MMM 2/22/16

Hey All,

Some big things have happened to me this past week.  First, I've decided to apply to a few local universities to get a doctorate.  I have to have my applications in by next week, so I am in hustle mode.  I also am preparing to take the GRE for the applications.  That happens this next Saturday.  Wish me luck!  I just received a new responsibility in my church.  That requires me to reflect a little about what I need to do.  Last, this is the five year anniversary of my mom's passing and that definitely makes me reflect on the kind of person I've developed into over the past five years.  I am going to write a tribute to my mom in my personal blog.  If you want to read it, here is a link to it.  Speaking of blogging...
Blogging
So, I've already spoke of Voxer and Twitter and how I use those two amazing tools for personal PD and although I won't spend a lot more time on the MMMs talking about them to all of you, I will not stop talking about them because I see them as such valuable tools.  Here is a challenge to you, get on twitter and ask a simple question with #edchat hooked to the end of it and see what happens.  A question such as, "What is a good activity to have with the Ss that connects magnetism and static electricity? #edchat"  Give it a shot and share what happens.  Here is my tweet link.  Hopefully I get some responses.
Enough of that.  My next form of personal PD I use is blogging.  I not only blog myself which is a wonderful reflection activity, but I follow several other blogs where I read about some amazing ideas. Many of these ideas, I share with you.  Others, I just try out on my own.  Some of the things I try don't work out, others I try really make being a principal and educator amazing.  Some of the people I follow:
Adam Welcome
Todd Nesloney
Brad Gustafson
Sam LeDeaux
Andy Jacks
David Theriault
Joe Clark
Jay Posack
George Couros
Eric Sheninger
To name a few.  Most are principals because that is what I am, but in this list I just gave you, one is a teacher, another is a divisional principal/author/consultant, and one is a superintendent.  How did I find these people to follow?  Well, through twitter at first, but then through my other connections too. Do I read everything these people put out?  Absolutely Not! I would never get anything done, but I do check most of their blog titles and I read a few every week.
Have you thought about blogging yourself?  Many of you, really all of you, require your students to write whether on a blog or by some other means.  If this is the case? Are you doing it too?  Are you modeling for your students your writing?  I don't mean writing in front of the class for writing workshop, but writing for beyond the classroom, possibly to a world audience.  That is what blogging can do.
I hope you don't feel like I'm giving you too much to think about or do.  Do or don't do.  That is up to you.  However, please don't base your don't do on an excuse like you don't have time.  Understand that all of these people I read are all educators who have family and school responsibilities.  They perform amazingly with what they have to do, and they still blog.  Some might say, by reading some of these things, you may be saving time because learning and applying good practice saves time, or makes the most of the time you have.  Think about it.

Question of the Week
Nobody answered this question from last week, so here it is again.  Let's get some chatter going!! When you think about the phrase, "Kids Deserve It," what comes to your mind?  What part do you play in this?

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

To Be Aware Of

• There is a question of the week above.  Please respond.  We want to use it as a conversation piece.  Please take part.
• Ground breaking for the new school in scheduled for March 1st.  Please have conversations with your students about staying away from the machinery.  We have already talked to the Jr. High and they have agreed to let us use their yard for recesses.  We will need to be aware of their needs and we will have to rearrange things over their so we aren't in their way.  Please be understanding and flexible.  They are doing us a favor.
• I am in the process of finishing up the student and stakeholder surveys.  I know I said I would get those done last week, but I am still working on them.  Thanks for your understanding (that I'm kind of a goober).
• What do you think of this?  An orthodontist will send a dollar to Grovecrest for every A on a report card that students will email to them.  They don't have to be a patient. http://wadethompsonortho.com/we-pay-for-a/  Should I send this out to parents?
• Don't forget Self evaluations on Observertab.  Many I can tell have started, but haven't submitted.  If you have questions about how to do that, please come talk to me.
• Collaboration incentives/Summer Collaboration Grants will be due on March 14th.  Refer to an email I forwarded to you this weekend for forms.  You will need to use collaboration time on Mondays and you will have a bit of time on March 7th as well.
• REMINDER:  Don't ever leave a student unattended with a device or in the computer lab.  There was an incident at another school here in PG where the teacher left some students unattended and they accessed some inappropriate material.  This goes for use of Chromebooks.  Make sure your instruction takes place behind the students so you can see the screen.  If there is a need to move to the front of the room, think of what you could do so you are always aware of where your students are (maybe send a student up to write on the board).  I just don't want anyone to get in trouble.
• I've noticed that Edivate has dropped off.  Please take advantage of this amazing venue for personal PD.  If you need some help with it, tell me what you are looking for and let me help you find some things.
• 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
• Grovecrest now has a Facebook Page.  www.facebook.com/grovecgrizzlies.  Please like and post whenever you can.  We want our community to take part in it as well.  I hope they will post using our new hashtag #WeRGrizzlies.  When talking to parents, encourage them to take part.  I've started a few new hashtags to go along with this.  They are #GrovecrestGrover and #GrovecrestFam.  Any one of the three is unique to us.

