Sunrise

It's that time! Time for a brand new year (2019) and the start to our second semester! I hope you all had a wonderful (and restful) Winter Break! I know I did and I am ready to tackle what is to come this semester.

Over the break I spent a lot of time renewing my passion for education and reflecting on where I believe God has placed me at this time. I am so thankful to wake up every day and come to Webb to serve alongside each and every one of you. I know I'm far from perfect, but if there are two things I hope to live by example and actions, it's that 1) I try and make every decision based on what's best for kids and 2) I hope to remind each of you how I truly do care about each of you. Though we may not agree all the time, we may find ourselves overwhelmed/under appreciated/unnoticed/exhausted at other times, I want you to know how much each of you mean to me. And I am making it a point, more than ever before, to make sure I show you more than just tell you.

Also, every year online I see all this hoopla over determining what your "one word" will be for the year.  That one word that you're going to focus on to help you maintain focus and keep your eye on the prize.  For me, resolutions have always been a mixed bag.  Why? Because I often see my own resolutions fall by the wayside before January is even over.  So, I tend to like picking a one word.  Picking a word that I can post around my common spaces that will help me as I grow into the person I want to become.

This year I selected the word "sunrise".  I chose this word because of what I think of when I think of a sunrise.  I think of a new day and the promise of a second chance. I think of beauty and focusing on what's right in front of me in a particular moment.  I think of second chances and hope. I think of the emotions you feel when you see a beautiful sunrise. I think of the possibilities that lie before me. When I think of a sunrise, I can't help but smile and be filled with hope.

So this year, my "one word" is sunrise.  What's your one word for this year? I'd love to know, come share with me!

Week at a Glance

Sunday - Grades due by Midnight

Monday - Your day!

Tuesday - F&P MOY Testing Begins

Staff Work Out - 4:30pm - Gym

Wednesday - PreK MOY CLI Testing Begins

Calendar Planning Meeting - 4:30pm - NISD Board Room

Thursday - Staff Prayer Time - 7am - TP Room

Friday - End of MOY MAP Testing Window

Grades Due

Please make sure you have all grades in by Midnight on Sunday so we can print Report Cards on Monday and make sure they all print correctly.

Monday

This is your day! Please make it a point to meet as a team at some point to discuss this upcoming week/month/semester.  Please make every use of your time!

Teachers, if you would like for copies to made for you tomorrow, please leave them up front with Ms. Johnson by 10am. She will not be the on making the copies, that's just where you're leaving them, so leave directions with them please.

All IAs, your work hours are 8am-4pm.  IAs, your job assignments for Monday have been emailed to you.

3rd-5th Grade Girls Bathroom

HUGE thank you to Lissette, Jocelyn White (and husband), and Cassie Reynolds for their help on the 3rd-5th Grade Girls Bathroom! About 2 months ago, I met with a group of 5 fifth grade girls.  They came up with a color scheme, design, and a few additions they wanted for their bathroom.  So over the Christmas break they got their wish!  The stalls are still a work in progress, but the paint job and additional items have been put up.  This is only step in on a re-design of the bathrooms.  We hope if designed by students, and then those students meeting with the other kids about why the designs are they way they are, they'll take better care of them!

A group of 5th grade boys are working with a local artist to re-design the 3rd-5th boys bathroom.  That'll be coming soon, once they're done drawing out their design.

IAs

If you leave campus at any time we will have a sign out sheet up front.  Please make sure you notify the office when you leave.

Please also remember to clock in and out on time.

If there ever is a day with a unique schedule, or when you do not have students like you normally do, you are always to report to the front office with your duties for the day.

Please ensure that you are not on your phone except during lunch time.

T-TESS & T-TESS Cube

Please make sure you've gotten with your evaluator to schedule your T-TESS. Thank you to those who've already gotten this done! WOO HOO!

Please make sure you're using T-TESS Cube to grow your learning.

Childhood Photos

I would like to do a competition for students (and staff) in February. If you have a childhood photo of yourself that you could email me by January 25th, I would greatly appreciate it!!

Staff Work Out

We will be starting a Staff Workout every Tuesday at 4:30pm in the Gym if you would like to join. We'll have a video that we'll be working out weekly to.

Staff Prayer Time

We will be continuing our Staff Prayer Time every Thursday at 7am in the TP Room.

