Week 8

 

Happy Friday Team! 

Here we are...another Friday...and right in the middle of October!  Can you believe it?

And...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 obvious to me, as well as our visitors who were in the building this week, when you have prepped for the lesson instruction and are prepared to teach, and when you are not.  Keep up the good work!

Reflection Time:

Last week I share my feelings with you about the importance of self care.  Today, I want to challenge you to take some time every day/week to reflect on what went well.  There is so much involved with what we do everyday....and sometimes we get it right and other times our best efforts and intentions fall flat.  If you are like me, I tend to put my focus on what I need to improve on...and that is necessary.  However, I urge you to always find something positive each day to walk away with...a lesson that went well, a student you connected with, a teammate you encouraged, etc.  This is another way to help fill your "bucket", and that is so necessary for us as educators.  

My challenge to you for next week is to try to utilize this reflection strategy each day next week.  I will be interested in hearing your feedback in our 03's if you feel like sharing.

News to Know:

Gleaners Food Drive

Monday, October 20th kicks off our annual Gleaners Food Drive!  Last year, the winner of the schoolwide competition was 3A- Ms. Scott/McNeil's classroom.  I wonder if our wing will pull it off again this year.  Let's GO!!!!

Kindergarten: Macaroni & Cheese, Spaghetti,  Pasta &  Rice

1^st grade: Peanut butter & Jelly/Jam

2^nd grade: Boxed Stuffing,  Canned Sweet Potatoes & Spaghetti Sauce

3^rd grade: Cake Mix & Frosting, Jiffy Mixes, Corn Bread/Biscuits & Brownies

4^th grade: Pancake Mix & Syrup, Bisquick Mix

5^th grade: Soup, Chili, & Stew

6^th grade: Cereal & Oatmeal

7^th grade: Crackers & Granola Bars

8^th grade: Canned Vegetables and Fruit  

Grade Level Peer Observations

Just a reminder that next week I am giving you time (GLT Time) to complete the Grade Level Peer Observations we discussed this week.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

GLTS/03s

These are canceled next week so that you can complete your Peer Observations.

I am still planning to hold our 03s. ☺

Interims

Our first Interim testing cycle will begin the week of October 27.  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 won't have school on Friday, October 31 .  It is the expectation that ALL Interims are administered and completed by end of day October 30.  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).

Instructional Week 8

Monday begins Week 8 lessons and Common Assessments.  Please note below...these data charts were pulled today around 2:30 pm.  If you have any outstanding students assessments (Pink/Red) please work to get them completed by end of day Monday.

 ELA Common Assessments

Math Common Assessments

Annotated Lesson Plans

Due on Fridays by 3:00 pm.  Please place these in your class folder on my cabinet.

Fall Tutoring

Fall Tutoring will begin on Tuesday, October 28th.  It will run for 6 weeks.  

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 Attendance Liaison and part of her job is to work with parents on these types of student absenteeism.

Upcoming Events:

Monday-Friday, October 20-24 - Safe Schools Week

Monday, October 20 - Wing Meeting 3:35-4:30

Tuesday, October 21 - Fall Picture Re-Take Day (students must be in school uniform)

Wednesday, October 22 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Schofield

Thursday, October 23 - Dean Day for Rowden and Rogers

Friday, October 24 - UM vs. MSU Free Dress Down Day; October Birthday Celebrations 2:15 - 2:45; Lock Down #1 

Monday - Thursday, October 27 - 30 - Gr, 3-8 Interim 1 Test Week 

Tuesday, October 28 - Fall Tutoring Begins

Wednesday, October 29 - Halloween Celebration Day 2:00-2:45 (Students can dress in costumes...no masks, face paint, or weapons); Trunk or Treat 4:30-5:30 (if candy lasts)

Thursday, October 30 - Fire Drill #3

Friday, October 31 - NO SCHOOL

Friday, November 14 - Fall Regional Day

Friday, November 21 - Trimester 1 Ends

Monday - Friday, December 1-5 - Parent Teacher Conferences/Report Cards