Weekly Update #20

Inspirational Quote:
“Every child deserves a champion: an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.”
- Rita Pierson, Educator & Antipoverty advocate.

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, January 27, 2020                                             Jen Crowley - Absent
                                                                                        Liz Palange - Absent
                                                                                        First Response Team @9
                                                                                        Attendance Meeting @9:45

Tuesday, January 28, 2020                                              Dr. Parker (3-5) Data Meetings
                                                                                         IEP (Ferrari) @8:30
                                                                                         Speech (Eager) @10:30
                                                                                         Data Meeting @10:30
                                                                                         IEP (Higgins) @11:00
                                                                                         CIT Meeting @11:30
                                                                                         Student Study
                                                                      

Wednesday, January 29, 2020                                          Glenda - Superintendent Session

Thursday, January 30, 2020                                           

Friday, January 31, 2020                                                  Katina Fatoplous - Absent
                                                                                          Stephanie Miller - Absent
                                                                                                    No PLTs 

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Shout Out -Thank you Rick!  We know that you go above and beyond the call of duty.  We appreciate all that you do!
• Also, we would like to give a shout out to LeeAnne who has been holding down the fort in the office, and brought in pies on Pie Day.  Thank you!
• Friday Morning Chorus - will now be in the library from 8:00-8:30
• MCAS Prep - funds have been allocated for MCAS Prep.  We are looking for:
• 
  

  ELA - 4 teachers Grades 3-5 for  5 weeks for 5 hrs. per week  2-hour sessions – 2 times per week w/ 1-hour prep 

  • Extra 5 hours for anyone interested in prepping the MCAS materials. 
• Science - 4 teachers Grades 5 – 2 sessions for 2 weeks - 2 hours per week w/ 1 hour prep 
• Please keep a look out for more information on dates. (ELT will pause for upper grades while MCAS Prep is running, Grades 1 and 2 will continue with regular scheduled ELT sessions.)

Science - Lia will be on leave soon, but the MCAS Science Study Review Guides will be available the first week in February.

ACCESS Update - Writing is wrapping up, and Speaking will begin on Monday.  All K is complete.

Morning Arrival - Please make sure that you are outside to pick up your class by 8:15.

MCAS Approved Graphic Organizers:   http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/accessibility/organizers/.  

Spelling Bee - School-Wide Spelling Bee on February 5.

Dance for MCAS - We have chosen 3/26 as the date of the dance for 3,4, and 5th grade teachers.  If anyone would like to volunteer for decorations, dj, and/or food please let Liz and Glenda know.

Calling out Sick - Call Glenda (781-686-6354) or Liz directly , leave a message if we do not answer.

Next Round - For observations, we are doing rounds on Criteria for Success of a task, and giving feedback on Lesson Plans.

Recess - recess resource (Please use this resource, so that your students can have a successful and fun time at recess!)

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 still some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
• Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
• All notices (including parent's notes) need to be sent to the office.

                                                     Updates from our Nurse                                                                 

• Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
• Feb 4,5 and 6 - Nursing staff will be at Connery to conduct the vision/hearing screening tests for the school 
• Feb 12th - Winter fluoride treatments (Forsythe)

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

February 5 - School-Wide Spelling Bee

February 4, 5, and 6 - Vision / Hearing Screening tests

February 12 - Forsyth will return for winter fluoride treatments
February Vacation - 17-21
March 26 - Dance for MCAS (Grades 3, 4, and 5 - 5:00-7:00)

Weekly Update #19

Inspirational Quote:

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." --Henry Ford

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, January 20, 2020                             MLK - No School

Tuesday, January 21, 2020                             IEP @11:00 (McIntyre)
                                                                        School Support Team - Mentor Meeting
                                                                      

Wednesday, January 22, 2019                       

Thursday, January 23, 2019                           Glenda - Admin Meeting
                                                                       504 @8:30 (Robichaud)                                                                                                                             Half-Day

Friday, January 24, 2019                               No PLT
                                                                      Personal Day - Jen Crowley
                                                                      Personal Day - Eileen Fitzgerald

