Friday, October 25, 2019

Weekly Update #9

Inspirational Quote:

 “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” 
- Carl Jung
                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, October 28, 2019                             First Response Team Meeting
                                                                        CIT Meeting - Keys to Literacy @11:30

Tuesday, October 29, 2019                             Bus Evacuation @10:30
                                                                        IEP (Cook), CIT Meeting
                                                                        IEP (Ferrari), Clinical Meeting
                                                                        ELT @ 2:30-3:30 

Wednesday, October 30, 2019                        Glenda - ATRS PD
                                                                        ELT @ 2:30-3:30

Thursday, October 31, 2019                            Halloween (Harvest Activities - after 1)

Friday, November 1, 2019                              Grade K PLT 
                                                                        Grade 1 PLT
                                                                        Grade 2 PLT
                                                                        (Harvest Activities - after 1)

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                
  • Absences - Please remember to send a text or call your CITs as well as your admin team when you are out.  CITs support and prepare subs at the start of the school day.
  • Sign In Sheet - Please sign in every day.  
  • Harvest Activities - If you plan to participate in Harvest Activities, please let me know here.
  • Office Referrals - Please send GREEN office referrals to the office so that they are easily visible.
    • Additionally, I ask that students not be sent to wait at the bench in front of the office.
      • Students should not be unattended unless they are transitioning to another location.
  • Consequences - It's important to know that despite the fact that we do not have a formal detention program, that does not mean that students should not have consequences for their actions.
    • As I stated in the beginning of the year, if you need to utilize a system like the card system for behavior management, you can use it with clear expectations for each color.
    • If you chose not to have the card system, you should make sure that you and your students create joint classroom rules, protocols, and procedures.
      • If those are not met, you should have logical consequences that are clear for students.
        • For example, if you would like to arrange to keep a student after school and run a reflection meeting, please do so and let Liz and I know.  Here is a resource that can be used to support this time. (Reflection of Action)
        • Remember to use the Behavior Definitions document for behavior management.
          • Tier I interventions and de-escalation should happen before intervention forms are completed.
    • Student Reporting of Behaviors - please do not ignore these.  
  • ACCESS - Please send me your ACCESS certificates upon completion.
  • Observations - Please note that observations posted will always come with feedback and next steps.  Additionally, Liz or I may invite you to come in for an observation followup.
  • Bus Evacuation - rescheduled to next Tuesday.
  • Action Plans - Due November 1st.
  • Conference for Two - The following resource is a tool used for supporting student to student conferences within their classrooms.  This tool can encourage our students to be independent with their social emotional needs. Conference for Two.
    • Holidays - Please share in school activities with the office, Glenda, and Liz.
    • Recess - recess resource
    • Connery School Year Calendar
    • Food Pantry Flyer
    • LPS CORE VALUES - Inclusiveness, Shared Responsibility, High Expectations, and Inspiring Life Long Learning.
                                                            Reminders from the Office                                                           
    • Please do your attendance on time each morning.
      • There are some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
    • Absences - Here is the district's official attendance policy.
    • Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
                                                         Updates from our Nurse                                                                 
    • Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
    • If you are interested in being CPR certified, please let Danielle know!
                                                                    Looking Ahead                                                                     
    November 1 - 1st Grade Breakfast
    November 5 - Full Day Professional Development
    November 6 - ILT Meeting
    November 8 - Veteran's Day Concert (Color Guard and Drill opening ceremony)
    November 14 - CPR Training
    Posted by at

    Saturday, October 19, 2019

    Weekly Update #8

    Inspirational Quote:

    “There's nothing like deep breaths after laughing that hard. Nothing in the world like a sore stomach for the right reasons.” 

    - Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower
                                                                     This Week                                                                           

    Monday, October 21, 2019                             Glenda - Attendance Meetings @8
                                                                            Mentor Meeting @1

    Tuesday, October 22, 2019                             Bus Evacuation @10:30
                                                                            Student Study, Clinic Meeting
                                                                            Data Meeting, CIT Meeting
                                                                            IEP (Buckley), IEP (Higgins), IEP (Greenfield)

    Wednesday, October 23, 2019                        IEP (Bransfield) IEP (McIntyre)
                                                                            Food Pantry

    Thursday, October 24, 2019                         

    Friday, October 25, 2019                                Grade K PLT 
                                                                            Grade 1 PLT
                                                                            Grade 2 PLT

