Week 25 (Instructional 24)

Happy March Everyone!

Wow!  This has been a busy week!  Thank you so much for all you did to make the Black History Museum events such a success.  I was able to speak with many parents and they were so impressed with the student presentations, and the effort you put into having such a great event for them. 

Also, I know that many of you have started your Parent Teacher Conferences.  I know the time and effort it takes to have successful conferences with parents and I thank you for all of your dedication to making these flow so smoothly.

Next week will be another busy week...with the continuation of Parent Teacher Conferences, Honors Assemblies, and our Regional PD day.  

Finally, thank you so much for all of the kind wishes and thoughtful gestures you shared with me during this week's Leadership Appreciation.  I truly love working with each of you and am thankful for all that you do to help our team and ensure our students succeed.  You are loved!

I hope you have an enjoyable and restful weekend!

Week 24 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 24 of instruction. Please make sure all Common Assessments for Week 23 and Week 24 are completed and submitted by Friday, March 1.

03's and GLTs 

We are not holding these this week in order to free up time for your use for Parent Teacher Conferences.  If you want to meet, please drop down during our 03 time.

Update Classrooms and Bulletin Boards

On Friday, Mrs. Bullard sent out an email reminder for us to update classrooms and bulletin boards.  Please make sure your classroom and bulletin boards reflect the current season and student learning. 

ELA C&I Visits

Our C&I ELA Consultant, Shannon Mueller, will be at Laurus on Thursday, March 7th.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conference information has been sent out by Mrs. Wheeler.  You should have scheduled your conferences by now.  Please review the materials so that you have all of the necessary signatures.  Make sure that you have the sheet from Mrs. Wheeler available for the parents to sign at all of your conferences.

Also, this week will be a short week due to Regionals on Friday, March 8.  As such, you will not have as many days to complete these meetings.   Please be mindful of this as we still have to reach our 100% participation goal.

Reading Month Activity Calendar

This document was sent out to you today (Friday).  Please remind students of upcoming events so that they can participate...and they are FREE.

Interim 3 Assessment and K-2 Math Check Up 2 Assesments

We will be administering the Interim 3 Assessments for Gr. 3-8 during Week 26 (March 18-22) and the K-2 Math Check Up 2 Assessments during Week 25 (March 11-15).  

We only have the one week to administer and have students complete these assessments.  Please make sure that all assessments are completed and graded by end of day on Friday of your test week. 

Honor's Assembly

On Wednsday, March 6, we will be having our second Honor's Assemblies of SY 23-24.  These will occur in the gym.  The schedule is as follows:

• Gr. K-2      3/6     8:10-8:50
• Gr. 3-5      3/6     9:00-9:40
• Gr. 6-8      3/6     9:50-10:30

Make sure that you have your awards completed and printed ahead of time.

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

School Social Worker and ABSS Appreciation Week

Next week is our week to show "love" to Ms. Robinson and our ABSS team...Ms. Hardrick, Mrs. Davis, and Mr. Powell.  Let the "love" rain down...

Upcoming Events:

Mon. March 4 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15; Staff Meeting 3:35

Mon. March 4-7 - Parent Teacher Conference Week; Scholastic Book Fair Week; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK

Wed. March 6 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00); Free Dress; Honor's Assembly

Thurs. March 7 - C&I ELA Visit

Fri. March 8 - REGIONAL PD Day.  Please refer to the email from Darci Lowney on 2/23 for specific details.

Mon. March 11 - Fundraiser Ends; K-2 Wing Mtg 3:35; MSTEP and PSAT Meeting 3:35-4:30 MANDATORY Grades 3-8.

