9/15

Friday is our Fun run for grades K-5 (12:50-1:40) and Color run for 6-8 (2:00-2:40). We want to get the specialists out with their Advisory so some coverage will be necessary. Kinder aides can cover the kindergarteners during their specials but we will have to also cover the end of 1st grade. Arlene can cover PE from 1:55-2:15 and Tara at the same time in the library. These folks will get a reminder email on Friday. 

Before the recent weather, Tracy and I were looking at the early release and delayed opening schedules. I want to start off the year with a plan to follow a typical daily schedule. Delayed openings will just start where students would be at the time the day starts. If kids would normally be in Science at 10:15, that's where they start on a delay. Early dismissals will follow suit and have typical specials with the exception being the grab-and-go lunch. My thinking is that with a few delayed openings and a few half days, things will all work out. Let's try this on and see how it feels. 

At the faculty council this week (notes here), we talked about the curriculum night/open house. We'd like to move elementary towards a more open-house model. Invite students to show their parents their room and their work. Limit presentations but send parents home with links to slideshows or handouts. Possibly have families do scavenger hunts throughout the building to see the space and meet different staff. We'll still follow the general time frames outlined last week. Middle School will follow a little bit more of their traditional format but I'll pop into their common planning time Monday to discuss more. 

From BA:
Buses

Please do not send students to the bus lobby unless their bus has been called. Specifically, please do not send students down unattended for bus 34 until it arrives.

 

PBIS

So far just Cara and I are on the PBIS Committee!  Are any others interested?  Please let me know. 

Modifying Classwork

I had some conversations this week about modifying classwork for our special education students.  I saw this sentence in an article and it really struck me:

"Accommodations and modifications are designed to level the playing field.  Focusing on equity can help give everyone a chance to thrive in the classroom."

I wanted to remind folks that I am fresh out of the classroom as a general educator and have experience modifying my students' work. I am willing to offer advice, suggestions, etc. on how to best adjust our teaching/learning to reach all your students.  We also have a great special education team here at TPS whose expertise astounds me literally everyday. Use them as a resource to help guide you. In the meantime, here are some sites to check out:

https://www.thepathway2success.com/how-to-modify-for-special-education/

https://www.shaker.org/Downloads/Accommodations_and_Modifications_Guide.pdf

Cell #

Here is my cell #: 508-560-4081.  Please feel free to text me photos to put up on the TPS Insta! 

The week ahead: 

• Monday (9/18) 
• Day A
• School Council Meeting
• Tuesday (9/19) 
• Day B
• Wednesday (9/20)
• Day C
• TPS Track Meet
• Thursday (9/21)
• Day D 
• Friday (9/22)
• Day A
• Fun Run and Color Run

And further ahead: 

• Thursday (9/28) 
• Curriculum Night/Open House