Weekly Update #24

Inspirational Quote:
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.” - Eleanor Roosevelt

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, February 24, 2020                                             Back from Winter Vacation

Tuesday, February 25, 2020                                             Grade 4 Infrastructure Trial @ 8:45am
                                                                                          IEP - Buckley @11
                                                                                          School Support Team mtg. @2:30
                                                                      

Wednesday, February 26, 2020                                        Do the Math visit- Sarah Hogg
                                                                                          Grades 1 & 2
                                                                                          Superintendent Session - Glenda

Thursday, February 27, 2020                                            1/2 day - Students out at 12:30pm

Friday, February 28, 2020                                                 Learning Walks w/ School Works- All day
                                                                                           Gingras - Absent

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

Shout out to all the very cool 100 days of school projects! If you haven't already done so, take a walk down the 2nd grade wing.  They have some on display.

• Black History Month - I should have shared some resources early this month, so I apologize on the delay.  Black history month is a great opportunity to engage our students in conversations about our history, and to teach our students about the leaders of color that have made a difference in the U.S.
•  Here are some resources that could be helpful: Nearpod, Facing History and Ourselves, NEA, PBS, Edutopia
• Learning Walk Team  - The schedule will be shared, and the team will be announced when we return from vacation.  The walkthrough form that will be used is the one shared by ILT.  
• Report Cards - Reminder: report cards should be based off of a student's grade level abilities.  If a student is not scoring on grade level, their grade should not be Satisfactory or above a D, and it should be very clear to parents where there is a struggle.  
• This a very important reporting period and should be used to discuss concerns with families - this could be through a phone call or a parent meeting, but there should not be any surprises to families about the skill level of their child.  
• For example, if their child is still struggling to learn how to read, they should be aware of this and advised on how they can proceed to support them throughout the year, during breaks, and summer vacation.
• Remind them about the Lynn Public Library
• Give them online supports: Lalilo, IXL: Phonics, MonsterRead, ReadingBear, ReadingEggs
• Please make sure that they are aware of how their children are working toward the standards they are supposed to master for the grade.
• Here are the standards and a resource for parents about the standards.
• Census - Our school will support!
• Schedules - Schedules must be up to date on the drive and Glenda and Liz must be aware and given a copy of changes.  All learning walks will be scheduled according to our current schedule.
• CORI - Please make sure that you have turned in your completed CORI forms to LeeAnn.
• Field Trips - All field trips must be approved by Glenda and Liz.
• Math March Madness - We will assemble on Monday, March 2nd to discuss this with students.  We will also be sending home a letter to students, so that families can support Math March Madness at home. (They are attached in an email.)
• Once started - Do not forget to collect our math forms.  These do not need to be returned to the office, but can be helpful information to you.  They might answer:  
• Who might need additional resources?
• Who may not leverage after school programs or night back?
• Please keep us posted if support is needed.
• Resources (Please feel free to print and send home):
• Number Cards 1-10 , Number Cards 1-20 , Addition Cards , Subtraction Cards , Multiplication Cards , Division Cards , Fraction Cards 
• School Report Cards found on reportcards.doe.ma.edu.
• Science LPS Strategic Plan - Here!
• MCAS Data - All Quartiles Found Here
• MCAS Infrastructure Trial - Our 1st Infrastructure Trial went well. Grade 3 students did a great job. The wi-fi held and our headphones worked! We will continue to tweak the EL group and small-groups after every trial. Our next trial will be a district-wide trial on 2/25.This trial will be with Grade 4. 
• Guided Reading Documents - Here!
• Sign In - Please sign in daily!
• Interpreting and Translation Services - New Form
• SEL Team Dates to Remember:
• 3/24/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• 4/14/2020 In-person PD 2.5 hours
• 5/19/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• Morning Arrival - All teachers should be outside to greet students at 8:15.
• 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.
• Recess - recess resource (Please use this resource, so that your students can have a successful and fun time at recess!) This is a great opportunity to build community with your students. 
• Please ensure that you are in a location where you can see your whole class.  
• 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
• The flu season is not over, if a student is out feel free to ask them why.  If they were out due to fever or vomiting, do not hesitate to inform us. Unfortunately, some students have returned in less than the 24 hour period.

