We did it everyone! We made it through our first week together as a team! And not only that, but that was one of our smoothest first weeks every as an overall campus. That is a complete reflection of the hard work you all have put in not only this week but the previous years creating a consistent culture of high expectations and follow through. So, in other words, thank you!
This week is one of those 4 day weeks! I am so excited about this week because I can't wait to be in the midst of your classrooms each day watching the incredible work you'll be doing.
Let's make this the best week of school we've ever had!
Week at a Glance
Monday - No School
Tuesday - PLC Times Begin - 3-5 ELAR
Nesloney at District Principal Meeting - 9am-11:30am
15 Minute Tech Tip - Google Calendar 101 - Library - 3:45pm
Wednesday - K-2 Math PLC
Team Leader Meeting - 7am - TP Room
Nesloney at District Title 1 Principal Meeting - 9am-10am
Thursday - 3-5 Math PLC
Friday - This week only - K-2 ELAR PLC
Nesloney, Short, Argueta & 1-5th Team Leads at Region 6
PLC Times
This week is the beginning of our PLC times. If you don't remember which group you're in, remember the document is in our Documents for All Staff Folder or you can find it HERE. Because of a 4 day week, our Monday PLC group will take place on Friday.
In your Google Classroom you should have seen that Short shared the PLC calendar with you. As noted on the calendar this week we are working on Data Binders. You will need to bring a laptop with you, as binders will be provided by us to have uniformity. We will build these binders together during PLC time.
15 Min Tech Tip
I am going to be doing a "15 Min Tech Tip" each week after school. This is completely optional but will dive into many of the tech tools we use across campus, and some you may just find interesting.
This week I'll be diving into Google Calendar. So if you just want a little more information about how to get the most of your Google Calendar (or even how to use it at all!) Stop by the Library (with your laptop) at 3:45pm on Tuesday.
Team Leader Meeting
There will be a Team Leader Meeting on Wednesday morning at 7:00am in the TP room. If the team leader is unable to attend, it is their responsibility to send someone else from their team in their place.
Friday
On Friday of this week, Nesloney, Short, Argueta and 1st-5th Grade (and SPED) Team Leaders will be at Region 6 for a Campus Improvement Training. As of now, we have all classes covered, but please be ready to be flexible, helpful, and patient that day!
House Meetings
Our first House Meeting of the 2018-2019 school year went great! Though we always have ways we can improve, I think our 5th grade leaders did a FANTASTIC job for their first time doing something like that. I can't wait to see even more of them leading.
One thing to note....when I debriefed with the 5th graders, THEIR biggest complaint was why some teachers weren't helping or some teachers wouldn't join in the game. It hit me hard. And it hurt. It's one thing when we see those things as an adults, but when our kids start asking the same questions, I know we can do better.
I know it helps to have clear expectations from your administrators, so here and now, my expectations are that in every event that we do (regardless of the content) I want teachers actively participating with kids. That means sitting with students, participating in the event, focused on the speaker, and surrounded by students.
One student even made the comment about how they struggled leading because the whole time they were talking, a teacher was talking with a substitute in the back. Let's work together to do better!
Finding an Administrator/Discipline Expectations
This section is incredibly important....so please read carefully....there may be times throughout your day where you need to find an administrator. When looking for an administrator there are things to remember...
1. If you are a PreK-2nd teacher you start by looking for Argueta. If you are a 3rd-4th grade teacher you start by looking for Short. If you are a 5th grade teacher you start by looking for Nesloney.
2. Use voxer to contact administrators when needed. If you're needing an administrator for a particular student, please vox them independently and not in your grade level group.
3. If you cannot find your assigned administrator, your next option is to call the front office. We always have people on hand to help whether that be another administrator, a counselor, front office staff, or a nurse.
4. If you're calling about a discipline concern it needs to be put in skyward. Always.
5. Administrators are called when a child is damaging property, in a fight, or stopping all instruction. Administrators are not called when a child tells you "no", or they're sitting there not doing anything, or they refuse to walk in line correctly. If you are having difficulties reaching a particular child please let us know during your conference or before or after school and we will help you figure out how to reach that child.
DO NOT....
1. DO NOT interrupt a meeting that you see an administrator in to tell them something. Find someone else.
2. DO NOT come down to the office with a child. If you had time to leave your classroom, find coverage, AND bring them down, then you had time to put it in skyward.
3. DO NOT send a child down to the office "to wait for an administrator". We will come get them. If it is an emergency please let us know when you call for us. But please make sure it truly is an emergency because we will come running!
Positive Calls/Letters Homes
It is a great practice to make positive phone calls or letters home. Your goal should be 3 a week. I will be checking in with teams to see how this is going. It always helped me to put it on my calendar or to-do list so I could make sure it was actually happening.
If we want our parents to know we're truly working together then we need to make sure before we're calling home with concerns, we've called home to celebrate something wonderful about their child.
F&P, MAP
Please remember that F&P and MAP testing should have begun. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know!
Math Seeds and Reading Eggs
This year we will again be using Reading Eggs and begin using Math Seeds. More information will be coming.
Arriving Late, Leaving Early, Taking Time Off, and Meetings
Please remember that all Staff Meetings are already on our school calendar (as are many other dates). We have done this for four years now. Because of that, we need you to help make sure that you are not scheduling other events to take place those same days.
When arriving late or leaving early, even if only 5-15 minutes, you need to let me know. Nothing is more upsetting than finding out someone was late for several days (even if only 5 minutes) and I never knew and a team was having to help cover for them.
Being at school on time and every day is not only one of our expectations of you, but also one of the things that affect you on T-TESS.
Remember to get all time-off approved through me and when approved, put in WillSub the reason you will be out in the "administrator notes".
Book Study
Please make sure that you are making time to read something 20 minutes every night. Schedule it if you have to. We want to be asking our kids to read, we must also.
As far as our Book Study book, please make sure you have Chapters 2 and 3 read, with questions/discussion topics written down, to discuss at the September Faculty Meeting. Please come to this meeting prepared. You have several weeks advance notice, so the expectation is that you come with your written down questions/discussion points, and the chapters read.
T-TESS
As the reminder was emailed on Friday, all T-TESS Refresher and Orientation videos should have been completed in T-TESS Cube.
Also, before you can schedule your T-TESS Goal Setting Meeting with your Evaluator, you MUST watch the SMART Goals video in T-TESS Cube as well. We will all be creating really specific SMART goals this year. Yes, even I watched the video and learned some things! Like I've always told you, I'm not going to ask you to do something I also won't do.
Goal Setting meetings have to be completed by September 17th. Don't let time get away from you. Schedule soon with your evaluator.
5 Tips
I loved this image and thought this wasn't just great advice for New Teachers, but for ALL of us!
Tell Your Story
Here is this week's shared episode with Catherine Ybarra. A young woman from California who is finishing up her degree to be a teacher.
Blogs/Articles
In Closing...
Our kids are capable of anything. ANYTHING. Sometimes the greatest barrier standing in their way......is us. We have to continually set high expectations and watch our students rise! Provide them with supports and scaffolding and celebrate every step forward. Every child can achieve. Every child is worth the extra time. If we truly want to succeed and rise as a campus, we have to find a way to reach every child. Together, we can.
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