Thank you!!- Thanks to you all for a great start! I was able to make it to all of the elementary schools on Wednesday and Thursday (missed the students at LPE, but I’ll get there soon to see kids) and things were running so smoothly it looked like November. Know that I understand a great start doesn’t happen without all of your hard work and expertise. Thank you for everything you put into making the first day a great one for our 8200+ elementary students.
Fun Video- One of the best things about visiting schools is the great things I get to see. Scott Edmondson shared this video his staff put together to show to students and welcome them back to school. While the entire video is fantastic and a thrill for students, I have to say my favorite part was Scott’s backpack. That might fit me….but Scott???
Steve and Brooke at Ponderosa shared this video also. They created it to teach rules to students in place of the rules rodeo they used to do during the first week. Each grade level team was assigned an area and given free reign to let their creative juices flow. This is the first grade team’s final product. They might have a fallback if the teaching thing doesn’t work out.
Math Info- Here is the link to our Math Standards of Practice. Below is some additional important math information from Kerry Morton.
EBISS teams will be able to decide pathway 1 or 2 (assessment) for grades k-2. We recommend pathway 1 because it will provide teachers with specific standards to focus instruction. If schools choose pathway 1, they will have access to Forefront Math Unity. It is a data platform that will allow EBISS teams to analyze student growth. You can preview Here:
https://unity.forefrontmath.com
Find the “Demo District”
1st grade – anitra.booker@demo
3rd grade – fallo.armstron@demo
principal – florene.ryan@demo
put “forefront” as the password
Please have your k-2 EBISS team make a decision by September 16, 2016
There is a Math EBISS meeting on September 22nd from 4:00-6:00. Please bring an EBISS team to learn about Core Effectiveness and Forefront.
ACT aspire requirements have changed since Kerry met with you on August 12th. Teachers in grades 3-5 are required to give ACT aspire in Winter only. It is recommended that teachers give the Number Corner assessments.
The district School Improvement Wednesdays for September and October will have options for teachers similar to the ELA SIWs last year. The first one will be September 21st. The options and locations will be available September 15th.
Units of Study Training– There will be a Units of Study make up training for new elementary teachers on Monday, September 19, in the board room. Sign up in PD Place. Subs will be paid for by TLC. Thanks, Lora!
Connected log in issues- We know that some teachers are having trouble logging in to connected. We will have a hotline set up on Monday all day for people that need assistance. Teachers can call 1062 or 1053 from 8-4 on Monday. Please share this information with any teachers that need it. Thanks.
Tardy to Absent- Thanks to those of you who responded to this question last week. Based on your input, this is what I will recommend unless I hear an uproar from you before Monday! Elementary students arriving after 10:30 will be marked absent for at least 1/2 day (the morning). If they arrive after 10:30, but before 1:30, they will only be marked 1/2 day absent. If they arrive after 1:30 they will be marked absent a whole day. If they are at school in the morning, but leave before 1:30 in the afternoon, they will be marked 1/2 day absent. If they leave after 1:30, they will not be marked absent. Again, please let me know if you see any issues with this. I don’t think there is a perfect answer, but I need to get something decided. Thank you.
I Wish My Teacher Knew…- Jim B. shared this great article with me and middle school principals. Short and worth the read. Wonder what our teachers would say if we asked them what they wished we knew…
Have a fantastic weekend. I hope that you are able to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather as summer hangs on a little bit longer. Thank you for all you do.
Reminders:
- Leadership meeting this coming Monday, September 12 @ 3:15 in board room.
- Horizontal meeting Monday, September 19 @ 4:00 @ TBD.
- Please sign up for a September visit if you haven’t already.
- Oregon vs. Virgina Saturday @ 7:30 P.M. @ Autzen Stadium and broadcast on ESPN.