PLCs this Week

This week PLCs will be different.  Beth Klammer will be coming to work with all ELAR teachers on F&P Testing to ensure that we're all aligned on the same page about how to do F&P testing to ensure the most accurate results.

That means that 2nd-5th Math/Sci teachers will NOT have PLC this week.

Tuesday - All Kinder and 1st Teachers (Kinder Car Duty, 1st Gym/Cafeteria Door)

Wednesday - 2nd and 3rd ELAR Teachers (2nd Car Duty, 3rd Gym/Cafeteria Door)

Thursday - 4th and 5th ELAR teachers (including writing) (4th Car Duty, 5th Gym/Cafeteria Door)

Friday - any teachers who were absent

Birthdays

Konnie Harber - Jan 8

Evangelic Sipp - Jan 8

Jessica McHale - Jan 11

Facebook/IG/Twitter Features

We want to make sure we are recognizing the AMAZING things you're doing to our families of Webb. We try and come by often to capture photos, but if you ever do something, that we don't capture, PLEASE email me a photo and blurb so we can share to Webb Twitter/IG/Facebook.  It's time to brag on YOU and our hard working kids!

World Read Aloud Day

Start planning now!

Tell Your Story

In this interview I chat with Rebecca Shaddix about human trafficking, women in tech, and GoGuardian.

Blogs/Articles

Why Taking Away Recess is a Counterproductive Punishment

A Year of Healing Part 2: Writing

Dear Infertile Teacher

It's Not About Me

My Favorite Books of 2018

In Closing...

Our job as educators is no joke. We all know that. But we also have all experienced that person (or people) who act like we have such an easy job just "babysitting" kids all day. Here's some reminders about what we all wish more people knew about being an educator.

Let's go CHANGE THE WORLD, We've Got This!

Twas The Week Before Christmas

It's here, that final week before Christmas break.  As I've spent time with teams and around campus I have felt the excitement in the air.  Kids are a little more rowdy then they have been and teachers are a little more ready for a break then they have been!

As we enter this final week before Christmas Break, let's keep in mind a few things.

1. Always remain patient and be more forgiving than necessary.  The holiday season isn't something everyone looks forward to.  Whether you have colleagues who struggle with this time of year or you have students who aren't looking forward to little to no gifts and 10 days away from a warm safe place.  We have to remember to be more patient and forgiving than necessary.

2. Lean into the excitement.  Our kids are so very excited. Let's not squelch this excitement but instead find ways to lean into it and bring it out in constructive ways.

3. We're not done yet! Let's keep our focus on the main thing: learning. Let's make sure up until the final day that we provide high quality instruction to continue to fill the many gaps we have!

We've got this!

Week at a Glance

Monday - Jackson Counseling Day

Argueta Coaching Day

Staff Meeting - 3:45pm

School Board Meeting - 6:30pm

Tuesday - Nesloney Coaching Day

Santa Pictures

Christmas Program - 6pm

Christmas Movie Night - 6:45pm

Wednesday - Short Coaching Day

PenPals Demonstration - 3:45pm - Library

Thursday - 2nd Grade Field Trip

Nesloney Coaching Day

Prayer Time - 7am - TP Room

Staff Christmas Party - 5:30pm - Western

Friday - Early Release - 12:00pm

Holiday Parties

Santa Pictures

On Tuesday we will be doing Santa Pictures.  For the families who have turned in their forms, we will pull the students to quickly take their photos. Please make sure all forms and money have been turned into the box (with notification of who it belongs to) outside Cindy's office.

Christmas Program and Movie Night

Mr H and company have worked really hard on preparing another fantastic Christmas Program on Tuesday night. We encourage all who can to please show up to support our staff and children.

After the program we will have a family movie night where PTO will be selling pizza!

PenPals

PenPals is a new fun way to have your children collaborate with others and their writing. We are not purchasing this at this time, but if you are interested in seeing a Demo, please come to the Library at 3:45pm on Wednesday

Staff Christmas Party

We hope you can all join us for our annual Staff Christmas Party! See Cindy to pay your $6.

Friday

Friday is Holiday Parties and Early Release.  Please make sure that your team leaders have put on the spreadsheet what time your parties are so we can hold parents until then!

