Thursday Thriller
December 19, 2019

They were working so intensely.  I felt bad interrupting them but then I got these sweet smiles. :)

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.   Thanks for participating in the Gift exchange, sharing snacks, and laughter.  I think next year we will jump right to the indoor snowball fight! :D

2.  We will run the yellow schedule tomorrow.  This means we will call you down by grade for the assembly, dismiss by the grade and end in our 7th period class for end of day dismissal.

3.  PLEASE SIGN PAYROLL BEFORE YOU LEAVE TOMORROW

4.  When students are tardy, please do not send them to the SSR room.  We are tracking tardies through the office.

5.   When thinking about classroom supplies, please use your $125.00 from your classroom budget first.  If you have depleted your funds, please come see me and let's talk about what you need.

6.  Please shut down your computer, turn off monitors and unplug any coffee makers, Keurig machines, (which we shouldn't have these items -coffee makers and Keurig machines in our classrooms but that is for another TT ), etc.  Also, please take your items out of the frig in the staff lounge.

7.  Preliminary results from iReady in both math and reading. 
MATH

READING

8.  Custodial Staff Hours:

7:00-3:30  They will be in the building 12.26 and 12.27

WEEK 2 12.30, 1.2 and 1.3

If you have questions, please call or text Brent at 509 540 2478

9.  THANK YOU for your participation in today's PD with Sarah Schuhl.  I know not all of you were able to participate; wish that could have been different.  For those that did, good conversations around student learning but more about what we, as adults, are doing to facilitate this learning.  This means getting real with the data, being honest with colleagues and stepping back to see the big picture which is not always easy.  Change in how we do business can be difficult.  Keep asking questions and keep thinking with an open mind. 

Both Sarah and Christy commented on the depth of questions around 'the work' and how impressed they were at the collaboration.  GREAT JOB!!!!

I do like Christmas. :D

I hope you all enjoy your break, create memories and have as much joy in your laughter as Buddy does when he thinks of Santa coming! :)

Take care!  Happy Holidays!

Thursday Thriller 12.12.19

Thursday Thriller
December 12, 2019

Yet another AMAZING concert last night!  Roger and Caleb do a great job of teaching and spot lighting students in their programs.  If you have not gone to one of their concerts, it is something worth going to.  Roger and Caleb keep to one hour, it's lively, and the music is GREAT!!

Carina and I enjoy receiving emails from you sharing the growth of students on their iReady tests!  What are ways you are celebrating students in your classes? Acknowledging growth and effort builds strong self-efficacy.

This morning, Garrison was featured on the KUJ radio show for Sources of Strength. Angie did a fabulous job explaining the importance and history of the program. Ken and Dane (other sources of strength students were invited to come but couldn't) shared their experience as involved students.  It was a great way to spotlight Garrison!

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.     As Sherry noted in her email, a notification to parents will be going out to remind them to check grades in Skyward.  It is critical your grade book is up to date.  In addition, as a gentle yet consistent reminder students need to be able to retake assessments or questions on assessments that are the ESSENTIAL STANDARDS.  If we are saying District wide, ""We will ensure our students know these promise/essential standards."  Then we need to stand behind this.  Ask your colleagues how they are doing this. The science department is using LFM (Learning From Mistakes) protocol, others rewrite or even give the same question.   This is the beauty of working in a PLC; sharing ideas and materials.

2.   Students who are failing:
       1 F  = Teacher calling, emailing, weekly progress report via auto email, etc to communicate with/to parents

       2 Fs = Terri and Alex meeting with students.  Terri will follow 7th grade A-L and 8th graders.  Alex will take 6th grade and 7th grade M-Z

      3+Fs = Angie and Steve will meet with students until the end of semester.  These students will also be in at lunch and after school until we can get the grades up.  Beyond this, we are trying to think about a 'school w/in a school.'  Just thinking about logistics and how we can pull this off so our high flyers can succeed!