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

February Vacation - 17-21
March 10 - Keys to Literacy
March 19 - Equity and Social Justice PD
March 20 - Marks Close
March 23 - Keys to Literacy Coach Wrap Up
March 26 - Dance for MCAS (Grades 3, 4, and 5 - 5:00-7:00
April 3 - Report Cards are Distributed, Dr. Parker Visit

Weekly Update #23

Inspirational Quote:
“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” - Winston Churchill

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, February 10, 2020                                              School Site Council @2:30

Tuesday, February 11, 2020                                              ELE  and SEL district meeting
                                                                                           IEP - Buckley @10
                                                                                           IEP - Ferrari @11                                                                                                                                     IEP - Ferrari @12
                                                                                          Student Study @2:30
                                                                      

Wednesday, February 12, 2020                                         Grade 3 Infrastructure 
                                                                                          Tech Meeting (Gallo and Flick)

Thursday, February 13, 2020                                             IEP - Ferrari @9:30
                                                                                           IEP - Beddia @10:30                                 

Friday, February 14, 2020                                                 Barbie - Absent

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• ESL - Back in session!  Shout out to our ESL teachers for the hard work that they have done during the ACCESS testing.  Thank you!
• School-Wide Improvement Plan - Found Here!
• Census Centers - In the past, there were 39,000 census centers in the US.  This year, on April 1, 2020, there will be none.  Our school districts are supported and funded by the information on the census.  Therefore, we will be working toward supporting families with any questions they might have on the census.  If families seek support, please send them to the office for support.
• Mini-lessons about the census will be created by the curriculum office and will be distributed to all grade levels.  This is a civics lesson that Mr. Tutwiler would like all students to be well versed in.
• Please note that any member of a household can complete a census.  Therefore, it is great for our students to know that they can also complete the census for their home, if parents are not able to. 
• Schedules - Schedules must be up to date on the drive and Glenda and Liz must be aware and given a copy of changes.  All learning walks will be scheduled according to our current schedule.
• CORI - Please make sure that you have turned in your completed schedules to LeeAnn.
• Field Trips - Field Trips have officially resumed in the district.  However, if your grade level needs nursing accommodations, approval must be requested from Kathy McNulty because nurses need to be covered.
• All field trips must also be approved by Glenda and Liz, and must comply with the academic outlines discussed in previous updates.
• Math March Madness - In preparation for MCAS and to connect with families about Math, I would like to initiate March Math Madness.  We will hold an assembly when we return from vacation in order to get students excited for showing off their math skills. Additionally, I would like to have a follow up assembly where each class offers an opportunity to show off their skills to our school.  This will be at a date chosen at the end of the Month.

During the month of March, I would love your support in sending home materials that can support families with practicing math fluency at home.  Here are the required fluency standards per grade level. This means, these are the skills that students should be able to complete without any scaffolds or supports.


• School Report Cards found on reportcards.doe.ma.edu.
• Science LPS Strategic Plan - Here!
• MCAS Data - All Quartiles Found Here
• MCAS Infrastructure Trial - Connery will have 2 more trials in the near future.  The first is on 2/12 for Grade 3, and there will be a district-wide trial on 2/25. Please look out for an email from Mrs. Dunnigan.
• Guided Reading Documents - Here!
• Sign In - Please sign in daily!
• Interpreting and Translation Services - New Form
• Equity and Social Justice - Many of you know that the work of equity and social justice in education is dear to my heart.  Next year, the district would like all schools to have an equity focus, and as an alumna of BC's Lynch Leadership Program, I am going to attend a PD in March to begin to think about this work in our school.  If you are interested in collaborating on this work with me and attending the PD, please send me an email me.  I plan to take 1or 2 teachers with me.
• SEL Team Dates to Remember:
• 2/11/2020 Virtual PD- 2 hours
• 3/24/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• 4/14/2020 In-person PD 2.5 hours
• 5/19/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• Friday Morning Chorus - will now be in the library from 8:00-8:30
• Morning Arrival - Please make sure that you are outside to pick up your class by 8:15.
• Spelling Bee - Congratulations to our top 3 Spelling Bee Winners!  Thank you to Ms. Ferrari for running such a smooth event.  It couldn't have ended any sweeter!
• 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.
• 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 12th - Winter fluoride treatments (Forsythe)

