Week 24

 

Happy Last Friday of February Team!

I don't know about you, but it seemed this last full week of February lasted for an entire month! Whew!  

Next week starts the last 4 weeks leading up to the start of MSTEP.  It is crunch time team.  

Below you will see the graphic of our individual grade level MSTEP goals.  Please take a look at it as these numbers are the driver for our Intervention and Small Group Instruction going forward.  

Shout out to the Black History committee and all of you for the terrific Black History month you provided to all of the students and staff.  We appreciate you!

Please take the weekend to rest and rejuvenate.  There is so much sickness and we need you to be healthy.

Finally, I want to wish Ms. Kiara McNeil the very best as she begins a new phase in her educational career journey.  Thank you so much for all you have done for our students...the time, effort, and dedication you provided to helping them learn and grow.  This was truly appreciated.  Please keep in touch!

Week 24 Instruction

 

This coming week is Week 24 of our Curriculum instruction. This week we will implementing our new daily grade level schedules which include MSTEP Mondays.  Please plan that the first 1-2 weeks might be a little bumpy and we may have to make some adjustments but I am excited about the opportunity for you to have more direct, small group instruction with your students. 

MSTEP Mondays

As we have discussed, we are instituting MSTEP Mondays.  This is when we totally focus on MSTEP preparation for ELA, Math and Writing.  We will continue to utilizing the State Testing MSTEP books for Reading/Vocabulary, Math, and ELA.  Don't forget to utilize the C&I State Test Prep Documents to pull instructional materials/ideas based on Standard Alignments, as well as the EdCite practice resources.

03's and GLTs

GLTs will be held as scheduled.  03s are drop in.  I will be spending time in the classrooms to observe on Tuesday - Thursday. 

Report Cards

As stated in Mrs. Wheelers email, Report Cards will not be sent home on Friday, March 7th.  They will be passed out during their child's Parent Teacher Conference. If parents do not attend in person conferences, ie. if they do a phone conference, then their child's report card will be sent home on Friday, March 14th.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week March 10-14.  You should be scheduling these with parents now.  Please remember to remind the parents to bring their student to the conference as these are Student Lead Conferences. Also, let them know that is when they will receive their child's Report Card.

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

This is a time for you to revisit Retention Concerns with parents.  Please make sure that you complete and review with parents (make sure they sign...it doesn't mean they agree), the At-Risk of Retention document.  This was attached to the email sent by Mrs. Wheeler.

There is ONE Sign In Sheet this time.  You MUST have parents sign the Sign In Sheet as this is an official document that has to be scanned to NHA.

Also, I need a copy of your PTC schedule by Friday, March 7th.

Field Trips

I must hear from you by March 7th regarding your Field Trip plans so that we can get paperwork completed for the buses.

March Is Reading Month

Monday kicks off our March is Reading Month celebration.  Please refer to the Reading Month Calendar which was sent out today (Friday) for the daily activities.  Also, please send this calendar to your parents via SchoolConnect.

Computer Needs 

Please remember that Mr. Kinsey is not available during the day to assist with computer needs or questions.  He is teaching every day.   If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Orlando.  Please DO NOT send students down to the Media Center.

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 3 - Moral Focus Assemblies  8:15 am - K-5; 1:30 pm; Staff Meeting 3:35 pm K-2 Meet with Ms. Wheeler, Gr. 3-8 Mandatory MSTEP Training 3:35-4:30

Tuesday, March 4 - School Visit by Mr. Shawn Leonard, Executive Director of Schools.  He will be visiting classrooms with Administration

Wednesday, March 5 - Wheeler and Rowden out for Dean Day at Linden Charter Academy

Friday, March 7 - Trimester 2 Ends; Dress Down for $ 2.00.

Monday-Friday, March 10 - 14  - Parent Teacher Conference Week/REPORT CARDS passed out during conferences; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK

Monday - Friday, March 10-14 - 3-8 Grades INTERIM 3 Assessment Week;  K-2 Math Check Point Assessment

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY for Students-DISMISSAL at 11:00 am/Parent Teacher Conferences until 3:00 pm; FREE DRESS FOR STUDENTS - SCHOOL APPROPRIATE

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.

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY - Honor's Assemblies 8:10 am K-2, 9:00 am 3-5, 9:50 am 6-8.

Friday, March 14 - Cookie Dough Fundraiser Ends

Hearing Testing - Friday, March 14 through Thursday, March 20 for students in grades Kindergarten, 2nd and 4th Grade

Monday - Friday, March 17-21 - Book Fair Week

Tuesday, March 18 - Rogers and Schofield out for Dean Day at Linden Charter Academy

Wednesday, March 19 - Gizmos Reading Night 4:30-5:30 pm. Students must attend with a parent

Friday, March 21 - Dress Down $ 2.00; Progress Report Day

Monday - Friday, March 24 - 28 - SPRING BREAK

Monday, March 31 - School Resumes

Monday, April 7 - MSTEP Testing Begins

Week 23

 

Happy Friday Team!

