Conferences – Conferences are scheduled from 4-8 PM on Sept 29 & Oct 2. If you have not given a copy of your schedule to Steph, please do so today as it helps with parent phone calls, etc. I will strongly encourage teachers to encourage students to attend conferences with their parents next week. Although we call it “Parent-Teacher” conferences, the child should be the center of discussion and the child is key in talking about how things are going so far this year. Thank you in advance!
Conference Data to Keep & Report – what needs to be turned in the Monday after conferences:
- Number of students represented during conference week (ex: 19 of 20)
- Number of students present during the conference (ex: 18 of 20)
- Total number of parents (ex: 27 total parents)
- How you will make up conferences missed (ex: Conference set for 10-12 @ 4:00 pm)
District PD – Thank you to all who participated in our district wide PD this past week. I also appreciate the leadership roles taken on by Sonia Kunze, Mark Haufle, Sue Chelsvig and Michelle Linn. I have already read many positive comments about group facilitators!
Fire Prevention Week – Mike Wise (fire department) and Connie Mellott (Kiwanis) have helped me set up our 3rd annual fire extinguisher demonstration day at Washington. The morning of Wednesday, October 1st, Mike will talk to 4th grade students about fire safety and how to use a fire extinguisher. The students will be put out a fire on the west side of the school. To avoid your car getting covered in dust, please do not park on the west side of the school on October 1.
Future PD/PLC Time
Monday, September 29th – NO PLC Time due to P/T Conferences
Oct 6 4th Grade Date to start MATH LAB/INTERVENTION- I would like to meet with the fourth grade team sometime next week. Please check with each other to see when you may all have a ‘break’ during conferences on Monday.
Oct 8 Grade Level/Bldg PLC Team Mtg - common formative assess., analyzing assess., planning instruction based on results
IPI Walkthroughs – The walkthroughs at WIS had to be reschedules but will be completed over the next two weeks. I will hand out the data during our brief staff meeting on October 1st after school.
Coming up...
Fri & Sat – PTO Trash Bag distribution
Mon - Student Advisory lunch; Early Out & P/T conferences
Wed - Fire Extinguisher Demo (AM); Staff Mtg (3:25 pm); Teacher Quality Meeting (4pm Webster)
Thur - Barry, Martinez & Timmerman @ Formative Assessment Conference (Omaha)
- Early Out & P/T conferences
Fri - No School
He who laughs, lasts
DB
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
September 19, 2008
Observations – a friendly reminder to schedule your September observation if you're on cycle this year. There are seven teachers on cycle this year and I have five scheduled observation and one completed for September. This is your responsibility - thank you for taking care of this yesterday.
PLC Work – Next Wednesday’s professional development will be held at the high school. This activity is for all staff members and group assignments/ room locations are in your boxes. Please note that the HS cafeteria will be open from 1:20 – 1:50 pm for refreshments and conversation. Staff members should be in the assigned rooms before 2:00 pm. I believe this will be a great opportunity to collaborate, share and discuss important data, reports, updates and findings with district colleagues.
Y.E.S. Mentoring Program – As mentioned in an all-staff email, Brenda Black has taken on the roll of ¼-time coordinator for the mentoring program. The Advisory Board will be hosting an open house for her and her family next Tuesday at 7:00 pm at Washington. Please join us if you can!!
Future PD/PLC Time
Monday, September 22nd
- 4th grade working on formative assessment and analysis; math intervention/lab planning (completion Sept 30th)
- 5th grade finalizing 1st quarter math outcomes; formative assessment work
Sept 24
District Overview & Small Group Discussions All district staff will meet at the high school at 2:00 pm. (AYP; APR; past, present, future; student learning & achievement; PLC progress, etc.)
Monday, September 29th
NO PLC Time due to P/T Conferences
Oct 6
4th Grade Date to start MATH LAB/INTERVENTION
Oct 8
Grade Level/Bldg PLC Team Mtg - common formative assess., analyzing assess., planning instruction based on results
IPI Walkthroughs - Will be completed over the next two weeks. We hope Mrs. Sims, and Mrs. Spangenberg will be joining us. The data from last year will be in your mailboxes soon!
Coming up...
Mon – 2:55 pm Assembly; PLC Team Time to 3:30 pm; Conference planning at IPS (3:45 pm)
- Board Mtg (6 pm @ Webster)
Tues – After School Math (Behrens Family Sponsor); Linn, Montgomery, Barry PWIM ICN (4 pm)
- YES Advisory Board Mtg (6:30 pm); YES Open House for Brenda (Open to all 7 pm @ WIS)
Wed – Early Out PD; 403b mtg following at HS
Fri & Sat – PTO Trash Bag distribution
Sept 29 & Oct 4 – Early Out and conferences!