                                           Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                
    • Nurse Out - Danielle will be out on Monday and Tuesday for PD.
    • Science A-Z - We have 28 licenses for our school.  2 are going to go to our CITs and we will split the rest amongst each grade level.
    • K Phonics PD - There is a K Phonics PD on January 14th.  Please sign up on TeachPoint.
    • Ed Plan / Easy IEP  PD - 3pm on Thursday, October 24th (Room 206)
    • Six Traits PD - PD link here.
    • City Wide Arts PD - link found here.  Save the date.
    • Self Assessment / Goals - were due October 15th.  Some people still don't have self-assessments or action plans started.  Please make sure to complete this ASAP.
    • After School Activities - All PTWS were put in.  
      • I have three PTWS that I submitted and would love it if someone was able to take it on.
        • School Newspaper
        • Environmental Club
        • Student Council (Grade 5 - This is a great opportunity to support our students in building leadership skills, and taking ownership of our school community.)
    • Recess - Please refer to this recess resource for additional ideas on organized play and activities.
    • De-escalation - Please use the major and minor behaviors resource.
    • Chorus - In the near future, chorus will be before school from 8:00-8:30.
    • Holidays - Please share in school activities with the office, and Glenda and Liz.
    • Connery School Year Calendar
    • Food Pantry Flyer
    • LPS CORE VALUES - Inclusiveness, Shared Responsibility, High Expectations, and Inspiring Life Long Learning.
                                                            Reminders from the Office                                                           
    • Please do your attendance on time each morning.
      • There are some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
    • Absences - Here is the district's official attendance policy.
    • Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
                                                         Updates from our Nurse                                                                 
    • Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
    • If you are interested in being CPR certified, please let Danielle know!
                                                                    Looking Ahead                                                                     
    October 21 - Cherrydale Fundraising Kickoff @1:30
    October 22 - Student Study Team, Bus Evacuation @10:30
    October 23 - Food Pantry
    November 1 - 1st Grade Breakfast
    November 5 - Full Day Professional Development
    November 6 - ILT Meeting
    November 14 - CPR Training
    Posted by at

    Friday, October 11, 2019

    Weekly Update # 7

    Inspirational Quote:
     "The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
    - Pablo Picasso

                                                                     This Week                                                                           

    Monday, October 14, 2019                             No School - Columbus/Indigenous Day

    Tuesday, October 15, 2019                             Dr. Parker (Grade 3-5)
                                                                                 School Support (Mentor), Clinic Meeting
                                                                                 IEP (Speech), IEP (Higgins)

    Wednesday, October 16, 2019                        Glenda - ATRS RBT Meeting

    Thursday, October 17, 2019                           Cronin - Grade 3 Mapping Meeting
                                                                                  Glenda & Liz - 9:00-10:00

    Friday, October 18, 2019                                Grade 3 PLT 
                                                                                Grade 4 PLT
                                                                                Grade 5 PLT

                                           Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                
    • Self Assessment / Goals - All goals are due on October 15th.  Please submit a first draft by October 15th.
    • After School Activities - We still have additional funds for after school clubs.
      • I would love to have a school garden / school beautification club, environmental club, a spring math games club, and / or a spring book club.
    • Recess - Please support us in keeping our students safe.  Our recess incidents still continue, and tag is one of the biggest reasons.  Please refer to this recess resource for additional ideas on organized play and activities.
    • De-escalation - Please remember to use de-escalation strategies in the classroom prior to connecting with Ms. Manzi, unless there is an immediate safety concern.
    • Chorus - In the near future, chorus will be before school from 8:00-8:30.
      • Mr. Waldron will meet students at 7:45 for breakfast, take attendance, and escort students back to class.
        • More information to come.
    • Holidays - In order to support the cultural differences at our school, we will support activities that are inclusive of all students.
      • During typical Halloween activities, feel free to engage in Harvest activities.  During Christmas, feel free to teach about all religious holidays and participate in winter activities.
        • Activities should occur on the final day before the holiday / school vacation.
          • Please share in school activities with the office, and Glenda and Liz.
    • LPS School Year Calendar
    • Connery School Year Calendar
    • Food Pantry Flyer
    • LPS CORE VALUES - Inclusiveness, Shared Responsibility, High Expectations, and Inspiring Life Long Learning.
                                                            Reminders from the Office                                                           
    • Please do your attendance on time each morning.
    • Absences - Here is the district's official attendance policy.
                                                         Updates from our Nurse                                                                 
    • Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
    • If you are interested in being CPR certified, please let Danielle know!
                                                                    Looking Ahead                                                                     
    October 8 - After School Staff Meeting, Dr. Parker Visits K-2 Benchmark Meeting
    October 14 - No School (Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day)
    October 15 - School Support Team (Mentor)
    October 21 - Cherrydale Fundraising Kickoff @1:30
    October 22 - Student Study Team, Bus Evacuation @10:30
    November 1 - 1st Grade Breakfast
    November 5 - Full Day Professional Development
    November 6 - ILT Meeting
    November 14 - CPR Training
    Posted by at

