May is Here

The final month of school is upon us.  Bring out the Maypole and celebrate!  There is still much to do and it is important that we all meet deadlines.  Please be sure you are reading emails and turning items in on time.  We will have one final faculty meeting on May 14.  It is very important that EVERYONE attend as we will be discussing end of year procedures and requirements.  Those of you attending the professional development that day will still be required to attend the faculty meeting.  One of the things I will be looking at before you check out are your cums to be sure everything is in order.  The other is making sure we know where all teacher materials are since we have many new teachers hired for next year.  

Just to give you all a head's up about post planning.  Next year is our Third Year Review and I want to be sure everything is updated this year with evidence.  This is what we will be working on May 29 and 30.  My plan was that one day would be for CIPA and one for cums and checkout.  Sometimes other plans come up unexpectedly and crush my plans, but we will need to work around them.  I was told yesterday that the Diocese will be offering Professional Development on May 29-31.  There will be 6 modules offered.  I do not have any other details beyond that except that I am going to try to hold them here (or at least some of them).  You are welcome to attend any or all of these, however, everyone is still expected to have their cums completed and CIPA input completed.  Therefore, it may mean working Friday June 1 or getting everything done prior to May 29.  I will be sure to have all details to you by our May 14 meeting of what you need to do.  

Book Fair this week.  Please show support by attending the Family event and Art show on Thursday.  May Crowning and Student Council Inauguration is Wednesday.  Jennifer will have the details regarding the Inauguration.  Spring Concert practice will be Friday morning.  Teachers should plan to be in the FLC by 6 pm on Friday and assist where needed.  Instructional assistants are not expected to attend.  

I stumbled across this today in my email and wanted to share it.  This looks like an excellent place for a field trip. In particular, grades 4-5, and 7.  It's pretty far but lower grades would love it too, about an hour by bus.  Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.      https://selby.org/programs/school-programs/                                     Check out the video to get an idea of what is there.  

Hang in there... 4 more weeks!

Celebrations

I was looking for an interesting title for this post and I googled "what celebrations were happening this week."  I knew that April 15 is typically tax day.  What I didn't know is that April 15 is also National That Sucks Day, mostly because it is usually tax day and it's the day that the Titanic sunk.  I then read on to discover so many interesting celebrations this week like National Mushroom Day and Blah, Blah, Blah Day.  There's also Pet Owners Independence Day which no one is really sure about but it was suggested that it's the day your pet goes to work for you and you sit home.  There's also National Eggs Benedict Day and Stress Awareness Day.  That day is April 16, the day after taxes... no surprise there.  I decided the one we should celebrate is World Art Day.  World Art Day is an international celebration of the fine arts.  The goal is to appreciate art in general, and to spread world-wide enthusiasm and awareness for the arts.  So share some art... maybe a painting of a pet, a mushroom or possibly eggs benedict.  

We are adopting a new phonics program in grades K-2 next year and the prof. dev. for this program is tentatively scheduled for May 14-15 and May 21-22.  This was not my preference for it to be on school days but it's out of my hands.  A number of teachers, support teachers, etc. will be attending.  I am telling you all this because we may run into a problem with finding enough Subs as there are already other teachers approved to be out on some of those days.  Therefore, please understand if we ask you to help out on those days.  It may mean giving up one planning period to cover a class.  We try very hard to avoid this, but this is a unique situation.  Thank you for understanding.  

I will be away from school for most of next week at a school accreditation visit on the west coast. I will be back next Thursday and out again Friday for an administrator's meeting.  No crazy parties while I'm gone. I can always be reached by email, but may not be available to reply right away.  I will not be putting up a blog next Sunday.  I will also need someone to take over leading the 33 Days discussion on Google Hangouts for Saturday, April 21 through Wednesday, April 25.  I will pick it up again on Thursday, 4/26.  

Reminders...  Put in your School Dude requests for next year by May 1.  Be sure your lesson plans are up to date.  Friday is a half day and we will have a meeting.  This was scheduled to be a textbook meeting, but we have addressed most of those concerns.  We will have PLC meetings with a focus on Iowa scores and Math/ELA curriculum.  I will give more direction tomorrow as far as what to bring to the meeting.  We will start right at 12:30 so we can end early.  Bring your lunch with you.  I will visit all meetings.  

