Cricket E-Blast 3-30

For Starters…

Hope everyone had a great break! We are into the final push for the year and look forward to the craziness that the spring brings in and out of the classroom. 

Elementary Staff...
2 Weeks at a Glance:

• Tuesday, April 1-Technology Team Meeting-Media Center 3:15
• Wednesday, April 2-Grades 4-5 Meeting-Elem Conference Room 3:15
• Thursday, April 3-PBIS Tier II Meeting 3:15
• Friday, April 4-Joe Out CESA PAC 8:00-12:30
• Monday, April 7-BLT-Elem Conference Room 3:15
• Tuesday, April 8-PBIS Tier I 3:15
• Tuesday, April 8-School Garden Meeting 4:15 District Office
• Wednesday, April 9-Joe Out 12:00-3:00 Cluster A Supts
• Wednesday, April 9-All Staff Meeting 3:15
• Thursday, April 10-Joe Out UWEC 8:30-11
• Thursday, April 10-PBIS Tier II 3:15
• Friday, April 11-Donuts with Dad 7:30
• Friday, April 11-All School Meeting 8:15
• Friday, April 11-Father-Daughter Dance 6:00

What's Hoppening:

• The 5th grade basketball game last week was awesome!  Really enjoyed the laughs and excitement in the gym.  Thanks to all who planned, took part, and attended the event.  So fun!
• Remember that our all school meeting on the 11th is at 8:15...different time than usual.  We will see how the transition goes.
• April 11th is a crazy day...Donuts with Dad to start the day, All School Meeting, and the Father-Daughter dance...kids will be cranked up!!!!

Did They Really Say That?

Send me your quotes!!!!

• 1st grade student was outside about 3 weeks ago) and started eating the snow.  As he continued to eat he was asked to come in because the bell had sounded and everyone was lining up.  He stopped eating for a second...looked around...and responded, "But...there's more."  Such a great kid and has made incredible gains this year...that one made me smile.

For the District...
What's Hoppening?

• The 180 day Bill now awaits the Governor's signature.  Looks like it will go through with little adjustment...I'll let you know if that means we are all set for the year without coming back on June 9th. 
• Badgers are in the Final Four...RED and WHITE day this Friday.  Go Bucky!
• Love all of the Tweets from the Band and Choir trip to Florida.  Looks like everyone is having a great time...thanks to all who planned and chaperoned the event.  Great opportunity for our students.
• Your growth model data and evidence collection should get a distinct jump start with the available time on Monday.  Please utilize the time to work on your growth goal and continue with your reflection process.
• Registration for EdCampEC is filling up, but we still have plenty of room.  If you would like to join in the fun, here is the link. https://edcamp.wikispaces.com/edcamp+Eau+Claire   Breakfast and lunch will be served...no cost...and you can use it as a unit for the compensation model.  We are over 200 people at this point...not a bad start for the first Edcamp in this area.  If you have any questions, just let me know.  Thanks!

This week in Tweets...

All of our #gocrickets tagged tweets can be archived...this is a great way to tell the stories happening in your classroom.  The idea of telling your story before someone tells it for you is a really key element in getting the word out about the wonderful things happening in your classroom.  Add @fccrickets in the tweet and use the #gocrickets hashtag after a tweet to add to the wonderful story of the Crickets...

http://www.fallcreek.k12.wi.us/district/gocrickets.cfm

Articles Worth Reading
Just resources...no need to feel required to read...just click if it strikes your interest.

• How can edtech really help student achievement by Evan Nisonson
• Loved your GPA then I saw your tweets by Natasha Singer
• Lessons From Lincoln by Eric Barker
• Doing what comes naturally by Jim Dillon
• How Twitter impacted young readers by Shannon Degan

Videos Worth Watching:
Not always endorsements of the perspective...but all to make you think...

Elite 8 All Access...congrats to all of the Badger fans!

Kelvin Doe...Innovator.  Well done, young man...well done.

Connection through glass...this is great!

Cricket E-Blast 3-9-14

For Starters…

Hi everyone!  I have a few friends who are building principals.  The are all taking part in a No Worksheet Week Challenge in their school next week.  I understand where they are coming from, but also know there are certain things that need to be run off throughout the course of a week.  I would only ask that you really take a look at the number of worksheets you are using this week.  I don't want to be the paper police and trust you to do your jobs knowing that using worksheets is clearly not the answer for student engagement...just something to think about this week as you plan for instruction. No need to report it, tally, or come up with excuses...just something to ponder.  Thanks!

