10/21

I talked with a lot of you over the summer about field trips because it was a topic that kept coming up as I transitioned to TPS. It felt like everyone is in favor of them and the research is in support of them. I was thinking it would be great to get every grade level out at least one time this year. If you have an idea of where you'd like to go can you plug it in here so we can make sure we are setting grade levels up for overlap in the coming years? If you need support organizing a trip of filling out the paperwork let me know, I am happy to help. All those forms can be found on Tracy's page of the bitmoji school. 

We had our Faculty Council meeting this week and I've included the notes here (Thanks again Emily). A few key items are below: 

• Please remember that we cannot use food in class. We can't waste it (use it as manipulatives etc.) due to food insecurities we may not be aware of. We can't use it as a reward as we don't want to create inappropriate correlations between food and celebrations. 
• Costume parade logistics: Kindergarteners through 3rd graders will participate in the parade. We have scheduled our annual Fall costume parade for October 31st to begin around 9:00. Students in grades K-3 can wear their costumes to school that day but should bring a container to place their materials in after the parade to make sure nothing is lost.  If a student in your class has beliefs that inhibit participation in this event, please let me know. We will leave the parking lot for parents to park and watch the parade. Everyone else is free to pick the closest exit around the back of the building to bring their classes to watch. K through 3 will follow each other out the bus lobby doors, take a right and walk clockwise around the building before returning through the bus lobby doors. 
• We are looking for volunteers for next year's Open House committee - would love to have both elementary and MS voices here. 
• We are also looking for volunteers for a STEAM night committee. I'm excited to bring this back! 

Thank you for everyone's diligence in reporting their attendance since last week. We are seeing an improvement but every day Tracy is still calling families and scaring them necessarily. Families don't respond well when they saw their middle schooler get on the bus and then are reportedly not at school. Kindergarteners parents have a similar level of concern for different reasons. If you've completed attendance and then they walk in please have them come to the office for a tardy pass. 

Looking ahead a bit, the PTA is in the process of scheduling enrichment assemblies for the afternoon of 11/18. The Wingmaster will most likely present to K-2 from 12:30-1:00, 3-5 from 1:10-1:55, and 6-8 from 2:00-2:45. There is no perfect time but this is the only way to have a shared experience for K-8 without impacting lunches/recesses. Please plan not to have any assessments during the time your grade level would be there.  

FROM BETHANNE

Literacy Resource Page

Over the course of the last few weeks, I have been a part of numerous meetings and conversations about literacy, BAS and RTI concerns.  In a few of those meetings, Amy Norton was present and had a wealth of resources to share.  I took the time to organize some of these resources and put them all into one place where you could find them.  I went as far as to share the WRSD Instructional Resources and even some awesome Read Aloud videos for bus dismissal time, snack time or really any time! Also included on this page are some valuable resources (with lessons and materials) for RTI or small group instruction.  This will make your planning much easier!  Also, you find more info on the STAR and CBM grade level equivalents (thanks Meg)! Please check out the Literacy Page on the Staff Bitmoji Page for all of this useful "stuff"!

BAS

Once again, as a result of sitting through many literacy meetings, I felt it was best to reorganize our BAS data collection.  This afternoon teachers in grades K-5 and special educators were invited to a BAS folder and document.  It is here where we would like you to record your BAS data for your students throughout the year, in addition to on their individual BAS folders.  This will be a handy tool for all of us when it comes to writing IEPs, attending SET meetings, forming RTI groups, fielding student concerns and tracking growth and progress.  Plus, it will be in a central place where we can all find this information easily! You will only have access to your grade level documents.  I have included the link for the BAS folder on the Staff Bitmoji Page. Please forgive me if I spelled any students' names wrong or forgot somebody!  I will also remind you that it is imperative to be tracking the student's independent reading level. I realize some of you have already started a digital tracking system. I don't want to make more work for you.  I have also shared the grade level folder with you, so you can put a copy of your system into your assigned BAS folder!  Whatever is easiest for now. 

PRINTING

Lastly, I am going to ask that nobody prints to the printer in my office "vestibule" anymore.  I realize this is an inconvenience, but I am still dealing with a jammed printer quite frequently especially when class sets of worksheets are being printed.  I need this printer to survive for all of that fun special ed paperwork that I have to scan, print and file! My apologies. 

The Week Ahead:

• Monday (10/24) 
• Monty Tech tour for 8th graders
• Tuesday (10/25) Cross Country District Championship
• Friday (10/28) 
• Friday before Halloween - Wear orange and black