Birthdays

Dec 18 - Joni Leonard

Dec 22 - Cewilla Thomas

Dec 23 - Aziza Marchant

Jan 5 - LaToya Miller

Family Day

We thought Family Day was a GREAT hit! Every family member that left, left saying how much they enjoyed learning alongside their child.  I think you all did a fantastic job of continuing to build relationships with our families to get them more involved.  If you have any feedback from the day, please let me know!

PLC & Morning Duty

This week we will NOT have PLCs, but we still need help with Morning Duty. Please remember that there should be at least two people at car rider and at least one by the cafeteria door.

Monday - Kinder and 1st Grade

Tuesday - 2nd Grade

Wednesday - PreK and 3rd Grade

Thursday - 4th Grade

Friday - 5th Grade

Tell Your Story

Here is a great conversation with Cicely Lewis.

Blogs/Articles

How to Fix the Apathy Problem in Schools

Teaching the Students We Have, Not the Students We Wish We Had

Being Outside Makes Kids Smarter

Creating a Diverse Classroom Library

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

In Closing...

Let's all find some ways to spread some Holiday Cheer this week!

You Never Know Who You'll Meet

You Never Know Who You'll Meet

BY MADISYN TAYLOR Everyone is valuable in their own way and capable of expanding our horizons. Our individual journeys take us into many unexpected situations where we encounter a wide variety of people--some quite like ourselves and some very different. We cannot anticipate these meetings, but we can make the most of them when they take place. When we are courteous as a matter of course and open-minded in our assessment of the individuals whose lives briefly touch our own, we are more apt to stumble upon surprising gems of wisdom that open our eyes to new worlds of possibility. Every person we meet can affect us profoundly, just as every situation we find ourselves in can teach us something new. To fully embrace this fact, it is essential that we acknowledge that everyone is valuable in their own way and capable of expanding our horizons. Since we never know when we will happen upon those individuals who will unveil truths before us, we should extend to all people the same generous level of kindness, care, compassion, and understanding. When we assume everyone we meet is special and treat them as such, we can develop a strong rapport quickly. By making an effort to adopt a positive attitude toward others at all times, we ensure that our emotions do not blind us to wisdom that may be lurking in difficult or distressing situations. We are accordingly receptive to knowledge that comes to us in the form of examples, advice, and direct teaching. These brief relationships ultimately have the potential to enrich our lives in a very concrete way. But the wisdom we gain is proportional to the attention we pay to the world around us. The responsibility is on us to maintain a state of awareness that allows us to recognize when we are in the presence of someone consciously or unconsciously in possession of knowledge that will change us significantly. When we are cognizant of the potential for unexpected enlightenment, we make a habit of turning strangers into friends, thus ensuring that we are never without a font of wisdom from which to draw.

Week at a Glance

Sunday - Grades Due by Midnight

Monday - Nesloney Coaching Day

MAP and Istation Testing Begins

Jackson Counseling Day

Tuesday - High School Music Performance - 7:45am
2nd Grade Planning - 8:00-11:30
1st Grade Planning - 12:30-4:00

Wednesday - Nesloney Coaching Day
3rd Grade Planning - 8:00-11:30
Kinder Planning - 12:30-4:00

Thursday - Short Coaching Day

Staff Prayer Time - 7am
4th Grade Planning - 8:00-11:30
5th Grade Planning - 12:30-4:00

NISD Art Show - 5:30-7:00pm

Friday - Family Day

House Games - 2:15pm

Staff Christmas Party

Thursday, December 20th at 5:30pm is our annual Christmas Party at the Western.  That day is also Ugly Sweater contest day!  We hope you can make it! Remember to fill out THIS form to reserve your meal and pay your $6 to Cindy Puentes!

Family Day

Our first ever Family Day will be this Friday!  What is Family Day? It'll be an opportunity for family members to come spend an hour in their child's class to take part in the learning.  They'll check in whenever they can make it and get a "check out" time one hour from when they check in!  We're excited to invite families in to see the great work you're doing with the kids.

PLCs

This week's PLCs are as follows.

