Every Moment

If there's one thing I'm consistently reminded of as an educator, is that every moment matters.  Every single moment.

That's why so often you hear the phrases like "teach bell to bell" or "pay attention to the details" or things like that.  We are only given a limited amount of time with each other and it's so important that we take advantage of every moment. Especially when we are a school, with students, who have many gains to make!

This week I challenge you to find ways to take advantage of more "moments", and then celebrate those accomplishments!  Little moments can very quickly add up to big events!

Week at a Glance

Monday - MAP Testing Continues for 3rd-5th

Fire Drill

Literacy Team Meeting - 3:45pm - Library

Tuesday - MAP Testing Continues for 3rd-5th

Lock Down Drill

Book Discussion - Prek/1st/3rd/5th (pg 44-87) - 3:45pm - Library

Wednesday - MAP Testing Concludes for 3rd-5th

See You At the Pole - 7:00am

Science and Math Vertical - 3:30pm (Math in TP Room, Science in Library)

Thursday - Delic on Campus

Girl Scout Presentation - 7:40am - Gym

Community Outreach Meeting - 3:45pm - Library

Girl Scout Presentation - 6pm - Gym

Friday - Nesloney Out at mandatory Region Training

House Games

Kona Ice after Lunch

Progress Reports

Progress Report input closes TONIGHT at 11:59pm.  So please make sure you have grades in as we will start pulling progress reports Monday, to go out Tuesday.

MAP Testing

Thank you EVERYONE for all your hard work with getting our kids Istation, F&P, and MAP tested! Our MAP testing will conclude on Wednesday.

We need all F&P scores placed into Eduphoria by Tuesday morning.

Meetings

We will begin some of our committee meetings this week!  Even if you are not on a particular committee, you can join any of the meetings :-)

Delic on Campus

Delic will be on campus to meet with all teams on Thursday.  Please bring your respective data and be ready to talk kids and what we're doing to meet all needs. Let's keep it all moving in the right direction!

Fire/Lock Down Drill

We will have a Fire Drill Monday and Lock Down on Tuesday. Please review with your students all procedures. If you're confused or not sure please get with Jennifer Short.

Book Discussion

This week our PreK, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade teachers will be meeting to discuss our book, pages 44-87.

Nesloney Out

I will be out on Friday for a mandatory T-TESS training for the new Student Learning Objectives.  I am hoping I will be able to leave the training at lunch to be back in time for House Games.  If not, Kevin Bradford will be our games host! We'll start bringing kids down at 2:00pm since it's our first games, but we'll send specific information out later this week!

Kona Ice

Kona Ice will be back on campus on Friday!  It will happen after your lunch time.

TP Time

This week's TP Time will focus on Lead4Ward and TEKS Resource.

Car Rider (MORNING) Assignments

These assignments are ONLY for those who have TP that morning. Not the entire team.

Monday - 1st Grade

Tuesday - 4th Grade

Wednesday - 1st Grade

Thursday - 4th Grade

Friday

On Friday 5th grade will stay at 7:35am for their Camp Time (due to House Games).  So 5th Grade team will need to serve morning duty that morning.

Blogs/Articles

Rethinking Morning Work

Positively Positive by our own Sue Ambrus

26 Children's Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism, and Resistance

Digital Literacy Trainings for Teachers

In Closing....

Every day we're given a choice.  We can allow our circumstances to define our attitude or we can "leave it in the car" and bring the best to our kiddos.  We have to remember that we were hired to educate these kiddos and bring our best despite things going on in our own lives.  It's tough and often we wish we could take a little break, but that's why it is soooo important to lean on each other in times of need.  TOGETHER we can do this!

The Only One

We know how important our jobs are. We know we show up every day ready to not only educate our kids but also to spend time helping them see the greatness in themselves.  Sometimes though we're hit with the unexpected.  We're hit with things they don't teach you about in college.  Those things that the "outside world" of people who aren't in education don't understand about the work we do.  The "heart" work.

Wednesday I had one of those reminders.  I had one of those heartbreaking moments that so often happens with us educators.

