Thursday, November 21, 2013

Staff News
11/25-11/26

I hope you are prepared for the sacrifice of only having school for two days this upcoming week.  I appreciate your support of the “pie in the Principal’s face” activity.  Congratulations to Mrs. Stokes’ and Sauceda/Perez's classes for having the highest percent on reading calendar minutes and supplying students to do the pie in the face.  I look forward to taking one for the team.

I appreciate the trainings we have had on Close Reading.  I hope you are working it into your lesson schedule.  We will be doing a follow-up training Dec. 11th.  Mrs. Stokes will be conducting this training based on a training she attended this month.  If you would all please add the date to your schedule.

With Thanksgiving, I thought you might like this link.
Thought: 

Have a fantastic weekend.



Friday, November 15, 2013


Staff News
11/18/13-11/22/13

I need to thank everyone for participating in the learning walks earlier this month.  I hope it was a good experience to see the ISTEP standards, as well as, to pick up a few good ideas from other teachers.  We will be organizing another learning walk for Nov. 25th.

Please make a note that we have an assembly this Friday because of Thanksgiving break.

After School Math Tutoring – Please encourage students who need help with math to attend the after school math tutoring in the library M, T, TH, F from 3:30-4:00.  If you have specific information that might be helpful to cover with your students during that time, please make contact with Mr. Jenkins.

Thanks for all you do.  When I need an attitude lift, all I have to do is spend a little time in your classrooms to see how awesome you all are to boost my attitude.  Thank you!


Thought:  “You can leave a lasting legacy only if you can imagine a brighter future, and the capacity to imagine exciting future possibilities is the defining competence of leaders.”  James Kouzes and Barry Posner      

Have a fantastic weekend!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Staff News
11/11-11/15/13

I hope this has been a fantastic week for each of you.  I appreciate your participation in faculty meeting and ISTEP training this week.  I am hoping that you have taken a little time to reflect on the video we watched and the importance of always going back to the “why” we do things.  It seems to create a much deeper meaning for doing what we do.  The same video is in your iBook under the updated training link if you would like to watch it again.

Keep up the good work you already do.  I know how challenging change can be sometimes as it tests our ability to adapt.  You are all doing such wonderful things.  I appreciate those who have been willing to step out of their comfort zone and try new things.  I am working to do the same.  I am grateful to those who have taken on our new challenges with vigor and upbeat attitudes.

Thought: “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”   Charles R. Swindoll

Have an incredible weekend!

Friday, November 1, 2013

Staff News
11/4-11/8

I hope everyone survived Halloween this year.  I appreciate Mrs. Orton, Mrs. Jones, and Mrs. Matheson taking care of the Halloween Sing.  All of the students seemed to enjoy the sing and I think it will become a fond memory for them.

Teacher Learning Walks – I appreciate those who have been willing to be the first victims for our observations Monday.  Prior to the observations, each group will need to meet with me for a few minutes in the faculty room to discuss what we will look for and the procedures for the observations and how to provide feedback.  Each of you should have a schedule.  SPED teachers will join one of the groups during the day at a time that best meets their schedule.

I hope that several of you are taking advantage of Julie Smith for a Native American presentation.  She is a wonderful resource for us.

MTSS – We are looking to extend our current MTSS process from just working on placing students in reading intervention groups to include discussions of students who are struggling in all other areas as well.  The groups will consist of the Grade Level, Principal, SPED, Counselor, and Reading Specialist.  The hope is that it will help us in identifying students who may need SPED services, behavioral interventions, or advanced curriculum…  I hope that it will allow more support for your classroom needs. 

Thanks for all you do!
Don’t forget Daylight Savings time change!
Thought: “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.”  E. E. Cummings 

Have a fantastic weekend.