Week 20

 

Happy Friday Team and Welcome to the new month of February!

What a week this has been...but you persevered, made it though, and ensured that all of the Interim 2 Assessments were completed and graded.  Well Done!  

Here we are entering a new month...February...the month of courage, love, and celebration of Black History.  What an amazing month!  I am looking forward to all of it! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...get some rest and have some fun!

Week 20 Instruction 

 

This week will be Week 20 of instruction. Make sure that your lesson plans are aligned with and reflect the correct instructional week.

Gradebook

Make sure you are staying on top of your grading and that student grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.  Parents are checking their child's grades and are making calls as to why the grades haven't been updated.

Regional PD Training

On Friday, February 7th students will not be in school.  It is our Winter Regional Professional Development Day.  Attendance is mandatory for all staff.  This training will take place at Oakside.  You will want to refer to the email sent from Darci Lowney on 1/22/25.

Please...please make sure you are on time for the day and for each training session. Also, you will want to print out an agenda for the day.  Grade 3-5 Self Contained.

03's and GLTs 

This week we will resume our 03's and GLTs.  Please make sure you are in attendance and on time.  We will be reviewing your Interim 2 test data. Please come prepared.

Black History Wax Museum

The information for grade level participation in our Black History Wax Museum was sent out by Ms. Schofield on Thursday, January 30th.  Please make sure that you read the information and assign students their research project topic.  These will take place for grades 3-5 on Wednesday, February 26th from 1:30 - 2:30 pm.  Parents are encouraged to attend.

Purses 

Please reinforce to your students who bring purses to school that they are NOT ALLOWED to wear them during the day.

Gum

We need your help as we have noticed an increase students chewing gum.  This is not allowed at Laurus.  Please be diligent and do not let your students chew gum.  

Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 3 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15 K-5, 1:30 6-8; Staff Meeting 3:35; 

Tuesday-Thursday, February 4-6 - Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, February 5 - Lock Down PM

Thursday, February 6 - Lions Dress Down Day $2.00

Friday, February 7- REGIONAL PD DAY 7:45 am - 2:20 pm;  No School for Students

Monday, February 10 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report at 8:00 am for a Data PD.  NO MORNING LATCH KEY AVAILABLE; Doors open for students at 9:55 am.  No Breakfast provided.

Tuesday, February 11 - Wheeler and Rogers out for Dean Day

Wednesday - Thursday, Feb. 12-13 - Daddy-Daughter Dance Ticket Sale Days

                                                              $30.00/couple, $5.00 each additional child

                                                              No Early Sales, No Extensions, No Exceptions

                                                              CASH Sales only (no apps)

Wednesday, February 12 - COUNT DAY; Free Dress Day; Schofield Out; Executive Principal Visit ( Gr. 3-5 Classroom Observations)

Thursday, February 13 - Westfield Dancers Black History Program Grades 6-8; PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Friday - Monday, Feb. 14-17 - Mid-Winter Break

Tuesday - Friday, Feb. 18 - 21 - Black History Spirit Week  $2.00/day or $5.00/week

• Tuesday, Feb. 18      - Black Love Day         Wear Red or Black
• Wednesday, Feb. 19 - Inspired By Day        Dress like a famous Black Icon who                                                                                 inspires you
• Thursday, Feb. 20    - Fast Forward Day      Dress to impress or Dress as your                                                                                   future self
• Friday, Feb. 21          -Pan African Day         Wear Red, Green and/or Black or your                                                                             favorite HBCU, Fraternity or Sorority                                                                               colors

Tuesday Feb. 25 -  K-2 Black History Wax Museum 1:30 - 2:30

Wednesday, Feb. 26 -   3-5 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Thursday, Feb. 27 -  6-8 Black History Wax Museum 1:30-2:30

Friday, February 28 - Daddy Daughter Dance (Informal)  5:00 - 7:00 pm

Week 19

 

Happy Friday Team!

I know this week was a short week...and a cold week...but I so enjoyed those extra days at home!  I hope you did as well.  I had an exciting start to the long weekend as my great-niece was born on Saturday.  Her name is Sophia and I am over the moon. 

