Happy New Year!

Welcome back!  I hope you enjoyed your break and the storm did not adversively effect your Christmas plans!  I made it back from Utah after spending a week with my entire in-law clan with only minor scratches and bruises. :)  There are a few items I need you to note before the FWR comes so please take the time to read these today.  Have a great week!

Jan 5 – Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 – 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Curriculum)
Jan 7 – 1st Semeser Report cards go home
Jan 8 – End of Boxtop Contest

Skills Iowa January Reading/Math Benchmark Test Codes - Attached are your January Skills Iowa benchmark assessment codes. This is the second math benchmark this year. Please talk to me or email Jim if you have any questions. (Jim Lippold:  jlippold@ia-sb.org or 515.229.7115)

Staff Changes (Brenda & Barb) will effect most everyone so thank you in advance for your patience and open communication.  Elaine Carlson will start with us on Monday, January 4th.  She will be working 1-on-1 with a student at IPS in the mornings and be with us from 11:30 to 3:30 pm.  She will be responsible for nutrition duties from 11:30 am until around 2:00 pm. From 2:00 to 3:15 pm, she will be working with Ms. Schafer's and SPED students.  Christie Rea will be helping throughout the day when tests need read. A schedule of upcoming tests should be shared with Melissa in advance so her weekly lesson plans can reflect these tests. Letting her know minutes or hours before the test is not acceptable.  It will also be extremely important for teachers to coordinate the timing of tests so they are given at the same time.  For example, all 5th grade teachers should have their SPED and 504 students (with appropriate accomodations) taking math assessments at 10:45 am. Having one less person available to read tests will make this even more necessary.  This needs to start day one of 2nd semester.  Thank you for your attention to these details!

Gates Data - I need all classroom teachers to email their students Gates scores (NPR & GE) so I can compile grade level progress chart.  Please send it my way as soon as you have them entered (no later than the end of the week!).  Fluency scores are in the office.

 
 

He who laughs, lasts
DB

 

December 18, 2009

Gates Data - I need all classroom teachers to email their students Gates scores (NPR & GE) so I can compile grade level progress chart.  Please send it my way as soon as you have them entered.

Good luck goes to Barb Gilliland as she begins her student teaching 2nd semester within the Essex school district!  She will be back with us in late April.  Until Barb's return, we will be bringing on a combination substitute to cover special education para duties and office/nutrition duties.  At the present time, we do not have this position officially filled.  More information when we return!

Staff Changes - We are close to finalizing how we will cover Brenda's departure.  What is for sure is that Elaine Carlson will be with us for lunch and the afternoon.  She will be be taking over the nutrition duties and work within Ms. Schafer's special education program in the late afternoons.  Please welcome her to Washington Intermediate! 

Good Blog - Ran across the blog, The Blue Skunk, during my three days of "desk, desktop & driveway clearing" (i.e. snow days) and thought it was worth sharing.  Doug Johnson is the Director of Media and Technology in the Mankato Schools and his "Snow Days" blog entry is great.

From Mr. Deter - Reminders for the Holiday Break. Please take your laptops home with you. Also make sure that all electronics—printers, monitors, desktop computers, televisions, etc.—are shut down and unplugged. If you have laptops that will not be going home with you, make sure they are stored in a secure place.

Printer Update from Mrs. Burnison - Bob and I looked at the rubber rollers on the old color printer and think that’s why it won’t catch the paper anymore. We will be using the Lanier for all color.  - Thanks, Jan (aka Printer Queen)

Buildings Will Be Closed - A reminder that all district buildings, including Washington, will be closed over the holiday break (Dec 19 through Jan 3). Staff should not be in the buildings to work in an attempt to minimize energy useage.  Heat controls will be lowered to 50 ̊ throughout the down period and no lights will be use during this period of time. It is the plan to have the controls moved back to normal temps on Sunday, January 3, as it will take 18 to 24 hours to warm up the buildings for school on Monday, January 4. 

Happy Holidays - May the two week break allow you and your family the opportunity to enjoy some laughter and good cheers.  I realy have made several attempts to bring you some witty departing words for the 2009 year, but my creative juices must have been used up a week or so ago...maybe longer?!?  I'll instead refer you to last year's Twas the Night Before Christmas poem and leave the Washington-Creative-King/Queen title to our very own, Mrs. Burnison.  Why try to beat the champion, eh?  (BTW - nice job with the holiday awards! Very creative as always!)

Dates to note...
Jan 4 – Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
Jan 5 – Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 – 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Curriculum)
Jan 7 – 1st Semeser Report cards go home
Jan 8 – End of Boxtop Contest
Jan 11 – School Board meeting (6pm @ Webster)
Jan 13 – 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Curriculum)

Merry Christmas. 
Happy New Years!
Take care and; until next year...

He who laughs, lasts

DB

Thank you to Lisa Mann for sharing the following video with me today.  Worth the time to view it..

A palindrome reads the same backwards as forward. This video reads the exact opposite backwards as forward. Not only does it read the opposite, the meaning is the exact opposite.


This is only a 1 minute, 44 second video and it is brilliant. Make sure you read as well as listen…forward and backward.


This is a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year old. The contest was titled "u @ 50." This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause. So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it.

Changes with Requesting Subs

A. Sub requests made outside of school hours should be made by calling me. Please call 621-6630 first and my home number if you cannot reach me on the cell (623-4878).

B. Sub requests during the school day should be made by notifying Stephanie.

As always, the sooner you notify us for the need of a sub, the better. Thanks.

December 11, 2009

Enlarge Cartoon

Wow!  What a snow storm!  I hope all of you were safe and warm over the three day 'break.'  I'm sure many of you were able to take some amazing pictures like Linnea and many other local residents did and enjoy some extra family or alone time (whichever you needed).  :)  Hopefully this will be our major storm for the winter.   Any bets? 

Keep the Focus! - Coming off three snow days and gearing up for a "one-day Friday" will be challenging.  We know many of our students will welcome the opportunity to come back to school but some may have enjoyed another day at home!  :)  Please keep the focus on student learning and instruction today and next week.  There is still much to be accomplished and I appreciate you keeping students focused on learning and growing.  The same may go for behavior too - please continue to follow the Tiger Behavior plan and do not lower expectations of what is responsible and respectful behavior. 

Holiday Parties are set for Friday, December 18th for both 4th and 5th grade (12:20-1:10 pm). Notes about the party should go home FRIDAY or MONDAY at the latest.   I'll have a lunch schedule to you by Friday.  As of now, we do not have the Mini-Singers scheduled and I'm not sure if the loss of days will help or hinder our attempt to get them over to present to our students. 

Saxon Checklist - I only have a two classrooms left to visit to complete the mid-year Saxon checklist. After I compile the data, I will get the information to the teachers and we will have a short staff meeting to go over it.  I have enjoyed visiting everyone's math block this month.

Student Advisory Projects - Due to the loss of three days this week, we will postpone the food drive until a later date.  I will still work with the November Advisory groups to get the "Holiday Presentation" put together for next Friday.

Communication- Please, please, please...communicate with the office any changes in schedule for your classroom or grade level.  The loss of instructional time this week will throw off the Gates and Fluency assessments - TALK TO EACH OTHER (grade levels & SPED/Title) before making decisions.  At this time (Thursday AM), we do not have a sub for Mr. Maurer on Friday as Fran will be attending a funeral.  Please plan accordingly. 

Mid-Year Assessments - Gates will be completed in the classrooms for ALL students.  Fluency assessment will be completed by Christy Rea and we will only assess students below grade level, new students since fall OR students requested by the classroom teacher.  If you have students who were at grade-level in the fall but you'd like them assessed, see Christy.