Mon. March 11 - C&I Math Visit; K-2 Math Checkup 2 Assessment Week

Wed. March 13 - GIZMOS Reading Night 4:30-5:30; NO TUTORING;

Thurs. March 14 - C&I ELA Visit

Fri. March 15 - Dress Down $ 2.00; PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Mon. March 18 - Interim 3 Assessment Week Gr. 3-8

Thurs. March 21 - C&I ELA Visit

Monday, March 25-Monday, April 1 - SPRING BREAK

 

Week 24 (Instructional 23)

Happy Last Week of February Team!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend and are ready for this week.  I sure missed you all last week and want to thank you for holding down the wing in my absence.  I know this is going to be a busy week with our Black History Museums, end of Trimester 2, and Report Cards going home this Friday.  

Week 23 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 23 of instruction. Please make sure all Common Assessments for Week 22 and Week 23 are completed and submitted by Friday, March 1.

03's and GLTs 

GLTs resume this week. We are providing your 03 time for PTC this week if you are wanting to start this week.

Black History Museum Week

Our Wing Level Black History Museums occur this week.  Please be aware that classrooms and students will NOT be visiting other Wings, Grades, or Classroom exhibits.  Students will only be participating in their own classroom's exhibits.  There should be no students wandering the hallways.

ELA C&I Visits

Our C&I ELA Consultant, Shannon Mueller, will be at Laurus on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Report Cards

Report Cards go home this Friday.  Please refer to the email sent out by Ms. Schofield regarding grades for students with Special Needs to ensure that you are compliant with their IEP.

Teachers, plan to provide one paper copy of the Report Card for each student.  Parents can also access their students' report card on the Parent Portal.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conference information has been sent out by Mrs. Wheeler.  You should be scheduling your conferences now.  Please review the materials so that you have all of the necessary signatures.

Also, next week will be a short week due to Regionals on Friday, March 8.  As such, you will not have as many days to complete these.  As such, you can start your conferences this week.   Please be mindful of this as we still have to reach our 100% participation goal.

Make sure that you have the sheet from Mrs. Wheeler available for the parents to sign at all of your conferences.

Reading Month D.E.A.R

March Is Reading Month! Our first activity will be to incorporate D.E.A.R (Drop Everything and Read) into each day.  This will occur from 2:30-2:45.  Students should be reading their own book...by themselves...quietly for the entire 15 minutes.  Just like last year, Deans will be popping in to catch students reading and providing shout-outs for those students.  

Now is a good time to start prepping students for this.

Interim 3 Assessment and K-2 Math Check Up 2 Assesments

Just a reminder that we will be administering the Interim 3 Assessments for Gr. 3-8 during Week 26 (March 18-22) and the K-2 Math Check Up 2 Assessments during Week 25 (March 11-15).  

We only have the one week to administer and have students complete these assessments.  Please make sure that all assessments are completed and graded by end of day on Friday of your test week. 

Honor's Assembly

On Wednsday, March 6, we will be having our second Honor's Assemblies of SY 23-24.  These will occur in the gym.  The schedule is as follows:

• Gr. K-2      3/6     8:10-8:50
• Gr. 3-5      3/6     9:00-9:40
• Gr. 6-8      3/6     9:50-10:30

More information will be coming to you today regarding the Trimester 2 Awards and Criteria.

Upcoming Events:

Mon. Feb. 26 - Gr. 6-8 "Beat the Streets" Kick Off Assembly 1:30-2:00;

Tues. Feb 27 - Black History Wax Museum K-2 1:30-2:30

Wed. Feb 28 - Black History Wax Museum 3-5 1:30-2:30

Thurs. Feb. 29 - Black History Wax Museum 6-8  1:30-2:30

Fri. March 1 - T2 Ends; Report Cards Go Home

Mon. March 4 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15; Staff Meeting 3:35

Mon. March 4-7 - Parent Teacher Conference Week; Scholastic Book Fair Week; NO TUTORING THIS WEEK

Wed. March 6 - Half Day (school ends at 11:00); Free Dress; Honor's Assembly

Thurs. March 7 - C&I ELA Visit

Fri. March 8 - REGIONAL PD Day.  Please refer to the email from Darci Lowney on 2/23 for specific details.

