September 17, 2010

PLC+   Dates and times have been set for this year's first PLC+ meetings (formerly known at Pause and Polish).  All meetings will be in the instructional room (407).  Times are a bit different for each team to allow our subs adequate time to switch grade levels and/or eat their own lunch!  Thanks for being flexible!!

September 21		September 28		September 30
1st	8:00-11:30 am	K *	8:00-11:30 am	4th	8:00-11:50 am
2nd	12:00-4:00 pm	3rd **	12:15-4:00 pm	5th **	12:10-4:00 pm

* Kindergarten teachers will each lunch from 11:30-11:55 am

** "Working lunch" since regular lunch is during PLC+ time.

DIBELS and Benchmarking Updates

• Some of the DIBELS graphs and reports you've been accustomed to using in the past on the DIBELS website are not available.  The AEA is our "middle man" as they provide the service to our district.  The AEA has been made aware of this concern from our district and Kara hopes at some point we will be able to view those reports and graphs. 
• The Excel data sheet for classroom teachers Leslie sent out is what you should be using to record all assessment data.  After completion of assessments, Leslie and/or I will be showing teams how to combine the data forms from each grade level to create useful grade level data and/or charts to help drive PLC decisions.  This form is the one you email Leslie and I - we do want you to include notes, ideas and plans in those last two columns so we are able to summarize grade level & building needs!!  
• It is extremely important that the data you are recording is objective (based on data) and not subjective (based on your heart).  We realize initial data may be frustrating but this is not a time to blame or make excuses - its a time to collect current reality and create the necessary steps for grade level, classroom and individual students to reach our targets/SMART goals.  Our BLT will look at the overall data to help us drive building decisions and professional development to raise student achievement.  

Conferences - The memo and template came to you this week via email.  Please remember the required conference times are Wednesday, November 17th from 2:00-4:00 PM and Monday, November 22nd from 4:00-8:00 PM.  The template did not reflect those times so teachers will need to adjust it.  The question arose regarding dinner and blocking out time on the schedule - 20-30 minutes is appropriate.  All teacher schedules need to be sent to Paula no later than September 30th! Other questions - let me know.  

Student Advisory - I'll be starting my Student Advisory Lunch groups with grades 2nd-5th next week and will be emailing the teams more details and times.  During Student Advisory Lunches, I will eat with 6-10 students and just listen to them talk about how things are going.  I will try to repeat this with several groups of students at each grade level throughout the year. 

Problem Solving Professional Development will be next Wednesday, September 22nd.  A finalized agenda will be emailed out next Monday.  Please bring a student data folder with you that contains a Problem Solving Packet.  Kindergarten teachers may bring one child's student data with them but we will have sample Problem Solving Packets available for you.

MAP - Begins next Monday!  Please refer to Carrie's email about times.  Associates and other staff members who use the lab during the day will need to respect the times kids are in the lab.  Thank you in advance.

Staff Meeting is scheduled for next Friday, September 24th.  The 5th grade is responsible for the team builder/celebration/new learning piece and the 2nd grade will provide snacks.  If you have agenda items for me, please get those to me no later than Wednesday. 

PTO Meeting will be held in our library next Monday, September 20th at 7pm.  If you're available, we'd love to have you there! They will kick off their 2010-11 fundraising campaign and are looking to raise $10-12 thousand dollars to assist us with the process of getting projectors mounted in the classrooms. 

Parent Contacts - Have you had a positive in person or phone conversation with each parent yet?  Please make that a goal prior to conferences.

GoodSearch - Did you know you can raise money for Maple Grove by doing something you likely already do on a daily/weekly basis?  Use http://www.goodsearch.com/ as your search engine and identify Maple Grove Elementary as your charity. We receive 1 penny for each search from the main page.  The holiday season is coming up so if you shop online, start with GoodSearch and a percentage of your purchase is donated directly to Maple Grove!  Many of the popular online vendors/stores are a part of the program!  Keep track of how much we earn by clicking on the "Amount Raised" button. 

Dates to Note (Always look at the calendar below for the full weekly/monthly schedule)

Monday
- MAP Begins
- PTO Meeting in library (7 pm)
Tuesday
- K and 2 PLC (8am)
- PLC + in room 407 (1st grade 8 AM)
Wednesday
- 3-5 PLC (8am)
- Early Out/Problem Solving PD (2-4pm)
Thursday
- Student Advisory Lunch (2nd Grade)
- Kindergarten Picnic (5-7pm)
Friday
- Staff Meeting (8am)
- Elem Admin Mtg @ Eason (PM)