4th Grade Program - Linnea will communicate the schedule for practicing next week.  The program begins at 6:00 pm Thursday night at the HS auditorium.  Teachers and students should be there no later than 5:45 pm. 

Parent Advisory – Our 2nd Parent Advisory meeting was cancelled Thursday night.  Our next meeting will be March 4, 2010. 

Qwest Grant of $50,000 - Do you or your team have brilliant ideas on how to better incorporate technology into your classrooms?? The Iowa School Boards Foundation has received $50,000 from the Qwest Foundation to award to Iowa educators proposing innovative classroom uses of technology. There's still plenty of time to submit a one-page proposal! The deadline is Jan. 25, 2010.  Click here for general information about this grant program. They encourage you to think outside the box and to come up with innovative ideas that advance student learning. 21st century skills will be critical to all students' futures. If you have questions, please contact CJ Bloyer at 1-800-795-4272, ext. 246 or e-mail her at cbloyer@ia-sb.org.

Brenda's last day will be Friday, December 18th.  She has taken a position outside the district and although we all wish she would stay with us for the long haul, I understand her decision and wish her the best!  I know each of us have appreciated her extremely professional manner and work ethic during her time at Washington Intermediate.  Remember, Brenda, you'll always be a part of the WIS Family -best of luck to you in your new job!

Dates to note...
Dec 11 – Staff Party!  Come after 5pm at the Barn Door
Dec 15 – Mr. Barry out of district all day
Dec 17 – Fourth Grade Music Program (6 pm @ HS auditorium)
Dec 18 – Classroom parties 12:20-1:10 pm; 2 hr early dismissal (Winter Break begins)
Dec 18 – End 1st semester/2nd quarter
Dec 18 – Susan Noonan's birthday!
Dec 24 – Geoff Maurer's birthday!
Dec 31 – Janelle Erickson's birthday!
Jan 4 – Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
Jan 5 – Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 – 2 hr early dismissal (PCL - Curriculum)
Jan 7 – 1st Semeser Report cards go home

December 4, 2009

Holiday Celebration is set for Friday, December 18th for both 4th and 5th grade. I will tweak the lunch and recess schedule to allow both parties to start at 12:20 pm. Did your team send appropriate communication home with students thisweek regarding the particulars for your grade level? This allows parents enough time to plan in case they need to take time off or provide any needed items.

Saxon Checklist - After today, I will only have a couple classrooms left to visit to complete the mid-year Saxon checklist.  As I have mentioned to a couple teachers, I will compile the data and share it with the entire building.  It has been very interesting and I have seen a lot of improvment in math instruction and student learning since we began using Saxon this fall. 

Student Advisory Projects - November student advisory will be putting together a PowerPoint project with me over the next two weeks.  They will share their final project with the students during lunch on Friday, December 18th.  The December student advisory will do the food drive during the last week.  More information to come.

Next Two Weeks - Please, please, please...communicate with the office any changes in schedule for your classroom or grade level over the next two weeks. With all that is going on before break, it is important to let each other know when and where things are happening. Also, please make every minute count each 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.

Parent Advisory – Our 2nd Parent Advisory meeting will be held on December 10, at 7:00 pm.  As always, teachers are welcome to join us. 
 
Dates to note...
Dec 6 – Melissa Schafer's birthday!
Dec 8 – Janet Duke's birthday!
Dec 9 - 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Building)
Dec 9 - Barry at Homeland Security Training (Oakland all day)
Dec 10 - Parent Advisory (7 pm)
Dec 11 - Staff Party!
Dec 17 - Fourth Grade Music Program (6 pm @ HS auditorium)
Dec 18 - Classroom parties 12:20-1:10 pm; 2 hr early dismissal (Winter Break begins)
Dec 18 - End 1st semester/2nd quarter
Dec 18 – Susan Noonan's birthday!
Dec 24 – Geoff Maurer's birthday!
Dec 31 – Janelle Erickson's birthday!
Jan 4 - Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
Jan 5 - Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 - 2 hr early dismissal (PCL - Curriculum)
Jan 7 - 1st Semeser Report cards go home

Correction

CORRECTION:  Stephanie will change her time at WIS from 7:45 to 4:00 pm (not 4:15 pm) starting Monday, November 30th. 

November 25, 2009 (Wednesday Turkey Report)

The shortened week brings a midweek WTR edition. I hope the four-day weekend allows you and your family the time to be together, share in some laughter and provides you the needed rest to be productive and energetic during our three-week run to Christmas break! As I have mentioned before, you all go the extra mile for kids each day and I know this can be exhausting. Your effort is appreciated and noticed. He who laughs, lasts - DB

Gobble Goodsearch – We received a check this week from Goodsearch for $47.47. Although this is not $1000's of dollars, every little bit helps. Please continue to promote the use of Goodsearch with family and friends and continue to use the websearch yourself!

Holiday Celebration is set for Friday, December 18^th for both 4^th and 5^th grade. I will tweak the lunch and recess schedule to allow both parties to start at 12:20 pm. Please send appropriate communication home with students next week regarding the particulars for your grade level. That will allow parents enough time to plan in case they need to take time off or provide any needed items.

A Schedule "Maize" – Okay, poor Thanksgiving pun, but the changes in hours for Brenda and Stephanie may cause us to feel like we are in a maze for a bit. I appreciate those of you who have already volunteered to step up and help or gave suggestions. Beginning Monday, Brenda will be with us from 11:30 am through 2:30 pm every day. Stephanie will change her time at WIS from 7:45 to 4:00 pm. If you need a substitute, please call Stephanie by 6:45 am that morning! Thank you in advance for adjusting with the changes.

Music Gravy – Ms. Mann has scheduled Yvonne Johnson from Clarinda to come speak with the 5^th graders next week during music class. She's a retired music teacher living in Clarinda and she plays in a recorder consort (This is an ensemble of recorders from soprano to bass). She might be bringing one or two other members of her ensemble with her (also retired music teachers!) and will bring all the different recorders to show and demonstrate for the kids. She will also talk about the history of the instrument. This is "gravy" for our music curriculum and program. I appreciate Ms. Mann "trotting" the extra mile!

Tiger Behavior Plan Results: "Tough Turkeys" – Brenda ran referral numbers for our first five weeks of implementation for our Tiger Behavior Plan and they look great already! I hope the numbers from the last couple weeks indicate students are getting the point that we are all going to be consistent on what is expected and not an indication of a relaxing of expectations. This would be good conversations for your PLC teams during your next meeting. I do tend to believe and observe that we are being consistent but there is always room for improvement. As we discussed, the key in continuing the program's success is consistency and teamwork! The chart is in the lounge, but I have included it below too.

