December 28, 2012

Happy New Years!

We will come back to school on Wednesday, January 2nd

It will be a Day 3.

In addition to a number of new students who will arrive on January 2nd, please welcome Brianna (Bree) Phillips to our Maple Grove family! She will begin as an associate in Jen Latcham's program and often be found in Michelle Crannell's kindergarten classroom. Bree comes to us with student teaching and substitute experience in area metro districts, has worked with special needs students from birth to school age and has spent time tutoring students. We are excited to have her join us!

Other calendar changes include...

• Semester Two will begin on Friday, January 4 (PM duty purposes)
• The last day of school will be May 23 (updated district calendar).

Bus Duty Items - Please review the scheduled duty changes that will take place on Friday, Jan 4, as this is the end of our semester (see AM/PM duty link to the right). Other items to note:

• The new bus (#46) should begin the first day back. We did have some parents call me over break with mistakes but I hope those are corrected and we are ready to go! If for some reason, you did not send those notes home prior to break, they should go out ASAP!
• Unless we announce otherwise, we will line up outside. Students should dress appropriately! Please follow the procedures in place (i.e remind 3rd-5th grade to exit the EAST doors) and keep students on the side walk. If issues/concerns arise, let Diann or I know.
• A "cheat sheet" of outside duties is below. ALL STAFF should be in the hallways after school to help support PBIS expectations. Please help make sure this happens.

Teaching Openings - As the shuffle or "dance" continues, please know that positions at Maple Grove and across the district will be posted on our district website (Career Opportunities). Positions will be open internally for 5 days prior to being posted for outside candidates. See me with questions.

Counselor Support Increased! Shanlyn will be coming to MGE one more day per week starting January 2nd. She will be at MGE on Mondays, Thursdays and every other Wednesday. During her maternity leave, Mrs. Tjaden and I are planning on bringing in a long term sub who will then stay on for the extra days as Shanlyn returns in her current 1/2 time roll (Thursdays and every other Friday).

Security Questions - As a result of the tragedy in Newtown CT, we have had a lot of questions from parents and staff. Please know we are continuing work and discussion around ensuring we are providing a safe-as-possible environment for students and staff alike. A few items you may share include:

• Terry Hurlburt, Scott Shumaker and I met with the West Des Moines Chief of Police and have scheduled a security and building walkthrough on January 9th with an Homeland Security agent. We look forward to the learning and observations/recommendations that will come from it.
• A district team has put together a timeline to review the existing emergency as well as creating an outline for additional steps to be taken in the future. 
• The district team intends to develop a comprehensive emergency preparedness overview for staff that will focus on readiness and response elements within the planning process.

Dates to Note... (dates to remember document - please add if you see something missing)

• Thursday (1/3) - Barry @ DO in AM)
• Friday (1/4) - end of semester; PM duties change
• Friday (1/4) - BLT meeting; 8am in library
• Friday (1/4) - TQ Plans form due from BLT member
• Monday (1/7) - PSC Mindset Subcommittee meeting; 8am in library
• Wednesday (1/9) - Building PD; 2-4pm

------------------------------------------------------

When students can line up outside

1st Semester Outside (number needed outside)

Kindergarten (2)

1st grade (2)

4th grade (2)

2nd Semester Outside (number needed outside)

2nd grade (2)

3rd grade (2)

5th grade (2)

When 2-3 bus lines remain, two teachers per bus-line stay TO SUPERVISE students. When one bus (usually bus 18) remains, there should be two teachers outside next to them. I will expect those on duty to come up with a fair rotation. If bus 18 is late, those on duty may choose to bring them in the kindergarten wing and be seated until the bus arrives.

December 21, 2012

We had no school on 12/21....

:-)  Today is 12/21. It is a Friday. It is a Day 3.  :-)

:-)  Early out schedule due to Winter Parties!  :-)

Our last office "Winter Wish" video to you...

Some more penguins have arrived in the office!
Have a happy holidays everyone!

Holiday Schedule - My plan is to be in the office next Thursday (12/27) and Friday (12/28) during the mornings if you need anything. Otherwise, I will be taking vacation over the break. I hope you find time to get away to enjoy time with family and friends! I will send out a FWR next Friday to update you on January events and dates to note. School starts on January 2nd. 