I was doing Kindergarten lunch duty and I had a little girl (who I worked with a lot when she was in PreK) stop me. She said, "Mr. Nesloney, my daddy left a few months ago, and he didn't come back. Do you think he's going to come back to my house? Do you think he wants to see me anymore?"

In that simple moment, I must admit, it took everything in me not to break down on the spot. Just to watch the raw, open, honesty in that little girl's voice. She wasn't crying, she wasn't upset, she just asked so matter-of-fact.

It was a glaring reminder of how important we are in every child's life. Yes it is our job to educate these children and teach them their learning standards at a level of depth and complexity, but the heart of an elementary child is just as important. And how we might be that one person they need to see who won't walk out on them. Who won't leave them. Who won't "not come back".

So I did what any caring adult would do, I gave her a hug and I told her "I bet he loves you very much and you know what? He'd be crazy not to come back and see you, because I am so glad I get to see you every day". And I loved when she looked back at me and said "I'm glad I get to come here every day too".

We have to be love. There's so much hurt already.

Week at a Glance

Monday - F&P Testing Officially Begins

Constitution Ladies (5th Grade only, at their Camp)

Staff Meeting/Book Discussion (pages 24-43) - 3:45-4:45pm

School Board Meeting - 6:30pm

Tuesday - Argueta and Short Out (CPI Training)

Principals Mtg - 9am-12pm

Wednesday - Argueta and Short Out (CPI Training)

MAP Testing Begins (Hopefully!!)

Math Vertical Meeting - 3:30pm - Library

Thursday - Nesloney Out (closing on my home!)

Friday - Nesloney Out (An event in Prosper, TX and Moving!)

PTO Fundraiser Kick Off (Prek-2nd) - 1:30pm - GYM

PTO Fundraiser Kick Off (3rd-5th) - 2:30pm - GYM

Saturday - Staff Goat Yoga

F&P and MAP Testing

Last week we completed all of our K-2 Istation Testing! This week we are working on F&P for 1st-5th and Wednesday (yes, that's the new start date) we'll HOPEFULLY be beginning our MAP Testing.

As always, I am so appreciative of how patient and supportive you guys are to these changes.  There are some things that are just out of our control, yet THIS team keeps rolling with the punches and rocking it out. I know it's stressful, I know it isn't always easy, but I am so thankful you keep it all with a smile on your face.

Their a call with the MAP people on Monday to finalize everything. We'll get everything set up and hopefully be ready to go on Wednesday.  I will update you DAILY with progress.

Book Discussion

Until the last week, this is the only week we'll all be studying Disrupting Thinking together.  Please have pages 24-43 read and be ready to discuss.  This is OUR staff Book Study, so please make the 20 minutes to read these couple of pages.

Argueta and Short Out

Argueta and Short will be out Tuesday and Wednesday at CPI training. If you need anything during the day please reach me on Voxer or get a hold of Jackson or Thomas. I will be out Tuesday from 9am-12pm for a Principals' Meeting as well.

Nesloney Out

I will be out Thursday and Friday! Liz and I are buying a new home and closing and moving those days (as well as I'll be in Prosper briefly for an event). I've had SEVERAL of you ask about us moving, and just so you know we're only moving about 2 miles up the road from where we currently live.  No we aren't planning on leaving Webb and no we aren't pregnant at this time.  haha.  We just needed a bigger space. I will be available via Voxer and Text both of those days so let me know if you need anything.

PTO Fundraiser Kick Off

Our annual PTO Fundraiser kick off is this Friday.  Times are listed above. Please help with crowd control during this time.  Please try to sit with your students, instead of along the wall, to help with management.

Birthdays

Thursday, September 21 - Alex Cowden

TP Time

This week for TP Time we will be using the TEKS Deconstruction Tool (you can find it HERE).  Please remember to come prepared with the TEKS Deconstruction tool completed and a lesson ready to show and discuss.

Morning Duty

When it is your TP time it is important to have assigned staff at duty BY 7:15am. Not "around" 7:15am.  We also need help in the mornings with Car Rider Duty.  So for this week, the following grades in addition to who normally does it (when it's your assigned TP day) will be out on Car rider duty.  You need to open doors, and spread out along the sidewalk. 