Click Image to Enlarge

Dates to Note…
Nov 26-27 NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Break!
Dec 2 - 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Technology)
Dec 2 - Barry at SAI Mentor Meeting (DSM all day)
Dec 3 – Nita Martinez's birthday!
Dec 6 – Melissa Schafer's birthday!
Dec 8 – Janet Duke's birthday!
Dec 9 - 2 hr early dismissal (PLC - Building)
Dec 9 - Barry at Homeland Security Training (Oakland all day)
Dec 11 - Staff Party!
Dec 17    - Fourth Grade Music Program (6 pm @ HS auditorium)
Dec 18    - Classroom parties 12:20-1:10 pm; 2 hr early dismissal (Winter Break begins)
Dec 18 - End 1st semester/2nd quarter
Dec 18 – Susan Noonan's birthday!
Dec 24 – Geoff Maurer's birthday!
Dec 31 – Janelle Erickson's birthday!
Jan 4 - Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
Jan 5 - Grades due by 4 pm
Jan 6 - 2 hr early dismissal (PCL - Curriculum)
Jan 7 - 1st Semeser Report cards go home

November 20, 2009

Changes in Staff – Monday, Lacey McCormick will start working in Amy Mathisen’s room as we will have a new student beginning next week. With the addition of this student and the impending return of another student, Amy will need “all hands on deck.” Please welcome Lacey to Washington – she will be a great addition to WIS and Amy’s program (on a related note - Lacey graduated from the same high school as I did so we know her educational background is top-notch!!  Go Hawkeyes!)  Secondly, through changes with the high school office staff, Brenda Black will begin a new sharing position between WIS and the HS. She will be with us from 11:30 am through 2:30 pm every day. Stephanie will change her time at WIS from 7:45 to 4:15 pm. What does this mean for all of us? For starters, we will need additional help in the office to start the day and we need to make sure we communicate through Stephanie for morning announcements. I’m sure we will learn as we go, but I know the collaborative nature of our staff will allow us to make this adjustment a successful one for WIS, the HS, Brenda and most importantly, the students and parents! 

PTO Assembly - Will be on Monday, November 23rd, in the gym. We will begin around 9:15 am but will make an announcement when our presenters are here. They will announce trashbag winners and talk to students about the upcoming Box Top contest.

Flip Camcorder - Bob's email this week is a good offer if you're interested in spending grade level PTO dollars.  I've seen the flip cams in action and they are very handy and extremely easy to use. Start by going to DigitalWish.org (which looks a lot like DonorsChoose.org) and go from there. Bob's email:  While at the Technology Conference in Denver, Janelle Erickson & I attended a grant writing workshop. The attached document is from http://www.digitalwish.org/ (requires no writing). They are offering a “buy one, get one free” promotion for Flip Camcorders for use in your classroom. The cost for 2 cameras is $150.00 plus $12.00 shipping. Each teacher is limited to 2 purchases (4 cameras).

Winter Assessment - The teams will need to discuss and let me know what you'll be doing for Winter assessment process. Please let me know what your PLC decides by next Wednesday!

When to test (joint discussion or agreement between 4th and 5th)
a. In the past, we have always tested the first week back in January. Please confirm or let me know if you would like to change to the last week of December. This change in date was brought to me as it was suggested it would allow the teachers to ‘get right back to work’ when we return from Christmas break instead of testing.


Who to test?
a. Test all students using Gates (or SRI…whatever tool you used in the fall to place students into levels).
b. Test all students who were identified as needing additional and needing substantial interventions (and ‘borderline’ kids).
 How will the team report out and share growth?
a. A grade level report was not completed in the fall. There needs to be a grade level report showing students as to where there are now as compared to the fall (% at NSI in fall vs. winter and so on).  I met with the 5th grade team Thursday and we came up with plan - 4th grade see me!


Math assessment – is it needed?
a. Will students be given a mid-year math assessment?
b. How do we know if students are progressing at the level they need to be?


IPI Walkthroughs - We will be doing one more round of Instructional Practices Inventory walkthroughs in December before I share the data with the staff. During these walkthroughs, we are looking for the level of student and teacher engagement with the learning. Some questions will arise from the data and we may discuss: Are students engaged in higher-order thinking skills on a regular basis? Is the teacher engaged in instruction and supporting learning?

Website of the Week - There are likely 1000's of teachers and administrators out there sharing ideas and resources via blogs.  In fact, a search for "education blog" on Delicious.com results in 74,475 links...not sure if this one made the cut or not.  One good one I have found for elemetary teachers is "Teaching Challenges" by an Australian 4th grade teacher.  She does a weekly "Tech Tip Tuesday" article and talks about the ups and downs of teaching little ones.

Click here for Upcoming PLC Dates
Dates to note....
• 11/23/09 PTO assembly in gym – 9:15 (to award trash bag sales winners)
• 11/23/09 Midterm grades due to the office by 4 pm
• 11/25/09 2 hr early dismissal; Midterm grades go home
---Teachers may leave 1 hr after bus departure
• 11/26 & 27  No School – Thanksgiving break
• 12/2 2 hr early dismissal
• 12/9 2 hr early dismissal
• 12/11 WIS Christmas party – 5:00 pm
• 12/14 School Board meeting – 6:00 pm
• 12/17 1st Semester Cutoff for grades
• 12/17 4th grade music program – 6:00 pm – HS Auditorium followed by 3rd grade music program
• 12/18 2 hr early dismissal; End 1st semester/2nd quarter
• 1/4/10 Begin 2nd semester/3rd quarter
• 1/5/10 Grades due to the office by 4 pm
• 1/7/10 1st Semeser Report cards go home

November 13, 2009

Prayers and Positive Thougths Needed - I know that many have heard of a construction accident that occurred earlier today involving a member of the Gene and Nadine Redd family. Their son, Brian, fell from a large two story house in Stanton that he was re-roofing. The fall resulted in injuries that  required him to be taken by helicopter to Omaha. I spoke with Nadine this morning and she said he went through six hours of surgery last night and is still in critical condition. Please keep the entire Redd family in your thoughts and prayers. I told Nadine that if they needed anything from us at Washington, not to hestitate to ask.

Daily Recess Policy - Recent conversations made me realize I have not revisited our board policy regarding recess and appropriate consequence.  Although not necessarily ideal in keeping kids accountable for work and/or discipline, it is the policy we have.  It is extremely important kids get some physical activity during the day.  Some kids have access to before school recess but the bus kids do not.  I've included the post from 2/12/2009:
Please note the following board policy (adopted June 26, 2006) we need to begin following on a regular basis. This may change the way you handle punishment for missing work and may require us to look at other possibilities as a team or building.
 Daily Recess: Elementary schools should provide recess for students that:
* is at least 20 minutes a day;
* is preferably outdoors;
* encourages moderate to vigorous physical activity through the provision of space and equipment; and,
* discourages extended periods (i.e., periods of two or more hours) of inactivity.

Physical Activity and Discipline
Employees should not use physical activity for discipline during the regular school day nor withhold more than 50% of daily recess activities.

PTO Meeting was held at WIS on Tuesday night. Thanks to the WIS teachers in attendance. Many agenda items were covered and Kelly Maynes has created a Red Oak PTO website that will include the minutes at some point. Thanks Kelly!

Student Information System - Along with staff from all buildings, Mark, Stephanie and I listened to three presentations from JMC, Infinite Campus and PowerSchool this week.  The team will be making a decision in the near future about which system to move to this coming summer/fall.  If you have input as to what you want to make sure the next system includes, please see one of us soon!

Website of the Week - http://delicious.com/   Delicious is a Social Bookmarking service, which means you can save all your bookmarks online, share them with other people, and see what other people are bookmarking. The website posts the most popular bookmarks being saved right now across many areas of interest.  Create your own or use one I've created:  http://delicious.com/djbarry98/

Dates to Note...
Nov. 16: Mark on KCSI (6:15 am - The Coffee & Mark show)
Nov. 18: Cutoff for midterm grades
Nov. 19: SAT (3:20 pm in Braymen's rm)
Nov. 20: Mrs. Timmerman's birthday
Nov. 23: PTO Trashbag Assembly (9:15 am); Grades due by 4pm
Nov. 25: Midterms go home; Indv PD & Turkey-break begins at 2:30 pm.