Moment of Silence - As you may have already heard through the local and national media, many are observing a moment of silence on Friday at 9:30a.  At the building level, we will NOT be observing this with students due to not knowing the understandings of each student, family discussions and wishes.  If you as an adult would like to do so, feel free to arrange your classroom schedule so it is a quiet learning time at 9:30a on Friday.

Continued Safety Questions - I appreciate the feedback you have provided and questions you have asked us over the past week. After conversations with you, parents, Shelley and the West Des Moines police chief and lieutenant, we are continuing to put things in place to make sure we are providing a safe learning environment for everyone. In addition to a Homeland Security walkthrough I have set up for early January, the district will be taking a look at all facilities across the district to ensure the safety of staff, students and visitors alike. Continue to ask question and provide suggestions.

My Editorial - It's Time to Step Up

The views below are just mine as a dad, a husband and an educator.

...as always, take it or leave it. 

I'll be honest. My focus has not been on effective feedback and improving student achievement this week. It has been on the tragic events of Newtown, CT. It has been on the moms, dads, brothers, sisters and grandparents of the those who lost their lives senselessly last Friday. It truly has not been on the "why" of what happened, but rather has been on the "what now" of the issue at hand. It has been on what can I, one person, do to ensure something like this does not happen in our building, in Waukee, in Iowa or anywhere for that manner - not tomorrow, not next year, not 15 years from now. It has been about what can I do to make a difference in the life of a 7 year old TODAY who may one day think the only way to kill the pain, sorrow, hurt, etc.... is lash out in this violent manner? I've gone past the age of being politically correct or "soft" in order to not upset everyone. For example, I share my views and beliefs that violent video games are not healthy for any child. Not in any circumstances, I believe. I share with my family and friends how important it is to build relationships with your own children first (put down the iPhone, the computer, the video game) and then develop positive relationships with other students and adults. Welcome people. Smile at people. Help someone you don't normally help. I must admit, I need to get better and more consistent at this myself. I need put my family first - my kids are growing up quickly. I need to support your learning and development as front-line educators in a sometimes harsh and brutal society. I need to help you develop positive and proactive relationships with each other and your students. I need to let you know on a regular basis that you do make a difference. You are important. By choosing your profession (teacher, associate, nurse, custodian, nutrition, etc.) within a school, you have already stepped up and put yourself in a position to make a difference. Our potential is endless. Together we can make a difference. We can change society one child at a time, one parent at a time, one community member at a time. We can go beyond just stepping up and potentially making a difference.  Thanks for stepping onto on our bus and making a difference every day.

2012 12-17 Staff Meeting Notes Link

Click here for the staff meeting notes (12-17-2012)

December 14, 2012

Congratulations to Mr. Graziano and Mrs. Seeley for a putting on a wonderful student performance yesterday. The kids did a great job and it is always fun to get together as a family and share our talents!

Professional Development - We appreciate your conversation, sharing and feedback from our PD this week. Next steps will be planned using your exit slips. Several of you asked for the one of the other articles. They were emailed out on December 4th but I've also included links to them here:

• Purposeful Classroom (Chpt 6 - Identifying Outcomes Related to Purpose)
• Seven Strategies (Chpt 3 - Effective Feedback)
• Advancing Formative Assessment (Chpt 3 - Feedback that Feeds Forward)

Thank you to Morgan Singleton for being with us over the past few months as our art teacher. We appreciate the time and effort you put in at MGE and wish you the best of luck at WE after the break! Also, thank you to Abbey Doering for being a part of MGE the past eight weeks as Meggan Jone's student teacher. Good luck to you and congratulations on graduating!

Family University is set for Thursday, January 17. Registration for parents, students and community members will be going out next Thursday or Friday. We have posted the event on our website and Facebook. Please find ways to promote it among your students and families as the event nears.

ALL STAFF: AESOP - PLEASE, PLEASE check out your AESOP settings today or this weekend. Staff may mark their preferred subs accordingly but please do not exclude all but your preferred list. This makes it very hard (nearly impossible) to fill a job through the automated process. If you have or are going to exclude a sub, you need to let Diann and I know who it is and why so we have record of it. If a number of teachers have excluded a sub, we may need to make a decision at the building level.

CHANGE: Our all-staff holiday meal will be on Tuesday (not Friday) of next week. The Olive Garden will be served for lunch starting at 10:40am.