Math:  Maria, Nathan, Krista, Kelly G., Melissa, Charles (Office conference room)

ELA:  Gina, Susana, Sue, Kim, Heather, Kelly M., Katherine, Jamie S., Julie, Elaine (Art Room)

Other assignment: Julianne, Jennifer, Jamie G., Derrick, George (please see me) 

Enjoy your week!  

Happy Easter!

  Happy Easter and welcome back.  I hope everyone had a good break and you are feeling refreshed and ready to fly through the next 7 weeks.  Be sure to keep focused on the things you need to accomplish. 

I received the results from the Iowa Assessment over break.  At first I was disappointed in the scores, but then when I looked at the comparison to last year, most grades made progress in both Math and Lang. Arts.  I will be interested to see how this progress compares to iReady scores and if the growth or lack of growth is seen in the same grades with iReady.  Two things were clear in the results... Math in Focus has the potential to improve Math scores when used consistently.  Lang. Arts scores will improve when students are consistently presented with direct instruction in all aspects of Lang Arts, particularly grammar.  We all need to be unified in our approach to instruction and our commitment to infusing rigor into our curriculum.  Jamie will share codes on Monday so that you can look at your scores.  Your students' progress on the Iowa will be include in your Summative Evaluation and used for writing goals for next year.  

I will complete the second observation during the month of April and meet for Summatives in May.  This second summative will be unannounced.  Please be sure Atlas is up to date and it's clear what you are working on each week.  

ACs were installed over break.  I believe they installed 4 air conditioners and we still have one more large one to put in this year.  I'm anxious to see the results of our Raffle which will help offset these costs.  

At our faculty meeting on Monday, Nathan and Heather will bring us up to date on grading and instruction from their recent Instructional Coach's meeting.  I will share news from my latest Principal's meeting.  

Finally, if you haven't heard already, It was announced earlier this week that Fr. Curtis will be leaving us this summer.  He has been assigned to Christ the King Parish.  We will be getting a newly ordained priest, Timothy Williford.  He will be ordained on May 19 and will be joining us some time this summer.  Deacon Timothy spent this past summer at Christ the King Parish and it appears he's a musician.  I look forward to the gifts he will bring. 

Have a Blessed Week!

In Your Easter Bonnet...

With all the frills upon it.  You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter Parade.  Published in 1933 by Irving Berlin and sung by Judy Garland in Easter Parade.  This song always comes to mind as we approach Easter.  I also remember my mother taking me shopping for my Easter dress and it always came with a straw Easter Bonnet.  And white gloves too!  I have great memories of holiday family traditions many of which have gone by the wayside as my family scattered all over the country.  I hope you all have special memories that you treasure -- some that you may keep, and new ones that you may be creating with your own families.  

I am going to include the next two weeks in this blog as I am planning to be blogless next weekend.  I will be spending the weekend at USF watching Prince compete in the UFE Liberty Fitness and Bodybuilding Competition, then relaxing and enjoying my birthday.  It's a rare occurrence, but I'm taking a weekend off from work! 

This week's happenings....

Tuesday I will be at a Marketing Development workshop with Nicki and it is spring picture day.  Please refer to Karen's email for the schedule. 

Friday I am at an Admin Meeting at the Bethany.

Next week's events....

Monday is a faculty meeting.  Here are the plans for this meeting from my blog two weeks ago. 

March 26 will be a grade level PLC meeting to discuss: religion standards and making sure all are covered at some grade level (Gr. K-5), discussion of how the safe environment standards are being incorporated (Gr. K-5), retention/remediation (MS), Lent retreat final details (MS), other topics as needed (all grades).  Teachers will meet as follows:  Middle school - Julianne, Jennifer, Katie, Kasey, Kelly G.  Elementary -  Kelly M., Krista, Nathan.  Early Childhood - Sue, Susana, Kim, Maria, Heather, Julie, Elaine.  Teachers in Gr. K-5 should meet with your partners during joint planning to discuss any plans to work together for the Lent Retreat and possible retention/ remediation.  In addition, Julianne and Jennifer should meet to review religion and safe env. benchmarks.  Be sure to share all minutes of meetings with Charles and me.  Middle school may choose to meet during lunch (please let me know the day and time).  The other groups must meet that Monday afternoon.  Charles and I will join you so let us know where you are meeting. 