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

2/23 Council PTA Mtg 9:30 Kyle
2/23 SAGE Testing and Ethics training @ D.O. 1:00 Kyle and Ryan
2/23 BYU PIE Mtg 2:30 @ D.O.  Kyle
2/24 CTL Mtg 8:15
2/24 PTA Mtg 12-1
2/25 Principals Divisional Collaboration Mtg 2-3:30 Kyle
2/25 4th Grade Utah Program 2-3:30 in Gym
2/26 PGJH Music Department Visit for 6th Grade 1:45-2:30
2/29 Reading Reveal Assembly
2/29-3/4 Random Acts of Kindness Week
2/29-3/10 Battle of the Books
2/29 Art and Music Extravaganza
3/1 Choir Assembly
3/2 Dr. Seuss Day
3/3 7th Grade Orientation
3/3 Choir Evening Concert

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

Happy Birthday

Celebrations

• Thanks to Steve for being the Rodent Catcher.  With the trailers being taken and construction across the street, some mice have found their way into the building.  Steve has caught quite a few.  He is doing all he can to catch all of them.  If you suspect in your room, let him know.
• Both ballroom teams did amazing this weekend at the UVU competition at PGHS.  Level one teams both took gold and level two teams took a silver and gold.  Fantastic dancing!  One team from each will move on to the national competition at BYU in March.  Good luck kids!
• Jackie used iPads and QR codes in her class this last week as an activity with math.  Making math fun for her little mathematicians!
• Can't help but love what is happening in music class.
• Thanks to Lisa Tueller for all she does for our little ones in Double Dosing.  Please let her know how much we appreciate her.
• Thanks to the aides for all they do.  They've had to step into classes and be subs when Kelly hasn't found some for you.  They are great on the fly!
• Both trailers in the back are gone.  It's getting close!  March 1st! Be ready!

I try to get around and see everyone as much as possible.  I know that I miss amazing things.  If you notice anyone on your team or on another team doing awesome things, please let me know.  Better yet, take a picture and put it out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with #WeRGrizzlies!

Check out our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Really awesome things going on.  Fantastic job everyone!!

Challenge of the Week
Get on twitter and ask a simple question with #edchat hooked to the end of it and see what happens.  A question such as, "What is a good activity to have with the Ss that connects magnetism and static electricity? #edchat"  Give it a shot and share what happens.  Here is my tweet link.  Hopefully I get some responses.

Great Video of the Week
Did you know you could be entered to win an iPad Air 2s by watching videos on Edivate?  STEM videos are worth 2 entries!  Here is a link to one.  https://www.pd360.com/#resources/videos/11755

Funny of the Week


Quote for the Week


If you can't do this sincerely, Fake it until you make it!

Have an Amazing week!