For discipline and grades (there is overlap for sure) Carina, Angie and Terri cover  7th grade A-L (last name) and 8th Graders.  Kim, Steve and Alex cover 6th grade and 7th grade M-Z

3.  There will be an ACTIVITY DAY on Friday, January 31st from 1:00-3:00.  This is an 'end-of-semester' activity day that will be inclusive for all.  Our parent group is coordinating this event!  :D  Our job as staff is to participate. More to come.  Just wanted this on your calendar/radar.  I don't know which color schedule we will use, yet.

4.  Sickness is going around. After your last class of the day, you might consider having students wipe down their desks/tables.  I will continue to urge students to wash their hands on GNN.

5.  ASB is planning on a spirit week next week concluding with a pep assembly.  We will TENTATIVELY use the yellow schedule.

6.  Sub Plans~ please make sure you have back up emergency sub plans.  Sometimes there is an emergency, a family member is sick, you're super sick and you can not make plans.  It's paramount to have emergency plans that someone from the office or a teaching partner can grab and set up for you.  In addition, if your plans happen to include technology might want to have a back up for those, as well.  When you set your sub up for success, the day has the potential to go a lot smoother. 

7.  DECEMBER 18th - 2:45 Let's celebrate!! This is for both certs and classified.
 When:  Wednesday, December 18th
Where:  Library
Who - All staff
Why:  Because we have only 'two more get-ups' before break AND let's enjoy some holiday cheer!
What:  A holiday celebrations bring food to share AND if you would like to participate in the White Elephant gift exchange, please keep it $10 and under.

8.   Lately, there have been several student schedule changes.  In addition, multiple new students have enrolled.   Please know that the office staff works to make the best possible decisions and to give classroom teachers at least 24 hour notice prior to student start date.  Sometimes we are not able to do this.  Sometimes a student who is F.I.T needs to start immediately or there was conflict among students that had to be resolved ASAP.  Your patience and understanding with the student is expected.  If you don't understand why a student was placed with you, come ask.  I guarantee you there was a reason behind the decision.  Ask questions in person. Thanks

SOMETHING to PONDER
This is the time of year it seems that more students are 'opting out' of learning.  iReady is done, Winter break is around the corner and in all honesty it's sometimes hard to keep our adult energy up, focused and engaged.

As you may have figured out, I am a fan of the Teach Like a Champion strategies because of the system of which they are built and taught, the video clips and the readings.  I have also seen them work first hand.

Here is a clip on No Opt Out.  What do you notice?  Who is doing the heavy lifting? This is a 44 sec clip.

Something Funny

Thursday Thriller
December 5, 2019

Pics from around the school.  It's always fun for me to to see both the inside and outside of the classrooms.  Bulletin boards are an extension of the the learning and tell another part of the story.  What is it you share about teaching, learning and celebrating?

Okay, the last picture is one I slid in :D  Sometimes I will throw in a grand-baby picture.  Bob and I attended Isella's winter concert at Blue Ridge today.  She is 4 and in the pre-school program.  She is definitely benefiting from the full day program.  

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Our Health Center counselors are here at Garrison 1.5 days.  Carina and I are advocating for more time.  We share counselors with Pioneer.  They are great ladies who enjoy being here working with our students.  If you are wondering about how to refer a student for services, let Carina know. Here is link to a video about the HC.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aQatD2OE43zMaOnDY6sZWXpquQLfStfi/view  

2.  Please complete the paperwork with Armida when you are requesting personal, incentive and/or longevity days.  Requests need to be made at least two days in advance of the requested time off.

3.  I know it's only day two but I think opening the doors for students to cut across the court yard has really helped!

4.  Next week is week 2 of the teaching for class preparedness.   We will continue to 'sweep,' talk with students and start the lunch time re teaching.  Remember this is NOT a GOTCHA for students.  The goal is to help students learn the importance and the 'why' of being prepared for class.