Thank you so much for your hard work and flexibility in providing the necessary week 19 instruction and Interim 2 prep these past couple of days.  That will definitely help as we move into next week and the Interim 2 assessments.

 Week 19 and Interim 2 Testing

Due to this week's interruption in instruction (weather and attendance issues) and the need to review for the tests, we will be utilizing the following plan for test completion next week:

Monday:           Interim Review Day

Tuesday:          ELA Interim

Wednesday:     Math Interim

Thursday:         Science Interim

Friday:              Social Studies (5th Grade)

 All Interim testing and make up testing has to be completed by end of day on Friday, January 31st.

Blue Ribbon Induction Ceremony

The induction ceremony for Blue Ribbon Society will take plan on Monday, January 27th beginning at 8:30 am.  This will be the first year we are holding the ceremony during the school day.  

As such, I need all 3rd, 4th and 5th grades to be in the gym by 8:30 am, sitting on the floor for the ceremony.  I need you to plan to have the students being inducted at the front of your lines to make it easier for them to receive their certificates.  It is my plan to have this ceremony only last 30-40 minutes.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring begins this week.  

03/GLT's

Due to next week's Interims and Numeracy assessments, we will not be conducting 03's and GLT's.  If you need me or what to talk, please feel free to let me know.

Birthday Celebration Reminders

Prior to Christmas, we began to notice more "birthday celebration treats" coming into the school on days not designated as the school wide Birthday Celebration day.  We are asking for your support with this matter.  Please...please...we have allocated time on the LAST Friday of every month as the day students can bring in treats to celebrate their birthday.  This needs to be conveyed to parents on a regular basis so that they also can adhere to this school policy.  Please make sure to make it a part of your weekly newsletter.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Attendance Grids

Please make sure that your attendance is completed every day and that your weekly printing, signing and filing is done before you leave on Fridays.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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

Tuesday, January 28 - Winter Tutoring begins 3:30-4:30 on T/W/TH

Thursday, February 6 - Lions Gear Dress Down $ 2.00

Friday, February 7 - Regional PD Day; No School for Students

Monday, February 10 - LATE START DAY - School begins at 10:00 am for students.  Doors open for students at 9:35 am;  Staff reports at 8:00 for Regional PD Planning Work Time

Tuesday, February 11 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Rogers

Thursday, February 13 - Westfield Dancers Black History Assembly  9:00 am.

Friday, February 14 - Monday, February 17 - MID-WINTER BREAK No School Friday or Monday.

Thursday, February 20 - Dean Day for Schofield and Rowden

Friday, February 21 - Wayne State Dancers; IAT Day

Week 18

 

Dear Team...!

I hope that you all are looking forward to this very special upcoming holiday weekend.  I know that I am.  I try to take time to be very reflective on Dr. King, Jr. and his mission and dream for all people.  Rather than focusing on having a "day off", I try to be purposeful about why we celebrate this day...this man...his dream/vision for us as humanity.

I hope that this day offers you opportunities for reflection as well.

In addition, I hope that you are looking forward to a Lions WIN on Saturday Night...!

This is going to be a busy, shorter week as we administer our Interim 2 and K-2 Assessments.  Hopefully, it is a good one for all!

Instructional Week 18

As you can see by the title of this blog, we are in Instructional Week 18.  It is our scheduled Interim 2 Week.  I want to remind you that it is  extremely important that we stay current with our instructional pacing, even though it is a testing week.  

Math Strategy Anchor Charts

One of the things that came out of my Dean Day was that the students struggle to retain and recall the Math Strategies needed for success.  An idea that we had was to make sure we are creating and posting Math Strategy Anchor Charts in our classrooms.  Thoughts?

Student Data Folders and Data Charts

Just a reminder that we need to make sure that these are continuing to be completed.  If you have "slacked off", please make sure you devote some time next week to catch up.

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

Next week, I will be pulling students to practice for the Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony.  

The ceremonies are scheduled for 8:30 am (BR) on Monday, January 27th.  Student attire is SCHOOL UNIFORM.  

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring begins January 28th.  Please continue to communicate this to parents.  Again, participation is by invitation only.

