Tuesday, December 21, 2010

December 22, 2010 - Happy Holidays!


Changes in Schedule - The changes in our related arts and lunch/recess duty schedule should be completed by the end of Wednesday.  I will get new copies to everyone when finalized.  As mentioned, the majority of the changes effect kindergarten and 3rd grade but there are some minor changes to 2nd and 1st grade related arts on two days so please check the new schedule when it comes out.  I REALLY appreciate the flexibility everyone has shown with the changes.  Our 26-27 students in each kindergarten classroom will now have over an hour more a day with our wonderful associates.  Please note the changes will not be in effect until the first "Day 1" after break - January 7th (weather pending of course).  

Assessment Information - Please review the assessment information in last week's FWR.  If your team has any questions, please see Lyndsay, Leslie or I! 

2011 Dates to Note!


12/23-1/2                        No School – Winter Break
1/10-1/25                        MAP testing
1/14                                2nd Quarter/First Semester ends
1/17                                No school – Teacher work day
1/18-1/24                        DIBELS testing
1/20                                Parent Advisory Committee, 4:30 – 6:00pm, at Shuler Elem.
1/25                                Fine Arts night (Grade 2) 6:30pm; WHS Auditorium
2/10                                Valentine’s Party, 2:30 – 3:15pm
2/11                                No School – Teacher work day
2/15-2/17                        ITBS/ITEDS

2/22                                Fine Arts night (Grade 4); 6:30pm, WHS Auditorium  

The Week Before Christmas

'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the school
Not a pupil was silent, no matter what rule.
The children were pretending with books and with reading;
The knowledge that they learned would it soon be fleeting?


The teachers half frantic and almost in tears,
Had just settled down to work with their dears,
When out in the hall there arose such a clatter
up sprang the kids to see what was the matter!


Away to the door they all flew like a flash;
The one who was leading went down with a crash.
Then what to their wondering eyes did appear
But a crazy principal! (To have us cover a duty I fear!)


When the teachers saw this, they tried to close doors.
To no avail as Barry had nailed them to the floors.
He ran to each door (trying to have others join him in song)
And he shouted, and stamped, and he yelled hard and long;


"Cover Meggan! Cover Allison, Now Kacie and Pam!
Now JoAnna! Now Kristin! You’re on duty; its now; scram!
Now get to your places, get out to the bus
Don’t get away! Or run away! Just stop, don't fuss!


As snow that before the wild winds let fly
The pupils, pell mell, started scurrying by.
They ran to the doors and sprinted down the aisle;
Their faces were red and each had a smile.


First came Paula over speaker with her call.
She began to call out buses to us all.
As Barry was running around, there arose a great shout;
The students were all running “just let us out!!”


The state they were in could lead to a riot;
The teachers were sure, if allowed, they would try it.
Barry’s nerves how they jangled! His temples were throbbing!
The rush of his breath sounded almost like sobbing!


The ears on his head were shaking and throbbing;
It was plain that he didn't appreciate teachers hobnobbing.
The look in his eye would have tamed a wild steer,
But Paula ignored it; she just always did with no fear.


A tear from his eye and a shake of his head
Soon led those to think that he wished he were dead.
He spoke not a word but went straight to his phone,
Called the sup and let out a terrible moan.


But at last Paula was finished and she called her last bus with glee;
Then came the teachers and associates since they were free.
The shrill little voices soon faded away
And peace was restored at the end of the day.


As Barry looked at the up and down the completely empty hall,
He smiled as he walked out of sight,


"Merry Christmas to All and to all a good night!"
He who laughs, lasts
DB

Friday, December 17, 2010

December 17, 2010

Congratulations to Teri Durbala!  Her last day will be next Wednesday.
We appreciate all you've done for Maple Grove and wish you the best
in your next endeavor!  I'm sure we will see you around.  :-)


Professional Development - Thanks again to Lydia, Amber, Kristin, Julie and Leslie for preparing for and facilitating professional development activities on Wednesday.  Teachers provided a lot of great feedback for our team and will help us answer, "What now?"  Your conversation and work was wonderful! Please continue to ask questions of each other and our support team. As mentioned, the only wrong thing you can do with running records is to not be doing and using them!