November 6, 2009

Veterans Day - Please plan on doing a Veterans Day activity within your literacy block on November 11th. We received a good DVD regarding Veterans Day - this short DVD can be found in our media center or can be watched on the web at http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/jlhewitt.asp.  A writing activity (writing a Veteran, letter to editor, reflection, etc.) in combination with the video would be great. Other actvities can be found on the web (example from About.com).  This Friday through next Thursday, I will give a Veterans Day quiz question each morning and will announce the answer/explanation the following day.

Technology - A couple tech-items I need each of you to assist us with starting today. :)  First, the question about shutting your computer down each day has come up several times.  This is highly recommended for each staff member.  Unplugging the computers is a bonus but not required.  More tips can be found on the University of Colorado IT website (there you go, Bob - CU gets it right!!)  Not related to saving energy, but related to saving time is forwarding of emails - please refrain from forwarding emails to "All Staff" or your building if it is not directly related to educuation, learning or the school.  I appreciate your attention to these two items. 

Differentiation - From Kelly and Christy doing Rocket Math, to Barb tutoring first thing in the morning, to Jan monitoring high achieving students on the computers, to the teams' willingness to allow students to do independent study if they already know the grade level math content, to many more unnoticed but not minor interventions going on daily - I appreciate the staffs' desire and hard work to do the extra things it takes in an attempt to meet the critical questions #3 & #4:
3. How will we respond when they do not know it?
4. How will we respond when they already know it?

Speaking of Critical Questions - The Iowa Core Curriculum team discussed yesterday how our critical questions easily could (and should!!) apply to behavior expectations of kids.  As you think about our behavior plan and upcoming 4th grade life skills curriculum, ask yourself and reflect upon our critical questions:
1. What do we want our students to learn? (essential, guaranteed & viable expecations)
2. How will we know they are learning? (observation and referral data)
3. How will we respond when they don’t learn? (Timely, directive, systematic intervention)
4. How will we respond when they do learn? (Timely enrichment/extension - leadership opportunities)

Dates to Note:

Nov. 6:  5th grade reading party at the Y, 12:30-3:00
Nov. 9:  Good News items are due to office
Nov. 10:  PTO mtg, 5:30, WIS Braymen's Rm; Board mtg, 6:00, Webster
Nov. 11:  Veterans’ Day - 2 hour early dismissal - PD; 3:00 pm assembly at MS auditorium
Nov. 12:  Young Readers’ Week – HS Unity Council members coming to read to students
* 5th – 9:00-9:30
* 4th – 9:30-10:00
Nov. 18: Cutoff for midterm grades
Nov. 23: Grades due by 4pm
Nov. 25: Midterms go home; Indv PD & Turkey-break begins at 2:30 pm.

“It is of virtually no use to 'teach' a student something he or she already knows.”

- Carol Ann Tomlinson & Kristina Doubet (2006)

Attendance Update

As of today, our weekly attendance is graphed below. The recent run of illnesses have affected our overall average!  Stay healthy!! 

October 30, 2009

Frightening Experience - Although I did not make it around to every ICC team on Wednesday, I did appreciate the converesation I heard in the teams I did visit.  Please bring those conversations back to your PLC teams and know that ICC does not have to be a frightening experience.  We have a great start on it and the 'outside-the-box' ideas, units and activities will only increase.  As mentioned, a great source to start wth is George Lucas' http://www.edutopia.org/.  The core concept tab on the top left side is a good place to start (assessment, project learning, and integrated studies).

Treat!  Building PLC Time! - Our next two early outs will be devoted to building PLC time.  In addition to your regular time looking at formative assessment data, please discuss the curriculum meeting conversations.  Taking time to look through the team discussions before then would be great.  They can be found on the right side of the curriculum blog. Also, watching one or two videos from the Edutopia.com site would be time well spent!

Terrifying Tiger Behavior Plan - Consistency has been the key with our building plan and you have all done your part.  Continue setting the expectation for student behaviors high and using the plan in place.  It is very evident that communication is extremely important, especially with following up on the paper trail.

Scary Times - The budget woes of the state and school district have put us in some scary times.  I do appreciate the proactive ideas and positive discussion you've had with myself and your teams. From using less copying to Gene's idea of removing light bulbs from areas that receive more natural light, everyone is doing their part. The fact that you continue to keep the focus on instruction, content and assessment is amazing.  Keep up the good work and continue to brainstorm ways we can save money and not decrease services to students and staff. 

Upcoming dates to note...

Monday - Ms. Mann's birthday!

Tuesday - Rock-In-Prevention

- 12:30-1:45 pm 4th grade

- 1:45-3:00 pm 5th grade

Wednesday - ICC Meeting (Barry AM); Bldg PLC PM
Thursday - Responsible Homework Party (3:15-5:00 pm in gym)

Friday - 5th grade reading party

Nov 9 - Board Mtg (6pm @ Webster)

Nov 10 - PTO (5:30 pm @ WIS)

Website of the Week
http://www.3dtextmaker.com/
The banner to this post was made on this site. Can be used for your website,
blog, PowerPoint document or any MS document.

Happy Halloween!!

One that you will have to view from home - but well worth it.  :)  Thanks Lonnie!! Funny stuff.

Direct Link Click here

October 23, 2009

Red Ribbon Week - Jeannie will be getting a schedule for next week to you and we will be announcing it to students too.  Please review it prior to next week as there are several suggestions as to what you can do to support the activities during your literacy block.  An assembly will take place on Friday and times will be announced once they are set!

Fire Extinguiser Demo for the 4th graders has been rescheduled for Monday, October 26th.  This will begin after lunch so please do not park on 2nd Street (west side of bldg) after noon on Monday.  It looks to be cool - but no rain.  :)   

Tiger Behavior Plan - Please keep me informed of any concerns with our new building-wide behavior plan.  Positive feedback and success-stories are also welcomed!  I will be including information about the new plan in our November newsletter which will be sent home next week.  The same information can be found on our website now - this includes the forms we are using. 

Curriculum PLC - October 28th will be a curriculum PLC afternoon as we will begin at the middle school auditorium at 2:00 pm.  After a brief presentation by the ICC team, staff will move into your curriculum teams with K-12 teams meeting in the same room/location within the middle school.  More information will be sent out district wide Friday afternoon. 

Writing Activity - During opening, literacy block or journaling, students can pick some of these photos to write about or describe, or they can be used in class with your projector as part of the Picture Word Inductive Model teaching strategy:

Off the wall: The astonishing 3D murals painted on the sides of buildings by a trompe l’oeil artist
20 Awesome 3D Pavement Illusions  (Haven't seen these yet??  Wow...)
The World’s Ugliest Dog Show  (First one is a classic!)
Extreme Ironing: shirt-ironing the hard way
Here’s a TIME Magazine slideshow on wild human-powered flying machines.

Printing - (repeat of email sent Wednesday) A good time to reinforce the message of “If you don’t need it – don’t print it.”  We need to save on paper and ink as much as possible. This would apply to students printing things for ‘research.’ I would like to have students take notes and not print because often many pages are printed for 2-3 facts. Another option is for me to work (or Janelle if she’s available) with classes who are interested in students/teacher learning how to use Read & Write Gold in the labs.

Speaking of Janelle...you should have received an email from her about supporting you with an upcoming unit.  I know a couple of you have contacted her already and I would encourage all of you to do so!  Janelle can offer wonderful technology and research instruction, ideas and support for you and your students. Visiting the Google.docs site she has created can also give you ideas as to what other teachers are covering with their students.  I appreciate Janelle taking this on for our 4th-8th grade students. 

Budget Woes - As mentioned in our short building meeting on Wednesday, please keep the lines of communication open as we go through this budget cut process.  Ideas are always welcome so keep them coming - I will keep you as informed as I am able. 



