MMM 11/16/15

Hey All,
I had a great week of learning this past week.  I was able to attend a Principal's STEM Academy I applied for and learned a lot about what we could do with it to enhance student engagement and learning.  What was neat is I recognize some of what we are doing would be STEM related, but I am willing to support anyone who would like to implement more of the STEM framework in their instruction.  Here are some of the things I learned.

1.  Release of control is essential in STEM ed.  Instead of telling students what to think, we allow them to think.

2.  STEM is an aggregate, not 4 separate contents.  Use any skill to think deeply and apply multiple disciplines to solve problems.

3.  STEM is less about the stuff and more about teacher belief and pedagogy.

4.  Why STEM? Students are  engaged, motivated, creating, analyzing, and problem solving all day long.  Kids want this.

5.  Hands on is kids hands on, not teacher hands on.  Student are moving, exploring, and doing.  Teachers are facilitating the learning.

6.  True STEM involves collaboration.  It is not a program.  It is a pedagogy, a framework.

7.  STEM allows kids to take on a problem and create a solution.

8.  Stem is not another math or science lesson.  Through explorationn, the student learn the core in a REAL way.

9.  STEM integration is not adding one more thing on your plate.  It's easier because it is such a rich learning environment.

Please pay attention to the To Be Aware Ofs.  There is some important information there.

To Be Aware Of

• We will be hosting a district board meeting on November 24th, just before the Thanksgiving break.  I need from you a student celebration per grade level and anything else you think should be shared with the board about Grovecrest.  Many of you have already done this.  Some have put it in your collaboration agendas.  If you could put your write-ups in an email, it would be easier for me.  Please email this information to me ASAP.
• The edivate surveys are still available for you and your students to do.  Here is your survey and your students' survey.  They can take the survey at home if they would like.  I will send a letter home to parents this week so they are aware.  As you know, this project is intended to boost STEM Professional Learning in the state and provide evidence to keep existing funding and support future funding.  These surveys are part of that evidence.
• Keep track of what duty you have each week.  There have been a few times where there hasn't been someone out on duty.  We need to make sure the kids are safe.  Here is a link to the duty list for quick reference
• The Grovecrest Faculty Passion Project google classroom page is open and you all have been invited.  Here is a link to the page.  Our faculty mtg in December will be a Passion Project faculty mtg.  We will report on where we are in the process of our projects.
• Please check to make sure to keep the halls clear even when working with parents.
• There will be a faculty meeting this Wednesday and we will have a guest trainer share with you information about the Family Trauma Center.  Zack will be running the meeting since I am gone to the PLC conference.
• Thursday is Ed Support Professionals Day

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

Refer to the schedule.  Here is a link.

Save The Date

11/16-18 PLC Conference team of 9 gone.

Nov. 16-17th Grade change requests

11/18 Faculty Mtg 8:15

Nov. 18th Grades will be printed

11/19 Picture Make up Day

11/19 Ed Support Professionals Day

11/19 Fall Community Mtg with ASD Cabinet in Gym 10:00

11/19 Last day for Robotics. Showcase the last 20 minutes.

Nov. 20th Grades go home

11/20 K12 Seminar 8-1 Kyle

11/23 1st Principals for the day (Sarah and James Hubert)

11/24 ASD Board Mtg 6:00 here at Grovecrest.

11/25-27 Thanksgiving Break

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

Happy Birthday

Celebrations

Watched a fantastic lesson in Meredith's class.  In one lesson, Zack and I counted 12 different ways she assessed her students.  That is amazing! It is fun to watch you all teach amazing lessons.  

Coach Folsom taught a very fun lessons using hula hoops.  He had the kids making hula huts.  Really cool.

Great Video of the Week

Remember to take time to watch edivate videos each week.  

Have an Amazing week!

11/9/2015 MMM

Hey All,
Here we go with the second week in November.  Can you believe it? We are already a third of the way through the school year.  You all have accomplished so much, and there is still so much to do.  How do you feel your students are doing?  I hope you feel even the ones you are most concerned about are making gains.  Even small ones are good.  I learned a few new things this week in my own personal PD.  First, I read a great article about how we are apart of our students' stories.  The thing I learned from the article is how those same kids add to our story as educators.  It was a good, quick read.  Here is the link to it.
The second thing I learned was a saying from a Hallmark movie (Yes, I watch Hallmark movies).  Appropriately, the saying came from a cowboy.  He said, "The most spectacular sites are not always on the trail most taken."  This is so true.  My original path was not to be an elementary teacher.  I especially didn't think I would end up at Grovecrest, but the trail I took has led to something spectacular.  You all are amazing and I consider myself lucky to be working with you.
Please pay attention to the To Be Aware Ofs.  There is some important information there.

To Be Aware Of

• We will be hosting a district board meeting on November 24th, just before the Thanksgiving break.  I need from you a student celebration per grade level and anything else you think should be shared with the board about Grovecrest.  Talk about it during collaboration today and then please email this information to me ASAP.
• Thanks for attending training this last week for evaluations.  If you were not able to attend, come and see me and we will go over it real fast before you schedule a time with me.  The times are available as 45 minute slots on the calendar.  All you need to do is pick one and it will show up on my calendar.  Here is a quick link to the evaluation calendar.  I have openings this week and next.  I will be starting observations tomorrow and focusing on standards 1-4.  Those who are on the "B" schedule need to let me know what indicators they are wanting me to observe you on.
• The edivate surveys are still available for you and your students to do.  Here is your survey and your students' survey.  They can take the survey at home if they would like.  I will send a letter home to parents this week so they are aware.  As you know, this project is intended to boost STEM Professional Learning in the state and provide evidence to keep existing funding and support future funding.  These surveys are part of that evidence.
• Keep track of what duty you have each week.  There have been a few times where there hasn't been someone out on duty.  We need to make sure the kids are safe.  Here is a link to the duty list for quick reference
• The Grovecrest Faculty Passion Project google classroom page is open and you all have been invited.  Here is a link to the page.  Our faculty mtg in December will be a Passion Project faculty mtg.  We will report on where we are in the process of our projects.
• This week is the end of the 1st Trimester.  Sheila has sent an email with important information and I have included it in the calendar below.  Please pay attention to that.  Remember, grades submitted by the end of the day on Saturday the 14th.  Here is a link to share when you have posted your grades.
• Please check to make sure to keep the halls clear even when working with parents.

