Open House Time

Friday will be Open House.  This is the day we open our doors to potential families.  Tours will be given by our student ambassadors from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  We believe that the majority of families touring will be interested in the Early Childhood grades.  So if there ever was a time for a dog and pony show... this is it!  I know there are always exciting things happening in your classes and whatever they see will be amazing.  Don't stop what you're doing, but it's okay to smile and recognize the visitors.  First grade can give their signature "Ahoy!"  I will give everyone an update on enrollment next week. 

  If you have trash that you would like taken away and it doesn't fit in your trash can, please write on it or put a sign on it saying "TRASH".  The cleaning people have been instructed to leave everything outside the garbage can unless it is marked trash.  

And speaking of the cleaning crew....  If you find anything not to your liking in the classrooms when you arrive in the morning, please let me know.  Pictures are always good too.  I can ask Karleen to help out, but it helps me resolve the problems if I know about them.  If something is broken, put a request in maintenance direct.  That's how things will get fixed.  Anyone can put in the requests and I will see it.  I did a walk through the building today (Monday) and they seem to be cleaning all the areas now.  

Speaking of walking through the building..... Your bulletin boards look amazing!!!  The crosses are another story.  Yes it looks like a graveyard.  Yes the kids should be able to see them.  Find a compromise.  I gave Abbie some suggestions.  They do not have to be in a row.  Put them on the sides of your bulletin boards scattered around.  You should be using Magic Mounts.  I will ask the office to order more if you ran out.  Masking tape doesn't hold and scotch tape is a no no.  The crosses are already falling.  

This week I will be looking through and commenting on your unit plans looking specifically at Essential Questions and Enduring Understandings.  Now that you've made sure both of these are good, focus on making sure the students know them.  This week's focus is Domain 3 Elements 2 and 3... Element 2 - Students have a general understanding of the essential questions referenced in the lesson Element 3 - Students are able to explain the learning objectives and outcomes.     

Charles is in AZ visiting with his dad.  Let's keep his family in our prayers.  

If you need help with technology - good luck.  And finally no one is allowed to be sick this week.   

  

2016-17 School Year Part II

Welcome to the second semester!  The year is half over and for me at least the first half flew by.  Monday is the first day of re-enrollment and after that is open enrollment.  By the end of the month I hope to have a feel for how many classes we will have next year.  What I can tell you is that we cannot have classes with under 20 students (this does not include pre-k).  In order to provide a quality education we need to have full classes.  Please know that Nicki and I are working hard to promote the school and bring in students.  

This is a busy week followed by a 3-day weekend!

Monday - Faculty meeting (Agenda will include CSW update)

Thursday - Linda at Bethany

Friday - Preliminary round of the Geography Bee, Report cards go live, CSW bulletin boards completed, and movie night

Saturday - Science Fair 

Be sure you are talking up the Walk-a-thon with your students.  Ask them how they are doing (age appropriate).  Have them share how they are getting donations in order to encourage others.  There are prizes!

Please take a moment to check student uniforms every day (shoes and jewelry in particular).  Refer to the handbook if you need to.  You should be sending home violations when they are out of uniform and repeat offenders do not get to participate in the next jean day.  Again, check the handbook.  It is up to the teacher to be checking and monitoring this.  

The front office is asking your assistance with calls made to parents from the classroom/teacher office.  Our policy states that students should not be calling home for items forgotten or after school arrangements they forgot to talk about.  However, if a teacher feels a call is necessary, they may send the student to the office with a note giving permission.  There are times when making the phone call from the teacher's office is appropriate.  For example when a game or after school activity is cancelled and a number of students need to call home.  Another example would be the teacher having the student call home to explain their misbehavior.  What is important to remember, however, is when a student calls from your office and does not get an answer, they MUST leave a message.  The same holds true when a teacher makes a call.  Please always leave a message.  When no message is left the parent calls the office because the caller ID alerts them that the school called, but the receptionist has no idea who called or why and many times the parent is upset thinking something is wrong. Students and teachers should always leave a message.  This is much appreciated.  

Come prepared to Monday's faculty meeting with the following:

• What are you doing for the 2nd quarter merit reward?
• How are you incorporating the "Meet up Buddy up" program in your classroom?
• Any questions about next year's calendar
• Your learning goals and essential questions for the week 

Changes on the horizon:  

• New payroll system - details coming soon.  Payroll is being taken over by the Diocese.  The plan is to begin with the Jan. 30 payroll.  
• Good-bye Rediker....  Hello RenWeb - starting July 1, 2017 (you can preview at renweb.com)

Merry Christmas

Just a few reminders....

• Faculty meeting Monday in Krista's room.  Domain chairs should be ready to present their action plan updates.  Please share them with me ahead of time.

• Thursday is the Christmas show.  Teachers should plan to arrive at 6 p.m. to greet the students.

• Friday is the 5-8 breakfast and K-4 Polar Express.  Classroom pickup.  Bring any students left at 12:20 to the office.  No extended day.  All extended day workers should plan to arrive at 1 in the FLC if you are attending the lunch.  Don't forget your left/right gift if you are participating.

• Remember to leave your classrooms and office area clean and neat before you leave on Friday.  I will be around on Thursday to check.  Check your offices in particular.  Everything on the upper shelves should be 18 inches from the ceiling.  Nothing on the floor.  Make sure all students clean out lockers and desks before the holiday.  All desktops should be wiped clean and shelves should be dusted.  When we return start thinking about what you will put on your bulletin boards in the hall for Catholic Schools Week.  

I wish everyone a very Merry and Blessed Christmas and Peace, Love, and Joy for the New Year!!

Come Lord Jesus, Come

The name for the last month of the year means “tenth month.”  The ancient calendar of the Romans began in March which made December the 10th month.  In ancient times, people of northern Europe stopped counting the days during winter.  There wasn’t any farm work to do, so there wasn’t any reason to keep track of time.  They called this free time Yule.  The days of Yule connected the old year to the new.  For Christians, December is a time of waiting.  Advent readies us for this joyful anniversary of Jesus’ birth, but there is more.  It also prepares us for the second coming of Christ.  We do not know when this will come, but we should be on watch (Matt 24:42).  The readings, traditions, and rituals of this liturgical time help Catholics practice the art of joyful anticipation and holy patience.  To more fully prepare for the Messiah, people acknowledge their sins.  Advent offers us the reflection time to see our incompleteness and to ask for his forgiveness.  We pray that when he comes, he may be merciful.  We pray Come Lord Jesus, Come.  

As we continue to improve on infusing Catholic Identity into the curriculum, look for ways to bring the message of Advent into your lessons. Remind students to have holy patience as they struggle to learn a new math concept or wait for their grade on the project they just turned in 5 minutes ago. Tell the story of Yule during calendar time. This week we will wrap up Domain 2. Focus on Elements 4 and 5. The classroom environment is safe. Look at your classroom. Are you maximizing your space for learning. Can the students move around safely. Now is a good time to clean up your clutter before Christmas break. The classroom environment is conducive to learning. Do you always have high expectations? Do students know why they are doing what they are doing? Are you objectives, the essential questions, and academic vocabulary visible on the walls of your classroom? Are all students treated with respect? Do students accept everyone? These are things to be aware as you go through the week.

For the schedule this week, please follow Thursday's schedule for the last two periods on Wednesday. In addition, 5th grade will have music right after lunch on Wednesday. If you have any questions, let me know. Please be sure you have contacted your helpers for the Advent retreat and let they know what they are doing.

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.