Mon. March 11 - Fundraiser Ends; K-2 Wing Mtg 3:35; MSTEP and PSAT Meeting 3:35-4:30 MANDATORY Grades 3-8.

Mon. March 11 - C&I Math Visit; K-2 Math Checkup 2 Assessment Week

Wed. March 13 - GIZMOS Reading Night 4:30-5:30; NO TUTORING;

Thurs. March 14 - C&I ELA Visit

Fri. March 15 - Dress Down $ 2.00; PROGRESS REPORT DAY

Mon. March 18 - Interim 3 Assessment Week Gr. 3-8

Thurs. March 21 - C&I ELA Visit

 
 

Week 22 (Instructional 21)

 

Happy Valentines and Mid-Winter Break Week Team!  I know that you are so ready to have some time off, and you truly deserve it.  We have three days this week...so it's going to be jam packed making sure we complete our instructional goals.  Also, we have Count Day and Valentines Day to end our week before we go on break.

Please..please...do not let up on your management.  The kids are getting antsy too...and if allowed, their behaviors will ramp up. 

Week 21 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 21 of instruction. Due to the short week, we need to compact the learning to make sure we complete the necessary standard instruction so that we remain aligned with the correct instructional week.

03's and GLTs 

These resume this week. 

Black History Movie Night

The Family Events Committee is sponsering a Black History Movie night for K-5 Students and their families from 4:30-6:00 pm.  Students must be accompanied by a parent.  Snacks will be available for purchase.  The movie being shown is The Watson's Go to Birmingham

Cost (Per Person): $ 2.00/person

Black History Wax Museum

Now is a good time to check in with each of your students to ascertain their progress on the completion of their Black History Presentations.  Our day for the Wax Museum is February 28th, 1:30-2:30.  

Arrival/Dismissal Door Duty

Please make sure that you are standing at your classroom door at 7:35 (Arrival) and 2:45 (Dismissal).  You should be standing so that you can supervise both your classroom and the hallway. 

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

ELA C&I Visits

Our new C&I ELA Consultant, Shannon Mueller, will be at Laurus on Wednesday, Feb. 21 and Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Math C&I Visits

Our C&I Math Consultant, Farina Sami, will be at Laurus on Tuesday, February 13. 

Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 12 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report for a Data Dig PD which begins promptly at 8:30 am.  C&I Visit with Akia and Shannon - PD during Staff Meeting 3:35-4:00

Tuesday, February 13 - Math C&I Visit with Farina; Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Count Day - Free Dress Down; Wheeler out to City of Detroit K-2 Dean Day; NO TUTORING

Thursday - Monday, Feb. 15-19 - Mid-Winter Break

Wed. Feb. 21 - K-5 Black History Family Movie Night 4:30-6:00 The Watsons Go to Birmingham

Friday, Feb. 23 - Spring Pictures; GRADEBOOK CLOSES; Cookie Fundraiser Kick-Off 2:00 pm

Mon. Feb. 26 - Gr. 6-8 "Beat the Streets" Kick Off Assembly 1:30-2:00;

Tues. Feb 27 - Black History Wax Museum K-2 1:30-2:30

Wed. Feb 28 - Black History Wax Museum 3-5 1:30-2:30

Thurs. Feb. 29 - Black History Wax Museum 6-8  1:30-2:30

Fri. March 1 - T2 Ends; Report Cards Go Home

 

Week 21 (Instructional Week 20)

Welcome to the weekend team!  What a week this has been...but you perservered, made it though, and ensured that all of the Interim 2 Assessments were completed and graded.  Well Done!  

Here we are in a new month...February...the month of courage, love, and celebration of Black History.  What an amazing month!  I am looking forward to all of it! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...get some rest and have some fun!

Week 20 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 20 of instruction. Make sure that your lesson plans are aligned with and reflect the correct instructional week.

