Together we ride, together we grow!
Upcoming Dates
- Monday, Nov 27- Pledge and Welcome Back Announcement at 7:55
- Dental Screening all day
- Tuesday, Nov 28- Stephanie and Michelle Elementary Admin Mtg 2:30-4:30
- Dental Screening continued
- Wednesday, Nov 29- SIW (School Design Plan, PLC principles, norms, and calibration)
- Thursday, Nov 30- PLC (reflection/goal setting with grade level or job alike team)
- Friday, Dec 1- Happy Friday!
- Monday, Dec 4- Yes, only 10 days until Winter Break!
- Tuesday, Dec 5- Staff Meeting 2:30 and ICCL/Admin at 3:30
- Wednesday, Dec 6- EA Meeting 1:15-2:15 (with Michelle), SIW (teacher directed)
- Thursday, Dec 7- PLC/Team Mtgs
- Friday, Dec 8- Happy Friday!
With Gratitude and Hope
The week away brought opportunities for reflection, connection, and rest. I hope it was the same for each of you. Having two Thanksgiving meals is really a great plan! I was not as compelled to overdo it, knowing another would happen, and just enjoyed my favorite foods, the company of my family, and a bit of healthy board-game competition! I read two books, The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown (a necessary re-read) and Hidden Potential (Adam Grant), which I highly recommend. Cannot remember the last time I read two books (for fun) in one week? Favorite game of the vacay was Cross Clues!
In the midst of family fun and extra Owen walks, I spent lots of time in deep thought about our year so far; where we’ve been, how it’s going, what I hope to do more of and better, and where we are heading. While it may feel unsteady or uncertain at times, there are many wins, and there is much to celebrate. My heart is filled with gratitude for each of you and our growing relationships, for all you bring to our students and families, the work you have been engaged in, the growth we are experiencing and the possibilities that lie ahead. Thank you!
Before Winter Break, we will take time to review our School Design Plan draft, so that it becomes familiar and foundational to our work throughout the year. We will revisit and recalibrate the guiding principles of the highly functioning PLC, and develop PLC norms and goals for ourselves. At our December 5th staff meeting, you will hear from our Student Services team about systems of support and key changes you can expect around student breaks, schedules, and precesses for requesting intensified support. Debbi, Alaina, Ashley, Kelly and Miriam will each share important information in hopes of providing additional clarity and essential details related to roles, practices and processes moving forward. We are extremely fortunate to have this expert team of educators as our planning and thought partners!
Go Slow to Go Far (and Faster later!)
School-wide Expectations/PBIS
Returning to school after an extended break requires a reset and a thorough review of school-wide expectations. Our playground continues to be an area of concern and one that we will prioritize in different ways during the weeks ahead. Please review the matrix for bathroom and common areas. Take extra time with playground expectations using the guidance below. Thank you!
Student Kindness, Safety, and Responsibility on our Playgrounds
- Kind: Play games by following playground expectations. Example, play Tag, not chase. Tag requires teammates to say yes. Remember the two finger tag touch rule.
- Safe: Hands, feet, body to self.
- Responsible: Picking up equipment and placing in designated ball bin. Throwing away trash in designated trash bins. Bronco End of Recess Video
- Review playground Bronco Expectation Handbook
Navigating the Season with Care
With each season comes an opportunity to look at many of our practices through an inclusive and culturally responsive lens; to examine past practices, and to align future practices with our District Equity Stance and Buckingham Elementary goals. While we navigate the next few weeks with students, families and one another, I invite us all to seek information, consider implicit bias, and how we can leverage this time to expand students and our thinking about traditions, celebrations, and values.
I have attached a page from NAEYC geared to early childhood, however the message is transferrable across any school organization that serves and supports children, families, and a staff of individuals with different background and experiences.
As you plan for the weeks ahead, thank you for taking the time with your team to evaluate the quality of seasonal or ‘holiday-themed’ learning materials and whose perspective or experience an activity or lesson elevates. Seek information from families about their traditions; share those, and share others that are perhaps not represented in your classroom community.
Keep art and celebrations (parties) seasonally themed (winter, snow, lights, giving) , focused on standards, and inclusive of experiences beyond those of only dominant, white culture. The December calendar holds Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa. Diwali was in November. We have families who might celebrate these holidays, some who might not celebrate at all, and some for whom this time of year can be especially difficult. As we strive to grow an inclusive community together, thank you for taking time to pause and reflect on the importance of our care and intention, as we choose art, lessons, and activities during the holiday season.
Good Read (NAEYC, Anti Bias Education and Holidays)
Speaking of Celebrations, many of you have been talking about ways to keep our community connected, and creating time for celebration during December. Eva has lots of ideas percolating, our Kindergarten team has been scheming, and rumor has it that a party plan is underway?! Perhaps a quick meeting for those interested in leading the fun this month could happen one day after school? We do not have a meeting Monday or staff meeting Tuesday if either feels like a good time. Stephanie and I would not be available Tuesday. It feels important to have representation from several staff members who know traditions, and also what might feel important to all of our colleagues. Whatever we do, can we include Karaoke please?!
Goal Setting and Observations
We will continue with goal-setting meetings and mini-observations this week. See the schedule below for a reminder of when you/your team has planned to meet with me. It has been inspiring to hear you share your goals, to bounce ideas back and forth, and to find themes that run across our hopes and dreams for Buckingham students.
