Fasten Your Seatbelts

It may not be a bumpy night, but it certainly will be a crazy 3 weeks!!

There is plenty happening over the next three weeks.  The most important things to remember are to keep the students focused on their work, keep the stress level down, and enjoy the season.

Benchmark Check

The week before break got crazy for me and I am behind with benchmark checks.  Therefore, this week I will be checking for Domain 3 Element 1 as I walk through the classrooms and we will continue to focus on Domain 2 Element 2 & 3:

-   A positive classroom culture is created and sustained through clear expectations of conduct and effective classroom management.

-   Classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, including technology, and performance of non-instructional duties are established and occur smoothly with minimal loss of instructional time.

Faculty Meeting

There is a faculty meeting Monday.  We will meet in Krista's room.  Derrick will tell us about the Christmas Show.  I will introduce the next Google unit.  If there is something else that needs to be addressed, please let me know.

Upcoming Events

Santa Shoppe - Week of Dec. 5

Advent Retreat - Dec. 8

Christmas show practice and performance - Dec. 15

Polar Express movie Gr. PK3-5 - Dec. 16

Middle School Christmas Breakfast - Dec. 16 (please let me know your plans)

All School and Parish Christmas Lunch - Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. in the Family Life Center (all are invited to attend)

Classroom Management

This week we will focus on classroom management - Domain 2 Elements 2 and 3.  I will email the rubrics Monday morning.  The two elements are: 

-   A positive classroom culture is created and sustained through clear expectations of conduct and effective classroom management.

-   Classroom routines and procedures for transitions, handling of supplies, including technology, and performance of non-instructional duties are established and occur smoothly with minimal loss of instructional time.

On Friday I walked through the classrooms and I did see an improvement in the visual of Catholic Identity.  I made note of where crucifixes and and bibles are needed.  Remember to be aware of opportunities to incorporate Catholic values, traditions, and teachings throughout the curriculum.  This week when I walk through the rooms I will be looking for how students are able to connect what they are learning to their faith life.  This will be done by looking at student work displayed in the room, listening to the lessons, and asking students questions (I may interrupt your teaching to do this.)  As we go through the benchmarks it's important to understand that the goal is not to do everything for one week, but to build.  In the end, all the benchmarks should be met on a routine basis.  

This week, look around your classroom.  Are your rules and expectations visible?  Are the Harmony expectations posted?  Can students easily refer to grading and merit program rubrics?  These should all be posted in your room.  Are you following the rules and expectations established at the beginning of the year?  Is it time for a refresher?  Pay attention to how materials are handled.  Are you prepared for your classes with materials before the students arrive?  Are you pulling things out of closets and from shelves as students sit and wait?  Do students help with materials and routines?  They should.  Class time should focus on learning.  Discipline and non-instructional routines should cause only a minimal loss of instruction time.  Finally, remain positive, animated, enthusiastic, and excited about what you are doing.  It is contagious. 

Faculty Meeting

Monday's faculty meeting will focus on Harvest Festival (Jenn and Kelly G), Advent Retreat and Reconciliation (Julianne), Christmas Concert (Derrick), CSW T-shirt and Essay contests (Abbie), Atlas (Charles), CIPA (Linda).  Please plan to attend are there will be a good deal of information disseminated.  

Angels Among Us

Everyone seemed to be in agreement that the Angels event was absolutely amazing.  Everyone I spoke with said this was their favorite.  Who knew our gym could look like that!!  I hope everyone had a good time and I'm anxious to see how we did (even though puppies are evidently more exciting than spending a day with me).  

 

Making connections

Connecting Learning to Our Faith Life

Last week we focused on Catholic Identity in our rooms and in our Unit Plans.  This week focus on how students take what you have included in your unit plan and what they are learning in class, and connect it to their faith life.  Making connections is important.  Everything students learn should be connected.  Connected to prior knowledge, transferred to future learning, and connected to our daily lives through the lens of Catholic morals and values.  Be sure you are giving students the opportunities to make these connections.

Facebook and Marketing the School

Kathleen, Nicki, and Charles have been hard at work creating and adding to our new webpage.  We are also focusing on ways to promote our school as we look toward re-enrollment time.  One of the things we are using is Facebook.  If you have anything exciting happening in your class (which I know happens all the time) take pictures and write up a brief description and send it to Kathleen. She will post it on the school's Facebook page.  

Reminders

Please remember that Thursday will be a full day of school and Friday is a half day for students and a full day for teachers.  Jamie has iReady part 2 beginning at 2 p.m.  Prior to that Charles and I will be introducing the Google for educators certification process.  We both completed it in one intensive day of training.  We are going to spread it out over the school year and the expectation is that all teachers will be certified before the school year ends.