Month: January 2014

January 28, 2014

 

PD Reflection: This was a terrific day of professional growth for our team to experience together. This experience offered many memories, stories to be told and black mail for a later date. Thank you to Nancy Longo and Jane Hasler for fully supporting the vision and working to bring it full circle for all to enjoy. This “shot in the arm” should sustain us for quite some time. CRE Strong!!!

CRE Family News:

I want to thank CRE Family for helping me through this difficult time. Thank you for the beautiful card and gift certificate. Thank you for your prayers and thoughtful words. Each hug I receive comforts and  helps me regain peace in my heart. I am truly thankful to be part of such a great, and loving FAMILY.
 Thank you.
Marta

Brody update: He is doing better but is certainly not 100% yet. He plays hard for a while then the fever hits him and he is down again. Today he is home with his Nanny and woke up fever free so we are hopeful this is the end of the ICKS…Thank you for the genuine concern for his health. I do not take the family-focused atmosphere here at CRE for granted. Love this team…

 

Dates to Remember:

1/28 Attendance Winners Ice Cream Delivery (late afternoon)

1/29 Workshop 101 8:30-11:30, Weekly Admin Mtg 9:30-12:00 Collins Out

1/30 2nd/3rd Literacy Team Meeting 8:00, SWMAESP Mtg 12-2:00 Collins Out

1/31 CRE Friday Breakfast 8:00, 3rd Assessment Update Mtg at 8:00 in Harris’ Rm, PBIS Mtg 8:00

 

Bucket Fillers: Daralyn Scroggins shared a great opinion writing idea during the 1st grade Literacy Team Meeting. It is evident that curricular knowledge and applicable learning experiences are solid in Mrs. Scroggins classroom. The team was attentive and engaged in the learning moment due to the relational trust within the grade level and the professional respect among colleagues. Thank you, Daralyn, for your consistent focus and continued growth as a leader.

Betty Forrest openly shared her thoughts on curricular pacing that opened the door for healthy collaboration on the topic of writing. The 1st grade team was receptive to the thoughts shared which is reflective of the collaborative climate built within the team dynamics. Thank you, Betty, for our continued desire for simplicity and focus on desired outcomes.

Michelle

January 23, 2014

Show some love for CRE by sharing your talents:

1. We need a 400 computer lab makeover (new bulletin boards, spiffed up areas, etc.)

2. The conference room is in need of a little attention. It won’t take much, but a little bit of time and effort will make a BIG difference. We host several meetings a day in this space and I would like to host a welcoming environment.

I will partner with a team or individual on either or both of these project, but feel overwhelmed in taking it on all on my own. Who is in??

CRE Family News: Marta Nangle is back home and will be returning to CRE on Monday. She has been through a crisis with the loss of her mother and will need her school family to support her in this time of need.

Landon Guaer Update: The Relay for Life Team met again this week and had asked that Landon be our team’s Honorary Chair. I made contact with the family today and they are all in to be apart of the Relay and our dance scheduled in the spring. (more info to come) Landon has completed his radiation treatments and is awaiting his 30 day post treatment MRI to assess the status of the tumor. Today has been a rough day for Landon, he has been dizzy and started running a fever last night. The doctors have put him back on the steroids to help with the tumor inflammation due to the treatment. He is home at this moment and his parents are in daily contact with his team of doctors. Go Team Landon!!! The family is looking forward to attending a benefit in their hometown of Sullivan, MO this weekend. Our thoughts are with his family and the hope that he feels well enough to enjoy the benefit with his friends and family.

Down Funderburk will be calling new students out of class beginning today and into the beginning of next week to complete their NWEA testing. Thank you for working with her so that we can assess their learning needs and have up to day data for all services.

Tomorrow: Sack Lunches pickup from 10:00-11:30…Early Dismissal…Potluck (yes I am bringing “something” just not sure what yet) … PD Day Agenda

A great day of collaboration, fun, and togetherness await us!!!