Today - SPED PLC (7:45-8:30am in Library)

Tues    - Staff Lunch; Code 411 Graduation @ 2:30pm

Wed    - 5th Grade PLC @ 2:45p (CHANGE)

Fri       - Winter Parties @ 2:30p (early out schedule)

Fri       - Related Arts District PLCs (2-4p)

Students may need that extra smile next week. Bring it. Wear it. Use it.

Optional Assignment

Take time with your team and your students next week to reflect upon the 2012 year. We have seen many changes and much growth in ourselves, our building, district and world. The end of the calendar is a great time to reflect and set goals for next year. As the 1/2 way point of the school year nears, it would be a good time to do the same for the 2nd half of the year. There are a number of "year in review" websites and videos out there you may also be able to use in your classroom to help kids reflect upon the world outside of Waukee and that could be a great entry point for engaging reading, writing and social studies lessons this "crazy" last week before the Christmas break. Here is one my brother sent me this morning to get you started...

December 7, 2012

Professional Development is next Wednesday. Please read your article and complete the top portion of your graphic organizer before Wednesday. Thanks!

Please update The Bench Press throughout the next week or so to reflect current reality. If you have new students to put up on the board, the sticky notes are located in Leslie's window in the blue bucket. Please update/add your child before you leave for break. All data should be entered on the Google.doc by December 19th.

Fall 2012 Current Reality

Busing Items to Note

• Construction has been the cause of Bus #18's tardiness. I called yesterday and construction should be done over the weekend. This will help with on-time arrival. :-)
• A new bus will be added starting December 17. I will have a new line-up map out so all teachers can show the students prior to the 17th.
• Speaking of new line-up maps...we will continue to lineup outside even if snow (what's snow?) is on the ground. The map will indicate where students will line up on the sidewalk to avoid the snow. Please communicate issues that arise and as we approach the cold weather, I'm open to new ideas too.

Band/Chorus Assembly will take place next Thursday (12/13). Students should be in the gym by 2:50 pm. We will call down grades from the office. Please note it will be tight seating so prep your kids ahead of time about being good listeners during a music program. We will NOT run an early out schedule and I'm requesting related arts teachers work with 2nd grade teachers and affected 1st grade  teachers to make up or adjust the class (day before, of or after is fine). The made up class may be shortened if time does not permit. Option 2 is running a third early out in a just over a week so thank you to EVERYONE for being flexible as times may have to be adjusted for others too

Printing - A message from the office Grinch :-) We went through a lot of paper within the building the past two weeks and it would be a good time to bring back my yearly reminder of "thinking before we copy/print." Copies should be based on need and using reams of paper for student coloring is not a good use of paper/resources (scrap paper is aplenty around the building). Being conservative with our paper resources and copying allows us to spend money in other areas.

Dates to note

Tues - 5th Grade PLC @ 2:45p (CHANGE)

Tues - 1st Grade Music Program @ MGE (6p and 7p)

Wed  - Hearing Screening starts

Wed  - Building PD (early out / schedule)

Thurs - Instructional Rounds @ HS (Barry/Williamson)

Thurs - ALL SCHOOL assembly for Band/Chorus (2:50p - NO EARLY out schedule)

Fri     - SPED PLC

Dec 18 - Code 411 Graduation @ 2:30pm

Dec 19 - 5th Grade PLC @ 2:45p (CHANGE)

Dec 21 - Winter Parties @ 2:30p (early out schedule)

Dec 21 - Related Arts District PLCs (2-4p)

The Holiday Season - Part II

I know I've already included my annual community-service-message (last FWR post) about being sensitive to students' needs around the holidays, but I wanted to plug it again after what has been an emotional week for a number of our students at MGE. Nicole and I were visiting yesterday after school about the noticeable up-tick in student emotional needs and I do believe there are multiple factors. I know in my own home, the stresses of the holidays can bring my patience with my boys to a bare-minimum at times...and we are doing okay (some could argue that, but relatively speaking). Throw on top of that, continued economic hardships, changing families and the recent news many of our students are just finding out...they will be going to a different school next year. Our kids have many different stories and many different home/community experiences. Over the next two weeks, please take time to give extra hugs/high fives, listen a bit more, make a few extra positive phone calls home and know that Shanlyn, Nicole, Diann and I will support you and your students anyway we can.

