Assessment Binder/Folder - A great point was made during a post conference this week that I want the response out to all teachers. One of the 10 "tight" elements is that the binder/folder be labeled "Data Collection" and is visible. Your assessment information does not have to be one collective binder. Could be individual folders for each student located in a specific location (i.e. guided rdg table).

Newsletter/Website - I've been asked a couple times today if classroom newsletters can be on your teacher blog versus emailing them out. The thought from them was that there was an understanding this could/should not be done until after team pages are introduced. I want to clear that up - posting your newsletter on your blog and then emailing out a reminder link is PERFECT way to do it. One advantage is the parent has access to all your newsletters at one location versus trying to find previous emails. If your team wants to wait to post the newsletter on the team post, that is fine - just know that you can and are encouraged to use your individual blog to get the newsletter information out to parents.  A few examples to reference:  Sheldon, Goerend, Allison


Progress Report - It was noted that progress report statements were not in the gradebook. Paula is aware of it and is working with Mr. Downs to get them in there. She will let everyone know when it is up and going. Power School for parents will be closed this coming week so you can begin to enter information during the October 21st work day.


After School Procedures - A reminder to review last week's FWR for after school procedures and continue to remind students of the expectations. My expectations is that all staff are out of their rooms and in the hallways for those 5 minutes whether you have duty or not. Every bit helps.

Attendance - Please follow through on Paula's email about attendance. As you know, we can do our job 179.5 days of the year but if we make one mistake like not knowing a child is not here or calling a parent to ask where their child is and they are here - trust and the positive relationship can be lost. We have a lot of kids and you're at the front lines so thanks for making this a priority.

Instructional Rounds will be at Maple Grove this coming week! Leslie and I are excited to host the admin/district team here and to show off our students and staff. Please take the time to read through the information in the email sent out with the FWR reminder. What prep do you need to do? Nothing - except letting students know their will be visitors in the building that day so continue to be good representatives of MGE!

PTO Meeting is Monday at 7:00 pm in the library. This meeting is open to all staff members. It is always nice to have a few there. Our 5th grade will be presenting to our PTO regarding the use of projectors and integrating technology!

Fall Harvest Parties are nearing! Yeah! Parents helping with parties on October 28 will be allowed to come down to the rooms at 2:20 pm to begin setting up. We will share with PTO that classrooms will be involved in instruction until 2:30 pm. At 3:10 pm, we will announce clean-up needs to get wrapped up so we are done at 3:15 pm. Parents who want to take their child at that time may do so. If anyone has questions - find me.


2nd Annual Office Snow Pool- ...Back by no-demand is our "Let It Snow Office Pool."  Why?  ...because I am still a competitive person and heard my first, "I can't wait for snow!" today.  The person who correctly guesses (closest to) the time and day of our first snow will get a wonderful prize - for real this time!  Same rules as last year: No complicated rules - it will be the first snow flakes I see out my window...not "first inch" or "first ground covering snow." You don't have to be a MGE employee to enter. :-) Place your guess here.  Deadline: November 1st.



Local Grant - ABC5 has shared their annual $1000 grant opportunity for metro teachers.  I would love to see 1 or more teachers apply for the grant this year (if nothing else, try to go for document camera for your grade level/classroom?)!  If you need assistance with the grant process, wording or correlation to your goals or the building goals, let me help!  More information can be found on the FWR blog and the application can be found on the ABC5 website.



At-Bat Song Contest - Group B (October)!If 5th grade chooses one correct match this week - they match their September total!This week's song includes one of my least favorite...guess which one?!?

Dark Blue - Jacks Mannequin	100 Years - Five for Fighting
Party in the USA - Miley Cyrus	Group B includes: Beavers, Bode, Broich, Dirksen, Graziano, Harvey, Huisman, Jones, Pals, Swyter    ANTI-PRIZE Motivator:  The team with the lowest score for the year has to sing one of the songs chosen by the winning team at a spring staff meeting!!