February 25, 2011

Print - During budget meetings with teams, the question about EDM and FOSS copies came up.  Those copies would run through Leslie and more information will come to everyone down the road.  Do not worry about it now!  Keep the questions about budget coming and AEA print coming.  :-)  


Conferences - Paula should have final copies of your conference schedule before you leave this week! If you have a conference you would like Lyndsay or I to attend, please let us know that soon. Lyndsay will be at Maple Grove on March 9th as I will be at my own children's conferences.  


Yearbook Pictures - If you have pictures on your computer this year that would be good to include in the yearbook, please email a few very good ones to Laura Reynolds (laurareynolds75@hotmail.com).  She will be in the building on Friday, and possibly another day or two, to take pictures of kids in specials, lunch and recess.


Department of Education Site Visit is coming to Waukee soon!  Waukee Community Schools will be participating in a Site Visit from the Iowa Department of Education March 8-10.  Site visits occur every five years and offer a school district the opportunity to gather feedback about current programs and practices and recommendations on how to improve these programs and practices.  A major part of this process is the interviews the members of the site visit team will conduct throughout the three day visit. In addition to Maple Grove being one of the host buildings, we have a number of staff and parents involved in the interviews this go-around.  To see an overview of the schedule and to see who from our team will be involved, visit the Site Visit tab!


Waukee Academy - Connie Tow is in the process of building the summer programming for students.  Proposals are due in before Spring Break.  She would like to visit with interested staff members at Maple Grove and be available to answer questions from staff about how to teach for Waukee Academy.  She will be available on Thursday, March 3rd, in the library from 8:00-8:30 am.  Stop in if you have questions or are planning on teaching!  If you have questions please email her. 


Calendar - Starting this week, for upcoming events, I'll have you refer to the Google Calendar at the bottom of the webpage versus including the two week summary grid.  Feedback welcome and if I get enough people tell me to bring it back, I will.  :-)  

Final Thoughts for the Week

...where I keep talking/typing and you 

don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 

I really don't have anything witty to say this week [insert your funny comment here such as "When do you?"] but would much rather steer you to read Dr. Wilkerson's article in this week's Waukee District Bulletin. While I was reading it, I thought about all of you.  I've seen the innovative things you each do at times to engage students at high levels of thinking. You do a wonderful job and you share your innovative ways with your colleagues. As I've mentioned and questioned us in previous FWR FTFTW :-) ...are we happy with where we are?  Is this it? Have we reached the peak of educational greatness?  

I will be challenging the Building Leadership Team Monday morning to examine where we have been and begin to plan the roadmap to where we want to go...not an end point, but rather a continuous road map, a journey per se, to meet the needs of our students today so they are prepared for a world that we don't yet fully understand ourselves.  It's a challenge...one I know we can continue to rise up to meet.  Enjoy the weekend and when you finish reading the article, here are a couple more sites to visit if you're still 'hungry'....

Iowa Future  http://iowafuture.org - The world is changing. We need to change with it.

A great video where Chris Lehman talks about creating the schools we need.

February 18, 2011

PTO Boxtop Contest - Next week, we will be holding our spring boxtop contest.  Sheets are in your box - please send home with kids.  The winning classrooms at each grade level will earn a front-row seat for a special karaoke show - they will get to choose a song for me to sing to them!  ...the verdict is out as to whether this is a reward or punishment.  :-)   

"Shows" will by combined winning grade-levels (K-1, 2-3, 4-5) and be done the week prior (or after if counting takes longer).  I'm sure if the winning teacher wants to join me in a song, the kids would enjoy it more.  :-) 

AEA Referrals must be submitted to Jody or Erin by Friday, April 1st, to allow for us to have the 60 day window.  That deadline means data/students must be brought to Lyndsay or I before that Friday date.

Progress Reports must be completed before you leave on Wednesday, March 2nd, as I will be opening the parent portal that evening.

Parent/Teacher Conferences - As you prepare for conferences, please ensure you allow some time for parent/teacher conversation during your conferences.  Student-involved conferences should heavily involve the student but time for parents to ask question and get direct feedback from the teacher is just as important!

Walk Throughs - If I come in your room for a short period of time with my computer, I'm likely doing a walk-through.  I email the 'feedback' straight from the eWalk website so if you do not get an email with the form right away, assume it is in your junk mail the next morning.  I will not be printing off forms to place in your box so this is your e-copy.  If it does not show up in either place, email me and I will send it to you.

