September 8, 2017

We continue our mission to Teach LIKE A PIRATE!  The next key component is ASK AND ANALYZE!    Ask yourself, is there another way/place/method for delivering this lesson?  Would I want to sit here and listen to this?  Yes, being creative can be a challenge for some, AND, give yourself a little credit.  Even if it's a minor change in your delivery, this alone can increase engagement!  Have an open min and the willingness to suspend disbelief in your creative ability!  TAKE A RISK!  Do YOU want to sit in a room and ?  Does that help YOU learn?  Didn't think so!  (pages 33-43)

We have gone over student engagement multiple times and it's a topic we will visit A LOT!  Student performance and student behavior is SO MUCH more positive when you foster these with high levels of student engagement.  It creates an emotionally and intellectually safe classroom, decreases behavior and boredom concerns, and increases academic performance.  Check out THIS ARTICLE for easy peasy ways to increase student engagement!   We CANNOT stress how important student engagement is. We have asked these questions over and over AND they're worth asking again:

WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A STUDENT IN YOUR CLASS???

IF YOUR STUDENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE IN YOUR CLASS, WOULD THEY SHOW UP ANYWAY??

MAP Testing window opens September 18 and thank you to the teachers who have put their testing dates into THIS SHEET.  If you have not done so, please do so immediately so that we can ensure you have enough devices!

*PLEASE PLEASE be sure that you select the CORRECT name test for your grade level when you set up your testing sessions:

Grades 6, 7, 8:

Growth: Reading 6+ CA 2010 V2

Growth: Math 6+ CA 2010

CLICK HERE for resources and step by step instructions (with screen shots) as to how to administer if you need them!

We have been sending hundreds of letters to colleges to get gear from the student store and classrooms!  When gear from an adopted college comes it, we will send it your way!  Please remember to wear and promote college awareness every Wednesday, if not every day!  Once the application and documentation are prepared, we will send this out to all!  The blank templates for staff code of conduct and 

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!  KEEP THEM COMING!  We love the "I Noticed..." and will add as many as we can!
Click HERE to add too! 

• SUPER awesome shout out to Jason for always helping with tech problems that I may have and being willing to help any staff and students! ~Paula
• SUPER awesome shout out to Sue for so kind and helping math and ALL teachers at ALL times!  She comes into classes to support and model and rocks! ~Paula
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave O. and KC for delivering display boards almost immediately! ~
• SUPER awesome shout out to Lacey for the work with Digital Citizenship in the library and how well her students worked! ~Annette
• SUPER awesome shout out to OUR KIDS for proudly showing off their work and their school that they love coming to! ~Cristina
• SUPER awesome shout out to Kristy for taking time out of her day to help me become more computer literate! ~Kimberly
• SUPER awesome shout out to Dave Montz for promoting the trend of male teachers wearing shorts =)! ~Dave M.
• SUPER awesome shout out to Susan, Rosa, Elizabeth, Ken, Alex, Tamia, Don, Sue, Lynn, Ryan, Kristy, Jamie, Kimberly, Katherine M., Dave M., Josiah, Peckham, Lacey, Julie, Amy, Aubrey, and KC for writing 124 GOOD NEWS REFERRALS for SEPTEMBER ALREADY!!  Let's keep this party GOING!!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

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

*September 12- September Faculty Meeting in library

*September 12-14- English PODs

*September 13- Dine and Donate at Mary's
*September 15- First staff social after school at Sticky Rice!

*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 at night

*September 27- All Things Tech Night at GVMS

*September 29- Superintendent Visit/PTC Meeting