Friday, February 10, 2017

The Middle Update 2/10/17

I feel really fortunate to spend a couple of great days learning alongside the other principals in our great state.  I am eager to get back to school on Monday and continue working alongside each of you as we push the status quo, and create consistent, awesome authentic learning opportunities throughout our building for our kids.

Schedule Adjustments starting Monday (2/13)
Due to an overlap for a couple of classes in the original schedule that I have had posted in the past couple of blogs, we had to make minor adjustments to some of the time periods in the schedule.  I recently updated the schedule to account for this overlap this past Monday afternoon, so depending on the last time you looked at the schedule, it may be different.  Please take a look at the Schedule and pay close attention to the dismissal times, so on Monday, we'll have a smooth transition.  Thank you!  SCHEDULE

 Convention Takeaways
As you know I attended the Principal's convention this week and it was a great opportunity to hear from really innovative educators.  I was able to attend multiple sessions, and hear from Myron Dueck (author of Grading Smarter, Not Harder).  Some themes that rise to the top of my wondering were:
-The importance of facilitating authentic assessment experiences for our students that allow them to build real 21st century skills like teamwork, perseverance, and authentic problem solving
-Forbes recently concluded a study that asked employers what the "must have" qualities their employees must have:
    1.  Embrace change
     2. Provide voice
     3. Show autonomy
     4. Help others
     5. Share with others
-The application of personal pathway instructional models in schools

 Upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences
Spring conferences are right around the corner.  After consultation with the Puma Pride Committee, our plan for the Spring Conferences will remain consistent from last spring.  We will use the first night (3/2) for scheduled conferences.  We should be scheduling conferences with as many students as we can, but mainly focusing on those who are in need of a strengthened home/school partnership (AE/NI on any Puma Pride score).  Also, the letter that we will mail home will encourage parents to schedule a conference.  On the second night (3/9), we will run more of an Open House type format.  Certainly we can schedule a conference on that night as well if necessary for parents.  It should be another great opportunity to deepen those vital relationships with parents that will help our students move forward.

A message from our Instructional Coaches
Elementary/Middle School
IMC STEM Resources
Below is a list of STEM resources that are available for checkout from the IMC for your classroom. Please feel free to contact me or Anna  if you would like support with implementation and curriculum correlation, we are always happy to help!


Resource & Video Clip
Amount in IMC
Possible Skills & Knowledge
2
  • Sensing & magnitude
  • Data collection
  • Engineering & design (problem solving)
  • Light & motion
  • Robotics
& Tablet
1
  • Coordinate planes
  • Number lines
  • X & Y axis
  • Robotics and basic programming
  • Engineering and design/ problem solving
& Tablet
1
  • Coding
  • Variables
  • Problem solving
(can use tablet but is not needed)
2
  • Robotics and basic programming
  • Engineering and design
  • Probability
  • Measurement
  • Problem solving


Forward Exam Information
As February approaches, we have begun to start preparations for the administration of another successful Forward Exam.  At this time, we have tentatively settled on the dates and times.  This schedule is still in a draft form.  At this time, please review the dates for your planning, and more information about groups and preparation will be communicated as we get closer.

Forward Exam Testing Schedule

Parent Club Opportunity
The PAD Parent Club has helped out elementary teachers by reimbursing expenses that were spent on items for their classroom.  They would like to spread this assistance to the Middle School teachers as well.  The club will reimburse up to $100, provided the following guidelines are met:
-purchase must be for the classroom
-receipt(s) must be provided by turning in to the PC mailbox with teacher name on it and attn. to Tami
-PC prefers to have all requests submitted by end of school year
-PC will then issue them a $100 check

 Article of the Week
The infusion of more authentic learning and assessment activities is an area of utmost importance for each of our classrooms.  Facilitating these experiences for our students will lead to a deeper sense of engagement, and ultimately an increase in the skills and knowledge of our students.

6 Authentic Assessment Tools

Upcoming Meetings
Literacy Committee Mtg. - Tuesday (2/14) at 2:50 in Mrs. Rogness' Room
PMS Staff Mtg. - Wednesday (2/22) at 2:50 in Mrs. Anderson's Room

Duty Next Week
Morning - Hendrickson, Johnson
Bus - Frehner
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

The Middle Update 2/10/17

I feel really fortunate to spend a couple of great days learning alongside the other principals in our great state.  I am eager to get back to school on Monday and continue working alongside each of you as we push the status quo, and create consistent, awesome authentic learning opportunities throughout our building for our kids.

