Week 16

 

Dear Team... You did it!  It's Holiday Break and time for you to enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation!  I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday break...doing all of the things you love best and spending time with those you love!  

When we return on January 6th, it's back to business.  I have encouraged each of you to establish a  "Restart Plan"  for when we return, outlining your focus for reestablishing your classroom protocols, expectations, and procedures.  This is an opportunity for a "Do Over", especially with classroom management...and this is VERY IMPORTANT!   What you do or do not do right now will establish how your classroom functions and how your students succeed throughout the remainder of the school year.  Just remember that the tighter you keep your classroom culture, the less chances are possible for behaviors to pop off.  

These are the questions you need to ask yourself, and to prepare to address upon return to school tomorrow:

• What do you want to "reset"?  What are the things that you are not happy with or feel need to be changed and why?  What is your vision for your classroom and your students?
• How will you reestablish your policies and procedures in your class? 
• What things are you going to actually cover to make sure your classroom culture is back in place for learning? 

This is a time to tighten up those things or procedures that are not in line.

HALLWAY BULLETIN BOARDS

Your hallway Bulletin Boards should have been updated prior to holiday break.  This was an expectation. Please make sure that this has occurred.

GLTs/03's

GLTs will take place this week.  03's will resume next week.  I will be in classrooms this week.

INTERIM #2 PREPARATION

Interim 2 is quickly approaching.  Interim 2 testing begins Tuesday, January 21st.  That means we have two instructional weeks until the tests occur.  As such, we need to be working diligently to prepare our students with the necessary content (see Interim 2 Blueprints) and test taking strategies so that our Proficient students remain proficient and our 2.5 and 2.0 students attain proficiency.

Common Assessments

It is very important that you make sure any incomplete assessments from Week 14 and Week 15 are made up this week.  I do not want us falling behind in our completion rate. 

CLASSROOM LIGHTS

Please...please...you must keep your classroom lights on.  I love the look of the muted lighting; however, for some of our students who have diagnosed or undiagnosed eye issues, it is difficult for them to see clearly in the muted lights.  Thank you for making this adjustment.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 6 - School Resumes; Staff Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, January 7 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15 Gr. K-5, 1:35 Gr. 6-8; AIMSWeb MOY Benchmarking Continues

Monday, January 13 - Committee Meetings 3:35

Friday, January 17 - BLACK OUT Day; "White Out" Dress Down $ 2.00; Progress Report Day

Monday, January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 21 - Interim 2 Testing Begins; K-2 Numeracy Testing Begins; BLACK OUT Day

Monday, January 27 - Blue Ribbon Induction 8:30 am; National Junior Honor Society Induction 10:00 am; Wing Meeting 3:35 pm

Week 15

 

Dear Team... 

Here we are...Holiday Spirit Week is here and the final countdown to our holiday break has begun!🎄  This week tends to be spirited.  Everyone is excited and looking forward to the holiday break.  Kids will often make impulsive choices.  Just remember that the tighter you keep your classroom culture, the less chances are possible for behaviors to pop off.  

Also,  this week is still an Instructional Week...Week 15.  You must follow the lesson plans for instruction and assessment for this week so that we stay aligned with the Year-At-A-Glance Scope and Sequence.  If you have any instructional "gaps" within your day, feel free to do holiday activities.  Just be mindful that if you have any students with religious beliefs that prevent them from participating in these activities, you need to provide them with other work/activities to do.

Finally...I am wishing each and everyone of you the best, happiest, restful, and fun filled holiday break.  Enjoy this special time with those close to you, and do lots of self care...whatever that may be.  Happy Holidays!💝

EBLING PRINCIPAL COHORT VISIT

On Tuesday, December 17th, from 8:30-2:30, Laurus will host the Ebling Principal Cohort.  During their time here, they will be walking and observing throughout the hallways, as well as, conducting specific classroom observations.  

We are asking that you make sure that your Hallway Bulletin Boards, Classrooms, Instruction, Student Lockers, and Student behaviors truly are placing Laurus in the best possible light for our visitors.

PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Friday, December 20th is our monthly Progress Report Day.  You need to make sure that grades are updated before then.  Also, please make sure that you inform parents to go to the Parent Portal to view students grades on December 20th.

CLASSROOM LIGHTS

Beginning next week, I am requesting that you keep your classroom lights on.  I love the look of the muted lighting; however, for some of our students who have diagnosed or undiagnosed eye issues, it is difficult for them to see clearly in the muted lights.  Thank you for making this adjustment.

CHRISTMAS DOOR DECORATING CONTEST

Judging will take place on next week. Be ready...

BLUE RIBBON/NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY 

We will be doing a special shout out on Friday, December 20th to announce the students who have been selected to join these Honor Societies.  We can't wait!

HALLWAY BULLETIN BOARDS

Your hallway Bulletin Boards need to be updated with current student work and decor.  Please make sure that this is done before you leave for break.

GLTs/03's

GLTs  and 03's will NOT take place this week.  These will resume when we return during the week of January 6th.