5.  Way to go, Sara Huxoll!! The District's Annual Immunization Report came out and the benchmark for 6th grade was 95% and we were at 99%!!!  This is due to Sara's hard work and perseverance when it came to contacting parents.  THANK YOU!!

6.  We have received good feedback regarding strengths and stretches of the master schedule.  If you would like to email us your thoughts and ideas, please do so!

7.   Thank you to those of you who have set up appointments to meet with us regarding how the year has gone.  There is still time and we appreciate the feedback!  This is for all staff both certificated and classified.

8.  Here is the Sarah Shuhl schedule for Thursday, December 19th:
*Subs have been arranged.

7:30 GC with Sarah
1st-2nd  Math teachers
3rd-4th ELA teachers
5th-6th Science teachers
7th -CTE, PE, Charlie, Beth, Conor, Lisa and Amy K
3:30-4:15 Open forum w/Sarah to ask clarifying questions

9.  ASB has planned a Spirit Week Dec 16th-20th.  More details to come

10.  My understanding is that the Jingle Bell Breakfast has been a tradition at Garrison.  In asking questions, the feedback was not many people attended.  I am all for tradition.  If this is something that you would like to keep, I'm good with it.   If not, I was wondering if on Wed, Dec 18th during Wednesday collaboration we could have a staff get together.  Everyone brings something and maybe we do a 'white elephant' gift exchange?  I'm open to suggestions.  Please email me your thoughts and ideas.

SOMETHING to PONDER
Recently, I listened to a podcast about middle school and why it matter so much!  The author is a school counselor.  She shares her experience as a parent and working with middle school age students.  The podcast, Middle School Matters, is approximately 30 minutes.

What are your thoughts on these 10 skills that author Phyllis Fagell highlights?

10 Skills for Middle School Students

At the start of our conversation, Phyllis' provides an overview of the 10 key skills kids need to know to thrive in middle school and beyond, which include the following:

1. Make good friend choices
2. Negotiate conflicts
3. Manage a student-teacher mismatch
4. Create homework and organization systems
5. Consider others’ perspectives
6. Self-advocate
7. Self-regulate emotions
8. Cultivate passions and recognize limitations
9. Make responsible, healthy, ethical choices
10. Create and innovate

Thursday Thriller
November 21, 2019

Congrats again to Amy K for receiving the Golden Onion Award! 

A few  projects from Stacy's classroom.

6th grade ballers! 

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1. The last couple of days we have had some vaping incidents.  It is critical that we are in the hallway, having students stay seated until the bell rings (as some reported they were vaping waiting by the door for class to end) and when outside either for PE or lunch recess. By our Board Policies and Procedures we don't suspend necessarily but we did put a student in ISS. We consulted with local police. With all that being said, we need to continue to be vigilante while coaching students "see something say something." 

2.  Thank you to the kitchen staff for the yummy Thanksgiving dinner today!  So many students told me, "This is the best!  Did you see all this?" :D

3.   Carina and I would like to set up 10-15 min conversations with each of you before winter break.  It's up to you who you want to meet with.  You can meet with us both or individually.  Please email us directly to set up a time.  The purpose of the meting is to touch base as to how the year has gone.  What is going well, what could we change for the second half of the year and/or any feedback for us. This is not mandatory by any means.  However, your feedback is appreciated. 

4.  Staff meeting Tuesday the 26th at 8:00 on Agnes' room

5.   DISREGARD the DATES. 

6.  There will not be a Thursday Thriller next week. :)  Hope you all enjoy Thanksgiving and your break!!!

SOMETHING to PONDER

Setting high academic expectations.  "One consistent finding of academic research is that high expectations among teachers are the most reliable driver of high achievement among students, even students who do not have a history of strong achievement" -Doug Lemov, Teach Like a Champion 2.-0
One of the first steps is to turn "I don't know" into success by ensuring that students who won't try or can't answer practice getting it right. No Opt Out can help ensure that all students, especially reluctant ones, take responsibility for learning.  No Opt Out honors and validates students who do know the answer by allowing them to help their peers in a positive and public way.

