Week 13

 

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

I wasn't successful in getting my Thankful Turkeys out to you today...so I do want to take this opportunity to tell you again how thankful I am for each one of you!  Your dedication, your kindness, your patience, your willingness to serve and invest in your students, your flexibility, your willingness to pivot to make things better, your innovation...I could go on and on.  You are the best...to say the least.  

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 rest up and let's go...

This Week:

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week following our Thanksgiving Break (December 1-5).  These should take approximately 15 minutes each.  (Plan to use a timer to be considerate to all parents.)  

Make sure your classroom is neat, orderly, and welcoming.  Ambience carries a lot of weight.

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

Please remember to have all of your necessary/required paperwork ready for your conferences:

• Report Card
• NWEA Student Progress Reports
• Interim 1 Reports
• Student/Parent/Teacher Compacts (one for each student)
• Student/Parent/Teacher Compact Sign In Sheet
• PTC Sign In Sheet
• At Risk of Retention Letter (one for each student who is eligible)
• Student Data Sheet (Completed - one for each student)

Student Retention List

Parent Teacher Conferences are the time that you need to talk to parents if you are concerned about a students academic progress and/or Attendance.  This means the student is AT-RISK OF RETENTION and they might be RETAINED at the end of the year if improvements are not made.  

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.

You also need to go over the AT RISK OF RETENTION Letter and have the parent sign.  You need to keep the letter...do not give it to the parent.  Also, please provide the list of students who are at risk of retention to me on Friday, December 5th.

GLTs/03's

Due to parent teacher conferences, we will not be holding 03's or GLTs.  This will give you additional prep time or time to conduct conferenes.  I am always available if needed.

FLOs

It is time for your mid-year, full lesson observation.  These will begin the week of December 1st and are UNANNOUNCED.  This means I will be referring to your grade level schedule to plan my observations.  You will want to make sure that you are following it with fidelity so that I am observing the lesson I am preparing to observe.

Voice of the Parent Survey

 Teachers please note the following procedure we need you to follow during PTC's so that we can get parents to complete their Voice of the Parent survey

• In order for a student to receive a Free Dress coupon, parents must show proof of completion of survey 
• Teachers record completion on a class grid and take a picture of it; 
• Classrooms with 100% completion will receive a surprise; 
• have sign outside classroom encouraging parents to complete survey in order to receive the Free Dress coupon and treat at Door #1.
• If parents need to use Chromebook, go to Media center on Wed. 12-3. Support will log completion
• The students receiving coupons will use them on Friday, December 5 for a Free Dress Day

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 1st.  The students will have until Friday, December 12 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.

Honor's Assembly

On Wednesday, December 3rd (our half day), we will be having an Honor's Assembly in the Classrooms. You are not expected to invite parents to this.  This is a time that you can award your students with the expected awards (Attendance, Moral Focus, Honor Roll, Principal {I will do this one}).  You also might want to take a picture of each student with their awards and sent it to their individual parents via School Connect.

Door Decorating Contest

You can start now!  This needs to be done by December 7th.  Judging will begin on December 8th.

Annotated Lesson Plans

These will be due Friday for Week 14.

FYI...Active Engagement looks/sounds like...

• Students showing their work (on paper and during instruction)
• Discussions/Explainations/Questions

Remember to Anchor your Instruction back to the lesson goals at least 3 times during instruction.

    

Upcoming Events:

Monday - Friday, December 1-5 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/5); Parent Teacher Conference Week- REPORT CARDS GO HOME AT CONFERENCES...NOT BEFORE; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK!;  Scholastic Book Fair Week

Monday, December 1st - Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15 6-8 12:45; Blue Ribbon/National Honor Society Applications passed out

Wednesday, December 3 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00 am) for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  Honors Assemblies in Classroom; 

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

Thursday, December 4 - C & I ELA Visit

Friday, December 5 - Voice of Parent Survey Ends; FREE DRESS DOWN WITH COUPON FOR STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY (This is the only day to use the coupon); At-Risk of Retention Student List Due to Dean

Monday, December 8th - Holiday Door Judging Begins; Staff Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, December 9th - Tutoring Resumes

Friday, December 12 - BR/NJHS Applications Due

Monday - Friday, December 15-19 - Holiday Spirit Week  $ 2.00/day or $ 6.00/Week (M-Th)

• 12/15 - Red or Green Day
• 12/16 - Grade Level Team Choice (Decide this asap and let parents know)
• 12/17 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
• 12/18 - Holiday Character or White/Gold Day
• 12/19 - Holiday Pajama Day (Free)

Wednesday, December 17th - 3-5 Wing Cohort Dean Day 8:00-11:00; 6-8 Wing Cohort Dean Day 11:30-2:30 at Laurus

Thursday, December 18th - K-2 Wing Cohort Dean Day 8:00-11:00; Sped/Intervention Cohort Dean Day 11:30-2:30 at Laurus;  Last Day of Tutoring

Friday, December 19th - Half Day Dismissal at 11:00 am; December Birthday Celebration Day; BR/NJHS Inductees Announced; Class Holiday Parties; Holiday Pajama Day - FREE; Last Day before Holiday Break

Monday, January 5th - School Resumes at Laurus

Thanksgiving Week

 

Happy Weekend Team!

