Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Tuesday, January 10

Shout-Outs & Celebrations
(Consider sharing your shout-out!)
  • Thanks to Elizabeth, Kelly W, Andrea, and Catherine for your leadership at Thursday’s staff meeting!
  • Congratulations to Matt Perlanski for being published with Teachers to Teachers. Be sure to check out his lesson and latest Global Math Story!
  • We are so proud that Eman, Chris, Miana W. and Bassil B. are representing Wiley at a “shark tank-like” event on Wednesday, January 11th.  They are pitching their idea to convert our media center into a Global Learning Lab. We can’t wait to see the video and hear more! Thank you to Mrs. Christiansen, Mrs. Price, Ms. Dow and Mr. Perlanksi for being so willing to jump in for our school!


General Updates
  • As you will see in ‘Magnet Updates’, we have a BIG Magnet Open House next Thursday, Jan. 18. Current and eye-appealing hallway displays showcasing our magnet theme are expected from all!


  • We have a new custodial contract service, Jay’s Building Maintenance. Heading up the evening crew at this time is Jose. The vacuuming schedule will be MWF OR TF (alternating weeks). Next week, we will be on a T/F schedule for vacuuming. If any issues arise during this transition, please share them with me or Reggie. Thank you!
  • REMINDER: please supervise all transitions to and from electives, including those mid-transitions. We definitely notice an improvement in safety and efficient transitions with increased adult presence.


  • As you are revisiting expectations this month, remember to reintroduce the purpose of the safe place, something every classroom is to have as part of our community agreements. The safe place is not a “naughty spot”, but rather a place to regain composure in moments of sadness, fear, frustration, or anger. One proven strategy is for teachers to close the safe place and model using it themselves for students. Then, having all students practice using the safe place individually before reopening it helps de-stigmatize it. Please see Judy, Katie, Leslie, or Mary with questions about the Safe Place as a classroom structure to support community.


  • Are you wishing to make-up some work hours on Monday, 1/16? If so, let Leslie know … if enough are interested, we will open the building.  
  • (REPEAT) Please remember that documentation for minor behavioral incidents are to be completed on paper using this document. Majors are to be documented in EASI. The data gathered using this documentation enables teams to problem solve.


IRT/Literacy Updates
  • Vertical Team Professional Development Dates:
      • January 13th: Mr. Roche will lead us through implementing SIOP strategies in the classroom. This will not only help enhance our instruction for the ELL students but, it will continue our work around guiding students to ask and answer questions in full sentences.
          • 4/5 - 10:45-11:45
          • 2/3 - 12:40-1:40
          • K/1 - 2:00-3:00
      • February 24th: K/1 will continue work around the NKT data and Core instruction. 2-5 will look at Case21 Math Data.
      • March-May dates TBD
  • mClass: The Home Connect Letter is to be printed and provided to parents after each benchmark period.
    • The mClass window opens January 4th and the closing will be shortly after January 25th. The Blitz will occur on January 10th and 11th in the Media Center. *RESCHEDULE TBA
    • Prior to the Blitz, classroom teachers will provide Kristin and Kathy with a list of students who will NOT be assessed. (ie: red/yellow students or those who will be highly distracted in a blitz setting) Those students will be assessed either in class or by classroom teacher, an intervention or CCR teacher.
    • Classroom teachers will bring their students to the Media Center at their designated time. Each adult will administer the DORF to a student. Remaining students will wait with the supervising adults and then will be rotated to the next available assessor.
    • We will be administering DORF only. Kindergarten will not be blitzed on these days. They will receive support in the mornings during the window.
    • Electives will run both days with students going to their 1st elective ONLY on Tuesday and their 2nd elective ONLY on Wednesday. The times are listed on the schedule.
**Please take the time to look at the proposed schedule. We did our best to avoid recess and lunch...if you notice an overlap that affects you, please let us know ASAP so that we can fix the schedule.
Magnet Updates
  • TOURS - January tours are upon us.  The magnet application window opens this week which means parents will really start scrambling for tours if they haven’t already done so. Please check your classrooms and hallways to make sure they are ready for visitors.
  • Hallway Displays - ALL Q2 Hallway displays (if not already) MUST be up before our Magnet Open House on January 18.
Media & Technology


  • YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST: On Wednesday, February 8th, we will be having a campus-wide reimaging. (YAY!) Our server will be replaced with new hardware and the operating system will be upgraded. ALL computers will be reimaged. (DOUBLE YAY!)
    • WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU:
      • SCHOOL-WIDE: There will be ZERO access to computers or the internet via ANY devices (cell phones, iPads, laptops, desktops,etc) on Feb 8th.
      • We will use this opportunity to participate in a Global Game Day, since we will not have access to technology. (More info to come!)
      • You will need to backup ALL files from your computers by the end of day on February 6th. (laptops and desktops)
      • BEST THING TO DO: Make sure the files you backed up exist, by trying to open the backed up files on another device BEFORE deleting on the original device
      • You will turn in your staff laptops for 1 day for reimage. You must include power cord. Kathy and I will put labels in your mailbox. Attach these labels to both your laptop and power cord. Bring to media center on February 7th by 4:00 PM
      • Stay Tuned . . . more information to come from Kathy & Chris
  • Global Resources to Extend Opportunities & Apply Our Magnet Theme:



Important Dates
Jimmy Smith (aka Mr. Jimmy) - Jan 12, Laura O’Brien - Jan. 14
This Week:


Wednesday, 1/11: mClass Blitz (tentative); *if delay, staff meeting @ 10:00am - bring laptop; if school is cancelled, staff meeting @ 11:00am - bring laptop
Thursday, 1/12:
Friday, 1/13: NO CULTURAL ARTS EVENT (despite previous posting)
Monday, 1/16:  HOLIDAY
Tuesday, 1/17: Mid-year check-in with grade chairs only from 9-12 in lounge - coverage schedule TBA


Upcoming Dates:
    • January 13th, 18th, and 30th ~ Magnet Tours
    • January 4-25th ~ MOY mClass assessment window.
    • January 18 ~ Renovation Visioning Opportunity and input session @ 4:15 for Staff in media center; Input session for community will be at 6:30
    • January 23-27 ~ Case21 Grades 2-5.
    • January 27 - MAKE-UP DAY
    • February 1-15th ~ Kindergarten and 1st grade MOY NKT assessment window.
    • February 6th ~ Quarter 2 Report Cards sent home in Monday Folders.
    • February 20th ~ MAKE-UP DAY

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