Read All About It!

And the "APAWS" goes to... Jamie, Teresa, Mary & Lisa for coordinating our first Special Lunch!  Many of you have shared what a nice time spent together!

   
(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

Freddie is here this week 2:00-6:00 pm

1. Proposed Before school play:  Thank you for your input on the survey.  Leadership Team will discuss this Monday at our meeting.


2. Benchmark Training:   K-5 teachers, just a reminder: if you have not yet, be sure to sign up for the next Benchmark trainings being offered.  Coordinate with Karen regarding your chosen date and sub.  


3. Student Council Toy Drive & Candy Grams: Toy Drive through 12/21 & Candy Grams are on sale on-line through 12/21.  Candy Grams will be sold out front before school 12/18-12/20.  

4. PTA Pj's & Popsicles: Wednesday, 12/20, students and staff are welcome to wear Pj's and all students will receive a popsicle during their lunch from PTA for our Membership drive.

5. Student Council Holiday Dress Day: Thursday, 12/21, is our holiday dress up day.  

6. Kindness Challenge: If you haven't but are planning to, please submit your Kindness Challenge sheet to my mailbox.  I will do a drawing on Friday morning!  #leadwithkindness

7. Holiday Class Parties: Please take a moment to let the office know what time your holiday party will be on Friday.  Please have your students do their best to clean up before they leave for the break! :)

8. Winter Break Shutdown: Please be sure that all computers and electronics are shutdown and turned off before the break.  Please unplug coffee pots, microwaves, etc for the break.  Thank you!

Looking forward to a great week together before the break!  

Please be sure to be consistent with expectations, acknowledge the positive behaviors and be on-time to duties.  If you could walk students to lunches, PE & music this week, it would likely be a wise choice.  Enjoy your students this week before we all get some much deserved time off with our own families!! 

#bemorebear

Read All About It

And the "APAWS" goes to... Social Committee, Teresa and Jamie, for coordinating our lovely Holiday Staff Party!  It was a great time and our game was a fun treat! :)

   
(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

Freddie is here this week 2:00-6:00 pm.

1. In n Out Lunch for Step It Up:  This Wednesday, 12/13, is the reward lunch to In n Out for qualifying students.  PTA will be hosting this with the Step It Up team for approx. 40 of our students.  Permission slips have already gone home and should have been returned to you and the office.  An email with details and participating students will be coming soon.  Briefly, there will be 2 groups:  10 am departure is our PK-3 gr. group and 10:30 am departure is our 4-6 gr. group.  Students will ride a charter bus, have lunch and return to school before dismissal.  We anticipate the first group to return around 11:30 and the second group by 12:00. 

2. Proposed Before school play:   I will send a brief survey for you to complete for Leadership to discuss next Monday.  Thank you!


3. Special Lunch: This Thursday, 12/14, is Special Lunch.  Be sure to see the emails from Teresa.  Thank you Teresa and Leadership Team for coordinating this!

4. Remind App:   Just a reminder to log in to join this optional communication tool to get timely updates in the event of an emergency.  This may be the quickest and most effective tool in emergencies.  The code for our site is below.

Link: https://www.remind.com/join/96cf8d

5. Benchmark Training:   K-5 teachers, just a reminder: if you have not yet, be sure to sign up for the next Benchmark trainings being offered.  Coordinate with Karen regarding your chosen date and sub.  

6. Gift donation: If you would like to donate for a gift card for our wonderful "Copy King", Mr. Lussier, please do so by this Thursday.  Karen D is collecting money for a gift card.  Thank you! 

6. Student Council Toy Drive & Candy Grams: Toy Drive through 12/21 & Candy Grams are on sale on-line through 12/21.  Candy Grams will be sold out front before school 12/18-12/20.  

8. Tech Tip ~ Boomerang for gmail: Would you like to draft an email now, but send it sometime in the future?  Well, now you can using Boomerang!  Search Boomerang for Google and add it as an extension.  It's a great extension and very user friendly!  Thanks, Teresa, for sharing!  *If you have a tech tip you'd like to share, let me know and we'll include it next week!

#bemorebear

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... from Sarah: APAWS & thanks to my awesome partner, Martha! Thank you for going to several meetings for me while I was sick & keeping things on track for everything involved in our crazy world of fifth grade! And thank you for taking charge of starting the SST process for several of our fifth-graders, in order to get them the services they need!

Also from Sarah:  APAWS to Jaime & Carol! Thank you for helping out while I was sick as well, and checking in with my subs. And thank you for all the work you do to support fifth grade and help me out!


"APAWS" goes to ... Sarah, for coordinating, hosting and providing enrichment to our GATE students through our Brilliant Bears Academy!  The guest speaker this week was engaging and provided another wonderful opportunity for our students!  
   
(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

Freddie is here this week 6:30-10:30 pm.

 1. Proposed Before school play:   Please find time this week to discuss with your team and colleagues the proposal of before school play.  As mentioned in the staff meeting, if decided upon, it would begin after winter break for a trial period of 8 weeks.  It would be presented to students at the Rules Refresher assemblies with guidelines and expectations.  

