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.