Thomas Jefferson Tribune
WEEK OF APRIL 9-13, 2018
MISSION, VISION & CORE VALUES
MISSION:
The TJ Feeder schools embrace high quality learning opportunities which honor the unique strengths and diverse needs of all Scholars.
VISION:
The TJ feeder schools will be the premier feeder to attract and educate all Scholars to positively impact our community and world.
CORE VALUES:
Innovation, Collaboration, Excellence and Integrity
THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PRIORITY GOALS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
CLIMATE AND CULTURE
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR..........
Distinguished Leaders,
We are one instructional day away from the first round of testing. We know as experts, that scholars do well on assessments when they are well prepared. This preparation takes place daily in each classroom. Our scholars are ready. You have worked extremely hard to prepare your scholars, staff and community for this upcoming week. Review your testing procedures one more time before Tuesday, April 10. Make any additional required modifications as needed prior to the day of testing. Ensure that your campus is calm, your front office is prepared and your scholars come in each day of testing greeted with positivity and a smile.
Great leaders have always inspired people to be self-aware, to find themselves and to find their voice – that is the essence of greatness. People and organizations who have truly found their voices go on to become great as well.
Leadership greatness is about 4 things; modeling the 7 habits, path finding, aligning and empowering. Path finding is about “one voice”, shared vision, values, uniting diverse people into one shared voice, creating order without demanding it. The voice of execution requires you to practice alignment so that the values and strategy are consistently executed without relying on the leader’s continuing presence. Stephen Covey once reiterated a point previously made by John Kotter, that most organizations are over managed and under led, and the empowering role of leadership means creating agreements about goals that align with the company’s vision and then holding people accountable for results. He states that true empowerment is the natural result of both personal and organizational trustworthiness, which enables people to identify and then unleash their potential.
Organizational greatness comes from a vision, mission and values that bring clarity, commitment, translation, synergy, enabling and accountability. Covey says that an organization with great leaders (who live the 4 leadership roles of modeling, path finding, alignment and empowering) and great people (who have discovered their gifts and their voice) has hit the “sweet spot” – where the greatest expression of power and potential happens. He stated that there are 4 essential disciplines which, if practiced consistently, can vastly improve our ability to focus on and execute our top priorities:
- Focus on what is important – focus only on a few crucial goals
- Create a compelling scoreboard – people play differently when they are keeping score
- Translate goals into specific actions – weekly and daily tasks
- Hold each other accountable, all the time.
As you complete your required spot and extended observations, stay tight with your campus routines and keep your expectations high as you stay present and visible! Focus on the intervention plans that your campuses have created for scholars to perform well on ALL the upcoming state assessments and hold your expectations high so while our scholars are with us in school, they are focused on Good First Instruction.
I truly believe each of you are great leaders. Find your greatness and ensure you continue to focus on your top priority-STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT!
As always, have an awesome week LEADING, COACHING, TEACHING, LEARNING AND MAKING ACADEMIC ADJUSTMENTS FOR SCHOLAR SUCCESS and most importantly of TESTING!
THE TJ FEEDER IS IN IT TO WIN IT!
Ms. Torres
Thomas Jefferson Executive Director
WHAT LEADERS CAN DO TO SPARK EFFORT AND COURAGE
“Skillful leaders use encouraging language every day,” says Dan Rothwell in this Leadership Freak article.
Here are his suggestions for opening lines to spark effective effort in others, each followed by specific actions:
- I appreciate…
- I notice…
- You’re great at…
- Thank you for…
- I’m impressed with..
- You help us get where we want to go when you…
- You’re making progress on…
- You encourage others when…
- Great effort when you…
- Congratulations on…
- You’re making a difference for…
- I’m encouraged when you…
And here are Rothwell’s suggestions for inspiring courage:
- Let’s give it a try.
- What’s the next imperfect step you could take?
- What would you like to try?
- What are you learning?
- If you weren’t nervous, what would you do next?
- I’ve seen you rise to challenges in the past.
- You’re on the right track.
