Week 8

 

Happy Friday Team.  You did it...you made it through another busy week.  I want to tell you how much I appreciate the effort you make to prepping for instruction.  It is very obvious to me, to our coaches, to any administration, and visitors when you have prepped for the lesson instruction and are prepared to teach, and when you are not.  This is the expectation and NHA standard, so if this is an area you need to work on, please do so.

This weekend is supposed to be beautiful...and it's Sweetest Day Weekend.  I hope that you take some R&R time to balance out your prep time this weekend and that you can spend sometime with your "sweetie".  Take care of yourself, get some rest, and remember we have our Regional PD at Oakside Academy on Monday! (Please be on time!)

This Week:

Regional PD Day

We have our first Regional PD Day.  You should have received an email from DARCY LOWNEY which provides the necessary details you need for Monday.  Please make sure you read it over before Monday so that you are there on time.  

Start Time - 8:00 am  (Breakfast Coffee and Bagels at 7:45 am)

End Time - 2:40 pm

Interims

Our first Interim testing cycle will begin the week of October 28.  Grades 3-8 will sit for Interim 1 in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies during that week.  Remember that during Interim 1 week we have a half day (October 31st).  It is the expectation that ALL Interims are administered and completed by end of day November 1st.  Please pace your administration so that you get all of these administered.

It is recommended that your review for Interim 1 takes place in the afternoons during Week 8 (this coming week) so that you have all of the time you need for test administration during our test week (Week 9).

Staff Arrival

Tardiness in Staff arrival is increasing!  An expectation of your job is that you are here on time...7:30 am.  This is a non-negotiable, as we discussed during Back to School training.  If you are late, you will be expected to cover your classroom lunch. We do have to keep track of your late days, in addition to your days out of the building.  Thank you for your adherence to this expectation.

Candy Needed for Trunk or Treat

In order to ensure that there is enough candy for Trunk or Treat, we are asking each family to send in two large bags of candy as soon as possible.  Please send this reminder home OFTEN in your School Connect in these next couple of weeks to help us get the candy donations we need.

Whole Class Discipline

It is important to remember to be very careful about giving whole class consequences for discipline.  It can be demoralizing for those students who were not at fault to be punished for others' behaviors.  Please be very thoughtful and purposeful if/when you utilize this behavior consequence.

Ear Buds/Phones

I am starting to notice staff members wearing earbuds during work time.  This is not an acceptable practice at Laurus.  Please make sure that you are not wearing these while you are at work.

Also,  I am starting to see some of my teachers with their phones out, and on their phones.  Your phones need to be muted and not visible. You are able to check your phones on your prep and at lunch.

Students' Chronic Absenteeism

If you have students who are chronically absent, make sure that you submit those students names to Ms. Hall.  She is our Student Family Liaison and part of her job is to work with parents on these types of student absenteeism.

Chromebooks

Again, chrome books cannot leave the classrooms. Please make sure that you are monitoring them to ensure they remain in class.  Remember to send your chrome book inventory count to Mr. Orlando every Friday before you leave.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, October 21 - REGIONAL PD Day - No School for Students.  Information above.

Tuesday, October 22 - Picture Re-Take Day; Safe Schools Week

Wednesday, October 23 - Principal Coffee 8:30-9:00 am.

Friday, October 25 - $ 2.00 Dress Down Michigan vs. MSU Gear; October Birthday Celebration Day 2:00-2:30

Monday, October 28-Friday, November 1 - Interim 1 Week for grades 3-8.  Students will sit for the Interim 1 Assessments in ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies.

Monday, October 28 - Gleaners Canned Food Drive Begins.  This ends on Friday, November 8th.

Wednesday, October 30 - Trunk or Treat for Laurus Students 4:30-5:30 or where supplies last

Thursday, October 31 - Half Day 8:00 am - 11:00 am.  It is a Free Dress Day, however, students may wear costumes but no Masks or Weapons; Lock Down - AM

Friday, November 1 - Fire Drill (Lunch)

Monday, November 4 - Moral Focus Assembly K-5 8:15-8:30, 6-8 2:15-2:45; Staff Meeting 3:35-4:00

Tuesday, November 5 - Election Day!  Make your vote count!

Friday, November 8- Progress Report Friday; $ 2.00 Dress Down

Monday, November 11 - Committee Meeting 3:35;

Wednesday, November 13 - Lock Down - PM; Math Night 4:00-5:00 pm

Friday, November 15 - Gradebook closes. Last day for grades to be entered into Gradebook for Report Cards.

Friday, November 22 - End of Trimester 1; Report Cards Home; Dress Down $2.00

Monday, November 25 - Friday, December 6  - Voice of the Parent Survey

Monday, November 25 - Trimester 2 Begins; Free Dress Down

Tuesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Feast & PIE DAY

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break