Week 13

 

Dear Team... Happy Pre-December!  I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break...enjoying quality time with family and friends...eating good food...shopping and resting!  

I can't believe that we are solidly into the holiday season and that we only have 3 weeks before Christmas Break.  We have a lot to do...including Parent Teacher Conferences...between then and now, so eat your Wheaties and here we go...

Parent Teacher Conference Sign In Sheets/Commitment to Excellence Sign In Forms

Please...please make sure that you have all of the necessary paperwork for Parent Teacher Conferences ready before you leave today.  This includes:

• PTC Sign In Sheet
• Commitment to Excellence Sign in Sheets
• Copy of Report Card for each student
• Copy of NWEA Student Progress Report for each student
• Copy of Student Interim 1 Report for each student

Also, this is the time that you need to talk to parents if you are concerned about a students progress and they might be RETAINED.  We cannot retain students if we do not have conversations with parents at BOTH Parent Teacher Conferences.  However, if students have improved by the end of year, we can remove them from Retention consideration.

Christmas Door Decorating Contest

Our annual Christmas Door Decorating contest is up and running.  Doors need to be completed by Friday, December 6th.  Judging will take place during the week of December 18th for prizes for the top 3.

Full Lesson Observation  - Announced

Next week I will be continue conducting our Full Lesson Observation.  Make sure you have turned in your completed Pre-Observation form one day before your scheduled day/time.

GLTs/03's

These are canceled for this week due to Parent Teacher Conferences.

Fall Tutoring

Tutoring is not being held this week due to the Parent Teacher Conferences.

Blue Ribbon Society Applications/National Junior Honor Society Applications

I will be passing these applications out to the students in your class with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on Monday, December 2nd.  The students will have until Friday, December 13th to complete and turn in the applications if they want to be considered for membership in the Blue Ribbon Society (3-5) or National Junior Honor Society (6-8).  The Administrative team will meet and invitations will be presented to accepted students before Christmas Break.

Weekly SchoolConnect Positive Parent Contact

Please remember to make sure that you are completing at least one weekly Positive Parent Contact through SchoolConnect.  You will want to use the #nhamoments in the body of the post to get in the contest drawing.

Dean Days

On the following dates, the Deans will be out attending Dean Day Trainings:

• Wednesday, December 11 - Wheeler and Rowden Out
• Thursday, December 12 - Schofield and Rogers Out

Upcoming Events:

Monday, December 2 - BR/NJHS Apps Passed Out; Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15 am;  6-8 1:35 pm

Monday - Friday, December 2-6 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/6); Parent Teacher Conference Week (Do NOT schedule PTC's outside of this week...no early conferences); BOOK FAIR WEEK; 

Wednesday, December 4 - Half Day for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  Tornado Drill AM

ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM WHETHER YOUR CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETED OR NOT...WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Friday, December 6 - Doors need to be completed for the Holiday Door Decorating Contest.

Monday, December 9 - Staff Meeting, 3:35 pm

Monday, December 9 - AIMSWeb MOY Benchmarking Begins

Wednesday, December 11 - K-3 Music Concert 4:30 pm

Thursday, December 12 - 4-8 Music Concert 5:30 pm

Friday, December 13 - Staff Holiday party; BR/NJHS Apps Due; IAT Day

Monday - Friday, December 16 - 20 - Holiday Spirit Week $ 6.00/wk or $ 2.00/day

• Monday - Grade Level Pick Day
• Tuesday - Red & Green Day
• Wednesday - Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday - Holiday Character or White/Gold Day
• Friday - Pajama (Appropriate for School) Day

Tuesday, December 17 - Ebling Cohort Principal Visit Day

Friday, December 20 - Half Day; December Birthday Celebrations; Holiday Parties; Progress Reports; Last Day of School 

December 21, 2024 - January 5, 2025 - Winter Holiday Break

Monday, January 6, 2025 - School Resumes

Thanksgiving Week

 

Happy Friday Team!

Congratulations...you have completed the last full week prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday Break!  This has been a long stretch of time since the beginning of the year and I know you are ready for some vacation time.  I hope that you truly enjoy time with family, good food, SLEEP, and some fun R&R during this holiday break.  

And...as I reflect this Thanksgiving on the the things and people for whom I am grateful, know that you are a part of my "Gratitude List".  Happy Thanksgiving!

