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.

Nuts and Bolts - Week of September 4th

It doesn't matter when we start.

It doesn't matter where we start.

All that matters is that we start.

quoted from Better Together, by Simon Sinek

A Candle loses nothing by lighter another candle

*Freddy is here this week 6-10 pm
*Library, computer and PE Release begins this week - music next week

Monday, Sept. 4th:

• No School - Labor Day Holiday  

Tuesday, Sept. 5th: 

• Discipline/Rules Assemblies in the MPR: 8:15-9:00 Grades 1-3 / 1:20-2:00 Grades 4-6

Wednesday, Sept. 6th:

• STP - Early Release PLC time 

Thursday, Sept. 7th: 

• Julie @ Principal Mtg 8-1
• Detention - in the library - 2:20 pm - Julie is on duty for this rotation

Friday, Sept. 8th: 

• First Funky Friday of the year!

Upcoming Dates:

• 9/11- Patriot Day - 5th gr. will perform, presentation of flag - time is TBD
• 9/13- Grade level PLC's
• 9/14 - Bye Bye Bully Assembly - 2 performances
• 9/14 - Back to School Night 6:30 PTA, 7 & 7:30 class presentations
• 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