May 4, 2012

Final Weeks - I had someone share a quote with me this week that I put on a sticky-note and tried to place over Paula's count down: "Don't count the days, make the days count." Although me covering the daily countdown was a bit of a joke, I do want to stress the importance of making every day count. We have a many hours left to make an impression on our students, to connect with a parent, to pat a colleague on the back and put the most positive end to a wonderful school year as we can! It has been a great year and I appreciate you showing up, pitching in, pushing hard and, of course, laughing lots - each and every day we have remaining (however many that may be!). :-)  


Assessment Data Entry - All data should be entered on your team's Google.doc by Friday, May 11. This allows me time to convert those documents for your team into Excel sheets in which you can print year end data sheets for student folders. All teams will use this method this year. 


Next Steps After Professional Professional - Thank you for your participation and brainstorming during our time on Wednesday. It is our turn to take a look at what your teams have come up with and identify next steps. Before our summer retreat, Leslie and I will...

1. Look over and continue the conversation as to whether we can feasibly tackle all listed or whether we are better off narrowing it down to a few and supporting those. We may also look at some as "tasks", some as "research, development & implementation" and others as "ongoing learning" or things that can go on without us getting involved.
2. Add a 4th column to the Google.doc "What commitment is needed to get this job/task done?" Meaning - would the team need to set a time to meet monthly, meet via Google.doc, as needed, etc.
3. Identifying facilitators for groups. Having 1-2 go-to people worked well for this year's groups.
4. Review resources list and begin process of purchasing necessary items.

Blogs - Please refer to Nicole Lawrence's email about what to do with your blog. All blog posts will be deleted on July 2nd. An all staff email will be sent out when it's safe to put blog posts back online. Copy and paste any information you want to ensure you keep to your computer. Wouldn’t hurt to save all information (i.e. "plan for the worse").

Boundary Committee - If you're interested in following the conversation around the boundary changes coming with the new school, you can find meeting dates and notes on the School Board website. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings as observers.

Looking ahead...because I've been asked twice, more are thinking this question: staff may leave after 2pm on the last day (teacher workday). Also, olease check out (and add if something's missing) our "Dates to Remember"

A message from Central Print - As you think about print jobs not going through the AEA, please read part of a message from our Central Print I received: 

Just want to let everyone know that we will be printing during the summer again this year.  We encourage you to let your staff know that any and all printing that can be done over the summer is a good thing!  August is proven to be extremely busy, with no guarantee on turn around time.  We do our best, but if we can print in June and July and take some of the burden off of August it is even better. Also, for those that may not know, Central Print is moving locations!  Plans are to begin moving as soon as school is out.  We will be located on the far east side of the high school fitness center (old YMCA) near the new Activities offices. Peggy Tippin and Lynette Gartma 515-987-2722  (ext. 2686); 515-554-4234 (Peggy cell)

FREE Summer Learning Opportunities

• Registration is under way for Pursuing the Promise, the Iowa Department of Education's special education conference in Des Moines on June 11-12. The conference is ideal for teachers, parents, students, administrators and community members who participate in the special education community. To register for the conference, go to http://iowaspecialed.eventbrite.com. Registration cut-off is May 25. The conference is an opportunity to learn what is going on statewide to eliminate the achievement gap, hear about evidence-based practices in special education and network with the community of special education teachers, parents, students, researchers and policymakers. Speakers include the Iowa Department of Education's Director Jason Glass and state Special Education Director Martin Ikeda.
• The Our Kids Summer Institute conference at WDSM Valley HS will be June 19-20.  Two graduate credit hours will be available onsite through William Penn. The registration fee is $100, but the first 350 to register before May 11 will receive a $125 stipend from the Department of Education. Registration includes lunch and an afternoon snack each day. To register, please visit the Heartland AEA website at www.aea11.k12.ia.us and click on Course Catalog located under Quick Links at the bottom of the page. On the Search page, click Search and find Our Kids Summer Institute 2011 in the alphabetical listing. Click on the Activity ID (ES006769571301) number for activity details and registration or use this URL link