• Guidelines to consider: Play would only be on the blacktop and play structures, not on the field.  Handballs and tether balls would be up for students to use.  Students could choose to sit and chat vs playing in the morning.  At the 7:45 bell, all play would stop and students would line up to wait for their teacher.  No eating or balls, games or cards from home during this short playtime.
• I have forwarded 2 articles to read and consider as you have your discussions.
• I will put a vote out electronically on 12/14 then share the results with Leadership for final discussion on 12/18.

2. Lock Down Drill:   As mentioned at our Staff Meeting- we will have our drill tomorrow at 11:40 am.  I will announce the beginning of the drill over the PA system, allow 3-5 min for the drill and then announce when the drill is over. 

3. Remind App:   I have set up a class in Remind for us to communicate as a staff.  If you do not have the Remind app, you will have to get it.  It's free.  Here is the link, once in the remind app, to join.  If you prefer I text you the link, please text me at 949-281-9126.  Include your name in the text as well  please.  If you have time before our drill to get join our class, that would be great.  I will send a message but you will NOT need to have it for the drill tomorrow.  It will just be a test message.  Any information you may need will be given during the drill tomorrow.  

Link: https://www.remind.com/join/96cf8d

4. Benchmark Training:   K-5 teachers, if you have not yet, be sure to sign up for the next Benchmark trainings being offered.  Coordinate with Karen regarding your chosen date and sub.  Karen forwarded an email with reminder information and it's in Teacher Soundbytes as well.  Please let me know if you have questions.  Thank you!

#bemorebear

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... from Cheryl:  For Jamie Griffin for her love and dedication to students. I'm always impressed by her commitment.

(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

Freddie is here this week 6:30-10:30 pm.

Welcome Back!  I hope you had a terrific week off!

1. Bear Hugs: -   Be sure to give out Bear Hugs these next 4 weeks until winter break.  Be specific when you give them to students and tell them exactly why they have earned it.  We will have the Bear Hug student store at lunch on Friday, 12/8 & Friday, 12/22.  

2. Staff Kindness Challenge: - November 13th was World Kindness Day. Thank you to those of you who have already turned in your board!  I'll announce the winner on Dec. 22nd during morning announcements.  Thank you for modeling kindness for our students and staff!

3. Monday office: Karen will still be at Jury Duty on Monday.  Denise and Stacy will cover the office.  

4. Master Calendar: Please see the calendar events on the right side of our Blog for this week's schedule and meetings.  :)

A Peek at the Week..

*Freddy is here this week 2:00-6:00 pm

Monday, Nov. 13th:

• World Kindness Day!  See the shared google doc "challenge" and info included in this week's blog post!
• Zeenat is here today
• Awards Assemblies- see Master Calendar
• Leadership Team Mtg - 2:30 pm, Conference Rm

• Tuesday, Nov. 14th:

• 7:20 am - SST, Nakamoto, Team- Conference Rm
• 2:25 pm - Student Council Mtg

Wednesday, Nov. 15th:

• 12:45 pm - Dismissal - MINIMUM DAY
• All PK & K students are Early Bears

Thursday, Nov. 16th: 

• 12:45 pm- Dismissal - MINIMUM DAY
• All PK & K students are Early Bears

Friday, Nov. 17th:

• NON-Student Day

Upcoming Dates:

• 11/20-11/24 - Thanksgiving Week break
• 11/27 - Fire Drill 11:40 am
• 11/29 - Staff Meeting
• 11/30 - GATE Academy
• 12/1 - Funky Friday
• 12/4 - PTA Mtg

Read All about it...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... from Teresa: I have a SHOUT OUT to Martha and Sarah for giving up their release time to meet for a 504 last week. I know how precious that hour is. You were so gracious and I appreciate them so much!

"APAWS" goes to ... Cheryl for leading the way and bringing out games for our students last week during recess as we discussed at our Oct. Staff Mtg!  Thank you for your leadership and providing other activities for our students to do during recess!

"APAWS" goes to ... Sarah for her first GATE Academy of the year!  It was a success! 

(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

1. Conference Week: - have a great week meeting your students' parents!  I know what a busy week it is for each of you, but it's also a great time to continue to build relationships each family.  Through that relationship, your students' educational experience only gets better.  The parents are excited to meet with you, hear about the great things their child is doing/learning/creating and to learn what they can do to help support their child and you!  As always, "sandwich" your discussion; start with a positive, discuss areas for growth, and and with a positive as they leave.  

2. Trimester Assemblies: - Monday assemblies - please be on time and remind your students of assembly etiquette before attending.  I will ask teachers to join me up front, welcome everyone, remind students and parents of the awards being presented and then we'll present them by category.  You will bring your awards with you.  The C21 Communication award will be presented by a Rep from Placentia Library.