Here are a couple of clips of No Opt Out. https://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/see-aidan-thomas-no-opt/
https://teachlikeachampion.com/blog/samara-levy-cold-call-no-opt-retrieval-practice/

As you can see, I am a fan of TLC.  I have found success in their strategies not only in the book but also the video clips.  If you are interested in a Teach Like a Champion book, come see me. :)

Thursday, November 14, 2019

A few pictures from this week.

This one of Jayce and Ryan is probably my favorite.  When not in lunch detention, they like to eat in the conference room.  They were working on science.  Paper babies?  You have to ask Sue :D

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Gladys, our kitchen manager, let me know that if you need plastic spoon, knives, forks she has to charge for them.  Not her rule just what she has to do.  We have tons of plastic utensils, come ask. :D

2.  I want 'ink' on the calendar activity day.  I have Friday, Jan 31st from 1:00-3:00 slated as the time.  In running this by the GC team, we collectively agree to include all students BECAUSE we want students to get a taste of what activity day is so that when we do it again, with parameters around who can participate they may be more motivated.   Staff does not have to plan anything.  Kanet Turner is going to organize it and have parents run it.  The caveat to this is we would like your participation if you so desire.  Possibly in the 3 on 3 bball tournament or on a team for laser tag (there might be some criteria for being on a team like no failing classes, the GPA of your team has to be 3.0 and above)

  

The over arching goal is fun for students AND a way to build relationships with students outside of the classroom.  Stacy Just said she would have her art room open, Beth would like to do the selfie booth other ideas?  I will work with Kanet to plan this event.  If there are major concerns or oversights on my part, please come talk with me as  I am open to ideas and suggestions.

3.  Curtains for the stage are being ordered.    We are going with all black as it is a better background for performances

4.  Circling back to posted 'I can statements.." Posting the lesson's target is not for admin to see.  This is so students know what they are learning.  Throughout the lesson is when it is assessed.  Students should know what they are learning AND how they are being assessed.   Questions students should be able to answer, "What are you learning today?  How will the teacher know you learned it?  Showing your work, thumbs up, practice problems, etc."  Clear is kind.  Let's be crystal clear with students so they know how to reach the goal you have set.  They will rise to the occasion. :D

5.  Thank you to Mike, Shannon and Charlie for their work on Classroom Preparedness.  I do believe this will be a game changer for all!

6.  Sherry will be around 7th period to deliver report cards tomorrow

7.  Thank you for being diligent about attendance!  This helps Ashley a great deal!

SOMETHING to PONDER

One last segment on 'pacing.'  Here are the final three activities to use to 'change up' the format or the feeling of fast of you lesson. 

Have you given thought to your lessons?  Your pacing?  When you taught a great lesson and students were with you the whole time what did you do to create this awesome learning environment?

In conjunction with pacing, I found this article from Jennifer Gonzalez, a former middle school teacher. Classroom management is never perfect!  Have you ever thought all your systems, procedures were in place and it still wasn't working?   Here are some things to think about and ponder.

FUNNY

Thursday Thriller
November 7, 2018

I'm reminded each time after our Wednesday collaboration how invested and passionate you are about your content, teaching and working with your colleagues.   My goal is to support, guide and gently nudge you into the uncomfortable zone; if we are always comfortable we won't move forward.   Discussions and questions are welcome because this is how we clarify not only the 'why' but the how and what.  Keep working hard!  It is paying off!  THANK YOU for WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY!!!

A few highlights from this past week.  :D

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Budget -if you are needing classrooms supplies we ask that you use your $125.00 first.  Once that is depleted we can find other funding to support what your classroom needs.

2.  Here is a great website to check out for texts for ELA, Science and Social Studies.  I know you probably have ample resources.  If I see something in a classroom that may be beneficial to others, I like to share.