...and if you're looking to ease some stress yourself, nothing helps during the

holiday season like a little Clark Griswold.

If you don't have the movie at home, here is our families favorite scene. 

November 30, 2012

THANK YOU for the wonderful birthday wishes, cards, posters,

candy, thoughts, songs, visits and emails (yes, even the 38

birthday emails from you too, Mrs. Richer.)! You made my day

very special yesterday and reinforced to me why I love coming

to work each-and-every day. People truly do make the difference

and you all made the difference to me yesterday (and every day!).

*** TIGHT ***

Our Next Professional Development will take place on Wednesday, December 12. The focus will continue around Danielson Component 3d. You will be receiving a reading assignment about feedback to students. from us next week that will need to be completed prior to Dec 12. 

Winter Assessment begins on Monday. The sub for each grade level will be sent to the BLT member each morning. If you need additional support or have questions, let Leslie or I know. Data should be entered on the Google.doc by December 19.

Family University - If you are interested in offering a 40 minute class (academic, art-craft, informational, etc.) for parents, children or both during our January 17th Family University night, please email me today!! It would be great to offer a variety of classes for parents and/or kids that night. Did I mention PTO is buying dinner??

Thank you to several of our long term substitutes who will be changing roles and/or leaving us during the month of December. Next week, Amanda Robinson (Weatherall) and Theresa Warming (Harvey) will be ending their long term subbing positions. Both will continue to be seen around the building in other roles later this month but I appreciate their hard work and support over the past couple months! Morgan Singleton (Bebout) will be leaving us later this month and I appreciate the ideas and gifts she has brought to the table during her time with us!

*** LOOSE ***

Boundary Changes - All district parent email list serves were sent information yesterday about the board approved changes. If parents have questions, information can be found online or you can direct those questions to me. 

BoxTop Contest begins on Monday, December 3rd! Remind your students today to bring in their Boxtops next week. Our PTO will announce a winner before break.

Holiday Celebration! The office would like to invite every Maple Grove staff member to a celebration lunch for the staff on Friday, December 21st! It has been a very successful 2012 and it takes each and every one of you in order to raise this village of 770 little people. :-) We can never say how much we appreciate how hard each of you work and hope it's a good way to kick off your holiday break! More details to come!

*** Dates to Note ***

Thursday - PBIS/PSC Team meetings (8am)

Thursday - District SIAC Mtg; White, Goerend (6:30pm)

Dec 11 - 5th Grade PLC @ 2:45p (CHANGE)

Dec 12 - Hearing Screening starts

Dec 12 - Building PD (early out)

Dec 13 - Instructional Rounds @ HS (Barry/Williamson)

Dec 13 - ALL SCHOOL assembly for Band/Chorus (2:50p - NO EARLY out schedule)

Dec 14 - SPED PLC

Dec 19 - 5th Grade PLC @ 2:45p (CHANGE)

Dec 21 - Winter Parties @ 2:30p 

November 20, 2012

Please welcome Jessica Shwery "back to" Maple Grove next week as she begins working as a 1/2 time  associate in Koenigs/Lentell's room in the morning. Jessica has done a great job filling in for Theresa Warming and we look forward to her joining us on a regular basis. She will also be available to sub in the PMs!

Our November PTO Meeting was last night. It was shared with us that our fall fundraising netted over $21,000! This is well over last year's amount and will allow us to provide document cameras for staff and additional technology for the classroom. I am very thankful that we are so fortunate to have a supportive PTO and parent involvement at MGE. Please find time to thank our parents over the next couple weeks.

BLT will meet Wednesday, November 28, at 8:00am in the office conference room.

Our next PD (Early Out) will be on Wednesday, November 28th. The focus is on Math (Click Here for more information)

Our first Box Tops contest for this year will kick off Monday December 3rd! All Box Tops must be in no later than December 14^th to count toward the December contest. More information will be coming from the PTO following Thanksgiving break. Our next contest will be in April.