Congratulations...you have completed the last full week prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday Break!  I honestly can't believe we are here already...yet I'm truly ready for this break, as I know you are too!  I hope that you truly enjoy time with family, good food, SLEEP, and some fun R&R during this holiday break.  

I also want to thank each and every one of you for the classroom instruction, professionalism, and community shown during the Principal Cohort visit.  I was (and am) very proud of each of you and the way you represented our team and Laurus Academy.  Thank you! 

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

PS...We are entering one of the busiest times of the year.  These days are going to go quickly. Eat your Wheaties!

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

Pie..Pie...Pie...

Please add our request for STORE BOUGHT Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie to your SchoolConnect this weekend.  We need Pie for our Thanksgiving Feast day on Tuesday, November 25th.  Pies can be dropped off at the school beginning on Monday, November 24th through 9:00 am on Tuesday, November 25th.  Thank you so much!

Thanksgiving Feast Day Expectations

On Tuesday 11/25 we will celebrate Thanksgiving.  On this day, students will eat in the classroom with their teacher.  Students will be given pie between 11:00 am -1:00 pm. 

GLTs/03's

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

FLOs

It is time for your mid-year, full lesson observation.  These will begin the week of December 1st and are UNANNOUNCED.  This means I will be referring to your grade level schedule to plan my observations.  You will want to make sure that you are following it with fidelity so that I am observing the lesson I am preparing to observe.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences are the week following our Thanksgiving Break (December 1-5).  These should take approximately 15 minutes each.  (Plan to use a timer to be considerate to all parents.)  

Make sure your classroom is neat, orderly, and welcoming.  Ambience carries a lot of weight.

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

Please remember to have all of your necessary/required paperwork ready for your conferences:

• Report Card
• NWEA Student Progress Reports
• Interim 1 Reports
• Student/Parent/Teacher Compacts (one for each student)
• Student/Parent/Teacher Compact Sign In Sheet
• PTC Sign In Sheet
• At Risk of Retention Letter (one for each student who is eligible)
• Student Data Sheet (Completed - one for each student)

I would make these copies next week so that you are ready for Monday, 12/1.

Voice of the Parent Survey

 Teachers please note the following procedure we need you to follow during PTC's so that we can get parents to complete their Voice of the Parent survey

• In order for a student to receive a Free Dress coupon, parents must show proof of completion of survey 
• Teachers record completion on a class grid and take a picture of it; 
• Classrooms with 100% completion will receive a surprise; 
• have sign outside classroom encouraging parents to complete survey in order to receive the Free Dress coupon and treat at Door #1.
• If parents need to use Chromebook, go to Media center on Wed. 12-3. Support will log completion
• The students receiving coupons will use them on Friday, December 5 for a Free Dress Day

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 1st.  The students will have until Friday, December 12 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.

Honor's Assembly

On Wednesday, December 3rd (our half day), we will be having an Honor's Assembly in the Classrooms. You are not expected to invite parents to this.  This is a time that you can award your students with the expected awards (Attendance, Moral Focus, Honor Roll, Principal {I will do this one}).  You also might want to take a picture of each student with their awards and sent it to their individual parents via School Connect.

Thankful Turkeys

It's that time of year!

Mrs. Rogers placed Thankful Turkey coloring sheets in your mailbox; you may make as many copies as you want!  We use Thankful Turkeys to let our coworkers know how thankful we are for them and all that they do!

Color it, write a message, and deliver it to someone that you are especially thankful for!

Door Decorating Contest

You can start now!  This needs to be done by December 7th.  Judging will begin on December 8th.

Annotated Lesson Plans

These will be due Tuesday for Week 13.

FYI...Active Engagement looks/sounds like...

• Students showing their work (on paper and during instruction)
• Discussions/Explainations/Questions

Remember to Anchor your Instruction back to the lesson goals at least 3 times during instruction.

