Week 32 (Instructional 31)

Happy Friday...the last Friday of April!

Can you believe that we begin the month of May next week?!

Thank you so much for "holding down the fort" as MSTEP testing continues.  Next week we will finish our scheduled days of "official" testing...then, let the make up BEGIN!  I hope you have the opportunity to get some relaxation and rest this weekend.  This is one of those times of the year when self care is so important.  You have to make sure that you are "putting things in your bucket", because you are definitely giving so much for your students.

I want to let you know that I had a family member pass away Thursday, so I will be out one day next week for the funeral.  As soon as I have a finalized date I will let you know.  MSTEP testing will continue as scheduled.

MSTEP Continues

MSTEP testing continues next week for students in grade 3 and grade 7.  The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 3rd Grade ELA
• Tuesday, 7th Grade ELA
• Wednesday, 3rd Grade Math
• Thursday, 7th Grade Math
• Friday, Make Up testing officiallly begins

Also,  NWEA testing will begin this week for 5th and 8th grades.  Please refer to the schedule provided during our training.

This will occur in your specific classrooms.  You will be proctoring these tests yourself.  If you have tech questions, please contact Mr. Kinsey or one of your veteran teammates.  Also, you are responsible for creating your test sessions.  I will be sending out the help documents today.

Also, everyone remember to be mindful of the testing occurring as your students move in the hallways. They should be quiet, with no talking.

Specials and Lunch continue in the classrooms.  

Week 31 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 31 of instruction. Please continue to follow the Scope and Sequence and ensure that the weekly Common Assessments are completed.

Field Trips/Volunteers

Field Trip season is beginning.  Most grade levels are enlisting the assistance of parents as chaperones.  In order to participate in chaperoning a field trip, parents must be cleared to attend.  Ms. Mitchell is sending out the process to you today, so that you can have your Field Trip parents complete this asap.

June Make Up Day

Be advised that even though our last day is scheduled for June 12, we are likely needing to add a make up day for our Snow Days/Low Attendance Days.  Please keep June 13 open as you may be required to attend work that day.

Uniform Shorts

May 1st is the start of season when students can wear school uniform shorts.  They must be the navy blue school shorts and must be knee length.  This applies to both male and female students.

Student Supervision

Please continue to make management your number 1 priority.  The kids are very reactive at this time and continue to make poor judgement decisions before they think about it.  

Attendance

It's Friday...time to make sure your daily attendance is updated and saved, and that you print, sign, and file your weekly attendance....Thank you!

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  The ABSS's and Deans cannot support you if you don't give us the documentation.

03's and GLTs 

GLTs will occur this week in the gym due to testing.  03s are on an as needed basis...you will find me in the gym or you can reach out to Mrs. Wheeler or Ms. Schofield.

Purses

Please remind your girls that they are not to bring purses to school and wear them.  Purses are not a part of the school uniform.

Grading

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated

Upcoming Events:

Fri., May 3 - $2.00 Dress Down

Mon., May 6 - May 10  - Teacher Appreciation Week!  More Information Coming...🎉

Mon., May 6 - K/8 Graduation Pictures; Moral Focus Assembly 8:15

Fri., May 10 - Progress Reports (Parent Portal)

Mon. May 13 - Staff Meeting 3:35

Fri. May 17 - MSTEP/MiAccess Ends; $ 2.00 Dress Down; 

Mon-Fri, May 20-24 - Scholastic BOGO Book Fair

Fri, May 24 - Half Day (Dismissal for Students at 11:00); Fire Drill #5

Mon, May 27 - NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)

Fri, May 31 - $ 2.00 Dress Down; Progress Reports (Parent Portal)

 

Week 31 (Instructional 30)

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  It's Earth Day... Enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who completed their GLINT survey last week.  We truly appreciate your dedication and feedback.

I hope each of you had a wonderful, restful weekend.  You deserve it so much...and I truly appreciate all you do for our students and the school. 