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Bucket Fillers: Mesa surprised me with an offer to pick up curtains and curtain rods for the cafeteria. It is moments like this that I truly reflect on the “awesomeness” of our CRE Family. It meant so much that she was intentionally trying to help out, all while managing her own two young daughters, and baking quiche for the morning technology meeting. Mesa, you are a ROCKSTAR!!! Thanks so much for your genuine desire to help.

Melissa Harris shared a great resource to reinforce the rigor that comes with the common core. I will embed a link to the publication, then look for the article Challenging Students with Complex Text. For some reason the website would not allow a direct link to the article. Thank you, Melissa for sharing this resource and seeking an avenue for professional growth.  School and Community

I have enjoyed a full week of observations, meetings, sharing books with classes, parent meetings, etc. Thank you for this opportunity to SERVE our school in varied capacities each and every day. Let me know what I can do to help you.

Michelle

January 21, 2014

CRE Family News: Mrs. Molina shared the information regarding the bake sale on Wed and Thurs to raise funds for Dana McPherson (cashier at BI) to help with the unexpected death of her son. If you are interested in baking to support the Kitchen Team’s efforts, please have your items in the lounge that morning. Come and shop the bake sale for goodies an support our won in her time of need. CRE Strong!

Bucket Fillers: Several members of the leadership team worked cooperatively to create a wall display highlighting our 1st Semester Leadership Workday. Thank you all for coming together as a team, sharing a vision, and taking action to make it happen. Another great representation of the core we treasure here at CRE!!! Go Team!

Grace Helms is giving it her all today to get through her math lesson even though she has succumb to first year teacher illness. Ms. Helms is a trooper!

Please take notice that all student desks need to be cleared at the end of the day so that our night custodians can disinfect more often. Luke is also going to work on a routine of disinfecting door handles and throughout the day as well. With these extra efforts in place, perhaps we can work to squelch the germs that have set up camp in our building. Thanks for your good work in the area of educating our students about the importance of proper hand washing and overall health awareness.

Grade Reps you make want to discuss a reteaching moment with your team focused on Cafeteria Conduct. Students are struggling to line up respectfully once they are dismissed from their table and the time their teacher is joining them for dismissal to recess. Thank you for addressing this transition within your grade levels.

As a reminder, Mrs. Thompson and I will be gone this afternoon for a much needed Sam’s run. Depending on the timing, I may not return for the end of the day.

Michelle

January 20, 2014

 

Calendar Updates:

1/21 Collins and Thompson out for Sam’s Run at 1:30

1/22 Elem Admin at BE 11:45 and PLC Admin 1:15 at DO

Relay for Life Team Mtg 4:30 in Library

1/23 Collins Read to Bradford’s Class

1/24 CRE Leadership Team Mtg 8:00 Library

1/27 Character Assembly 2:30 hosted by SPED and Special Area Teams

1/28 Boys and Girls Advisory Meeting/Collins out 11:30

1/29 Workshop 101, Weekly Admin Mtg/Collins Out

1/30 SWMAESP Sub District D Mtg in Springfield/Collins Out

1/31 PBIS Team Mtg 8:00

2/4 RTI District Mtg 8:30-11:30/Collins Out, First Place Character Admin Mtg at C of O

2/5 Charity Stillings visits from the Boys and Girls Club 8-3, Weekly Admin Mtg at DO/Collins Out, PTO

2/6 PTO Meeting 12:30 at BI

2/10 PST Mtgs, Collins out to teacher feedback training all day

2/10-2/11 CPI Training @ Sped Office

2/11 District Curriculum meeting @ 4:15 p.m.

Board Meeting – 6:30p.m.

 

Our Spring Book Fair is scheduled for March 3rd-7th. The 7th is an early dismissal day.

Bucket Fillers: Today was another impressive day in PST Meetings. Mrs. Mitchell was committed to the needs of her student and the support necessary to get him on track. It was a healthy, roundtable discussion focused on a child’s history, current happenings, and the plan for future growth. Great job team and healthy dialogue from Mrs. Mitchell.

