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