TMM 2/16/16

Hey All,

Last week was a great learning experience for me.  I was able to listen to the great Todd Whitaker.  What he had to talk about fit right in to my theme for this month's MMMs dealing with personal professional development.  Last week I mentioned Voxer.  Todd has two daughters who are both teachers.  One uses Voxer in her high school classes to communicate with her students.  She can pass on information and they can ask her questions in real time.  I'm sure she has set up some guidelines so things don't get out of hand, but what an awesome way to use this communication tool.  Todd's other daughter is a 3rd grade teacher who uses Voxer much like most of us use Remind.  He hadn't heard of Remind.  Yay! One up for us! He did talk about twitter.
Twitter
I know many of us use twitter to share our school's story and it has been awesome.  Through Twitter, we have branched out to Instagram and Facebook.  With all these and our unique hashtags, we've been able to share the awesome that is going on at our school.  It's been amazing!  How many of you use Twitter in other ways?  Did you know you can use twitter to get ideas about teaching?  Did you know there are twitter chats that happen weekly for specific grade levels or topics where educators from around the nation and world share awesome ideas about teaching?  Todd Whitaker shared a couple of stories where teachers shared integrated lessons on the anniversary of the Titanic through Twitter.  Some ask questions on twitter and receive answers from many in just minutes.  I've personally experienced this.  It is pretty cool.  I would encourage all of you to try Twitter for personal PD and continue to use it for telling Grovecrest's story.  You are all amazing!

Question of the Week
When you think about the phrase, "Kids Deserve It," what comes to your mind?  What part do you play in this?

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

To Be Aware Of

• There is a question of the week above.  Please respond.  We want to use it as a conversation piece.  Please take part.
• I am in the process of finishing up the student and stakeholder surveys.  I know I said I would get those done last week, but I am still working on them.  Thanks for your understanding (that I'm kindof a goober).
• What do you think of this?  An orthodontist will send a dollar to Grovecrest for every A on a report card that students will email to them.  They don't have to be a patient. http://wadethompsonortho.com/we-pay-for-a/  Should I send this out to parents?
• Last round of official observations.  Those who are on "B" schedule, if you haven't talked to me already, I need to know what indicators you would like me to evaluate you on.  "C" schedule people, I need your goal sheet soon!
• REMINDER:  Don't ever leave a student unattended with a device or in the computer lab.  There was an incident at another school here in PG where the teacher left some students unattended and they accessed some inappropriate material.  This goes for use of Chromebooks.  Make sure your instruction takes place behind the students so you can see the screen.  If there is a need to move to the front of the room, think of what you could do so you are always aware of where your students are (maybe send a student up to write on the board).  I just don't want anyone to get in trouble.
• I've noticed that Edivate has dropped off.  Please take advantage of this amazing venue for personal PD.  If you need some help with it, tell me what you are looking for and let me help you find some things.
• 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
• Make sure to complete your self evaluation on Observertab if you haven't already.  This is REQUIRED and shouldn't take you too long.
• Grovecrest now has a Facebook Page.  www.facebook.com/grovecgrizzlies.  Please like and post whenever you can.  We want our community to take part in it as well.  I hope they will post using our new hashtag #WeRGrizzlies.  When talking to parents, encourage them to take part.  I've started a few new hashtags to go along with this.  They are #GrovecrestGrover and #GrovecrestFam.  Any one of the three is unique to us.

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

2/15 Presidents' Day No School!
2/17 Breakfast!
2/18 Elementary Principal's Mtg 9-12
2/19 UATE Conference for Zack.  All day
2/19 Family Classic Skate Night 5-9.  Bring your kids!
2/20 UVU Ballroom Competition
2/22 Reading Reveal Assembly
2/23 Council PTA Mtg 9:30 Kyle
2/23 SAGE Testing and Ethics training @ D.O. 1:00 Kyle and Ryan
2/23 BYU PIE Mtg 2:30 @ D.O.  Kyle
2/24 CTL Mtg 8:15
2/24 PTA Mtg 12-1
2/25 Principals Divisional Collaboration Mtg 2-3:30 Kyle
2/25 4th Grade Utah Program 2-3:30 in Gym
2/26 PGJH Music Department Visit for 6th Grade 1:45-2:30

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

Happy Birthday

2/14 Lisa Schafer

Celebrations

• Since I was gone most of the week last week, I wasn't able to see a whole lot other than what people put up on Twitter.
• I liked seeing Sarah's Valentine competition.  Wow!  We have some very creative kids at our school!  I know many of you did similar things.  Great way to tap into the kids' creativity!
• I have to hugely thank Sheila, Michelle, Lana, and Heather for handling a very tough situation at school while both Zack and I were gone.  They handled it like champs.  Thank you so much!
• Mary, you've handled a pretty tough situation as well.  You've done it masterfully!