Monday - 2nd/3rd ELAR

Tuesday - 4th/5th ELAR

Wednesday - 2nd/3rd Math/Sci

Thursday - 4th/5th Math/Sci

Friday - 1st Grade

Morning Duty

Monday - 2nd Car Rider, 3rd put one at Cafeteria Door and others in Gym

Tuesday - 4th Car Rider, 5th put one at Cafeteria Door and others in Gym

Wednesday - 2nd Car Rider, 3rd put one at Cafeteria Door and others in Gym

Thursday - 4th Car Rider, 5th put one at Cafeteria Door and others in Gym

Friday - split to all stations

Marylee's Mother

HERE is the information for the visitation and funeral for Marylee Argueta's mother if you would like to pay your respects.

Tell Your Story

This week's conversation is with Staci Erickson.  A powerful story about how she decided to donate her kidney to a complete stranger and about her dealing with forgiving her father.

Blogs/Articles

If People Talked to Other Professionals the Way They Talk to Teachers

Postal Service Responds to Letter Boy Sent to Dad in Heaven

The 10 Best Children's Books of 2018 

In Closing...

As we know, any moment could be our last moment.  Let's not take for granted any time we have with each other. How can you show the people around you how much they mean to you? This past week we had the unique opportunity of taking part in history. The passing of President George H.W. Bush and his train passing through Navasota.  It was a pretty powerful experience that I hope you were able to take part in.

Here is a clip of his son, President George W. Bush, sharing at his funeral.

Building Culture

If there's one thing I've learned over the last few years, it's that it takes all of us to build a school culture.  The administration plays a part, the staff plays a part, and the students and parents play a part.

It isn't just a one person show.  But sometimes I think we all find ourselves guilty of waiting for someone else to do the lifting.  I've even found myself guilty of it! But the truth of the matter is, when we aren't happy with the way something feels, we have the ability to change it!

When we don't like the way something looks, the message that was sent out, the idea that was chosen, the decisions that were made, we have two choices.  The first one is the easy one, sit and complain.  It's so easy to tear something apart and talk about how terrible it is. How much you hate it. How you sure aren't doing it.  But the second, and much more difficult decision, is deciding that despite what is taking place, you have the power to make it better!

When we wallow in our own frustrations and complaints we begin to show others that it's ok to do nothing. I find myself easily drawn into a mindset of complaining. I have to continually look at a situation and ask myself, "Stop. How can you make this better? How can you fix this? Who can you work with to build this up?".  Those answers don't come easily and they don't always come quickly. But I found, that I am happier and enjoy what I do much more when I'm working hard to look for solutions instead of drowning in what I find wrong.

Week at a Glance

Monday - Jackson Counseling day

Nesloney Coaching Day

Tuesday - 4th Grade Math Benchmark

5th Grade Science Benchmark

Nesloney out at Region 6

Picture ReTakes

Wednesday - Short Coaching Day

4th Grade Reading Benchmark

Thursday - Staff Prayer Time - 7am - TP Room

Principal/AP Bootcamp - Admin may be off campus off and on throughout the day

Friday - Argueta Coaching Day

Nesloney Off Campus

School Spelling Bee

Saturday - EdCamp Aldine

Sunday - Grades due by Midnight

Benchmarks

This week is the finale of our Fall Benchmarks.  This week 4th-5th will be Benchmarking.  This is our time to see exactly where kids are and how we need to work moving forward.

I expect you to sit with your classes and set goals with your students.  Bring in a level of competitiveness between classes as well. And remind them that kids who improve the most will get House Points.

Things to keep in mind...

1.  No schedules will change. Just please be aware of testing if you're in that grade level's hallway.

2.  Monday during conference tested grade levels will sign out bins with Marylee Argueta.

3.  We may be pulling IAs to help in some areas.

PLC This Week

Due to Benchmarks and Data Conversations, PLCs this week will be as follows...

Monday - 2nd Grade
Tuesday - 3rd Grade
Wednesday - 5th Grade
Thursday - 4th Grade
Friday - Kindergarten

On your PLC day your team should split between at least 2 at car rider, at least 2 in Gym, and at least 1 at the cafeteria door (and if team is large enough another in the cafeteria).

On Time

This is just a reminder that all contracted staff's work day starts at 7:30am.  Just like any other job, that means that you are ready to work at 7:30am and not pulling into the driveway at 7:30am.  Your contracted hours are also until 4pm.

This week will be having discussions with those who continually arrive late or leave early.

Tell Your Story

This week's conversation was with Derek Lopez from Stand Up Our Kids.



