Monday Morning Memo

12/3-12/7

As we moved through Tier 1 general best practices and are currently in Balanced Literacy and Guided Reading, I am asking for you to reflect upon how you have modified or changed your practices in any way.  

Also as we move further into Guided reading I will be asking for you to not only share your Guided Reading data of your students (specifically your focus students) with me, but with your grade level and school as well.

Below are more images of our Tier 1 best practices, peer observations, Guided Reading lessons, and English Learner small group instruction.  Thank you for being opening your classrooms to your colleagues and sharing your quality Tier 1 instructional practices with each other.

Professional Development Release-UPDATED

During the week of 12/3-12/7 All teachers will be released for more Tier 1 instructional strategies (Balanced Literacy and Guided Reading).  Please reserve your substitutes on When we get back from the break to help ensure you are released for your professional development.

• Tuesday, 12/4 - 2nd and 3rd grade full day release

• Friday, 12/7 - TK, Kinder and 1st grade full day release

• Tuesday, 12/11 - 4th and 5th grade full day release

Instructional Focus-

I will be continuing to observing Tier1 instructional practices throughout the next couple of weeks.  I will also be collecting some pre-data on Guided Reading.  Please ensure that your daily/weekly schedule has been updated to ensure that I come in the appropriate time frame for guided reading.

Recess Duty

Group A

Week of 12/3-12/7

M 12/3-

T 12/4 - 2nd and 3rd grade full day release, Staff Meeting (SST Process, Counseling, Master Gardener) @ 2:30 in room 11

W 12/5- Certificated Prep

Th 12/6 - TK, Kinder and 1st grade full day release off-site A-J Strategies

F 12/7 - TK, Kinder and 1st grade full day release on-site Balanced Literacy/Guided Reading

Week of 12/10-12/14

M 12/10-

T 12/11-4^th-5^th On-site PD Balanced Literacy/Guided Reading Full Day Release

W 12/12- PLC room 11 (sharing of data and planning of guided reading lessons)

Th 12/13- Attendance Dance Party in the auditorium (TK-2nd 12:45-1:15) (3rd-5th 1:30-2:00)

F 12/14-PBM Orchestra Concert from 11:00-11:30

Week of 12/17-12/21

M 12/17-

T 12/18-Tentative ILT Release Full Day

W 12/19- CPJMA Holiday Staff Party 1:00-5:00 pm @ Mrs. Sor’s house

Th 12/20- Kiwanis Awards @ Broken Yolk 7:20-8:30, Choir, Strings, Recorder Concert in the auditorium 9:00-9:45, Chillin with the Principal 1:40-2:00 in the Foyer

F 12/21- Holiday Sing-along 8:00-9:00 in the auditorium

Monday Morning Memo

11/26-11/30

I appreciate all that you have done for our students and our school.  As you well know, there is a difference between a job and a career.  As I watch your interaction with students, parents and each other, I am thankful to be in a caring and nurturing environment where teachers are invested beyond instruction loving all of our students.  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and some time to rest.  I look forward to the next couple of weeks and the rest of the year.

Below are more images of our peer observations.  Thank you for being opening your classrooms to your colleagues and sharing your quality Tier 1 instructional practices with each other.

Mrs. Hradsky and her choir were showcased at Patrick Henry High School before the Thanksgiving Break.  Thank you to the students and Mrs. Hradsky for representing our school.

Professional Development Release-

During the week of 12/3-12/7 All teachers will be released for more Tier 1 instructional strategies (Balanced Literacy and Guided Reading).  Please reserve your substitutes on When we get back from the break to help ensure you are released for your professional development.

• Monday, 12/3- ILT Full Day Release
• Tuesday, 12/4 - 2^nd and 3^rd grade full day release
• Thursday, 12/6 - TK, Kinder and 1^st grade full day release
• Friday, 12/7 - 4^th and 5^th grade full day release

Instructional Focus-

I will be continuing to observing Tier1 instructional practices throughout the next couple of weeks.  I will also be collecting some pre-data on Guided Reading.  Please ensure that your daily/weekly schedule has been updated to ensure that I come in the appropriate time frame for guided reading.

Awards Assembly-

Each of you have sent me confirmation that you have communicated with the families of the award winners.  Please be prepared with your certificates and be prepared to say some kind words to your students. 

Recess Duty

Group D

Week of 11/26-11/30

M 11/26- SSC Meeting @ 2:30 in room 11

T 11/27-

W 11/28- Character Trait/Academic Awards TK-2^nd @ 8:00, 3^rd-5^th @ 8:45, Certificated Prep

Th 11/29-Fire Drill 1:15, Chillin with the Principal from 1:40-2:10

F  11/30- Choir performs at KUSI

Week of 12/3-12/7

M 12/3- ILT Full Day Release

T 12/4 - 2^nd and 3^rd grade full day release, Staff Meeting (SST Process) @ 2:30 in room 11

W 12/5- Certificated Prep

Th 12/6 - TK, Kinder and 1^st grade full day release

F 12/7 - 4^th and 5^th grade full day release

Week of 12/10-12/14

M 12/10-

T 12/11-

W 12/12- PLC room 11 (sharing of data and guided reading lessons)

Th 12/13- Attendance Dance Party in the auditorium (TK-2^nd 12:45-1:15) (3^rd-5^th 1:30-2:00)

F 12/14-

Week of 12/17-12/21

M 12/17-

T 12/18-

W 12/19- CPJMA Holiday Staff Party 1:00-5:00 pm @ Mrs. Sor’s house

Th 12/20- Choir, Strings, Recorder Concert in the auditorium 9:00-9:45, Chillin with the Principal 1:40-2:00 in the Foyer

F 12/21- Holiday Sing-along 8:00-9:00 in the auditorium

Monday Morning Memo

11/13-11/16

I have been happy observing high-quality lessons during our peer observations.  As you continue to work with each other collaboratively I appreciate all the different ways you implement the high-leverage Tier 1 instructional practices.

Thank you for your collaboration in this process. Below are images of the most recent peer observations and evidence of the strategies implemented throughout your lessons.

Observational Focus-

This week when I come into your classrooms, I will continue to observe with the lens of….

1. Clarity of purpose (The why we are teaching the lesson clearly articulated to students)
2. Learning Targets (objectives) clearly articulated multiple times in the lesson and posted on your daily schedule
3. Students being able to clearly articulate what they are learning (can they restate the learning target?)

Peer Observations-

We will continue with our peer observations this coming week.  I appreciate being vulnerable and allowing your peers to observe to give you positive feedback on the implementation of generalized Tier 1 instructional strategies.

Leisure Reading Room-

Please understand that when you leave, you and your class will need to take some time to ensure that it looks tidy and organized.  Also, please make sure that you are monitoring your students in the Leisure Reading Room.  We do not want any of our books or materials getting mistreated by students.  We have already had one incident on the second day that could have been avoided.

PLAY PE-

As mentioned in my email at the end last week,  PLAY PE has been postponed until after Christmas Vacation due to contract issues and board approval.

Recess Schedule-

Week C

Week of 11/12-11/16 (CONFERENCE WEEK-MINIMUM DAYS ALL WEEK)

M 11/12- Veteran’s Day no school

T 11/13-Kinder Peer Observations

W 11/14- PB Town Council 6:00 pm

Th 11/15-Kiwanis Student of the Month (Rhoades)

F 11/16-Living Explorers 5th Grade in the Auditorium

Week of 11/19-11/23

Thanksgiving Vacation

No School all week