    

Upcoming Events:

Monday, November 24 - Free Dress; Tornado/Shelter Drill #1; Trimester 2 Begins; Holiday Door Decorating Week 

Tuesday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Feast/Lunch in Classrooms with Teacher & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down; NO TUTORING

Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 1-5 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/5); Parent Teacher Conference Week- REPORT CARDS GO HOME AT CONFERENCES...NOT BEFORE; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK!;  Scholastic Book Fair Week

Monday, December 1st - Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15 6-8 12:45; Blue Ribbon/National Honor Society Applications passed out

Wednesday, December 3 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00 am) for Parent Teacher Conferences.  PTC's run from 12:00-3:00 pm on this Half Day.  Honors Assemblies in Classroom; 

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

Thursday, December 4 - C & I ELA Visit

Friday, December 5 - Voice of Parent Survey Ends; FREE DRESS DOWN WITH COUPON FOR STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS COMPLETED THE SURVEY (This is the only day to use the coupon); At-Risk of Retention Student List Due to Dean

Monday, December 8th - Holiday Door Judging Begins; Staff Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, December 9th - Tutoring Resumes

Friday, December 12 - BR/NJHS Applications Due

Monday - Friday, December 15-19 - Holiday Spirit Week  $ 2.00/day or $ 6.00/Week (M-Th)

• 12/15 - Red or Green Day
• 12/16 - Grade Level Team Choice (Decide this asap and let parents know)
• 12/17 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
• 12/18 - Holiday Character or White/Gold Day
• 12/19 - Holiday Pajama Day (Free)

Wednesday, December 17th - 3-5 Wing Cohort Dean Day 8:00-11:00; 6-8 Wing Cohort Dean Day 11:30-2:30 at Laurus

Thursday, December 18th - K-2 Wing Cohort Dean Day 8:00-11:00; Sped/Intervention Cohort Dean Day 11:30-2:30 at Laurus;  Last Day of Tutoring

Friday, December 19th - Half Day Dismissal at 11:00 am; December Birthday Celebration Day; BR/NJHS Inductees Announced; Class Holiday Parties; Holiday Pajama Day - FREE; Last Day before Holiday Break

Monday, January 5th - School Resumes at Laurus

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.

Also,  I want you to know how proud I am of you for leaning in to our PD training today.  I hope you found the information informative, and readily applicable.  We will continue to move forward for 100% implementation during these next weeks/months.

I know things are getting busy with the upcoming end of Trimester 1 (can you believe it!),  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:

Ebling Principal Cohort Visit

On Monday, December 17th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, Principal Bullard and Laurus Academy will be hosting the Principals in DSQ Eblings cohort.  During this visit, they will be observing the flow of the school, it's appearance, and our committment and utilization of the Ebling Expectations (these were sent out this past Monday and Thursday)/Look -Fors.  In additon, various Principal teams will be observing instruction within the classrooms, looking for the adherence to the NHA Scope/Sequence, evidence that you are following the lesson plans with fidelity, and that your instruction demonstrates that you are fully prepared and prepped.  

We will be providing the Principals with a schedule of classrooms to observe it; however, be advised they are known to go 

Trimester 1 Ends - Gradebook Closes

This coming Friday, November 21st, is the last day of Trimester 1 and the day that Gradebook closes (this means you can still enter grades but no assignments after November 21st). 

Report Cards DO NOT GO HOME!!!!!

Report Cards will be passed out during your Parent Teacher Conferences...and not before that time.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Now is the time for you to be scheduling your Parent Teacher Conferences.  These will take place during the Week of December 1-5, 2025.  Please start reaching out to parents...School Connect is a great resource to schedule your conferences.

Wednesday, December 3rd is a Half Day for students (dismissals at 11:00 am).  Teachers are expected to stay until 3:00 pm, even if you completed your conferences on Monday and Tuesday.  We are looking for 100% In Person conferences to take place during PTC Week.

Look for an email from Mrs. Wheeler with the necessary forms to be completed during your PTC's.

Pie...Pie...Pie...We Need Pie!

Laurus Academy's Annual Thanksgiving Feast will take place on Tuesday, November 25th.  We are asking each family to donate one Sweet Potato or Pumpkin Pie for this celebration.  These will be dispersed to the classrooms so that students can enjoy pie with their celebration.  

We can accept the pies beginning Monday, November 24th so that they are fresh.  We cannot cook or bake any pies and they must be store bought.  

Please add this to your weekly newsletter.

Dean Day

I will be out to Windemere Park in Lansing for Dean Day on Tuesday, November 18th.  Dean Rogers will also be out on that day.  Deans Wheeler and Schofield will be out on Wednesday, November 19th for their respective Dean Days.

Door Decorating Contest

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

Annotated Lesson Plans

These are due today.

FYI...How are you addressing the Grade Level Habits of Discussion within your Turn and Talks?  Are you ensuring that students not only have opportunities for Participating but also Active Engagement?  Do your annotated plans have your written notes and plans for implementation on them?

