January 16, 2009

Homework Awards - During this coming Monday's assembly, I will follow up with the students on the importance of getting your classroom work and homework completed. I will explain the following incentives for doing their best: Beginning Tuesday, classroom teachers should keep track of which students are turning their homework in consistently and we will begin rewarding them for being responsible and for caring about their school work. The teacher should check off any student who does not get their homework done on time or misses/losses a classroom assignment. Teachers should turn in their list each Friday after school to the office and we will reward students in several ways. Some of which include an extra recess during Monday assemblies, early lunch & longer noon recess, Ranch Bucks, drawings for Tiger or other t-shirts, etc. If you have additional ideas as how to reward students for being responsible for their work, let me know.

Technology Giveaway - Jill McManis contacted me and wanted me to pass along this exciting opportunity: "Any teacher who received one of the Youth Educational Programs from Modern Woodmen of America can register for the Modern Woodmen of America $10,000 Technology Giveaway. I would love to see our community benefit from this great opportunity for our schools. I spoke with Sandra Guinn and she suggested emailing the link to you and you could forward this on to the other teachers who are using our programs. Click here and then click on the "register online" link and the teachers can fill in their information. It is very simple to do." It is very simple - it took me one minute to complete!

Writing Probes - the writing prompts Michelle explained to you last week need to be completed this coming week (January 19-23). Please allow 30 minutes to complete and if you have questions, ask Michelle or I. The (click here -->) directions can be on the intranet if you lost your sheet.

Upcoming PD - The work you've done the last two weeks with formative assessments, student data, essential outcomes and updating your goals has been great! Next week, all K-5 staff will (re)focus on Literacy, specifically writing. Although we will be doing the same work K-5, you will remain in your respective buildings. We will begin at Washington at 1:30 in Mrs. Timmerman's room so the task for the day can be explained. Starting January 28th, for three consecutive PDs we will be working K-12 again with the focus on formative assessments, interventions and building-wide support for students. This will tie in very well with the work we have already been doing within your PLC and curriculum teams.

Thanks Gene! - A big thank you to Mr. Redd for displaying our American flag in our gym. This was long overdue and it looks great. I appreciate all you've done since you've come on board and I know the staff feels the same way. Keep up the good work!



Coming up…

Jan 16th – Bates gone (conference in D.M.)
Jan 19th – Send home conference letters; Monday Assembly @ 2:55; PLC Time
Jan 21st – Early Out: PD @ WIS (Writing Focus)
Jan 28th – Deadline for parents to return sheets; Early Out: PD @ HS (Formative Assessment)
Jan 29th – Teachers meet at Washington Intermediate @ 3:45 pm; Barry, Montgomery & Linn PWIMing in Des Moines. :)