Thank you! The "Boss's Day" song and potluck were very appreciated. Laughing and eating together is a nice way to end the week!

A Couple Videos Worth Watching...

Governor Culver on the 10% across-the-board-cuts - click here to see the Iowa Press, October 16th Interview.


Arne Duncan on The Colbert Report.  You may need to view this from home as the school's internet may block the video.  :)

October 16, 2009

District Meeting - Mr. Schmidt will be meeting with all staff on Wednesday, October 21st, at 3:30 pm in the high school auditorium.  He will be discussing what he and the school board know and have discussed up to that point in regards to the state wide 10%-across-the-board budget cut.  This meeting is voluntary for support staff and is the only scheduled meeting at this point.  The Department of Education has posted some information about the budget cut on their website. If you have questions, please see me.

Special Board Meeting has been set for Monday, October 19th, at 6:00 pm in the Sue Wagaman Board Room.  The above budget issues will be discussed during this special meeting.  The public is welcome.

Writing Instruction - I have enjoyed seeing what some teachers are doing to incorporate writing within the literacy, science, social studies and even math units.  Through conversation and observation, I do identify this as an area of growth for all classrooms though.  Ask yourselves the questions below to assess where you are with writing expectations as we begin our 2nd quarter Monday.  If you answer 'no' to many of the questions below, think about how you can change your instruction to provide daily exposure to writing and writing instruction.  A good article can be found on the National Writing Project website (and links below can give you ideas!!)
*  Are my students expected to write more than single-sentence responses on a daily basis?
*  Have I provided & instructed students how to use the writing checklist handed out last year? (copies in the office)
*  Do my students write in a daily journal?
*  Do I allow time for self editing, peer editing or teaching editing? 
*  Have I had students "publish" work using the writing checklist and editing strategies (for room, hallway, parents, online)?
*  Have I looked over the Iowa Core Curriculum writing concepts 4th and 5th grade students are expected to understand and apply?  (This would be something everyone needs to do today)

Language Acquisition Team (LAC) - Thank you  to Sonia Kunze, Hayley Perkins (MS), Deb Graber (IPS) and Rhoda Sorensen for attending the LAC training with me this week.  This newly formed committee (we needed another one, right?) will be a district-wide SAT-like team to create awareness of the ELL program and help teachers address ELL questions and concerns.  We learned a lot on Tuesday and have a couple 1/2 day follow-up training dates to assist us with implementation. 

Fall Conferences - The data from this fall's conferences are below.  If you did not have a face-to-face conference with the student's parent(s), please indicate to me how-and-when you'll meet with them.  I appreciate your efforts to get more students involved with conferences and would like to see that increase during the February conferences. (click below to enlarge)

Picture Retakes are scheduled for Tuesday, October 20. These will begin shortly after the school day begins. Please let the office know who you have from your room for retakes. Remember, this also includes students and staff members that were absent or moved into/started in the district after pictures were taken.  If your first picture didn't turn out, you can get retakes too.

Extra PE Schedule - Thank you to Brenda for emailing out the extra PE schedule.  Please note that it may change if we have snow days or other unforeseen events/changes.  The schedule can be found at the bottom of our home page. 

Dates to Note
Friday
- Last day of the quarter!  Lunch Potluck.  Bates gone all day; Barry gone in PM; Ehmke in charge (like she always is anyway!)
Monday
- First day of 2nd quarter; grades due at 4 pm!
- Barry at AEA 14 mtg (9am-1pm); ELO Site Visit mtg (Barry & Bates 3:30-6:00 pm)
- Special Board Mtg (6pm @ Webster)

Tuesday
- Student Information System Mtg (Barry, Ehmke & Haufle; 3:30 pm @ Webster)
Wednesday
- Building PLC (1:30-3:30 pm); District discussion with Mr. Schmidt (3:30 pm @ HS Aud)

Website of the Week

Wonderful web resources, including writing resources and strategies.  Plus, it is organized by age and is nicely color coded for your visual learners.  :) 
http://www.teachersfirst.com/matrix.cfm

October 9th, 2009

Budget Concerns - Through either Mr. Schmidt's email or the news, you've likely heard by now that Governor Chet Culver has announced a 10 percent across-the-board cut to state general fund appropriations effective immediately.  As of this morning, I ask that all non-essential expenditures be put on hold.  After more guidance from the state department and Mr. Schmidt, we will work together to plan appropriate 2009-10 expenditures (building & PTO). As we did last year, additional cost-savings ideas and suggestions are always welcome (things like GoodSearch.com and DonorsChoose.org become even more important to us!).  Although concerning and serious, we must continue to focus on the reason we all gather together each day - the kids.  I have 100% confidence in the staff at Washington Intermediate and believe our building and district can work together to get through these rough financial times.

PTO Trash Bag pick-up is tonight (Friday) and tomorrow morning.  Please check as to what time you signed up and thank you for helping!!

October Observation - Are you on cycle?  Do you have your October observation scheduled?  If not - do so today please.

End of Quarter - Grade cutoff for 1st quarter is Friday, October 16th.  Grades will be due in the office by the end of the day on Monday, October 19th.  Grades will be printed out for teacher review by Wednesday morning and sent home Thursday, October 22nd.  A reminder that any student earning a D or F should have a comment in place on the report card and parents should be contacted early next week to give them a heads-up.   

Science Literacy Grant - The general decision was to not pursue the science-literacy grant.  I fully understand the concern about time commitment and said that the mass majority had to be on board.  I do want to reinforce my position that we need to continue to look for ways to infuse our science and social studies essential concepts (Iowa Core) into our literacy and use technology and student inquiry as necessary instructional tools.  In addition to technology and literacy, Iowa Core Curriculum for Science stresses student inquiry. The depth of understanding required of our students is not possible with lectures, readings, cookbook labs, and plug-and-chug problem solving. Students must be actively investigating: designing experiments, observing, questioning, exploring, making and testing hypotheses, making and comparing predictions, evaluating data, and communicating and defending conclusions. A district's science curriculum cannot align to the Iowa Core Curriculum for Science without including inquiry as a guaranteed and viable, testable component in every science course."

Building Behavior Plan - We will be moving forward with the RtI behavior plan I presented to the staff during the same meeting.  I will work on some common forms and finalize the plan early next week.  I would like to meet with the staff from 1:30-2:00 on Wednesday, October 14th (prior to building PLC meetings) to share my final draft and forms.  If all looks good - presenting it to students the first week of 2nd quarter is my goal.  I have included a design I'd like to share with the kids to go along with the plan - maybe creating some shirts with the logo to be given away as prizes.  For both the plan and the logo/shirt, I'd love feedback!! 

Building PLC - The next two early out days are for building PLC time.  During the October 14th early out, we will have a 1:30-2:00 staff meeting to cover the behavior plan and Mrs. Crouch is having a SPED meeting at 3:00 pm.  October 28th's PLC time will be curriculum centered with a short presentation by the ICC team followed by time for teachers to meet within curriculum teams.  More information to come!

Dates to note next week and beyond...

Tuesday - Language Acquistion Team (ELL) training @ Webster (Barry, Kunze & Sorensen)

Wednesday - Early Out/Building PLC; 1:30 WIS mtg; 3:00 SPED mtg @ HS MC

Thursday - SAT Meeting (Do you have kids data ready???  Talk to Jeannie TODAY)

Friday - End of 1st Quarter

He who laughs, lasts - More important than ever, we sometimes need to find a way to distract us from the stressors that come with educating kids, constantly looking at the data, learning new technology and skills, our budget woes and life in general.  I wanted to thank you for helping me do this during my time at Washington each day.  In addition to my HABD (Having A Bad Day) file I keep in my desk drawer and my friend's blog, I found another way to laugh and this one hangs on my office wall.  I thought I'd share it with you as I hope it helps you smile and laugh.  Hang in there...keep laughing and keep lasting.

