Week of October 24th - October 28th

Happy 60th Birthday

Thank you for your extra work a couple of weeks ago to help make the birthday and walking path celebration a hit!  We had over 500 guests on that evening.  Our PTO knocked it out of the park with decorations, as well as physical and mental challenges.  Even if your language of appreciation isn't Act of Service, I hope you see how much this staff and students of this school are cared for in the hard work of these parents.  Enjoy a few pictures!

Tiger Trekker's Update
Sometimes things do not go as planned.  We have purchased the scanner software and got all the lanyards in an effort to make our Tiger Trekker program easy on staff.  But, we are finding that the cameras on the iPads have a difficult time reading the scan codes when it is cloudy.  Go figure!  We are working with the company to get this problem resolved.   Thank you for your help in the meantime.  We are also trying to get enough sticks so that you can count at a time that is good for you.  Also, at Monday's brief staff meeting, I will show you how to log into the software, which is really easy to use.  Again, thanks!  Our best intentions haven't worked...yet!  But, have you seen the kids?  They are going for it on the track!  Thank you for supporting them as they see one more way they can "Begin with the end in mind."

Staff Meeting Monday
This meeting will be quick.  I will share the software for the Tiger Trekker laps and Kim Likely, our new Federal Programs Director, will be sharing information about homeless students.  

Parent Teacher Conferences
Just a few quick things to help out our new folks.  

1. We will be providing dinner both nights.  Anne has planned for burritos from Tiger Stop on Tuesday and pizza and salad on Wednesday night.  Thanks go to our PTO who always provide the funds for us to be able to do this.  
2. Please also remember that these are contract nights from 4:00 to 8:00.  But, we get Friday off.  As soon as we have wrapped up the day on Thursday, you be headed for a long weekend. 
3. It is important that we try to make an effort to reach every family.  If conference times are missed, please make every effort to reschedule or at least to conference by phone.
4. Please keep a sign in sheet and turn this into the office.  We will be reporting our attendance to the District Office.
5. Please highlight a list of conferences you are concerned my require a translator and turn that into the office.  Shawn, Maria, Connie, and the LIA kids will be available to help.
6. There are a few things we need parents to sign.  You might consider having a clipboard so they can do this before or after their conference if you won't have enough time.  These things are state or federal requirements, or we wouldn't be asking you so gather them for us.  These are all in your box or will be delivered to your room.

Comprehensive Literacy Plans

Residency Form

Text Message Form

Current Contact and Emergency Numbers

More than Anything, Remember to share Hope and the Power of Yet with families!  We believe in the possibilities for kids, which is why we do what we do!  Remember to be Eye Smilers, even when you have a tough message to deliver.  :-)  I share it every year, but here's one of my favorite quotes to read before conferences.  Enjoy!

“I was glad my father was an eye-smiler. It meant he never gave me a fake smile because it's impossible to make your eyes twinkle if you aren't feeling twinkly yourself. A mouth-smile is different. You can fake a mouth-smile any time you want, simply by moving your lips. I've also learned that a real mouth-smile always has an eye-smile to go with it. So watch out, I say, when someone smiles at you but his eyes stay the same. It's sure to be a phony.” Roald Dahl, from Danny, Champion of the World

Begin with the End in Mind Photobooth
During conference we will have a fun 'photo booth' in the hallway.  Elise Gilbert is helping us put this up.  It will say "When I grow up I want to be..." and kids will be able to write their answers on a whiteboard for parents to take photos.  If an paras or specialists would be willing to help man this area for an hour or two, and capture a few pictures, please let me know ASAP.

Star Early Literacy, Star Reading and Star Math Questions
In the next couple of weeks, representatives from Jefferson and Horizon will be working with a training from Renaissance Learning.  Janet is working to tailor the time to our questions and needs.  If you have a burning questions about any of the programs above, please click the link below and add your question.  We will try to get this information to Janet by Friday.  Thanks for giving your input!  Add your questions here.

Halloween Details
Here are a few details that were worked out with BLT this last week.

1. No interventions on Halloween
2. DARE Concert at 9AM for all students
3. Parties beginning after lunch recess
4. Costumes may only be worn for the parties and parade after lunch recess
5. Scary costumes and masks are not allowed
6. Halloween Parade beginning at 2:30. Kindergarten will begin.  Student should be in the hallways to watch.
7. Be aware that most parents who attend the parade will likely take their students after.  You may want kids to be somewhat ready to go before they participate in the parade.

Jefferson Pumpkin Contest

We are getting details out late, but if a student brings a decorated pumpkin to school, please have them bring them to the tables that will be under the bulletin boards in the hall.  We will have them judged and sent home on Halloween.

Imagine Learning in the Morning

We are working on an option that would allow students to get a grab and go breakfast and head to the computer lab before school to spend time on Imagine Learning.  We are working out the kinks, but this might be another way to help get our minutes in with students.  We will also add a raffle incentive for kids who choose to come in during that time.  Elara is aware that you are having trouble finding time for the kids to get on the program.  If you would also like for them to use computer lab time, please let her know.  This won't be enough, but it will help.  Thanks for all you are doing to find the right time in your schedules.

PTO Fundraising Focus

Our PTO, with input from staff, will be working to add technology to our classrooms.  They are hoping to help us add document cameras!  How cool would that be.  We are applying for a matching grant for the carnival to see if we can come up with enough funds to make this goal happen.

Idaho Primary Math Assessment

Before I left I got some very good news from Dr. Jonathan Brendafur at BSU.  We were accepted to be part of the schools to have access to the Primary Math Assessment in the state.  This also means that we will access to professional development support this winter and spring.  BUT DON'T WORRY!  This will not require anything from classroom teachers.  This K-2 assessment is giving fall, winter and spring like the IRI.  We will not be able to meet the fall deadline for the whole school, so we will be doing a test run with a handful of classes to see what the results will look like.  By winter we will be assessing every class.  The cool thing about this assessment, for those of you who are using the Kathy Richardson materials, there appear to be some very strong ties to this assessment and her resources!  They are also developing resources at BSU to support interventions.  This could potentially be a very good and important piece for our kids as we move forward in math.  More info. to come in the next few weeks.  Thanks to Nicole and Liz for taking this bull by the horns and organizing!

Professional Learning Team Resources
A Great Article for those you working on the Lucy Calkin's writing units.  How to Read a Unit of Study.

If your professional goal is about academic conversations, you might check out these articles:
The Art of Speaking and Listening
Oracy: Literacy of the Spoken Work

Just for a little fun...remember that it could be a little worse! :-)

LOL! Please notice that I am pointing to my husband who is the photographer.  :-)  This was taken at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia last week.  Philadelphia an amazing place for a girl from the west! To stand where the Founding Father's stood as they debated and signed the Declaration!

And, to hear the stories and remember the great political turmoil of the time.  To consider the great personal investments, ideas, disagreements, debates and compromises that went into the making of our system of government.  There was a lot of struggle and strife and hope.  It was such a good reminder for me, and a reminder of why I do what I do each day.  I am grateful to work alongside each of you. What we do matters and plays an critical role in the development of our future leaders.

Have a great weekend!
Angie