This was a very short and busy week!  Thank you so much for working so diligently to provide  instruction and testing in such a short week.  

As we discussed today, we are entering "crunch time" as we prepare for MSTEP testing and will be doing some very strategic instruction during these next 5-8 weeks. Please process our discussion and come prepared to discuss our plan in detail during our Grade Level Team meetings next week.  

Finally, next week is the culmination of our month long focus on Black History.  I am really looking forward to visiting your classrooms during our Black History Wax Museum next week.

I hope you have a restful and happy weekend.  Stay healthy...please!

Week 23 Instruction

 

This coming week is Week 23 instruction. We will begin our extensive focus on ELA and Math, along with MSTEP preparation.  We will continue to have our weekly Common Assessments on Thursday of week 23.

MSTEP Mondays

As we have discussed, we will be instituting MSTEP Mondays.  This will be when we totally focus on MSTEP preparation for ELA, Math and Writing.  We will be utilizing the State Testing MSTEP books for Reading/Vocabulary, Math, and ELA.  Next week we will also be looking into the C&I State Test Prep Documents to pull instructional materials/ideas based on Standard Alignments.

03's and GLTs

Please plan to meet for GLTs and 03s.

Black History Wax Museum

Just a reminder, Monday is the due date for the students to bring in their speeches and presentation boards for the Wax Museum.  If they are dressing as their subject, they can wear/bring in it on the day of the museum.

Gradebook Closes

Gradebook closes next Friday, February 28th.  No late work or missing assignments will be accepted after that date.

Report Cards

As stated in Mrs. Wheelers email, Report Cards will not be sent home on Friday, March 7th.  They will be passed out during their child's Parent Teacher Conference. If parents do not attend in person conferences, ie. if they do a phone conference, then their child's report card will be sent home on Friday, March 14th.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week March 10-14.  You should be scheduling these with parents now.  Please remember to remind the parents to bring their student to the conference as these are Student Lead Conferences. Also, let them know that is when they will receive their child's Report Card.

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

This is a time for you to revisit Retention Concerns with parents.  Please make sure that you complete and review with parents (make sure they sign...it doesn't mean they agree), the At-Risk of Retention document.  This was attached to the email sent by Mrs. Wheeler.

There is ONE Sign In Sheet this time.  You MUST have parents sign the Sign In Sheet as this is an official document that has to be scanned to NHA.

Also, I need a copy of your PTC schedule by Friday, March 7th.

Field Trips

I must hear from you by March 7th regarding your Field Trip plans so that we can get paperwork completed for the buses.

Mileage for Regional PD

If you have not submitted your mileage for our Regional PD day your time is running out.  Please refer to the email sent by Darci Lowney on February 7th for directions in submitting your survey (for your SCHECHs) and your mileage.

Your round trip mileage is from/back to Laurus Academy and it is 30 miles.  Please use this or it will be rejected.

Computer Needs 

Please remember that Mr. Kinsey is not available during the day to assist with computer needs or questions.  He is teaching every day.   If you have questions, please reach out to Mr. Orlando.  Please DO NOT send students down to the Media Center.

Upcoming Events

Monday, Feb. 24 - Friday, March 14 - 5th/8th Grade MOCK Social Studies and Science Tests (MSTEP PREP)

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; 10:00 am Cookie Fundraiser Assembly; GRADEBOOK CLOSES - last day to accept missing/make up work. START SCHEDULING IN PERSON PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES.

Friday, March 7 - Trimester 2 Ends

Monday-Friday, March 10 - 14  - Parent Teacher Conference Week/REPORT CARDS passed out during conferences

Monday - Friday, March 10-14 - 3-8 Grades INTERIM 3 Assessment Week

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY for Students-DISMISSAL at 11:00 am/Parent Teacher Conferences until 3:00 pm

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.

Week 22 (Mini Blog)

 

Hello Team and Welcome Back!

Can you believe that it has been a week since we have been at school?  Having the expected 4 day break/weekend turn into a 6 day break/weekend was truly a gift!  I know that I truly enjoyed the time and am certain that you must have too!  

Since it's Wednesday, this is going to be an "abridged" blog...

Week 22 Instruction/Snow Day Assessment Make Ups

 

This week is Week 22 of instruction. Due to the past three short weeks, we are "off schedule" with instruction and assessments.  As we discussed last week, we need to compact the learning.  I am asking that you ensure that all Week 20 and Week 21 assessments are completed by this Friday. You can do week 22 instruction this week and the assessments Mon-Tues.  Next week will be Week 23 instruction and assessments (next Thursday).

