Monday, October 27, 2014

10/27/2014 MMM

Well, today is a very special day to me.  Today would be my mom's 66th birthday.  I shouldn't be too mopey, but I do miss my mom.  She passed away 3 1/2 years ago.  Enough of that.  I'm excited about this week because it is Halloween and I've been thinking quite a bit about the opportunity to begin official observations in many of your classes.  I'll be looking at standards 3 and 6 for the next few weeks and so I would like you to sign up for a time soon using the following scheduler.  Those who need to have observations will receive an email with the same link to a scheduler.  Those who are on PD or Goal setting years will also receive an email stating as much.  I will have forms to your emails and available in the Faculty Handbook under Important Documents.  If you did not get an email, please let me know.

I've been learning so much from some amazing educators via youtube and online reading.  I will attach one of those readings in the Weekly Reading below.  It is catered to principals in a way, but it is good for everyone to read.  Anyway, I've been thinking what I would say or ask if I were to personally meet any one of these "expert" educators, you know, those people that get paid enormous amounts of money to talk to anybody.  What if one of those people were available to ask any question?  What would you ask?  I'm sure those questions would be different at different times of the year, but really, what would you ask?  One question I would ask would be, "How do I help someone who is unwilling to take risks try something new?"  If you feel so inclined, leave your question as a comment at the end of this post.  If you have an answer to any of the questions posted, please comment with those answers because you are all "expert" teachers.  We can all learn from each other.

To Be Aware of
  • You have all received emails telling you what kind of evaluation you are on this year.  For those who are on an observation year, the standards you need to pay attention to are 1-3, 6-7 & 10.  For this month, we will focus on 3 and 6.
  • Don't forget to do the self evaluation on ObserverTab by the end of this week.
  • I'm leaving this up here for those who still haven't signed up for @remind. Please sign up for both your grade level and faculty.  If you have misplaced the instruction sheets, let me know.  Here is the phone number and code for the faculty reminder:  

























  • Finally I have a week where I can have a Tuesday as my #NoOfficeDay.  I have missed this day.  I'm excited to get it going again.
  • Thank you for those that left me messages for kids so I can start up my Friday Phone Calls.  Please continue sharing with me what those amazing kids are doing.
Cleaning Schedule
Sept.  Office
Oct. 6th Grade
Nov.  5th Grade
Dec.  3rd Grade
Jan.  2nd Grade
Feb. 1st Grade
Mar. 4th Grade
Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist
May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule
1st
11:31 Mac
11:32 McKell
11:33 Sharma
11:34 Hull
2nd
11:25 Higgins
11:26 West
11:27 Connell
11:28 Herman
3rd
11:56 Whipple
11:58 Nichols
12:00 Wright
12:02 Schafer
12:03 Wilson
4th
11:55 Crossley
11:57 CJohnson
11:59 Austin
12:01 Fiorucci
5th
12:20 Oswald
12:22 Day
12:24 Green
12:26 MJohnson
6th
12:21 Krall
12:23 Rooke
12:25 Paravato
12:27 Allen

Save the Date
10/27-31 Reflections Due to Office
10/28 P.G. Council PTA Mtg @ Central - Kyle
10/31 Halloween Parade in the morning.  Zack will get you the schedule and times.
11/2 Daylight Savings Ends.  Turn back the clocks or show up to work early.

Happy Birthday
No Birthdays this week

Celebrations
  • Cheryl and Mary attended a conference last week.  They said it was pretty amazing.  Talk to them about what they learned.  I will talk to them about sharing at our next Faculty Mtg.
  • Thanks to the Tech team for putting together another great Fiber Optic Friday.  They talked about using QR Codes.  Those who haven't had a chance to go to these meetings, you are missing out on some great information.
Great Video for the Week

http://www.kued.org/teacher-innovation-awards  Go to timestamp 3:25 and watch to 7:51.  It is an example of innovative things happening in Utah.  We do those things here at Grovecrest.

 Great Read for the Week

 Here is the read I was telling you about.  It is something we deal with at the beginning of each year and an amazing way to deal with it.  Let me know what you think with comments at the end of this post.  http://goo.gl/Ay9YiR

Have a Great Week
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Tuesday, October 21, 2014

MMM 10/21/14

The feedback I have received about our professional development yesterday was very positive.  I would like to continue to get some feedback so school leadership can provide the PD that you all need.  Zack and I will be finalizing our MVVGs this week and will pass it all on to you for your approval.  We are all in this together.  Remember, Every Child.  It is part of our Mantra and Mission and our VVGs will support these ideals.  Also, sharing what we learned and what we will do is very important to me.  Will you all comment below what your takeaway was from yesterday and how you will be implementing that into your class and team?  Thanks for a great day and thanks for your feedback and commitment (not being committed Tambee) to all students and dedication to high levels of learning.