03's and GLTs 

This week will only be GLTs, due to me having to attend another Dean Training on Wednesday.  Please feel free to stop in if you need to talk.

Black History Wax Museum

The information for grade level participation in our Black History Wax Museum was sent out by Ms. Schofield last week.  Please make sure that you read the information and assign students their research project topic.  

Arrival/Dismissal Door Duty

Please make sure that you are standing at your classroom door at 7:35 (Arrival) and 2:45 (Dismissal).  You should be standing so that you can supervise both your classroom and the hallway.

Staff Arrival

We are noticing an increase in the number of staff arriving late to work.  It is important that you follow the expectations of your position; that you arrive to work and are in your room by your scheduled start time of 7:30 am.  This applies to all Salaried Staff.  

Hourly staff, you need to be in your classroom by your specified start time.

Also, if on the off chance you are running late (this should be very infrequent), please notify your Dean.  

Purses 

Please reinforce to your students who bring purses to school that they are NOT ALLOWED to wear them during the day.

Gum

We need your help as we have noticed an increase students chewing gum.  This is not allowed at Laurus.  Please be diligent and do not let your students chew gum.  

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, February 5 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15; Staff Meeting 3:35; ELA C&I Visit; Candy Gram Sale Begins

Tuesday-Thursday, February 6-8 - Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Tuesday, February 6 - Wheeler out to Math Cohort Training

Wednesday, February 7 - Rowden out to Math Cohort Training

Thursday, February 8 - Rogers out to Math Cohort Training

Friday, February 9 - Lock Down #3; Wayne State Dance Assembly Gr. 4-8 8:30 am; Daddy-Daughter Dance 5:00-7:00 pm

Monday, February 12 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report for a Data Dig PD which begins promptly at 8:30 am.

Tuesday, February 13 - Math C&I Visit with Farina; Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Count Day - Free Dress Down; Wheeler out to City of Detroit K-2 Dean Day; NO TUTORING

Thursday - Monday, Feb. 15-19 - Mid-Winter Break

 

Week 20 (Instructional 19)

 

Happy Weekend Team...!

This has been a busy, rainy week!!!!  I hope that you all take time to relax and refresh over the weekend...you definitely deserve it.  Have a great weekend...and Go Lions!

Week 19 Instruction 

 

This week is Week19 of instruction. Make sure that your lesson plans are aligned with and reflect the correct instructional week.

Interim 2

This week....Grades 6-8 will test Interim 2 assessments next week for ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies this week.  This will be in addition to completing the regular Week 19 instruction.

Grades 3-5 will test Interim 2 assessments for Science and Social Studies, along with their regular curriulum.

K-2 has this week to complete their Math Numeracy Assessments.

All Interim/Numeracy Assessments need to be completed, graded and input to the system by end of day Friday, February 2nd.

03's and GLTs 

These meetings resume this week.  See you then!

Black History Wax Museum

The information for grade level participation in our Black History Wax Museum was sent out by Ms. Schofield last week.  Please make sure that you read the information and assign students their research project topic.  

Gum

We need your help as we have noticed an increase students chewing gum.  This is not allowed at Laurus.  Please be diligent and do not let your students chew gum.  

Student Behavior Protocol

Before sending students to the Dean's Office for student misbehaviors, it is important that you follow the Student Behavior Protocol which Ms.Hardrick sent out when we returned from Christmas Break.  There has been an increase in the number of students being sent to the Dean without first involving the ABSS.  Also, unless a student is at a level 5 Behavior, their behavior needs to be addressed by the classroom teacher.

Just a reminder, you should be utilizing your grade level buddy rooms for behavioral support.