Blogs/Articles

We are Family. All of Us.

Teaching Between Thanksgiving and Christmas Break

The Difference a School Librarian Can Make

A Year of Healing, Part 1

In Closing...

When helping others, sometimes they just need a little encouragement.  Be a voice that uplifts this week.

Refreshed and Refueled

I don't know about you, but this week was a great opportunity to find time to rest and get re-energized to make it through until Christmas!  I can't wait to hear about the things you all did!

Week at a Glance

Monday - Jackson Counseling Day

Nesloney Coaching Day

Tuesday - 4th Grade Writing Benchmark

5th Grade Math Benchmark

ELAR Textbook Meeting - 3:30pm - Central

Wednesday - 3rd Grade Reading Benchmark

5th Grade Reading Benchmark

Legends of Learning Training (3rd-5th Science) - 3:30pm - Library

Thursday - 3rd Grade Math Benchmark

Short Coaching day

Staff Prayer Time - 7am - TP Room

ELAR Textbook Meeting - 3:30pm - Central

Friday - Nesloney Coaching day

TEKS Resource on Campus

Saturday - Navasota Christmas Parade and Festival

Benchmarks

This week is the start of our Fall Benchmarks.  This week 3rd-5th will be Benchmarking, and again next week.  This is our time to see exactly where kids are and how we need to work moving forward.

I expect you to sit with your classes and set goals with your students.  Bring in a level of competitiveness between classes as well. And remind them that kids who improve the most will get House Points.

Things to keep in mind...

1.  No schedules will change. Just please be aware of testing if you're in that grade level's hallway.

2.  Monday during conference tested grade levels will meet with Marylee Argueta.

3.  We may be pulling IAs to help in some areas.

Jackson Counseling Days

On Mondays, Jackson will begin "Counseling Days".  These days for her, will be like my coaching days.  She will spend the entire day in classrooms, interacting with kids.  If you'd like for her to come into your room on that day to help with a child you're struggling with reaching, let her know. If you'd like for her to come in and lead a character education lesson, let her know.  If you'd like feedback on how you're reaching your student emotionally, again, let her know.

TEKS Resource on Campus

TEKS Resource will be on campus on Friday.  Please stop by during your conference time to ask any questions you may have (or to get ideas) on how to best utilize TEKS Resource.

Birthdays

November 28 - Andrea Day

December 2 - Mary Vogt

NEW PLC INFO

For the remainder of our semester our PLC dates will change.

Monday - 2nd and 3rd ELAR

Tuesday - 4th and 5th ELAR

Wednesday - 2nd and 3rd Math/Sci

Thursday - 4th and 5th Math/Sci

Friday - Rotation of PreK, Kinder, and 1st.  This week will be PreK.

Morning Duty (on your PLC day)

2nd - Gym and Cafeteria Breakfast Door

3rd - Car

4th - Gym and Cafeteria Breakfast Door

5th - Car

PreK - split between all 3 stations

Anxiety in the Classroom

Here's a conversation I had with Amy Mascott about anxiety in the classroom.

Blogs/Articles

Dos and Don'ts of Classroom Decorations

Best Children's Books of 2018

Kate DiCamillo on the Magic of Reading Aloud

In Closing...

We have been given such an opportunity to truly impact lives by not only connecting with our students on a personal level, but also educating them and imparting wisdom into their lives that will leave a mark for years to come.

But....sometimes teaching can feel like the video below...and we just have to have patience and persevere through it.

Giving Thanks

This time of year is always one of thanksgiving.  Of remembering what we're thankful for.  Of focusing less on the material things and more on what truly matters.

As we enter this final week before Thanksgiving break, I hope you take time each day to reflect on all you have to be thankful for and that you make time to do that with your students as well.

Week at a Glance

Monday - Nesloney off Campus with Central Admin

Book Fair Begins

Veteran's Program - 8am - Webb Gym

Staff Meeting - 3:45pm - Webb Cafeteria

School Board Meeting

Tuesday - Nesloney Coaching Day

2nd Grade Spelling Bee

Webb/Brule Family Game Night - 6pm - Trinity Lutheran

Wednesday - Nesloney Coaching Day

3rd Grade Spelling Bee

Fire Drill

Thursday - Argueta Coaching Day

1st Grade Field Trip

4th Grade Spelling Bee

Staff Prayer Time - 7am - TP Room

Friday - Nesloney Off Campus at NCTE

Short Coaching Day

4th Grade Field Trip

5th Grade Spelling Bee

Webb/Brule Family Game Night

The first ever Webb and Brule Family Game Night is on Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran.  We hope all the staff can attend and take part.  I'll get you finalized information tomorrow, but please bring a fun game to play with students who come to your station!

