It's Here!!

 

Yes, the time for the Accreditation Visit is finally here!  Here are some final things to remember:

• No one is allowed to be sick
• Dress professionally 
• Be sure your classrooms (AND offices) are neat and tidy
• Have lesson plans available
• Be yourself
• Relax
• Smile

Please talk to your students this week about the visit.  Explain that the visitors are here to see what a great job we are doing.  Tell the students to greet the visitors if they see them in the halls, etc., but no one needs to stop what they are doing in class when they come in to observe.  

Some other reminders for this week:

• Faculty meeting on Monday is for all Math teachers PK-8. We will all meet in Heather's room to create Math goals
• Tuesday is Boo Gram deliveries and Halloween shirt and jeans
• Wednesday is a Holy Day of Obligation.  I suggest going over to church a little earlier.  
• Friday is the final day of the Trimester

Have a wonderful week!

Reminders

 

As I looked over the next two weeks on the calendar, I felt called to send a bunch of reminders.  There are many things happening in the next two weeks and hopefully, you will not forget any.  Most of this will pertain to teachers.

This week's reminders:

• Monday is a Grade Level Faculty Meeting.  Everything you should be working on in the PLC is on the Timeline for meetings through November.  We will continue to add to the timeline so that you know well ahead what the expectation is for the meeting.  Please let me know where each group is meeting and I will stop by each group.
• Tuesday at 8 a.m., the Encore teachers will meet to set your goals for the year.  Encore teachers do not need to attend Monday's meeting.
• Thursday at 6 p.m. is the first PTCO General Meeting in the FLC.  If you signed up for this meeting, please be sure you are there.  If you cannot attend, please switch dates with someone else and let me know.
• Friday is Marvelous Mustang, please be sure the spreadsheet is complete.  
• Friday is also a noon dismissal and PD day for teachers.  All teachers are expected to attend.  Trunk or treat takes place this evening.  Please sure your cars are out of the parking lot by 6 p.m.

Next week's reminders:

• Monday is a Subject Area PLC.  Only Math teachers will need to attend.  Directions are on the Timeline
• Tuesday is Halloween shirt and jean day and Boo Grams are delivered.
• Wednesday is All Saints AND day one of the Accreditation Visit.  All teachers must attend the 3:30 meeting with the team in the media center.
• Thursday is day two of the visit.  All teachers should attend the report meeting at 3:30 in the Media Center.  Everyone else is invited to attend.
• Friday is the end of the trimester.

Lots of things are happening!  Have a great week!

And Let the Math Discussions Begin!

 If you were at today's Math PD, you would understand the title.  I hope that everyone who attended the session found it helpful and could connect it to what we are doing with Patty.  For everyone else, just know that we will be having great discussions about numbers.

This appears to be a quiet week with a couple of field trips at the end.  Teachers, please let me know your plans for All Saint's Day.  If you are doing something in a subject other than Religion, please be sure that the activity still meets the subject area standards.  This is a day people will be watching.  Also let me know what your students will be wearing that day.  If you are new and are wondering yourself, please talk to your grade level partners about the different things we have done in the past.  All are acceptable.

Thank you all and have a great rest of the week and this is how I felt this weekend...

Pray for Israel

 This morning I opened my email from The Religion Teacher and read this...

"Have no anxiety at all," Saint Paul says today in the second reading. "But in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God" (Phil 4:6).

As religious educators, anxiety can sometimes get the best of us. Our work isn't easy and it's hard to see the fruits of our labor. This verse should remind us that when we feel anxious and tired, turn to the Lord with a thankful heart and offer our worries up to him. He will give you peace and "guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." 

Anxiety is a word we hear a lot lately and this was a reminder that everything is in God's hands.  

On Friday, the principals were introduced to the Hallow App.  Some of you may be familiar with it.  I've had it on my phone for a couple of years.  Through the generosity of an anonymous donor, every school in the Diocese will receive one year of the app for Faculty, Staff, and Students.  I will send more information about students as there is parental permission needed.  During the presentation, I realized I had only tapped the surface of what Hallow has to offer and I am excited to share this with everyone.  In order to introduce you to this app, I am changing the order of faculty meetings for the remainder of the month.  The Grade Level PLC (scheduled for tomorrow) will switch with the business meeting on Oct. 30.  All teachers should meet in Heather's room tomorrow for a regular meeting in which I will introduce this to you.  Faculty and Staff will receive an email with your credentials for your account after I send them your emails addresses which I plan to send to the rep tonight.  Watch for the email.

Patty from Catapult will be here Thursday and Friday this week.  You will receive your schedule tonight.  You may need to adjust when you teach math in order to make this work.  Thank you for being flexible.  

Finally, remember to keep all those in the State of Israel in your prayers.  I would suggest that this be our intention this week for the Rosary.  

Thank you to those who came to the Pumpkin Patch and also to the many teachers who supported the SVDP Ladies Tea.  Have a wonderful week.  

For the peace of Jerusalem pray:

“May those who love you prosper!

Grandparent's Day all weekend long

 Thank you everyone for a FANTASTIC GRANDPARENTS/FRIENDS DAY!!  We had so many compliments.  Friday was definitely a day to celebrate grandparents and babies.  Big shout out to Galy, Laura, and Mary for hosting a beautiful shower.  My Grandparent Day continued into the weekend with the arrival of Isaiah's brother Leo.  Isaiah was full of love at the hospital when he met his baby brother.  Let's see what happens when the baby comes to HIS house.  

There are many things happening this week.

• Boo Gram Sales begin
• Retakes and class pictures are on Thursday.  We will start with 8th grade cap and gown pictures promptly at 8:00 am.  An email went home to parents with directions.  
• I will be at a principal's meeting on Friday but will be back for the Pumpkin Patch event.  Please try to stop by after school and show your support, and maybe pick up a pumpkin or two!

Have a smashing week everyone!  If you get that, email me.  First one gets a prize!