Friday, September 9, 2016

The Middle Update 9/9/16

6 days into the school year, and our routines are starting to set in.  I have heard many teachers talking to students using "growth mindset" language and having high expectations for our students.  Having our students understand that the importance of using mistakes as opportunities, and the power of "yet" will really help continue to grow the culture we are all striving to attain, and will help foster the conditions right for our students to maximize their achievement.  Keep it up!

Growth Mindset Principles
The principals met and tabulated the staff responses for establishing our district norms for how we will instill a growth mindset in our buildings, and after sorting the responses, developed the following growth mindset principles. (These principles should guide our discussion and actions about students and our practice.)
  1. There is no ceiling for what our students can or cannot do or learn.
  1. Encourage students to use strategies that move them beyond their comfort zone.
  1. Provide feedback focused on the student’s implementation of strategies to improve.
  2. Affirm that learning new things can be difficult and takes time, as well as repeated practice.
  1. Use mistakes as a necessary process and an opportunity to learn.

 IE Time
Our regular IE routine will start on Monday, 9/12.  For the first Tuesday in Enrichment groups, teachers should consider using this ARTICLE.  The more articles and discussions we have with students about honesty and character, the better.  We will be discussing even more ways to expose our students to learn about the importance of a solid character. 

 Literacy Group
Anyone interested in working on continuing to build a literacy/reading culture in our building, you are welcome to attend our first meeting, which will be on Thursday, September 15 at 2:50 in my office.  Please email me if you are interested in participating in this group.

Staff Meeting Coming Up
We will have a staff meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 2:50 in Mrs. Hendrickson's room.  We will be working on SLO/PPG process.

Puma Pride Committee
We'll have our first Puma Pride Committee meeting on Monday, September 19 at 2:50 in Mrs. Hendrickson's room.  We will be reviewing and refining the Puma Pride expectations that were reviewed in Homeroom, and a plan to maintain those expectations throughout the year.  Also, we will be planning for the implementation of our systemic interventions using our Puma Pride scores.  Any and all are welcome to attend.

STAR Testing
Students will be taking the fall STAR tests on the following dates in their respective Math and ELA classes.
Math - Tuesday, September 13
Reading - Wednesday, September 14

Handbook Acknowledgement Forms
Each teacher needs to be sure that we finish the Handbook Review and guidelines, and has the students take the "Handbook Signature Sheet" home, and return a signed copy.  Please emphasize to your class that we need this sheet returned.  When you have all of the signature forms, please bring them to the office.  I will supply a treat to the class once all of the forms are turned in.  These forms will be kept on file in the office.

 Special Kindness Homeroom Dates
We will also be running a special "Kindness Homeroom" about once per month.  The first special "Kindness Homeroom" will be on Tuesday, 9/20.  The lesson plan will be shared by Mrs. Morton.

Blogs
This is a reminder to please update the grade level blogs regarding expectations for the week ahead.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know.  Everyone should have access to post in the blog.  This has been a source of a great deal of positive feedback from parents.  Thank you for your efforts to enhance the communication from school to home.

Duty Next Week
Bus - Gavin

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The Middle Update 9/9/16

6 days into the school year, and our routines are starting to set in.  I have heard many teachers talking to students using "growth mindset" language and having high expectations for our students.  Having our students understand that the importance of using mistakes as opportunities, and the power of "yet" will really help continue to grow the culture we are all striving to attain, and will help foster the conditions right for our students to maximize their achievement.  Keep it up!

Growth Mindset Principles
The principals met and tabulated the staff responses for establishing our district norms for how we will instill a growth mindset in our buildings, and after sorting the responses, developed the following growth mindset principles. (These principles should guide our discussion and actions about students and our practice.)
  1. There is no ceiling for what our students can or cannot do or learn.
  1. Encourage students to use strategies that move them beyond their comfort zone.
  1. Provide feedback focused on the student’s implementation of strategies to improve.
  2. Affirm that learning new things can be difficult and takes time, as well as repeated practice.
  1. Use mistakes as a necessary process and an opportunity to learn.

 IE Time
Our regular IE routine will start on Monday, 9/12.  For the first Tuesday in Enrichment groups, teachers should consider using this ARTICLE.  The more articles and discussions we have with students about honesty and character, the better.  We will be discussing even more ways to expose our students to learn about the importance of a solid character. 

 Literacy Group
Anyone interested in working on continuing to build a literacy/reading culture in our building, you are welcome to attend our first meeting, which will be on Thursday, September 15 at 2:50 in my office.  Please email me if you are interested in participating in this group.

Staff Meeting Coming Up
We will have a staff meeting on Wednesday, September 21 at 2:50 in Mrs. Hendrickson's room.  We will be working on SLO/PPG process.

Puma Pride Committee
We'll have our first Puma Pride Committee meeting on Monday, September 19 at 2:50 in Mrs. Hendrickson's room.  We will be reviewing and refining the Puma Pride expectations that were reviewed in Homeroom, and a plan to maintain those expectations throughout the year.  Also, we will be planning for the implementation of our systemic interventions using our Puma Pride scores.  Any and all are welcome to attend.

STAR Testing
Students will be taking the fall STAR tests on the following dates in their respective Math and ELA classes.
Math - Tuesday, September 13
Reading - Wednesday, September 14

Handbook Acknowledgement Forms
Each teacher needs to be sure that we finish the Handbook Review and guidelines, and has the students take the "Handbook Signature Sheet" home, and return a signed copy.  Please emphasize to your class that we need this sheet returned.  When you have all of the signature forms, please bring them to the office.  I will supply a treat to the class once all of the forms are turned in.  These forms will be kept on file in the office.

 Special Kindness Homeroom Dates
We will also be running a special "Kindness Homeroom" about once per month.  The first special "Kindness Homeroom" will be on Tuesday, 9/20.  The lesson plan will be shared by Mrs. Morton.

Blogs
This is a reminder to please update the grade level blogs regarding expectations for the week ahead.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know.  Everyone should have access to post in the blog.  This has been a source of a great deal of positive feedback from parents.  Thank you for your efforts to enhance the communication from school to home.

Duty Next Week
Bus - Gavin