3. Staff Kindness Challenge: - November 13th is World Kindness Day. In honor of that, and because we need to remember to play and have fun too, I am sharing a "Staff Kindness Challenge" to print and complete, through Dec. 21st, if you'd like to participate.  When you return your completed board, I'll give you a raffle ticket for a prize.  I'll announce the winner on Dec. 22nd during morning announcements.  Just initial the box and put the date you completed the act of kindness.  I'm making this available to all certificated and classified staff.  If you like this and want to make a copy to modify for your own classroom, feel free. :)  I'm sure you've heard that Nov. 17th is the opening for the movie, Wonder.  Have any of you read this with or to your class?  If you'd be interested in attending a Staff night to go see the movie together, please let me know and we'll put a night on the calendar! :)

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... our Leadership Team: Lisa F, Teresa, Martha & Steve for sharing the information from our meeting this past week and for collaborating with you as we work together to continue making Brookhaven the best it can be!

"APAWS" goes to ... Denise B for coordinating our Bear Hug store for our students!

(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)


It's a 4 day week!  As we head into conference week, be sure to find time to take care of yourself and your family!  There is always more work than time.  Be sure to stop to take a deep breath, laugh and do something you enjoy!  It will benefit you and your students.  Know that I appreciate all that you do to make Brookhaven a great place for our kids and each other!
Give a colleague a compliment this week!  You'll be glad you did! :)

1.  Report Cards:  If you haven't yet, please let me know when your cards are ready to be reviewed.  Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• ELD grades for all EL students.  If they are EO, you must put an X in the box or they won't print.  No other "setting" should be marked at the top of any of your EL students' cards.
• If a student received an F, you need to briefly address that in the comments section.
• Be sure to check the box for all GATE, RtI, or At-Risk students.
• Refer to Soundbytes for the At-Risk criteria for your grade level and the criteria and steps for any student needing an AIP.  The AIP should be generated during the Parent Conference if a student requires one.  I will forward an email regarding accessing scores/report in Illuminate to help you with AIP data.  If you have questions regarding this Illuminate report, please see me or Kelly.  
• For RSP students, there is no longer a box to check.  You do use an * to indicate grades based on MODIFIED curriculum.  Please collaborate with Carol if you have questions about this.  Also, you can refer to your Grading Criteria in the Hub to get more clarity on this.  I believe it's on/around pg 12 of the Grading Criteria.

2. Conference Schedules:  Submit a copy of your conference schedule in to the office.  We often get phone calls and that will help them to answer questions. Thank you!  Here is a Talking Points reference sheet from Ed Serv. should you like to use that at conferences.

3. AR and Ticket to Read:  I know we've had some issues with AR and TTR this past trimester.  I am hopeful that all glitches and issues with these programs will be fully resolved this week. I have been working with the district to resolve them.  Thank you for your patience!

4. Peek at the Week: I am not publishing a Peek at the Week this week.  You are able to see our Master Calendar on the right side of the Blog.  It's the same information as has been in the Peek at the Week each week.  

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... Tara, Lisa and Student Council for hosting lunchtime activities last Thursday!

"APAWS" goes to ... Janice and Janet for their leadership with our ELAC meeting and committee!

"APAWS" goes to ... Freddy from our Kinder team for shampooing their rainbow rugs!

"APAWS" goes to ... Rich for sharing his knowledge of Google Classroom with his teammate Lisa!

"APAWS" goes to ... Jose for all the extra work cleaning up after our Fall Festival!


(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

1. Step It Up:  See the shared Google doc for this event day on Thurs, 11/2.  PTA is handling parent volunteers.  Also, please ask students to bring an extra pair of socks.  

2.  Report Cards:  Please send me an email when you are done with these so that I can preview them.  As a reminder, all EL students will receive a progress grade from you.  CELDT scores should be populated automatically through Aeries.  There is an information sheet printed and put into your mailbox on Friday.  Please let me know if you have questions regarding your EL students.  

Peek at the Week...

*Freddy is here this week 6:30-10:30 pm

Monday, Oct 30th:

• Zeenat is here today
• 7:20 am - Mason F, Assmt Results - Bonsangue, Vitelli
• FIBO Assemblies:  see the Master Calendar for times/classes
• 2:30 pm - DL, OT Results- Kishiyama, Bailey, team
• 2:30 pm - MK, Tri IEP, Fulkerson, team
• 2:15 pm - After School Enrichment

Tuesday, Oct 31st:

• 7:25 am - PBIS Team Mtg, Conference Rm
• FIBO Assemblies: see the Master Calendar for times/classes
• 2:15 pm - YTR IEP, Walls/Tripp, team

Wednesday, Nov. 1st:

• 1:30 pm - STP PLC
• 1:30 pm - Leadership Team Mtg, Conference Rm
• 2:30 pm - L Hiasat Mtg 

Thursday, Nov. 2nd: 