HOLIDAY SPIRIT WEEK

This event takes place the week of December 16th.  Students can participate by paying to dress down in the appropriate Holiday Spirit wear. The cost is $6.00 for the entire week or $2.00 per day if only participating on certain days.  The categories are as follows:

• Monday - Grade Level Pick (Pick the Holiday Theme for the Day for your grade level students/staff)- PLEASE MAKE SURE PARENTS ARE AWARE OF THIS TODAY
• Tuesday - Red or Green Day
• Wednesday - Ugly Sweater Day
• Thursday - Holiday Character or Gold/White
• Friday - Pajama Day (Must be appropriate to wear in school)

HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS (PARTIES)

Friday is a half day, and is the day that we have assigned for you to have your holiday celebrations. These celebrations may not occur on any other day!  Also, you should still provide structure for this day.  Finally, classroom lights need to be on...😉

INTERIM #2 PREPARATION

Interim 2 is quickly approaching.  Interim 2 testing begins Tuesday, January 21st.  That means we have 3 instructional weeks until the test occurs.  As such, we need to be working diligently to prepare our students with the necessary content (see Interim 2 Blueprints) and test taking strategies so that our Proficient students remain proficient and our 2.5 and 2.0 students attain proficiency.

GRADE LEVEL PLANS FOR 2025

This week, as we are preparing for class to resume in January, I would like for you to consider and plan for the following:

• How will you reset students reentry back into to school mode...fresh start, reconnecting, reestablishing positive relationships, etc.
• How will you reestablish your policies and procedures in your class. 
• What things are you going to actually cover to make sure your classroom culture is back in place for learning? 

This is a time to tighten up anything that is not in line with the creation of a self managed classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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

• Monday - Grade Level Pick Day (see above)
• 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

Monday, January 20 - No School Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday 

Tuesday, January 21 - Interim 2 Testing Begins

***Send me an email after you read this....💗

Week 14

 

Dear Team...I hope you all have a good weekend.  You definitely deserve it after the hustle of this past week.  

We are in to the "count down" days these two weeks.  I know that you are tired and ready for your well deserved break; however, I'm asking that you stay vigilant with behaviors and structured with instruction (scope/sequence and pacing) as the kids tend to make poor choices if you don't.  Just a reminder, for some students the upcoming break brings stress, uncertainty and disappointment.  Let's try to be cognizant of that.

Christmas Door Decorating Contest Date Extended!

We are extending the completion date of our annual Christmas Door Decorating contest to Wednesday, December 11.  We really hope that this inspires more classrooms to participate in this fun event.  

Judging will take place during the week of December 18th for prizes for the top 3.

Grades

Just a reminder, all student work and assessments need to be corrected and put in the gradebook before 8:00 am on Monday mornings.  Parents have been told that updated grades are available for them to view by 8:00 am on Monday mornings.

GLTs/03's

These resume next week.  

Gum Chewing

Gum chewing is not allowed by students.  We are noticing an increase in the number of students who are chewing gum.  Staff, we need you to be mindful of this and help us to stop this behavior by the students.

Fall Tutoring

Tutoring resumes this week on Monday and Tuesday, December 9 - 10.

Student Water Bottles

I am noticing students having water bottles, drink bottles, etc. on their desks.  As I stated at the beginning of the year, this is not an acceptable practice at Laurus.  Students are able to keep their water bottles in their cubbies. If they have lockers, they need to keep their water bottles in their lockers.  Please make sure you address this immediately.  

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

Hallway Decor

If you have fall and/or Thanksgiving decor posted on your hallway bulletin board, doors, etc., please take them down and replace them with more appropriate seasonal decor.

INTERIM #2 PREPARATION

Interim 2 is quickly approaching.  Interim 2 testing begins Monday, January 20th.  That means we have instructional 4 weeks until the test occurs.  As such, we need to be working diligently to prepare our students with the necessary content (see Interim 2 Blueprints) and test taking strategies so that our Proficient students remain proficient and our 2.5 and 2.0 students attain proficiency.  

Plan to strategize during our GLTs beginning next week.

IAT (CHILD STUDY) 

If you are planning to send a student through the process due to academic or behavior concerns, please contact Ms. Schofield and complete the appropriate paperwork.

Staff Shout Outs

🎉Shout Out to Ms. Avant and Ms. Glass for utilizing a Student Reflection Sheet for their Student Lead Conferences.  Parents were impressed with how the students used them while leading the conferences!  Well Done!

🎉Shout out to Ms. Scott, Mr. Amanze and Ms. Hepner, Ms. Archibald, Ms. Zbib, Ms. Wilson, Ms. E Williams, Ms. Darling, Ms. Johnson, and the K-2 teachers for their sustained support of student Progress Monitoring.

🎉Shout out to Ms. Todd, Mr. Burns, Ms. Armstrong, and Ms. Polk for consistently walking around and instructing.  As you know, circulation is one of the most effective strategies for monitoring student engagement and checking for understanding.  

🎉 Shout out to Ms. Campbell, Ms. Glass, Ms. Ragin, Ms. Winter, Ms. Avant and Ms. Todd for consistently being at their doors during Arrival and Dismissal.  The Admin team notices! 

Upcoming Events:

***Send me an email after you read this....💗

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