To Be Aware of

  • Now that everyone knows what evaluation schedule you are on, I will have a schedule of evaluation times up early this week.  Also, I told you all that I will be evaluating you on standard 4.  It is actually standard 6.  So, those who are being evaluating, pay attention to standards 1-3, 6-7 & 10.
  • I'm leaving this up here for those who still haven't signed up for @remind. Please sign up for both your grade level and faculty.  If you have misplaced the instruction sheets, let me know.  Here is the phone number and code for the faculty reminder:  




















  • Tuesdays are my #NoOfficeDays.  I will make every effort to stay out of my office so I can spend some good time out in your classrooms and with the kids.  This Tuesday will be crazy with the DRA training with District Curriculum, so I'm not sure how that will work.  Maybe Wednesday.


Cleaning Schedule
Sept.  Office
Oct. 6th Grade
Nov.  5th Grade
Dec.  3rd Grade
Jan.  2nd Grade
Feb. 1st Grade
Mar. 4th Grade
Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist
May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule
1st
11:31 McKell
11:32 Sharma
11:33 Hull
11:34 Mac
2nd
11:25 West
11:26 Connell
11:27 Herman
11:28 Higgins
3rd
11:56 Wright
11:58 Schafer
12:00 Wilson
12:02 Whipple
12:03 Nichols
4th
11:55 CJohnson
11:57 Austin
11:59 Fiorucci
12:01 Crossley
5th
12:20 Day
12:22 Green
12:24 MJohnson
12:26 Oswald
6th
12:21 Rooke
12:23 Paravato
12:25 Allen
12:27 Krall

Save the Date
10/21-24 - Red Ribbon Week
10/21 - Student Council Conference at BYU
10/21 - Outrage Assembly to kick off Red Ribbon Week. 9:15 for lower grades, 9:45 for upper grades
10/21 - BYU Principal's Mtg - Kyle
10/23 - Elementary Principal's Institute - Kyle
10/24 - Fiber Optic Friday in the Computer Lab.  QR codes for upper and lower grades will be the topic.
*Look at the Faculty Calendar on Google for other events.

Happy Birthday
No Birthdays this week

Celebrations
  • I don't know where Angie's son Jake gets it (maybe from his 7th grade math teacher), but he is amazing on the football field.  Talk to Angie about it.  I know this is the 2nd time I've mentioned Jake, but I love talking about my former students.
  • Thanks to Zack, Casey, Heather, Jackie, and Ryan for their presentations yesterday.  They were wonderful.

Great Video for the Week
Sticking with the PLC theme, here is a great video on that process.


Have a Great Week
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Monday, October 13, 2014

10/13/14 MMM

Great job everyone for the job you all did during Parent Teacher Conferences.  It looked like to me that the number of parents that showed up was very high.  Will you please email me and let me know what your numbers were?  I'm interested in knowing.  Also remember to contact those parents that didn't show up so we can let them know how their kids have done to this point.  Can you also share suggestions on what we could do as a school to make PTCs better for you and the parents?  Please post your suggestions as comments to this blog.
I noticed that not everyone shared their 30 second elevator speech about Grovecrest and the district.  Please do so.  I want us all to be ready if ever the chance happens that we are asked about it.  When I was asked, I was caught a little off guard and I don't want to be that way anymore.
I also was able to complete the 4th day teaching reflection 30 day challenge.  It was a hard question to answer because it is hard to narrow what I love about teaching down to one thing.  Truthfully, I wasn't able to, but it was good to reflect on the question.  Here is a link to it if you wanted to read my ramblings.
To Be Aware of
  • I just received information on the evaluation schedule for each of you.  I will be letting you know which evaluation you will be doing this year very soon.  Also, since there is a new evaluation system, I have created a new blog devoted to training on each of the standards.  I will update it every month to match the schedule of each standard I will be evaluating you on.  I hope it will be helpful to you.  On top of that, I will be holding a non-required training each month on these standards.  Since last week didn't work out because of PTCs, the first training will be held before and after school on Tuesday this week.  I want to make sure you are all aware of what you will be evaluated on and how it will be done.  I feel like the blog and these training sessions will help with that.  I will also have a sign up for those who will be observed.  I will be looking at standards 3 and 4 this month specifically.
  • I'm leaving this up here for those who still haven't signed up for @remind. Please sign up for both your grade level and faculty.  If you have misplaced the instruction sheets, let me know.  Here is the phone number and code for the faculty reminder:  




















