August 25, 2017

We continue our mission to Teach LIKE A PIRATE!  What's the secret to becoming an even better teacher?  IMMERSION.  It's felt by students and those around us without even knowing it!  Be ALL THERE!  Are you the life guard or the swimmer?  The life guard sits above the pool and supervises whereas, the swimmer joins in and takes part of the action (Page 13-16).  So...WHICH ONE ARE YOU??

Check out our goals for the first 6 weeks....(stolen from Jas!)

Teachers are experts on curriculum and pedagogy, but parents are the experts on their own children- how they absorb information, what makes them happy, how they show when they are upset, and what comforts them.  During the first 6 weeks, we can create a climate of respect, trust, and collaboration with these valuable education partners.  Here are three main goals to focus on:
Help parents feel welcomed and valued:  show that you're excited to work with their child!  Reassure them that their opinions, interests, and family culture matter to you! As a parent yourself (as most of you are!!), you know that it's SUPER important when a teacher has a welcoming demeanor and shows that she/he wants to be a part of your student's education! 
Welcome parents to play an active role: Begin sending the message that you want parents to visit the classroom, send notes (including electronic ones!!), reach out to you, etc to let them know what is going on with their student!
Build community among families:  You can help parents get to know each other!  When parents share positive relationships, they're more likely to get their children together outside of school, take part in school life, and seek help if their student needs it!

We are starting to work on our application to become an official No Excuses University (NEU) school at GVMS!  SUPER EXCITING!  Remember, this is the belief and philosophy that every student has the right to be educated in a way that prepares them for college and that it's OUR responsibility to create six systems that make college a reality (http://noexcusesu.com/about/).  Sure, not every student will want to go to college, and it's our job to just prepare them for that option should they so choose!  We have such a POSITIVE critical mass that we are excited to do this!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue and Kristy for working so hard to ensure that our students were able to participate in the eclipse on Monday!  
• SUPER shout out to all who support it and took our students to see it, in spite of the clouds =)
• SUPER awesome shout out to all who have made the first full week AWESOME!  We love seeing you all take risks, try new engaging techniques, building relationships and more!  We have heard so many positive comments!
• SUPER awesome shout out to History for reviewing the agenda for the last week with our students so that they know what's up!
• SUPER awesome shout out to English for having students become digital citizens!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Ryan's class for making the entrance to the class always awesome!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Amy and Elizabeth for making the Student Store a success!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Math Department/Sue for putting the after school Math Boot Camp together! AND with a FLYER!!!
• SUPER awesome shout out to Kristy and Josiah for after school 
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue, Elizabeth, Dalal, Dustin, Lacey, Katherine, Amy (subbing for Sandy!), Lynn, Ken, Don and Margret for writing our very first GOOD NEWS REFERRALS!  Let's get this party started!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

*Wednesdays are College Days
*Mondays/Fridays are GVMS Spirit Days!
Spirit Wear Order forms are in your mailbox! Due Sept 29!

*August 30- Back to School Night
*August 31- MS Principals visit @GVMS

*September 1- Site Council nominations due

*September 4- No School/Labor Day
*September 8- Spring Perfect Attendance/Honor Roll Awards during lunch!
*September 12- September Faculty Meeting
*September 12-14- English PODs
*September 13- Dine and Donate at Mary's
*September 18- First MAP Test Administered
*September 19- Leadership Meeting
*September 22- Progress Reports Due/Student of Month Names due!
*September 26- Department Meetings
*September 26- District College Fair at FHS
*September 27- All Things Tech Night at GVMS
*September 29- Superintendent Visit/PTC Meeting