Monday - Kinder

Tuesday - 3rd

Wednesday - Kinder

Thursday - 3rd

Friday

On Friday we will need all 3rd-5th Grade teachers helping with morning duty until 7:35am please.  5th Grade will be on car rider duty this morning.

Outdoor Classroom

Please continue finding ways to take your students OUTSIDE to learn and utilizing our outdoor classroom.

Student Forms

Please make sure you have filled out THIS form so the administration can work with you on getting forms back from those families.

Kids Deserve It

Here is this past week's episode with Tom Murray

Blogs/Articles

SeeSaw - The Making Thinking Visible Machine

8 Ambient Sound Websites to Help Students Focus

The Benefits of a Bilingual Brain

Reading for Rewards is NOT The Way To Go

Delayed Gratification (by our very own Cassie Reynolds)

In Closing...

As I started this post with, we all know there is hurting all around us. And in some of our own lives.  We have staff members who are dealing with losing a loved one, another miscarraige, a crumbling marriage, wondering how they're going to pay the bills, losing their only source of transportation, and so much more.  These are actual conversations I've had with members of our staff over the last two weeks.  Life is filled with sorrow, pain, and struggle.  But what it's also filled with is Hope.  And sometimes, I believe, that WE have to be that hope for others around us.  So this week I encourage you to slow down a little and take the time to talk to those around you, and actually listen.  Take time to show a smile, give a huge, or lend out a helping hand.  Everyone has something under the surface.

Week 2!

Well we did it! We made it through our first week of school.  I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to work on this campus with all of you.  It was so evident on our student's faces how happy they were to be back at Webb Elementary after a long summer.

Sometimes when we just begin something, like the start of school, it's easy to focus on the many things that we personally could have done better.  Sometimes in our own heads we amplify our mistakes.  The one thing about education to remember is that you're dealing with people (adults and children) and people are often unpredictable.  As educators we preach every day the importance of an education and learning. So we have to remember ourselves that yes, even us, are learning every day and that we will make many mistakes.

We won't always make the right choice, we won't always handle our frustrations well, maybe we lose some paperwork or forget to take attendance.  Or maybe we didn't make enough copies or unexpectedly arrived late to work.  Mistakes happen, but what we have to to is keep pushing forward, learning, and growing in-spite of our mistakes!

As we enter Week 2, my prayer is that we continue to push ourselves to new heights of educational experiences and relationship building.

Week at a Glance

Monday - TP Time Starts

K-2 Istation Testing Begins (Math and Reading)

Tuesday - Admin out from 9:00-11:30 for Admin Meeting at Central

Disrupting Thinking Book Discussion - 3:45pm

Wednesday - Team Leader Meeting - 7am

Nesloney Out from 1:30-4:00

Writing Vertical Meeting 3:30pm - Library

PTO Meeting - 5:30pm - Library

Parent Title 1 Meeting - 5:30

Thursday - MAP Testing Begins for 3rd-5th

Friday - Grandparents Day at Lunch

International Dot Day Campus Wide Celebrations

Football Game

Kevin Haliburton

First and foremost, HUGE congrats to our music teacher Mr. Kevin Haliburton on the birth of his first child this weekend! Daniel Isaiah Haliburton is here and I know we all can't wait to meet him! Mom and baby are doing great, but Kevin will not be here this whole week.

TP Time

Our Team Planning time starts this week! You can find out what day you're meeting HERE (if you don't already know).  Remember for this week we will be discussing what a TP Time looks like, likes/dislikes, etc.  We will meet in the Team Planning room in the front office and will start immediately following announcements.

Please also remember that you should be serving morning duty on the day of your TP time.  That means cafeteria, car, or gym duty until 7:40am.

K-2 Istation Testing (Universal Screener)

For my K-2 teachers you will start Istation testing this week.  I have made sure that the "Technology" Google Calendar has been shared with you.

You will need to schedule a time on that calendar to take your screeners.  You will need to schedule a time to take the Istation Math Test AND also schedule a time to take the Istation Reading test.

You can use THIS video to show you how to schedule a time on the calendar.

