The Power of Great Literature

When I was visiting in Kim's room I saw this book, Each Kindness, displayed. I took a minute to read it. Gorgeous pictures and a strong message. Certainly a book that facilitates critical thinking, self-awareness and belonging. The ending wasn't what I was expecting.

Let's be sure to share with one another the great books we share, discover and recommend! There are more books than we could ever discover on our own and a plethora of incredible literature to choose from. Don't limit yourself in thinking that they are just for read-alouds. Picture books are a strong teaching tool: great reads for independent reading, a marvelous source for literature discussion circles, inquiry studies and powerful mentor text for writing.

Learning Spaces

In the spring our community raised 25 thousand dollars (!), allocated to our learning spaces. The Leadership Team will be meeting next week and one of our decisions to be made is the allocation of those funds. Be thinking about your learning spaces and what you might be able to do to enhance the environment if you had funds.

If you haven't been in to Kim's room - be sure to check out what she has created using Craigslist. Kim also shared with me a website http://www.donorschoose.org/ she used last year to purchase the tools you see below featured in the pictures. Kim is eager to share the details of how she did this with you if you are interested in exploring this resource for funding. This website prefer that teachers collaborate with students to make the application. The kids are eager to share how much they love these tools!

FYI

*The group who is exploring creating the Renaissance Charter School is inviting all of the teachers to a screening of a movie, Most Likely to Succeed. (You've likely seen the posters around the school.) Tickets are $20 a piece (includes food and non-alcoholic beverage!)The discount code at the eventbrite site is teacher50 for Renaissance staff to receive a 50% discount on the ticket price. It applies to all staff - we all teach our kids. The screening of the movie is Saturday, September 12th at 11:00 a.m.

* When you are inviting parents into the school before or after school hours you need to have a plan for unlocking the doors - or greeting them. Please make the office aware that you will be doing this.

* You likely received an email from somewhere in the district letting you know that training is being provided for 'IC Gradebook Training'. Take this off your list of things to wonder about - this isn't for us.

Safety - a priority

We are required to conduct a one hour safety meeting with ALL staff, lead by a district security manager. It will be followed later in the day with a lock down drill, monitored by the district manager. 

Mark your calendars - and know that the date might change on us. The date now is Tuesday, September 8th at 7:15 a.m.  We are ALL required to attend this training. This is the first day back following Labor Day vacation - it could sneak up on you. The lockdown is scheduled for 2:30 the same day.

* I'll let you know if the date changes.

 Student -led Conferences

 We made a decision last year that Crew's can schedule student-led conferences when it makes sense in the learning progression rather than a school-wide date. This places the communication with parents on the classroom teacher. Looking at your plans and the learning progression, you should be identifying some dates of when it makes sense for students to share. Please be sure to give your families adequate notice of when these conferences will be occurring.

I attended a school visit in Atlanta several years ago and students were engaged in student-led conferences at that time. I thought it was an interesting concept to do them during the day. The teacher had a regular day, and there were spots set up in hallways, or in the classroom for students to 'confer' with their parents. I saw some students showing parents their portfolios (they had little guide sheets to support them in talking about their work) and students showing parents around the room quietly.

I would encourage those of you who think you'd like to try this - or create a version of it for yourself.  Of course, during the day won't work for many families, but it might for some! If parents knew in advance, they might be able to schedule an hour away from work to attend during the day.

Calendar

Week of August 24 - 28th:

Monday:
* Kenny's Crew on leaves on Voyage

Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.
Tyler's Crew leaves on Voyage
3rd grade - Amanda and Jody leave on Voyage

Wednesday:
Building Leadership Team Planning Session - all day
PD: Collaboration/planning

Thursday:
Building Leadership Team Planning Session - all day

Friday:
First Grade field work 9:00 a.m.
School Assessment Coordinator meeting - Debbie out



August 31st - Sept. 4th:

Monday:
*Michelle's Crew leaves on Voyage (Kenny taking them)
* Suzi's Crew leaves on Voyage

Tuesday:
* RTI meeting 7:30 a.m.
* Second grade - Dana and Jen leave on Voyage

Wednesday:
THE BEAT 9:15 ish a.m.
PD: TBA

Thursday:
PK12 Admin meeting - Deborah out

Have a wonderful weekend!

Deborah