Luke Widhalm is forward thinking and has been brainstorming ideas to improve our CRE home for the 2014-15 school year. I appreciate his commitment and thoughts for improvements. Way to go Luke.

Michelle

January 17, 2014

IMG_20140117_090726_857Jett has a temp today and will be going to the doctor at noon. No worries though, we are confident it is an ear infection and not contagious. If you need me I will be close to the office for most of the morning. I will be out for the afternoon and will try to return for PLC. Thank you welcoming my sweet boy to our school family today 🙂

The Social Committee has a great team builder planned for you this afternoon. I have been so impressed with CRE’s uninhibited participation in all of our fun events. Let’s keep the momentum going as we are intentional in our efforts to create memories and build bonds within our team.

Thursday, Jan. 23rd Trane will be here to look at our heating and air units. They will be here for a few hours anywhere between 9:00-1:00 and will do their work in the hallways.

Week at a Glance:

1/20 PST Mtgs 11:30-4:00 in room #316

1/22 Elem Admin Mtg 11:45-1:00 at BE/Collins and Thompson Out

PLC Admin at DO 1:15-2:15/Collins and Thompson Out

1/24 Leadership Team Mtg 8:00 Library

Early Dismissal @ 11:45

Professional Development Day (see agenda)

Potluck for Lunch

PD Agenda

Jan. 27th-Jan. 31st is School Board Appreciation Week: CRE is sharing a video of appreciation with our School Board Members, but if you would like to share words of appreciation with our board I will compile those thoughts from our CRE Family. Anything authentic from the heart will work. Just email your thoughts to me. Thanks for taking a moment to reflect on how helpful out Board is in guiding our district on a continuum of integrity and kid first decision making.

Bucket Fillers: Debbie Thomas was put in the right place at the right time to help a family in crisis this morning before school. Sure thankful for her kind heart and willingness to share her story. Good people are all around us!!!

Genna Yabusaki is sporting a new hair style, not only because she is trendy and fun but also to give back. She donated her 10 inches of locks to the Pantene Pro V Beautiful Lengths organization. They make wigs for cancer patients at no charge to the patients. Love this, love the cut, and love her! Good people are all around us!!!

Michelle

 

January 16, 2014

As a reminder, I will be out of the office today attending a SWMAESP Officers meeting in Springfield beginning at 12:00. I will be leaving school around 11:00 and returning this afternoon. I will be involved in a parent meeting beginning at 3:45. Mrs. Thompson is attending the Character Conference at College of the Ozarks today with a number of our CRE colleagues. She is near by if an emergency should arise. Mr. Engel can be contacted in the event of an immediate building need.

Relay for Life Info: There are currently 18 Wednesdays during our fundraising window. You are welcome to pay all at once or weekly. See Genna Yabusaki for any questions pertaining to team registration, involvement, and/or fundraising. If we were to have a snow day on a Wed. we would just assume that money was a donation, we won’t refund. That would be fussy 🙂 If you plan to pay with a check please make it out to the American Cancer Association.

Half Day Schedule 2013 Here is the link to our Half Day Schedule. January 24th will be a PM Day.

Half Day Lunch Plan: The window for lunch pickup will be 10:00-11:15. Please take your classes to the cafeteria to complete their individual point of sale (go through cashier) to pickup their sack lunches. You are welcome to host lunch in your classrooms on this day. Thank you for attending to the details to help us offer a meal to students before leaving for the day.

Bucket Fillers: Leah Edwards and Jennifer Engel are so great about taking advantage of the reply/comment option on the blog. I appreciate this open forum of communication and the intentional efforts to share compliments about their team members. Nice use of communication tools, ladies.

Jacki Miller was spot-on in a parent meeting this week, where difficult information had to be communicated. I appreciated her perspective from the classroom and the knowledge she brought to the table regarding the students learning needs. It was fun to share in this experience with you, Mrs. Miller.