For many of us, the Holiday Season may be full of joyous memories and fun-filled gatherings with friends and family. "Black Friday" kicks off the holiday season (although I've already seen several commercials - really!?!?) later this week and then comes the mad dash to the end of December. For a number of our students and families, this may not be "the most wonderful time of the year" though. Please be aware that some students may tend to struggle more this time of year for a number of reasons and are not acting out because they don't like you, the task/assignment or the activity. Be cognizant of the conversations students are having or questions you ask students ("What are you getting for Christmas?" "Where is your family going for the holidays?"). As we get even closer to our winter break, some students may not verbalize it, but they may be concerned or aware they will no longer have 2 meals (breakfast and lunch) they can count on over the six weekdays we are on break. Please keep all of these things in mind and know you can pull in Nicole, Shanlyn, Diann or I to support you and your students. I also understand how the stress of the holidays can affect you too so please know Diann and I are here to support you in anyway we can.

"A teacher sees the possibility in every child.

Before he even sees it in himself."

This video made me think of each of you at Maple Grove - I have much to be thankful for.

Thank you teachers - you instill inspiration.

Thank you associates - you instill confidence.

Thank you office staff - you instill happiness.

Thank you custodians - you instill commitment.

Thank you nutrition staff - you instill consistency.

Each of you make a difference in the lives of 1, 25 767 students each day.

November 16, 2012

Last opportunity to turn in your "Fuel Up" sheets (before 8:30am)! The box is found on the desk in the main office. Staff members may turn in multiple sheets and two lucky winners will be drawn Friday morning!

TIGHT

Staffing Meeting - Dr. Wilkerson and Terry Welker (HR Director) will be coming to MGE to speak to certified staff on Tuesday, November 20th at 8:00am in the library. Plan on at least 15 minutes. The discussion will be around the upcoming staffing decisions. 2nd grade is having their PLC meeting on Monday, November 19.

PBIS Assembly is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th (K-2 @ 2:10p and 3-5 @ 2:50p). The focus will be "respecting our differences." Thank you in advance for allowing Mr. Garland to film your students/team on Friday. We look forward to seeing students celebrate "theirs stories" on Friday and viewing the end product from Mr. Garland. 

BLT has Winter Assessment Schedules from Diann. This will take place December 3-7. Please decide as a team who will be going on what day. The sub will report to the BLT member each day. All data should be entered onto the Google.doc (and on the DIBELS site for K) by Wednesday, December 19. This would include MAP data for 4th grade. The WINTER tab will be ready to go by December 3rd. Teachers may add new students on the document yourself.

Please welcome Alma Noyola to our MGE custodial team! Alma started on Monday and will be working evenings, mainly in the kindergarten wing.

It has been confirmed that Erin Peek will be returning to Maple Grove as Shanlyn Doll's long term substitute! Erin was an associate in our building two years ago and did Nicole's long term sub before moving to the roll of at-risk counselor between Eason and Brookview. Erin will be with us on assorted Tuesday afternoons and Wednesdays.

LOOSE

PLC Meetings for both 1st and 2nd grade will be Monday morning. 1st Grade will meet in 119 and 2nd grade will meet in the 4th/5th grade conference room. I will (or have) contacted people today to assist with coverage. Thank you for your help!!

Upcoming Dates to Note (not mentioned above):

• 11/19:  PTO meeting is Monday @ 7pm (11/19)
• 11/21-23: No school
• 11/28: Early out - Math PD
• 11/29: 3rd Grade Music Program @ 6:30 (HS Aud)
• 12/3: Benchmarking Assessment begins (BLT has schedule)

Thank you for a wonderful week of celebrating.

Sharing.

Welcoming.

Encouraging.

Find a way today to...

Enjoy your weekend.

I appreciate each of you!

He who laughs, lasts

DB

November 9, 2012

Two additional FWR added after school on 11/9/12

• This message below [Parent Portal is open] went out to our parent listserve today. Happy conferencing!
• Dr. Wilkerson and Terry Welker (HR Director) will be coming to MGE to speak to certified staff on Tuesday, November 20th at 8:00am in the library. Plan on at least 15 minutes. The discussion will be around the upcoming staffing decisions. I will work with the 2nd grade team to reschedule their PLC meet for that morning.

---  TIGHT  ---

No regular PLC meetings will take place this cycle (11/9-11/16). Teams may meet on their own if you choose to do so.

Diann and I will be at Instructional Rounds at PVS next Thursday (11/15). Diann will return to MGE by 2:45 pm. Shanlyn will be available via walkie for student emergencies.

