Thursday Thriller January 12, 2023

 Thursday Thriller

January 12, 2023

Photos from the Field

Shannon is showing her excitement when explaining about the the lab that has silly putty in it!

Jami has tossed out a question to her math students. Keith and Julian are strategizing how to answer it.

Circuit day in PE! This was one of 13 stations!! I couldn't make it to all of them 😆

Nuts-n-Bolts

1. If nobody has told you today, YOU'RE AWESOME!!!!  Just remember that. 

2. Please bring your Chromebook to our staff meeting tomorrow at 1:00 in the library

3.  Paras will meet with Scott and Kim at 2:15 in the library

4.    Scott and I will be scheduling mid year check-ins with each of you between now and mid February.  We will set up our calendars for you to schedule when it is convenient for you and your schedule. 

5.   Many students have completed their 8 iREady lessons from end of December!!! Some will be in the Study Spot next week.  Nancy will run a list Friday so that we, Scott and I, can notify parents. 

For the DIAGNOSTIC (as an incentive) and NEXT ROUND OF iREADY fresh off the press:

All students complete 10 iReady lessons between Jan. 17th and end of March 30th

If a student meets half of their typical growth goal during the winter diagnostic they only have to complete 9 lessons.

If a student meets their typical growth goal they only have to complete 8 lessons.

If a student meets their stretch growth goal they only have to complete 7 lessons.

***Algebra students will do a 2 for 1 like the last round, so 5 in total with an opportunity to not have to do up to 3***

Math teachers will be the keeper of the cards (pink this time) and will be the only ones to sign off.  This will eliminate some confusion that may have been happening.

Many students have turned in blue cards.  I will work with the math department.  Also, I told some of you to sign off on lessons.  Let's begin next week with the 'new plan' which is noted above. 

6.  Office staff is in the process of creating an Organizational Chart to better assist staff, students and families. The goal of an Organizational Chart is to make better use of everyone's time; understanding who is 'in charge' of what so you can direct your questions to the right person and receive answers quickly and more efficiently.  The Organizational Chart will be ready by the next TT. 

7. Wednesday, January 18th Carrie LeRoy, Technology Integration Specialist will be here to answer questions you may have around Securely, Voice Lift Systems and Paper.  Remember, Paper is 24/7 tutoring for secondary students.  Here is the email that was sent in regards to PAPER and how YOU can sign up for it!  This is a program students have access to 24/7 to help them with their school work.  

If you are unsure of how to set up and use your Voice Lift system, Carrie can help you.  If you want to know more about the perks of Securely Carrie can help.  If you want to introduce PAPER to your class and need help navigating the system, Carrie can help!

Here is a Google Doc to sign up if you want support from her on January 18th. It doesn't have to be 1:1 either.  Maybe a team of you want support; just let Carrie know.  She is more than willing to help you. claroy@wwps.org

More on PAPER the 24/7 tutorial service for 6th-12th grade students.

WWPS Colleagues-

I am excited to announce that our partnership with Paper is now live! As of yesterday, all WWPS students in grades 6-12 have free access to unlimited 24/7 remote tutoring and writing support through this service. Visit out our district landing page for detailed information: https://www.wwps.org/freetutoring

 After a quick check of usage late last night, several early adopter high school students already utilized Paper tutors to help them study for a math quiz coming up today.  There were several concepts that were stumping them and the late night support was much appreciated by these students.  I also noticed that one student already submitted a piece of writing for review.  They will get that submission back today (24hr. turnaround) with annotated comments.  

In looking forward to the rest of the quarter/semester, please think of ways that you might encourage and/or help other middle and high school students to become early adopters and engage with this tremendous resource.  We are working very closely with Paper to provide teachers at the middle and high school level training, coaching, and engagement strategies/tips to help support our students' academic success throughout the rest of the year.  If you are a teacher of 6-12 grade students, your teacher account is active and you are able to sign-on to Paper via your WWPS Google account.  Take a moment or two over the next few days to explore this amazing resource.