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

Refer to the schedule.  Here is a link.

Save The Date

11/2 Alio/Skyward training - Sheila
11/3 Evaluation Training in the Media Center 3:45
11/3 CTL Mtg 8:15
11/4 #Utedchat 9-10 pm
11/11 CTL Mtg 8:15
11/11 SCC Mtg 2-3 in Conference Room
11/12-13 Principal's STEM Academy

Nov. 13th -        Trimester ends

Nov. 15th -        Portal closes at midnight

IMPORTANT CHANGE:  GRADES MUST BE ENTERED BY NOV. 14TH (SAT.) IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PRINT ON THE REPORT CARD ALTHOUGH THE PORTAL DOESN'T CLOSE UNTIL THE 15TH.  PLEASE HAVE YOUR GRADES ENTERED BY THE 14th AT MIDNIGHT!!!

Nov. 16-17th:      Grade change requests

Nov. 18th:           Grades will be printed

Nov. 20th:           Grades go home

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

Happy Birthday

11/11 Delayne West

Celebrations

We have some Job shadowers from the Jr. High today.  Let's make sure they are welcome and that we celebrate them coming back to watch you.  Tweet it out!!

Great Video of the Week

Great Team Building STEM activity from Edivate.

Great Read of the Week

Refer to the link in the intro for the great read of the week.

Have an Amazing week!

MMM 11/2/15

Hey All,
Halloween was a blast.  If you didn't get the link to all the pictures that Michelle put out, here it is.
Halloween Pics
I've learned something from a few different places this week that I want to share with you all.  First, comes in a small saying, "Concern for the one."  To me, this means that each day, I will look for the one child, the one person that I may be able to have a positive affect on.  This may be just a smile, high five, or a small conversation to show I care.  Each day, I am going to look for "the one" I may be able to help.  It makes being a positive influence a little more manageable.
The next is another small cliche'.  "If it is to be, it is up to me."  If you want to make something happen, you can't wait for someone to do it for you.  You need to make it happen.  The question is, what are you going to make happen?  What needs to be done?
November is going to be very busy, so I'll get right with it.

To Be Aware Of

• We will be hosting a district board meeting in November just before the Thanksgiving break.  I need from you a student celebration per grade level and anything else you think should be shared with the board about Grovecrest.  Talk about it during collaboration today and then please email this information to me ASAP.
• Training on the evaluation for this month will be Tuesday after school.  I will have a way for all who will be evaluated to sign up for an observation by Tuesday.  I have to observe around 20 of you so sign up fast.  I would like to be through the first set of evaluations by the end of this month.
• I have two people to do the Edivate uploads.  Thank you.  Don't forget to take a survey and have your students take a survey.  They can take the survey at home if they would like.  I will send a letter home to parents this week so they are aware.  As you know, this project is intended to boost STEM Professional Learning in the state and provide evidence to keep existing funding and support future funding.  These surveys are part of that evidence.
• Keep track of what duty you have each week.  There have been a few times where there hasn't been someone out on duty.  We need to make sure the kids are safe.  Here is a link to the duty list for quick reference
• The Grovecrest Faculty Passion Project google classroom page is open and you all have been invited.  Here is a link to the page.  Our faculty mtg in December will be a Passion Project faculty mtg.  We will report on where we are in the process of our projects.

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

Refer to the schedule.  Here is a link.

Save The Date

11/2 Alio/Skyward training - Sheila
11/3 Evaluation Training in the Media Center 3:45
11/3 CTL Mtg 8:15
11/4 #Utedchat 9-10 pm
11/11 CTL Mtg 8:15
11/11 SCC Mtg 2-3 in Conference Room
11/12-13 Principal's STEM Academy

Nov. 13th -        Trimester ends

Nov. 15th -        Portal closes at midnight

IMPORTANT CHANGE:  GRADES MUST BE ENTERED BY NOV. 14TH (SAT.) IN ORDER FOR THEM TO PRINT ON THE REPORT CARD ALTHOUGH THE PORTAL DOESN'T CLOSE UNTIL THE 15TH.  PLEASE HAVE YOUR GRADES ENTERED BY THE 14th AT MIDNIGHT!!!

Nov. 16-17th:      Grade change requests

Nov. 18th:           Grades will be printed

Nov. 20th:           Grades go home

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

Happy Birthday

11/2 Michelle Allen

Celebrations

We have to celebrate Halloween and how it went.  Some amazing costumes.  Thanks for making it fun for kids.
Did you see BetteJo's outfits after she got back from Florida?  It was like her kids were at Hogwarts.

Great Video of the Week

I know many of you use Remind in your class.  If you don't, you may want to start.  It is a quick and easy way to communicate with parents.  How do you use Remind?  Do you use it in any other way than to give messages of what the homework is?  Here are a couple of videos of different classroom ideas to use Remind.

Here is a link to a great video on Edivate on Project Based Learning.  It is the 1st in a series of three.

Great Read of the Week

This is an amazing article on Connecting with Colleagues.

Have an Amazing week!