                                                           Looking Ahead                                                                         

February 11 - SEL Meeting, ELE Meeting

February 12 - School-based technology team meeting (admin), 3rd Grade Infrastructure

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 #21

Inspirational Quote:
“ The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

                                                                 This Week                                                                           

Monday, February 3, 2020                                             Stephanie Miller - Absent

Tuesday, February 4, 2020                                              Tracy Greenfield - Absent
                                                                                         Data Meeting @10:30
                                                                                         CIT Meeting @11:30
                                                                                         Staff Meeting @2:30
                                                                      

Wednesday, February 5, 2020                                          Spelling Bee @9-11
                                                                                         ILT @2:30-3:30

Thursday, February 6, 2020                                             Glenda - Admin Meeting @9

Friday, February 7, 2020                                              Dr. Parker (K-2) Data Meetings
                                                                                            Candice - PD

                                       Things to Be Aware of and Keep in Mind                                                

• Professional Development - Here is a link to the PD calendar for the remainder of the year.
• Shout Out -Thank you to everyone that continues to help and support with coverage! We know that when a community member covers a class or meeting, it can impact a large amount of classrooms.  Thank you for your flexibility and patience.  It is truly appreciated!
• Volunteers Needed - There are a few district leaders that have recently been trained in the process of evaluation.  They would like to come to our school on Monday to observe 2 classes.  This is not considered a formal or informal observation, and will only be done to evaluate the success of the leaders on how they gather observations.  If you are open to having a visit from 4 educators, please let me know ASAP. Thank you!
• Spelling Bee - We invite any 4th and 5th grade classes that would like to sit in the audience on Wednesday to view the Spelling Bee.  It will be held in the cafeteria, and families of participants will be invited.  This is not a mandatory program, but it is open for your viewing if you would like to attend.
• EL Folder Audit - Our blue folders were audited and somethings were missing.  This week, you may get a note in your mailbox about an individual student that is missing report cards and/or progress reports (remember the home language needs to be included).  In addition, all of our FEL students are missing items in the EL Folders.  Please see this checklist to make sure that you gather the necessary documents.
• This checklist and other district tools are in our Shared Folders under District Information.  As information and resources are received, they will be organized in this location.
• ILT - This week, SchoolWorks will join our meeting to discuss our school walkthroughs for this year, and our next steps as a team.
• MCAS Infrastructure Trial - Connery will have 2 more trials in the near future.  The first is on 2/12 for Grade 3, and there will be a district-wide trial on 2/25.  More information to come!
• Free Books - Please encourage your students to take the Free Books from the main hallway.  I have seen some great texts added to those shelves!
• Courses Being Offered:
• SY19/20  Strategies for Student Success - Session B
• SY19/20  Classroom Management 1 - Session C (This is always a helpful refresher)
  SY19/20  Grade 2 Phonics
  SY19/20  Homelessness: Its causes and effects on our students and their families
  SY19/20  Trauma Informed Practice for Educators - Session D 
• Sign In - Please sign in daily at the start and end of the school day.  If you forget to sign out, it is okay to do it the next day, but please make it part of your routine to sign in everyday.
• Interpreting and Translation Services - New Form
• Equity and Social Justice - Many of you know that the work of equity and social justice in education is dear to my heart.  Next year, the district would like all schools to have an equity focus, and as an alumna of BC's Lynch Leadership Program, I am going to attend a PD in March to begin to think about this work in our school.  If you are interested in collaborating on this work with me and attending the PD, please send me an email me.  I plan to take 1or 2 teachers with me.
• SEL Team Dates to Remember:
• 2/11/2020 Virtual PD- 2 hours
• 3/24/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• 4/14/2020 In-person PD 2.5 hours
• 5/19/2020 Virtual PD 2 hours
• SEI Endorsement Course Added:
• SEEM Collaborative has added another SEI Endorsement teacher course to our spring schedule.  The course will begin Wednesday, February 26th in Stoneham. 
  
  
  For more information or to register please click on the link below:
  https://seemcollaborative.gosignmeup.com/public/Course/browse?courseid=12713  

• 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.)

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 - School-based technology team meeting (admin)

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)