Before the 2010-11 school year, I made the comparison of what we are expected to do in education to building a plane in midair. We are not able to build the perfect airplane and then load it up with passengers. We don't have the luxury of landing and unloading our passengers to undergo a complete overhaul or tweak a few mechanical malfunctions. We even have to refuel and reload in mid-flight!
Each of you constantly work with kids, plan with colleagues, investigate and research new learning, implement and then assess...and then do it all over again without touching the ground. This week, you were able to celebrate students' progress as we continue to move through the friendly skies toward increased student learning and achievement. We may not be able to land the plane, but we have arranged for a couple flight attendants to offer some in-flight snacks and refreshments to our crew on Friday! Friday, be on the look-out for some appreciative flight attendants who represent all the people on the ground (parents) who have passengers in your seats (students). They (and I) appreciate all you do.
Conferences - If you do not get 100% attendance at your conferences prior to Thanksgiving break and are having a hard time rescheduling a parent-conference, please check in with Lyndsay or I to help problem solve. Our expectations of parents is that every student is able to have a fall and spring conference one-way-or-another.
Next week - Lyndsay will be here on Monday instead of Tuesday. Shanlyn will not be here either day but will be "on call" Tuesday. Please contact Nicole or I if she is needed.
Fundraiser Nights - Please talk as a team about volunteering a night for the restaurant fundraisers PTO has set up for us. The money earned from those nights will go directly toward an iPad for your classroom/grade level! Our current plan is to have an iPad available for every classroom and be able to pull those iPads together for a classroom set if needed. We believe that if all teachers have the option of incorporating them into their classroom instruction/routines, then (1) more ideas will be generated as to how to effectively use iPads; and, (2) comfort level of for every teacher will increase! The first fundraiser night is sneaking up on us...December 6th at Panera! Sign up soon by clicking here!!!
iPad Website - Beau Barrett at Eason has created a great site for iPad users. Check it out!
Input Needed - If you have not done so already, all certified staff should take time to complete the district wide survey from our Diversity Leadership Team. Thank you!
Walk Throughs - FYI for certified staff - If I do a walk through in your classroom, I am emailing the form directly from the e-Walk website. If you do not receive that form via e-mail immediately, it is likely stuck in cyber-space so just let me know and I will get you an e-copy.
NEXT WEEK
Monday - Associate interviews (Barry & Marron)
Monday - 3rd Gr PLC (AM), 5th Gr PLC (PM)
Tuesday - Five At-Bat Songs will be on the blog!
Wednesday - Happy Thanksgiving Break!
Nov 29 - 3rd Grade Music Program
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