Friday, January 31, 2014

Staff News Letter
2/3-2/7

I wanted to thank everyone for all of the extra time and effort put into a successful  Curriculum /Multi Cultural Night.  It looked like attendance was fantastic.  I feel that the extra time and effort were worth the interactions we were able to have with our parents and students.  In addition to the wonderful attendance, you each did a fantastic job developing what you shared with your parents.  The PTA did a wonderful job with the multi cultural events in the gym as well.  The number of people that are willing to come into our building and volunteer their time for our school always touches me.

Just a reminder that we will not have faculty meeting this week, but we will have ISTEP training on Wednesday.

For *3-5 grades, I hope you have been able to get your students into the computer lab to practice the new SAGE testing software so students can become familiar with the test format and tools.  If you have not yet had a chance to practice with your students, please schedule time to do so.  The writing portion of the test will begin as early as March.

Looking over the DIBELS test results, we are seeing a great improvement trend with our students.  Solid instruction in the classroom and a wonderful job with reading intervention are making the difference.  Keep up the wonderful work you are doing.

Because I will be gone to a conference for a few days next week, Jennifer will be your contact if you  have disciplinary issues.  Just remember that we have cameras in the school, so I will know if you wear Levis or not while I am gone.  The same thing goes for short shorts, streaking, or visible midriffs.

Thought (Click on Video Link):  Every Kid Needs a Champion

Have a wonderful weekend.   

Friday, January 17, 2014

Staff News
1/12-1/24

I hope you are all excited for the upcoming extended weekend.

I would like to thank all those who have turned in the dates that their grades established for the 2-hour MLK Day make-up.  Please notice on the calendar that Feb. 10th will be the 2-hour make-up that we will do as a school.  I have made arrangements with Fred Rowley to do a Go Math training.  We will then have time to put together math curriculum based on the training.  Mary, Tifani, Carol, and Brandon attended Go Math training for our school this week.  If you have questions about Go Math, please visit with one of those who attended to see if your question was discussed at the training.

I hope you are all integrating Close Reading and that the upper grades are looking at the SAGE practice that was e-mailed out.  Those two items will have a huge impact on how our students learn and their ability to perform well on the Sage.

Thanks for all of the incredible work you do for all of our students.

Thought: “I am enough of a realist to understand that I can’t reach every child, but I am more of an optimist to get up every morning and try.”  (Preston Morgan) Quoted by Steve Sherman 

Have a fantastic LONG weekend.

Friday, January 10, 2014

Staff News
1/13-1/17

I hope everyone had a fantastic first week of the year.  I know how much work it can take to get kids back into the groove again after a long break.

Just a reminder for Curriculum Night Jan. 30th.  It will count toward our MLK Day hours.  The main goal of the night is to share with parents what you are covering in class this year.  It would be a wonderful opportunity to show parents how much progress students have made over the course of the year in their learning content.

Thanks for all you do!

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thought: “You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily.  The secret of your success is found in your daily routine:  John C. Maxwell