• STEP IT UP EVENT - See shared Google doc for information
• Morning Recess is 5 min shorter
• LUNCH RECESS times are flip-flopped on this day
• 8:00-9:20 - Gr. 1-3
• 9:30-10:25 - PK/K & Kishiyama
• 10:35-12:00 - Gr. 4-6  
• 2:30 pm - DB IEP, Martin
• 2:30 pm - SST Staffing - Fulkerson
• 3:00 pm - SST Staffing - Bailey

Friday, Nov. 3rd:

• Zeenat is here today
• 7:20 am - JS 504, Dykstra, team
• FIBO Assembly - Leifeste, Hebert

Upcoming Dates:

• 11/7 - Report Cards due to Julie
• 11/10 - Veterans Day observed, No School
• 11/13 - Trimester 1 Awards Assemblies
• 11/15 & 11/16 - MIN. Days, Conference Days
• 11/17 - Non-student Day for Conferences

*Freddy is here this week 6:30-10:30pm

Monday, Oct 23rd:

• Picture Make-up Day
• Zeenat is here today
• 2:15 pm - After School Enrichment
• 
  

Tuesday, Oct 24th:

• FIBO Assemblies:  See the Master Calendar
• 2:10 pm - Staffing for AR - Martin, team
• 2:45 pm - Mtg. for AR - Martin, team

Wednesday, Oct. 25th:

• 1:30 pm - Grade Level PLC - be sure to submit your agenda to Julie
• 2:30 pm - ELAC Mtg
• 2:30 pm - RJ Tri IEP - Walls, Marentes, Bonsangue 

Thursday, Oct. 26th: 

• Julie @ Principal Mtg 
• After school enrichment- Drama Camp
• 2:30 pm - CZ IEP - Torres, team
• 5-8 pm - Fall Festival 

Friday, Oct. 27th:

• Minimum Day - End of T1
• Halloween dress up day and parties
• Zeenat is here today
• 2:30 pm - IEP, KG - Martin, Felten, Lucas

Upcoming Dates:

• 10/23 - Elementary Connect Mtg 3:30-5:30 @ PDA
• 10/31- FIBO art lessons- see the Master Calendar
• 11/2 - Step It Up event day
• 11/6 - PTA Mtg
• 11/10 - Veterans Day observed- No School

Read All About It

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to ... our SST team for all their work in getting 
our process organized and shared with you!

"APAWS" goes to ... Kim and Melody for their work on our SPSA Plan!

"APAWS" goes to ... our fabulous PTA and Denise Field for setting up and opening
our fall Book Fair!  

"APAWS" goes to ... each of you as you continue to collaborate with each other
and persevere in implementing our new ELA/ELD curriculum!

"APAWS" goes to ... Melody, Teresa, Jamie & Sarah for attending the Professional Dialogue
EdCamps held over the last 2 weeks and then sharing 
with you!


(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

1. Book Fair: - The Book Fair will NOT be open during lunches this week if we have indoor lunch, which I am anticipating for Mon and Tues due to the heat.  If the kids are outside, then it will be open.  Also, just as an FYI, the Book Fair IS open before and after school each day, but students MUST have an adult with them at that time to shop.  If you could remind your students of this, it would be greatly appreciated.  TY! :)

2. Pep Rally:  Due to the heat, we have postponed the Pep Rally.  We will let you know when the new date (anticipated for early Nov) is scheduled.  TY!

3. Teacher Soundbytes:  As always, please be sure to read these.  

4. Red Ribbon Week daily themes:  If you don't have the red half-sheet flyer still in your classroom, you can check out our school website for the theme for each day.  Please take a moment to remind your class what the theme is for the next day.  Thank you!

Have a great week!  It's going to be busy and hot!

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to Jose for getting all the Door Bloks installed on classroom and exit doors!  Thank you Jose!  
"APAWS" to Jodi as well for her leadership in getting our SST process organized and prepped to share with staff.  
Our SST team, Jodi, Kim and Rich were all trained this past week on the SST process to move forms into Illuminate this year.  

(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

1. ELA/ELD Grades and Trimester 1 Writing Prompt:  These are optional for T1.  See your recent Soundbytes.

2. AR:  - I am waiting for confirmation regarding our final order for AR.  In the meantime, all students can access and take AR tests.  You can use your i-Ready diagnostic results and find student lexile levels.  There is a conversion chart that you can use to see what their AR range is and have students begin reading in their range.  I have shared the conversion chart with Lisa and Sarah and it was shared at the i-Ready trainings in August as well.

3. Goals and Objectives: - Please see Karen to set up a time to meet briefly to review and sign your G & O during a release time or before/after school.  We need to meet before Nov. 1st.  You may meet with me as a team or individually. I don't anticipate our meeting to take more than 15 min. 

4.  Shake Out: - We will participate in this state-wide drill on Thurs. at 10:10 am. I will announce for students and staff to take cover for an earthquake drill, wait 2 min and then please evacuate to the field.  We will account for everyone and then return to class.  We'll do a larger disaster drill later this year.