Every Minute Counts - I got my first, "If my daughter misses the three days of school next week, she won't miss anything, right?" call earlier this week. I know that the "old-school" perception may have been cutting, coloring and cookies before holiday break, but I explained to this parent (and every parent) that everyday we have with each child is an opportunity to improve academic skills. We value and appreciate every minute we are given at Maple Grove! I appreciate you mixing in some fun and engaging activities with meaningful and purposeful learning next week.

Reminder - Holiday Luncheon Celebration - Lyndsay and I would like to invite all staff members who are a part of the Maple Grove Family to a Holiday Luncheon Celebration on December 20th!  A "taco salad bar," dessert and drinks will be provided to everyone that day to celebrate your hard work put in so far and as a thank you to everyone during the holiday season. Lunch will start at 10:50 am and continue on through 1:30 pm.  


Schedule Changes - So most of you heard the "big change" is not that I'm growing a beard, but rather some schedule changes after the first of the year.  In order to most utilize our AWESOME kindergarten literacy associates within the literacy block, I need to move kindergarten's lunch to after 11:45 am.  The 3rd grade team has been more than accommodating in revising their schedules to switch their lunch/recess block with kindergarten.  The changes will also affect 3rd grade related arts and K/3 special education - I appreciate the flexibility with all staff in adjusting to allow for needed building changes to take place!  Our 105 kindergarten students appreciate the extra help during literacy instruction!  The dominoes are still falling with the last domino being the changes to the lunch and recess schedule. We will get this out ASAP!!  ...oh, and we found out today we have another new kindergarten student coming January 3rd!  :-)


Upcoming Assessment Windows - We have several testing 'opportunities' as we look past the first of the year.  If you ever have questions, please talk with your team, Leslie, Lyndsay or I.  Shortly after break, our 3rd-5th graders will be involved with MAP (Measures of Academic Progress).  Carrie will be getting a schedule out to staff prior to when it begins (1/10).  Winter DIBELS and Benchmarking (K-2) begins January 18th and one day's sub will be provided per teacher.  Benchmarking may begin anytime after the first of the year and more information specific to Benchmarking is below.  Finally, ITBS for 3rd through 5th graders will be here before we know it (2/15-2/17).  A schedule has been sent to appropriate BLT members for approval.

Benchmarking - For 3rd-5th, Benchmarking is not required by the district during winter assessment period.  If you have students at or below grade level who you would like to benchmark and record for mid-year progress purposes, you may do so during January.  This would be something you would need to do during your literacy block or other appropriate time during the day. For students not at grade level, I can see many advantages to Benchmarking at midyear.  Please discuss as a PLC and include Leslie and I if needed. We have asked the question as to whether we can provide a full or 1/2 day sub for 3-5 teachers.  We will let you know as soon as we find out the answer.


Moving Students - The question has come up, "What does Paula need from the classroom teacher when a student moves out of our building?"  Please complete the information within the data folder understanding that midway through the year you do not have a complete 'data picture.'  Paula will make a copy of the data sheet to send with the file. We will keep the original in case they return. Third through 5th grade teachers may print off MAP assessments if available.  We will also begin to give classroom teachers an "exit" sheet to include any other pertinent information.

Instructional Coach Survey - If you haven't done so, please complete the Elementary Instructional Coach survey.  The special education IC survey link is here.  The data gained from this survey is important for the district to continue this model.

“Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.” -Rodin


2011 Dates to Note!!
Monday, Dec 20
- RA PLC (8:00-45am)
Holiday lunch (you just show up!!)

Tuesday, Dec 21
- K-2 PLC (8am)
3rd Gr TI Mtg @ 8am

Wednesday, Dec 22
- 3-5 PLC (8am)
- Winter Class Parties (2:30-3:15)

12/23-1/2                        No School – Winter Break
1/10-1/25                        MAP testing
1/14                                2nd Quarter/First Semester ends
1/17                                No school – Teacher work day
1/18-1/24                        DIBELS testing
1/20                                Parent Advisory Committee, 4:30 – 6:00pm, at Shuler Elem.
1/25                                Fine Arts night (Grade 2) 6:30pm; WHS Auditorium
2/10                                Valentine’s Party, 2:30 – 3:15pm
2/11                                No School – Teacher work day
2/15-2/17                        ITBS/ITEDS
2/22                                Fine Arts night (Grade 4); 6:30pm, WHS Auditorium

Monday, December 6, 2010

December 10, 2010








Today is Kara Beckstrom and Lindsay Gardner's last day of student teaching! 
Enjoy your last day at Maple Grove and best of luck to the both of you!