Saxon Discussion

Summary of what I heard....please continue the conversation.  :) 

Adaptation Sheets - Are you using the adaptation sheets for written practice?  This has been successfully used with some students in the 4th and 5th grade classrooms.  The question came up: "When do we ween them off the adaptation sheets?"  David's suggestion was to do it after they are ready to do so.  They are there to be used.

Time - Classroom management and effective transitions will help teachers get closer to the 60-minute block we have provided in our schedule.  Keep working and talking - it will get there.  The 30 minute intervention block needs to be devoted to interventions.

Assessment - It was reinforced that an assessment score of below 80% is a red-flag.  Spending the time following the assessment to work with students on those specific skills is key to success down the road.  It is important to use progress monitoring (using the assessments after every 20 lessons or Assessment Center).

Did You Know 4.0

An ongoing project from Scott McLeod.

October 2, 2009

Saxon Discussion - David VanGorp will be here Monday to meet with the grade level teams to talk about progress with Saxon to this point.  A schedule was emailed out this week - 4th grade teachers - please talk to your kids today about where to report Monday morning!  Please have questions ready for David.

Tuesday Meeting - The teacher meeting Tuesday will start at 3:30 pm.  We will begin with the classroom teachers and discuss the Science Writing Heuristic grant.  Around 3:45, we will discuss a proposed building wide behavior plan.  If time permits, we can discuss the online technology training - I do want to ease some anxieties about expectations and time. 

Skills Iowa - Jim Lippold will be back to work with staff on Thursday, October 8th.  He can work with staff to go over/explore reports or any other Skills Iowa or Assessment Center.  The tentative schedule is below. 
8:00–8:30  Barb Gilliland
8:30–9:30  4th Grade
9:30–10:10 5th Grade
10:30 Rhoda?
11:30 Melissa

Grades - With only two weeks in the quarter, please communicate with parents next week if a child is earning a D or F.  If students need to stay after school next Wednesday to get "last minute" work in prior to the end of the quarter, let me know and I will arrange people to work with them.  I would need to know a ballpark figure of number of kids by the end of Monday.   

PTO Trashbag Distribution - If you have not signed up for the trash bag distribution, please do so today. It will be next Friday night and the following Saturday morning - notice the times have been shortened! 

Other Dates to Note...
Friday, Oct 9 - 4th Grade to Andersen
Tues, Oct 13 - Barry, Kunze & Sorensen at Language Acquisition Committee training
Tues, Oct 13 - Barb Gilliland turns 29!
Wed, Oct 14 - Building PLC/Early Out; ICC Meeting 3:45-5:00 pm MS MC
Thurs, Oct 15 - Angela Goldsmith's birthday!
Friday, Oct 16 - End of Quarter
Mon, Oct 19 - Begin 2nd Quarter (wow!)
 

Links of the week...

Our Washington favorite sites!
Want a link added?  Send it to Brenda.

Intervention Central
Great intervention ideas & ready to use downloads

 

He who laughs, lasts
DB

PLC - Oct 7th Information

Individually OR with a team – work on the online Microsoft word course (this course and diagnostic classes that were assigned to you are expected to be done by Jan. 6th) The administrators have several courses to take also so you're not alone!  I scored a 55% on the pretest and have 27 mini-lessons to complete prior to January 6th also.  Please don’t let it overwhelm you – I am looking at it as an opportunity to learn something I obviously don’t know as well as I thought I did. 

Once you complete the Microsoft Word 2007 Level I course, you may work on any of the added courses (see below) or your team may request a course (interactive white boards, etc.).  Talk to me.

-- DB

From Bob Deter on Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The October 7 PD will take place in your own buildings.
1. Online Courses: You may work individually or with a small group on the Microsoft Office Word 2007 Level 1 Prescriptive course. All teachers are expected to complete this course and the post test by January 6, 2010.

2. If you have completed the Microsoft Office Word 2007 Level 1 course, you may choose to work on additional courses. Word Level 2, Excel Levels 1 & 2, PowerPoint Levels 1 & 2, and Working with Internet Explorer 8 have been added.

3. If you choose to complete the online course on your own time, you may:
-- Work on your website
-- Work with Read & Write Gold 9
-- Iowa AEA Online.

4. If interested, at 3:15, Michelle Linn, will host a “How-to Use DonorsChoose.org” at Washington Intermediate. She will provide assistance and time to allow teachers to set up their classroom on the DonorsChoose website. Using this site over the past year, Michelle’s classroom has brought in over $2000 worth of free instructional resources, including an interactive white board that was set up last Friday! Open to any preK-12 staff member – please email Stephanie Ehmke if you will attend so we can provide enough seats and handouts.

5. I will be available in the High School Media Center at 1:30 to assist any individuals still having problems logging or to answer any questions.

** If you are having problems accessing the online training, please contact me PRIOR to October 7.

• Access to the District Technology website and the online training has been changed to make it more convenient for you. You no longer have to go to the secure login to access the site. There is now a button on the right side of the District Technology page, “Teacher Online Professional Development” that will take you to the redoak.simple.com site.

• You can also access the Work Order Form from District Technology site, however, you will be asked to logon to the secure site using your email address and SOCS password (which, in most cases, is your first name unless you changed it)

• If you wish, you may add the http://redoak.simplek12.com site to you favorites.


Bob Deter

September 24, 2009

PTO Trashbags will be distributed October 9-10. This will be from 4-7 P.M. on Friday and 9-11 A.M. on Saturday at the white fair building.  A sign up will be placed in the lounge next week.  Please find a time.  Also, encourage students to turn in any sheets to the office ASAP!

Blood borne pathogens on-line training is due to Kathy this past Monday, September 21. Please forward them to her office at IPS.

REMINDER Data Needed - Sometime next week, please provide me with a breakdown of reading achievement for your classroom or grade level (NSI, NAI, Grade Level and Above Grade Level). I will be compiling a building wide list the following week.  As of today, I only have the list from 4-4. 

Volunteer List is located in the lounge and has additional names added since my last post.  Have you checked it out yet?  If not, do it today and call one parent from the list to help you with something you with one thing you keep saying "I do not have time to do this."  With all those volunteers listed, there is not an excuse.  Let's invite parents into our/their school...especially those willing to do so.  After you call a parent on the list, please initial behind their name so we know who has been called. 

Conference - I will be at an Response to Intervention conference Wednesday late morning through Friday afternoon (Jessica Braymen & Norma Fast also attending).  In my absense, Jeannie Bates is your go-to person and Barb Sims can be called if needed.   

District PD – Having problems getting logged onto the online PD or have not tried it yet?  Talk to me today to get you started.  It is well worth the time and even if you do one 10 minute lesson a couple times a week, that is a good start!  Direct link to the online technology PD is http://redoak.simplek12.com/.  Also, please discuss with your team the 2nd session training and attempt to support each other with your webpage, Read/Write Gold and the AEA Online resources. A good ongoing lunch conversation!