3.  A quick reminder on discipline.  If you send a student out for a classroom exclusion, that triggers an automatic lunch detention.   When you communicate with parents, please don't assign more discipline.  Assigning additional discipline comes from Carina and/or me. We are always open to hear why you think more discipline should be given to the student.  If you think more than a lunch detention is deserved then it is probably a referral not a classroom exclusion.  Please don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions.

4.  Activity day has come up multiple times by students and parents.  Attached is a quick brainstorming of an idea for a SEMESTER activity day.  As noted, nothing is set in stone.  These are suggestions to get the ball rolling.

5.  Wednesday the 13th grade confirmations need to be sent/turned in to Sherry.

6.  In my Coffee with the Principal sessions, parents had some good questions.  They asked how to access tutoring for their children and in the tutoring sessions will the tutors be able to help with content specific homework.  I explained to parents the before and after school help we offer.  I then said if their child has a specific content question, they should email the teacher.  Some of you have answered email in the evening and told students to come in the morning to the classroom.  Students would not necessarily have a pass so they would just need to talk to the adult on supervision so they could go to the classroom.
I reassured parents that teachers are more than willing to help students in the morning; students just need to ask.

7.  Yesterday's collaboration made me reflect on this poster:

The work you are doing is intentional and sets the course for measurable student outcomes.

SOMETHING to PONDER

In continuing the discussion on pacing (creating a "fast" or "slow" moment in a lesson by shifting activity types or formats), here are five activity types.  I won't throw all five at you at once. Rather here are the first two to think over. 

If you are into listening to educational podcasts, I listened to this one this morning.  A few things from it resonated with me:

"Rigor is not about the top step; it's next step."

"You have two choices with rigor:  1.  Vigorous learning or 2. Rigormortus.  Rigor should not just mean "work, work, work..." How do students reach levels of proficiency in learning?"

Little Funny
Beating the November Blues

Thursday Thriller
October 31, 2019

Yesterday's staff meeting focusing on the 'one thing' was great to watch!  Your interactions, debate and adult Socratic seminar was enjoyable to observe.  Thank you to Mike, Shannon and Charlie for organizing and running the show! :D  Carina will follow up with next steps.

Let the Socratic seminar begin! :)

 Little Halloween fun in Jami's first period.

JS was so thrilled that he set the controls on his robot to do the three steps while in Mike's class. He is anxiously waiting for Cami to finish to run his robot again. :D 

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  As Terri mentioned in her email, she is working with identified students who have 3+ Fs.  This is not to say we aren't taking students before and after school.  The plan is those that need after school help who are not on the list can work with Alex. Those that need help in the AM, who are not on the list,  can work with Karen in room 202.  Terri and Alex are communicating.  They will loop Karen into the mix so we aren't missing any students. 

**** Please note that your availability from 8:15-8:45 is also critical.  

2.  Next week during our First Wednesday of the Month collaboration, we are going to look at CFAs.  Each PLC needs to bring one or the other:
        a. CFA already given
        b. Upcoming CFA
       
3.   Please review the email Agnes sent regarding the assembly on Tuesday.  Going over where to sit and assembly behavior is important.  Since this will be a first period assembly, first period teachers please revisit expected behaviors.  Thank you

4.  Halloween wasn't so bad!  I was pleasantly surprised. :D  The hallways today weren't that bad either.  Again, visibility and gentle reminders.  I know that we will follow up with a group of you interested in discussing hallway behavior and what we can do to make them better.  Watch for an email from Carina.

5. Daylight Savings on Sunday.  We get an extra hour of sleep!  Whoop! Whoop!

Something to Ponder
As you remember from last week's post, pacing is not about how fast you go.  Proper pacing makes students feel the progress and never know what's next.  In this video, you see a middle school teacher shift formats not topic. A few gold nuggets in this 2:23 minute video from Ben Esser's middle school classroom.  "How Does Pacing Work?  Ask Ben Esser?"

