This and That:
Family Engagement Survey: The translation for the family engagement survey wasn’t completed in time for conferences (it might STILL not be ready), so we will be sending it in a future school newsletter and asking for your help in sending it in your classroom newsletters.
Costume Day on 10/31: Students are invited to wear a costume at school on Monday, October 31st – please be sure to keep the following guidelines in mind:
- Plan to wear the costume to school (it’s too crazy to have kids change into them at school!)
- Costumes should NOT include masks, weapons (even pretend weapons), excessive make-up, blood, gore, or anything of a scary nature.
- Students will still be expected to go outside for recess, so please be sure they are ready for whatever the weather may bring.
Core Effectiveness Meeting: Please notice that 11/9 of our SIW schedule will be a “core effectiveness meeting.” An MTSS system (multi-tiered systems of support) has three different types of meetings: 100% meetings (core effectiveness meetings: focus on the core), 20% meetings (EBISS meetings: focus on our interventions), and 5% meetings (QPS/ IPS/ SST – focus on interventions for individual students). Our system at EME has not included core effectiveness meetings for the past few years, but we are getting back to this important part of MTSS this year with two meeting times on our calendar: 11/9 & 2/8.
Drills: We got a little behind on our required drills, so we will be doing two this week to get us back on schedule. Sorry for the extra interruption this week.
SIW: This Wednesday will be a “C” week for our specialist schedule. Our SIW time will be grade-level team time. During all grade-level team time on SIWs, it is expected that your team will be meeting together for at least 90 minutes (not working independently), even when a team member is absent. Please talk with Kelle if you need to deviate from this any week.
Monday Staff Meeting Agenda: During our Monday staff meeting, we will spend a short time on UKG. Then, we will spend the remainder of the time completing a required cybersecurity training. There is a chance that I will cancel the staff meeting, as I haven’t received the cybersecurity training info yet – stay tuned.
Focus on Excellence and Equity:
TLC Update: Here is a link to the 10/12 TLC Update.
Dreambox and Forefront: With our focus on reading foundational skills and SEL, I haven’t been very clear about math requirements. It is a “tight” expectation that all students will have the opportunity to complete at least 5 Dreambox units per week, and Bridges assessments will be entered into Forefront promptly. This data will be used as part of our MTSS systems. Please see Olivia or Kelle if you have any questions.
LEAD Cohort Letter: Here is an introduction letter from the LEAD Cohort.
Social Emotional & Mental Well-Being (From Jennifer Hauth): Check out this awesome short video on teaching students active listening.
The Harmony Meet Up or Buddy Up is an opportunity for students to practice active listening. During your morning meeting, consider having specific students share and giving every student a chance to share during the week at meet up on different days. When only a few students share aloud you will have time to have students learn to practice active listening with their classmates. Here are the response prompts from Harmony to help students learn to respond to fellow classmates.
Harmony App: Looking for some mindfulness or relaxation opportunities for your students. The Harmony App in Self-Service has a great resource for you or your students. You will see a relaxation station option in the Harmony App at the end of the list of options. Inside the Relaxation station, option students can choose Breathe or Focus. Give it a try!
COVID & Safety Related Information:
EME Safety Concern Form: Link here. You can use this form to report any safety concerns – big or small. Please use this form or talk directly with Frank or Kelle.
To Do:
Compacts: When your compacts are complete, please give the signed copies to Olivia for keeping.
Friday Family Communication: Classroom teachers – please put your most recent weekly family communication in this folder, forward a copy to me, or send me a link. Thank you!
Parent Volunteers: Before a volunteer can begin, you will need to get official confirmation from Cindy or Chris that the parent has passed the background check. Once they say yes, you will need to add them to this weekly google document letting us know who to expect each day.
Important Dates:
- Monday: Staff Meeting
- Tuesday: Fire Drill
- Wednesday: SIW= Grade level team time
- Thursday: Earthquake Drill
- Monday 10/31: Costume Day
SIW Schedule:
- 10/26 Grade-level team time
- 11/2 Teacher prep
- 11/9 Core Effectiveness
- 11/16 District Training – Educator Network day
- 11/23 Thanksgiving Break
- 11/30 QPR Training
- 12/7 Grade-level team time
- 12/14 Teacher prep
- 12/21 Winter Break