This Week (or before "let the holiday festivities begin" 😉):

Pie..Pie...Pie...

Please add our request for Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie to your SchoolConnect this weekend.  We need Pie for our Thanksgiving Feast day on Tuesday, November 26th.  Pies can be dropped off at the school beginning on Monday, November 25th through 9:00 am on Tuesday, November 26th.  Thank you so much!

Thanksgiving Feast Day Expectations

On Tuesday 11/26 we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  On this day, students will eat in the classroom with their teacher.  Admin and National Junior Honor Society students will come around between 11:00-1:00 delivering pie to the individual classrooms. 

Honor's Assemblies

We will hold our Trimester 1 Honor's Assemblies on Monday, November 25th.  The K-2 Assemblies will start at 8:10 am; 3-5 will begin at 9:00 am; 6-8 will begin at 9:50 am.  Please make sure that you have your award certificates completed and ready to go for the assemblies.

GLTs/03's

Due to our short week, we will not be holding 03's or GLTs.  I am always available if needed.

Corrective Reading Canceled

Due to the short school week, Corrective Reading is canceled for the week.  

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week following our Thanksgiving Break (December 2 -December 6).  You should already be scheduling these with parents.  Please remember to remind the parents to bring their student to the conference as these are Student Lead Conferences. 

Conferences should take approximately 15 minutes each.  (Plan to use a timer to be considerate to all parents.)  

Remember, I need a copy of your PTC schedule before you leave on Tuesday.

Fall Tutoring

Tutoring is not being held next week due to the short school week.

Blue Ribbon Society Applications/National Junior Honor Society Applications

I will be passing these applications out to the students in your class with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on Monday, December 2nd.  The students will have until Friday, December 13th to complete and turn in the applications if they want to be considered for membership in the Blue Ribbon Society (3-5) or National Junior Honor Society (6-8).  The Administrative team will meet and invitations will be presented to accepted students before Christmas Break.

Classroom Neatness

  

Classrooms are looking untidy.  This is your "home away from home".  Please stand at your door at look at your classroom through "Visitor" eyes.  This includes Anchor Chart neatness, teacher desk and table areas, cubbies, student desks, book cases, etc.

Black Out Days

This is a reminder that the day before and the day after holiday breaks are Black Out Days. As such, Tuesday, November 26th and Monday, December 2nd are Black Out Days.   Please do not plan to be absent on these days as you will not be paid.

Crocs/Slides/House Shoes

Please remind parents know via your SchoolConnect that Slides and/or House Shoes are not appropriate shoes for school.  Shoes must have a enclosed back on them.  This is a safety issue.

Weekly SchoolConnect Positive Parent Contact

Please remember to make sure that you are completing at least one weekly Positive Parent Contact through SchoolConnect.  You will want to use the #nhamoments in the body of the post to get in the contest drawing.

Holiday Door Decorating Contest

You can start now!  This needs to be done by December 6th.

Dean Days

On the following dates, the Deans will be out attending Dean Day Trainings:

• Wednesday, December 11 - Wheeler and Rowden Out
• Thursday, December 12 - Schofield and Rogers Out

Team Shout Outs

• 🎉Shout out to Glass and Todd for circulating in the classroom during your students CA testing this week.  It was noticed by Mrs. Ebling and Mr. Williams and shouted out as a best practice that all teachers should own and use.
• 🎉Shout Out to Ms. Glass's 4th Grade Class and their class elections for Class Leaders

*When you finish reading this, send me an email - Rowden

Upcoming Events:

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

Monday, November 25 - Trimester 2 Begins; Free Dress Down; HONORS ASSEMBLIES Gr. K-2 8:10 am; Gr. 3-5 9:00 am; Gr. 6-8 9:50 am.  Candy Sale Incentive Party - Afternoon

Tuesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Feast & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down; Teachers eat with their class as a family during lunch. Staff Party RSVP Due to Ms. Adams

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday, December 2 - BR/NJHS Apps Passed Out; Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15 am;  6-8 1:35 pm

Monday - Friday, December 2-6 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/6); Parent Teacher Conference Week (Do NOT schedule PTC's outside of this week...no early conferences); BOOK FAIR WEEK; 

Wednesday, December 4 - Half Day for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  

ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM WHETHER YOUR CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETED OR NOT...WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Friday, December 6 - Doors need to be completed for the Holiday Door Decorating Contest.