All Staff: Sorry for the delay, but Updated Recess and Lunch rules will be emailed out (and posted on the Wiki) today. No major changes but please note the following:

• TODAY and NEXT WEEK: teachers please remind students before coming to lunch to keep their food on their plates (not floor) and pick up all items that may fall. It has been a concern this year and not very caring and respectful of our lunch room staff.
• Classroom teachers should remain until your classroom students are seated. 
• Everyone needs to pitch in to wipe tables, supervise and provide PBIS (positives and reminders).
• Students should be getting as close to 20 minutes of seat time for lunch as possible. 
• 1 + 1 ALWAYS = 0.  ...i.e...Recess duty is not a time to catch up with the other adult on duty. :-)

TEACHERS: Must Read Conference Updates

• I will be in an out of the building during tomorrow morning's conferences. 
• The expectation is that all conferences are to be scheduled by today. As of today, it appears we have 43 classroom conferences not scheduled. Please see Diann or I if you have troubles scheduling remaining conferences. We would love to help us reach 100% attendance for the building.
• Related Arts has graciously offered to help Leslie, Diann and I cover bus duty Wednesday and Thursday after school so teachers can focus on getting ready for conferences right after school. 
• Teachers should print progress reports and send them home TODAY (11/9) for parents who have indicated they do not have internet access at home.
• Email me TODAY if you need coverage at the end of next Thursday so you can eat prior to your first conference. Food will be here by 3:15 pm on Thursday with the other round coming around 5:00 pm.
• I will be at conferences on Wednesday until 6pm and Diann will be at conferences on Thursday until 8pm. Diann will be out of the building from 5:15-6:15 on Thursday.

---  LOOSE  ---

Custodial Update - We will be adding a new face to our custodial staff, Alma will be joining us as a 4 hour per day custodian to replace Toni who moved to the MS in August.

Subway Certificates - I had emailed end of September you would receive Subway certificates. They were located and in your boxes by Friday. One certificate for one child per week.

Final Thoughts for the Week

Where I keep typing/talking and you

don't necessarily have to keep reading/listening.

Although I truly believe parents do value the conversation you will have with them next week during conferences, 20 minutes does not make the relationship that is needed for your student/their child to be successful.  The feedback I receive from parents is clear: they value ongoing communication, positive/direct feedback and the comfort they feel when they better know the adult who spends more time with their child per day than they do during the week. If relationships have not been made or have been rocky to this point, use next week to celebrate and as a jumping off point for the next 120 days of school. Celebrate. Refocus. Share. Ask. Invite them to collaborate and be your partner as we continue to push toward meeting the needs of each child this year. I appreciate your efforts and wanted to leave you with just a few of the many positive parent comments I have already received from our parent survey this week.

We are very happy to be a part of the Maple Grove family. Both of our sons' teachers have done / are doing a fantastic job relating to them and teaching them at their level, while also encouraging them to stretch and challenge themselves. Both teachers have created a welcoming and safe learning environment and have been great to work with.

I've been very pleased with the quality of my child's education. The teachers are wonderful!

All of that said my family and I love Maple Grove Elementary. We are thrilled and amazed at how 
much our son has learned in such a short time. The teachers and staff are so kind and approachable.

MGE has provided my son with a challenging and stimulating learning environment. I also 
appreciate how easy it is to speak with his teacher and all staff members. 

The support and office staff do an incredible job supporting the teachers. They should
be commended and we know the school wouldn't be the same without them.

Despite the class sizes, teachers and support staff seem to make it a point to
know each individual child's need. Not sure how you do it, but thanks.

November 2, 2012

*** TIGHT ***

Nurse's Office - Kary takes her lunch from 1:00-1:25 pm. Do not send students down to the office for minor issues during this time (bandaids, bumps, scrapers, aches, etc.). Only send down students who need immediate attention.

Cafeteria Communication - First, welcome (back) Jill Pieretti! She is our new MGE Nutrition Supervisor and I look forward to collaborating with her as we move through the rest of the school year. We met this morning and one change we'd like to begin Monday is having students sort their silverware. On Monday, there will be two tubs (forks and spoons) and students should sort when dumping their tray. Lunch supervisors - please show and model to students on Monday after students are seated. Teachers - please prep students prior to going to lunch on Monday.

