Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Cricket E-Blast 12-4-13

2 Weeks at a Glance:

  • Thursday, December 5th-PBIS Tier II 3:15
  • Friday, December 6th-All Student (no staff) Meeting-8:00-9:30
  • Monday, December 9th-BLT 3:15
  • Tuesday, December 10th-Joe Out-SLATE Conference
  • Wednesday, December 11th-All Staff Meeting
  • Thursday, December 12th-PBIS Tier II 3:15
  • Friday, December 13th All School Meeting 9:00-9:30
  • Tuesday, December 17th Holiday Concert 1:30-3:00

I Went Walking…
As I mentioned in the email this week...heading out east was fun, but it was also a great reminder of the  great environment we have here.  Quality educators and supportive families make successful schools...and that is our situation. I really love the fact that I don't have to urge you to focus on instruction in a month that often gets lost with schedule changes, celebrations, and snow days.  You make outstanding use of your instructional time and I truly appreciate that...well done!


What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!
  • Friday is morning All Staff Collab...I know you will make use of the time.
  • It appears that most people  have either been through a formal eval or are in the process.  Thank you for getting those scheduled.
  • I'll have to resume classroom visits in January as December is getting away from us and we are only 4 days in!  Feel free to schedule a classroom time in January with Marcy.
  • There will be some work done over the break on the floors.  I don't know if that will spill over into your rooms, but will let you know if that is the case.
  • How are your evidence pieces coming for your growth goal? 
Articles Worth Reading:
Videos Worth Watching:
Not always endorsements of the perspective...but all to make you think...

Really nice look at Innovation and Response to Failure in Classrooms

Interesting look at Motivation and the book Drive by Daniel Pink

Hackschooling by Logan LaPlante


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Friday, November 8, 2013

Cricket E-Blast 11-8-13

I added a This Week at a Glance for those who are using Internet Explorer or are not signed into Google in Chrome. To see the full calendar I think you have to be in Chrome and be signed into your google account. If we are missing anything, please get the events to Marcy so she can add them to the calendar.

2 Weeks at a Glance:

  • Monday, November 11th-Veteran's Day Program in the HS Gym 2:00
  • Monday, November 11th-BLT 3:15 (Elem Conference Room)
  • Wednesday, November 13th-All Staff Meeting (Library)
  • Friday, November 22nd-26th Joe Out
  • Monday, November 25th-Grade 1 Field Trip

I Went Walking…
You people are amazing.  Honestly…this quote from Lee Shulman is so accurate..."Teaching is the most difficult profession of them all," educator Lee Shulman recently told a group of teachers and psychologists. "The only time a physician comes close to doing what a teacher does is when the doctor faces an emergency room of multiple patients with multiple conditions, all of whom need immediate attention. That's what a teacher deals with every day in a class of 30", he noted. "And they are expected to do all this constantly, with a 20-minute break for lunch," he added. We have so many things going on at one time and kids go home in much better places than where they start.  We have not mastered RTI or PBIS or Common Core or Reading Wonders or the new SLD law or Growth Goals or Collaboration Time…but somehow kids still learn!  Sometimes I think just getting out of your way and allowing you to work your own magic is the way to go.  As our admin team met this week to discuss all the initiatives and how to best meet the needs of you as leaders we came to the understanding that we have to be ok with not being out in front of everything…and back off of things that are not allowing you do do your job.  Support and time…and we'll need your help to know how to best utilize each of those.  Thank you so much for what you do…our kids are so much better because you are here.
What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!
  • I will be out of town from Friday, November 22nd through Tuesday, November 26th.  We are taking the kids out east to see family…and I get to visit schools in NJ and NY.
  • Formal Observations-At this point everyone can set up formal observation times. Please schedule with Marcy.  It would be good to schedule both an observation and post conference so we get them on the calendar right away.
  • Thanks again to those who submitted Chirp articles.  It looks really good.
  • The first night of Parent Teacher Conferences went really well.  I appreciate the connection you make with our families…so important. 
  • Are you integrating your growth goal and data into your daily routine?
Articles Worth Reading:



This is just cool…sometimes we think kids don't get it…they do.

Character Counts
Veteran's Day…Thank You doesn't even get close for keeping us safe
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Sunday, October 27, 2013

Cricket E-Blast 10-28-13

I added a This Week at a Glance for those who are using Internet Explorer or are not signed into Google in Chrome. To see the full calendar I think you have to be in Chrome and be signed into your google account. If we are missing anything, please get the events to Marcy so she can add them to the calendar.