ELA C&I Visit

We have been assigned a new ELA C&I consultant, Shannon Mueller as Akia Carter will be supporting Dr. Carey's schools.  She will be visiting our school on Monday, February 5th.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Upcoming Events:

Monday, January 29 - Interim 2 test week

Tuesday-Thursday, January 30-February 1 - Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, January 31 - Rowden out to City of Detroit 3-5 Dean Day

Thursday, February 1 - Rogers out to City of Detroit 6-8 Dean Day

Friday, February 2 - "Wear Red" for $ 2.00 American Heart Association Fund-raiser; Progress Report Day

Monday, February 5 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15; Staff Meeting 3:35; ELA C&I Visit; Candy Gram Sale Begins

Tuesday-Thursday, February 6-8 - Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Tuesday, February 6 - Wheeler out to Math Cohort Training

Wednesday, February 7 - Rowden out to Math Cohort Training

Thursday, February 8 - Rogers out to Math Cohort Training

Friday, February 9 - Lock Down #3; Wayne State Dance Assembly Gr. 4-8 8:30 am; Daddy-Daughter Dance 5:00-7:00 pm

Monday, February 12 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins) Staff must report for PD which begins promptly at 8:30 am.

Tuesday, February 13 - Math C&I Visit with Farina; Tutoring 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, Feb. 14 - Count Day - Free Dress Down; Wheeler out to City of Detroit K-2 Dean Day; NO TUTORING

Thursday - Monday, Feb. 15-19 - Mid-Winter Break

Week 19 (Instructional 18)

Happy Lions Football Sunday Team!

I hope you've had a good weekend and are ready for some football and a Lions WIN!  This coming week is going to be very busy, so I hope you get some rest. Here we go...

NHA President/Chief Learning Officer, NHA CEO and DSQ Visit

This Wednesday, we are going to have a visit from Nick Sheltron, NHA's President and Chief Learning Officer, Jason Pater, NHA's CEO, and Dr. Ward, our DSQ.  They plan to be at Laurus from 8:45-10:15 am.  Part of their visit will be coming to classrooms in every wing.  They will be looking to see if we are on pace with our Daily Schedule (Master Schedule),  instruction (they will be using the Year At A Glance Lesson Plans), Intervention, and MSTEP preparedness.  I realize that most of you will be testing Interim 2 on that day.  Please make sure you are circulating, that the students are participating appropriately, etc.  Also, it is important that classrooms and BULLETIN BOARDS look their absolute BEST.  

***REMEMBER...do NOT utilize any curriculum, worksheets, etc except for the NHA curriculum.  Do not have any work posted from TPT, etc. 

 Interim 2 Testing

Due to last week's interruption in instruction (weather and attendance issues) and the need to review for the tests, we will NOT test Interim 2 tests in the gym.  Plan to test Interim 2 in the classrooms next week.  You can use Monday and Tuesday as review days and start testing on Wednesday.  ALL testing must be completed by end of day Friday (1/26).

Continue to prepare your students for testing via content and test taking strategies. Also, remember students must be using headphones during the testing. Since the Interims are suppose to mirror MSTEP, plan to administer ELA on Wednesday, Math on Thursday, and Science on Friday.  Again, the tests need to be completed on Friday.

There are incentives for those students who achieve a 3.0 on both the ELA and Math assessments.  

Grade 3-5 students will be going to Sky Zone, and grade 6-8 students will be going to Campus Martius for ice skating.This is Instructional Week 17... even though we are only her for two days, we still have to keep up with our Year At A Glance.  As such, review this week's Lesson Plans for any new concepts or learning.  Add that to your plans for next week.  We will still need to do the assessments for this week but add them to next week.

Instructional Week 18

In addition to administering the Interim 2 assessments, we need to complete the Common Assessments for Instructional Week 17, provide instruction for week 18 lessons, and administer Instructional week 18 Common Assessments.  Plan to refer to week 18 in the Year at a Glance docments.

I recommend that you administer week 17 CA's on Tuesday, prior to beginning the Interims on Wednesday. 

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

We will be pulling students to practice for Monday's Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony. I plan to pull them twice...once in the morning and once in the afternoon. 