Dates to Note....
Sept 23-25 – Braymen, Fast & Barry attending Response to Intervention Conference

Sept 25 – No School
Sept 28 – Parent Advisory Meeting (7pm - teachers welcome!)
Sept 28 – Homecoming Week Begins! See Gayle's email for dress up days.
Oct 2 – Homecoming Parade (Early out to attend parade)

September 18, 2009

Online PD! – I am attempting to apply some of my learning from Wednesday's technology PD training by doing my FWR via Microsoft 2007's "Blog Post." Using Microsoft Word and linking it to my online blog was pretty easy. <--- IDEA TO ALLOW STUDENTS TO PUBLISH THEIR WORK!! I CAN HELP YOU SET IT UP!!! ---> This would actually be a great way to have students post their writing online without having them even log onto a website!! If this lesson didn't pop up in your learning yet, see me and I can set up your classroom computer to make it work.
(2 minutes later) …okay, I didn't think it would work, so I just checked it out and WOW…it is there (here). This was SOOO easy. Grab me today so I can show you how to do it.

Parent Teacher Conferences – are next week and information was sent out on Wednesday.  See below.  If you have not read the information, please do so now!  One item missing from below is that grades will be printed Friday afternoon so you should be able to pick them up after school on Friday.

District PD – Thank you to all who participated in our district wide PD this past week. The direct link to the online technology PD is http://redoak.simplek12.com/. Also, please discuss with your team the 2nd session training and attempt to support each other with your webpage, Read/Write Gold and the AEA Online resources.  A good ongoing lunch conversation!

Data needed - Sometime next week, please provide me with a breakdown of reading achievement for your classroom or grade level (NSI, NAI, Grade Level and Above Grade Level).  I will be compiling a building wide list the following week.

Dates to Note:
Sept 21 & 24 – Parent/Student-Teacher Conferences
Sept 23-25 – Braymen, Fast & Barry attending Response to Intervention Conference
Sept 25 – No School
Sept 28 – Parent Advisory Meeting (7pm - teachers welcome!)
Sept 28 – Homecoming Week Begins!  More information to come...
Oct 2 – Homecoming Parade (Early out to attend parade)

Weblink of the Week

I think this is the coolest school science curriculum link I've found.  The links are by grade level and concept, plus they include links to supporting resources and videos.  The videos open right up for those of you using your projectors!

Champaign Schools Elementary Science Curriculum 

  

 

September 16, 2009 (Conferences!)

I wanted to get this information to you prior to Friday's Weather Report as it deals with the annual questions about conferences and a few scheduling changes/items to note.  I truly believe Parent/Student/Teacher conferences, when conducted correctly, can play an extremely important role in a student's progress and achievment.  Please take the time to review this information carefully! 

1.  PE Schedule Changes - We had to swap Monday's scheduled PE classes with the early out date for October 2nd to ensure every classroom gets PE at least one time next week.  Please note the changes.  Click on the image below to enlarge.

2.  Specials - As mentioned in a prior FWR, classroom teachers need to work with the special teachers if you are attempting to schedule or make-up a class next week.  Monday and Thursday's only scheduled special is PE. 

3.  Time - I want to make sure we are all on the same page about times that week. Many of you set up conferences outside the times on the calendar to meet the needs of parents. I appreciate this and I'm sure the parents do too. Know that Friday is an 8-hour comp-day so you must be in conferences or be working within the building that week for 8 hours outside the 8am-4pm work day.  Contacting Mr. Deter in advance to see if he's available to work with you on the webpage or beginning to use the online technology PD is a great use of time. 

4. Schedules - I do need your conference schedule and "office hours" (see #3) before you leave this Friday. Emailing them to Stephanie and I would be fine. I have my own children's conferences from 3:00 pm - 4:45 pm on Monday (Sept 21). Also, as mentioned, I will not be in the building on Wednesday afternoon (Sept 23) and Thursday (Sept 24). Please let me know if you need me at a specific conference - otherwise, I will drop in at random.
5.  Students' Involvement - You should begin to explain to students the importance of each child being present at conferences with their parents. The conversation is so much more meaningful when the child is explaining their own progress, triumphs and struggles. There are some AWESOME rubrics and forms located on the Huron Valley website (starting on page 13) to have your students fill out prior to conferences if you want to do student-led conferences. If you want assistance, please see me soon! I'd love to help you set it up for your conferences!  It would be valuable classroom time spent prior to conference week as the goals of student-led conferences are:

♦ To encourage students to accept responsibility for their learning
♦ To teach students to evaluate their academic performance
♦ To engage the parent, the student, and the teacher in honest dialogue
♦ To increase parent participation at conference time

6.  What data does the office need??  Information the office needs from teachers following conferences are:
__________ Number of students in your classroom
__________ Number of conferences held
__________ Number of students who attended conferences
__________ Number of conferences with both parents attending

September 11, 2009

Observations - Teachers on the evaluation cycle schedule your first formal classroom observations this month. I would like for you to have all four scheduled and completed by December. Please think about times now and communicate with me regarding dates and times. Thanks.

Skills Iowa/Assessment Center - I would be happy to help any teacher use the two resources Jim presented to us last week.  We all know the sooner we use new knowledge, the better it sticks.  :)  Let me know how I can help. 

Fall Data - Your team should be in the process of reviewing and analyzing beginning of the year assessment data. Each team should turn in a list of students who fall into the "needing additional" and "needing substantial" interventions for reading. Our fluency list is already posted on our lounge board. This data should be shared with parents during Parent-Teacher conference week.

Saxon Math - I appreciate both teams reporting to me as to how they are grading math this year.  There is a difference between grading practices and I feel it is important we are closer on how grading is done.  A student example may help show the difference (as I understand your grading):

Student scores:  Daily work scores:  50%, 60% 80%, 80%; Power-Up Test 100%; Cum Test 90%
4th grade = 81.3%  B-
5th grade = 90.0%  A-

This example illustrates the difference between grading systems.  Which one is the "right grade" is not the question...more the difference within two grade levels is my concern.   I believe this is something we need to fine tune and that we need to settle upon a common (or more similar) grading system now instead of waiting until the end of the first quarter, semester or year.  I would like to meet with at least one teacher from each grade level after school on Tuesday, September 15th from 3:30-4:00 pm.  Please discuss with your team and let me know who can meet.

Next PLC - is on Wednesday, September 16. We will be meeting at ROHS for a technology focus beginning at 1:45 P.M.in the HS auditorium. A schedule from Bob Deter will be forwarded to you sometime before next Wednesday.   The breakout sessions will involve the following staff members (if your name is not included, let me know or check with your supervising principal)

Webpage – Mark Haufle, Angie Montgomery, Susan Noonan, Karen Subbert, Sonia Kunze & Jeannie Bates
Read Write Gold – Sandra Guinn, Sue Chelsvig, Sue Timmerman, Jessica Braymen, Melissa Schafer, Rhoda Sorensen & Connie Sampers
AEA Online Resources – Sandra Guinn, Michelle Linn

Schedule Tip of the Week - I know you love my schedules....so here's your tip of the week:  When we run a "Monday Schedule" on a full day Wednesday, the Monday lunch schedule and times should be followed too (i.e. order and time!). 

Elementary Book Fair - is the week of September 21 during parent-teacher conferences. An early "thank you" to Jan, Dee and Jane for organizing the book fair.

PTO Meeting - Thank you to Sandra, Mark and Sue for attending this past week's PTO meeting.  Once again, the PTO will be providing dinner for our staff during the Monday or PT conferences!  There was also discussion about other possible fundraisers, but the focus will still be on the fall trashbags and Spring Carnival. 

DonorsChoose.Org - Two items of good news came within the last week:  Michelle's interactive board arrived on Friday and Jessica's students will be receiving a free year's subscription to TIME for Kids from DonorsChoose.org!  Since Michelle started submitting proposals last year, we have received nearly $2500 in classroom resources.  WOW!!  I did mention this site and GoodSearch.com to the PTO on Tuesday.

