December 12th, 2008

Thank you to everyone involved in setting up our Christmas Party!

Once again, it was much fun and nice to share some laughs and cheers.

Thank you for the Tiger clock and gift certifcate! Appreciated much!

Next Week - Please, please, please...communicate with the office any changes in schedule for your classroom or grade level next week. With all that is going on before break, it is important to let each other know when and where things are happening. At this point, due to semester tests, the minisingers will not be coming. Mr. Gilbert and I will continue to work out something as we know our kids (and staff) love having them perform at Washington! Finally, please make every minute count next week - there are lots of ways to tie in the holiday season into reading and math so make sure activities (outside of the parties themselves!) are curriculum and outcome driven.

Essential Outcomes – Teams should review their math essential outcomes for 1st and 2nd quarter and update/review your reading essential outcomes before Christmas break. Please have one team member email those to me prior to break.

2nd Semester PLC – During today's administration meeting, we hope to finalize the schedule for 2nd semester's early outs/PLC time. I appreciate the feedback I received from some teachers and would continue to be open to input as we move through the 2nd semester. PLCs should drive our work and just as it was 1st semester, the schedule is flexible in order to meet student learning needs.

1st Semester Wrap-up – I want to thank you for your hard work this 1st semester. We accomplished much and I am already seeing your hard work during PLC and curriculum time pay off. As I told the parents last night, I truly believe we will see positive results come spring.

Parent Advisory – Our 2nd Parent Advisory meeting was held last night. We had four parents in attendance. Small in numbers compared to the first meeting but we had some good discussion, especially about our math initiatives and textbook adoption process. I have posted a link on our website for parents and staff to access minutes of the meetings (located under Parent Resources). Last nights minutes are not posted yet, but will be soon.

One More Week - These past two days have been somewhat trying in the "behavior" and "on-task" department (students...not teachers, I hope!). Thank you for your continued patience with our students but your consistency with our beliefs at Washington! Your continued high expectations of students all the way through the end of this coming week are important and I thank you in advance. As I wrote last week, I appreciate your dedication and determination in dealing with inappropriate behaviors and comments from students uneasy about the approaching holidays. May the break give you time to count your blessings, share time with family and relax.

Coming up…
December

15 - Monday Assembly 2:45 pm (PTO Assembly first!), PLC Time; Regular Board Mtg, 6 pm
- Mr. Barry will be in Bedford CSD from 8am-2pm

16 - ICC Meeting (All day) – Barry attending with RO Team
- Rescheduled PWIM ICN Session 4:00-5:00 PM (Linn, Montgomery & Barry)

18 - 7th Grade Caroling at WIS, 2 PM (tentative)
- Washington Intermediate Christmas Parties (PM); SAT Meeting @ 3:15 pm

19 - Wow! Two week Christmas break begins at 1:10 for students and 2:30 pm for staff!
- Mrs. Montgomery delivers her sweet baby boy after school is out.
- (just checking if you're reading this far)

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.

In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas
He who laughs, lasts – DB