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Incident Reports - If a student hits another students, regardless of it being resolved in the classroom, it needs to be documented. Please fill out a green slip and mark resolved.
• Parents are contacting the office about incidents that we are not aware of.
• SEL - We will be sending out a survey to see where everyone is in their SEL units and to gather feedback on the program.
• Please let Liz and Glenda know if you are not completing these lessons in the morning, so that we can support in making this happen. The routines in the lessons are helpful to establishing a strong classroom culture.
• Half Day Preparation - Reach materials needed for PD - more information to come from Rita and Nicole.
• Paras have the option of attending the PD, or the option of completing work in classrooms until 2:30.
• Accommodations - I'd like to remind everyone to incorporate the MCAS pre-approved graphic organizers and reference sheets for Special Ed students.  Please find them here:  http://www.doe.mass.edu/mcas/accessibility/organizers/.  
• These should be used in all writing assignments, math task, and/or science tasks.
• Please make sure that students are familiarizing themselves with these so that they know how to use them appropriately.
• Spelling Bee - Classroom Spelling Bee's (Grade 4 & 5) due on 1/24
• Calling out Sick - Call Glenda (781-686-6354) or Liz directly , leave a message if we do not answer.
• Next Round - For observations, we are doing rounds on Criteria for Success of a task, and giving feedback on Lesson Plans.
• Recess - recess resource (Please use this resource, so that your students can have a successful and fun time at recess!)
• 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 still some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
• Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
• All notices (including parent's notes) need to be sent to the office.

                                                     Updates from our Nurse                                                                 

• Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.
• Height and weight checks will begin for Grades 1 and 4 on Tuesday, January 21
• Postural Screening will begin for Grade 5 on Tuesday, January 21
• Feb 4,5 and 6 - Nursing staff will be at Connery to conduct the vision/hearing screening tests for the school 
• Feb 12th - Winter fluoride treatments (Forsythe)

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

January 20 - MLK - No School

January 21 - School Support Team Meeting (Mentor)

January 22 - Spelling Inventory Assessments due to Reading teachers

January 24 - 2nd Progress Report Due and Classroom Spelling Bee must be complete (Grade 4 + 5)

February 4, 5, and 6 - Vision / Hearing Screening tests

February 12 - Forsyth will return for winter fluoride treatments

Weekly Update #18

Inspirational Quote:

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”  -Nelson Mandela

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, January 13, 2020                             NoraAnne Papageorgiou - Professional Day
                                                                        Field Trip - 3rd Grade

Tuesday, January 14, 2020                             IEP @9:30 (Beddia)
                                                                        IEP @11:30 (Greenfield)
                                                                        IEP @12:00 (Billias)
                                                                        Staff Meeting @2:30
                                                                      

Wednesday, January 15, 2019                        Connery Budget Meeting
                                                                        Grade 3 - Unit Math Test
                                                                        IEP @10:00 (Miller)
                                                                        Parent Meeting (Cook) @2:30
                                                                        SEL Meeting @11:30 (205)

Thursday, January 16, 2019                           Glenda - Admin Meeting
                                                                        IEP @8:30 (Robichaud)
                                                                        IEP @8:30 (Robichaud)                                                                        Do The Math Visit (same schedule)

Friday, January 17, 2019                                IEP @8:30
                                                                       Tracy Nesbit - Personal Day

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Office Referrals - Please do not send students to the office without a green slip.
• Criteria for Success - This will be observed all month.  
• A criteria for success is what it will look like for students if they're successful in meeting the objectives. 
• Observations - Yelling is something that is continued to be heard in our school.  I want us to be aware that children model our behavior.  If your voice is loud, and you decide to raise it, you should be aware that that behavior will be learned.  Yelling is a short-term fix that creates long-term impacts on our children.  Yelling is not condoned in our school, and if this is something that you struggle with, I am willing to support to help you with de-escalation strategies. 
• Staff Meeting Preparation - Please bring your next / current math unit.  We will unpack standards, review unit tasks, and products.
• Field Trips - I want to clarify that field trips are still not permitted due to lack of nurses.  Grade 3 were awarded a grant from a previous application, and are attending as a result of this news.  I apologize for the continued inconvenience.
• Spelling Bee - Classroom Spelling Bee's (Grade 4 & 5) due on 1/24
• Letter from Ms. Stelljes - (about maternity leave)
• I am working on some elementary specifics tasks before my leave...
  • I am in the process of placing orders for science refill kits for your classrooms for SY 2020-21, and I am requesting that they be delivered to your schools in early July.
  • I am also in the process of ordering Grade 5 STE MCAS Review Study Guides for each Grade 5 student and finalizing Gr 5 STE MCAS Review Unit Resources for this spring. I will email Grade 5 teachers directly with the specifics on this.
  • I will also be reaching out to LEGO Robotics & Engineering Program teachers directly to let them know how to submit their program attendance and PTWS in my absence.
  If anything comes up while I am out on leave, please do not hesitate to contact Eva O’Malley.
• Fundraiser for National High School Drill Championship - If anyone is interested PLEASE have them call 339-883-1148 and we will arrange to get them a 2020 March Madness Calendar.
• Guided Reading - Continue to email about observations and coaching feedback.
• Calling out Sick - Call Glenda directly (781-686-6354). 
• Laptops - Please sign these in and out daily.
• All grade levels will have 1 laptop during the ACCESS testing.  The white laptop cart will be used for testing.  Please work together as a team to coordinate grade level testing, and let administration know when that grade level testing will occur.
• Coaching - January will be the goal for starting 1 to 1 coaching.  
• School Improvement Plan Dates
• 1/3 - 7:30-8:00
• 1/6 -2:30-3:30
• Next Round - For observations, we are doing rounds on Criteria for Success of a task, and giving feedback on Lesson Plans.
• 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 still some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
• Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
• All notices (including parent's notes) need to be sent to the office.

