Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

1/22-1/26

Instructional Focus-
As I observe and give feedback, I will continue to refer to your weekly general calendar, so please ensure that it is updated.  I will also be referring to the Critical Concepts and the Proficiency Scales and look for the attributes in the instruction and the tasks you set up during your lessons.

 I am noticing more formative assessments being utilized in informing your instruction.  This on-going practice is highly effective and should be implemented on a regular basis.

 Guided Reading is powerful and instrumental in moving student up in their reading levels.  The data from the DRA and running records is critical in determining the appropriate groupings for your students.  

Family Game Night was awesome!  Although I lost to my wife in Yahtzee, it was a great time and the children all had a great time as well.  I hope to see you at our next event.



PLC-
We have been receiving professional development in unpacking the Critical Concepts and the proficiency scales as well as a process for formative assessments as a grade level.  As we move forward this week please be sure to continue working with your colleague during PLC to continue working on common formative assessments.  Please also let me know what room your grade level will be working in.  This will be critical when grade levels break away and work on the PLC cycle as have learned from our readings in professional developments.

Field Trips-

As a reminder, certain steps need to be taken in preparation for field trips in advance.  Please do not wait until the last minute.  This causes a strain in the office.

Below is an email reminder from the nurse that was sent on Friday from the office. 

Dear Teachers,

Please be sure to notify health office staff via email at least two weeks before any scheduled field trips.  If you choose to provide a hard copy of the field trip notice in addition to the email that is ok too, but the email is preferred.  Lori Benson is only here on Tuesdays and I am only here on Fridays and we are finding that papers are getting misplaced or lost. To ensure that there is adequate supervision for our students with health concerns we require sufficient time to prepare and, if needed, provide staff to accompany students on the trip. Our cluster is short staffed and so without the advance notice, we may have to cancel a field trip if we are not able to ensure the safety of students. We greatly appreciate your cooperation.  Email both Lori Benson: lbenson@sandi.net and Charlene Pattillo: cpattillo@sandi.net with any upcoming field trips. Thank you to the teachers that have already made this a regular practice.

PBS/Character Counts-

We will continue to focus on playground and cafeteria for PBS expectations and lessons.

For our Character Counts Program the focus will be kindness. Please ensure that you are teaching those lessons and having conversations/discussions with your students on a regular basis.

Important Upcoming Dates:

Tu 1/23-  2/3 and 4/5 grade formative assessment 1/2 day release

Tu 1/23- Staff Meeting in room 9 at 2:30

W 1/24- PLC room 9 @ 1:00-3:00
Tu 1/30- SSC Meeting- please bring your laptops
W 1/31- Certificated Prep

Recess Duty-
Group C