1.16.2023

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This and That:

EET Amazon Wish Lists: At our staff meeting last Monday, our EET (PTO) asked teachers to create an Amazon wish list – what a kind offer! In an effort to make this more equitable for our community, we will be following these guidelines:

  • Please choose no more than 3 items. All items should be $20 or less.
  • Do not choose school supplies Elk Meadow already supplies for you (whiteboard markers, crayons, etc…); instead, consider some items like read alouds or books for the classroom library, a specialized art supply, or an inexpensive classroom decoration like a lamp.
  • We will not be sending individualized fliers specific to each classroom. We will have one flier with a link/ QR code to all of the wish lists – kind of a digital giving tree for our classrooms.

Elk Meadow Expectations for MOP and MOY: Just a reminder:

  • All Elk Meadow students will take the Really Great Reading Middle of Program Assessment (MOP) – administered by classroom teachers. Confer with Liv regarding any exceptions.
  • Some Elk Meadow students will take the Really Great Reading Middle of the Year Assessment (MOY) – these should be administered on an as-needed basis as they are a 1:1 assessment and quite time-consuming.

Report Card Support: Here is a link to the grades 2-5 report card supports that Olivia shared at our Monday staff meeting last week.

Ask Before Taking: Just a reminder to NOT take items from the Tech. closet in the library, the FAN office, the attic, etc… without asking the appropriate staff members. There have been several instances of this lately. Thank you.

Employee Benefits Webpage (From Andrea Wilson): Here is an updated link to our employee benefits webpage.  We want to draw your attention to the wellness resources that everyone has access to as well.  Our goal is to update this quarterly for BLS staff.

iPad Filtering Update (From Scott McDonald): IT will be making some changes to our student web filtering services on Tuesday, January 17th.  We do not anticipate a noticeable impact on access or performance.  That said, please reach out to the IT help desk if our changes restrict access to websites that are necessary for instruction.  The changes are limited to student iPad devices only.

SIW: This Wednesday will be a “C” week for our specialist schedule. The SIW this Wednesday is Teacher Prep. 

Monday Staff Meeting Agenda: No school/ no meeting. 🙂

Focus on Excellence and Equity:

Erin’s Law Curriculum: As you all know, Erin’s law requires yearly instruction for students regarding safe touch. Our current safe touch curriculum is a little out of date and has components that can no longer be purchased. Currently, the district is piloting a few curriculums. Our Elk Meadow plan is to “stay the course” with our safe touch curriculum this year, but let me know ASAP if you are interested in using one of the pilot curriculums this year, and I will get you in touch with more information. Please know that ALL Elk Meadow classrooms will be using a new Erin’s Law curriculum next school year.

Coaching Support: Here is a link where you can schedule support from Anna. I will keep this link in our newsletter each week.

TLC Update: Here is a link to the 12/14 TLC Update. This is NOT a new update.

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:

Erin’s Law: Let Frank know by the end of this week when your grade level will be teaching safe touch this year (COMPLETED BY MAY 1). Then, be sure to let him know once you have taught the curriculum. Remember, there is a PD opportunity to support teaching health topics.

YouthTruth: Please help support strong family participation with the YouthTruth Survey by adding it to your family newsletters and keeping track of which students are returning their participation slips. Please also ensure that you have personally completed the YouthTruth survey.

Parent Volunteers: Before a volunteer can begin, you will need to get official confirmation from Nicole 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: No school – MLK Jr. Day,
  • Tuesday: Grade 3 Professional Development,
  • Wednesday: QPS/ IPS (you have been notified if this applies to you), SIW= Teacher Prep
  • Thursday: Earthquake Drill @ 8:40 (this will NOT be followed by an evacuation)
  • Friday: DIBELS Day (Olivia shared a schedule last week – she will be coming around to pick up classes.

SIW Schedule:

  • 1/18 Teacher Prep
  • 1/25 School Discretion/ Team Time
  • 2/1 Teacher Prep
  • 2/8 School Discretion/ Team Time
  • 2/15 Educator Network
  • 2/22 School Discretion/ State Testing Training
  • 3/1 School Discretion/ Team Time
  • 3/8 Teacher Prep
  • 3/15 School Discretion/ Team Time
  • 3/22 School Discretion/ Team Time
  • 3/29 Spring Vacation