I try to get around and see everyone as much as possible.  I know that I miss amazing things.  If you notice anyone on your team or on another team doing awesome things, please let me know.  Better yet, take a picture and put it out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with #WeRGrizzlies!

Check out our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Really awesome things going on.  Fantastic job everyone!!

Great Video of the Week
Have any of you thought about doing this?  Maybe some of you are already.  Pretty cool.

Funny of the Week


Quote for the Week

Have an Amazing week!

MMM

Hey All,

Finally!!  After a two week hiatus, I have finally put our MMM together!  I am such a slacker and I apologize.  There have been so many awesome things that have happened over the last few weeks and I am so impressed and feel blessed to be working with such amazing people.
I wanted to share with you some of my ways of learning and in doing so, encourage you to find places that will help you with your learning.  I think if we expect our kids to learn, we need to lead learn.  I have several places I go to get ideas and for the most part, I try and share with you, but I don't want to overload you.  I know you are doing so much already.
I've talked to many of you about my last teaching assignment at Canyon View as a math teacher.  I was on a team that collaborated daily like many of you.  It wasn't just on Monday.  We would talk out in the hall between periods asking each other how lessons went.  We were able to do that because we made sure that we were all in the same place every day.  It was powerful and helpful to me to know where people were and how lessons were received.  On top of Monday and between classes, we would collaborate during class via Skype.  It was never ending and exciting.  Think about the different ways all of you collaborate.  Is it only on Mondays?  Do you talk at lunch and recesses?  What about other times?  Are there ways like Skype you could collaborate during the day?
Now I know what some of you are thinking.  You must have been sitting at your desk all the time in order to see what was being said on Skype.  Not so.  In fact, the things I was seeing on Skype from my team energized me to get up and move around the room.  Another thing I'm sure many of you are thinking; "Yes, but you were at a junior high.  That is different than an elementary."  You are right.  Junior high is different which gives us in the elementary an opportunity to be innovative and think outside the box.  What can we do to make collaboration more powerful on our teams on a daily basis.  May I suggest some things.
Voxer
I know, I know.  Many of you make fun of me for talking about Voxer all the time.  Get your digs in now because I think some of my ideas will help switch you to the dark side/rebel side, whichever you choose.  Currently, the whole office staff is on Voxer and we communicate that way instead of using the radio.  We still have the radio because it is easier for Steve to hear that instead of a Voxer chirp, but the rest of us use it regularly.
I use it everyday to communicate with principals from around the nation to share awesome things that you are all doing here at Grovecrest and I get all kinds of cool learning ideas from them.  Some of the things I've learned I am currently doing.  Some of you have noticed.  It makes working so much more enjoyable when I can come out into your classrooms and see Awesome, then share Awesome, and learn Awesome.
Here is an idea I've tried with a teacher that use to have Voxer, but is teaching at another school now.  I was on one of my trips last year and voxed into her class a question I had that had to do with her curriculum.  She had her students respond back to me through Voxer and I was 200 miles away from the school.  I would love to do that with your kids in your class.  What about having classes communicate back and forth with each other via Voxer with questions about things their learning.  Could be a Voxer question and answer challenge.  This to me sounds exciting!  Jump on and try it out.
Currently, I'm in another Voxer group with principals within our district.  This group is very silent.  So in order to get it going again, I'm going to challenge them to share a success they see in their school every day.  What do you think?
My challenge to you this week is to find ways get get some personal PD regularly.  Get on Twitter, join a group in Voxer. Take advantage of Edivate.  There is so much we can learn to make the experience her for kids better than it already is.

Question of the Week
When you think about the phrase, "Kids Deserve It," what comes to your mind?  What part do you play in this?

