Husky Highlights : September 2014

Conference Slips should be sent home with students on Friday, October 3. (9/30, 11:00)

Native American Program Begins
The Native American Program will begin next Friday and continue on Fridays throughout the year from 10:30 - 11:00. There only 11 students that qualify that we know of and that is across K-5. We will email you if you have a student in this class. Questions about the program? Please email Teresa Washington at twashingto@bethelsd.org

Bathroom Issues
The honeymoon is now officially over! We are getting reports of misbehaving in bathrooms. Today it was reported that someone was trying to remove the paper towel dispenser from the wall.

Please institute a sign out and sign in log (or keep track of students leaving the room in any way that is convenient for you) so that we can narrow down time frames as to when inappropriate behavior may have taken place and which students potentially were involved.

Stipend Proposal Reminder
I currently have one stipend proposal. Please remember to get your proposal in so it can be considered. We want the stipend funds to be used up!(9/24/14, 3:08)

PLC Meetings vs Team Meetings
The meeting calendar shows two types of meetings. PLC Meetings are dedicated to curriculum, instruction and assessments. Team meetings can be used for the same things plus any other topics of interest to the team including planning field trips, or discussing special events like celebrations, volunteers, and classroom management ideas. (9/23/14)

An email was sent for PLC Meeting Notes. Make a copy of the file as it has been sent as a template and can only be viewed. Remember to rename the file so we know what grade submitted the notes and for which day the notes go to. Please don't hesitate to check if you have questions about accessing, saving or using the file. Remember to share each meeting's notes with Larissa and me. (9/23/14, 3:32)

Interventions Team
At North Star, staff are engaged in a Response to Intervention system that analyzes student performance and supports them through a Walk-to-Read program where targeted instruction is delivered. There are times when that level of support is not enough, however, and students need additional attention. This additional attention in the form of instructional and curriculum interventions satisfies two needs.

1.) To see if we can pinpoint more closely what WILL work for students.

2.) As evidence that highly structured strategies delivered by the classroom teacher and, sometimes other staff members, is not sufficient and therefore Special Education services may need to be explored.

Through TAP meetings and discussions with the Principal, Instructional Coach and Liaisons, students are identified for a closer look. When you and/or your team feel a student needs to be helped further, request a meeting with the Interventions Team and we will work with you/the team to brainstorm ideas for targeted interventions that may assist the student in making positive and sustained gains.

Interventions are expected to be specific, instruction-based and rigorous. They should be implemented for 6 weeks or more and have documented data collection. We have specific forms for documenting the interventions and liaisons will share that directly with each PLC. Individual teachers or teams are encouraged to begin the process of enacting interventions early in the year (beginning in October is a good starting point after you have had a few weeks of getting to know your students.)

You are encouraged to share your intervention plan with liaisons early on as well in case there are any questions regarding the interventions. Not all interventions are created equal and sometimes are more modifications and accommodations which do not count as interventions. Don't wait to the end of the six weeks to find out that what you have been implementing and documenting does not meet the criteria for an intervention. Be up front and transparent and the team will work to assist you in developing and implementing solid interventions that will then be recognized through the Special Education referral process. We do have to prove that what we are doing is sound and is not working in order for the next formal steps a Special Education referral can take place. (9/23/14)

Liaisons are as follows:
K - Wright
1st - Victorian
2nd - Krakow/Eichost/Whitehead
3rd - Krakow/Eichost/Whitehead
4th - Rushing
5th - Meeks

Missing Composition Books

Did anyone pick up a box of primary composition books? They should have arrived here last week. Thanks! (9/23/14, 12:15)

Printing to Sharp Copiers

So many of you (us) have had trouble with printing to the copiers, especially from Adobe, the requirement to enter your copy code when you are printing has been removed. Please respect the fact that you should not send class sets of printing through the copier. Instead, plan ahead and use the printshop services. (9/23/14, 12:00)