Book Fair

Our first book fair of the school year is upon us! Please get with Haven for times you can bring your class down to preview.  She will be notifying me of the classes who don't take time to preview as this is the time we get the kids excited about what they could purchase.  Please make the time to get with her.

Morning Duty

TEACHERS, please note....

We always need someone at the cafeteria door in the hallway on duty days.  This person shouldn't allow any students past them or down the hallways before 7:35am.

If you're out a car duty, I assumed it was common sense to open doors, but I'm hearing there are several teachers who just stand and stare.  Please make sure you're opening doors to cars as you serve car duty and that you're welcoming students.

PLC times this week will be like last week....

Kinder - Monday - spread out your duty stations across all 3 areas

3-5 ELAR - Tuesday - 3rd Car, 4th Cafeteria, 5th Gym

1st Grade - Wednesday - spread out your duty stations across all 3 areas

3-5th Math - Thursday - 3rd Car, 4th Cafeteria, 5th Gym

2nd Grade - Friday - spread out your duty stations across all 3 areas

A Christmas Carol

Our Navasota Theatre does different productions throughout the year.  This year they're doing A Christmas Carol featuring two of our own; Jessica McHale and former student Grace Mendez.  If you're interested in supporting our people, you can get info and purchase tickets HERE.

Birthdays

Cassie Reynolds - Nov 17

KVon Lambert - Nov 23

Katie Arrington - Nov 23

Dorothy Sargent - Nov 24

Tell Your Story

Here is a great conversation with Brandon and Abby Mullins about their journey through depression, marriage counseling, and mental health.

Blogs/Articles

Stories are Good Medicine

What We're Reading. A great idea for advertising what your students are currently reading!

The Impact of Reading 20 Minutes Per Day

In Closing...

Watch As Tony Robbins, Iyanla Vanzant, Td Jakes, Steve Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, David Steindl-Rast, Zig Ziglar share tips about being grateful and thankful for what we have as we strive for more!

Why We Teach

Why do you teach? Why did you want to work in education?

Those are two questions that are paramount to the work that we do with kids.  Hopefully your answers range between

- I wanted to impact children's lives

- I love working with kids

- I knew I could make a difference

- A teacher changed my life

- It fills me

But what if your answer is none of those? What is the answer is something more along the lines of "I need a paycheck" or "It keeps me busy".

That's when we really need to address our priorities.  The moment working in education becomes only a paycheck or something to keep us busy is the moment we need to look elsewhere.  Why? Because there are MANY jobs to keep food on the table and take up your time.

But when we work with children, we're impacting little lives, that will be felt for years to come.  And that is far too important of a task to take lightly.  Our children watch our every action, our every word, and our every interaction with others.  We have to be careful about who we are choosing to be in front of our children.

We have to find ways to become more patient.  Find ways to bring more joy into our day.  Find ways to entice, excite, and engage our kiddos.  Like any career choice with qualified individuals, we have to daily study our craft and find ways to get better.  We have to complain less and look for solutions more.

No where we work is going to be perfect or filled with perfect co-workers.  But you know what we CAN do? What we DO have control over?  It's.....US.  We can control what we choose to put our emotional energy into and how we choose to come at each situation.

So this week I challenge you to find the little things to bring joy back into your life.  To find ways to laugh with your students.  To study a part of your craft that is lacking and celebrate your work at trying to improve that area.  To see struggles as opportunities to be better, for the kids. To complain less, and look for solutions more. Our kids need us! WE are the ones charged with getting them to where they need to be! Let's do this!

