October 28, 2016

Looking Back to Move Forward

We've had some targets in our professional development this year that we've all acknowledged are either things we need to remember to do, or new learning we see value in applying. As we move forward in second quarter of the year, take a minute to pause and look back. Is there anything that needs the spotlight that has slipped? Anything you started and stopped? Anything that needs constant monitoring? Here's a few things to stop and evaluate:

* How are you doing with Tiered Assignments? 

* How is the pacing of your units? Is your year on target?

* How is the pacing of your day?

* Is there something important you are not including? Is there time that could be better used?

* How is communication between school and home?

* Do you have a relationship with each and every student?

* What are you most excited about right now?

Calendar

October 31 - November 4:

Monday, 31st: 
Costume Parade begins 8:50 ish... Announcement to let you know

Tuesday, 1st:
MTSS meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday, 2nd:
Deborah, Debbie & Chelsea Leadership Conference - gone rest of the week.
Kim, Samantha, Brittany - Gifted and Talented Conference rest of the week.

PD: Personal Planning

Friday, 4th:
* 6th Grade Fieldwork - Ice Core Lab 8:30 - 11:30
* Ms. Lauren's Crew Hike - 9 - 1:00




November 7 - 11th:

Tuesday, 8th:
All Day Professional Development
* AM: Functions of Behavior facilitated and presented by Keith Sousa
Lunch Provided!
* PM: Strategies for Differentiated Instruction continued, facilitated by Brittany


Wednesday, 9th:
* The Beat 9:15 a.m.
* 6th Grade Fieldwork Ice Core Lab 9-12
* PD: Conference Attendees share with whole staff

Thursday, 10th:
Deborah out of the building for admin. mtg.


Wednesday Professional Development plans for the month of November:
* Wednesday, November 16th is allocated for you to use for student-led conferences
* Wednesday, November 23rd we are out for Thanksgiving
* Wednesday, November 30th will be allocated for next steps with differentiation strategies

I saw this on the wall in Jill's room.
She has a few anxious kids who worry,
before they ever start,
 that the work will be too hard for them.
She's working on shifting those mindsets to be revved up for a challenge.
So this is the new mantra in Jill's Crew!

Have a great weekend!

Deborah

Friday, October 14, 2016

Gratitude

Did you have one of those dreams over break where you wake up in a cold sweat thinking you were late for work to discover, with a sigh of relief, "No, I don't have to be at work - I'm on break?!"

I know I had many moments where I paused with appreciation and gratitude for these fall days we've been on break. (Ok, at those times I also started counting how many days I had left too.) I know we don't take a single minute of it for granted because the work we do is so intense - so all consuming when we are in the rhythm of it. How wonderful it has been to find a new rhythm to our days. 

I've missed you all and look forward to hearing how you've been.
No plans on Monday except to make that transition back into being prepared and present to offer the very best we can to our kids.

Enjoy your last few days of vacation bliss.

Calendar

Week of October 17th:

Monday-
Teachers return - no students

Tuesday -
MTSS meeting 7:30 a.m.
Staff yoga 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday:
PD library-
1:30 iReady rep available to answer questions
3:00 Teambuilding - reconnecting

Thursday:
Deborah out of the building for admin. mtg.



Week of October 24th:

Tuesday -
MTSS meeting 7:30 a.m.

Wednesday -
EL National Conference begins - 10 staff gone = lots of subs :)
The Beat 9:15 a.m.
PD -
* Planning
* White Bus training for those who signed up
Deborah takes fund raiser winners to MAC

See you Monday!

Until then....

Deborah

My Grandson, Roosevelt Leo

- thanks for being so happy for me :)

Noreene made this tapestry for his nursery!!!