Interim 2 Testing

Students will be taking the Interim 2 test next week, beginning Tuesday, January 21.  

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Make sure that you are completing all of your weekly Common Assessments.  All assessments need to be in the "blue" by Monday mornings. 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

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 for Teachers (this means no call offs)

Thursday, January 23 - MLK Movie Night 4:00 - 6:00.  Sign Up is in the school office. Students must attend with a parent.

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

Tuesday, January 28 - Winter Tutoring begins

Thursday, February 6 - Lions Gear Dress Down $ 2.00

Friday, February 7 - Regional PD Day; No School for Students

Monday, February 10 - LATE START DAY - School begins at 10:00 am for students;  Staff reports at 8:00 for Regional PD Planning Work Time

Tuesday, February 11 - Dean Day for Schofield and Rogers

Thursday, February 13 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Rowden; Westfield Dancers Black History Assemble 9:00 am.

Friday, February 14 - Monday, February 17 - MID-WINTER BREAK No School Friday or Monday.

Week 17

 

Hi Team...!

Congratulations on your return back to work and on the completion of your first week of teaching in 2025!  I noticed so many good things happening in classrooms this week...a re-emphasis of expectations, routines and procedures, small group ELA instruction, teachers up and circulating in the classroom, and interim 2 review and prep to name a few.  I truly appreciate the focus that you are all showing as we begin this half of the school year.  Everything we do now is focusing on preparing students for MSTEP. 

This is going to be a busy week as we continue to prepare for Interim 2 and the K-2 Assessments.  Hopefully, it is a good one for all!

Instructional Week 17

As you can see by the title of this blog, we are in Instructional Week 17.  It is extremely important that we stay current with our instructional pacing.  If you are behind, please work with your team to compact your instruction/lessons in order to be current.  This needs to be done asap.

Phones and Ear Buds

Just a couple of "Beginning of Year" Reminders:

• Phones - the only time you are able to be on your phones during your work day...7:30-3:30...is during your prep time and lunch time.  This includes no use during arrival and dismissal times.  
• Ear Buds in their ears.  Teacher are not to have ear buds in your ears at work.  We do not allow this for the students and we need to model these expectations for the students.

Drive Line Expectations

Drive Line is to be projected on the classroom whiteboards so that the students watch for their name and door colors.  Teachers should not be using their phone to utilize Drive Line for dismissal.

GLTs/03s

We will be having Grade Level Team Meetings and 03s next week.

Grade Book Weighting

Just a reminder of our discussions prior to break we discussed re-vamping our Grade Book Weights.  These support our Standards Based grading that our cohort utilizes and that Mrs. Bullard conveyed to parents before holiday break.  The weights are as follows:

• Final Exams (Interims) - 40%
• Assessments (Unit Tests; Achievement Board Writing Final Drafts) - 30%
• Quizzes (Grammar/Reading Comp/Math Weekly Quizzes; Exit Tickets "NHA Approved", Social Studies/Science Quizzes) - 25%
• Homework (Homework Packets, Spelling Tests "NHA Approved", In-Class Assignments, etc.) - 5%

Please make sure that you adjust your various gradebooks to reflect these changes.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring begins the week of January 27th (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  3-5 Tutoring will focus on our Bubble Students first and then parent request.  I am sending out invites no later than Monday, 1/13.

Interim 2 Testing

Students will be taking the Interim 2 tests during the week of Tuesday, January 22. Please continue to prepare your students for testing via content and test taking strategies.  

Classroom Newsletters

Please remember that it is an expectation for you to provide a weekly newsletter (via SchoolConnect) to the parents.  I need you to make sure that I am included on this, so that I receive it.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Please remember to relate to your parents via newsletter, that Thursday is our weekly test day and make ups occur on Friday if necessary.  Students need to be in attendance so that they can take these tests, as we will not provide unlimited time for students to make up missed tests.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 13 - Committee Meetings 3:35

Tuesday, January 14 - Dean Day - Wheeler and Schofield Out

Wednesday, January 15 - Dean Day - Rogers and Rowden Out

Friday, January 17 - BLACK OUT Day for Teachers; "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 for Teachers

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