Computer Lab 1 is Dorton's Lab

Computer Lab 2 is the open Lab next to his

iPad Cart is....obviously the iPad cart

Dorton will NOT be using his computer lab for the next two weeks so that there is plenty of computers to do testing.  Dorton's group will be meeting in the Makerspace for the next two weeks.  That is the room right next to the lab (Allison Thomas' old room)

MAP Testing

I spoke with all 3rd-5th Grade teachers on Friday.  Remember, your MAP Testing will begin on Thursday and run through the next week.

You will need to schedule a time on that calendar to take your screeners.  You will need to schedule a time to take the MAP Math Test AND also schedule a time to take the MAP Reading test.

You can use THIS video to show you how to schedule a time on the calendar.

Computer Lab 1 is Dorton's Lab

Computer Lab 2 is the open Lab next to his

iPad Cart is....obviously the iPad cart

MacBook Lab is on a different calendar!!!

Dorton will NOT be using his computer lab for the next two weeks so that there is plenty of computers to do testing.  Dorton's group will be meeting in the Makerspace for the next two weeks.  That is the room right next to the lab (Allison Thomas' old room)

Study Island

All teachers, as soon as study island logins are fixed, remember that Study Island is available for ALL students at any time! So please use it.  If you need help, I can show you (or your team) so tricks and things when it comes to Study Island.

F&P Testing

In a previous email I may have misspoke, but F&P Testing is the week of September 18th.

Sarah has already made all of your copies of your tests for you in the workroom.

You can start earlier, but all tests must be completed by September 22nd.

Ms. Klammer is also available to help with new teachers so please reach out.

Reserving Computers on Calendar

PLEASE remember, as stated every year, you can NOT go onto the calendar and put your name on a certain date and time and have it repeat for the entire year. I've already had to go on there and delete some who have done that.

You can ONLY schedule lab time up to two weeks in advance to share the time with the other 48 teachers.

Disrupting Thinking Book Discussion

For those teachers who received the "Disrupting Thinking" book we will have our first book chat on Tuesday at 3:45pm in the Gym.  All of the book chat dates are on the campus calendar and the info in the calendar post has what pages will need to be read.

For this first meeting we will be discussing pages 1-23.  Please read them and come ready to discuss.

Grandparents Day at Lunch

Friday we will be inviting all Grandparents to come to lunch to have lunch with their grandchildren.

International Dot Day

A favorite day of mine is always International Dot Day!! We will be celebrating that (with the rest of the world) on Friday.  HERE are some great resources.

Peter Reynolds (the author) is a big fan of the work you guys are doing.  He also took the time, if you remember, to make a short video for you that I put in that video I emailed you two weeks ago.

Two years ago I also recorded myself reading the book "The Dot" for kids and staff. So if you need access to that, it is HERE as well.

Let's really go all out with Dot Day this year!!

Outdoor Classroom

We want to remind all teachers that last year we got a great grant and had that Outdoor Classroom built! Please be finding ways to take your class outside and do lessons!  We will be creating a sign up sheet soon, but as of now there is enough space for at least 3 classes so use it!

Student Papers

We have had some changes with these papers as we correct our mistakes. Please remember I shared THIS document with you. We need these forms collected. When you're collecting remember these things...

- Place each paper in a different stack.

- Alphabetize each stack

- Keep the checklist filled out so you know who you're still missing.

- Call to get the forms you need, send extra copies, make home visits.

- Get with admin if after 2 weeks we still don't have forms.

- When all forms from all of your students are collected turn into front office.

Birthdays

September 13 - Nicole McMillian

Blogs/Articles

"And So It Begins..." (By our very own Kevin Bradford)

10 Simple Steps to Make the Most of Every Day

I Was a Racist Teacher and I Didn't Even Know It

5 Creative Ways to Engage Readers with Books

In Closing...

I met a man named Josh Shipp this past summer. I was blown away by his story and spent quite a bit of time talking to him. Then I found his talk and was reminded again of how important every one of us are in someone's life. I hope you take the time to listen to his story. And get your kleenex ready.

Let's Do This!

The beginning of the year is always an exciting time.  It's that moment of freshness.  We've had the summer to recharge a little and it's an opportunity to start again.

I can't wait to see the smiling faces and hear the little voices of laughter and excitement back on our campus.  I have loved working and preparing the last couple of weeks with all of you, but our campus just isn't the same without the kids in it!

