Welcome Our Guest Principal, Mr. Chad Avery!

Chad is working on his Ed. Leadership Internship and has offered to be here Monday, January 26th while I'm at the Leader in Me Symposium.  He is looking forward to doing walk-throughs to get a feel for the students, faculty, and systems as Jefferson.  Please make him feel welcome and make sure to introduce yourself!


Latinos in Action

Thank you for sharing how much you are appreciating and using the LIA in your classrooms and for welcoming them to Jefferson.  It seems that the kids are handling themselves well in the building and helping a great deal.  Please remember that their number one goal is to mentor and support learning.  They should never be used to make copies or do busy work.  It is very important to me that we honor this part of the agreement with the high school and with these students.

Effort Spot in the Office

Please remember that we have a spot in the office where we can recognize kiddos for their efforts.  The work does not need to be perfect or beautiful. We want this to be a spot where all kids who have put in extra effort can be recognized.  If you send kids to the office with their work, Elise, Emily and I get to give them one extra adult "Way to go!" and hang their work to be displayed.  Please take advantage of this opportunity for student recognition.

Checking Out Early

Just a clarification...as professional adults, I trust you to use the check out system judiciously.  But, please still sign out so that we have a record.   It helps us know how to respond when a parent or DO Staff is looking for you.  If you know you have a doctor's appointment ahead of time, and you know in advance, it helps us to know beforehand as well.  If the early check out is going to happen before 3:15, please check in with me before you plan so I know who will be supervising your students as they head to the bus.  I really only become concerned when the early check out becomes a frequent pattern and at that point I would check in with you personally to clarify, so please just be proactive.

A few of us will be at the Leader in Me Training.  Have a great beginning to the week!

Angie

Growing!!

WE ARE GROWING READERS! As we finish up Winter IRI this week, I'm so pleased with the results that are beginning to roll in and I hope you are as well.  It's so easy to be hard on ourselves, but instead remember to have a sense of cultivating wonder.  Celebrate the kids who are successfully making gains and then let's ask questions and seek out interventions and materials for those who still seem to be making slow growth.  We are well on our way to making our school-wide spring goal.

Conference Dinners
Tuesday

• Homemade Soups (Thank you Shawn, Elise and Emily!)at least one will be gluten and meat free.
• Rolls and cookies from Great Harvest Bread

Thursday

• Lasagna
• French Bread
• Salad

Parent Survey

The Parent Survey will be in the computer lab available in both English and Spanish.  Please encourage families to take the survey.

Absence Letters

Letters are being mailed this week to families with students who have a number of absences.  Please let me know if you get questions at conferences.

Jerome Rec Center

Did you know that Jerome Rec Center offered scholarships to kids and families!  I recently visited with their manager Gary about the possibilities for one of our kids who needs an energy outlet.  He was super helpful and all about kids!  I think this is a great piece of information to have going into conferences.  Maybe one of you can pass this information on to a family.

Students with Bee Allergies

Please stop by the office this week and view the pictures of two students in our school who have Epi Pens for bee allergies.  We would like you to have an awareness in case there is an issue while you are on playground duty.

Data Teams

Intervention Teams will be scheduling their data team meetings after they've had a chance to look at their Winter IRI and CORE Phonics data.  We will want to meet during your specials.  Please send me an email when you have a time that will work this week or next.  I will be out Jan. 26-28, so please plan to schedule around this.

We will look over data, make adjustments to groups and spend the majority of the time writing goals for the groups and discussing resources that are needed.

Imagine Learning

Each week Shawn and I receive an Imagine Learning usage report.  We share this with the BLT and MTSS (RtI) teams who work with teammates to troubleshoot any issues.  Our goal is 120+ minutes a week and this is especially important for students who have Imagine Learning listed as an RtI intervention.  Recently we found out about a headphone issue and a technology glitch.  Our biggest goal is to help you troubleshoot getting kids on the program.  Please let us know if you are having kids meet this goal.  We are glad to support you and help!

Daily 5 Training

The Daily 5 Training will start on Monday, Feb. 2nd, 3:30-5:00.  We will run the session on Mondays until Spring Break (minus Feb. 16th).  I will buy the book for whomever would like to attend.  1 Credit will be offered through NNU for $60.  You do not have to take the credit to attend.

We will be reading and discussing The Daily 5 and viewing their new DVD series (hot off the presses) called "Up and Running with the Daily 5."  Please let me know if you have other questions.

MTI Trainers at Jefferson on March 16th

The MTI Trainers will be coming to Jefferson on March 16th.  We will plan 1 hour-11/2 hours per team and will have subs for teachers who do not have specials.  Each grade level has been asked to share a topic that they would like to have training on.  If you have an idea, please share that with Building Leadership Team Representative.

Upcoming Events

Lion's Club Eye Exams- Michelle is working with this group to get screenings at our school.  They are currently training on new equipment.  We hope to know something soon.

I am working with the Idaho Shakespeare Festival to bring the Idaho Theater for Youth Assembly to Jefferson.  We are in discussion about an April date.  Stay tuned.

Have a great week!

Angie

Standards vs. Curriculum: An Informative Infographic

A New Year and A New Way to Communicate

Happy New Year!

I hope that the break has been a restful, or at least a refreshing, time for you and everyone you care about.  The first half of the year has been such a whirlwind, but I've been overwhelmed with your energy and care in the midst of all the changes.

Even though we are almost half-way through the school year, January always seems to give me a chance to take a deep breath and reboot the goals I'd set back in August.  This blog is one of those "resets."  Like many of our students, who need multiple modes and opportunities to hear information, I'm going to try to improve on how I communicate details to you.  You will still likely get email and announcements, but I'm hoping this is a place where we can upload and track details.  My goal is that it can become a spot where you can readily access information for clarification.

This will be a private, work blog, which is why you got the invitation to join.  Please let me know if you would like to have anything added.  If you've got a great blog you follow, I would love to add it! Do you have a thank you to share publicly?  Send it to me via email, and I'll make sure it gets posted.

Again, thanks for a great first half of the year!  There are still many great moments to experience with our students this year!

Angie