Thursday Thriller
September 7, 2023
Photos from the Field
Mirk giving instructions to 6th grade students. His set up is pretty cool when he demonstrates! If you get a chance, check it out!
Nuts-n-Bolts
1. Something for you to be aware of:
Here are two pieces of info that DOH sent to me to pass on. You may already be aware of these.
One is about a product called "Heat not Burn". They look like this:
More info here: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/ The second is about a vape product called a "highlighter" that looks like...you guessed it...a highlighter.  |
We (Lobbyists) are working to arrange a meeting with DOH and PAVe (Parents Against Vaping and e-cigs) and will continue to relay to legislators/policy makers our concerns about student vaping from a health standpoint and for the disruption it causes schools.
PAVe: https://www.
2. Nicole and I will often ask for your feedback. Feedback is important so we can repeat successes, find our blind spots and change up something that was ineffective. For example, we sent out the First Day of School survey to 40 staff members and have received 10 responses even with reminders. Your input matters. Would you settle for 10 out 40 in your classroom?
3. GMS HUB -we will keep adding to it. PLEASE BOOKMARK this especially the electronic referral form.
4. iReady Diagnostic in ELA will begin on Monday in ELA classes. During ADVISORY next week please have students do iREADY MATH BOTH DAYS. Quick reminders: a) Please have Securely up and running, b) Students must use school issued headphones. Do you have enough? c) Walk around and monitor what students are doing. Thank you!
*The week of September 18th we will finished with ELA diagnostic so ELA iReady TUESDAYS and MATH iReady WEDNESDAYS will be in place.
5. September 19th is a Family Information Night focused on Skyward, Google Classroom and High School and Beyond for 8th grade students. The vision is to have Keith Ross run a 20 min session on Securely-showing parents how teachers use it and answer questions they may have and the positives on ChatGpt. A second session will be on Skyward -what do parents need to know? Finally a session on Google Classroom -what to look for as a parent. Fourth session on HSB for parents of 8th grade students. Are these the right topics to present or what are your thoughts? Next month we will have Hidden in Plain Sight which will cover vaping.
It would be great to have the sessions in both English and Spanish. Any takers? You could team up and be green sheeted? Let me know
6. Picture Day on Thursday the 14th. Picture packets will be in your mailbox tomorrow. Please hand them out at the end of SEVENTH PERIOD on MONDAY, Sept. 11th
7. Students behaved today with many guest teachers in the building. Crossing my fingers your classroom reports will tell the same story. THANKYOU for reinforcing your classroom expectations. Definitely paid off today!
8. Meet Jacqueline Ramirez! She is a student at EWU finishing up her degree in Social Work. Jacqueline grew up in WW. She was Pioneer '49 but we still really like her. :D Jacqueline will be here on Thursdays and Fridays doing her internship.
Little Humor
When admin are a little rummy at the end of the day why not eat a Laffy Taffy and read the jokes on the wrapper to each other? "What did one eye say to the other eye? Something stinks between us." 😆
Something to Ponder
Attending PD today what resonated with both Nicole and me was, "sitting with your students while you teach." Sitting eye level and being 'in the trenches with students.' As secondary teachers, we think of managing the room while teaching. While we don't disagree with this statement, it's also important to be at eye level and face-to-face with the kids; Here is a quick article on the benefits of sitting with your students. Maybe give it a go in one class period.
Calendar of Events
Friday, September 8 SEL/PBIS Team meeting @ 7:30 in Kim's office . It's FRI YAY!!! Picture packets in mailboxes. DO NOT SEND HOME..yet. Schedule is coming
Monday, September 11 iReady ELA Diagnostic in ELA classes, Picture Packets go home during 7th period
Tuesday, September 12 Nicole and Kim gone to Ad Council 8:15-10:30, iReady MATH during Advisory
Wednesday, September 13 iReady MATH during Advisory, Wednesday collaboration 2:30-3:45, Cross Country Meet at Fort Walla Walla
Thursday, September 14th Picture day
Friday, September 15th Early Dismissal at 12:25, Staff meet in library from 1:00-2:20
