April 28, 2017

It's officially SBAC Testing and we are ROCKIN' IT!  Thank you to those that helped us relieve teachers, monitored how their students were doing, and encouraged our kids to do their very best!  One week down, two to go! 

When visiting classrooms recently (and Tweeting!!) I have noticed that we are still needing to address the idea of objective versus activity.  Take a look at this one page handout that lays it out and this:

Goals: The broad statement about what you are covering (standard).  It's long term....

Objective: The expected achievement that is well-defined, specific, measurable, and comes from the goal (standard)

Activity: Efforts or "things" done to achieve the objective (take notes, outline, complete graphic organizer)

Argh matey!  I am happy to share a little bit of what we will focus on during our team building and inspiring hands on retreat!  You all will become teaching pirates and we are SO EXCITED!  

What IS all the hype with Twitter lately and why should I join, you ask? Well, not only does it increase your PLN (Professional Learning Network) you get to learn from educators all over the world, you get to "brag" about the awesome and engaging lessons going on in your classroom, and you get support from other educators who are learning JUST LIKE US!  Check out this SUPER EASY read  "Twitter for Beginners" for a step by step guide on how to set it up and the lingo to learn more, grow more, collaborate more, and DO MORE!  

Shout out to all of our #gvms teachers on Twitter and sharing with each other!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

• SUPER shout out to Olvera and Wheeler for allowing the 4 year plans to happen with your classes!  Thanks!
• SUPER shout out to Rochelle and Elizabeth for completing the 4 year plans!
• SUPER shout out to EVERYONE who has been checking on those that may need a break!  We LOVE to see the care and concern for each other!! 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
• SUPER shout out to all who helped us celebrate Admin Professionals Day on Wednesday to help recognize the efforts of Brenda, Michele, Michele and Susan!
• SUPER shout out to Mimi, Rosa, Aida, and Kristy for helping with the breaks for testing as well!
• SUPER shout out to Dave, Carol, Dustin, Kristy, and Barb for taking a risk and going to watch others in action!  It's so awesome!
• SUPER shout out to Dalal for sharing all of the great testing ideas and encouragement for the English SBAC!  One week down, two to go!
• SUPER shout out to Karen for helping me in the library with testing! 
• SUPER shout out to Mimi, Rosa, Michele S., Karen, Elizabeth, Cherry/Lucero, Mary Jane, Booker, DeVries, Diaz, Farley, Green, Hirsch, Keffer, Kinder, Laffey, Love, McKenna, Montz, Morace, Nitto, Patterson, Pereira, Perriatt, Phillips, Pozzesi, Rice, Russell, Schwarzbach, Toll, Wheeler, and Walton for writing GNRs!
• SUPER shout out to US as we are only 293 Chrome Books shy of being a 1:1 device school!!  Yay!
• We have had 257 Good News Referrals for APRIL!!  We have had 1,920TOTAL FOR THE YEAR!! KEEP THEM COMING!! **We have had 25 referrals so far this month.  Seriously? BOO.  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

*April 24-May 12- Block Schedule for CAASPP test!

*April 29- Spring Fling- Please join us!
*May 8-12 Teacher Appreciation Week!
*May 10- Teacher Appreciation Luncheon

*May 12- GOLD RIBBON CELEBRATION
*May 1-19- SPCA Drive

*May 23- Nightmare on Puberty Street Assembly- Assembly schedule!

April 21, 2017

WHOOO HOOOO!  We are officially a GOLD RIBBON SCHOOL!!!  We could not be more proud to be a part of this great moment with all of you!  May 12 is our celebration day, beginning with a ceremony of sorts to start at 1 PM and then a party for all, so keep that date in your mind as the schedule IS COMING SOON (it's also the last day of testing AND Teacher Appreciation Week!) and we are going to have fun!!

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The Energy Bus Sums It All Up...

Rule 8: Love Your Passengers

All any of us really wants is to be loved, mostly our students.  Did you know that human beings are STRONGER when they are thinking positive?  Hmmmm...wonder if this means I still need to go to the gym every morning =)

Rule 9, 10: Drive Your Bus with a Purpose and Have Fun and Enjoy The Ride

While we all focus on what stresses us out, we forget to focus on what we have to be thankful for.  I am thankful for all of you, even when we don't see eye to eye or struggle to come together.  We are STILL A TEAM!