MSTEP Continues

MSTEP testing continues this week for students in grade 4 and grade 6.  The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 4th Grade ELA
• Tuesday, 8th Grade PSAT (AM)/ MSTEP Make UPs (PM)
• Wednesday, 6th Grade ELA
• Thursday, 4th Grade Math
• Friday, 6th Grade Math

Please refer to the schedule provided during our training.  Also, if you have any questions let me know.  

Also, everyone remember to be mindful of the testing occurring as your students move in the hallways. They should be quiet, with no talking.

Specials and Lunch continue in the classrooms.  

Week 30 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 30 of instruction. Please continue to follow the Scope and Sequence and ensure that the weekly Common Assessments are completed.

Student Supervision

Keep being vigilant in your supervision and management...don't ignore the "little fires".

Attendance

Please contine to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsiblity to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  The ABSS's and Deans 

03's and GLTs 

GLTs will occur this week in the gym due to testing.  03s are on an as needed basis...you will find me in the gym or you can reach out to Mrs. Wheeler or Ms. Schofield.

Purses

Please remind your girls that they are not to bring purses to school and wear them.  Purses are not a part of the school uniform.

Grading

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated

Upcoming Events:

Mon. April 22 - Wing Meeting - CANCELED; EARTH DAY Today!

Tues. April 23 - PSAT Testing (8th Grade) 9:00-12:30

Wed. April 24 - Administrative Professionals Day- Make plans to celebrate Ms. Ware, Ms. Mitchell, and Ms. Hall in the front office;  

Fri. April 26 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal); BR and NJHS Earth Day Clean Up and Beautification (Postponed until May 10th) ; $ 2.00 DRESS DOWN

 

Week 30 (Instructional 29)

Happy Friday Team... (Sorry I was just getting ready to send this when the power went out...SMH).  Great job with Dismissal...it was so orderly.  Thank you for all of your help during the power outage!

Shout out to the 5th grade Team who completed their first week of testing!  I am so proud of the effort the students made to take their time and do their best on each of the tests they sat for this week.  It took a lot of determination and perseverance...and they brought it!  Thank you to the teachers for the EXCELLANT job Proctoring the tests.  Your presence walking around and giving encouragement really helped the students stay focused and motivated...even during an ECLIPSE!

Next week will only get busier for all of us testing continuing and instruction/review occurring.  Keep up the good work team...your efforts are coming to fruition.  

I hope each of you have a wonderful, restful weekend.  You deserve it so much...and I truly appreciate all you do for our students and the school.

MSTEP Continues

MSTEP testing continues this week for students in grade 5 and grade 8.  The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 5th Grade Science
• Tuesday, 8th Grade Science
• Wednesday, 5th Grade Social Studies
• Thursday, 8th Grade Social Studies

Please refer to the schedule provided during our training.  Also, if you have any questions let me know.  

Also, everyone remember to be mindful of the testing occurring as your students move in the hallways. They should be quiet, with no talking.

Specials and Lunch continue in the classrooms.  

Week 29 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 29 of instruction. Even though you are reviewing and preparing for MSTEP, it is very important that we maintain our scope and sequence rigorously, and that we are up to date with the weekly Common Assessments.

Student Supervision

Thank you for your increased focus on student supervision and adhering to the routines and expectations.  I noticed a difference this week and am truly thankful.  Keep being vigilant in your supervision and management...don't ignore the "little fires".

Attendance

Please contine to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsiblity to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  The ABSS's and Deans 

03's and GLTs 

GLTs will occur this week in the gym due to testing.  03s are on an as needed basis...you will find me in the gym or you can reach out to Mrs. Wheeler or Ms. Schofield.

Purses

Please remind your girls that they are not to bring purses to school and wear them.  Purses are not a part of the school uniform.

GLINT Staff Survey

The Glint Survey window for staff opens April 15th-19th. As you know we scored really high on that Fall survey and would like that score again (Highly Satisfied). 