Monday, December 9 - Staff Meeting, 3:35 pm

Wednesday, December 11 - K-3 Music Concert 4:30 pm

Thursday, December 12 - 4-8 Music Concert 5:30 pm

Friday, December 13 - Staff Holiday party; BR/NJHS Apps Due

Monday - Friday, December 16 - 20 - Holiday Spirit Week $ 6.00/wk or $ 2.00/day

• Monday - Grade Level Pick Day
• Tuesday - Red & Green Day
• Wednesday - Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday - Holiday Character or White/Gold Day
• Friday - Pajama (Appropriate for School) Day

Tuesday, December 17 - Ebling Cohort Principal Visit Day

Friday, December 20 - Half Day; December Birthday Celebrations; Holiday Parties; Progress Reports; Last Day of School 

December 21, 2024 - January 5, 2025 - Winter Holiday Break

Monday, January 6, 2025 - School Resumes

Week 12

 

It's Friday...Happy...Happy!

I want to thank all of you for your support this week...especially as I was not feeling well and was out.  I truly appreciate your help in keeping things steady, structured and moving forward.

I know things are getting busy with the upcoming Report Cards, Parent Teacher Conferences and holidays.  It is very important that you set aside some time for yourself on the weekends to rest.  I hope that you do this over the next couple of days!

This Week:

Report Cards

Report Cards must go home next Friday and should have comments.  Please make sure your comments are stated in a positive tone.  If you need help with completing your comments, reach out to your team lead or me.

Weekly SchoolConnect Positive Parent Contact

Please remember to make sure that you are completing at least one weekly Positive Parent Contact through SchoolConnect.  You will want to use the #nhamoments in the body of the post to get in the contest drawing.

Gradebook Closes

Gradebook closes today.  Only student work completed by end of day today will be counted toward Trimester 1 Report Cards.  

Door Decorating Contest

You can start now!  This needs to be done by December 6th.

Report Cards

It is time for you to begin completing your Report Cards.  You need to add comments to the grade areas as well as one overall comment at the end.  Allow yourself time as these need to be printed and sent home on 11/22.

Student Data Sheets for Parent Teacher Conferences

We will finish completing these on Monday during our Data Meetings.  

Full Lesson Observations

These begin next week and continue through December 6th.  I need you to reach out to me with your preferred Date/Time/Subject.  I need this by Monday, 11/18.  Also, remember that you need to complete the Pre-Conference Form and submit it to me no later that 24 hours prior to your observation.

03s, Data Meetings and GLTS

I am trying hard not to have your FLO's interrupt our meetings and 03's.  However, it may occur.  Make sure that you are on time and come prepared.  Please bring the following to your meetings next week:

Data Binder

• Data Binder
• Student Data Sheets (for PTC)
• ELA and Math Action Plans - NOT COMPLETED

Wing/Staff Meeting

We will be having an important Wing Meeting on Monday, 11/18 at 3:35-4:00.  We will be going over expectations and best practices for conducting Parent Teacher Conferences and our GLINT Survey results.  I need you all to be in attendance for this meeting.

DSQ Visit

Our DSQ, Mrs. Ebling, will be in the building on Thursday, November 21st.  She will be here from 12:00 - 3: 00 pm.  I know that she will be looking for the following:

• Teacher Data Walls in your classroom
• Whiteboards utilizing Configuration and reflecting current Date/Instructional Week/"I Can" Statements, 
• teachers utilizing CHAMPs, 
• Number Corners that are up to date and current
• that instruction reflects the correct week/day/pacing/questioning and preparation.  
• Classrooms that are clutter free, neat, well lit, and reflecting a positive culture and climate
• Achievement Boards are current, neat and well decorated, have feedback

Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression.  

Special Education Paperwork

If you receive paperwork from any Special Education provider (Resource Teacher, Psychologist, etc.) asking you to complete it, you must do this within 24 hours.  This is compliance paperwork that has legal ramifications and could result in OCR complaints against you and the school.  It can also hold up services for students.  If you need help, please reach out to Mrs. Schofield.