Elementary Staff...
2 Weeks at a Glance:

• Monday, March 10th-BLT 3:15
• Monday, March 10th-PDP Verification 4:30-6:30
• Tuesday, March 11-PBIS Tier I
• Wednesday, March 12-All Staff Meeting 3:15
• Thursday, March 13-Joe Out 11-1
• Thursday, March 13-PBIS Tier II
• Thursday, March 20-PBIS Tier II

What's Hoppening:

• We are hoping to add a few components to the next All School No Staff Meeting.  A few HS students are looking to run a modified mini session with our kids...I thought this may be a good time to implement the idea.  More to come.
• No All School meeting this week as we moved it up to coincide with Read Across America week.
• Speaking of Read Across America Week...the door decorating and positive notes was one of my all time favorite activities.  To see post it notes with positive comments promoting the work done on the doors was amazing.  The Kindness wall was a great addition as well.  You people...so good for kids...constantly impressed by the things you come up with and are willing to do.
• In the lounge I had Julie put up the "How we engage kids" ideas and around those ideas are the feedback from students on how they learn best.  Take a look and see if we are making the connection between how we feel we engage kids and how they want to learn.  Interesting to see.  Thanks for taking part in the activity.

Did They Really Say That?

Send me your quotes!!!!

• Student asked what they would dress as if we had Artist Dress Up Day...the response..."Vincent Lombardi and pretend to cut off my ear".  The response was great...the look on Tasha's face was better.

For the District...
What's Hoppening?

• The 180 day bill is moving quickly and should end up on the Governor's desk for approval within the month.  From all indications, that law would be retroactive to this year meaning if we have enough minutes (which we do in all grades except 4K) we would not have to add days to make up for the snow days.  I'll keep you posted.
• I had a really great meeting with the senior class last week.  I asked them about their experience and what made a great teacher.  They sent their results to the big screen using Poll Everywhere.  Only had a few that took it as a time to throw something on the board just to get a laugh out of those around them.  Made me think that we often don't allow things to happen for the masses because a few get a little loose.  It was a great experience for me.  I asked if anyone wanted to follow up on some of the topics and there are about 10 kids coming in this week for further discussion.
• Congrats to the basketball teams on wonderful seasons. Obviously, everyone wants to still be playing, but walking away from the season with Conference championships in both boys and girls basketball is something that should make this community very proud.  
• 4K registration was Friday and we are up around 30 kids at this point.  We are hoping to get into the 40-45 range as we have had in the past.  If you know anyone who missed the registration just let me know and we can get them signed up to be Crickets!
• Registration for EdCampEC is filling up, but we still have plenty of room.  If you would like to join in the fun, here is the link. https://edcamp.wikispaces.com/edcamp+Eau+Claire   Lunch will be served...no cost...and you can use it as a unit for the compensation model.  If you have any questions, just let me know.  Thanks!
• All Mid Year Growth Model letters will be sent this week.  The documentation will indicate where you are in regard to the process.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  It was really interesting looking over the plans and meeting individually with some of you...there is a definite shift in the way you all look at data and practice.  It is much appreciated as I know it is not easy.  You clearly get out of it what you put in...very impressed with the rigor that a number of you took with the process.  Well done!

This week in Tweets...

All of our #gocrickets tagged tweets can be archived...this is a great way to tell the stories happening in your classroom.  The idea of telling your story before someone tells it for you is a really key element in getting the word out about the wonderful things happening in your classroom.  Add @fccrickets in the tweet and use the #gocrickets hashtag after a tweet to add to the wonderful story of the Crickets...

http://www.fallcreek.k12.wi.us/district/gocrickets.cfm

Articles Worth Reading

• 3 Things we can do to reach every child by Vicki Davis
• This is why you should do 20% time in your room by Nick Provenzano
• 3 Emotions that drive deeper learning by AJ Juliani
• Life's toughest tests don't require a pencil by John Harper
• 5 Tips to foster a love of reading by Lisa Dabbs

Videos Worth Watching:
Not always endorsements of the perspective...but all to make you think...

Kids Need to Know...

Are you surrounded by survival friends?

Great opportunity for kids...this was filmed 4 years ago.  How can we get closer?