We have the same set-up as we did last Fall. Once you complete your survey, send a screenshot to Mrs. Rogers email by 6 p.m. Monday, April 15. Those staff members will receive a boxed lunch (of your choice) on Friday the 19th. The key is to get it done by end of day Monday. Also, those finishing the survey can have a dress down the rest of the week. 

Grading

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  It is an expectation that student grades are updated for parents by 8:00 am on Mondays.  Don't let this become an issue with parents/complaints.

Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated

Upcoming Events:

Mon. April 15 - Committee Meeting 3:35-4:00;  Staff Survey Week Begins...Let's Go "Highly Satisfied"

Fri. April 19 - HALF DAY Dismissal for students 11:00; Staff Dismissal 3:00; FREE DRESS

Mon. April 22 - Wing Meeting 3:35-4:00; EARTH DAY

Tues. April 23 - PSAT Testing (8th Grade) 9:00-12:30

Wed. April 24 - Administrative Professionals Day- Make plans to celebrate Ms. Ware, Ms. Mitchell, and Ms. Hall in the front office;  

Fri. April 26 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal); BR and NJHS Earth Day Clean Up and Beautification; $ 2.00 DRESS DOWN

 

Week 29 (Week 28)

 Good Morning Team,

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.  We have a busy week this week, starting with a full solar eclipse...history in the making.

MSTEP Begins

MSTEP testing begins this week for students in grade 5.  Please be mindful of that as your students move in the hallways. They should be quiet, with no talking.

Specials and Lunch will be in the classrooms.  Please refer to the Lunch Coverage schedule sent out by Ms. Schofield on Friday.

Week 28 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 28 of instruction. Even though we are entering our testing season, it is very important that we maintain our scope and sequence rigorously, and that we are up to date with the weekly Common Assessments.

Student Supervision

With our return to school following our Spring Break, I shared with you the need to focus on routines, procedures, and expectations in order to establish the classroom management for the remainder of the year.  Unfortunately, last week, there were way too many student misbehaviors and suspensions that occurred.   This indicates a need for more rigorous review and implementation of your expectations and procedures.  The following are areas that need to be addressed.

• Classrooms -  There are TOO MANY students up and out of their seats.  This creates an environment condusive to student misbehaviors.  Again, my expectation is that all students are to be seated in their own seat and they do not get out of their seat without permission.  Also, only one person is allowed to be up and out of their seat at a time.
• Circulate - We all know that proximity is the most effective way to manage student behaviors.  That means that you cannot stay at your desk or in the front of the room.  You should be circulating as you teach so that you can put out the tiny fires before they become disruptions.
• Bathrooms -  You are still expected to follow the bathroom break schedule.  Students are only allowed to go to the bathroom in an absolute emergency and then it is only ONE student...not one boy and one girl. 
• Hallways - I noticed this week that students are not being supervised when they are being walked in the hallway.  The expectation is that you have eyes on your students at all times.  This means you walk facing your students and that you stand at corners so that they are always supervised. There is to be no talking in the hallways.
• Buddy Rooms - If you have a student who is being disruptive, utilize your grade/wing level Buddy Rooms.  Send them with work.  They should not be there all day.  

If you incorporate these systems and procedures into your daily instruction, you will see improved student behavior.  Remember, classroom management starts and ends with you.

Attendance Grids

We are noticing that the weekly Attendance Grids are not being signed and turned in to your files.  We are being audited next week.  It is your responsiblity to make sure that your attendance grids for every week of the school year are submitted.  Please check your folder.

03's and GLTs 

GLTs will occur this week in the gym due to testing.  03s are on an as needed basis...you will find me in the gym or you can reach out to Mrs. Wheeler or Ms. Schofield.

Grading

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  It is an expectation that student grades are updated for parents by 8:00 am on Mondays.  Don't let this become an issue with parents/complaints.

Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated

Upcoming Events:

Mon. April 8 - MSTEP Begins (refer to schedules passed out in the meeting);  ALL LUNCHES WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOM UNTIL MAY 20th; Staff Meeting 3:35-4:00

Fri. April 12 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal)

Mon. April 15 - Committee Meeting 3:35-4:00;  Staff Survey Week Begins...Let's Go "Highly Satisfied"

Fri. April 19 - HALF DAY Dismissal for students 11:00; Staff Dismissal 3:00; FREE DRESS

Mon. April 22 - Wing Meeting 3:35-4:00; EARTH DAY

Tues. April 23 - PSAT Testing (8th Grade) 9:00-12:30

Wed. April 24 - Administrative Professionals Day- Make plans to celebrate Ms. Ware, Ms. Mitchell, and Ms. Hall in the front office;  

Fri. April 26 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal); BR and NJHS Earth Day Clean Up and Beautification; $ 2.00 DRESS DOWN

Week 28 (Instructional 27)

Happy Last Day of Spring Break Team!  I hope you all had a wonderful Spring Break week and Easter, and that you enjoyed some rest and relaxation.  🌷

And just like that, Spring Break is over and we are entering the last 10 1/2 weeks of school and testing season!  As you know, this time will go like a whirlwind, and it is very important that set your classroom and students up for success.  

As such, I strongly recommend you go back to the "beginning" as you welcome your students back to class.  Procedures and Routines  are EVERYTHING... If students behaviors do not match your expectations, make sure you have them re-do and repeat until they do, and as often as you need.   

Just remember, on Tuesday, April 2nd, you are setting your classroom and students' behaviors for the remainder of the year.  

Week 27 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 27 of instruction. The last week of instruction before testing begins for students in 5th grade.  With testing season beginning, it is very important that you stay on schedule for instruction and with the weekly Common Assessments.

Student Supervision

It is very important that you uphold the tightest student supervision at all times.  Students are not to be left unsupervised under any instance.  This includes classrooms, bathroom breaks, hallways, etc. 

In addition, you cannot leave your students to run to the printer, go to the bathroom or office, or even next door to your teammates room.  Ultimately, you as the teacher are responsible for any student behavior...good, bad or ugly.  If students are not properly supervised, it limits my ability to provide appropriate consequences and ultimately protect you too. 

Science and Social Studies Interim 3 Week

If your students did not complete the Interim 3 tests Social Studies and Science tests, I need you to make completing them a priority this week.

03's and GLTs 

GLTs and 03s will resume this week.

Absence Request

When you are planning to take a day off, you will need to fill out an Absence Request and turn it into your Dean.  These are available in the Deans Office.

Grading

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  It is an expectation that student grades are updated for parents by 8:00 am on Mondays.  Don't let this become an issue with parents/complaints.

Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated

Upcoming Events:

Tues. April 2 - Staff BLACK OUT Day

Tuesday-Friday, April 2-5 - Spring Dress Down Week... $ 5.00 for the week or $ 2.00 per day.

Wed. April 3 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15 am

Fri. April 5 - Fire Drill (AM)

Mon. April 8 - MSTEP Begins (refer to schedules passed out in the meeting);  ALL LUNCHES WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOM UNTIL MAY 20th; Staff Meeting 3:35-4:00

Fri. April 12 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal)

Mon. April 15 - Committee Meeting 3:35-4:00;  Staff Survey Week Begins...Let's Go "Highly Satisfied"

Fri. April 19 - HALF DAY Dismissal for students 11:00; Staff Dismissal 3:00; FREE DRESS

Mon. April 22 - Wing Meeting 3:35-4:00; EARTH DAY

Tues. April 23 - PSAT Testing (8th Grade) 9:00-12:30

Wed. April 24 - Administrative Professionals Day- Make plans to celebrate Ms. Ware, Ms. Mitchell, and Ms. Hall in the front office;  

Fri. April 26 - Progress Report Day (Parent Portal); BR and NJHS Earth Day Clean Up and Beautification; $ 2.00 DRESS DOWN