Cumulative Files - If you take a child's cum folder from the file room, you MUST SIGN the sheet on top of the file cabinet and MUST RETURN the file in a timely manner.  We have had missing files throughout the year and these should never be out of the room longer than a day.  Thank you!

Lounge - If you're using the microwaves and utensils/plates/bowls, please do the right thing and clean up after yourself.  Too often, I'm finding/seeing Shelley taking care of our messes. Please do what you can to clean up your area and utensils, plus cover your meals when you heat them up (or wipe down the microwave following using it!).  Thank you in advance.

Donor's Choose - Congrats to Desiree' and Kristin for getting the first two projects posted!!  Woot!  Woot!  If you need help, let me know!!  I'd love to assist anyway I can.  Bo Bishop wanted me to pass along that teachers should not put an expiration date in when you post a project.  It automatically defaults to 5 months and by putting an expiration date, the Horrace Mann logo/matching funds disappear.  One posted has been corrected. Bo will be back at our staff meeting next Friday and will draw a name and provide a $50 credit toward a project that has been created on the website!!

Dr. Suess's Birthday is March 2nd and there are many wonderful ways to celebrate. My former media specialist sent me a link many of your kids (at least girls) might like.  Justin Bieber does an interactive read aloud for kids.  The teachers emailed that their kid liked it even thought he's not the most fluent reader in the world. Probably because he's not a product of the our public educational system!  :-)  Just kidding...I'm actually a closet-Bieber fan.

Monday, Feb 21 - 3rd Grade TQ Day (in house) - MGE Band Solos (4-7p) - PTO Mtg: PBIS presentation (7p)	Monday, Feb 28 - BLT Mtg (8am) - Begin Term 3 reporting period - Technology Committee Mtg (PM)
Tuesday, Feb 22 - K-2 PLC (8am) - District Soc Stds Curriculum Mtg - SCHEDULE CHANGES (2nd & 4th gr) - 4th Gr Music practice @ HS - 4th Gr Music Program @ 6:30 HS	Tuesday, Mar 1 - K-2 PLC (8am) - PLC+ (5th-AM / 2nd-PM) - 5th Gr Parent Orientation
Wednesday, Feb 23 - 3-5 PLC (8am) - Early Out (Grade Level/District PD)	Wednesday, Mar 2 - 3-5 PLC (8am) - Spring PICTURE DAY! - Progress reports completed!
Thursday, Feb 24 - Character Council (8am) - 5th Grade TQ Day (in house) - Barry: Instructional Rnds @ WHE	Thursday, Mar 3 - Character Council (8am) - Parent/Teacher Conferences begin
Friday, Feb 25 - Staff Meeting @ 8am (Prob Solving & Time for Kids) - Monthly Problem Solving Summaries DUE	Friday, Mar 4 - DSM's Kid's Fest begins

Final Thoughts for the Week

...where I keep talking/typing and you 

don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 

Thoughts to ponder....

Think internally or click to help create our new office board with your thoughts...

- Are we a visionary school? -

- Are we happy with the status quo? -

- What would it take to get to that next level? -

What is one thing I can do better tomorrow than I did today?

February 11, 2011

A Teacher Information Meeting has scheduled for Monday, February 14th at 8am in the library.  We have learned of a wonderful opportunity created through a partnership between Donorschoose.org and Horrace Mann. For a limited time, Horrace Mann is offering matching funds and $50 gift cards for classroom projects. Bring your computer as we will be helping you set up accounts on Donorschoose.org and you'll have the opportunity to read/hear about some projects from other classrooms that have been funded. The meeting is not a required meeting but I'm strongly recommending you take the time to attend as this is a great opportunity to get an account set up for you and learn more about Donors Choose.


The PBIS Meeting scheduled for Monday morning will be moved Friday, February 18 at 8am.  Bring your Morning Meeting books.


Parent Conferences all been scheduled and communicated with parents? Please turn final copies in to Paula when you have those completed.  Reminder that conferences run from march 3rd-10th with the required conference times being Wed, March 9th (2-4p) and Thurs, March 10th (4-8p).  



Evaluation Questions - I've had several ask questions about year-end processes and timelines for evaluations and annual conferences. I'm putting together a memo for teachers that will explain what needs completed and when.  It will be out to staff next week.  


