much support as possible, however, sometimes he may not be able to make it to us when we need him. If you need assistance in finding the Competencies please send a quick message to Mrs. Baldwin and she will be able to provide assistance too.
2nd STEP Curriculum at Blue
There are 3 Schoolwide Reinforcement Goals:
- All School Staff are familiar with Core Second Step Language and Skills
- Schoolwide Activities frequently reflect core Second Step Language and Skills
- Visual Reminders of Core Second Step Language and Skills are Displayed in Common Areas
Team, please make sure you are tuning in each day to the "Live at 9" as I start the day with a daily quote and hopefully a conversation starter for our Morning Meetings.
DOE Social/Emotional/Well-being Resources Released
HAWKS Act-PBIS Corner
Blue Academy Discipline Form
- https://goo.gl/forms/9uZ068eOcbw74bmm2
Goals for this week:
1 Positive Referral on a Staff Member this week
1 Positive Referral on a Student
1 Classroom Nomination
Brain-Boosting Activities
- Give scholars a 5-10 minute break every hour to stand, stretch, or even do a physical activity. i.e. GoNoodle
- Have a mat in the back of the room where scholars can do sit-ups, planks, or other exercises. Allow 2-minutes to complete.
- Play music during transitions to allow scholars to move around and work off pent-up energy. Let them be creative in their dance moves.
- Include simple cooperative games such as pickup sticks during instruction.
Your Words Matter
Daily Attendance at Blue
This is a reminder that we need to have Daily Attendance taken and submitted by 10:00 AM Daily. Shelly will be checking the attendance and submitting and "Automated Call" to parents informing them that their child is absent. I will be sharing this information with parents in this week's Blue Review about the upcoming change to how we notify about Daily Attendance.
STEP PLC's
Lesson Plans at Blue
Lesson Plans are also an area on our Classroom Walk-through Form that we need to check off. Please make sure plans are visible on your desk. As mentioned at the beginning of the year, we will have a number of visitors who walk our building weekly, we always want to make sure we are intentionally planning for the success of all scholars.
Decatur Township Technology Helpdesk...
Decatur Township Helpdesk:
Wellness Tips
April Related Arts Schedule
MSD Decatur Township Board Goals 2018-2019
- All School need to achieve a "C" letter grade or better.
- Four or more schools need to achieve a "B" letter grade or better.
- At least one school or more need to meet or exceed the state average in Language Arts or Mathematics on the ISTEP+ (ILearn)
2. The Graduation Rate for Decatur Central High School will meet or exceed 92% for the Class of 2019.
The Graduation Rate for the Decatur Township School for Excellence will meet or exceed 60% for the Class of 2019.
3. A final passing rate of 94% or more for the IRead Exam.
4. As a District, be able to maintain a balanced budget without the need to reduce staff while addressing facility needs.
5. Live up to the District Mission of Learning, Safety, and Customer Service in all decision making for the benefit of our Children and their Families.
6. To Collaborate with the Community to share information/resources that support and benefit the patrons of Decatur Township.