“12 Sentence Starters That Inspire Courage” by Dan Rothwell
in Leadership Freak, August 7, 2017, http://bit.ly/2b30btd
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, April 9, 2018
- K. B. Polk Campus visit w/ED & AF's
- Saldivar Campus visit w/ED
- Saldivar Campus visit-'Building the School Principal Profile'-Meeting w/ED & AF's @ 3:15 p.m. in the school library
- Common Assessment 5 Window Begins
- First Round of STAAR/EOC Assessments Begin
- Unannounced Campus visits to observe testing environments
- AIA Leadership Meeting w/Mr. Cordero-1:30 p.m.-Ms. Torres
- ED/Polk Meeting @ 2:30 p.m.-Haskell-2nd floor
- ED Campus visit-Cary MS
- ED Campus visit-Medrano MS
- Sudie Williams Campus visit w/ED & AF's
Saldivar Community Panel interviews 8:30-1:00 p.m.
Unannounced Campus visits
- Campus Technology Surveys due today-Principals/Teachers-Please ensure you take this survey
- Bridge Camp submissions are due today-ensure that you submit your Bridge camp (refer to weekly updates)
- Summer staffing for SSI/EOC/Summer Readiness deadline is today-ensure that this is taken care of
- ED Office Time
- Jiv Daya Meeting w/ED-@ 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
- ED/AF Planning Session @ 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
- ECHS P-Tech Updates w/ED's-Haskell-3rd floor Conference Room @3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
- School Leadership "B" Meeting w/Deputy Chief Lusk and ED's-3:30-5:00 p.m.-2nd floor Conference Room
- Dallas ISD Large Scale Job Fair-ALL PRINCIPALS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND Whether you have vacancies or not-@ Ellis Davis Field House. We currently have 304 teachers on the excess list and a total of 399 vacancies reported throughout the district. If you placed a teacher on the excess list that fits the certification of the vacancy on your campus, it will be expected that you pull that teacher back off the excess list to fill your campus vacancy. Once the job fair is over, you will be provided a link to submit the names of the top two candidates you interviewed. I expect to have 100% attendance for this job fair.
ELL TESTING FOR CAMPUSES
Pursuant to §89.1225. Within 20 school days of their initial enrollment in the school district, students shall be identified as English language learners and enrolled into the required bilingual education or English as a second language program. Attached is a graphic presentation that shows several of our campuses who have MISSED the deadline to have students tested. It is expected that your campus review your system to have these students tested. I should not be seeing any campuses with missed opportunities to test our scholars.
STAAR LEXILE LEVELS
It’s much more than just reading words on a page. Literacy involves reading, understanding, and communicating effectively — all skills that are needed not only for tests, but for life.
As you continue to prepare students for the STAAR test, consider the following:
- Am I aware of student's Lexile Measures from the previous STAAR assessment, if applicable?
- Am I creating lessons and practice passages that provide students with the same Lexile levels and thinking demands?
- Am I setting my students up for success on the STAAR?
Below you will see a sample of the new STAAR report that provides the Lexile Measure of the student. It can be used as a resource for parents and educators. With Lexile Measures, parents and educators now have information that can be used to promote and encourage growth in reading.
PEI CHECKPOINT #4
The Key Outcome for PEI Checkpoint 4 will be for the principal and ED to use data as a way to check progress towards CIP implementation. Particular attention will be placed on the data outcomes for the year.
Timeframe: May 21st – June 21st
DETAILS:
Only one meeting will be held. The Principal will submit the self-evaluation in advance in cornerstone. Data that are available to use for this final checkpoint are:
- Student Discipline Data
- Attendance Data
- TEI Spot Data
- Common Assessment Data
- ACP Data
- STAAR Data
- Climate Survey Data
- Student Survey Data
- Parent Survey Data
- Principal Performance Data
While not required, the Principal has the option to share artifacts during the check point conference.
PEI METRICS
CAMPUS TESTING PLANS
Please have your testing coordinators review the logistics, if they haven't already done so, relative to your testing plans. Ensure that you offer the proper groupings and accommodations allowed for scholars to be as successful as possible.
Plan well and communicate widely so that all stakeholders understand the importance of calm and secure testing environments.
Here are a few tips:
1. Host parent nights to give them tips to help students be rested and present for testing day. At a minimum, send a series of notes home.
2. Plan for lunches to either be delivered to classrooms for testers or for students to not have much movement on testing days.
3. Change your master schedules to accommodate for testing. This includes front office schedules, monitoring schedules, etc.