A Funny
Since two students dressed up as Dwight Schrute from the Office, I found this kinda funny 😀

Thursday Thriller
October 24,2019

 Stacey's patience helping students is something to be desired! Go Stacey!😆

Jami was having Ben do the 'integer' dance.  It was great! I know it helped me :)

These two were my partners in crime in Jose's math class.  Ummm...we needed Mr. Beleche's notes in order to complete the task since I wasn't a lot of help.😜

Two 6th grade dual students reflecting on their assessment and making a plan to get better! Go Amy!

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Met with ASB students today and came to the conclusion that students want to wear costumes.  Agnes and Stacey worked with students and they will announce on GNN the rules for wear.  I think it will be fine.  It's not a mountain I want to die on. :D

2. The end of the quarter is next week.  Students have been use to a celebration with an 'activity day.'  Through informal conversations with different staff members it was concluded that activity days were more of a hassle then a true 'reward.'  Carina and I are open to suggestions.  We want to honor and acknowledge students for hard work.  What is the criteria for students to attend activity day?  Could we look at iReady growth on the December diagnostic as one criteria?  Also, what ideas do we have for the different activities students could participate in?  Feedback, ideas and suggestions are needed.  We are currently looking at a semester activity day and would love your ideas.

3.  THANK YOU for making the calls and reaching out to parents BOTH for failing grades and classroom exclusions.  When you reach out to families, it goes a long way!  Truly does!  Terri begins before school and after school work with students beginning on Monday.  If you need help getting students to attend, reach out to Alex.

4.  Tomorrow at the home WA HI football game our 7th & 8th grade bands students will be playing alongside Pioneer and the high school!  Good luck, Roger!

5.  7th,8th Band, Choir and Orchestra have their first concert of the year on Tuesday, October 29th.  Roger sent this out in an email for practice prior to their performance:

Tuesday October 22 - period 1

Tuesday October 29 - period 4

Performance - Tuesday October 29, 7:00 PM - Garrison Large Gym!

6.  Please take the EEC survey if you have not already.  Your feedback is important!! 

7. As we approach the beginning of November, your 'tired factor' is up maybe with students and maybe with admin :D.  Carina and I appreciate the conversations we are having with you.  The feedback we have received has told us there are expectations and systems that may not have been in place and we are putting into place which can cause nervousness/anxiety and  change.  This also tells us both what we need to be clear on. Know that we will keep talking with you, asking questions and revamping systems for the better.  This means that there will be bumps in the road and mess ups along the way. 

Something to Ponder

Pacing in a lesson or class period is critical for many reasons.  Making sure you get through your lesson, giving enough time for an assessment, small group rotations, introducing a new concept.  Whatever the instructional medium, the pace at which the lesson is taught can either make or break it.

  Pacing falls under 3c in Danielson.  Pacing is not about speed. Proper pacing makes students feel the progress and never know what's next.   This is a quick 3:17 video on Proper Pacing.  I bring up pacing as something to ponder because this topic affords us to reflect on our practice.  Are we doing all the talking, cognitive lifting and using the same activities?

Some may be thinking, "Kids these days need us to entertain them.  I'm not going to entertain them.  It's their job to listen and engage."  Maybe.  However, it's OUR job to deliver engaging lessons. Not dog and pony shows.  Engaging lessons that bring students into the lesson and make them a part of it.  What you have planned could be super engaging yet the pacing of the lesson derails all that you have worked hard on preparing.

The next few weeks the focus of this section will be on pacing.  Offering suggestions, videos, etc.  If you want to watch a colleague teach because you have heard they are knocking it out of the park, let us know.  We can cover your class while you go watch.  We have some AMAZING teachers at Garrison -you all have talent!  Let's open our doors and share with each other.