The ceremonies are scheduled for 5:00 pm (BR) on Monday.  Student attire is semi - formal.  You are all welcome to attend and celebrate your students.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring begins this week.  I still need approximately 10 students for both 3rd and 4th grade.  5th grade is full.  If you have names, send them to me asap.

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Wednesday Grade Level Jean Winners (based on data pulled Monday Morning):

*Remember, the staff of the grade levels that are in blue with their ELA and Math Weekly Common Assessments, when the data is pulled on Monday mornings, will be able to wear jeans on Wednesday,

Make sure that you are completing all of your weekly Common Assessments.  All assessments need to be in the "blue" by Monday mornings. 

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Attendance Grids

Please make sure that your weekly filing is done.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 22 - ELA/Math/Science Interim Test Week Gr. 3-8; Committee Meeting 3:35; BR/NJHS Induction Ceremonies; Tickets Go On Sale for Daddy Daughter Dance (2/9)- $25/each

Tuesday, January 23 - Winter Tutoring (New Cycle of Students) Begins T/W/TH 3:30-4:30

Friday, January 26 - Dress Down $2.00

Monday, January 29 - Social Studies Interim 2 test week;

Friday, February 2 - "Wear Red" for $ 2.00 American Heart Association Fund-raiser

Monday, February 5 - Moral Focus Assembly 8:15; Staff Meeting 3:35

Friday, February 9 - Lock Down #3; Daddy-Daughter Dance

Monday, February 12 - LATE START DAY - 10:00 am (school begins)

Week 18 (Instructional 17) #2

Dear Team...!

Welcome back from our EXTENDED Long Weekend Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.  I hope that you all enjoyed our "Snow/Cold" Days off...I know that I did!

Instructional Week 17

This is Instructional Week 17... even though we are only her for two days, we still have to keep up with our Year At A Glance.  As such, review this week's Lesson Plans for any new concepts or learning.  Add that to your plans for next week.  We will still need to do the assessments for this week but add them to next week.

I am asking that you use today (Thursday) and tomorrow as Interim Review days in preparation for next weeks Interim testing.

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

We will be pulling students to practice for next week's Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony.  

The ceremonies are scheduled for 5:00 pm (BR) on Monday.  Student attire is semi - formal.  You are all welcome to attend and celebrate your students.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring begins next week.  Please continue to communicate with your parents about this, as student selection is based on parent request.  We need to have the list student names by end of day Friday.  We are looking for 35 students for each grade 2-8.

Interim 2 Testing

Due to our short week this week, and the need to review, we will NOT test Interim 2 tests in the gym.  Plan to test Interim 2 in the classrooms next week.  You can use Monday as another review day and start testing on Tuesday.

Also, continue to prepare your students for testing via content and test taking strategies.  

There are incentives for those students who achieve a 3.0 on both the ELA and Math assessments.  

Grade 3-5 students will be going to Sky Zone, and grade 6-8 students will be going to Campus Martius for ice skating.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Attendance Grids

I am noticing that there has been a decline in your weekly Attendance Grid filing.  These need to be completed, printed, signed/date, and filed in your Attendance file in the Dean's Office every Friday.  

This is a state compliance task and we are audited by the state...they come in a look at your Attendance files.  If they are not complete and correct, the school if fined.

Please make sure that this is done.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Friday, January 19 - Progress Report Day; Lions Gear Dress Down Day $ 2.00 (everyone wears white);  Kick Off to Black History Month Assembly 8:15 - Wayne State Dance Troupe Grades 4-8;  IAT Meeting Day; Interim 2 Pep Rally Grades 3-8 in the gym 2:00 pm

Monday, January 22 - ELA/Math/Science Interim Test Week Gr. 3-8; Wing Meeting (Guest Speaker); BR/NJHS Induction Ceremonies

Tuesday, January 23 - Winter Tutoring (New Cycle of Students) Begins T/W/TH

Monday, January 29 - Social Studies Interim 2 test week;