2 Weeks at a Glance:

  • Tuesday October 29th-Grade 5 Field Trip the the Minnesota Zoo
  • Wednesday October 30th-Picture Retake Day
  • Thursday October 31st-Halloween Parties, Parade, and Trick or Treating
  • Friday, November 1st-Survive after Halloween Parties and Parade
  • Thursday, November 7th-Parent Teacher Conferences
  • Friday, November 8th-9:00 All School Meeting

I Went Walking...
Our K-5 Meeting on Friday was great!!  I was truly impressed with the resilience of students in being in one spot for so long.  We got up and moved around, did a few relay races, read Oh Crumps by Lee Bock and gave away a few prizes.  I hear the hallways were pretty quiet on the way back, so that was nice.  Thanks to all of our support staff and 5th graders for helping out with the logistics.  I will send out the survey in a different communication so everyone gets a chance to answer how the morning time went for them.  If you have already emailed me your thoughts that will suffice.  Thanks for your willingness to spend time connecting.  The morning was wide open...and that was done on purpose.  If the time holds no value to you it is worthless so I wanted you to drive it.  If we need more structure in scheduling or content we can do that as well.  It just has to work for you and lead to better experiences for students. I loved seeing parents in school helping out with the 4th grade Pumpkin Globes...great activity and cool to see everyone interacting.  The globes look great!

What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!
  • Conference Scheduling will be done at the MS on Monday morning.  Students may be coming to your classrooms to set up times.  I have a few things to connect with Brad on this before school starts on Monday.  Look for an email prior to beginning the day of further instructions are needed...specifically scheduling sheets.
  • Formal Observations-K-3 classroom teachers...please set up a formal observation sequence with Marcy.  Tuesdays, Thursday,and Friday would be the preferable days, but if those don't work then Monday and Wednesday will.
  • Thanks to those of you who submitted articles for The Chirp.  The community loves the newsletter...anything we can do to promote what happens here is important to everyone in the building.
  • If I have been through your room on a phone or IPad it means I recorded walkthrough data.  If you did not receive an email from me it may be in your spam folder.  I will work with Jake on this, but you may have to go into Spam the first time.  Should be delivered after that.  I email the walkthrough right from your room, so you should receive it immediately.  I also pose a few questions.  As we did last year, those are for your reflection only...answers to those questions do not need to be sent to me...just for you to reflect on in any way you see fit.
  • Parent-Teacher Conferences are right around the corner.  There has been some talk about the intensity of the new reading program and how to express that to parents considering their students are scoring at a different level with the new material.  A few things...if students are struggling PT Conferences should not be the first time parents hear of those struggles.  I am confident that this is not the case at all...but just a reminder. I will work on something to get to parents prior to November 7th regarding the rigor of the new series.  One more thing to keep in mind for conferences...there has never been a parent that walks into a conference and thinks..."I can't wait to hear a bunch of acronyms describing what is happening with my child".  Ever.  So...impress them with how much you know about their child...not about how many programs we have in place. 
  • I'd like to get back into classrooms again in November for 30 minutes with your students.  It fills up very quickly, so please connect with Marcy and get on my calendar.  Thanks!
Articles Worth Reading:
Videos Worth Watching:


Obvious to You, Amazing to others via Derek Sivers



Math Class Imagined by Students via Kid Snippets


Sometimes confidence takes a little time via YouTube
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Monday, October 14, 2013

Cricket E-Blast 10-14-13

I Went Walking...
Well...as I walked around the building Friday night with community members filling the halls I had this unbelievable surge of pride.  Your rooms looked so good and the public was so happy with the result of the renovation.  Even more than the physical make up of the building...I talked to multiple people who have talked to staff in the building and the words you used to describe the renovation were outstanding.  There were clearly issues with the timeline and we didn't get everything we wanted out of the project, but when it was all said and done it looks really good.  Thank you for taking the time to make sure your rooms were ready.  Again...they looked fantastic.  I also can't thank you enough for the work you did with Cluster A last week.  The feedback has been wonderful...your facilitation was key in the process. The morning meetings have received rave reviews from the group.  I didn't really know what to expect from the afternoon...but it was such a great feeling to know that I didn't have to worry about the morning...I knew you would crush it.

What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!
  • October 25th is a scheduled Elementary PD morning.  We are going to try something new...we'll see how it goes.  I will need all support staff available from 7:45-9:15.  Logistics of where to put kids are still being worked out...but you will not have to worry about students at that time.  This is a few hours for you to connect with people outside your grade level regarding students (itinerant services) or scope and sequence on a vertical level.  More details to come, but start looking at how you want to spend that 90 mins.  Only rule is that it is not to be spent working on your own...connection to staff regarding students is essential.
  • Conference Reflections-If you attend a conference please fill out the conference reflection form so we can all learn from your experience.  It can be found here.  Thanks! 
  • I will be starting walkthroughs this week.  As we did last year, I will send you the walkthrough document for your records.  We will start formal observations within the next 2 weeks as well.  
  • Thanks for surviving Homecoming week!  I appreciate your flexibility in scheduling so our students could be part of the festivities.  
Articles Worth Reading:

Videos Worth Watching:
Malala Yousafzai Full interview on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart 



Thomas Suarez: A 12-year-old app developer



21st Century Education

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Monday, September 30, 2013

Cricket E-Blast Update 9-30-13

I Went Walking...
Well...October is upon us! Routines are in full swing and students are fully engaged in learning.  That is a great feeling as I make my way across the school.  Obviously each new year brings challenges with new classes and areas of focus, but this year has been one of the busiest I can ever remember for staff members.  New rooms, new curriculum, a time crunch to start the year...you have all been wonderful in getting the school up and running.  I hope you have found the time to sit back for just a second and appreciate the work you have put into the process.  It can certainly be difficult with the day to day operations, but please take that time...you deserve it.