5. Book Fair: - Our Book Fair will open this Thurs.  Denise Field is once again coordinating this great event.  You have received a schedule for your class to visit the Book Fair this week.  We will also open the Book Fair with "Lunch with a Loved One" on Thursday.  Leslie is opening the library during the event this year as well.  Students will be welcome to visit with their "loved one" during that time too.  

6. K/1 & 4-6 Professional Dialogue EdCamp: - This week's voluntary EdCamp for the ELA/ELD implementation will be this Thurs at Morse Elementary 3:30-5:00 pm for anyone interested.  The K/1 has been added to this date as it was postponed last week due to the Canyon 2 fire.

Peek at the week...

*Freddy is here this week 2:00-6:00 pm

Monday, Oct 16th:

• Zeenat is here today
• 2:15 pm - After School Enrichment

Tuesday, Oct 17th:

• 11:50-12:30 Peer Mentor Training w/ Lia - in library (see details in Master calendar)
• 2:00 pm - Staffing for JD McDonald
• 2:45 pm - SST VM, Torres, SST team

Wednesday, Oct. 18th:

• 7:20 am - Staffing, YT - Tripp, Walls, Doeling, Marentes, Lucas 
• 1:30 pm - Staff Meeting - Rm TBD 
• 2:30 pm - IEP, GD - Sweet, team

Thursday, Oct. 19th: 

• Book Fair opens 
• 10:10 am - Great Shake Out 
• Lunch with a Loved One @ lunch time
• After school enrichment- Drama Camp
• K/1 & 4-6 - Voluntary Professional Dialogue EdCamp for ELA/ELD @ Morse 

Friday, Oct. 20th:

• Zeenat is here today
• 2:30 pm - IEP, KG - Martin, Felten, Lucas

Upcoming Dates:

• 10/9-10/20 - CogAT Testing, gr. 3 & 4 
• 10/18 - Staff Mtg
• 10/19 - Book Fair Opens
• 10/19 - K/1 & 4-6 gr. EdCamp @ Morse
• 10/23 - Elementary Connect Mtg
• 10/26 - Fall Festival
• 10/27 - Min Day, End of Trimester 1, Halloween parties/dress up day

Read All About It...

And the "APAWS" goes to...

"APAWS" goes to Tara and Lisa for the fabulous Student Council campaign week and student assembly!
 It was awesome to see our students running their campaigns, giving speeches and taking part in the election!   Great job, ladies!

(If you'd like to give some "APAWS" for next week's blog, please send me an email!)

1. ELA/ELD Grades and Trimester 1 Writing Prompt:  We have been told that this week's Soundbytes will have information regarding grades for the first trimester report card.  I will share any information I may get asap as I know this is an area of concern and questions.  I believe that the T1 writing prompt will also be OPTIONAL this first trimester.  Stay tuned and read the Soundbytes when they arrive this week.  Thank you!

2. AR:  - There was a mix up with our AR order and they purchased only a partial license.  This should be corrected early this week.  I will let you know so that you may have your students take the STAR test, if they haven't already.  We will not have school-wide goals for T1 for AR, as mentioned by Lisa and Sarah last week.  Thanks for your patience and flexibility!

3. Goals and Objectives: - I have shared a blank template our for you to write your Goals and Objectives this year.  As mentioned at our staff meeting, school-wide an identified area for growth is Speaking and Listening.  You are welcome to write a goal in that area if you wish, but this is only a suggestion.  Your goals are for you to write in areas that you wish to target this year.  Goals are due to me no later than Oct. 15th.  

4.  Ticket to Read: - For those of you that asked for TTR, we will have this available once again.  I'm told it will take about 2 weeks for the order to process.  I'll let you know when it's available and get you the parent letter.  TY!

5. Kelly: - I know many of you have already emailed with Kelly, but in case you hadn't heard...she was injured during recess duty last week and will be on leave for a short time.  Her sub, Julie Berlanga, has committed to sub through her anticipated leave.  Thanks in advance for showing Julie around and thank you, too, for sending Kelly your support!  

Peek at the Week

*Freddy is here this week 2:00-6:00 pm

Monday, Oct 9th:

• Zeenat is here today
• CELDT Testing- sometime in the morning; we have only 6 kids
• 2:15 pm - After School Enrichment
• 2:30 pm - SSC Meeting in Kim's room
• 3:30- 5:00 pm- Voluntary K/1 EdCamp @ BH MPR 

Tuesday, Oct 10th:

• 11:50-12:30 Mentor Training w/ Lia - in library (see details in Master calendar)
• 3:30-5:00 pm - Voluntary 2/3 EdCamp @ Lakeview 

Wednesday, Oct. 11th:

• 1:30 pm - STP PLC time 
• 2:30 - 3:00 pm - PBIS Mtg in Julie's office

Thursday, Oct. 12th: 

• After school enrichment- Drama Camp
• 3:30- 5:00 pm - SST Team trng 

Friday, Oct. 13th:

• 11:50- 12:45 pm - Bear Hug Store at lunch

Upcoming Dates:

• 10/9-10/20 - CogAT Testing, gr. 3 & 4 
• 10/18 - Staff Mtg
• 10/19 - Book Fair Opens
• 10/19 - 4-6 gr. EdCamp @ Morse
• 10/23 - Elementary Connect Mtg
• 10/26 - Fall Festival
• 10/27 - Min Day, End of Trimester 1, Halloween parties/dress up day

Read All About It...

