Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

February 24, 2022

Shout Out to Armida, Agnes and Kara!  They revamped the teachers' lounge to a Zen Zone!! Something nice for you all!  Thank you to these three for planning and putting it all together.

Hats off to Roger and Caleb!!  They do such a great job with band, Jazz band and choir.  They had their 'Almost Spring' concert with 6th grade band, Jazz band and choir Tuesday night. The improvements from fall to now, especially in our 6th grade students have been incredible!  NICE JOB!!!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.   If you need support setting up your conference links, please don't hesitate to ask.  Marie, Chad and Jen have sent emails indicating start, stop and lunch/dinner times. This is a great time to connect with families.  Carina and I are available to attend.  

2.  Wednesday, March 2nd our GC team will be leading us through some activities that will result in collective building norms/agreements based on your feedback from the staff survey.  This will be Wednesday, March 2nd.

3.  Carina and I will meet with Marie, Chad and Jen regarding budget and classroom supplies.  We haven't forgotten that we said we would revisit this early spring and receive staff input. 

4.  March 25th is a half day ("We All Belong" training at 1:00).  We will have students "speed date" through classes this day.  We also have a plan for 8th grade students to register for classes that won't impact the schedule and it will be taken care of by the counselors at both WA HI and Garrison.  Just wanted to put this on your radar as some of you like to plan ahead. :D

Something to Ponder

Ron Gutman reviews a raft of studies about smiling, and reveals some surprising results. Did you know your smile can be a predictor of how long you'll live -- and that a simple smile has a measurable effect on your overall well-being? One smile can generate the same brain stimulation as 2,000 chocolate bars and smiling can help you live longer!  Check out this Ted Talk on The Hidden Power of Smiling.

Something for everyone, that doesn't cost a thing and can improve your well-being and others, too. :D  

Quote

"There is no better measure of your values than how you spend your time.” -- Scott Belsky

Little Humor

These made me laugh especially the observation and covering class one. 

DATA DASHBOARD

We have a new system called Forecast5.  The data is District, Building, Class, Content, Teacher, Student; it can do so much!  We are just learning to data mine and navigate all the possibilities.  I found this chart interesting.  This tells us which day of the week we have more absences and which month thus far in the school year.  I have always said that discipline is the highest on Thursdays.  Well, now I know part of the reason why.  Do these charts shed some light from the classroom perspective?

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Thursday, Feb. 24th   Happy Birthday, Sydney!

Friday, Feb. 25th   GC @ 7:30 in Agnes' room, Kim out of the building

Monday, Feb. 28th   Happy Birthday, Becky Jo!  Kim and Carina PD @1:30

Tues., March 1st     Kim and Carina @ AD Council 8:30

Wed, March 2nd       Collaboration 2:45-3:45 

Thur, March 3rd     Happy Birthday, Heather!

Fri, March 4th     Happy Birthday, Sean! 

Sat, March 5th Happy Birthday, Christy!

Mon., March 7th       Happy Birthday, Armida & Caleb!  Freshmen 101 for

      8th graders in the AM regular classes in the PM

Tuesday, March 8th Conferences 4:00-7:30

Wed., March 9th                       Collaboration @ 2:45

Thurs., March 10th                   Conferences 8:15-3:30

Friday, March 11th                    Whoop!!! Whoop!!

Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

February 17, 2022

Shout Outs

Becky Jo and Will with their work with Sources of Strength students!  What a spirit week; dressing up, minute challenges at lunch with students, the announcements and Valentines!  THANK YOU!!!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Thank you for sharing at the two listening sessions.  Carina and I will take the feedback to our GC meeting this Friday morning.  A plan will be devised and next steps in the process will be shared.

2.    Please remember to shut down technology and close your windows for the 3 day weekend!

3.    I can not remember exactly when we went over this. As a staff, we agreed to teach bell to bell using every possible minute.  Students are not to be lining up at the door waiting for the bell to be dismissed.  Students need to remain by their desks/tables until the bell rings.  Lining up at the door causes issues AND not to mention the amount of lost minutes that add up to lost instructional time.

 4. 1900 is in business!!! If you dial this number, it will show on multiple phones in the office as Garrison Emergency. We will send help/support your way!

5.  From 12:30-3:30 each afternoon, we have Elissa Tinder from the District Sped Department working with a new 7th grade student in room 134.  This new student comes to us with multiple needs that doesn't quite fit in one program.  Through her work with our student, we are gaining insight and information on next steps of placement. 

6.  Rob Graham (school psych) and Katie Henry (Intv Specl for SEL and RISE) are going to be switching offices.  Katie will be more accessible to both RISE and SEL in her new location.  This office is located down the 7th grade hallway right next to Bertram's room. Rob will now be located in the office next to the clinic and Steve's.  