Holiday Luncheon CelebrationLyndsay and I would like to invite all staff members who are a part of the Maple Grove Family to a Holiday Luncheon Celebration on December 20th!  A "taco salad bar," dessert and drinks will be provided to everyone that day to celebrate your hard work put in so far and as a thank you to everyone during the holiday season. Lunch will start at 10:50 am and continue on through 1:30 pm.  


Teacher Quality Requests - I received everyone's TQ requests on time (yeah!) and had a chance to look through them over the weekend. They are all approved and you can begin to make plans if necessary.  We will need to coordinate days with a district calendar so we make sure we do not have multiple teams from across the district wanting subs on the same day.  One piece your team needs to consider is the application portion of the process - what will you do with and how will you share your learning?  Be thinking about that important piece as Leslie and I begin to schedule your working or observation dates.


Responsibility to Our Public - Please make every effort to return phone calls or emails from parents (or community members) in a timely manner.  I know that we all lead a busy life so sometimes a quick phone message or email in response to a parent's email to let them know you got the message and will get back to them as soon as you can will help.  As mentioned at the start of the year, we are 'public servants' and to provide the best customer service, we need to ensure we respond in a timely manner.  Something you may want to watch closely is your SPAM summary email each day as some of our parent emails may be getting caught up in that 'web.'  If you don't know how to fix it - see Carrie or I.  We can help!!


AEA Print - A link was sent out on Monday with updates and information from our AEA regarding print options beyond our central print capabilities.


MGE and District Print - Our last copy update would put us about even with where the building was the past two years.  Things to consider with those numbers are that we do have 100+ less students but we also have a considerable number of new staff members (which likely requires more copies initially).  With a smaller budget at MGE this year, I will continue to try to update you on our progress with print costs as it is easily our largest "cost" within our overall budget.  Also...building print copies will be added to teachers accounts when we returned from break.  If you need copies added prior to then, please speak to me.  


Computer Updates - In the future, you may notice some Tuesday mornings that your computer is doing an auto-update.  Please allow it to run its cycle as Ray has set up these automatic updates for all Waukee computers.  


Looking for Writing Help? - You may already have this link, but I received it from 3 different sources just last week so it has to be good, right?  A teacher himself, Keenan Hart's desire is to instill the love of writing not just in his own students he teachers, but students across the globe.  The 10 minutes I spent on the site made me think it was worth the time to send to you and make you aware of this resource.  Students can get their work published and the site provides tons of prompts and resources for teachers.  It may be taking a closer look at The Daily Writing Prompt to see for yourself.


Survey Reminder - Brad Buck sent an email earlier this week regarding a survey Waukee is collaborating with Iowa State University.  This is just a reminder if the email got lost in the 'shuffle.'  The purpose of survey is to gather perceptions of data driven decision making. The study itself is being conducted by researchers at Iowa State University.  You are invited to participate in this study.  It is anticipated that the survey will take about ten to fifteen minutes of your time. Your participation is voluntary and your responses will not be connected back to you individually, in any way.   Please click on the link to take the survey.







Monday

- PBIS Core Mtg (8am)
- 5th Gr Human Growth and Development begins
- Meteor Shower!

Monday, Dec 20
- RA PLC (8:00-45am)
- Holiday lunch (you just show up!!)
Tuesday

- K-2 PLC (8am)
- 4th Gr TI Mtg @ 8am
- District Math Curriculum Mtg
Tuesday, Dec 21
- K-2 PLC (8am)
3rd Gr TI Mtg @ 8am
Wednesday
- 3-5 PLC (8am)
- KG TI Mtg @ 8am
- Early dismissal (Building PD)

Wednesday, Dec 22
- 3-5 PLC (8am)
- Winter Class Parties (2:30-3:15)
Thursday
- Character Council (w/ students @ 8am)

- Barry @ Instructional Rounds (@ Waukee Elem)

Thursday, Dec 23
NO SCHOOL!
Friday
- Staff Celebration @ 8am 
- Music Assembly (PM)




Friday, Dec 24
NO SCHOOL!