What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!
  • Cardboard Challenge this week!  Hope everyone gets a chance to stop in on Friday and check out the cool things our students create.
  • Culvers Night tonight!  Thanks to those of you who have volunteered to help serve.  Students and families love seeing all of you outside of school.
  • October 11th will be our open house for the community.  A mailing will be sent out to all community members tomorrow.  I was thinking of asking some of our 3rd and/or 4th grade students to be available to give tours.  If there are a few who you believe would be great tour guides please let me know.
  • Speaking of October 11th...community members will be in rooms that day.  I would hate to believe someone would take something out of your room, but if you have personal things that you don't want touched you may want to take them out or put them in a secure area.
  • Homecoming week is October 7-10. Details for spirit days coming soon.
  • We will need to change our all school meeting as it is scheduled for the 11th. I have tentatively moved it to Wednesday afternoon at 2:20  
Articles Worth Reading:
Videos Worth Watching:

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Friday, September 13, 2013

Cricket E-Blast Update 9-13-13

I Went Walking...
The first full week is under out belts!!  Great work getting students rolling and engaged in a routine.  It has been a great start to the year.  As I walked around school this week I was so impressed with the help you have all provided to each other in getting the year started.  I have seen countless staff members in the hallways before and after school, connecting with students who are not in their classroom, and helping our new staff get settled in.  I love bragging about the culture that you provide and it is amazing to walk through the hallways and see it in action.

What's Hoppening:
Above this post you will see our meeting calendar for the year.  I have added PBIS meetings, All Staff Meetings, All School Meetings, and BLT Meetings.  This is where Marcy will also add field trips and other events happening around school. If you are planning an activity or trip that you would like to add on your own please do so as well.  Thanks!

  • Professional Goals are due to the District Office by September 19th.  We will have the approvals/adjustments meeting the the Growth Model group on the 23rd and 24th.  Notification will be sent out ASAP after the review is complete.
  • Picture Day is Monday.  The schedule will be a bit flexible, but here is a general idea of when you will come to the foyer by the District office.  Picture Calendar.
  • Jon is building a PBIS site with links to video and mini lessons. Katie will be adding storyboards to the site as well. Check it out...very cool. Click on Play By the Rules here or on the Fall Creek PBIS Site for an example.
  • I added a blog roll on the right...if anyone follows certain blogs that would be beneficial for all let me know and we'll add them.
Articles Worth Reading:


Videos Worth Watching:
Love Kid President
EdCampEC is coming on April 12th.  Great opportunity for educators (hopefully!)

Are we a group or a team?
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Monday, April 15, 2013

Cricket E-Blast 4-14-13

Hi folks!

New view to the E-Blast!
I continue to be amazed by the flexibility you have shown in the face of this construction.  The kids are welcomed and engaged with everything going on around them.  I can't thank you enough for what you are doing with our students.  Here is a look at the next two weeks...

A, B, C
Day
Date
Time
Event
Location
      B1
Monday
April 15



      C1
Tuesday
April 16
3:15
PBIS  Tier I

      A2
Wednesday
April 17



      B2
Thursday
April 18
3:15
PBIS  Tier II

      C2
Friday
April 19
12:30
Early Release Day

      A1
Monday
April 22



      B1
Tuesday
April 23

Happy Birthday Sandy Brown

      C1
Wednesday
April 24
3:15
All Staff Mtg.
Library
      A2
Thursday
April 25
3:15
9:00 – 2:00
PBIS Tier II Mtg.
5th Grade Field Trip
Happy Birthday Rhonda Webster
UWEC
      B2
Friday
April 26




Saturday
April 26

Happy Birthday Jon Strand!


For your Knowledge...

  • Growth model reflection forms are due on May 3rd.  Please continue to work from your action plan on the reflection.  The growth you have shown through that action plan will hold more weight than the student data component.  We want to see how YOU have grown as a teacher.
  • We have to make a decision on playground equipment today.  The vote is really close so if your class has not voted please get those to Teresa today.
  • Requisition entry needs to be completed today...Debby sent out a reminder last week...just another heads up.
  • Construction documents are live on the O drive under the construction folder.  Those documents will be updated after all of our meetings to keep people informed.
  • I forgot a birthday!!!!  For the 3rd year in a row I have forgotten Julie Thomson's birthday...which essentially means she has not had one in 3 years!  Sorry, Julie...happy birthday!

The Weekly CHIRP!!
  • Our custodial crew has been working extremely hard to get areas cleared out for construction.  Thanks to everyone for making that happen!
  • All staff who attended Donuts with Dad...thank you.  It was great to see our staff members interacting with students and dads.  I really enjoy that day.
Cricket Connections
  • Kael to Allie... "Allie, it's like I always say...wait...Dad, what do I always say again?"
Fall Creek University

Articles worth reading...



 Videos worth watching...

 Social Media Movement

 Start the Week off on a great note!










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