Ellie Brubaker has done her part to finalize an on-going scenario in the best interest of the child. She nudged me along at the appropriate times, so that my actions were timely. I appreciate this support as I am often dependent on the classroom teacher’s communication needs when it comes to sticky situations. She was on board for whatever the outcome was going to be and stuck with it all the way to the end. Nice work, Ellie.

Jessica Dale dove into a collaborative conversation yesterday where her level of expertise really shined through. It was encouraging to witness the collaboration and teamwork that took place as plans were discussed surrounding a students layer of services. Way to jump in, Mrs. Dale.

Michelle

January 14, 2014

Here is the link to our cre family meeting jan 2014 as promised!

Below you will find the Boys and Girls Club contact information that Charity referred to today in our Faculty Meeting:

Victor Jantz

417.336.2420 x 228

vjantz@bgcozarks.org

Paul Voliva
417.336.2420 x 225
pvoliva@bgcozarks.org
We are in the beginning phases of planning for the 2014 Relay for Life event. We will gear up for fundraising and encourage anyone interested or affected in anyway by CANCER to join us in our efforts to celebrate, remember, and honor everyone who has been touched by this disease. We have a strong Branson Pirates Team, but seek to share this life-changing experience with our CRE Family. I have found, personally, this is a great way to give back and come together for something that is so prevalent in our everyday lives. I join and participate now to honor my dad who lost his fight Nov. 4th, 2009. My team supported him and our family through his illness and now honors his memory each year. I am forever grateful!!!
2012-06-18 21.40.39 Raymond Braschler
We have enrolled several families this week and you may have had a student added to your roster. We have been trying to meet with families more consistently as they enroll and will communicate any necessary information with you as we receive it.
Bucket Fillers: Mrs. Thompson,  Mr. Swearingen, and Mrs. Hazell are great support in parent meetings when things go “off track.” I appreciate their individual areas of expertise and professionalism when the going gets tough. Couldn’t ask for a better team!
April Mulnik hung out late to insure that all was well following a late afternoon parent meeting. She ended our conversation with a quick check on me personally. It is refreshing to be uplifted in support by thoughtful and  caring colleagues as well. Thanks for seeking communication regarding your student and supporting the continued needs of the family.
Sara Pardeck took on the task of entertaining an office full of children after school. She made some new friends, one being Brody Collins. I appreciated your support when I was busy being a Principal and not a parent. You are a Rockstar in our eyes!!!
Remember, I will be out most of the day tomorrow. I will start the day at CRE for an 8:00 parent meeting and then be in administrative meetings for the bulk of the day. Call, text, or email if a need should arise.
Michelle

January 13, 2014

Just an FYI the district will issue payroll on Friday, January 17th due to banks being closed for Martin Luther Kind Jr. Day on Monday, January 20th. It is nice to work for a district that takes care of all of us. Little things like this are what make us feel valued and appreciated for the work that we do.  

Dates coming up:

1/20 Martin Luther King Jr. Day – School in Session (1st Snow Makeup Day)

1/22 Admin Meeting – 9:30a.m. @ CO

1/24 11:45 a.m. – Early Dismissal – CRE hosting Skinny Improv/Potluck

1/29 Admin Meeting – 9:30a.m. @ CO

Attendance Focus

Please continue to emphasize the importance of good hand washing to your students. The flu and other illnesses have started earlier this year and children are the #1 carrier and passers-on of such conditions. As a reminder, please initiate correspondence with families who are currently struggling with regular school attendance. The classroom teacher is the first line of defense in effecting change. Thanks for digging in!

CRE Family News: Marta Nangle’s mother passed away on Saturday. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family at this time.

Box Top Winners!!! The following classes get a free turn at PLINKO… Enjoy! Thank you for encouraging your students to participate. The money earned from programs such as this allow us many extras we would not have without these funds. 🙂

1st: Scroggins

2nd: Helms

3rd: Miller

Bucket Fillers: Jeff Engel responded promptly with this write up on the great happenings in room 600. Thanks for your fast action and investment in children each day.