Wednesday is Field Day

Thursday is the school Lenten Retreat.  If you recall I gave teachers a half-day PD schedule at the beginning of the year.  In order to have half days, there must be something scheduled for teachers in the afternoon.  For this half-day I schedule a retreat for us.  My plan is to provide a simple lunch and combine that with a retreat.  I do not imagine we will be here beyond 2 p.m.  Only teachers are required to attend. 

Here are some things to do before we go on break:

• Have students clean out lockers and desks
• Clean desk and table tops
• Clean whiteboards
• Straighten up your office

When we return after Easter, time will fly so be prepared for everything that must get done before we end the school year.  

Daylight Savings Forever?

 What a pleasure it will be to have the extra hour of sunshine tonight, but I'm sure I will not be happy driving to work in the dark tomorrow.  I find it interesting that we want to stay in Daylight Savings Time forever and most of Arizona never uses it.  If Florida does end up staying in Daylight Savings Time and we move to Atlantic Time in the winter, I'm mostly concerned about my TV shows.  I'll never be able to stay up late enough to see anything! 

Please see last week's blog for Faculty Meeting instructions.  Friday is Jeans and Green.  To be in jeans, the student must have on a St. Patrick's theme, mostly green (not a white shirt with a green alligator logo), school spirit, or school uniform top.  May the luck of the Irish be with you this week! 

Iowa Week

Don't let this happen.  Remember to stress the importance of doing their best on the test so we have good information to help them be successful and at the same time reassure students that all we want is their best.  Please remember what we talked about at the last faculty meeting... Teachers should be checking the bubble sheets before turning them in to make sure all circles are dark, no stray marks, demographics are complete, etc.  We appreciate your help with this.  Homework and assessments are allowed this week, but please do not overload and make the week more stressful.  

There isn't much happening this month that we need to talk about, so the next two faculty meetings with be for PLC work.  March 12 will be for teachers to meet either as an ELA group (with me) or as a math group (with Charles).  I will be talking with ELA teachers about progress with writing and we will look at some options for a phonics program (K-2) and vocabulary instruction (3-5).  I will provide more details and give you some things to look at prior to 3/12 and I ask you come prepared to discuss.  Teachers to attend the ELA meeting in the conference room are: Katie, Jennifer, Gina, Jamie S., Kelly M., Heather, Kim, Sue, Julie, Elaine.  The Math group will discuss their use of Math in Focus: how textbooks, workbooks, manipulatives, online resources, assessments, etc. are used.  How do teachers allow for discovery, exploring multiple ways of reaching an answer, incorporating program vocabulary.  Also, come up with of list of specific topics for professional development.  Teachers to attend this meeting are:  Kasey, Kelly G., Krista, Nathan, Maria, Susana. Charles will let you know where to meet. If I listed you name, you must attend.    

March 26 will be a grade level PLC meeting to discuss: religion standards and making sure all are covered at some grade level (Gr. K-5), discussion of how the safe environment standards are being incorporated (Gr. K-5), retention/remediation (MS), Lent retreat final details (MS), other topics as needed (all grades).  Teachers will meet as follows:  Middle school - Julianne, Jennifer, Katie, Kasey, Kelly G.  Elementary -  Kelly M., Krista, Nathan.  Early Childhood - Sue, Susana, Kim, Maria, Heather, Julie, Elaine.  Teachers in Gr. K-5 should meet with your partners during joint planning to discuss any plans to work together for the Lent Retreat and possible retention/ remediation.  In addition, Julianne and Jennifer should meet to review religion and safe env. benchmarks.  Be sure to share all minutes of meetings with Charles and me.  Middle school may choose to meet during lunch (please let me know the day and time).  The other groups must meet that Monday afternoon.  Charles and I will join you so let us know where you are meeting.  

