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!