March 6, 2009

(FYI - I often have items on the blog prior to sending out the email on Friday)

End of 3rd Quarter - Boy...time flies when you're having fun, doesn't it?? The end of the 3rd quarter is Wednesday, March 11th. Grades will be due before you leave on Friday, March 13th. We have a two-hour early out on the 13th and the time will be given to you to complete and submit grades (i.e. no meetings!). We will print grades on Monday, March 23rd and send them home on Wednesday, March 25th.

PLC Time - Teams have been plugging along with your work and it has been fun to watch the growth and collaboration this year! This next week (hopefully), I will begin working on a 'rough draft' schedule for next fall and will need team's input on it when we return from Spring Break. It will take other pieces (IPS, MS & HS shared staff's schedules) to fall in place, but opportunity to collaborate two times a week during the day should be a reality! I have a couple other ideas but will wait until you're rested from Spring Break to show those to you! :)

Spring Carnival - The PTO meeting next Monday night is a planning meeting for the Spring Carnival. I would strongly encourage all staff to be a part of the Spring Carnival in some way or another. Last spring was a huge success and if had not been, our PTO dollars would likely have been half the amount this year. Please put the date (Friday, May 8th) on your calendar and plan to help!

State of Education in Iowa - Iowa Public Radio has some interesting interviews with Department of Education Director Judy Jeffrey; Becky Schmitz, Democratic Senator and chair of the Senate Education Committee; and Mike May, retired teacher and ranking Republican on the House Education Committee. They discuss school consolidation, raising the mandatory attendance age to prevent dropouts, and other education related issues. Definitely worth your time to listen to it after school or at home!

Great Summer Opportunity - Jeannie passed this along, but it is worth repeating. The Belin-Blank Center provides a wonderful summer learning opportunity that is nearly free!! Applications are due March 13 and I would support any teacher interested in this awesome learning experience. All information about the Fellowship program is available online at http://www.education.uiowa.edu/belinblank/professional/belinfellowship/. All applications will be accepted online; each participant must have a school administrator submit a letter of recommendation online. Note that this experience is designed for those with no previous background in gifted education—this is a GREAT way to encourage a colleague in your building to join you in your support for gifted programs!

Remaining PLC Dates - The Teacher Quality Committee finalized our PLC schedule for the remainder of the school year.
March 25 - Building PLC
April 1 - Building PLC
April 15 - Curriculum/SPED
April 24 - Individual Professional Development
April 29 - Curriculum/SPED
May 6 - Building PLC
May 13 - Building PLC
May 20 - End of Year Assessment Analysis & Bldg/District Action Plan Development
May 27 - Individual Professional Development (Last day of school)
Mary 28 - Teachers’ Work Day & Check Out

Observations Nearly Complete - Thank you to many of you who have scheduled your observation! March 13 is the last day to have an observation scheduled and this is your responsibility (Standard 8).

My Absence - At the end of March (26-27), I will be at the national TESOL conference. The opportunity is provided by William Penn University as part of a statewide cohort of administrators and ELL supervisors I have been a part of over the past 2 years. In my absence, Michael Eldridge will be here one full day to provide support as part of his practicum hours.

Please Note Calendar Changes - An email went out on Monday regarding changes to the calendar. Please post those for students and/or make changes on your classroom calendar. We will include changes in a note home to parents.

March
Friday, March 13 – There is a 2 hour early dismissal before Spring Break (Individual Professional Development)

April
Wednesday, April 8 - NO early out (or any day this week as it is ITBS week and we have no school on Friday)
Wednesday, April 22 - NO early out
Friday, April 24 – 2 hour early dismissal for Prom (Individual Professional Development)

May
Tuesday, May 26 - NO early out (due to snow day in December)
Wednesday, May 27 – 2 hour early dismissal, LAST day of school (due to snow day in December)*

Dates to Note
March 9 - Board Meeting (6pm @ Webster);
March 9 - PTO Meeting - Spring Carnival Planning (IPS Media Center @ 7 pm)
March 11 - End of 1st Quarter
March 13 - 2 hr Early out - Indvidual PD Time
March 14 - Spring Break begins