i (am) Ready

 That's what the children should be saying this week.  I am ready to show you what I know in Math.  The i-Ready schedules have been shared in the Google Drive.  Remind students that all we want is for them to try their best so we can best help them to be successful in math.  

For teachers, I have shared with you the rubrics we use for formal observations and which admin (Mary or me) will be doing your evaluations.  Mary will share more information about Tuesday's PLC meetings.  Friday is a half-day and we are scheduled for PD in the afternoon.  This is the plan for all teachers:

• K-2 teachers will be attending a training on the new Savaas science program.  Mary will let you know where to meet.
• Gr. 3-8 science teachers will meet with Linda in Heather's room.  We will do what we had planned to do during pre-planning.  Each teacher will present one aspect of the program that they learned through the publisher's training.  Know more than one in case someone takes "yours." 
• Connor and David - review the NJHS documents to begin the revision process (if needed).  This can be presented to the whole MS at the next grade level PLC.  I will share everything I have on Monday.
• All other teachers - work on unit plans, etc.  
• Everyone may leave at 3 pm (except K-2 may leave when your training is done at approx. 3:30)

Friday is our first Jean Day.  Please review the jean day rules from the handbook with your students.  By now, students should be receiving uniform violations for their hair (unless you have spoken to the parent and they have a date it will be fixed), jewelry that they should not wear (no bracelets or necklaces, simple or not, if they do not have a religious item on them), socks (over the ankle), shoes, and skort/PE shorts lengths at the very least.  

Did you like how I played Disciples of Christ Monday morning?  I hope so.  There will be a repeat performance everyone Monday at 8:46 am to remind students of our theme.  I will also play it at 8:50 am on Wednesdays.  Use this as the intro to your prayer time.  On Wednesdays, students should be seated and quiet (or standing and singing, I suggest putting the words up on your ClearTouch), and then have class prayer when done.  PK4 and K classes should also be listening and follow with prayer with buddies (I believe PK3 is on the playground.  If not, you can pray too.).  It would also be nice for an older student lead the prayer.  

Lastly, this is a reminder that teachers should not write the names of students on the board if it is in any way related to discipline.  Have a clipboard at your podium or whatever works for you to track your 1,2,3's or whatever you are doing.  I understand that some students need the visual, but it's also important to respect their need for confidentiality.  

Maybe this is lastly...  I could tell last week that some are not reading my blog.  This is where I will share important information, and in some cases, you need that information Monday morning.  It is important you read over the blog Monday morning at the lastest.  Give yourself a few extra minutes when you arrive or read it over Sunday night.  I can see that my last blog was read 71 times, but some may have opened it more than once, and it doesn't tell me when it was read.  Here is the challenge.  Send me an email by 11 am Monday morning saying, "Read it!" and your name will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Visa gift card.  If you read this after 11 am Monday, you do not need to send an email.  This information will help us decide the best method for providing important information.  

Thank you everyone for another great week and here's to the one coming up!

Back-to-School Night

Good afternoon everyone.  I have gone through all Back-to-School presentations and they look good.  Remember, the focus is not on curriculum, but on what we are trying to accomplish here.  I like how some teachers left in their curriculum slides (it is good information), but put them at the end so they can be covered if there's time.  Let's make Tuesday night about helping parents to see that their role is to....

Be true to your school now (rah rah rah rah, sis boom rah)

And let your colors fly (rah rah rah rah, sis boom rah)

Be true to your school

And also to help them understand that our goal is NOT to make their child another Brick in the Wall, but to help them become the unique person God meant them to be as we guide them towards their full potential. 

While there does not need to be a special slide for it, please take a moment after you pray to talk about the fact that we are all here for the children.  Everything we do is in their best interest, and that we want to work together as partners.  Tell the parents to talk to you or me when there is confusion or they are upset, not in the parking lot or at a party.  That does not solve anything.  We want to have open communication so we can work together. 

There is one thing that was missing from all the presentations and I would like all the teachers to add this.  Talk about:

• Tithing envelopes (they can be used at any church the child attends)
• Uniform Sunday / Free Dress Monday
• The expectation that children are going to Mass and how this is incorporated into the Religion curriculum

Also remember, we do not ask parents for any donations unless you have cleared it with me.  The only thing you may as for without permission is recycle objects (milk containers, egg cartons, etc).  We do not ask for money, snack donations, toys, books, etc. unless you talk to me first.  

Now for some good news.  We will NOT have a faculty meeting on Tuesday so teachers can prepare for Back-to-School night.  Please do not give homework to students in elementary grades and very little if any in middle school so parents can attend without worrying about homework.  

I will be at a principal's meeting on Wednesday at the Pastoral Center but can be reached by text or email.  

What's working and what's not update.  While someone was here to fix the fobs on Thursday, I don't believe they are working yet.  I will get an update on that.  PikMyKid should be fixed now and we will have regular carline tomorrow.  

Finally, remember to have patience and treat everyone with kindness.  

Thank you and have a wonderful week!

Ready or not....

 ....here we go! This certainly was not how I planned to start the year, but this school is always full of surprises. It keeps us on our toes and ready for any situation. Thank you all for helping with the decision on Friday and for being flexible. Of course, I was contacted at 1:30 p.m. on Friday with a message saying TECO came and sprinkled some magic dust, and everything was fixed. It was frustrating, but you can't predict how things will go.  You may have all seen my email yesterday to parents/staff, but here are some reminders about tomorrow:

• No carline.  Coach Green will be out in the parking lot, saving lives and giving dog treats while all parents park and walk their students to class.  All gates and breezeway doors should be propped open at 7:30 and closed at 8:30.  Parents may also enter through the front door.  PK will need to keep the gate open and have someone supervise the playground area (Sue or Teresa) until it is closed.
• Make sure everyone has a lunch.  If someone does not, let the office know or tell their parents if they are still there.  
• Take attendance at 8:30 after we close up the building.
• 8A has PE first period.  Coach Green will come at 8 am to supervise 8A.  
• 1st grade could probably go to art at 8:30.  Teachers should talk.
• All other encore classes on Monday will take place as scheduled.
• The Scouts representatives may be coming into your classrooms Monday afternoon after lunch for a brief 5-10 presentation about Scouting.  I have not gotten confirmation about this.  If they do not come, it may be another day.  Please welcome them into your classroom.
• House sorting ceremony for middle school is at 11:15 in the church.  Teachers should bring something to write the students' names as they get sorted to update the roster.  Students may be sitting by House for lunch (if that is what we decided).  

Things I forgot to tell you: 

• We have a new security officer who I assume will be here tomorrow, Officer Delano Bryan.
• Some heard this, but not all.  All teachers/staff are allowed to wear jeans on Fridays IF they pay $25 (give to Karen P or ask her to take it out of your paycheck) AND wear the school navy polo or any other spirit shirt with the jeans.  The $25 goes towards celebrations and keeps the lounge stocked with coffee.  
• PK and K will dismiss through the breezeway and playground gate at noon on Monday.

Finally, I will have all the schedules updated tonight with the new employee names and the updated PK schedule.  Please welcome the new employees who are starting tomorrow that most have not met, Elizabeth Kemp is the Instructional Assistant for 3rd grade and Carmen Diaz who will be in Kindergarten in the afternoons and Extended Day.  We also welcome Emily Baldonado who will start later in the week.  She will be in PK 4 in the afternoon and in Extended day.  

Lastly, (which comes after finally) I was in the school today and not all the fobs were working.  Your classroom key should open the exterior doors.  If it doesn't, be sure to see me at some point for a new key.