Great things are happening in the classroom!  Each one of our kiddos are now able to use the Ipad on an independent basis using it as an educational tool as well as requesting it for positive reinforcement purposes and “independently” finding games they enjoy playing.  Another wonderful thing that is taking place is that all students are beginning using the keyboard to type sentences from books or they are using the computer to research items of interest.  One last thing to celebrate, all students are familiar with the Smartboard and they are able to sit during educational videos, work with the board during educational times, as well as take turns playing games with their friends.  Very excited!
I’m lucky to work with students that try as hard as my kiddos do! I’m amazed at how patient they are 🙂 ! I also love the positive energy I get from my students! I’m commonly greeted with hugs and hellos on a daily basis. I feel blessed to be a part of their lives.
I spent a good part of the day making parent phone calls regarding school attendance. This does not make me a popular person, but it does open the door for dialogue with families who need our support. Let me know if I can be of assistance as you dig into the needs surrounding specific cases.
Michelle

January 10, 2014

Week at a Glance:

1/13 Grades due to Evelyn by 8 a.m., 11:30-4:00 PST Mtgs

1/14 7:00 a.m. CRE January Faculty Meeting, 8:00 a.m. Relay for Life Meeting

1/15 Admin PLC Meeting/Collins Out 9:30-11:30, Elementary Admin Mtg 11:30-?/Collins and Thompson Out, grades emailed home to parents

1/16 3rd Data Day, SWMAESP Officers Mtg in Springfield/Collins Out BOE Mtg 6:30

1/17 1st Data Day, PLC 3:00 Kid Talk/CPI Review

Have a great weekend, friends.

Michelle

January 10, 2014

Leadership Meeting Notes:

Jan. Faculty Mtg 1/14 at 7:00 a.m.

Leadership Workday Wall Display- group project, email pics to Leah, Nancy/words, Lori/purchases, etc.

Attendance Discussion: classroom teachers are encouraged to host conversations and make contact with families who are experiencing less than desirable school attendance. If you encounter difficulty making phone contact with the parents, please utilize all information available in SIS to put the puzzle together in order to host a parent/teacher conference or phone conversation regarding the importance of school attendance.

Mrs. Thompson and Mr. Russell are working on an Elementary Attendance Flow chart that will help facilitate this dialogue with families. Coming soon…

Working on rescheduling 1st and 3rd data days for next week. Look for an email from Mrs. Brown today.

Today’s PLC: Back to the Basics of PCL/Charland Pulse Training (look for details from Mrs. Brown later today)

Rotation Discussion and Master Scheduling for Day #1-#5 to remain consistent with special area classes. This is a continuation of past discussions and lead us into intervention scheduling, shared special area teachers in the district, and the desire to eliminate missed specials due to non attendance days.

Young Authors Discussion: grade level reps, selection committee, etc.

Writing Celebration/Read Your Heart Out Day Discussion: invite guests, set up tables in gym, all students have a published piece of work on display, classes sign up and visit for 15 minutes, etc.

Spelling Bee Information: will get with Mrs. Brashers on specifics

MAP Planning and Dates: waiting on Admin to set dates so that planning can commence

PBIS: Plinko incentives need to be updated

Bucket Fillers: Jacki Lee took time out of her sick day (dental appt.) to put all the office mail up for Maggie. What a kind act of service to extend a helping hand during a very busy week of scheduling and rescheduling subs for CRE. I greatly appreciate the Jacki Lee’s in this world.

John Helsel offered to take classes for any teachers who were unable to make it in to work last week on one of our wintery mornings. John’s sacrifice of himself in a time of need truly speaks to his character. We are all thankful to have John Helsel as a member of our CRE Family. Thanks John for your offer to go above and beyond.

I am looking forward to mild weather next week and a full week of teaching and learning.

Michelle