Schedule Adjustments starting Monday (2/13)
Due to an overlap for a couple of classes in the original schedule that I have had posted in the past couple of blogs, we had to make minor adjustments to some of the time periods in the schedule.  I recently updated the schedule to account for this overlap this past Monday afternoon, so depending on the last time you looked at the schedule, it may be different.  Please take a look at the Schedule and pay close attention to the dismissal times, so on Monday, we'll have a smooth transition.  Thank you!  SCHEDULE

 Convention Takeaways
As you know I attended the Principal's convention this week and it was a great opportunity to hear from really innovative educators.  I was able to attend multiple sessions, and hear from Myron Dueck (author of Grading Smarter, Not Harder).  Some themes that rise to the top of my wondering were:
-The importance of facilitating authentic assessment experiences for our students that allow them to build real 21st century skills like teamwork, perseverance, and authentic problem solving
-Forbes recently concluded a study that asked employers what the "must have" qualities their employees must have:
    1.  Embrace change
     2. Provide voice
     3. Show autonomy
     4. Help others
     5. Share with others
-The application of personal pathway instructional models in schools

 Upcoming Parent/Teacher Conferences
Spring conferences are right around the corner.  After consultation with the Puma Pride Committee, our plan for the Spring Conferences will remain consistent from last spring.  We will use the first night (3/2) for scheduled conferences.  We should be scheduling conferences with as many students as we can, but mainly focusing on those who are in need of a strengthened home/school partnership (AE/NI on any Puma Pride score).  Also, the letter that we will mail home will encourage parents to schedule a conference.  On the second night (3/9), we will run more of an Open House type format.  Certainly we can schedule a conference on that night as well if necessary for parents.  It should be another great opportunity to deepen those vital relationships with parents that will help our students move forward.

A message from our Instructional Coaches
Elementary/Middle School
IMC STEM Resources
Below is a list of STEM resources that are available for checkout from the IMC for your classroom. Please feel free to contact me or Anna  if you would like support with implementation and curriculum correlation, we are always happy to help!


Resource & Video Clip
Amount in IMC
Possible Skills & Knowledge
2
  • Sensing & magnitude
  • Data collection
  • Engineering & design (problem solving)
  • Light & motion
  • Robotics
& Tablet
1
  • Coordinate planes
  • Number lines
  • X & Y axis
  • Robotics and basic programming
  • Engineering and design/ problem solving
& Tablet
1
  • Coding
  • Variables
  • Problem solving
(can use tablet but is not needed)
2
  • Robotics and basic programming
  • Engineering and design
  • Probability
  • Measurement
  • Problem solving


Forward Exam Information
As February approaches, we have begun to start preparations for the administration of another successful Forward Exam.  At this time, we have tentatively settled on the dates and times.  This schedule is still in a draft form.  At this time, please review the dates for your planning, and more information about groups and preparation will be communicated as we get closer.

Forward Exam Testing Schedule

Parent Club Opportunity
The PAD Parent Club has helped out elementary teachers by reimbursing expenses that were spent on items for their classroom.  They would like to spread this assistance to the Middle School teachers as well.  The club will reimburse up to $100, provided the following guidelines are met:
-purchase must be for the classroom
-receipt(s) must be provided by turning in to the PC mailbox with teacher name on it and attn. to Tami
-PC prefers to have all requests submitted by end of school year
-PC will then issue them a $100 check

 Article of the Week
The infusion of more authentic learning and assessment activities is an area of utmost importance for each of our classrooms.  Facilitating these experiences for our students will lead to a deeper sense of engagement, and ultimately an increase in the skills and knowledge of our students.

6 Authentic Assessment Tools

Upcoming Meetings
Literacy Committee Mtg. - Tuesday (2/14) at 2:50 in Mrs. Rogness' Room
PMS Staff Mtg. - Wednesday (2/22) at 2:50 in Mrs. Anderson's Room

Duty Next Week
Morning - Hendrickson, Johnson
Bus - Frehner