7.  Conferences will be Tuesday evening March 8th from 4:00-7:30 and Thursday, March 10th 8:15-3:30 with a non work day on Friday, March 11th.

8.   Not sure if you have read this email from Keith Ross.  I have noticed a lot more SPAM which is annoying.  However, parent emails are not being swallowed up in the SPAM world.  This has not made some parents too happy just speaking from personal experience. 

FYI:

email Messages

Inbox

Keith Ross	Fri, Feb 11, 8:27 AM (6 days ago)
to bcc: wwpsalldistrictstaff

Good morning, colleagues -

It was brought to our attention this morning that, of late, a lot more legitimate emails have been getting marked as SPAM. Unfortunately, our options to dial those settings in are very limited. The options are to toggle on a "More aggressive" button or toggle it off. That option has historically been toggled On by default, but with recent reports of more flagged messages, we have disabled it this morning to see how that affects the flow.

I want to warn you that our change this morning could open the door to more SPAM coming through to inboxes. If that is the case, please mark the message as Spam (see below). However, our email system does learn from those suggestions and tends to do a better job as time goes on.  

How to Report Spam in Gmail
To report an email as Spam in your browser and improve the Gmail spam filter specifically for you in the future:

1. Place a checkmark next to the messages in Gmail by selecting the empty box to the left of the email. You may be able to identify Spam without opening the email. You can also open the email.

2. In the menu above your inbox, find the icon that looks like an exclamation point (!) in a stop sign. Select it to mark the message as Spam. 

Additionally, please take a moment to peruse your Spam folder. If you locate legitimate emails there, please click the Not spam button on those messages to improve the Gmail spam filter in the future. 

Something to Ponder

For all:

This article caught my attention since we have been discussing discipline,frequent flyers to the office and tracking systems for discipline.

ELA/SST- Strategies for when students won't read the novel

"As a secondary English teacher, I was prompted by this experience to consider a central question in my teaching practice: How do I teach students to read great novels while providing lessons that are accessible to all students, including those who appear unwilling to read?"

Quote

Take time to invest in yourself as much as others..By doing so, I have seen that the impact I can have on others is greater when I am in a better place and space.

                                                                                        -Jimmy Casas

Little Humor

This is a classic.  I have probably shared this with you at one time or another.  Don't get me wrong.  We have some great subs in our building.  If you have subbed before (I did for 6 months), you know how hard it can be to pronounce names. :D 

Substitute Teacher

Calendar of Events

Friday, February 18th                        Garrison Swag Day!, GC Meeting @ 7:30 in Agnes' RM

Monday, February 21st                        No School in observance of President's Day

Tuesday, February 22nd                    Happy Birthday, Sydney!  Carina and Kim in MS                                                                     Meeting until 9:00AM, iReady Coach Megan Free with                                                           Pioneer and Garrison
                                                                

Wednesday, February 23rd                iReady Coach Megan Free with Pioneer
                                                           and Garrison, Collaboration
                                                           Math 6, ELA 7, Sci 8, SST 8, PE all, Electives as                                                                             determined

Thursday, February 24th                       8th grade girls "A" team vs Pioneer in the WA HI gym                                                                       final game             

Friday, February 25th                        Kim out of the building, 

Thursday Thriller

 Thursday Thriller

February 10, 2022

This was National School Counselor Week.  A HUGE THANK YOU to Becky Jo, Angie and Steve! While we don't always see the work being done by school counselors, their impact, work with students, support of staff and admin is critical.  Garrison has a TOP NOTCH TEAM!!!!

Golden Onion Award Recipients

Longtime Walla Walla resident and one-time teacher Sue Gillespie and her husband Mike established the “Golden Onion Award” to support Walla Walla Public Schools’ educators. The Gillespie Teacher Development Fund is a component fund of the Blue Mountain Community Foundation.  Criteria for candidates:

A concern for students and the capability to inspire them.
 The ability and willingness to work cooperatively with colleagues.
 A drive to initiate activities that improve instruction for students.
 An ability to work effectively with different groups in the community.
 The desire to stay informed of current educational theories and practices.
 An ability and willingness to make meaningful contributions to education.
 Examples of innovations started in the nominee’s classrooms.

CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE, SHANNON and  JOSE!

One more celebration! Angel in Action Award to Carina from the Disabilities Network!   CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

A lot to celebrate at Garrison Middle School!!!!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.    Conferences will be held the week of March 7th-10th.  Jen, Marie and Chad will be asking certificated staff which evening they would like to conference on.  We know Thursday, March 10th is a conference day and Friday, March 11th is a no conference day  (elementary had their conferences this week.  No school for students today and tomorrow.  Wonder how attendance will be?)  We do not know if conferences will be held in person or via Zoom.  Governor Inslee had a news conference today.  Not sure of the outcome but will wait until Wade and Chris give us further direction. 