                                                     Updates from our Nurse                                                                 

• Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

January 5 - Artifacts Due for 1 Year Plans

January 9 - Do The Math

January 14 - Staff Meeting

January 20 - MLK - No School

January 21 - School Support Team Meeting (Mentor)

January 22 - Spelling Inventory Assessments due to Reading teachers

January 24 - 2nd Progress Report Due and Classroom Spelling Bee must be complete (Grade 4 + 5)

February 4, 5, and 6 - Vision / Hearing Screening tests

February 12 - Forsyth will return for winter fluoride treatments

Weekly Update #17

Inspirational Quote:
“Life is a joint effort. Let's be there for each other ... more.” - Sam Parker

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Thursday, January 2, 2020                             Observations

Friday, January 3, 2020                                  PLT's K-2
                                                                            Planning for Misconceptions (bring math lessons)

Monday, January 6, 2020                               Observations

Tuesday, January 7, 2020                               Observations
                                                                        IEP @11:00 (McIntyre)
                                                                        IEP @12:00 (McIntyre)                                                                      

Wednesday, January 8, 2019                           IEP @8:30 (Ferrari)
                                                                        ILT @2:30

Thursday, January 9, 2019                             Glenda - Admin Meeting
                                                                        IEP @8:300 (Miller)
                                                                        Do The Math Visit (same schedule)

Friday, January 10, 2019                                 PLT's 3-5
                                                                            Planning for Misconceptions (bring math lessons)

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Do the Math - Rescheduled consultation with Sarah Hogg, for Thursday, January 9, 2020.  This is for Grades 1 and 2 only.
• Report Card Follow Up - There are lots classrooms that had students that were Failing or Not Meet Expectations many subject areas. Let's consider next steps! 
• Things to Consider:
• Have these students been presented to Student Study?
• Are they ELs, and have I connected with our ESL teachers to see if I can do more to accommodate their learning?
• Are they Special Ed students, and have I connected with the Special Education teachers to see if I can do more to accommodate their learning?
• District Handbook- From now on only a few handbooks will be printed each year.  The handbooks will now be available to families online.  Here is a communication about this.
• Handbook Letter
• ACCESS Information - 
• ACCESS testing will run from January 6th- February 7th.
•  ESL teachers will not return to regularly scheduled classes until testing ends.  
• Please plan to have an additional rotation, or include your ESL students into your rotations for small group ELA.  DO NOT expect sub plans for this. 
• Recess will not be the responsibility of the ESL teachers.  If the building sub is available, we will give students their recess at the end of the day.
• Guided Reading - In January, these will increase to 2 lessons per week, 3 in February, and all groups should receive at least 1 Guided Reading Lesson per week in March.
• Additionally, we will shift from a Coaching model to observing Guided Reading lessons in March, so please make sure to reach out for Guided Reading Coaching.
• Calling out Sick - Call Glenda directly (781-686-6354). 
• Laptops - Please sign these in and out daily.
• All grade levels will have 1 laptop during the ACCESS testing.  The white laptop cart will be used for testing.  Please work together as a team to coordinate grade level testing, and let administration know when that grade level testing will occur.
• Coaching - January will be the goal for starting 1 to 1 coaching.  
• School Improvement Plan Dates
• 1/3 - 7:30-8:00
• 1/6 -2:30-3:30
• Next Round - For observations, we are doing rounds on Criteria for Success of a task, and giving feedback on Lesson Plans.
• 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 still some that are not getting completed by 9:00.
• Folders - Please check your mailboxes each day.  Some yellow folders were not picked up this week.
• All notices (including parent's notes) need to be sent to the office.

                                                     Updates from our Nurse                                                                 

• Don't forget to use your nurse passes when sending students to the office.

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

January 5 - Artifacts Due for 1 Year Plans
January 9 - Do The Math
January 14 - Staff Meeting
January 20 - MLK - No School
January 21 - School Support Team Meeting (Mentor)
January 24 - 2nd Progress Report Due