We are already team planning for next year's engaging and hands on retreat for August 10 and I have not been more excited so see our TEAM come together!!

What IS all the hype with Twitter lately and why should I join, you ask? Well, not only does it increase your PLN (Professional Learning Network) you get to learn from educators all over the world, you get to "brag" about the awesome and engaging lessons going on in your classroom, and you get support from other educators who are learning JUST LIKE US!  Check out this SUPER EASY read  "Twitter for Beginners" for a step by step guide on how to set it up and the lingo to learn more, grow more, collaborate more, and DO MORE!  

Shout out to all of our #gvms teachers on Twitter and sharing with each other!

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

• SUPER shout out to Katherine, Kristy, Alex, Dalal, and Heather T. for working on the AWESOME AND ENGAGING staff retreat!  HINT- it DOES involved a pirate ship =)  I AM SO EXCITED!!!😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
• SUPER shout out to Mimi, Rosa, Michele S., Karen, Elizabeth, Cherry/Lucero, Mary Jane, Booker, DeVries, Diaz, Hirsch, Keffer, Kinder, Laffey, Love, McKenna, Morace, Nitto, Patterson, Pereira, Perriatt, Phillips, Pozzesi, Rice, Schwarzbach, Toll, Wheeler, and Walton for writing GNRs!
• SUPER shout out to who can come and claim a missing chrome book =)  It's been in my office for three weeks!
• SUPER shout out to Sandy, Cristina, Jamie, Lorraine, Alisa, Kimberly and Kristy for adding themselves to Twitter recently!  Good for you and we can't wait to see all that you post and share!!  JOIN US AND TAG @GVMSvikings 
• SUPER shout out to our English, History, Science, Math and 6th grade teams for ALL participating in PODs this year!  It came to my attention that this sin't always happening at every school site so -YOU ROCK!!! 💗💗💗
• SUPER shout out to Dave F., Sandy, Julie, Lynn, Sue, Dalal, and Kristy for being part of the POD and working to support each other and department!
• SUPER shout out to US as we are only 309 Chrome Books shy of being a 1:1 device school!!  Yay!
• We have had 212 Good News Referrals for APRIL and it's only been 4 days (I didn't count any for 4/7 since I am sending this early)!!  We have had 18,875 TOTAL FOR THE YEAR!! KEEP THEM COMING!! **We have had 23 referrals so far this month.  Seriously? BOO.  It's been weird...
• What to nominate a fellow SUPER HERO to be recognized at our next faculty meeting?  Click HERE!!  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

*April 24-May 12- Block Schedule for CAASPP test!

*April 25- Collab meetings!

*April 29- Spring Fling- Please join us!
*May 8-12 Teacher Appreciation Week!

*May 12- GOLD RIBBON CELEBRATION
*May 1-19- SPCA Drive

*May 23- Nightmare on Puberty Street Assembly- Assembly schedule!

April 13, 2017

WHOOO HOOOO!  Congrats to ALL of YOU!  You truly have taken such great leaps in striving to reach ALL of our students!  YOU have embraced taking risks, supporting students, sharing with your colleagues, trying our crazy ideas, thinking outside the box, going above and beyond to support our students and more!  We are SO proud to be a part of a team where people who come onto our campus say that they feel like we are a family.  How awesome is that?!?  May 12 is our celebration so keep that date in your mind (it's also the last day of testing AND Teacher Appreciation Week!) as we are going to have fun!!

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The Energy Bus Continues...

Rule 6: Post a Sign That Says NO ENERGY VAMPIRES ALLOWED on Your Bus!  

"Your positive energy and vision must be greater than anyone's and everyone's negativity.  Your certainty must be greater than everyone's doubt".  The more powerful, open and positive we are, the more powerful, open and positive our students are!  If you come to school with the positive vision and attitude as you walk in the door each day, our students will want that energy too!  

Rule 7: Enthusiasm Attracts More Passengers and Energizes Them During the Ride.