2.  Thank you for patience as announcements are made daily on the intercom for lunch.  This week with the weather being wonderful we have eaten inside and gone outside for some sunshine.   Hopefully, I won't have to make too many announcements. Brent took the tables from the staff room and put them in front of the trophy cases.  The students LOVED sitting at them. 

3.  Listening sessions are Monday and Wednesday 8:15-8:45.  This is not a staff meeting.  It's a drop in, share your thoughts, ideas, concerns, frustrations.  You don't have to stay for the entire half hour.  Carina and I are eager to listen aggressively while you share. 

4.  The custodians need your help!  PLEASE shut and lock your doors AND WINDOWS before you leave each night.  Leaving garbage cans by the door is also helpful.  Finally, we have noticed that the doors at the end of the '7th grade hall', between the breeze way and by Jen's room have been left unlocked.  I have asked the custodians to double check them each night.  These doors need to remained locked during the day.  Staff of supervision can unlock the doors during lunch to let students in. 

5.  Report cards have been mailed home.

6.  Armida, Yajara and Stephanie are working in hard to keep the office running smoothly.  Alicia is stepping in to help which is appreciated. 

Something to Ponder

We have all asked ourselves this question before:  "What would it take?"  This question, while only four words, offers unlimited hope, inspiration and sense of 'we can find a way.'  

"What would it take for my grandson, Axcel, to be potty trained?" :0 :)
"What would it take to team up with my grade level colleague to reteach the ideas that students didn't quite get on our last CFA?"
"What would it take for......?"

This seven minute podcast was inspiring.  My wheels started spinning.  "What would it take" opens the door to possibilities and problem solving.  

I hope you find a gold nugget and even steps to accomplish your, "What would it take?" question(s).

A couple of reads for everyone:

***Please know that when I put links to articles, podcasts, books etc. it's to grow our knowledge, reflect, learn  and CONFIRM some GREAT THINGS YOU ARE CURRENTLY DOING! So read and own your great strengths!  YOU'RE A BAD ASS!!!!

While the title is limited to 'teachers' the content is for everyone working with students.
  How Successful Teachers Create a Nurturing Classroom Culture

Retrieval practices for students and why these practices work so well. 
         Why Retrieval Practice Works So Well

    

Quote

“You don’t have to become something you’re not to be better than you were.”

            Sidney Poitier, the Oscar-winning actor, who died last month at 94

Little Humor

Monday was a three hour Zoom training for Future Scheduling via Skyward; definitely a snoozer for me.  However, both Stephanie and Carina were in attendance.  Really, only person needed to be in the training which was Stephanie because she is going to be doing some technical work in Skyward with scheduling!  Did you just hear the angels sing HALLELUJIAH?!!!

Carina was on stand by in the training with Stephanie.   This is Stephanie's impression of Carina 'standing by' during the training:

This is how Carina 'stands by' during Zoom trainings:

Word to the wise:  if Carina says she will 'attend' a Zoom meeting with you as your back up-BEWARD!!! :D

DATA DIVE

This week the graph displays staff, student and family survey results in eleven areas. Find 2 ahas and 2 wonderings.  I would love to hear your feedback.  We have areas are great strength!  Definitely some areas to grow in which we call opportunities. :D

 

CALDNEAR OF EVENTS

 

Friday, February 11th                        Fri-YEAH!!!!! Read or listen to a great book for
                                                            the February Book Challenge

Monday, February 14th                    Pink and Red Day, Happy Valentines Day
                                                            8:15 Listening Session in Mike Bertram's Room

Tuesday, February 15th                    PJ Day

Wednesday, February 16th               Wacky Tacky Day, Listening Session #2 @ 8:15 Bertram's rm.                                                                Collaboration Wednesday Priority Teams:
                                                          SS 6, Sci 6t, Sci 7, ELA 6, Math 8, Electives as determined

Thursday, February 17th                Tie Dye Day

Friday, February 18th                     Garrison Swag Day

February 3, 2022

 Thursday Thriller

February 3, 2022

Photos from the Field

6th Grade Basketball coached by Alex and Nurse Brooke

Students were trying to guess the name playing Wordle in Jaz's class.  When students got it right they were super excited!  Fun to hear them laugh and cheer. 

7th grade math class in Jen's room. They were taking notes and putting them in their color, coded journals. 

Huge Shout Out to our OFFICE STAFF: Yajara, Maria, Stephanie, Armida, Steve, Becky Jo, Angie, Alex, Yaneth, Ruben and Amy K!  New semester, Carina was attending the PLC conference, new student check-in system, grades due, count day (which is huge!) and half day preparation; This team pulled together and rocked it this week!!!!

