September 19, 2019
**As many of you may know, Salvador's last day is September 30th after 25.5 years with the District!!! WOW! This next week let him know what your best memory of him has been or how he has helped you, a certain student, etc. I know that would mean a lot to him. :) We will celebrate with a large cake in honor of Salvador on the 30th!
The position is currently open 'in district.' Hope to hire a qualified applicant ASAP so that person can have some time with Salvador as part of the transition.
SHOUT OUTS!
Margaret, Mary, Katie H, Tobi and Michelle have played key roles with de-escalating students, finding students who have run and hid and helping out with new plans for students. THANK YOU!!!!
I know there are more people to be recognized. If you know of a staff member who has made a difference, let them know! A kind gesture goes a long way! :)
NUTS-n-BOLTS
1. Thank you for taking the time to help students register for the cookie dough sales. I will be sending out the link to parents in my parent newsletter that goes out tomorrow evening.
2. We will be having a STAFF MEETING on FRIDAY, the 27th from 8:00-8:30 in Agnes' room since the library will be in use with students in the morning.
3. Tomorrow is the National Climate Strike. As a public school and by law, we can not allow students to just walk out. If students wish to participate, they will need to be signed in and out by their parents in the office; just like any other appointment. We have two students in 8th grade that may share some facts on climate change during GNN tomorrow.
4. Wednesday the 25th from 2:30-3:30 is the first of 9 French Club meetings. I am working on a room and will announce that on GNN so those students involved will know where to go. This is a partnership with Whitman College. The club will not meet on Oct. 9th and Nov. 20th.
5. Thank you for your help with the tardies. Carina and I are working on a solid system that is sustainable. Carina has made calls home which have been interesting to say the least but mostly supportive.
6. Carina and I will clarify the discipline procedures during the staff meeting next Friday. We have had several good questions.
7. On Monday the 23rd I will be attending iReady/ReadyMath training in the AM and Carina will be attending in the PM; little tag teaming. Then on the 26th we will be at Constructive Meaning training all day.
8. If you would still like to order some Garrison Gear, here is the link https://garrisonms19.itemorder.com/ Josh, our contact rep is keeping this link/the store open until Oct. 11th.
9. THANK YOU for being in the hallways during passing time! It's so critical that you are present. Extra eyes for supervising, as well as, connecting with students is important. That's why we collectively agreed as a staff to commit to hallway supervision. In addition, the supervision schedule for AM and PM has gone well. Appreciate you being present at your post.
10. Our first 'reward/activity day' for cookie dough sellers will be on 9/30. Those that have sold 10 items will get to participate in 7th period activities. Students will be able to play GaGa Ball , four square, basketball, walk the track, eat some treats and then have the opportunity to win prizes when the random drawings occur. We opted to do two different activities on site vs traveling to Tri Cities to 'Get Air' because students miss a full day, teachers have to get subs and it was about $1700 of the earned Cookie Dough sales. Did not seem cost effective. Thank you Mike, Sean and Amber for the use of your small gym!
11. We will be getting curtains for the stage. Mike K is on it.
12. Planners. We agreed and/or complied :D to use planners DAILY. Whether an entry or closing task, students should be writing something in their planners. Remember this was about teaching students organizational skills; building muscle memory to write things down, plan backwards for projects/assessments, etc. In my parent communications, I have said we are using planners. If you are struggling to use planners with your students, please ask for help! Don't suffer in silence. The expectation is we are all using them. Let me know how I can help.
13. We have noticed students using cell phones to call parents to pick them up because they are ill before they get to the office to be assessed by Sara. If a student is ill, please send them to the office and remind them they need to be seen by Sara and if ill, Ms. Huxoll will do the calling. I'm also putting this in my parent newsletter. Thank you.
Little Volleyball Action
Spent some time in Mike Bertram's coding class. Super cool stuff going on!
TEACHER TALK vs STUDENT TALK
How much of your class period is you talking vs your students? We, teachers, generally fill in the awkward silence after we have asked a question and the students are not responding. Here is an article and 1:39 second video to get the students talking and having THEM do the HEAVY COGNITIVE lifting.
So....the recipe here is:
- Leave Wait Time
- Narrate Hands to Show They Matter
- Insert Turn and Talk if Necessary
- Remain easy going and supportive in tone while structured and clear on expectations