Speaking of year-end processes and timelines (I know, it's only February), Budget and Paper Order questions have come up.  I'd like to meet with each PLC team during your nuts-and-bolts meeting.  Please email me the time you meet and I'll try to make it to your next meeting to explain both as there will be some changes that need explained.  It will be easier to explain and show remaining budgets in person rather than email.  I'd like to have those meetings done prior to February 25th.  


Please welcome two New Associates to the Maple Grove family.  Allison Davis will be taking over for Pam Swanson as the kindergarten literacy associate in Rachel's room.  Leslie Schleisman will be filling the program associate opening in Kjersten's room.  We are excited for them to start (hopefully Monday!!) as they are bringing many talents and gifts to our staff!  


Problem Solving Make-Up - The Problem Solving Core team met and determined how we would make up the PD missed on February 2nd.  Teams will use the PLC meetings during the week of February 21st to complete some vertical teaming activities and we will use our staff meeting on February 25th to cover some of the nuts-and-bolts items/questions.  Grade level teams will find time this month to look through, share and identify key resources as you engage in an activity that will allow you to cruise some websites on our Intervention Page blog.  If your team uses or comes up with additional online resources, please get those to me so I can add it to the list!

Grant Application Process - If you are applying for grants on your own - GREAT!  Prior to applying, please talk to me about the grant.  Lora needs to know about grants before they are submitted so that she is aware of funds that may arrive or district costs that may be associated with the grants.  

MAP Practice Sites - Kristin Grotewold shared the following two sites with me.  Through these sites, individual students on one computer or the whole class can partake in skill practice focused on their MAP level.  If you find it worthy, please share with grade level colleagues in other buildings.

http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/
http://www.sowashco.k12.mn.us/ro/pages/studentlinks/map/reading.htm

Monday, Feb 14 - Staff meeting (optional) - 8am - District Math Curriculum Mtg - Love is in the air	Monday, Feb 21 - 3rd Grade TQ Day (in house) - MGE Band Solos (4-7p) - PTO Mtg: PBIS presentation (7p)
Tuesday, Feb 15 - K-2 PLC (8am) - 3rd Grade TI (8am) - ITBS Starts!!	Tuesday, Feb 22 - K-2 PLC (8am) - District Soc Stds Curriculum Mtg - 4th Gr Music practice @ HS - 4th Gr Music Program @ 6:30 HS
Wednesday, Feb 16 - ITBS Day 2- Kindergarten TI (8am) - 3-5 PLC (8am)	Wednesday, Feb 23 - 3-5 PLC (8am) - Early Out (Grade Level/District PD)
Thursday, Feb 17 - ITBS Day 3 - Kindergarten TQ day (observation) - 2nd Grade TI (8am) - Character Council (8am)	Thursday, Feb 24 - Character Council (8am) - 5th Grade TQ Day (in house) - Barry: Instructional Rnds @ W
Friday, Feb 18 - ITBS Make-Up day - Rescheduled PBIS Meeting (8am)	Friday, Feb 25 - Staff Meeting @ 8am (Prob Solving & Time for Kids) - Monthly Problem Solving Summaries DUE

Final Thoughts for the Week

...where I keep talking/typing and you 

don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 

You didn't think you could get two far away from the Super Bowl without me making some editorial comment about the game and/or commercials.  Not being a fan of either team (grudgingly: congrats, Baugh), my focus was more on the commercials (and food too, of course), and I was mildly entertained by many of them.  The one that made me laugh the most was the Darth Vader car commercial.  

It made me think about the power we (adults) have over kids!  Often, what we perceive as something easy or thoughtless, may be amazing and wonderfully exciting to kids.  Things that happen magically can create new learning opportunities for children if we use their excitement and inquiry.  For most kids, things that we say, kids believe (remind me to tell you the story about my wife's first job as a Dallas Cowboy's cheerleader...she loves when I tell it).  For some kids, getting them excited about reading, math facts, singing, keyboarding, etc., may ultimately come down to the presentation and delivery!  If we empower kids to believe they are creating the learning or they have the power to move educational mountains themselves (or start cars with the Force), learning has moved from you being the "sage-on-the-stage" to "guide-on-the-side."  ...and the ride is much more fun and the learning can be much more meaningful.