Week at a Glance

Monday - Nesloney Coaching Day

ELAR Textbook Meeting 3:30-5:00

Tuesday - Short Coaching Day

UIL Practice - 3:30-4:30

Wednesday - Argueta Coaching Day

Team Leader Meeting - 7am

Garcia Baby Shower - 3:30pm - Library

Thursday - Nesloney Coaching Day

Prayer Time - 7am - Team Planning Room

Friday - First Grade Spelling Bee

Coaching Days

Last week was mine, Short's, and Argueta's first week of assigned coaching days, and wow!  It was so great for us to have these assigned days where we weren't interrupted by anything in the office and could just spend the whole day in classrooms.  We're learning so much and enjoying our time with all of you!

Starting this week we'll also have "coaching type days" for our counselors! Once we have those days set in stone I'll let you know too.  This will be for them to get into classrooms and see more students and even help you with ideas on how to reach some of your most difficult issues.

PLC Meetings this Week

This week is a "Make and Take" week.  Kinder, First, and 2nd-5th Math need to bring Greg Coleman stations to make and take with you.  Please keep in mind that you need to come PREPARED to this time so that you can work.  When you don't come prepared it shows us that this time isn't important to you, and we'll use it for other reasons.

2nd-5th ELAR, get with your teams and decide what you're going to bring to make and take.  Again, if you don't come prepared, you won't be given this time for this reason.

Kinder, 1st, and 2nd, you will meet like last week on either Monday, Wednesday, or Friday.  When it's your team's time to meet, please SPREAD OUT for Morning Duty.  Have two of each of your team members at each spot (Car, Gym, Cafeteria; including the door).

3rd Grade - Cafeteria

4th - Gym

5th - Car

Birthdays

Nov 5 - Halley Palmer

Nov 6 - Nancy Hernandez

Staffing Changes

This week is the beginning of some staffing changes we wanted you to be aware of!

As of Monday...

As you know Ms. Walker has left us to go work for the special education department. We have selected Tyra Johnson (our former Kinder IA) to take her spot.  So as you see Ms Johnson in the front office please congratulate her and welcome her to her new spot!

As you also know Ms Martinez (Math Intervention IA) has left to be home with family.  We have selected Maura Pavlock (former PPCD IA) to take her position.  Maura will begin pulling kids Monday with Ms. Brewer.

Since we've moved Pavlock, we have also moved Marissa Garza (former SPED IA) into PPCD.  We are thrilled to watch her continue to grow on this new journey.

We also had Ms. Nelson (Computer Lab IA) leave us last week.

We are currently looking for a Computer Lab IA, Kinder IA, and Special Education IA (with Mr Bradford).  If you know anyone interested, please send them my way!

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Last week should have been the wrap up of Family Conferences.  Thank you all for making this happen.  I know you may think this is a crazy thing for me to ask of you, but it's actually state law that parent/teacher conferences are held in elementary schools in Texas.  So thank you for helping us make sure we're in compliance. Please get your notes and sign in sheets to Cindy Puentes (please do not place outside my door).

Book Study

Don't forget to be reading your next two chapter in anticipation of our next discussion at our November faculty meeting.  It's always funny to me how much we want to hold children accountable for behavior or completing work, yet many adults don't do the same! Reading this book together, as any book study, is a clear expectation of mine that I want you to make time to complete and come prepared to discuss.

House Points

As some of your students make huge academic gains to earn house points, please let Mr Bradford and Mr Holt know so they can celebrate them on the announcements.

Your students should be setting goals for themselves before EVERY Unit Assessment.  This is an expectation of mine.

Positive Phone Calls/Messages Home

It has come to my attention that some may be a little confused on my expectations for positive messages home.  Please ensure that weekly you are calling or sending a personal message home to celebrate at least two of your students.

I'm not sure, at the elementary level especially, why we wouldn't all want to be doing something as easy as this, which takes so little time, to celebrate kids and build relationships with families.  So please begin that today (if you haven't already), and keep track somewhere of how/when you're doing it.  I'll be collecting that information monthly starting at the end of November.

Tell Your Story

This week I interviewed Jr High Teacher Josie Bensko.  You can watch below (or listen to on iTunes of SoundCloud).

Blogs/Articles

To Learn, Students Need to DO Something

Reading Myth Busters

The Ups and Downs of a Reading Life

Side Hustle: Facts and Fallacies 

In Closing...

This week focus on those things that make you smile, make you laugh, give you hope, help you keep stepping forward.

If there's one thing I know about Webb Elementary, it's that there are a lot of people who are passionate about children and are doing incredible work!

Keep up the great work!  We've got this!