Teach Like a Champion Change the Pace
This technique offers a way to manage the illusion of speed in your classroom. One way to create the illusion of speed is by using a variety of activities to accomplish your objectives and moving from one to the other throughout the course of a lesson.

Kicks and Giggles
Even if you aren't a first year teacher, this might make you laugh.  We all have those days.  

Thursday Thriller

Thursday Thriller
October 17, 2019

Thank you, Fall Sport Coaches!  It is both amazing, fun and humbling to watch you work with students in a different setting.  Not only are you teaching them about the game and increasing skills, you are teaching them to be role models, work as a team or family and building character!

I did not get to volleyball or soccer but heard feedback from parents that was positive.  Here is a picture after last night's 8th grade win.  :D

Last night Mike Kay and crew BBQed for both Pioneer and Garrison 7th and 8th grade football teams and their families.  Coach Lupfer from WA HI had his players come over watch the game and they too ate.  It was neat to see former players high fiving the 7th and 8th graders.

Gladys catered the event and at 9:30PM she still had a smile on her face knowing she had to come in extra early this morning to get our breakfast going.  Thank  you!!!!

NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.    Tomorrow morning fall sport athletes and coaches(those that said they could make it.  This is not mandatory or required; only volunteers) and NJHS students can meet in the foyer.  Students can place backpacks in the conference room.  We will head out to the designated area and deliver the orange Care and Share bags.  Not doing this ever before, the goal is 30 mins. 

2.  Based on feedback from the exit ticket from Friday's PBIS training, we will look at focusing on 'one thing.'  We would like to do this on the 5th Wednesday of this month-October 30th.   Carina and I followed up with Flint and Jeff via email and asked for time next month that Jeff could come back, walk the school, see it action and offer feedback.  We will keep you posted.

3.  Your consistency in the hallways during passing times is appreciated especially when we have guest teachers in the building.

4.  The Friday "F" spread sheet (I gotta think of an appropriate name for this spread sheet :D) comes out tomorrow.  This is something we review weekly.  With Alex on board full time Monday, we will be able to implement morning and after school time for students to get caught up that need it.  With that being said, 8:15-8:45 is time that students MUST be able to access YOU.  Please make arrangements with students if they need assistance, to turn in an assignment or whatever it may be. I have seen a couple of teachers post their 'office hours' on their door so students know when to come and receive help. 

5.  Proficiency Map work is coming along.  Great discussions with teams yesterday.  As Carina and I said in August, we believe in this work! This is not something to 'check the box.' I think of prof maps just like you would a Google Map or planning a trip.  There is a destination, there is a start and stop date, adjustments are made and it can be clunky.  It will always remain clunky UNLESS we dig in and understand the purpose behind it.  I guarantee you would want a teacher well planned, working with their colleagues, increasing instructional strategies for your own children, nieces, nephews, etc.  We owe this to our own students. Stepping off soap box now.

6.  Red Ribbon week kicks off on Monday.  Angie and Steve are planning things with Sources of Strength and Unity Day.  Please review your Unity Day binder.  I know we get pressed for time and time is the hottest commodity.  However, taking moments to pause and look at the 'whole' student from a social/emotional lens is critical.  We want our Troopers to transition from us ready for the academic load at high school AND be kind, helpful people that feel like they are important and people care about them. 

7.  TARDIES - Please remember if a student is a few seconds late to your class you are accepting them and marking them TARDY in Skyward.  We have improved our system to track and intervene with tardies.  Consequences begin when a student has acquired 4.

8.  Supervision duty we need more bodies in the cafeteria in the AM.  We are going to need to look at this schedule; just giving you a heads up.

Something to Ponder
What are your biases?  Do you know you have HIDDEN biases?  No one ever wants to think they have biases especially when it comes to race.  Unfortunately, we all do have them due to our experiences, beliefs and how we were raised.  Knowing you have them and knowing what they are can lead to improve practises.  This is a quick summary of the "The Anit-Racist Educator" by Tracey Benson and Sarah Fiarman

October 10, 2019

Thursday Thriller
October 10, 2019

Shout out to Kara for coordinating the FANTASTIC lunch!!  Also, to Armida for filling and delivering the VIP Room Service bags!  THANK YOU!!!