03s and GLTS

We will begin our Interim 2 Data planning this week.  Bring your Interim 2 Blueprints and your plans for Math and ELA so we can review and discuss.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Conferences are scheduled for December 1-5.  Now is the time to start to schedule these conferences because we need to make sure that these conferences are 100% in person.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, November 17 - Principal Cohort Visist; Wing Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, November 18 - Dean Day Rowden and Rogers

Wednesday, November 19 - Dean Day Wheeler and Schofield

Friday, November 21 - Trimester 1 Ends; Gradebook Closes - Last day for grades to be entered into Gradebook for Report Cards. Dress Down $ 2.00; IAT Meeting; DO NOT SEND REPORT CARDS HOME!

Monday, November 24 - Free Dress; Tornado/Shelter Drill #1; Trimester 2 Begins; Holiday Door Decorating Week 

Tuesday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Feast/Lunch in Classrooms with Teacher & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down; NO TUTORING

Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 1-5 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/5); Parent Teacher Conference Week- REPORT CARDS GO HOME AT CONFERENCES...NOT BEFORE; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK!

Wednesday, December 3 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00 am) 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, AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Thursday, December 4 - C&I ELA Visit

Wednesday and Thursday, December 17-18 - Dean Day Cohort at Laurus

 

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 they are forcasting snow, our first of the season, for Sunday!  I hope you take a minute to enjoy the magic and wonderment of these first flakes...and as always, I hope you are able to get some rest and relaxation...and that you do something nice for yourself.

Lexia and Dreambox

Lexia and Dreambox are expected to be used during Intervention each day.  The NHA Expectation is that each student should be completing 10 Units of Lexia each week and 5 Lessons of Dreambox each week.  Let's work hard to make sure that we are hitting those goals each week.

Lexia and Dreambox are tools to be used during your Intervention Blocks for Independent work while you are pulling groups.

Meeting Etiquette

This is a gentle reminder that we do have norms for our meetings...PD Trainings, GLTs, 03's, Staff Meetings, etc.  The expectation for all meetings is that we arrive on time, we are attentive to the content, we do not bring other work to work on during the meeting, we stay engaged, side talk does not occur, laptops (unless these are required), phones, etc.  

We try not to hold meetings just for us to meet.  There is always a specific purpose to any meetings we ask you to attend.  As such, we are asking that you abide by these norms so that all participants get the necessary and important content.

Annotated Lesson Plans

These are due today.

FYI...How are you addressing the Grade Level Habits of Discussion within your Turn and Talks?  Are you ensuring that students not only have opportunities for Participating but also Active Engagement?  Do your annotated plans have your written notes and plans for implementation on them?

C & I Visit Wednesday

Next Wednesday, Chelsea Zantop will be at Laurus.  Our plan is for her to meet with each 3-5 team during their prep and go over Lesson Planning for Shared Reading.

*****Please make sure to bring Week 12 Shared Reading Lessons to our GLT on Wednesday.

03s and GLTS

We will continue our Interim 1 Data planning during our GLT on Monday.  Bring your plans for Math and ELA so we can review and discuss.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Conferences are scheduled for December 1-5.  Now is the time to start to schedule these conferences because we need to make sure that these conferences are 100% in person.

Gleaners Food Drive

This is our last week for our Gleaners Food Drive.  Let's really make a push for the items needed. Last Day for donations is November 13th.

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

Gratitude Project

Please take time early in the week to have your students write a rough draft of their Letter of Gratitude to our Military Service Members (see the Gratitude Lesson plans on the Curriculum Website).  I will be passing out the 5 x 7 cards for the Final Draft on Tuesday.  The Final Draft needs to be done on Thursday...not before please.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, November 10 - Committee Meeting 3:35;

Wednesday, November 12 - C & I ELA Visit;  Math Night 4:30-5:30

Thursday, November 13 - Gleaners Collection Ends; Progress Report Day; Lockdown #2; Gratitude Project Day

Friday, November 14 - Fall Regional Day for Staff. No school for Students.

Monday, November 17 - Principal Cohort Visist; Wing Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, November 18 - Dean Day Rowden and Rogers

Wednesday, November 19 - Dean Day Wheeler and Schofield

Friday, November 21 - Trimester 1 Ends; Gradebook Closes - Last day for grades to be entered into Gradebook for Report Cards. Dress Down $ 2.00; IAT Meeting; 

Monday, November 24 - Free Dress; Tornado/Shelter Drill #1; Trimester 2 Begins; Holiday Door Decorating Week 

Tuesday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Feast/Lunch in Classrooms with Teacher & PIE DAY; Free Dress Down; NO TUTORING

Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28 - Thanksgiving Break

Monday - Friday, December 1-5 - Voice of the Parent Continues (Ends on 12/5); Parent Teacher Conference Week- REPORT CARDS GO HOME AT CONFERENCES...NOT BEFORE

Wednesday, December 3 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00 am) 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, AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU CONDUCT CONFERENCES.  EVERYONE HAS TO STAY UNTIL 3:00 PM.

Thursday, December 4 - C&I ELA Visit

Wednesday and Thursday, December 17-18 - Dean Day Cohort at Laurus