TEACHERS: Conference to-do's - A couple quick things to do / think about with upcoming conferences:

• At midnight Friday, the online scheduler closes. Contact parents who have not set up conferences yet to get those arranged (sooner than later).
• Related Arts needs to have progress report info entered by end of day, Monday.
• Teachers should print progress reports and send them home on Friday (11/9) for parents who have indicated they do not have internet access at home.
• Email me if you need coverage at the end Thursday so you can eat prior to your first conference. 
• I will be at conferences on Wednesday until 6pm and Diann will be at conferences on Thursday until 8pm. I will be in Ames Thursday evening. If you have a conference where admin support or presence would be important, please let us know now so we can get it on our schedule.
• I will be in an out of the building on the Saturday of conferences.

ALL STAFF - We had a Recess/Lunch Duty meeting on Wednesday. I appreciate the input from those who attended. I need the feedback by FRIDAY (11/2). An updated memo/rules will be given to ALL staff early next week. Tweaks I know will stick include...

• Cold lunch tables moves to the NW corner of the lunch room
• Students must get 20 (seat-time) minutes to eat. 
• Teachers should help their class get through the lunch line prior to leaving the cafeteria.

*** LOOSE ***

Books Are Fun items are in the staff lounge. Check it out and get any orders in soon.

Where's Barry? - I will be out of the office from 1:15-2:15 pm today (Friday). Next Tuesday, Paula and I will be at a School Messenger training at SMS from 2:30-4:00 pm. Diann and Leslie will (wo)man-the-fort and front desk.

Visitors - Everybody loves to learn from y'all. Monday brings a TON of teachers from Grinnell to Waukee elementary buildings...6+ will be at Maple Grove.

District Office Changes - Student enrollment assistant (i.e. District Office front desk), Jamilee Lightfoot, will be the new Student Services Administrative Assistant working with Roxanne Cumings. A replacement for Jamilee has not been hired as the closing date is today (Friday).

I don't usually wear ties twice in a week or so, but the Iowa State Tie you gave me tries to stretch it's record to 2-0 this weekend. I'm a superstitious man so you'll see the tie every Friday until they lose.

4th Graders Sing: Get out and vote!

October 26, 2012

I had a conversation with a teacher last week and appreciated her honest comment when she said, "I read the FWR when I have time but sometimes I don't get to it." :-) So here is my adjustment. I will try to sort my FWR in to terms we use often in Waukee..."Tight" and "Loose." The "Tight" items would be pieces of the FWR I'd expect all staff to read every week. I'll try to put the "all staff" items at top and must-read teacher items in this area. The "Loose" items would be good-to-know-but-not-vital-to-daily-survival items that you can read or come back to reference. Hope that helps.

<<< TIGHT >>>

Wormeli Feedback - If you have not done so already, please complete the feedback survey today (click here). Those who are taking our PD for Drake credit should also email me a one page summary (you should have received the details of the summary from me last week).

Next Step for PD - Teachers received an email-memo last week regarding your next steps following our Oct 10th PD. About 1/3 have completed the "inter-rater reliability" process using the Learning Target rubric. The memo and LT rubric can be found online. Please complete by November 5th.

Diann will be changing her schedule staring next week. She will be at Maple Grove on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and every other Friday.

Lunch/Recess - Staff involved with lunch and recess duty will be meeting next Wednesday after school to discuss lunch and recess duties, procedures and rules. We hope to come out of the meeting with some "tight" and "loose" rules/procedures we will share with all staff at some point soon. Your BLT member received information from me recently about the meeting so if you have questions, please talk to your rep. 

Upcoming dates to note:

• Today: Harvest Parties! (2:30-3:15p) EARLY OUT SCHEDULE
• Today: District Related Arts PLC+ (2-4p)
• Tonight: BINGO for Books (6:30-8:00p @ MGE Gym)
• Oct 30: PBIS/PS Core teams meet separately (8:00-8:35am)
• Oct 31: PD will be focused on using iPads in the classroom. Bring your iPad
• Nov 2: Online Conference link closes (begin calling parents to set up conferences not scheduled)
• Nov 5: Related Arts staff must have progress reports completed

<<< LOOSE >>>

The Scholastic Book Fair Teacher Preview scheduled for all teachers on Friday, November 9 from 7:45 am to 8:30 am in the Media Center. The PTO will be asking teachers to complete their wish list slips and one ‘Teacher Recommends’ slip.  A light breakfast will be served. 