Picture Day - Monday, 9/29

Individual pictures will be taken on Monday. Teachers should sign up for a picture time - the sign-up sheet is on the counter in the office. On picture day, we will have PTA volunteers who will come to your classroom to help get the students to ROOM 19 for their individual pictures. Students should take their picture envelopes with them to hand to the photographer. ALL staff are strongly requested (pleeeease!) to drop by room 19 anytime during the day to have their picture taken. (9/23/14, 11:30)

Computer Cart Check Out
We have created a digital checkout for the computer carts. Grades have been partnered so that there is time between for transitions and to be made available when one is at lunch and/or specialist. There are also expectations for the use of the carts that have been published in the Technology Tips tab above. Please read them and work to make these laptops last as long as possible. (9/22/14, 1:41)

PTA Fundraiser Assembly Change
We will have all grade attend the assembly at 9:20. Since this is not an assembly will have a lot of parents attending, we can all fit into the gym and conduct the assembly as a whole school one time rather than twice. (9/22/14, 1:25)

ELA Adoption Committee Update - Urgent

I received this notice today: We have not received any applications for the ELA Adoption Committee from your school. At this point I am assuming that your school does not want representation and you are trusting in the people who have applied from other schools to represent you in this process. We have more than enough high quality applicants for a balanced representation of schools, grade levels, etc. However, if you still want representation I need to know ASAP today. Our first meeting is next Monday, and I need to communicate to members of the committee by the end of the day.

If you are interested please let me know right away so I can communicate this to the district office. (9/22/14, 1:00)

TPEP Booklets
If you do not have a copy of the gray newsprint TPEP booklet, please let Leslie know so that we can get a copy for you. Please do this ASAP so that the district office will get one order rather than repeated requests.

Report Card Related Dates
(9/22/14, 11:30)

RC Prep:

Nov. 26

Mar. 13

May 29

Grade Book Open for comment input:

Nov. 21 - Dec. 5

Mar. 4 - Mar. 18

May 29 - Jun. 12

RC Sent Home:

Dec. 12

Mar. 23 - 27 during Conference Week

Jun. 15

Annual Recognized Civic Observances - Reminder

1. Constitution and Citizenship Day, observed September 17.

2. Disability History Month, observed month of October.

3. Veterans Day, observed the week preceding the federal holiday of November 11.

4. Temperance and Good Citizenship Day, observed January 16.

5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, observed January 19. (9/22/14, 11:36)

Reminder - HR Videos
Remember to watch those videos and do the assessments that go with them. They are due by the end of the month. (9/16/14)

Due Dates
I have added a section for things that are being requested from staff and who they need to be turned in to. I placed it at the top of the left side of this newsletter to make it more obvious. (9/16/14)

Calendar Updates
I have updated the meetings calendar and sent the Google doc link by email. I have also updated the PTA assembly details for the September 24 assemblies. We didn't indicated what grades go at which times. (9/16/14)

Assessment Calendar

I have created a new tab at the top of the newsletter titled Assessment. You will find the district assessment schedule. (9/15/14)

Superintendent Visits

Superintendent Seigel will be visiting classrooms in all our buildings throughout the year. He asks that you don't need to acknowledge him. He is simply there to see all of your good work with kids. (9/15/14, 12:05)

Field Access

The field has been cleared for use. Please stay away from the west side property line where there is still a marshy area. (9/10/14; 2:10)

Grade Book and Family Access - Follow up

The contract states the 2013-14 school year all teachers that give grades were required to use the electronic grade book and to provide Family Access. (9/10/14, 11:27)

Substitute Folders

Teachers: I'm placing sub folders in your boxes today, along with your folder from last year (if you were here). The folder should include emergency plans for students, your schedule, and any other information that would be helpful to your sub. We would like to have these folders back to the office by 9/19. (9/9/14; 1:20 p.m.)

Releasing Students

Reminder to teachers: Please do not release students to parents from your classroom. Parents who wish to pick up their children early need to check out with the main office where we check ID. (9/8/14, 2:30 p.m.)

