Tuesday, September 17, 2024

September 14, 20



FULL MOON ALERT

This year, the brilliant Harvest Moon first appears in the evening of Monday, September 16, before reaching peak illumination at 10:34 P.M. EDT on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

One thing that sets the Harvest Moon apart from other full Moon names is that it’s not associated with a specific month, as the others are. Instead, the Harvest Moon relates to the timing of the autumnal equinox (September 22, 2024), with the full Moon that occurs nearest to the equinox being the one to take on the name “Harvest Moon.” This means that the Harvest Moon can occur in either September or October, depending on how the lunar cycle lines up with the Gregorian calendar.



GREAT NEWS!  

We have been approved for 2 hours per teacher per month to paid out of contract hours to collaborate with content grade level peers to create common units with common formative and summative assessments.  This fits with our quarter 1 PM focus goals.  

Parameters: 
  • Collaboration must occur with more than one colleague.  
    • Core content teachers by grade level
    • SEI 
    • Elective teachers and modern language 
    • Special education teachers
  • Complete this Google Form for approval 
  • Once approved complete the TIMESHEET (this is specific to MEMS and PM) and turn it in to Daphne.  
  • Reminder: 2 hours per month for August-December, total of 10 hours.  
  • If you are not going to use your 10 hours please contact Tammy via email to let her know. 
Quarter 1 goals:

Department CTs will analyze the AASA blueprint and identify areas of focus for math and ELA for Q1 to then create common grade level unit.

Action steps:
  • Ensure protected and common time to meet on Friday's in CTs
  • Provide a common framework for CT document the work the do
  • Leadership will facilitate CTs to model the process and ensure fidelity of work
  • Solidify our Guiding Coalition to ensure representation from all groups
  • Continue monitoring annotated PBO's, academic language, gradual release
  • Special education teachers will identify UDL strategies to ensure SWD have access to grade level curriculum


ParentSquare Instructions

ParentSquare makes it easy to create appointment sign-ups, allowing families to select a time that works best for them. Please follow the step-by-step instructions linked below to set up your sign-ups:

TIP: In your post regarding conference sign ups, you can ask families to notate if they will be attended in-person or virtually when they select a time slot.

Virtual Conference Option: Microsoft Teams

To accommodate families who prefer virtual conferences, you can set up meetings via Microsoft Teams. You can create a Microsoft Teams meeting and share the link with parents through ParentSquare. Here are instructions on how to use Microsoft Teams set up your virtual meetings:

TIP: You can choose to do a single Teams meeting for all of your conferences with a waiting room, and only admit families into the meeting when their time slot begins. Or, you can create a separate meeting for each family that requests a virtual meeting. 

Please talk as a team (all team members) and by Friday please submit your plan to Tammy including days and time.

Items you must present: AASA scores, Benchmark testing, attendance, academic behaviors and social/emotional behavior. Conference must be offered to all families either in-person, virtual or phone.

Decide as a team if you are going to do student led or teacher led conferences.   


COMPLETE THIS FORM 
TO GIVE A STAFF A SHOUT OUT!

From Anonymous: Lawrence Watson is here for the kiddos who qualify for Special Education Services and is willing to respond quickly with any need that arises.

From Lynn P: Thank you to all staff for the strong commitment and diligence in Benchmark Testing all MEMS students.

From Kristin: Thank you to the Admin team for being so quick to respond to our specialized program rooms!



Friday Collaboration Time

Team CT
Work on your checklist items
In your designated room
12:00-12:45 

Department CT
Continue to plan units with grade level peers with common assessments 
GRADUAL RELEASE not in the dome
If your grade level peer is not here you have personal prep.  
1:00-2:30


Grading:  
  • Put grades in weekly
  • Students must have at least 1 grade per week
  • T-Bird is a pass/fail class

PBIS- Please continue to give out Thunderbucks.  The store will be opened soon.  We have new prizes for this year. 

Quarterly Checklist- 71% voted for the new checklist.  Please fill in only your grade team (check the tabs at the bottom).  Everyone has editing access so be aware. 

Friday CT time change- 54.5 % voted to keep team and department CT time the same on Fridays. 

T-Bird Time- Thank you so much completing the Google form we gained quite a bit of information.  Here is the T-Bird plan moving forward:
  • Team List:  CLICK HERE
    • Please review the team list and when teams meet to discuss students please meet with the entire team as appropriate.
  • Canvas T-Bird Class: What is in the class
    • College and career activities (CCR) 
    • Graphing my progress (weekly)
    • Randomizer to practice roots words, pre-fixes and suffixes
    • Nearpod matching sets
    • Information regarding testing 
  • T-Bird Activities that should be occurring:
    • Reteaching by department
    • Redoing assignments 
    • Graphing my progress (weekly)
    • Quick writing activities (journaling, current events, etc.)
    • Math drills
    • Randomizer to practice roots words, pre-fixes and suffixes
    • Nearpod matching sets
    • Silent reading 
    • Restorative Circles 
  • Housekeeping items:
    • Charge I-Pads
    • Calling home if student does not have their IPad
    • Organize backpacks
  • What to avoid T-Bird:
    • Playing any type of game on their IPads
    • Phone use 
    • Down time without specifically identified activities
Students should be fully engaged in learning activities.  We should not be encouraging free time. 

BLACKOUT DATES AND PROTOCOLS

As a reminder, the days before and after a holiday (see below) are blackout dates for ALL staff. (Classified, certified, and ancillary) You must have principal pre-approval if you must call off for extenuating circumstances.  Please don’t plan a trip without prior approval. Thank you for understanding. 


 “Personal leave will not be granted on unless you receive pre-approval from principal.: 1) the day prior or subsequent to any scheduled holiday, 2) the first or last instructional week of the school year, 3) Parent/Teacher conference days, 4) make-up snow days, 5) testing days for test administrators and proctors, and 6) district wide staff development days.”


When we hit the 10% threshold, I will then need to deny.  It is very helpful when you secure a sub.  

Upcoming Blackout Dates Include:


September 19- 17% staff out

September 20- 20% staff out 

October 7-9 

November 8, 26

December 20


Any day we are above the 10% threshold


Any questions or concerns? Please either see Maddie (BSP Room 185) or Julia (8th Grade ELA, Room 176) or fill this out!









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