Stellar Coaching Debut!  Congrats to Angie, her coaching staff and team for a nice opening week of volleyball.  Your hard work this past spring and summer are paying off and we all wish you continued success as the season progresses.

Upcoming PLC Dates to Note...
Sept 16th – Technology
Oct 7th – Building
Oct 14th – Building
Oct 21st – Curriculum/Departmental Meetings


Upcoming Dates to Note....
Monday, Sept 14
- Teacher planning meeting at IPS MC at 3:40 PM
- Board Meeting (6 pm)
Tuesday, Sept 15
- Saxon Grading discussion (3:30-4:00 pm)
Wednesday, Sept 16
- District Technology PD (2-4 pm @ HS Aud)
- Midterm grades due by 4pm
Sept 21 & 24 – Parent/Student-Teacher Conferences
Sept 23-25 – Braymen, Fast & Barry attending Response to Intervention Conference
Sept 25 – No School

I see each of you working harder and smarter each year, month, week and day.  You made the choice to dedicate your lives to our district, our building, each other, our student body, and that first child who walks into your room (or our building) this morning and the last child who leaves your room (or the building) after school today.  Never underestimate the power of dedication, high expectations and team work...I see us becoming more successful with those things each and every day.  Thanks for all you do to make WIS and ROCSD the place to learn, work and laugh. 

He who laughs, lasts.  DB

People begin to become successful the minute they decide to be.
-Harvey Mackay

I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday.
-Unknown Author

September 4, 2009

Saxon - An ongoing conversation about using Saxon (questions, concerns, ideas) is located on an Etherpad.  I am working with David on a return date.  Also, I think there needs to be conversation between teams about grading...Saxon is not setup to use daily work as a large portion of a student's grade.  Think about this:  is the child's math grade a "math" grade or a "responsibility" grade?  Please let me know what your team has decided about this before midterms!

Skills Iowa - Thank you for your attendance and work with Jim during Wednesday's training.  Jim has a short survey (last link on list) he would like you to take - it took me 3 minutes!  Time is a key factor in you using this or not using this resource.  Let me know how I can help you take advantage of this resource - I'll help you anyway I can (i.e. assisting in setting up a 'lab' rotation in your literacy block, etc.).  Skills Tutor has the resources to help individual teachers and teams answer three of our four critical questions:
2. How will we know if each student has learned it? (Skills Tutor pretest & Assessment center formative assessments)
3. How will we respond when some students do not learn it? (Specific Skills Tutor assignments such as the reading example Jim gave us of LL, A, B)
4. How can we extend and enrich the learning for students who have demonstrated proficiency? (Ability to assign middle and high school level assessments & assignments)

PTO Meeting - the first Parent-Teacher Organization meeting will take place at IPS on Tuesday, Sept 8, 5:30 pm.  Show your support and appreciation for our PTO by being present Tuesday if you can. 

YES Mentoring Tailgate Dinner - Please join Brenda, myself and our Youth Experiencing Success Mentoring Program Advisory Board at our tailgate fundraiser on Friday, September 11th (5:30-7:00 pm). 

(Sent Tuesday, Sept 1)

New Faces
Sara White will begin tomorrow in Amy Mathisen’s preschool room as a 1-on-1 para for a child in the morning. Please welcome her to Washington. Fran Pleak will be subbing in Title I through Friday.

Safety Patrol
Notes will be out this week for 5th graders to take home. Brenda and Stephanie will be teaming this duty this year and will let you know what their plan is as soon as Stephanie is back.

Specials Update for September
I will try to update you each month as to the upcoming schedule for specials. When there is a week with a full day Wednesay, we will run the schedule of the day during the week that was affected.  It will make more sense as we do it. “Extra” PE on early-out days for the month of September are as follows. Please drop off and pick up your class as scheduled:

4th Grade is 8:30 to 9:08
5th Grade is 9:12 to 9:50
- Sept 2nd: 4-2 & 5-2
- Sept 16th: 4-3 & 5-4
- Sept 21st: 4-4 & 5-
- Sept 24th: 4-5 & 5-1
- Oct 2nd: 4-2 & 5-2 (repeat cycle)
Full day Wednesdays:
- Sept 9th (Monday schedule)
- Sept 23rd (Friday schedule)
- Sept 30th (Friday schedule)

During any early out, PE is the only scheduled special UNLESS arranged by the specials-teacher (make up, extra practice before program) and mutually agreed upon by the classroom teacher. Communication would be key.

Great site for science related pictures!  Thanks Michelle.

http://life.nbii.gov/dml/home.do

Go Tigers!

Have a great three-day weekend!

He who laughs, lasts

DB

August 28, 2009

Please note the two following posts Fluency and Science Literacy posted this week. 

Media Support - After an administration discussion yesterday, it was decided Janelle Erickson will be supporting Washington and Ann Petersen will be supporting Inman Primary.  This will ease some confusion about who to contact regarding media and media technology support.  During a team meeting in the near future, I would like your team to invite Janelle and I to meet with you to share 4th and 5th grade essential media skills she has established.  FYI - You can still contact Inman or the high school to request resources for above or below grade level students.

Spelling City -  Stephanie has sent two emails with information about Spelling City.  If you have not shown your students this site, please talk to one of your teammates or see me to learn more.  This is a great site for students to practice and review at home as all of our spelling words have been added.  You can click here to see the list or go to the main site, http://www.spellingcity.com/ and...
1. Click on "Find a List"
2. Type in "Washington"
3. Our link is listed as under the teacher name "Red Oak Washington"

Pride and Respect - I am very proud of all your efforts these first two weeks of school.  We have been presented many academic, instructional and behavioral challenges and your collaborative effort in working through the issues and stresses have not gone unnoticed.  I respect your professionalism when working with each other and our students.  May you have a wonderful weekend!! 

Laughing - I read an article this week where a school played funny movies in their staff lounge all day and the school noticed an improved climate.  Although we may not do that, please find things that do make you laugh.  I know the office staff and Jan help me all the time.  I was sent this video about "How not to use power point" and it made me chuckle... 

Upcoming Dates to Note:

Monday

- 4th grade team meeting (3:15 pm in Haufle's rm);

Tuesday

- 5th grade team meeting (9:30 am)

- Boomerang (1:40-2:10)

Wednesday

- PLC (early out) Lippold to meet with teachers

- Teacher Quality/Iowa Core joint meeting (4pm)

Thursday

- School pictures!

Monday, Sept 7

- No School

Fluency Results

The results from this fall’s Fluency testing were emailed out on Wednesday, August 26. A hard copy is located in the lounge on the board. The data is from the students we tested this fall which only included those at the low of “At Grade Level” and below. On those sheets, it is sorted by Words Correctly Read and I have highlighted the following:

Needs Substantial Intervention (NSI) - RED - 4th: 17%; 5th: 9%
Needs Additional Intervention (NAI) - YELLOW - 4th: 21%; 5th:  29%
Grade Level (GL) - WHITE
Above Grade Level (AGL) - BLUE
Students not tested as they ended - GRAY
above grade level last year.

An expectation would be that classroom intervention time is set aside for the students falling into the first two levels with suggested time being:

NSI – twice a week

NAI – once a week

Many of you have your own resources for daily/weekly interventions so please share those!! Just a few additional resources can be found at:

A. http://www.interventioncentral.org/
B. AEA Reading Protocols handbook (located in my office) – Fluency portion packet is available.
C. Invite parents in to read/listen with students once a week is 1 of 5 examples from a Scholastic article.