Gee.  Wonder why I get on the loud speaker? =)  We need to remember that how we feel (positive or negative) affects everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, on campus!  Everyone "tunes" into the broadcast system and wants the energy!  I think this rule speaks for itself =)

No Excuses is COMING to Fairfield-Suisun and we have a HUGE TEAM there!  Want to come with us?  Let us know ASAP!! 

This two day event will focus, reiterate, and reinforce what we, at SV, already believe: All students can succeed!  Let me know ASAP if you want to attend July 31 and August 1 at RHS (local!) with a social the afternoon of July 31 (yes, I am helping with that!) and counts for Buy Back for next year!!  

All our newer teachers:  This is an AWESOME opportunity!!  All not so newer teachers: This is an AWESOME opportunity!

NOW is a GREAT time to start having students explore the CAASPP Practice & Training Tests. This will help prepare them for the CAASPP summative that they will be taking in just over 8 weeks. CDE has just released the California Science Test (CAST) Training Test as well. Please go to www.fsusd.org/assessment and click on the green button "SBAC Practice & Training Tests" to access the site. Students and teachers can access as a Guest at school or home. Practice makes AMAZING!! =)

All students in 8th grade will take the California Science Test (CAST) April 18-April 20 in their science classes.  Please make sure that you have this date marked!

Okay okay.  I couldn't help it.  Check this out for a laugh!!  YES.  I MAY create one myself =)

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

• SUPER shout out to Mimi, Rosa, Michele S., Karen, Elizabeth, Cherry/Lucero, Booker, DeVries, Diaz, Hirsch, Keffer, Kinder, Laffey, Love, McKenna, Morace, Nitto, Patterson, Pereira, Perriatt, Phillips, Pozzesi, Rice, Schwarzbach, Toll, and Walton for already writing GNRs!
• SUPER shout out to who can come and claim a missing chrome book =)  It's been in my office for three weeks!
• SUPER shout out to Dalal for sharing awesome SBAC prep with all ELA teachers on staff!  YAY!
• SUPER shout out to our English, History, Science, Math and 6th grade teams for ALL participating in PODs this year!  It came to my attention that this sin't always happening at every school site so -YOU ROCK!!! 💗💗💗
• SUPER shout out to David O. for bringing the hands on learning to our kids on Tuesday!
• SUPER shout out to Dalal and Heather for the awesome retreat ideas and being willing to do it all again!!!
• SUPER shout out to PE Department for being flexible about Science taking over the gym!
• SUPER shout out to Sarj and Allison for taking a higher road!
• SUPER shout out to Dalal for working out the Chrome sharing for the weeks of testing!
• SUPER shout out to US as we are only 309 Chrome Books shy of being a 1:1 device school!!  Yay!
• We have had 141 Good News Referrals for APRIL and it's only been 4 days (I didn't count any for 4/7 since I am sending this early)!!  We have had 1,663 TOTAL FOR THE YEAR!! KEEP THEM COMING!! **We have had 14 referrals so far this month.  Seriously? BOO.  It's been weird...
• What to nominate a fellow SUPER HERO to be recognized at our next faculty meeting?  Click HERE!!  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

*April 18- Department Meetings

*April 18, 19, 20- PODs for Coaches

*April 19- SeeSaw Training with Katherine!

*April 18-21- Science Test!

*April 21- Staff Social at Slanted Tree- CHANGE IN DATE AND LOCATION
*April 24-May 12- Block Schedule for CAASPP test!

*April 25- Collab meetings!

*April 29- Spring Fling- Please join us!
*May 8-12 Teacher Appreciation Week!

*May 12- GOLD RIBBON CELEBRATION
*May 1-19- SPCA Drive

*May 23- Nightmare on Puberty Street Assembly- Assembly schedule!

April 7, 2017

WHOOO HOOOO!  Congrats to ALL of YOU!  You truly have taken such great leaps in striving to reach ALL of our students!  YOU have embraced taking risks, supporting students, sharing with your colleagues, trying our crazy ideas, thinking outside the box, going above and beyond to support our students and more!  We are SO proud to be a part of a team where people who come onto our campus say that they feel like we are a family.  How awesome is that?!?