4. Provide for students to have a special peppermint or small bottled water for testing days. (as appropriate)
5. Motivate your teachers and students! Keep a positive attitude and use your leadership to inspire everyone to greatness!
CAMPUS IMPROVEMENT PLAN CHECKPOINT DATES
T.J. Feeder & United to Learn Present: a Teacher Showcase: Text Sets in Action! Mark Your Calendars!
T.J. feeder Pre-Kindergarten Collaborative Planning Night!
Medrano Middle School Family Learning Night
*****THOMAS JEFFERSON FEEDER PATTERN KUDOS*****
Dallas Cup Team visits Cary MS!
T.J. P-TECH's Earth Day Experience at Brookhaven College
Incoming Freshmen Signing Day and Registration @ T.J. P-Tech
Thomas Jefferson High School Showcase Night
Wrapping up Writing Camps @ Cigarroa ES
*****WOW! WORKING ON WRITING @ Walnut Hill ES*****
Final Steps Before Academic Success: All Hands on Deck Happening @ Joe May ES!!!
Student Progress Monitoring in Action at Joe May
'UNITED TO LEARN' FULL NETWORK MEETINGS FOR TJ ELEMENTARY PRINCIPALS
TEI IMPORTANT NEWS
Summatives may be completed after a minimum number of spot observations and the extended observation are conducted May 21st - June 4th.
*****PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES*****
STEM DEPARTMENT TRAININGS/STAAR ACADEMIES
Dallas ISD STEM Science Professional Development Calendar
Grades 3-5
The STEM Math Elementary team invites teachers and CICs to collaborate and participate in the 2018 Spring Professional Development for third through fifth grades. Sessions are going to be held at the H. B. Bell Building from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. STAAR sessions are repeated and not divided into parts so no need to come to both.
Grades 6 – Algebra I
The STEM Math Secondary team invites teachers, CICs, and AFs to collaborate and participate in the 2018 Spring Professional Development for grades six through Algebra 1. Sessions are held at the H. B. Bell Building from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Each session will examine the TEKS through the lens of the 2017 STAAR Released Items divided by reporting categories; come to one or the entire series.
The google link provides a flyer with the topics and session codes. For additional information, please contact Antoinese Leake (Elementary Curriculum Coordinator) at APride@dallasisd.org.
Google Link
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11HFObFhq7FJlbgW_od1U-3y_YRZFO2M4DzLFNh5FYAM/edit?usp=sharing
Click on the calendar link above to access the PD dates.
READ THE WEEKLY WAIP!
https://sites.google.com/a/dallasisd.org/weekly-administrative-information-packet/
2017-2018 DALLAS ISD DISTRICT-WIDE TESTING CALENDAR
DISTRICT COMMON ASSESSMENT DATES
Instructional Days Until Testing Calendar
UPCOMING DATES & REMINDERS
APRIL
- April 16--UNCF Donation Period Ends'
- April 19- Principal's Meeting
- April 19- PRE-Kindergarten Collaborative Planning Night
- April 20--KINDER CAMP campus celebrations
- April 20-CHECKPOINT #1 FOR CIP DUE TO MS. TORRES BY COB
- April 20--Final Graduation Lists & Diploma Requests Due
- April 20--Potential Student Transfer Revocations Due to Ms. Torres for Review
- April 23- TJ Feeder & United to Learn Teacher Showcase Event at Joe May
- April 25- CIC Chat and Chew with AF's (STAAR Round 2)
- April 27-Secondary Campus Mater Schedule Review deadline for First Build Function in Power School (refer to WAIP)
- April 30-Scheduled report date for STAAR first round testing
MAY
- May 4-CHECKPOINT #2 FOR CIP DUE TO MS. TORRES BY COB
- May 14-15-STAAR Resting Round #2
- May 18-CHECKPOINT #3 FOR CIP DUE TO MS. TORRES BY COB
- May 21-ALL CIP'S DUE TO MS. TORRES
- May 21-June 21--PEI Checkpoint 4
JUNE
- June 1-ALL CIP'S DUE TO MS. STEPHENS FROM ED
RESOURCES AND TOOLS
MARSHALL MEMO #730
Teachers’ On-the-Spot Adaptations During Lessons
“Classrooms are messy, unpredictable contexts,” say Seth Parsons (George Mason University) and seven colleagues in this Review of Educational Research article. “Daily, educators teach students who come from different backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences; who have diverse interests and motivations; and who have varying levels of language proficiency, skills, and abilities… To effectively navigate these contexts and provide all students with a quality education, teachers must be flexible and creative in their approach as they adapt their instruction to support the various learners under their care.” Parsons et al. present their synthesis of 64 studies of teachers’ in-the-moment adaptations.