He who laughs, lasts
DB
PLC Work – Next Wednesday’s professional development will be held at the high school. This activity is for all staff members and group assignments/ room locations are in your boxes. Please note that the HS cafeteria will be open from 1:20 – 1:50 pm for refreshments and conversation. Staff members should be in the assigned rooms before 2:00 pm. I believe this will be a great opportunity to collaborate, share and discuss important data, reports, updates and findings with district colleagues.
Y.E.S. Mentoring Program – As mentioned in an all-staff email, Brenda Black has taken on the roll of ¼-time coordinator for the mentoring program. The Advisory Board will be hosting an open house for her and her family next Tuesday at 7:00 pm at Washington. Please join us if you can!!
Future PD/PLC Time
Monday, September 22nd
- 4th grade working on formative assessment and analysis; math intervention/lab planning (completion Sept 30th)
- 5th grade finalizing 1st quarter math outcomes; formative assessment work
Sept 24
District Overview & Small Group Discussions All district staff will meet at the high school at 2:00 pm. (AYP; APR; past, present, future; student learning & achievement; PLC progress, etc.)
Monday, September 29th
NO PLC Time due to P/T Conferences
Oct 6
4th Grade Date to start MATH LAB/INTERVENTION
Oct 8
Grade Level/Bldg PLC Team Mtg - common formative assess., analyzing assess., planning instruction based on results
IPI Walkthroughs - Will be completed over the next two weeks. We hope Mrs. Sims, and Mrs. Spangenberg will be joining us. The data from last year will be in your mailboxes soon!
Coming up...
Mon – 2:55 pm Assembly; PLC Team Time to 3:30 pm; Conference planning at IPS (3:45 pm)
- Board Mtg (6 pm @ Webster)
Tues – After School Math (Behrens Family Sponsor); Linn, Montgomery, Barry PWIM ICN (4 pm)
- YES Advisory Board Mtg (6:30 pm); YES Open House for Brenda (Open to all 7 pm @ WIS)
Wed – Early Out PD; 403b mtg following at HS
Fri & Sat – PTO Trash Bag distribution
Sept 29 & Oct 4 – Early Out and conferences!
He who laughs, lasts
DB
Friday, September 12, 2008
September 12, 2008
Gates & Fluency – Use next Monday's PLC time to complete your grade level data, plans for interventions and analysis sheet. I will meet with Mark and Michelle sometime today to help make sure teams have what they need for next week.
Homecoming Week – Notes went home yesterday, please remind the students today and each day next week what is coming the next day. Please join in on the fun and dress up along with the kids! Questions were asked about what kids should be allowed and not allowed to wear. This is not an all inclusive list so please use your best judgment.
Items not allowed would include:
- painting their entire face
- bringing paint or colored hair spray to school
- drawing on their arms, legs and face while at school (it happened!)
- hats that are not part of a costume
- clothes that would not be appropriate (slogans, not covering body, etc.)
Items that are allowed
- hair colored if it is done before they arrive at school
- hats that go with a costume/dress up
- tattoos on their face or painted tiger paw/RO
Observations – a friendly reminder to schedule your September observation if you're on cycle this year. There are seven teachers on cycle this year and I have one scheduled observation for September. This is your responsibility - thank you for taking care of this today.
PLC Work – Geri Pascle presented information about PLC to the school board on Monday and each building principal gave an update on the work completed and what is yet to come. I shared with each team on Wednesday how proud I am of your work and believe that we are and will make a difference in student learning and achievement this year. I also want to thank the para educators for their diligent work with correcting and entering the data of the math pre-tests. This will be a powerful tool in assessing student learning and ensuring students receive the individualized education they deserve.
IPI Walkthroughs - Will be completed over the next two weeks. We hope Mrs. Sims, Mr. Sherman and Mrs. Spangenberg will be joining us. I have data from last year to share with staff too. Look for it in your mailboxes!
Coming up...
Mon – 2:55 pm Assembly; PLC Team Time
Tues – PWIM mtg after school (Linn, Montgomery, Barry)
Fri – Pep Rally (8:40 am - west of school); Early Out (1:10 pm) and Parade (2:00 pm)
Homecoming Week – Notes went home yesterday, please remind the students today and each day next week what is coming the next day. Please join in on the fun and dress up along with the kids! Questions were asked about what kids should be allowed and not allowed to wear. This is not an all inclusive list so please use your best judgment.
Items not allowed would include:
- painting their entire face
- bringing paint or colored hair spray to school
- drawing on their arms, legs and face while at school (it happened!)
- hats that are not part of a costume
- clothes that would not be appropriate (slogans, not covering body, etc.)
Items that are allowed
- hair colored if it is done before they arrive at school
- hats that go with a costume/dress up
- tattoos on their face or painted tiger paw/RO
Observations – a friendly reminder to schedule your September observation if you're on cycle this year. There are seven teachers on cycle this year and I have one scheduled observation for September. This is your responsibility - thank you for taking care of this today.