Nuts-n-Bolts

1.  Many of you have completed the staff reflection survey-thank you!  Please know that the submissions are private.  Carina and I will be the only ones reviewing the data.  We may share through graphs or generalizations in regards to the received answers. Your honesty is appreciated.

2.  There are times you may want to have students come to your classroom for lunch.  Maybe it's to retake a test, receive tutoring, or just to hang out.  This is one way to build relationships with students and give them the extra support they need.  It's also time for you to de compress for the next half of your day. :D

If you are going to have students in your classroom for any of the above reasons-whether it's one day, every day, a couple of days they must have a pass.  We have had students abuse the opportunity of eating in the classroom.  Also, lunch supervisors need to know who they can let go to the certain classrooms.  Some students have said, "Well my teacher said it was okay."  When in fact it was not.   Whatever pass you design, students will need it starting on Monday, Feb. 7th.

3. Amy K has worked super hard this week on tomorrow's activities.  The planning, materials gathering and organization has been a big lift.  THANK YOU!!!

4.  The round tables that were in the staff lounge are going to be placed in the area in front of the trophy cases.  Students have been sitting on the ground or the blue mats.  We will try this and see how it works.  The plexi- plastic will be set up on the tables per Covid protocols when students are eating.

5.  Our intercom system is on the fritz.  Keith Ross, District Tech Director, is working to get a bid for a new system. 

6.   Maria is going to transition back to her para position effective Monday, Feb. 7th.  Her heart is with the students and we were able to make it work. :D  A posting for Maria's position will be out soon. 

Something to Ponder

EVERYONE

The past two weeks I have reflected more and more about discipline of students. When you are in the seat of deciding whether a student's action are suspendable or not the decision is not easy ("that's why you get paid the big bucks" I hear a lot)  because we know suspension doesn't cure the behavior.  On the flip side, there are consequences for actions.  What's the balance?  How do we move to a more restorative system? Which internal factors can we control/not control?  Which external factors can we control/not control?

This podcast is for teachers, parents, administrators; anyone working with students. It was heartbreaking to hear the outcome of the interviewee's son but so informative.  Also, what is the best way to share this information with parents?

Hope you find a gold nugget.  Johnny's Ambassadors  

Laura Stack:  The Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana:  Johnny Stack's Life and Death Story.

I recently purchased the book The Reason I Jump.  Wanting to learn more about how to interact with students with autism is an area I need to grow in.  This podcast is a parent being interviewed about what it's like having a child with autism.  

ELA and SPED

Why co-teaching is valuable and what we(admin) need to have in place for supports.
How ELS and Special Ed Collaboration Can Produce Great Student Writing

Quote

“Almost everyone now admits that college, as traditionally defined, is not going to be for

everyone, and that career and technical programs and trade schools can provide sturdy on-

ramps to the middle class… If we really believe that Americans without college degrees are

just as valuable to our society, democracy, and economy; just as worthy of dignity; and just as

worthy of respect as us over-credentialed professionals, then we should stop telling our young

people that college is the only goal worth shooting for.”  -Michael J. Petrilli

This is his article: We all agree that college isn't for everyone.  We should start acting like it.

Little Humor

During my eighth-grade sex education class, no one could answer the question “What happens to a young woman during puberty?” So I rephrased it: “What happens to young women as they mature?”
One student answered: “They start to carry a purse.”

Data Center

New addition to the TT!  Each week data will be shared from CEE, attendance, tardies, discipline to give you a snapshot of Garrison.  Below are snippets from the STUDENT CEE data from this fall.

TOP 5

This is hour our students responded to the questions:

This one illustrates growth from one year to the next in most areas.

This last graph shows the percentage of increase from 20-21 to 21-22.

There is much to celebrate!  Our students feel that they belong and most have a trusted adult they can look to for support.  It takes all of us!  

CALENDAR of EVENTS

Friday, Feb. 4                            Dismissal at 12:25, Grab-n-Go for staff at 12:30, Afternoon to
                                                    collaborate.  Have a great weekend!

Monday, Feb. 7th                    Carina and Kim @ MS Collaboration until 9:00AM

Tuesday, Feb 8th                    Carina and Kim @ Principal PD 8:30-10:00
Thursday, Feb. 10th                POD A SST @ 8:55, POD B @ 11:55
Friday, Feb. 11th                    Happy Birthday, Brian Casey!  GMS Family Newsletter will be
                                                    delivered.  Please let me know if you would like to add any
                                                    information to it. 

Laura Stack—The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story

Laura Stack—The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story

Laura Stack—The Dangerous Truth About Today’s Marijuana: Johnny Stack’s Life and Death Story