03's and GLTs

No GLTs this week.  03's will be drop in as needed.  These will resume next week.

Rowden and Schofield Out Thursday

We will be out Thursday (tomorrow) due to our Dean Day in Saginaw.

Black History Wax Museum

You will want to have students bring in their completed Black History Presentation Boards and information cards this Friday.  That way you know they are ready for next week and you can have a practice on Monday afternoon.  Our day for the Wax Museum is Wednesday, February 26th, 1:30-2:30.  

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am. The Parent Portal is updating so that parents will now have even greater access to missing assignments.

***Reminder...Gradebook closes next Friday, February 28th.  

    Report Cards go home March 7th. 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week March 10-14.  You should be scheduling these with parents now.  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.)  

This is a time for you to revisit Retention Concerns with parents.  Please make sure that you complete and review with parents (make sure they sign...it doesn't mean they agree), the At-Risk of Retention document.

Mrs. Wheeler is sending out Conference information today.  There is ONE Sign In Sheet this time.  You MUST have parents sign the Sign In Sheet as this is an official document that has to be scanned to NHA.

Also, I need a copy of your PTC schedule by Friday, March 7th.

Field Trips

I have only heard from 5th grade regarding a field trip.  I must hear something by March 7th so we can get paperwork for the buses.

Upcoming Events:

Wednesday - Thursday, Feb. 19 -20 - 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)

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

Wednesday, February 19 - Executive Principal Visit ( Gr. 3-5 Classroom Observations)

Thursday, February 20 - Schofield and Rowden out for DEAN DAY

Monday, Feb. 24 - Friday, March 14 - 5th/8th Grade MOCK Social Studies and Science Tests (MSTEP PREP)

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; 10:00 am Cookie Fundraiser Assembly; GRADEBOOK CLOSES - last day to accept missing/make up work. START SCHEDULING IN PERSON PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES.

Friday, March 7 - Trimester 2 Ends/REPORT CARDS Home

Monday-Friday, March 10 - 14  - Parent Teacher Conference Week

Monday - Friday, March 10-14 - 3-8 Grades INTERIM 3 Assessment Week

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY for Students-DISMISSAL at 11:00 am/Parent Teacher Conferences until 3:00 pm

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.

Week 21

 

Happy "Valentines Day" and "Mid-Winter Break" Week Team!  I know that you are so ready to have some time off, and you truly deserve it.  We have four days this week...so it's going to be jam packed making sure we complete our instructional goals.  Also, we have Count Day and Valentines Day to end our week before we go on break.

Please..please...do not let up on your management.  The kids are getting antsy too...and if allowed, their behaviors will ramp up. 

Week 21 Instruction/Snow Day Assessment Make Ups

 

This week is Week 21 of instruction. Due to the short week, we need to compact the learning to make sure we complete the necessary standard instruction so that we remain aligned with the correct instructional week.

Please plan to complete the Week 20 Assessment by end of day Tuesday, Feb. 18th.

03's and GLTs

These continue this week. We will review the Interim 3 Blue Print and plans for Math and ELA Small Group Instruction during the GLT's. 

During your 03's, we will look at Assessment Data for Interim 2, as well as classroom Question Data from Week 19/20 Assessments to continue to dig into Action Planning for Error Analysis and Reteaching.

Late Start Monday/PD for Staff

Just a reminder that Monday is a late start day for students.  Staff is expected to be at work by 8:00 am.  PD begins at 8:00 am in the gym and then we will separate into individual Wing Meetings.

Doors open for students at 9:55 (No Breakfast Served...No AM Latchkey).  School begins at 10:00 am

Black History Wax Museum

Continue to check in with each of your students to ascertain their progress on the completion of their Black History Presentations, including their Presentation Boards.  Our day for the Wax Museum is Wednesday, February 26th, 1:30-2:30.  

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am. The Parent Portal is updating so that parents will now have even greater access to missing assignments.

Upcoming Events:

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; 

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

Wednesday, February 19 - Executive Principal Visit ( Gr. 3-5 Classroom Observations)

Thursday, February 20 - Schofield and Rowden out for DEAN DAY

Monday, Feb. 24 - Friday, March 14 - 5th/8th Grade MOCK Social Studies and Science Tests (MSTEP PREP)

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; 10:00 am Cookie Fundraiser Assembly; GRADEBOOK CLOSES - last day to accept missing/make up work. START SCHEDULING IN PERSON PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES.

Friday, March 7 - Trimester 2 Ends/REPORT CARDS Home

Monday-Friday, March 10 - 14  - Parent Teacher Conference Week

Monday - Friday, March 10-14 - 3-8 Grades INTERIM 3 Assessment Week

Wednesday, March 12 - HALF DAY for Students-DISMISSAL at 11:00 am/Parent Teacher Conferences until 3:00 pm