PLC Work – Geri Pascle presented information about PLC to the school board on Monday and each building principal gave an update on the work completed and what is yet to come. I shared with each team on Wednesday how proud I am of your work and believe that we are and will make a difference in student learning and achievement this year. I also want to thank the para educators for their diligent work with correcting and entering the data of the math pre-tests. This will be a powerful tool in assessing student learning and ensuring students receive the individualized education they deserve.
IPI Walkthroughs - Will be completed over the next two weeks. We hope Mrs. Sims, Mr. Sherman and Mrs. Spangenberg will be joining us. I have data from last year to share with staff too. Look for it in your mailboxes!
Coming up...
Mon – 2:55 pm Assembly; PLC Team Time
Tues – PWIM mtg after school (Linn, Montgomery, Barry)
Fri – Pep Rally (8:40 am - west of school); Early Out (1:10 pm) and Parade (2:00 pm)
He who laughs, lasts
DB
GO CYCLONES!!!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
September 5, 2008
Interesting Research – Washington School Research Center interviewed teachers and administrators at elementary schools in which the percentage of students meeting state standards was significantly above the state average. They found four "primary factors": a caring and collaborative environment, strong leadership, focused, intentional instruction, and the use of assessment data to guide instruction. In addition, the researchers were struck by the high degree of teacher support for reform efforts, despite the shift in teaching practice that was required. Significantly, these patterns were the same for high-poverty and low-poverty schools.
Caring and collaborative environment – I feel that caring for students and each other is our strength. As for collaboration, time built into a schedule does not equal collaboration – but we were working toward a professional learning community prior to this year. Now, with the focus on collaboration to improve student learning, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Strong leadership – We have very strong leaders among our staff who lead by example and are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work. With the tough road ahead, we will surely need leadership in many areas and I am asking each of you to step in and assist with the tasks we have ahead.
Focused, intentional instruction – Teachers teaching agreed upon essential knowledge and skills that are aligned with our curriculum with the focus always on student learning. Our work through PLC teams will get us closer to this focused, intentional instruction for all students.
Use of assessment data to guide instruction – We do a good job of testing kids and analyzing the data. The next step is a collaborative effort to use ongoing formative assessments to know what the students know and don't know and then understand what to do about it.
General Education Interventions (GEI) – The AEA will be hosting a GEI workshop on Thursday, Sept 11th. Our AEA contact, Brook Lamp, Jeannie and Jessica will be attending the training and brining the information back to us. This is a good time to remind teachers to work with your team to identify appropriate interventions, discuss student concerns and begin documentation on students you may bring to the SAT. If you do not know how to get started, you’re not alone! Work with your team, Brooke, Jeannie, Lorie, Connie and/or Cathy to make sure you’re on the right path. This is not another hoop to jump through – it is good teaching. SAT is not a path to special education or testing – it is another learning team to assist students who are struggling with learning.
Gates & Fluency – should be complete. Make sure to get your information onto the data sheets on the intranet. If you have questions, please see one of your teammates for help. Use one of your Monday PLC days during September to analyze the data as a team.
Humor in the Hallways…
“Is it just me, or do our ‘short’ weeks always seem to feel like our ‘longest’ weeks?”
Heard by me in the hallway this week. J
Caring and collaborative environment – I feel that caring for students and each other is our strength. As for collaboration, time built into a schedule does not equal collaboration – but we were working toward a professional learning community prior to this year. Now, with the focus on collaboration to improve student learning, there is no limit to what we can accomplish.
Strong leadership – We have very strong leaders among our staff who lead by example and are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work. With the tough road ahead, we will surely need leadership in many areas and I am asking each of you to step in and assist with the tasks we have ahead.
Focused, intentional instruction – Teachers teaching agreed upon essential knowledge and skills that are aligned with our curriculum with the focus always on student learning. Our work through PLC teams will get us closer to this focused, intentional instruction for all students.
Use of assessment data to guide instruction – We do a good job of testing kids and analyzing the data. The next step is a collaborative effort to use ongoing formative assessments to know what the students know and don't know and then understand what to do about it.
General Education Interventions (GEI) – The AEA will be hosting a GEI workshop on Thursday, Sept 11th. Our AEA contact, Brook Lamp, Jeannie and Jessica will be attending the training and brining the information back to us. This is a good time to remind teachers to work with your team to identify appropriate interventions, discuss student concerns and begin documentation on students you may bring to the SAT. If you do not know how to get started, you’re not alone! Work with your team, Brooke, Jeannie, Lorie, Connie and/or Cathy to make sure you’re on the right path. This is not another hoop to jump through – it is good teaching. SAT is not a path to special education or testing – it is another learning team to assist students who are struggling with learning.
Gates & Fluency – should be complete. Make sure to get your information onto the data sheets on the intranet. If you have questions, please see one of your teammates for help. Use one of your Monday PLC days during September to analyze the data as a team.
Humor in the Hallways…
“Is it just me, or do our ‘short’ weeks always seem to feel like our ‘longest’ weeks?”
Heard by me in the hallway this week. J
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