September 12

Feeding time in Biology

    While stopping by Matt's classroom the other day, I snuck a view of students intently watching some pet snakes devour their lunch, or was it breakfast? Either way, the students were paying attention. And, not just to the event unfolding in front of their eyes, but to Matt's questions. 'How can this be, the food is bigger than the snake's head?' "What is going on here?" "How is the snake adapting?" Needless to say, Matt had hooked his students and was building their curiosity and expanding their brains.
    Engagement and curiosity is occurring all over this building. From the basement to the science labs you and your students are working hard and expanding. It's tiresome, invigorating, and powerful. Just as Matt's student's minds were stumped for a bit, we too are in a place of massive growth and we have questions, particularly about Schoology/Grading/Reporting that are stumping us.
    In this week's notes (below) is an outline and sign ups for upcoming opportunities to help with your questions and keep your learning progressing at a manageable pace. The leadership team and I are working on ways to support your needs and answer your questions. Thanks, for your patience, respectful questions, and energy. I appreciated Janet's 'about me' quote as I felt it spoke to exactly where we are,  "Don't look back, it's not where you are going".

LSSU Mentor Meeting - Thank you Mentors! Hang in there Group 1 Teachers!

Best Practice & Schoology Update: 

The focus of Best Practice in the coming weeks is 'eliminating interference'. What I mean by this is that I am trying to create opportunities for you to have your questions answered and make progress with your understanding of Schoology, Targets/Scales, PLP, and Class Culture. Thus, Best Practice will be like In-Service until our early release day on Oct. 19th. Prior to Oct. 19th, you will have choice about topics and use of your time during BP. Then, we will begin to shift into small group work focused on analysis of targets, scales, and student work.
    We will continue to meet as a staff at 3pm for BP and spend 5-15 minutes reviewing any details that require all of our collective focus. During the remaining time you will break off into smaller 'workshops' or team meetings. Not all options we be available each week. Availability will depend on interest. Below are links to options for use of time. Please sign up by Thursday. Thanks.

Schoology Q & A
Schoology - How to load a Scale
Targets/Scales
Wolf Track-PLP
Culture
Team Time


Upcoming Events

9/13 & 16 - PLP intro in TA
9/19 - BP in library at 3pm
9/20 - Community Meeting during TA
9/26-30 - Homecoming (Bonfire Saturday night)
9/26 - BP in library at 3pm
10/10 - BP in library
10/17 - ODWP calibration
10/19 - Early Release/Data Day/PBL work
10/20 - Conferences
10/21 - No School


Schoolwide Happenings!

AP Calculus

American Discovery

Science 9

English

English

Culture Corner (via Rebecca)

The energy in the building, the positivity from students, and the level of engagement is all super high. 

There has been a concerted effort to take the Staff Norms from Elmore and consolidate them, while also considering the work on Staff Mindsets from last year. HERE are the draft 16-17 Staff Norms. Lots of people have worked to get these to this point, and on Monday 9/19 at Best Practice there will be an opportunity to provide specific feedback. 

I appreciate seeing so many folks using Circles- for TA and in the classroom. Thanks for taking the risk to get to know your students and build the relationships that are going to make it easier to respond to issues and concerns. If you're interested in using Circles within your content area or classroom and aren't sure how to start- ASK! I'd love to help.

TA Culture Building

UNITED FRONT: 

- Thanks for directing students to be where they are supposed to be during the day. Remember to let Michele know (x6100) ASAP that someone is missing or not where they are scheduled to go. 

- As Chromebooks roll out, let's be united in reminding students about appropriate use during class, TA, and Student Support blocks. If you are having concerns about student use, let me know and I can help! (Phil will remind students at the next Community Meeting that they should not turn on phones or CB's until the teacher says it's ok.)

- Please keep students in your room through End-of-Day announcements.

Celebrations:

 Nice Work Sheila Jones!! You've worked hard for Upward Bound and deserve the recognition.

Happy Birthday: Annaleise Beach (9/12) Bill Slocum (9/15)