Great turn out for conferences!  WOW!  You all did AMAZING!!!!  Lots of positives from families!😊

Great pictures of Jen and Kim's classrooms.  Being out and about is one of several highlights of my day!

In case you were wondering just how to go through a soup buffet, Braddock nailed it!😆


NUTS-n-BOLTS

1.  Tomorrow I know we will be tired from a very busy day.  With that being said, I know the work we engage in with Jeff Kalles around PBIS will be well worth our time (8:30 start time in the library, 11:30 lunch on site, 3:30 end time).  The continuous work around consistency, expectations, understanding behaviors  will strengthen our tool kits. It is inevitable that throughout your day working with students TIME WILL BE SPENT ON BEHAVIOR.  That's not going away.    It's how you want to spend your time  and how much time you will get back by front loading with building relationships and understanding the 'why' behind behaviors.

2.  The hallways are slipping a little bit.  Slipping meaning students walking on both sides of hallways, loud yelling at times, pushing.  PLEASE be in the hallway during passing times.  This was a commitment we agreed to adhere to.  I will revisit this on GNN.

3.  Carina and I have Secondary Principals' PD on Monday from 1:00-4:00.  If anyone wants to help with supervision by the buses and the crosswalk after school I would LOVE to buy you your choice of drink...that is allowable in school, of course😁.  Send me an email and let me know if you are interested.

4.  Please let me know how many of your families showed up for conferences.  Any feedback from them on how conferences were scheduled, etc?  I think looking at how we do conferences will always be a work in progress to meet the most needs we can.

5.   This coming Wednesday the 7th and 8th grade football teams play Pioneer at Borleske.  In between those games, we are going to have a BBQ for both schools.  Mike Kay will be BBQing hot dogs, hamburgers we'll have chips and potato salad.  Just a fun way to include families and enjoy the end of season.  Carina, Chad and I will be circulating between football, volleyball and soccer.  Notification will be sent home to inform families.

6.  Friday, October 18th to be a part of the Care and Share Food Drive, fall sport athletes will be invited to walk an assigned area with coaches and admin to deliver the orange bags.  We will do this from 8:00-8:45.  If any of you are interested in walking and taking part, you are welcome to join us! Students will be able to wear their sports jersey one last time. :)  Let me know if you are interested.  We will meet in front of the school at 8:00.

7.  Many students have asked about the end-of-the-quarter activity day.  As of right now, there isn't one. 😨  In listening to feedback from previous admin and some teachers, it just didn't go well.  Carina and I are open to suggestions.  Our stance is we just don't want to give up academic time when time is precious!  If you have ideas, please share.

FYI
Sharing iReady data with you.  This is an assessment that can be used and dis aggregated several ways.  This is a view of our school in both reading and math.  As you look at it, please use the lens of your content.  I may not 'teach' reading or math.  However, students do read and may do mathematical computation within my content area.  Where are we strong?  Where are our stretches?  This is WE data look.

Reading

Math

This was our SBA data from last spring:

This is a portion of the 2019-2020 data sheet that is reported to the School Board and are part my goals.

In working with ELA and Math teams as well as a the GC team, what do you think our goals for each quarter should be in both iReady and pass rates?

This is 18-19 Data Dashboard look:

"Look Fors"

This next week in classrooms, Carina and I will look for 2b "Establishing a Culture of Learning"

What do these components look like  in your classroom? 

• Importance of the content
• Expectations for learning and achievement
• Student pride in work

"A culture for learning" refers to the atmosphere in the classroom that reflects the importance of the work undertaken by both students and teacher.  It describes the norms that govern the interactions among individuals about the activities and assignment, the look of the classroom and the general 'tone' of the class.