Trying to tie the love of learning and/or the power of suggestion to a car commercial may be a stretch, but it was worth a try.  :-)  I hope you at least enjoyed the commercial, and if nothing else, laughed at the thought of trying this at home.  Heck, my kids believe the radio station in our van magically changes to my station (over theirs) and until they notice the buttons on the steering column, I'm going to milk that one for as long as I can.

February 4, 2011

DIBELS - If you did not get a student assessed or enter a students score prior to the closing date because of illness or absences, you need to email Rosemary Johnson the information.  This would include future assessments too.


ITBS items will get to teachers the end of next week.  Please review your responsibilities for housing of the items and testing procedures.  Questions - let me know!!  

Sub Plans should include a reminder for subs to send down PM attendance too!

Professional Development missed on Wednesday will not be made up, per se.  I feel there is information that is worth sharing and time we would have spent yesterday would be valuable to you and your teams so I'll be discussing the "what now?" with our Problem Solving Core team on Friday (2/4)!

Our Middle Schools are transitioning to standard based reporting for the 2010-11 school year.  Although this concept is very familiar to elementary teachers, parents and students, it is more of an abstract concept for middle school teachers, parents and students.  Mrs. Urich and Mrs. Lettington have created a Wiki site to help parents understand the advantages of SBR and are "teaching" a course through our community education program to help with the transition.  If you have parents asking questions, please refer them to these two opportunities.

Recess Associate - Ryan Lenerz will be absent the next two weeks.  Aaron Harrison will be his sub.  Please make him feel welcome and help him out with rules/procedures on the playground.    This will happen again in the middle of April.

Clarification is needed regarding coming late and leaving early for appointments.  I may have misspoke to a couple staff members (3:15) so I apologize and will include the language from master contract so we are on the same page moving forward.  Please note that it states you need to notify the building principal prior to the appointment.  It does not state coverage - but you would need to find your own coverage prior to that day too.  Questions - let me know.  (from p.15)  An employee may leave the building during his/her work day after signing appropriate form [MGE staff sign in/out]. Employees at the elementary level may leave at 3:20 or later, or arrive prior to 8:40 a.m., for medical appointment purposes with no deduction in leave. ... Employees should notify the building principal of such prior to scheduled appointments.


Friday PM - I will be gone starting at 2pm on Friday.  If you have an emergency, please contact Millsap or Baugh.  Thanks in advance.


REPEATERS....worth repeating


Valentine's Party - We will run an early out related arts schedule on Thursday, February 10, in order to accommodate for our 2:30p Valentine's parties.  Please ensure your parents are aware of the date/time of the party and any other communication that goes along with the party for your classroom/grade level.

PTO Update - On the Border will be hosting a "Maple Grove Elementary" night on Monday, February 7th.  You should be getting information about it from PTO soon to help promote it with parents.  Our PTO (and us in turn) will receive 10% of sales that evening so join us and promote it with your parents!  Mark your calendards...the PTO will be hosting our Spring Carnival at Maple Grove on Saturday, April 10th from 2-4 pm.

Monday - SPED Mtg (8am) - MGE's On the Border night	Monday, Feb 14 - PBIS Mtg (8am) - District Math Mtg - Love is in the air
Tuesday - K-2 PLC (8am) - District Technology Mtg (AM)	Tuesday, Feb15 - K-2 PLC (8am) - 3rd Grade TI (8am) - ITBS Starts!!
Wednesday - 1st Grade TI (8am) - 3-5 PLC (8am) - District Language Arts Mtg	Wednesday, Feb 16 - Kindergarten TI (8am) - 3-5 PLC (8am)
Thursday - Character Council (8am) - Valentine Party (2:30-3:15)	Thursday, Feb 17 - Character Council (8am)
Friday - Teacher Work Day - Elem Admin Mtg (PM)	Friday, Feb 18 - Meeting free day! ...so far

Final Thoughts for the Week

...where I keep talking/typing and you 

don't necessarily have to continue listening/reading. 

I was really excited to finish the Friday Weather Report this week as throughout most of the day, I felt like it was Monday...and then I suddenly realized that tomorrow is Friday!  :-)  Wow...how refreshing can one day "off" make you feel?  I hope you used that middle of the week (and middle of January-February) to regroup, refresh, refuel, re-whatever-yourself!  Enjoy the day and the weekend!