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!