Finally, Charles and I will begin looking at your intents to return this week.  Please be sure that you are choosing to stay at St. Stephen because you believe in our mission and who we are.  You cannot look at working here as just a job.  This is a calling and a vocation.  If you do not feel called to serve in our community, be honest with yourself.  I truly do understand that your families are important and should always come first, but I also expect you to find time to meet the obligations of this profession.  With this in mind, I reflected for a long time on a change I made in the employee handbook this year.  I don't think it was a good change and next year I will be changing it back to the way it always has been written.  I believe my intent was misunderstood.  In the past teachers would ask if they could leave after carline for a dentist appointment.  The answer was always yes and I felt it unnecessary to ask.  I changed the required time from 7:20-4:00 to 7:30-3:30 and I said if all your work was done, you are free to leave after carline without asking.  I also assumed that if you needed to do something you would stay until 4:00 or later to get it done.  Next year we will go back to 7:30 - 4:00, to allow everyone that half hour to meet with teaching partners, meet with parents, help a student who is struggling, answer emails, call parents, record grades, change a bulletin board, etc.  It does not matter what time you arrive, as I know some of you arrive well before 7:30, you will still need to stay until 4:00.  The reason is that you cannot always do these things in the morning before school.  I want to be sure everyone has the time they need to get their work done.  While these will be the written, formal times, you may leave earlier on Wednesdays so that Faith Formation can get into your room and also on Fridays.  I feel that by making that change this year, I have taken away valuable time from your work, and hopefully you will see this as a positive change to help with time management.  I will also continue to work the schedule so that you have joint planning time with your partner.  

March Madness

I think March Madness has something to do with sports (stop laughing George), but I think it can also relate to the upcoming weeks.  It may seem like Easter Break is far away, but many things are happening before it gets here.  Most important is Iowa testing.  Be sure you have completed the practice tests with your students for grades 2-8.  Jamie will have your schedules and Julianne will have the Lent retreat information at our Faculty Meeting on Monday.  Other things happening this month are spring pictures and Field Day.  Coach will provide details at an upcoming faculty meeting.  

If you have any students in danger of retention or remediation, please be sure to get those names to Charles so letters can go out.  Also remember to turn in your letter of intent if you have not done so already. 

I may have sent this information from the Diocese via email, but it's worth sending out again.  It doesn't matter if you are renewing now.  If you have a certification, you need to create a new account in the VERSA site.  I did mine this weekend and it's super easy.  Have a great week everyone!

FLDOE User Account

The FLDOE has provided us with a step-by-step guide to create the "New User Account" for the VERSA site. Please forward this information to all teachers/staff who need to set up a User Account

  VERSA Account Set-up

I am also Sharing this from the Diocese.

Real Appeal - A Free Program

The beginning of a new year can be the perfect time to focus on living a healthy life. To help you achieve your New Year's goals, we are offering a convenient online weight loss benefit called Real Appeal®, available to you at no additional cost as part of your health plan benefits. When you enroll with Real Appeal you receive:

 - Up to 52 weeks of access to a Transformation Coach.

 - 24/7 access to digital tools and dashboards to track food, activity and weight.

 - A success kit full of healthy weight management tools, including nutritional and fitness guides, tracking apps and more.

 - Support from weekly online group classes.

Real Appeal is a fun and engaging plan that helps you learn simple steps for a healthier life so you can spark your transformation. Learn more about the program at dosp.realappeal.com.

As you start focusing on building healthy habits, use these tips to help make your New Year's resolutions stick:

Change one thing at a time. Your goals are noble but can be unrealistic if tackled all at once. Instead, incorporate one healthy behavior at a time and build from there.

Focus on gradual changes. Walk for 10 minutes in the morning and evening. Add 5 minutes each week and increase your pace gradually.

Consistency is key. Studies show it can take months to build new habits, so try to exercise at the same time every day and keep your meal times consistent.

Why wait? Find out if you're eligible and enroll today at dosp.realappeal.com.