  • Tuesdays are my #NoOfficeDays.  I will make every effort to stay out of my office so I can spend some good time out in your classrooms and with the kids.  This Tuesday will be crazy with the DRA training with District Curriculum, so I'm not sure how that will work.  Maybe Wednesday.
  • Curriculum will be here Tuesday to do Inter-rater reliability with lower grades from 8:30-11:30 and upper grades from 12:30-3:30.  Make sure you have signed up for a sub for a half day.  If you are able to share with someone from the opposite grade, that would be great.  Either way, the district is paying for it.  The reason you will need to indicate for this sub is professional meeting.  Training will take place in Denice's old room.  It is the room across the hall from Heather Connell's room.  By the way, I'm very sorry the word of this didn't go out sooner than it did.  I assumed it had happened, but because of the surprise from many of you, I see that I dropped the ball.  I apologize.  I will not blindside you all like this again.
  • Also, my supervisor will be here Tuesday morning.  I'm sure we will be visiting classrooms and what is going on with the district training.
  • For your hard work during parent teacher conferences, please go home as soon as the kids leave Tuesday and Wednesday unless you are staying for Evaluation training with me.  You all deserve it.
  • Don't forget that we get Thursday and Friday off this week.  Please, take those days off.  Enjoy the time with friends and family.  PD day will be on Monday starting at 8:15.
Cleaning Schedule
Sept.  Office
Oct. 6th Grade
Nov.  5th Grade
Dec.  3rd Grade
Jan.  2nd Grade
Feb. 1st Grade
Mar. 4th Grade
Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist
May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule
1st
11:31 Sharma
11:32 Hull
11:33 Mac
11:34 McKell
2nd
11:25 Connell
11:26 Herman
11:27 Higgins
11:28 West
3rd
11:56 Schafer
11:58 Wilson
12:00 Whipple
12:02 Nichols
12:03 Wright
4th
11:55 Austin
11:57 Fiorucci
11:59 Crossley
12:01 CJohnson
5th
12:20 Green
12:22 MJohnson
12:24 Oswald
12:26 Day
6th
12:21 Paravato
12:23 Allen
12:25 Krall
12:27 Rooke

Save the Date
10/13 - Columbus Day
10/13 - Administrator's SAGE results training - Kyle
10/14 - DRA Inter-rater reliability w/ District Curriculum
10/14 - Jeanne Bates Visit
10/14 - BYU TSA Mtg Zack
10/14 - Ballroom Teacher Training 6-9 pm.
10/15 - CTL Mtg 8:15
10/15 - Last day for fundraiser
10/15 - SCC Mtg
10/16-17 - Fall Break
10/20 - PD Day 8:15 in the Cafateria.  Bring your chairs.
10/21-24 - Red Ribbon Week
10/21 - Student Council Conference at BYU
10/21 - Outrage Assembly to kick off Red Ribbon Week. 9:15 for lower grades, 9:45 for upper grades
10/21 - BYU Principal's Mtg - Kyle
10/23 - Elementary Principal's Institute - Kyle
10/24 - Fiber Optic Friday in the Computer Lab.  QR codes for upper and lower grades will be the topic.

*Look at the Faculty Calendar on Google for other events.

Happy Birthday
10/16 - Lori Whipple
10/18 - Justin White

Celebrations
  • Congratulations to Rashel and Lisa S. for almost scaring the life out of Wendi.  You will have to ask them about it.
  • Congratulations to Zack for not being scared by Rashel and Lisa S.  
  • Way to go Cheryl for putting together another great Book Fair.  She brought in a good amount to support the library.
  • A big hand on the back to those teachers that handled some hard parent situations during PTCs.  I know about a few and I'm sure their were others.  You all handled things wonderfully.
Great Video clip of the Week
This will make you think a little about where we are as a school with our instruction.



Challenge of the Week
Don't forget the 30 Second Elevator speech for Grovecrest and the District to accompany the card I gave you last Thursday.

Great Read of the Week
It pays to have high expectations for your students.
Have a Great Week!
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Monday, October 6, 2014

10/6/14 MMM

Yea!! I finally got my 3rd day reflection done after 3 weeks! If you have the time to read it, please do on my personal blog.  My post is something I hope everyone will be thinking of as it will be the focus of our time together during professional development on October 20th.  I am uber (Is that a word?) excited about it and I hope all of you will be too.  It won't be as fun as our Amazing Race (Sorry.  I'm only good for one of those a year.), but it is something we definitely need to come together on.  If you are worried it will take away from team time or work in your rooms, I believe if done right, it will enhance that time.
To Be Aware of
  • In computers this week, Emma will be talking about Internet etiquette this week. She's going to talk about basic Internet etiquette with K-2 students and focus more on social networking etiquette with 3-6 students. This will also be my last lesson in her digital citizenship unit, unless there is something else anyone want her to teach about.
  • I just received information on the evaluation schedule for each of you.  I will be letting you know which evaluation you will be doing this year very soon.  Also, since there is a new evaluation system, I have created a new blog devoted to training on each of the standards.  I will update it every month to match the schedule of each standard I will be evaluating you on.  I hope it will be helpful to you.  On top of that, I will be holding a non-required training each month on these standards.  The first training will be held after school on Tuesday this week from 3:45-4:15.  I want to make sure you are all aware of what you will be evaluated on and how it will be done.  I feel like the blog and these training sessions will help with that
  • If you haven't signed up for @remind, please sign up for both your grade level and faculty.  If you have misplaced the instruction sheets, let me know.  Here is the phone number and code for the faculty reminder:  




