Team Shout Outs

• 🎉Shout out to Avant, Glass, Winter and Todd for diligently starting their students days with their Moral Focus lessons during Moral Focus time.  I see you...
• 🎉Shout out to Gordon and Trolinger for their team work in Math Instruction and Modeling.  I am noticing a positive trend in student test scores!
• 🎉 Staff Perfect Attendance - Winter; Orlando
• 🎉First Grade - On top of AIMSWeb Progress Monitoring. They lead the school.

 

Upcoming Events:

Monday - Friday, November 18 - 22 - Underground Staff Spirit Week (See email from Ms. Adams)

Monday, November 18 - Wing Meeting 3:35; Drone observation of Arrival and Dismissal procedures.  

Friday, November 22 - End of Trimester 1; Report Cards Home; Dress Down $2.00; November Birthday Celebration Day 2:00-2:30

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

Monday, November 25 - Trimester 2 Begins; Free Dress Down; HONORS ASSEMBLIES Gr. K-2 8:10 am; Gr. 3-5 9:00 am; Gr. 6-8 9:50 am.

Tuesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Feast & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down; Teachers eat with their class as a family during lunch.

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 2-6 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/6); Parent Teacher Conference Week (Do NOT schedule PTC's outside of this week...no early conferences); BOOK FAIR WEEK

Wednesday, December 4 - Half Day for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  

ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM WHETHER YOUR CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETED OR NOT...WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Friday, December 6 - Doors need to be completed for the Holiday Door Decorating Contest.

Friday, December 13 - Staff Holiday party (RSVP)

Week 11

 

Happy Friday Everyone!... 

Thank you so much for all that you did this week to make learning impactful for your students.  What you do is not easy...however, everything you do or don't do effects your students...today and in the future.  I truly appreciate your dedication and effort.

It's the weekend...and as always, I hope you are able to get some rest and relaxation...and that you do something nice for yourself.

This Week:

Weekly SchoolConnect Positive Parent Contact

Please remember to make sure that you are completing at least one weekly Positive Parent Contact through SchoolConnect.  You will want to use the #nhamoments in the body of the post to get in the contest drawing.

Gradebook Closes

Gradebook closes on Friday, November 15th.  That means that students need to get all outstanding incomplete assignments done and turned in by that date in order to be counted toward their grade.  No late assignments will be accepted after November 15th.

Report Cards

Once Grade Book closes on 11/15 you will want to begin completing your Report Cards.  You need to add comments to the grade areas as well as one overall comment at the end.  Allow yourself time as these need to be printed and sent home on 11/22.

Student Data Sheets for Parent Teacher Conferences

These completed forms are due to me on Friday, November 15th.  

03s, Data Meetings and GLTS

Make sure that you are on time and come prepared.  Please bring the following to your meetings next week:

Data Binder

• Data Binder
• Student Data Sheets (for PTC)
• ELA and Math Action Plans - NOT COMPLETED

Sub Plans/Emergency Sub Folder

It is very important that when you plan to be out, you provide the necessary materials for the guest teacher.  This includes all of the worksheets, packets, Attendance Grids, Daily Schedule, etc.  You should also have a document in the folder you leave listing any student allergies.  Please make sure all copies are made and everything is ready for use.  Your teammates and I do not always have the time before school begins to get your classwork put together for the substitute teacher.

You should also have an Emergency Sub Folder that provides all of the above information but also includes an emergency work packet that can be copied.

 

Upcoming Events:

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.  Interim 1 Celebration 1:45-2:30

Monday, November 18 - Wing Meeting 3:35

Friday, November 22 - End of Trimester 1; Report Cards Home; Dress Down $2.00; November Birthday Celebration Day 2:00-2:30

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

Monday, November 25 - Trimester 2 Begins; Free Dress Down; HONORS ASSEMBLIES Gr. K-2 8:10 am; Gr. 3-5 9:00 am; Gr. 6-8 9:50 am.

Tuesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Feast & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 2-6 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/6); Parent Teacher Conference Week (Do NOT schedule PTC's outside of this week...no early conferences)

Monday, December 2 - Holiday Door Decorating Contest Begins

Wednesday, December 4 - Half Day for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  

ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM WHETHER YOUR CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETED OR NOT...WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Friday, December 6 - Doors need to be completed for the Holiday Door Decorating Contest.