Thank you for the adorable "kindness" sign!  It was given without a name, 

but I want you to know that I love it! 

Thank you!

#kindnessiscontagious

#modelkindness

#youleadbyexample

1. ELD Teacher: - This week we will welcome our new ELD teacher, Catherine Barker.  She will begin on Tues this week and her four days/week will be Tues- Friday.  She will be in Rm 803.  Please pop into the lounge on Tues. morning around 7:30 am to meet her and say hello.  This week she will get her curriculum organized, she'll be using our core curriculum Benchmark ELD materials.  She will get familiar with our campus, meet you and get her schedule/student roster worked out.  Thank you in advance for welcoming her, showing her around and helping her to feel and become a part of our staff!

2. Halloween parties/dress up day:  Like last year, we will plan to dress up and celebrate Halloween on Friday, Oct. 27th.  Please let your room parent know this date.  All Halloween activities will take place on this day, with the possible exception of any Student Council lunchtime activities.  

3. SST: - I want to thank Jodi, Kim and Rich for being our SST Team members this year!  They will be participating in a training later in the month, along with me and Carol.  Jodi is our Coordinator and the team member you will work with to initiate, schedule and hold your SST's this year.  More info to come...

4. PTA Membership: - If you have not yet, join the PTA this week.  Membership is $10.  They do a great deal for us and our staff.  Please show your support with your membership.  Thank you!

5. Aeries Parent Portal: - For those of you using Aeries Gradebook, your parents have access to see student grades that you enter unless you "hide" them each time you enter a test assignment.  Search for the email sent from Jeremy Powell, I also referenced it at our first Staff Mtg of the year (you can refer to your agenda from that meeting).  It has directions as to how to either show or hide those grades.  

6. "Teacher Picks" in the library: - Leslie is adding some inviting and welcoming additions to the library this year.  One being a "Teacher Picks" section of books for students to see, enjoy and check out.  This week when you take your students to the library, select 2 books that are "your picks" for her to put in the section.  You can also do this during a release time or when you have a few minutes.  If you happen to do this when she is not in the library, please put your 2 selections in the basket on her desk.  Thank you for helping to make our library fun!

7. Goals and Objectives: - I will send a blank template our for you to write your Goals and Objectives this year.  As mentioned at our staff meeting, school-wide an identified area for growth is Speaking and Listening.  You are welcome to write a goal in that area if you wish, but this is only a suggestion.  Your goals are for you to write in areas that you wish to target this year.  Goals are due to me no later than Oct. 15th.  I will be putting out a schedule this week for you to sign up on, via google doc, for us to meet and sign your goals before the Nov. deadline.

8.  Ticket to Read: - For those of you that asked for TTR, we will have this available once again.  I'm told it will take about 2 weeks for the order to process.  I'll let you know when it's available and get you the parent letter.  TY!

9. EIP: - I did not get you the EIP to review this past week at PLC's.  I am working on a sample to share and will have it for our Oct. Staff Meeting.  Thanks for your patience!  In the meantime, know that you should call the office and they will call the following people, in the order listed, for any classroom emergencies:

• Julie
• Lia - Tues & Wed
• Zeenat - Mon & Thurs
• Jill Efron- (an aide in Janice's class)
• Carol or Nancy (as appropriate for our SPED kids)
• Jose
• (**Your name here if you'd like to be on-call to assist if needed)...

Have a wonderful week!

#bemorebear!

A Peek at the Week...

*Freddy is here this week 6:30-10:30 pm

Student Council Campaign Week!

Monday, Oct 2nd:

• 11:00 am - Site Visit from Dr. Andi Norman, Director of Elem Ed.
• After School Enrichment - Karate
• 6:30 pm - PTA Mtg

Tuesday, Oct 3rd:

• 7:20 am - TS - Attendance Mtg
• 1:30 - DS Mtg - Grijalva, Marentes, Lucas
• 2:30 - DL IEP - Bailey, team
• 6:30 pm - 6th Gr. Parent Mtg, MPR

Wednesday, Oct. 4th:

• 7:20-9:00 am - Dr. Plutko to meet & greet staff in lounge, walk campus
• 1:30 pm - DWI - i-Ready follow up trng 

Thursday, Oct. 5th: 

• Julie @ Principal Mtg
• 2:20-2:50 - Detention in the library
• 2:30 pm - LW Staffing - Walls, Tripp, team

Friday, Oct. 6th:

• 8:50 am - Student Council Election Assembly, MPR
• 7:00 pm -Bears in the Hawks Nest FB game 

Upcoming Dates:

• 10/9 - CELDT Testing
• 10/9-10/20 - CogAT Testing, gr. 3 & 4 
• 10/9 - SSC Mtg
• 10/19 - Book Fair Opens

Read all about it...

