March 1, 2013 (WHAT?!?!? It's March already??)

Thank you to staff who helped out at our Pizza Ranch 

events over the past month. Totals raised will be shared once

I have them from PTO. Last night was a HUGE success!

Assemblies today so we are running an early out schedule. K-2 at 2:00p and 3-5 at 2:45p. Students who have met their reading goal will get to throw a cup of water at a staff member...guess I need to bring a towel today. 

ALL STAFF - PLEASE, PLEASE, please...make sure when you're coming or going from the building, you ensure the door closes/locks behind you. During the extremes (hot/cold), the doors tend to stick a bit more. We are finding doors open way too often. Thank you for your help.

Book Study Opportunity - After some interest in learning more about Brookview's engagement in learning around The Leader in Me, I am offering a book study opportunity for any staff member (certified, classified, nutrition, etc) to learn more about the process. Please sign up here (we'd start after spring break). To learn more about The Leader in Me, visit their home page at http://www.theleaderinme.org

Teachers:

Conferences begin tomorrow! I will be in an out tomorrow as I have my own boys' conference at Eason. I will be present until 6pm on Wednesday and 8pm on Thursday. If you have conferences you'd like me to be present at or "in the area" during, please let me know today. We have 43 students left unscheduled. Please let me know if cannot reach parents as conferences are mandatory. Diann and I would be happy to help by reaching out to parents too.

AESOP item to note for certified staff: When entering quarter day leave for appointments (self or family), you must select the 1/4 day option. If you do not, your leave will be counted as 1/2 day. If AESOP does not allow you to select 1/4 day, it means you're out of them and would have to use the 1/2 day or reschedule. 

Recess and Illness - There are often times when parents ask you to have their child stay in for recess. I've included our policy from our handbook below. Please be consistent in following it as you communicate with parents. Students should come to the office with something QUIET to do. You also need to communicate with Paula and Kary if you send a student down as sometimes we have multiple students in the office. These are times they will let you know whether it is okay to bring a friend or not. 

When students return after being absent, make-up work will be given at the discretion of the teacher. If your child is recovering from an illness, we request a note from you indicating your desire for them to stay in from recess and/or PE under these special circumstances. WE CAN HONOR A NOTE FROM YOU FOR A MAXIMUM OF TWO DAYS FOLLOWING AN ILLNESS. IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO STAY INSIDE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD FOLLOWING AN ILLNESS (THREE OR MORE DAYS) YOU WILL NEED TO SEND A DOCTOR’S EXCUSE TO COVER THIS EXTENDED LENGTH OF TIME.  (p.7 handbook)

Rescheduled Rounds - Are this coming Thursday. Visitors will be out-and-about between 9:15a and 10:45a. REMINDER: The focus is on the learners (the visiting team) and not you. If you still have questions or concerns, I can stop in during your lunch to put you at ease. 

Dates to Note

• Sat   - Conferences begin
• Tues - Barry @ Cognitive Coaching class (all day)
• Wed - Early out (conferences)
• Thurs - Instructional Rounds / Conferences PM
• Fri   - SPED PLC 
• 3/11 - Student teachers begin in Huisman and Bode
• 3/12 - Barry @ Cognitive Coaching class (all day)
• 3/12 - Kindergarten Parent Night (6:30-7:30p)
• 3.15 - Spring Break begins!

Final Thoughts for the Week

Where I keep typing/talking and you

don't necessarily have to keep reading/listening.

I have been thinking a lot about priorities and focus the past couple weeks. Over the past 2 1/2 years, I've come to realize that individually and collectively, Waukee staff members are just an extremely focused bunch of people. Whether it is sitting in PLC meetings, the classroom or just talking with you, there is a constant thinking, wondering, collaborating and planning for how to improve your practice....and this goes beyond instruction and the classroom teacher. These conversations take place with associates, office staff, etc. My thoughts the past week though have also made me realize that your priorities and focus are in the right place. Don't get me wrong, all the above statements, beliefs and practices are a great (and needed) focus, but the reason I love being where I'm at is even with all the focus on being better professionals, educators and employees, each of you still focus on your own family, your students' families and your colleagues' needs first. We've had a rough few weeks with deaths and illnesses within our colleagues and students' families and each time I see others step up and help out...and you do this without skipping a beat in your professional responsibilities. I appreciate all you do and hope you're able to use our upcoming spring break to refresh, relax, rejuvenate and "reload" as we close out the year. Thank you for focusing on the right things and making MGE a great place to be for everyone who walks through the door.