ELA Adoption Committee

The district is starting the adoption process for ELA Common Core Curriculum K-5. Principals have been asked to nominate three teachers who fit the following criteria:

Willing to commit to time after school 9/29, 10/20, 12/10, 1/14, 3/11, 4/15 and 5/13 from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.) and release days (11/24 and 2/11).
Knowledge of ELA Common Core
Open mind to look at all options thoroughly
Be a liaison with school staff

Interested staff are required to complete an application. If you are interested, complete the form I sent by email and give it to Stephen no later than September 17th. All applications are due at the district office by September 19^th. After screening the applications, one representative from each building will be chosen.

Participants will be paid for participating. (9/8/14, 12:42)

Addressing missed planning time due to Late Arrival/Early Dismissal

I have reviewed the calendar for the year in an effort to address the question of how to make up planning times that are missed due to Late Arrival and Early dismissal. Taking out all days where school is not in session for the full day (Holidays/Breaks) and Conference Weeks (a revised schedule for all staff will be created for these weeks), we are left with 8 Late Arrival Days and 4 Early Release days. 4 days cancel each other out which means 4 Late Arrival days need to be made up somehow.

The contract does not speak to these missed planning times specifically. I considered pay as an option but the contract attaches pay to when a teacher is directed to miss their planning to cover a class (students). So, I am going to go with the plan above. Once the schedule is finalized, we will know where there are open slots in the specialist schedule and plug you into a make up time after 4 of the Late Arrivals. If you have any questions about this let me know please.

Revised Meetings Calendar

The meeting schedule has been revised per staff feedback at the staff meeting. The times have changed to morning meetings. Note that I removed the September 23 Leadership Team Meeting and changed which ever Leadership team meeting that was scheduled on a Thursday. Both meetings are on a Tuesday. Once we meet we will be determine the remaining Leadership Team meetings for the year. (9/4/14, 1:16 PM)

Puyallup Fair Tickets

Fair tickets for students are in your boxes. Please distribute by Friday. Tickets are for students ages 6 and up. Under 6 get in free. You can pick up your educator ticket from the front counter at your convenience.

First Day Expectations Assembly Times

	Assembly Expectations (Krakow/ Grover)	Bus Expectations (Bourne/ Pawul)	Lunch/Bathroom Expectations (Meeks/McFadden)
9:20 – 9:28	3^rd grade	4^th grade	Kindergarten
9:30 – 9:30	1^st grade	3^rd grade	4^th grade
9:40 – 9:48	2^nd grade	1^st grade	3^rd grade
9:50 – 9:58	5^th grade	2^nd grade	1^st grade
10:00 – 10:08	Kindergarten	5^th grade	2^nd grade
10:10 – 10:18	4^th grade	Kindergarten	5^th grade

Recess expectations will be covered the first few minutes of each recess. Line up kids on wall.

Back-to-School Event

PTA has put two sets of tickets in teacher boxes: One for food (one ticket is good for 3 hotdogs, etc.,) and one for door prizes (for student only). Please pass out today at open house, along with the family access brochures. (9/2/14; 10:30 a.m.)

September 3 Staff Meeting Agenda

Please click on the Agendas-Staff Meetings link ~~above~~ to the left for Tuesday's agenda. (8/31/14; 8:43 p.m.)

EngageNY Consumable Materials

Please help yourself to consumables for math which are stored in the file room off of the office. This includes paper plates, ribbon, storage bags, etc. (9/2/14)

New Posters

Classroom posters are lined up on the workroom table. Please help yourselves to any you need; the safety poster is new so grab one of those. (8/29/14; 10:00 a.m.)

Family Access Brochures

Family Access brochures are being placed in your boxes for distribution to our families. Please see the back of the brochure for student name and passwords. You may pass these out at back-to-school night or send them home. Parents need to log onto Family Access and fill out two forms: the Disclosure form and the Internet Access form. They can also report demographic changes and absences using Family Access. Please treat these brochures as private information. (8/28/14; 1:20 p.m.)

Husky Highlights

September 2014