Week 10

 

Happy November Team!... 

Thank you so much for all of your hard work this past week as you dealt with Interim Test administration, Halloween and a Power Outage during Dismissal!  I really appreciate the flexibility you demonstrated as you needed to pivot throughout the week.  

I want to extend a big Laurus "Welcome" to Marcy Darling, the new At-Risk teacher supporting 3rd-5th Corrective Reading and 5th grade Math.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...do something nice for yourself....and come back refreshed for a busy week! 💗

This Week:

Interim Week -

If you need to finish up any Interim Testing, you will need to do this Monday afternoon.  At the end of the day Monday, you will need to force submit the tests.

Corrective Reading

This resumes this week.  I need you to make sure that you are providing Intervention to your students during CR time if they are not being pulled by an CR Interventionist.

03s, Data Meetings and GLTS

These meetings resume this week.  Make sure that you are on time and come prepared.  I need you to bring your completed Action Plans for ELA Comp and Math to your scheduled Data Meeting on Monday.

Phones

Unfortunately, I am still noticing many of you being on your phones during instructional time.  I want to remind you that during our Back to School PD it was stated that the only time you are able to be on your phone, looking at your phone, scrolling on your phone, etc. is during your daily prep and at lunch.  I should not see you on your phone at any other times.

Please be aware that going forward, if I see you on your phone during any time other than your prep or lunch, I will be forced to write you up.  That is not something I want to do, but it is in your hands.  This applies to all instructional staff...Specials, At-Risk, Intervention, para professionals, and Coaches.

Dismissal Duty

We are noticing that the majority of teachers are not being consistent in standing at their doors during Dismissal.  It is an expectation that ALL classroom teachers are at their doors monitoring the hallways and still monitoring their classroom.  Please be advised, if this expectation continues to be ignored, we will have to move everyone outdoors and dismiss from the sidewalks.  Please team, this is one of your easiest tasks.  We all need to be diligent in completing it.

Dean Days

This week begins our monthly Dean Days, when each Dean is required to attend training.  Rogers and Wheeler will be out of the building on Wednesday, November 6th and Schofield and Rowden will be out on Thursday, November 7th.

Gleaners Donations

This is the last week for Gleaners Donations.  For this last week, we are going to have a contest.  The Grade Level that fills their donation box first will receive a Pizza Party.  Please let your Parents know...

K - Mac & Cheese; Spaghetti, Pasta and Rice

1 - Peanut Butter and Jelly/Jam

2 - Boxed Stuffing; Canned Sweet Potatoes; Spaghetti Sauce

3 - Cake Mix; Frosting; Brownies

4 - Pancake Mix; Syrup

5 - Soup; Chili; Stew

6 - Cereal; Oatmeal

7 - Crackers; Granola Bars

8 - Canned Vegetables and Canned Fruit

Sub Plans/Emergency Sub Folder

It is very important that when you plan to be out, you provide the necessary materials for the guest teacher.  This includes all of the worksheets, packets, Attendance Grids, Daily Schedule, etc.  You should also have a document in the folder you leave listing any student allergies.  Please make sure all copies are made and everything is ready for use.  Your teammates and I do not always have the time before school begins to get your classwork put together for the substitute teacher.

You should also have an Emergency Sub Folder that provides all of the above information but also includes an emergency work packet that can be copied.

 

Upcoming Events:

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; Gleaners Last Day for Donations

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.

Monday, November 18 - Wing Meeting 3:35

Friday, November 22 - End of Trimester 1; Report Cards Home; Dress Down $2.00; November Birthday Celebration Day 2:00-2:30

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

Monday, November 25 - Trimester 2 Begins; Free Dress Down; HONORS ASSEMBLIES Gr. K-2 8:10 am; Gr. 3-5 9:00 am; Gr. 6-8 9:50 am.

Tuesday, November 26 - Thanksgiving Feast & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down

Wednesday-Friday, November 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 2-6 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/6); Parent Teacher Conference Week (Do NOT schedule PTC's outside of this week...no early conferences)

Monday, December 2 - Holiday Door Decorating Contest Begins

Wednesday, December 4 - Half Day for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  

ALL STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM WHETHER YOUR CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETED OR NOT...WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Friday, December 6 - Doors need to be completed for the Holiday Door Decorating Contest.