If you have any questions about this service, please don't hesitate to reach out.  Below is our district press release summarizing our Paper partnership.

Thanks,

Brent

--

Brent Cummings

Director of Early Learning & the Center for Children and Families

1150 W. Chestnut, Walla Walla, WA 99362

509-526-1760

8.  We start iReady testing next week.  Math will be on Tues-Wed-Thurs with make ups on Friday.  Please pump up the students, ask them what their iReady goal, stretch goals are and pump them up!!!

We are going to hold kids all day on Fridays to hammer out the make ups. One period here, one period there just drags on. This means students will have a 'working lunch,'  I think some NOT ALL students like to take their time, have their lunch and milk the make up system.  Maybe if they know I am monitoring the make ups they will get done on time LOL.  I say this because Steve has monitored first lunch and I have monitored second lunch for students who have not completed their 8 lessons. iReady Jail. :D  I asked one student who was having a difficult time being civil why she didn't finish her lessons:

Student:  I didn't want to go to activity day or the dance

Me:  Why didn't you do the lessons over Winter break

Student:  It's called a 'break' for a reason

Me:  Don't worry.  Now that you are back from break you have lunch time and then next week after school

Welcome to iReady Purgatory!!!!

This interaction is exactly why I wanted to follow through on the lessons. 

9.  With Angie slowly and temporarily transitioning to the high school, Steve and Becky Jo have divided up her case load.  Here is what it will look like. However, all four of us will jump in when needed to support each other.

Kim and Steve = 6th grade and M-Z 8th, 8th to 9th transition

Scott and Becky Jo = 7th graded and A-L 8th grade, 5th to 6th transition

Becky Jo and Steve will jointly conduct the 8th grade SST meetings

10.  We have had students in the staff lounge picking up papers and items in teachers' mailboxes.  Please DO NOT have students go to the staff room to pick up copies or things out of your mailbox.  This is a place for staff.  If you need copies, send them to the office.  No students allowed in the staff lounge work area. Thank you

11.  Wherever your duty spot is in the morning or afternoon please, please, please make sure you are there on time and present.  During these cold mornings, Maria will be down by room 117 to let students in from the buses.  Some parents have been worried that their child has to wait outside for 10-15mins in the cold. Students who get dropped off or walk will wait in the front until the doors open at 8:30.

Something to Ponder

Week two of reflecting on the basics of instruction.  Last week the focus was on "My job is to increase student learning in the most efficient way possible."  This week Belief #2 is focused on "My job is no longer to say smart things.  It is to get other people to say smart things." 

We want students to do the heavy lifting!

Hope you find a gold nugget in Belief #2My job is no longer to say smarts things.  It is to get other people to say smart things.

QUOTE

Dr. Stephen Peters

What am I Listening to?

He is a funny guy!  The Jordan Syatt Mini-Podcasts focus on nutrition, lifting weights, etc. 

 Leader Chat with Jeff Rose  Don't let the title throw you.  Everyone of you is a leader!  Students and staff lead!

The Strong and Lean at Any Age Podcast

I love a good murder mystery!  I listen to books by Joy Ellis.  This is the second in her Fens series.

What's on my night stand?

 

Would love your suggestions on podcasts, audiobooks and books.

Calendar of Events

Friday, January 13th-meet in the library at 1:00, paras stay to meet with Scott and Kim at 2:15

Sunday, January 15th -Happy Birthday Ian McClenney!

Monday, January 16th -Martin Luther King, Jr. observance

Tuesday, January 17th -Math iReady Diagnostic Kick off

Wednesday, January 18th -  Happy Birthday, Maria!!     STEM Club Field Trip

We will continue with the iReady Schedule BUT WE DON'T want you to do iReady on this day.  Use the 'iReady time' to continue on with second period, finish up with discussion, questions from the MLK,Jr video that you shared with students on 1/11.  We want students super focused on the Diagnostic.  This will be the same for the following Wednesday when we are students are taking the Reading Diagnostic