Our state has faced some of the worst destruction and devastation in our history and we may have many families and students bringing in additional pains and hurts than they were already carrying.  Let us remember to bring hope, to bring smiles, to bring joy, to bring patience.

I am ready to open our doors and have the kids flood in.  I am ready to see the incredible work each and every one of you are going to do to not only educate our kids academically but also emotionally.  We're gonna keep this train moving forward and we're gonna blow the top off of any and all expectations this year!  Let's do this!

Week at a Glance

Monday - School Holiday

Tuesday - First Day! Arrive by 7am

Staff Meeting - after dismissal

Wednesday - Reading Vertical Meeting - 3:30pm

PTO Meeting - 5:30pm

Friday - Boy Scout Talk and House Welcome - 7:45am

First Week

Don't forget you find our "First Week Reminders" HERE.  We always say the biggest goals on day one are get your kids here, feed them, and get them home! With the students we serve it's so important we start building those strong relationships from day one as well!

Staff Meeting

We will have a very brief staff meeting after dismissal (in the gym) just to debrief from day 1!

Vertical Meeting

Our first vertical meeting will be Wednesday.  It is our Reading Vertical.  If you don't remember what vertical team you're on please see THIS document.  You will need to bring something to write with and be prepared to talk about your Reading Plans for this first couple weeks of school.  We will meet in the Library at 3:30pm.

Team Planning

We will not have Team Planning (PLC) meetings this week.  They will begin next week.  Team Leaders from K-1 need to fill out THIS document with who is on what planning days.

For the first weeks of PLC:

September 11-14 - Discuss what should PLC look like, possible ideas to discuss, likes/dislikes, etc

September 18-21 - TEKS Deconstruction (for an upcoming lesson using THIS form you're familiar with)

September 25-28 - TEKS Resource/Lead4Ward  (how are and how can teachers use these)

October 1-5 -  Rattler Time expectations and setup

PTO Meeting

The first PTO meeting is Wednesday at 5:30pm in the Library. Please encourage kids to tell their families. Our PTO reps, if you could be there that would be great.

PTO dues should have already been paid by now, but if you haven't please turn that into Annie before Wednesday.

Student Papers

There are packets of student papers you either have already given out or will give out. Please remember I shared THIS document with you. We need these forms collected. When you're collecting remember these things...

- Place each paper in a different stack.

- Alphabetize each stack

- Keep the checklist filled out so you know who you're still missing.

- Call to get the forms you need, send extra copies, make home visits.

- Get with admin if after 2 weeks we still don't have forms.

- When all forms from all of your students are collected turn into front office.

Houses

Please note the House Color you're in. That will never change. The other thing that will never change is the color of house that your students are in.

Remember, last year they took on the color of their Homeroom teacher, so this is going to be a change for them. They KEEP the same color as last year.

Also, for our new enrollees, they obviously won't have a house color. So they will adopt the color of their homeroom teacher. So please let the student know that.

If you have any questions please let me know.

Universal Screening, Interventions, and F&P Testing

We will begin Universal Screening on the second week of school (September 11-15th). More info will be coming.

We will begin interventions on September 18th

F&P Testing will be the week of September 18-22nd.  We will make copies like before.

Staff Information

I still have about 10 people who have not filled out the "Staff Information" Google Form.  Please do this today.

Birthdays (since the last blog post and ahead)

August 28 - Gloria Wilkinson

August 28 - Jane Brewer

September 2 - Mariah Robinson

September 3 - Sue Ambrus

September 9 - Shelia Nelms

Kids Deserve It

You can buy a KDI shirt until next Sunday HERE.  All proceeds will be donated to schools affected by Hurricane Harvey.  Here is this past week's episode with Steven Lamkin.

Blogs/Articles

Kahoot! Launches a New Collection of Math Games

Back to School Wisdom from the Creators of Your Favorite Children's Books

What's Your Rush

How to Assign Challenges Instead of Math Homework

In Closing....

As we meet our kids and get to know them, let's remember that often times their only limitations are those that we place on them.  Let's keep our expectations high, our dreams even higher, and our love overflowing.  Our kids are capable of incredible things