Something fun to kick off the week....

and another...inspired by our recent i-Ready...

Something to inspire... she goes to school somewhere!

...and I LOVE the song she sings... 

#bemorebear

Something to reflect on... Going back to our "why"...

1.  RtI Groups - Jaime will begin meeting with some students this week.  She has touched base with most grade levels and is putting plans in place.  She will be working with you as you initially identify students to either have her push-in to support or pull-out to provide intervention using our core curriculum.  As we implement our new ELA/ELD curriculum and access i-Ready data, we may find that our RtI structure is more fluid and changes a bit as we go.  As we've said, this year, we're learning together!

• I have emailed Stacy Owens and other district staff about the possibility of grade level PLC's to share, discuss, learn more about our ELA/ELD curriculum... I'll let you know what I hear back.

2.  i-Ready Training - we will have a whole-staff i-Ready Follow-up training with an i-Ready trainer on Wednesday, 10/4.  I had additional training this past Thursday at my Principal Meeting and I would love to share what I learned with anyone that might want to take a look before 10/4.  Feel free to invite me to your PLC this Wednesday if you'd like to learn a little more now.  :)

3.  Allocation of funds & Ticket to Read / AR - As mentioned in our Staff meeting, we are awaiting word from the district regarding both of these programs.  Looking at our survey results, it looks as if most primary teachers would like TTR.  I am getting our Carry-over funds allocated to us this week and know what we have to spend.  AR is generously paid for by our PTA.  This is an almost $7K gift!

These are the priorities identified by staff: 

• Homework Club (upper grade)
• Ticket to Read (mostly primary)
• Additional Chrome Books - Jeremy Powell is looking into our bandwidth speed and analyzing that...

4. Step It Up Fundraiser: - Monday night is a SCHOOL WIDE, (thank you for SUPPORTING our PTA!), NO CURRICULUM homework night!  Our students will be super excited to have a "night off" and this will allow us to support and emphasize the importance of our Fundraiser.  Our PTA is excited, but a little nervous, to step outside our norm to raise funds.  As mentioned at our PTA meeting, PTA did not make their budget last year and want to be sure to make it this year.  OUR/YOUR support is crucial.  Thank you for showing our support and continuing to support them through promoting our fundraiser.  

• Assemblies are tomorrow, (Monday)- see our Peak at the Week or Master Calendar for times

5. Picture Day: - Please plan to meet at 7:25 am for a whole Staff Photo on Tuesday morning! :)  We'll announce the location at 7:20 am.  THANK YOU! :)

6. Emergency Intervention Plan: I will send our current EIP to you this week for you to review during PLC's.  We'll discuss and revise, if necessary, during our Oct. Staff Meeting.

7. Your expertise needed...  - As mentioned at the Staff meeting, I would love to have one (or more of you :) ) help me with downloading/uploading/sharing all my school pics with you... I want to put them into some type of slideshow or presentation to share.  I could research, but if you know this quickly, I'd be FOREVER grateful! :))  This is the part of admin that I have liked the least, being an island at a site...no other "principal" to walk next door to and ask "how are you" or "what did you do with"... so, Thanks team, for being my team! :)

Have a fantastic week! 

#bemorebear

#actsofkindnessarecontagious

A Peek at the Week

*Freddy is here this week 6:30-10:30 pm

Progress Reports due this week - see Soundbytes for more details

Monday, Sept. 25th:

• Step It Up Assemblies in the MPR: 9:05 am - Gr. 4-6  10:05 am - Gr. PK-3
• School-wide homework is this only, to support our PTA! THANK YOU!
• 2:30 pm- PBIS Team Mtg
• After School Enrichment

Tuesday, Sept. 26th:

• Fall PICTURE DAY
• Golden Ticket - Success Sheet Due for fundraiser (students)

Wednesday, Sept. 27th:

• Grade level PLC

Thursday, Sept. 28th: 

• 
  

Friday, Sept. 29th:

• Pay day! :)

Upcoming Dates:

• 10/2 - PTA Meeting
• 10/4 - 7:20 am - Dr. Plutko to visit
• 10/4 - DWI PLC day - i-Ready follow up training for all staff
• 10/6 - Bears in the Hawks Nest @ EDHS football game

A Peek at the Week...

*Freddy is here this week 2-6 pm

Monday, Sept. 18th:

• After School Enrichment

Tuesday, Sept. 19th:

• Volunteer Xerox trainings

Wednesday, Sept. 20th:

• Staff Meeting - Room TBD

Thursday, Sept. 21st: 

• Julie @ Principal Mtg

Friday, Sept. 22nd:

• 1st Bear Hug Store
• Family Movie Night- Lego Batman 6:30 pm

Upcoming Dates:

• 9/25 - Step It Up Fundraiser kick off
• 9/26 - PICTURE DAY

Tech Tip:

I've heard a lot of buzz around a new studying tool called "Quizlet". The tool is an online tool that has built in games and activities to review content. Teacher Quick-Start Guide. You can integrate it with Google Classroom and students can use it on any device. 

