February 13th - Enjoy your Sweet Tart

Good 'ole line dancing

Hello all, last week, I had the pleasure of visiting classrooms in the Morristown Elementary School, as part of our administrative school rounds. (You may remember LSSU administrators visiting our school this past Fall and last Spring.) While observing the teachers and students at MES, I was impressed with the growth they've made with utilization of PBL concepts and language. I heard and saw things written on walls and assignments, such as, 'today's target' , 'I can' statements, and 'what would be more than proficient?'. I saw this in grades K-2. Just imagine the level of PBL fluency they will bring to PA seven to nine years from now!

What does this mean for us? Well, it partly means we better get ready. And, we're getting there. I see and feel your efforts every day toward our transition to a PBL system. For example, our students could articulate how they are using things like scales in the student panel during in-service, in your classrooms I see targets, Scholarly Habits, opportunities for re-do, and proficiency language. Last week, Sheila J, Carrie and I escaped the building to work intensely on re-writing a new school profile, program of studies, report card and transcript (not done yet). And, as you know, there is much more going on. We are all doing a lot, and, we need to continually do more.

Starting this week during Monday's Best Practice we will begin to engage more deeply and intently with Scholarly Habits. As the Spring semester unfolds, we will continue this work and our ongoing practice with scales and other elements of PBL. Also, in an effort to help recognize and measure our growth, I'm going to change my Classroom Walk Through procedure. I plan to use a different format to provide you with feedback that is focused on PBL. This is partly due to the fact that my old form is not working and I'm not tech savvy enough to fix it. And, it's partly because I want to focus the remaining few months of this year on PBL topics. Thus, moving forward, you can expect feedback in a different form after I visit your classrooms. And, as always, I'm open to your feedback on how to improve. To view the new format, visit the link below.

This Week's Link: NEW Classroom Walk through Template

Upcoming TA 

FEBRUARY

Tuesday	Friday
2/14 - Academic check in / Scholarly Habit / Wolf Track	2/17 - Academic check in / Scholarly Habit / Wolf Track
2/21 COMMUNITY MEETING (Geography Documentary Presentation) Acapella Choir	2/24 - No TA - Winter Carnival

March

3/7 - NO School	3/10 - HOLD FOR CLASS MEETING AND TECH CENTER
3/14 -No TA Amended Schedule for One Act & ODWP	3/17 - Academic check in - Conference reminder *(Possible Climate Survey reflection)
3/21-  Scholarly Habits Activity - Academic Check in - conference reminder	3/24 - NO TA - NO School - CONFERENCES
3/28 - YRBS Survey- Extended TA	3/31 - Academic check in / Scholarly Habit / Wolf Track *(Possible Climate Survey reflection)

*Remaining Calendar - subject to change

Proposed FY18 Budget Information

The vote on the school budget will take place on Town Meeting Day, March 7, 2017. Please follow this link to an overview of the proposed budget. Also, please mark your calendar for the EMUU Annual Meeting  on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at 6:00 PM in the PA Auditorium.  

Calendar
2/13 - BP - Scholarly Habits

2/14 - TA Scholarly Habits
2/15 - Youth Prevention Day in Montpelier
2/20 - BP - ODWP Calibration
2/21 - NO TA - Community Meeting
2/24 - Most Likely Winter Carnival
3/14 - ODWP - amended schedule
3/14 - One Acts during D block
3/16 & 17 - One Acts in the evening
3/23 - early release
3/24 - Conferences

Learn from refugees about first hand experiences.

Culture Corner

Over the next two weeks leading into break, data predicts there could be a rise in student behaviors and the need for interventions. 

In an effort to proactively support students, and anticipate an increase in their needs, I am hoping we can all unify around a few consistent expectations / responses. 

1. Please remind students to follow their schedule, and be in their assigned classes. If a student is missing, please let Michele know asap. If you have a student that is not assigned to your class, please send them to class AND let the office know. 

2. Consistent reminders about technology use works! Please remind students to keep their devices away during class or until told otherwise.

3. A strong presence in the halls, before, and after school makes a difference. As you are able, can you be outside of your classroom during passing, or circulating the building? An increase in supervision helps reduce incidents during less structured time. (This is a place that data has seen an increase- a targeted response during this time will help!). 

Schoolwide Happenings: 

Vt Writes Day

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AP English mixing winter poetry and good times.

French Students enjoy a trip to Quebec City.

Thank you Dance Chaperones. Your colleagues, students, and parents appreciate your extra effort, time, and for braving the snow threats. Chaperones who deserve a high five next time you  see them are: Lindsey Y, Peter McC,  Rebecca D,  Matt Y, Marc McNall,  and Peter G for audio set up...and Reeves for set-up and clean up, and a few local police officers for support. 

Celebrations: 

The ski club is growing....come join us after school! 

Congratulations to Tyler Dunham-Metoyer, Janice Griggs, Sierra Graves who were selected to represent PA and JSC Upward Bound at the National TRIO Day Celebration in Warwick, RI. The day will be focused on career exploration and college and students from across NY state and NE will be represented at the event.

Happy Birthday: Reeves (2/22)