*REPEAT* Our First Snow Contest will happen again this winter. Farmer's Almanac has it happening sooner-than-later so place your guess here by November 2nd. I'm guessing 2014. ;-) If my memory serves me right, Melissa Grimm won last year!

“My chief want in life is for someone who shall make me do what I can.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

October 19, 2012

Upcoming dates to note:

• TODAY: Staff celebration in the library at 8:00am
• TODAY: PBIS Assembly (3-5 @ 2:10p; K-2 @ 2:50p) EARLY OUT SCHEDULE
• Fri: Rick Wormeli workshops and teacher workday
• Oct 22: PT Schedule opens online (through Nov 2)
• Oct 22-25: Reading week (see Pam's email)
• Oct 25: K/1st PLC+
• Oct 26: Harvest Parties! (2:30-3:15p) EARLY OUT SCHEDULE
• Oct 26: Related Arts PLC+
• Oct 31: PD will be focused on using iPads in the classroom

Friday - No kids on Friday (did you know that?) as many of you are engaged in the Rick Wormeli workshop(s) and/or working in your classrooms. If attending the Wormeli workshop, sign-in's will be at the location. I will not be in the district all day but Diann is available at x6658. Also on Friday, Berg Audio will be in the building to complete annual maintenance on the projectors. It shouldn't take very long in each room but just wanted to give you a heads-up.

Progress Reports in PowerTeacher may begin to be entered this coming Friday during the teacher workday. The timeline for progress reports is below. Reminder: if you have parents who do not have access to the internet, you must print off their child's progress report statement and send home with the student on Friday, November 9th.

• PS closed to parents: Oct 18
• Related arts teachers enter information by Nov 5
• PS opens to parents: 4pm on Nov 9

Bench Press Board - As students change benchmark levels in your classroom, please update the "Bench Press" board by moving the sticky note. You would also do the same when you have new students move in to the building or leave the building. It will be fun to watch the board change through out the year.

The Parent Portal for Online Conferences will open this coming Monday. An email will be sent out to parents via the list serve and with a link to the directions and portal. If you have questions that cannot be answered, be sure to send them to Paula or I.

Our First Snow Contest will happen again this winter. Farmer's Almanac has it happening sooner-than-later so place your guess here by November 2nd. I'm guessing 2014. ;-) If my memory serves me right, Melissa Grimm won last year!

Boss's Day Thank You

Having survived my 3rd Boss's Day with the staff at Maple Grove, I am grateful for the daily blessings, celebrations and chuckles you all provide me. I truly feel my job is to get the right people on the bus and help everyone find the right seat (...and yes, some of you sometimes have to have the assigned seat right behind me :-). And then, I drive. It is not me being cliche when I tell you, parents and the community that we have assembled the best staff possible for our students at MGE. You make good decisions. You put in the time and hard work. Your teams make great data-driven decisions. You provide that individualized feeling and sense of belonging to each child and parent. You do all of it each and every day...and I check my rear-view mirror, attempt to provide the correct stops (resources, time, support)  and smile. 

Finally...I ran across a blog article by Scott Williams that made me think of each of you. My additional thoughts are in italics.

If you want to be Surrounded By The Best, you must embrace these three things:

• 1. It’s your responsibility to develop your team and give them opportunities to be the best. The best leaders maximize the potential of those they lead…  they put their people in the best position to win.) I smile when I look at the team we have assembled over the last two+ years. 
• 2. You have to give those that are “The Best” room to fly, dream big and try new things. Learn from Google [as they] allow employees to spend twenty percent of their time to work on their own project, independent of their workgroup. Google believes that no one should leave in order to pursue their personal passions. Letting employees do this results in over twenty percent of Google’s new product launches has stemmed from these personal projects. I look at what you've independently done with Skype in the Classroom, Project Based Learning, Cooperative Teaching, iPads, Flipped Math classroom, etc., and then how you share the successes and watch it grow naturally.
• 3. You must openly embrace that best will not only be sought after, but sometimes the best will leave and take those best practices other places. This one is tougher. With boundary changes being approved at the next Board meeting, I know that team members (teachers & associates) will be leaving us to join other building(s). It comforts me to know we are spreading our knowledge, our experiences, our leadership to other buildings, staffs and ultimately, affecting more kids in a positive way. 

Not related to any of the above, but it wouldn't be "Boss's Day," without a Michael Scott reference...