Adaptability is widely believed to be a cornerstone of effective teaching. Here are some of the ways it has been described:
- Demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness (Danielson Framework item 3e);
- Continuously monitors student learning… (Council of Chief State School Officers);
- Responsive teaching (Dozier, Garnett, and Tabatabai);
- The teachable moment (Muir, Beswick, and Williamson);
- Improvisation (Sawyer);
- Innovative behavior (Thurlings, Evers, and Vermeulen);
- Decision-making (Clark and Peterson);
- Reflective teaching (Souto-Manning and Dice);
- Adaptive metacognition (Lin et al.);
- Adaptive expertise (Darling-Hammond and Bransford);
- Dialogic teaching (Boyd).
[There are also the related areas of individualization, differentiation, and personalization, which are more focused on unit and lesson planning than on-the-spot adaptability.]
What did the researchers find? First, that on-the-spot adaptability is linked to teachers’ beliefs, knowledge, training, experience, and thinking. “Reflective and metacognitive teachers constantly monitor classroom proceedings,” say Parsons et al., “observing student learning, motivation, and behavior, which serve as stimuli or antecedents for teachers to adapt their instruction.”
Second, that teachers use a variety of cues to pick up on student confusion, misconceptions, or errors, including on-the-spot checks for understanding and noticing a perplexed expression on a student’s face.
Third, that effective teachers respond in appropriate and effective ways (or decide when it’s best not to respond), choosing among various follow-ups:
- Questioning;
- Encouraging;
- Managing;
- Giving feedback;
- Making connections;
- Assessing;
- Modeling;
- Explaining;
- Challenging.
Fourth, the researchers say that skillfully adapting teaching often leads to “enhanced student learning, motivation, and behavior”.
Finally, they note that some schools and districts prevent this kind of teacher adaptability by imposing rigid pacing guides, mandated lesson plans, and other prescriptive structures seemingly aimed at “teacher-proofing” instruction.
THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL LEADERSHIP
- Thomas Jefferson High School: Principal, Sandi Massey
- Francisco Medrano Middle School : Principal, Theresa Sigurdson
- Edward Cary Middle School: Principal, Ben Dickerson
- David G. Burnet Elementary: Principal, Sonia Loskot
- Leonides Cigarroa Elementary : Principal, Douglas Burak
- Tom W. Field Elementary: Principal, Shondula Whitfield
- Stephen C. Foster Elementary: Principal, Irma De La Guardia
- Joe May Elementary: Principal, Israel Rivera
- K.B. Polk Elementary: Principal, Misty Rathermund
- Julian T. Saldivar: Principal, Chaundra Macklin
- Walnut Hill Elementary: Principal, Robert 'Chase'McLaurin
- Sudie Williams Elementary: Principal, Michael Jackson
LEADERS OF THE FEEDER
Thomas Jefferson High School
Franscisco Medrano Middle School
Edward Cary Middle School
David G. Burnet Elementary
Leonides Cigarroa Elementary
Tom W. Field Elementary
Stephen C. Foster Elementary
Joe May Elementary
K. B. Polk Elementary
Julian T. Saldivar Elementary
Walnut Hill Elementary
Sudie L. Williams Elementary
Tamieka Porter
Lisa Maia
Erica Rosas
Trustee Edwin Flores District 1
Trustee Dustin Marshall District 2
Trustee Miguel Solis District 8
DISD GOALS
- All students will exhibit Satisfactory or above performance on State assessments. Students below Satisfactory performance will demonstrate more than one year of academic growth
- Dallas ISD schools will be the primary choice for families in the district
- The achievement gap by race, ethnicity and social economic status will be no greater than 10 percentage points on all academic measures
- 95% of students will graduate. Of the graduates, 90% have qualifying scores for community college, college, military, or industry certification
- 95% of entering kindergarten students are school-ready on a multidimensional assessment
- All students will participate in at least one extracurricular or co-curricular activity each year.