  • Tuesdays are my #NoOfficeDays.  I will make every effort to stay out of my office so I can spend some good time out in your classrooms and with the kids.  This week, I may be going on the field trip with the 5th grade.  If I do, my "NoOfficeDay" will be on Wednesday.
  • As if you aren't aware, this week is Parent/Teacher conferences.  PTA will be providing the meals so please make sure you let them know how much we appreciate the support they give us with these meals.
  • A reminder on the appropriate assigning of homework.  I believe most everyone does a great job on the time and value of the homework you give your students, but this is just a heads up to consider carefully the homework you assign.  Please consider the following:
    • 10 minutes for every grade. (Example. 3rd grade 3x10=30 minutes of homework)  This does not include home reading.  Home reading is in addition to this time.
    • Consider if the the homework has value or if it is just busy work.  Parents hate busy work.  You may consider such things as word scrambles, crosswords, etc as work kids can do just for fun with their parents, as extra credit, or a small treat upon completion.  
    • Be flexible on when some homework is due in order to give parents time to work on it with their child.  Instead of making an assignment due the next day, make it due in two days.  This may free up some time for you too!  This doesn't mean every assignment, but you should consider other assignments besides home reading and spelling.
    • Consider breaking up big homework assignments and projects into parts so that it doesn't seem overwhelming to the parents and children, but give due dates for the parts to keep your students on schedule.  I would also check up with the students on those due dates to keep them accountable.
    • Consider the workload of homework from more than one subject per night.  This may be a bit much for many of your students, but okay for others.
    • Consider the background of each of your students.  Some dynamics make it hard for some to complete homework.  Differentiate as best as you can.


Cleaning Schedule
Sept.  Office
Oct. 6th Grade
Nov.  5th Grade
Dec.  3rd Grade
Jan.  2nd Grade
Feb. 1st Grade
Mar. 4th Grade
Apr. SPED and Computer Specialist
May  Kinder, Life Skills, & P.E. Specialist

Lunch Schedule
1st
11:31 Hull
11:32 Mac
11:33 McKell
11:34 Sharma
2nd
11:25 Herman
11:26 Higgins
11:27 West
11:28 Connell
3rd
11:56 Wilson
11:58 Whipple
12:00 Nichols
12:02 Wright
12:03 Schafer
4th
11:55 Fiorucci
11:57 Crossley
11:59 CJohnson
12:01 Austin
5th
12:20 MJohnson
12:22 Oswald
12:24 Day
12:26 Green
6th
12:21 Allen
12:23 Krall
12:25 Rooke
12:27 Paravato

Save the Date
10/7 - Interagency Mtg - Kyle
10/7 - 5th Grade to Hee Haw Farms
10/7-10 - Scholastic Book Fair
10/8-9 - Parent Teacher Conferences
10/8 - Faculty Mtg - Faculty Pictures and District Handout
10/8 - Partnership Conference - Zack
10/8 - Picture Day
*Look at the Faculty Calendar on Google for other events.

Happy Birthday
10/5 - John Stuart

Celebrations
  • Congratulations to Angie who's son Jake started in his first varsity football game and did really well!
  • Any students we need to celebrate?  I would like to get Friday Fone Calls home going again and celebrate student accomplishments on here as well.
  • Thank you PTA for putting together an amazing Carnival!  Great job to the teachers who ran the booths!  We had an amazing turnout!
  • Above all, Thanks to Steve and Cody for the AMAZING job they do!  Especially for staying so late after the carnival so we could come to a clean school on Tuesday.  REMEMBER to thank them if you haven't!
Great Cartoon of the Week
Old, but funny and a good message.

Challenge of the Week
I want everyone to do this!!  If someone where to ask you, "Tell me about Grovecrest Elementary," or "Why should I have confidence in Grovecrest/Alpine School District," what would you say?  This actually happened to me on Friday morning at a meeting I was at.  A BYU professor who has his kids going to a charter school asked me that.  He is considering putting his kids back in public school and he lives in Pleasant Grove.   What would you say if you were asked that?  Come up with an 30 second elevator speech on why Grovecrest is so impressive.  Post it at the bottom of this blog as a comment.  I want everyone to share and read the comments.  There is a reason for this and you will all find out on Wednesday morning.
Have a Great Week
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