Final Thoughts for the Week
...where I keep talking/typing and you 
don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 









Any skill is best learned,

through consistent and meaningful

"Time on Task"



How do you make practice time consistent and meaningful? That's a question asked (at one time or another) by every parent, teacher, coach, and tutor! When a child understands that a particular skill is important (to them) and can be fun (right now), their motivation to participate increases dramatically. Key components necessary for "quality time on task" are then in place and real learning happens naturally. 

The words above come from Keenan Hart's writing website in the FWR.  How do you make this a reality within your classroom walls?  My hope is that you're sharing your tricks and tips with your team so that the successes seen in one room spread like wild fire!  If we are truly living our mission and vision, we are creating opportunities for students to engage in these types of challenging, relevant and engaging experiences that will allow each child to be successful in our global community.  

Thursday, December 2, 2010

December 3, 2010

Teacher Quality Plans are due before you leave today if you have not already emailed it to me.  Thank you!


Tardy Policy Change - (as emailed this week) To help our office be more consistent with the other elementary buildings, we will send students on to class who arrive in the building by 8:50.  We sometimes have a number of students walking in the building at that time and we will send them to your classroom.  If students are in your classroom or putting items away in their lockers by 8:55 am, please do not count them tardy.  Take attendance after 8:55 am.  If you have individual students who are having habitual issues, please let Lyndsay or I know.  


Student Teachers - Within the next week, we will be saying goodbye and thank you to our three students teachers we have had over the past eight weeks!  Best of luck to Holly Fairholm (Van Meter),  Kara Beckstrom (Bode) and Lindsay Gardner (Grimm) as they continue their educational journeys!


Fine Arts Date - On December 7th, our 1st Grade will have the first Fine Arts music program for Maple Grove.  The afternoon of their program, the students will have a practice in our gym with Mrs. Schoene.  Please know that related arts classes missed during practice time will be rescheduled only if the related arts teacher reschedules the time with the classroom teacher.


Holiday Parties will be on Wednesday, December 22nd.  Parent volunteers should be organized through your home-room parent or coordinator.  As we did with the fall Harvest parties, we will not limit parent volunteers but do want them to contact the home-room parent.  Information will be included in The Branch which will be available at the end of Friday.


Holiday Reminder - Personal orders need to be shipped to your home address and not the school address or central receiving.  Also note you should not be making personal orders through the Maple Grove Elementary or Waukee "name" even if you are paying for it yourself.  


Dates to note...
Tuesday
- K-2 PLC (8am)

- 5th Gr Technology Integration (TI) Mtg @ 8am
- 1st Gr Music Program (7pm @ MGE Gym)
Wednesday

- 3-5 PLC (8am)
- 1st Gr TI Mtg @ 8am
- New to Waukee Mtg & Observations
Thursday
- Character Council (8am)
- District Admin Mtg (Barry - AM)
Friday
- Problem Solving Core Mtg (8am)

- Elementary Admin Mtg (Barry - PM)
Monday, Dec 13
- PBIS Core Mtg (8am)

- 5th Gr Human Growth & Development begins
- Meteor Shower!
Tuesday, Dec 14
- K-2 PLC (8am)

- 4th Gr TI Mtg @ 8am
- District Math Curriculum Mtg

Wednesday, Dec 15
- 3-5 PLC (8am)

- KG TI Mtg @ 8am
- Early dismissal (Building PD)
Thursday, Dec 16
- Character Council (w/ students @ 8am)
- Barry @ Instructional Rounds (@ Waukee Elem)
Friday, Dec 17
- Staff Celebration @ 8am

- Music Assembly (PM)











Final Thoughts for the Week
...where I keep talking/typing and you 
don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 

Choose Joy - I have a friend from college, Sara, who has taught me as more from how she lives her life than anything I've learned in school or from nearly everyone else combined.  Life has provided her with a lot of obstacles and illnesses, yes she has made the conscience effort to..


...choose joy. <--(click here) This post entry may be more for me, but just like laughter is needed in education, joy is needed by every single child who walks into the building, your classroom, the gym, onto the playground.  You hold the key - you have the power - to create a classroom full of joy, full of laughter and full of learning.  No one else has this power.  I've seen time and time again one person in the building 'choose joy' and the contagiousness of this choice is evident throughout the day and building.