    Saturday, October 5, 2019

    Weekly Update # 6

    Inspirational Quote:

     "The formula for happiness and success is just being actually yourself, in the most vivid possible way you can." - Meryl Streep

                                                                     This Week                                                                           

    Monday, October 7, 2019                                     Field Trip - Topsfield Fair (3rd + 4th Grade)

    Tuesday, October 8, 2019                                    Dr. Parker Visit (K-2 Meetings)
                                                                                 Staff Meeting
                                                                                 IEP @10:30 (Logue)
                                                                                 IEP @12:30 (Buckley)

    Wednesday, October 9, 2019                              Glenda - ATSR RBT Meeting (Full Day)

    Thursday, October 10, 2019                                Wear your Patriot's Gear (Jimmy Fund Fundraiser)

    Friday, October 11, 2019                                     Grade K PLT
                                                                                Grade 1 PLT
                                                                                Grade 2 PLT

                                           Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

    • EL Coaches - Hannigan / McCarriston will join us October 7-11 and then again January 27-31
    • Salary Increment Application- Due November 29th.
    • Science Smart Notebook Files - For anyone that is struggling to get access to Science Smart Notebook files, here are PDF versions of the files.
    • Assessments - I have been asked about assessments and whether or not they should be sent home.  I think it is best to keep End of Unit assessments in a folder, and track the student data for report card use.  
      • The assessments inform us about student misconceptions, and can guide small group instruction.  
        • At the end of a marking term, the assessments can be sent home or given during parent conferences once the data and misconceptions have been collected.
    • EL Parent Notification Letters - The parent notification letters, and an appropriate translated letter, must be sent home by Oct. 5, 2019. 
      • We will provide an instruction sheet (blue sheet in envelope and attached with this email) with each school’s letters.
      • The English version of each child’s letter will need to be paired with the appropriate translated language
      • Version (with student name already printed), before going home with the student.
    • Science and Social Studies Units - As long as it doesn't interfere with the science assessments, you may teach an entire science and then an entire social studies unit.
      • This was approved by the science department.
    • Student Absences - Ms. Manzi is keeping track of attendance communication, so that we can know how to continue to follow up with students that have a large number of absences.  Please let her know if you communicate with families.
    • Goals - please email goals to our CITs, as well as our admin team.  We will be creating a document of school wide goals, so that it can support the work of our ILT and support staff.
    • Lock Down Follow-Up - The following is what was shared with us at the end of our lock down drill:
      • 4 locations with lights left on
      • 1 room left unlocked
      • 1 room with a teacher visible in the window and sitting at their desk
        • As a follow up, we were asked to ensure that we always turn off the lights and closed doors when we travel with students to recess, lunch, and specials.
    • Sign Out Sheets - 1 for Bathroom, and 1 for Service Providers.
    • Apps - The Remind app was approved by LPS; however, Class Dojo is not approved.
    • LPS School Year Calendar
    • Connery School Year Calendar
    LPS CORE VALUES - Inclusiveness, Shared Responsibility, High Expectations, and Inspiring Life Long Learning.

                                                       Reminders from the Office                                        
    • Please do your attendance on time each morning.
    • Absences - Here is the district's official attendance policy.
                                                         Updates from our Nurse                                                     
    • Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
    • If you are interested in being CPR certified, please let Danielle know!
                                                                    Looking Ahead                                                              
    October 8 - After School Staff Meeting, Dr. Parker Visits K-2 Benchmark Meeting
    October 14 - No School (Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples Day)
    October 15 - School Support Team (Mentor)
    October 22 - Student Study Team
    November 1 - 1st Grade Breakfast
    November 5 - Full Day Professional Development
    November 6 - ILT Meeting
    November 14 - CPR Training
    Posted by at
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)