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

To Be Aware Of

• There is a question of the week above.  Please respond.  We want to use it as a conversation piece.  Please take part.
• I sent an email out earlier today about student and stakeholder surveys.  Make sure you complete those.  They are part of your observation.  Have them done within two weeks.  That way I can complete your evaluations by the 1st of March.
• What do you think of this?  An orthodontist will send a dollar to Grovecrest for every A on a report card that students will email to them.  They don't have to be a patient. http://wadethompsonortho.com/we-pay-for-a/  Should I send this out to parents?
• Last round of official observations.  I'm just going to come around this time unless you want to schedule a time with me if that is okay.  I figure I've seen quite a bit coming into your classes as often as I have.  The last three standards are yes/no's and standard 7 is about instructional strategies.  Here is a link to that standard to peek at.
• REMINDER:  Don't ever leave a student unattended with a device or in the computer lab.  There was an incident at another school here in PG where the teacher left some students unattended and they accessed some inappropriate material.  This goes for use of Chromebooks.  Make sure your instruction takes place behind the students so you can see the screen.  If there is a need to move to the front of the room, think of what you could do so you are always aware of where your students are (maybe send a student up to write on the board).  I just don't want anyone to get in trouble.
• I've noticed that Edivate has dropped off.  Please take advantage of this amazing venue for personal PD.  If you need some help with it, tell me what you are looking for and let me help you find some things.
• 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
• Make sure to complete your self evaluation on Observertab if you haven't already.  This is REQUIRED and shouldn't take you too long.
• Grovecrest now has a Facebook Page.  www.facebook.com/grovecgrizzlies.  Please like and post whenever you can.  We want our community to take part in it as well.  I hope they will post using our new hashtag #WeRGrizzlies.  When talking to parents, encourage them to take part.  I've started a few new hashtags to go along with this.  They are #GrovecrestGrover and #GrovecrestFam.  Any one of the three is unique to us.

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

2/8 Alio/skyward training for Sheila 1-4
2/9 Interagency Mtg 8:30 Kyle and Zack
2/10-2/12 UAESP Mid-Winter Conference - Kyle
2/10-2/12 Zack out of the building
2/10 School Community Council Mtg 1:30 in Faculty room
2/14 Valentines Day
2/15 Presidents' Day No School!
2/17 Breakfast!
2/18 Elementary Principal's Mtg 9-12
2/19 UATE Conference for Zack.  All day
2/19 Family Classic Skate Night 5-9.  Bring your kids!
2/20 UVU Ballroom Competition

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

Happy Birthday

I missed these the past two weeks.  Sorry

1/25 Janna Hubert

1/25 Jessica McCoy

No Birthdays this week, unless my information is wrong.  Please let me know.

Celebrations

• We are happy to have so many student teachers from BYU.  New faces, please say hi and welcome them.
• I noticed Lana the other day with her kids turned around in their desks with their chromebooks facing the front of the room so she can see everything they are doing on them.  Great Job Lana!  You are taking measures to make sure your students are safe on their devices.
• Big Congrats to Ryan for receiving the Accent on Excellence Award!  Completely well deserved.  I think he would agree, being on a great team helps as well.  Great job 5th grade team for supporting him!  Check out the picks on our Twitter feed.
• Great Job 5th grade team for putting on a great Wax Museum Event.  We had some very famous people at our school.
• Great Job 6th grade team for an amazing Invention Convention.  Awesome innovative ideas being shared.
• Ballroom dominated the competition on January 23rd.  Sarah tweeted out a great video of the team winning the Spirit Award.
• 3rd grade had an opportunity to go on a field trip a few weeks ago.  It happened because Sheri was able to get buses and arrange parent help with the rest of the 3rd grade team with no time to spare.  Way to make things happen for your kids!
• Congrats to Angie.  She is a new grandma for the 2nd time.  Big baby boy!
• Congrats to Mary for her 4th grandchild being born last week.  We love babies!

I try to get around and see everyone as much as possible.  I know that I miss amazing things.  If you notice anyone on your team or on another team doing awesome things, please let me know.  Better yet, take a picture and put it out on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram with #WeRGrizzlies!  

Check out our Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Really awesome things going on.  Fantastic job everyone!!

Great Video of the Week

STEM Video from Edivate on effective questioning.  Worth the watch.
https://goo.gl/wY3KyN

Funny of the Week


Quote for the Week

Have an Amazing week!