October 9, 2015

October is in Full Swing and we are BUSY!

Benchmarks are to be given October 19-30 so that all data will be available by November 1st to help guide our instruction.

WestEd data shows that we have some great areas of strength and some areas that we need to focus on.  Having the objective, standard, goal or big idea posted seems like such as easy thing and yet, we still have a few that do not do this.  Need ideas or models on writing GREAT objectives with observable verbs? Check this out!

Remembered that “Facilitating Student Interactions” means that the students discuss their learning with others?  It doesn’t mean the student just turns to someone else and answers a question.  The students need to discuss. “The answer is five, and I figured that out by adding three and one and one together.” Make sure sentence frames are provided using academic vocab for initial sentence and one for the student who will be providing feedback.

What is PBIS? PBIS is Positive Behavior Intervention Support and we are working very hard to encourage all of our students! To date (as of 10/7 in the morning) we have written 66 Good News Referral for October! We know that students can be defiant with us and it can certainly be frustration. We want to support all student and here are a few ideas to avoid power struggles. Check out this link!

We have already discussed Digital Citizenship and we are always working to help our students be responsible, safe, and respectful when using Social Media. Check out this FANTASTIC interview and study by Anderson Cooper on CNN regarding Social Media and teenagers. We will be sharing with families as well. Check it out #Being13!

Have you checked out our Fish Moments?

BE THERE: Thanks our English Department for ROCKIN' the very useful presentation on Tuesday morning!  Can’t wait to see what department presents next!  Thanks to Don for sitting in on interviews!  Thank you for being posted outside your doors during passing period.  It TRULY makes a huge difference! Thanks, Sue, for taking notes at our faculty meeting. Here they are! Thank you to the PTC Board for being there for Walk to School Day and for Prize Day!

PLAY: Thanks to Dustin, again, for taking black socks to a WHOLE new level! Dave Fulton you rocked that rally and showed us what school spirit is going to be! Way to get the Viking back and make William in charge! Loved that!

MAKE THEIR DAY: Thanks to Kevin for taking on Walk to School Day! Thanks to Ric for removing the visitors from D104! Thank you to Dave M. for MAKING MY DAY!

CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE: Thanks to Tamia for keeping the smile on her face while wearing two jobs hats! Thank you to Shawna, Liz, Sarj, Kevin, noon duty, Mimi, and Rosa for handling the Prize Day with grace and a smile!

Did you?

• Let us know if you are interested in after school intervention yet? Email me!
• Remember what is on the District Assessment Calendar so that you can plan accordingly, especially in English and Math? Here is the FSUSD Assessment Calendar!
• Make some time to check out a colleague's classroom?  We want to encourage and encourage this over and over and over!  7th and 8th- come hang out in 6th grade too!!
• Reach out to a parent regarding a student that is struggling or you just want to connect with families? Check out this short article to see how!
• Remember that we have Next Lesson Training next Wednesday 10/14 after school in our library?
• Remember that we have Tech training on Wednesday 10/21 at 7:20 in our library with Nelda Taylor?