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The Energy Bus Continues...

Rule 5: Don't Waste Your Energy on Those Who Don't Get on Your Bus!

For people who don't/can't/won't get on our positive energy bus, we just have to let them sit at the "station" as we drive by...All of us have to make our own choices and the energy we use worrying about the people NOT on our bus will make it so that we have less energy for those that are on our bus, focused on our students, our culture, our progress and our vision.  Don't let anyone drag you down!

No Excuses is COMING to Fairfield-Suisun and we have a HUGE TEAM there!  Want to come with us?  Let us know ASAP!! 

This two day event will focus, reiterate, and reinforce what we, at SV, already believe: All students can succeed!  Let me know ASAP if you want to attend July 31 and August 1 at RHS (local!) with a social the afternoon of July 31 (yes, I am helping with that!) and counts for Buy Back for next year!!  

All our newer teachers:  This is an AWESOME opportunity!!  All not so newer teachers: This is an AWESOME opportunity!

Just how student centered is your classroom?  In what ways do students have ownership in the classrooms?  Do they have ownership in their learning? Are they comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions?  Take a look at THIS ARTICLE for easy questions, ideas, and ways to evaluate whether or not your classroom is truly student centered!

NOW is a GREAT time to start having students explore the CAASPP Practice & Training Tests. This will help prepare them for the CAASPP summative that they will be taking in just over 8 weeks. CDE has just released the California Science Test (CAST) Training Test as well. Please go to www.fsusd.org/assessment and click on the green button "SBAC Practice & Training Tests" to access the site. Students and teachers can access as a Guest at school or home. Practice makes AMAZING!! =)

All students in 8th grade will take the California Science Test (CAST) April 18-April 20 in their science classes.  Please make sure that you have this date marked!

Okay okay.  I couldn't help it.  Check this out for a laugh!!  YES.  I MAY create one myself =)

SUPER HERO SHOUT OUTS!

• SUPER shout out to our History Gurus: Dave F., Dave M., Sandy, Carol and Dustin, for sharing the PBIS rules and expectations with all of our students this week AND the high school A-G Requirements for all of our students!  SO AWESOME!!
• SUPER shout out Karen for being okay with taking over the library and for helping!
• SUPER shout out to Carol, Anita and Rochelle for taking kids to Cal Maritime Academy this week!
• SUPER shout out to Christen and Josiah for taking kids to Jelly Belly this week and Jacob and Tamia covering!
• SUPER shout out to Heather T. Dalal, Alex, Kristy, Heather P., Lynn, Ken and Tom for our ENGAGING HANDS ON FUN at our faculty meeting on Tuesday!
• SUPER shout out to Mimi, Rosa, Michele S., Karen, Elizabeth, Cherry/Lucero, Booker, DeVries, Diaz, Hirsch, Keffer, Kinder, Love, McKenna, Morace, Nitto, Pereira, Pozzesi, Rice, Schwarzbach, Toll, and Walton for already writing GNRs!
• SUPER shout out to who can come and claim a missing chrome book =)
• SUPER shout out to US as we are only 309 Chrome Books shy of being a 1:1 device school!!  Yay!
• We have had 84 Good News Referrals for APRIlL and it's only been 4 days (I didn't count any for 4/7 since I am sending this early)!!  We have had 1,663 TOTAL FOR THE YEAR!! KEEP THEM COMING!! **We had three altercations this week.  Seriously? BOO.
• What to nominate a fellow SUPER HERO to be recognized at our next faculty meeting?  Click HERE!!  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

*April 11- #lovemyschool day!
*April 11- Leadership Meeting in D102
*April 13- Progress Reports due
*April 14/17- No School
*April 18- Department Meetings
*April 18, 19, 20- PODs for Coaches
*April 19- SeeSaw Training with Katherine!
*April 18-21- Science Test!

*April 24-May 12- Block Schedule for CAASPP test!

*April 25- Collab meetings!

*April 29- Spring Fling- Please join us!

*May 1-19- SPCA Drive

*May 23- Nightmare on Puberty Street Assembly- Assembly schedule!