A brief overview:

10 different gaming and study modes - including a new classroom game, Quizlet Live

125 million study sets to choose from or create your own

Free and easy to get started

Nuts and Bolts - Week of Sept. 11th

*Freddy is here this week 2-6 pm
* Music begins this week

Monday, Sept. 11th:

• Patriot Day Flag Assembly - 8 am
• PTA Mtg 

Tuesday, Sept. 12th: 

Wednesday, Sept. 13th:

• Grade level PLC time 

Thursday, Sept. 14th: 

• Bye, Bye Bully assemblies: 
• BTSN - 6:30 Staff intro/PTA Mtg 7 & 7:35 Class presentations

Friday, Sept. 15th: 

Upcoming Dates:

• 9/20 - Staff Meeting - Dr. Plutko to visit during our mtg
• 9/22 - First Bear Hug Store
• 9/25 - Step It Up Fundraiser kick off

Read all about it...

Hot Topics & Information Found Here...

1. We will have our 9/11, Patriot Day assembly Monday morning at 8 am out front.  Our 5th gr. will be performing once again and we'll also observe a moment of silence.

2. BTSN, as you know, is this Thursday.  Please be in the MPR at 6:30 pm for a quick staff introduction.  As stated in the parent survey last spring, our community LOVES you and I love the opportunity to quickly introduce you all together.  I know many of you stay for the brief PTA meeting to show  your support for our fabulous PTA.  Sessions for class presentations will be at 7:00 and 7:35.  I will make an announcement at 7:30 ending the first session and letting parents know they have a few minutes to transition to their next class.  Here are some Talking Points regarding the K-5 Benchmark series for BTSN sent from Ed Services.  Use them as you see best to help familiarize your parents with our new series.  Recall also that homework was a topic of note on the parent survey.  As you review your homework policy for year with parents, be sure it is staying within the Board Policy guidelines.  

3. Library Helper Volunteer - at BTSN, you may consider asking for a weekly Library Parent volunteer.  Leslie and I have been working together and she has many fun, new ideas planned for our library this year.  One new addition is asking each class, esp our primary classes, to consider a parent volunteer who would go to the library each week with your class to help assist students in finding and checking out books.  We have purged many old and beat up books from the shelves and will be replacing those copies with new ones. Also, there will be guest readers, Buddy Bear's Book Recommendations, and other exciting changes to our library.  More will be shared at our upcoming staff meeting on 9/20! 

4. The Wednesday PLC schedule for the year is linked in last week's blog.  Note that this Wed is a grade level PLC and our Staff Meeting this month is 9/20.  Dr. Plutko will be stopping in to say hello during that meeting as well.

5. Data Coach- we REALLY need a data coach this year! :))  Many of you mentioned in the end of the year survey that you'd like more training with Illuminate.  This is a 30 hour paid position.  Please let me know if you'd like to lead our staff in this capacity.  Many of you are anxious to more closely look at your SBAC data from last year and a Data Coach would be able help you access this, along with other scores/data, in a timely manner.  In addition, the district has reinstated Tech Reps at the elementary level this year.  This is a $1000 stipend.  This could be the same person.  If you are interested, or seem to be the one everyone goes to for tech help, let me know.  I have $1000 for you! :)

6. Trimester assessment release day- the district is continuing to provide the once/trimester sub day for assessment.  You can use this day as you see best meeting your needs.  Please work with Karen

D once you've determined your date and sub.  

7. Oral Reading Fluency Quick Check:  I will put these in your mailbox this morning.  They are working on a link to add this score to Illuminate.  Stay tuned...

From Ed Services:

Quick-Check One Minute Reading Fluency - Now LIVE on the HUB

Now LIVE on all grade level Benchmark Advance HUBs! A step-by-step teacher guide to administer the Quick-Check One Minute Oral Fluency is now available on all Benchmark Advance HUBs. All teachers have been provided student hard copies of the assessment for the Trimester 1 assessment. Please refer to the ELA Fluency Guide 2017-2018 for samples of the passages, complete administration, scoring, and data collecting procedures.

Rationale for the Fluency: Though comprehensive, the i-Ready diagnostic does not provide data in the area of oral reading fluency. This reading area will be assessed using the One Minute Oral Reading Fluency Assessments found in the Benchmark Advance Foundational Skills Assessment book. These assessments are designed to yield a Words Per Minute score to complete the data collection and guide instructional decisions. (Stacy Owens and Linda Adamson)

Soundbytes and the HUB:

The Soundbytes can be accessed at pylusdsoundbyte.org

Sound Byte/Grade Level Hubs:  Need some help navigating the new Sound Byte and grade level hubs?  Watch this video.

The HUB has been created for you to find easily (as we get to know it) and in ONE place all your grade level information. To access the Benchmark links within the HUB, you have to FIRST (and ALWAYS) be logged in to Benchmark.