Month: April 2015

April 28, 2015

Academic Recognition: After some feedback from the AR committee members it is evident that CRE needs flexibility in end of the year awards. Feel free to schedule your classroom awards at a time that is convenient for your students. You can extend an invite to parents if you feel their presence would be of value to the recognition of students. My understanding is most classroom teachers have  plan for a positive culmination to the end of the school year. If you need resources there is a folder in the shared drive with end of the year awards templates. Please add your resources to the folder as reference for others. Enjoy this opportunity to celebrate with your 2014-2015 class!!!

Bucket Fillers:

Whitney Mosley made me aware of students that needed assistance in making today a memorable field trip for them. I appreciated her communication in involving me in seeking a solution to her immediate problem. Sometimes it all happens at once, and she was managing each road bump with grace.

Michelle

April 27th, 2015

 

 

Schedules: Please be mindful of protected interventions. If the classroom schedule is adjusted for whatever reason, please be sure students are available for scheduled interventions. We have to make use of every minute in order to pull students up as much as possible before the end of the school year.

Summer School: Be sure you are sharing the Summer School form with students and families who you are recommending this extended learning opportunity for.

With school quickly approaching the end of the year, now would be a good time to check your lunch account and make a payment if you are in the negative. If you have a payment to make or need help looking up your account, please see the head cashier in your building.
Testing begins on Monday, April 27th and continues through May 22nd.  Students will be testing in various locations throughout the building (400 lab, Library lab, Counseling room, 609), so please be diligent in keeping your students quiet during building travel.  Also, please refrain from printing to the 400 during testing times.

Bucket Fillers: Bayli Ijames came through for us again today. She shared a strong third grade leader to help a first grade student overcome an obstacle. They were both so proud to return with the task completed in no time at all. Thanks, for your willingness to support out of the box scenarios for student success.

Melissa Harris, Grace Helms, and Nancy Longo have been gracious enough to host a student for practicum hours this week. Thank you ladies to allowing others to learn from your craft. #crestrong

Michelle

April 24, 2015

Leadership Notes 4/24/15

Class List Process/PLC 5/29
Welcome feedback before summer.
5/15 SIS placement info input due, include separation.  Each grade level needs to make a separation list for admin.
SIS placement-looks a little different now.  Screenshots will be available.  RTI box is gone and drop downs will be available for Behavior, Reading, and Math.  There are 2 lines for comments and these MUST be used.  Please abbreviate.  DRA and ITL are now combined.  Mentors please walk mentees  through this process. Mrs. Thompson will be sharing detailed information with staff regarding updates, expectations, and screen shots for clear understanding.

2015-16 SY Calendar-discussion about what the 1st 3 contract days would look like.  CRE is hoping Th-M will look like M-W on the prior calendars. Considering a 2:30-5:30 Open House time.

Soft skills curriculum, LIM-eye contact, character, socialization, etc. Goal is to be intentional with teaching these skills many of our students do not have. We are in preliminary discussions regarding a plan for what this may look like for our building/district.

Book study; summer planning-poverty and engaged teaching topics.  Summer dates will be set for this voluntary study.  A couple meetings will be set to discuss.

Writer’s Celebration May 26th in cafeteria for 2 & 3rd.  1st grades will be May 22?

YA books due 5/30.

Please be mindful of gym use to honor Coach’s teaching time.

Budget update-get 100% spending in today!

Other-Academic recognition still in the works within the grade levels. We will not be hosting grade level specific award assemblies, the focus will be on classroom awards as recognition of their talents, area of strength, etc. Special area teachers have elected not to present awards to students due to their availability in delivering awards to each class. Follow up with legistics from academic recognition team on award template, copies, expectations, etc. to come.

Bucket Fillers: The para team helped me with the Staff Kid Party on a day they could have been off the hook! They are all so great everyday, but really shine when it comes to building capacity as a team/family. #crestrong
Michelle

April 22, 2015

“Expectation without communication leads to frustration.”

This quote has resonated with me lately as I feel less than successful as a communicator, these days. I pride myself on keeping CRE in the know and desire to be the leader that can work toward and attain my own professional goals. This is just an FYI, if something has slipped and you need immediate action or assistance from me, don’t hesitate to let me know. Budget planning, MAP planning, hiring, discipline, and parent conferences are keeping me hopping… the good news is it is all school business and I am NOT hanging in the lounge sipping a Starbucks! (that sounds good though!!!) In short: If you need me I am there!

If you have not turned in your volunteer appreciation form for any volunteers worthy of said recognition, please be sure to email their names to me today. We want to make sure everyone is accounted for in our district planning for recognition.

2015 Volunteer Appreciation

Summer School forms: Please send home summer school forms to students who would benefit from attending. If they have not returned a form and you feel strongly about their enrollment or it can been encouraged please send home an additional form.

Gifted Screening: If you are considering gifted screening for a student, please share the names with Mrs. Bronn. (1st grade)

Attached you will find the amended school calendar for next year. The CRE Calendar will be updated with the changes. 2015-2016Calendar2

I am in the thick of budget planning for next year and need feedback on the following items: If a category does not pertain to you then you do not need to reply. Email your answers to Evelyn for technology planning purposes.

1. Are you EMINTS trained? If so, is your classroom fully equipped?

2. Will you be completing EMINTS training by the start of the 2015-16 school year?

3. Do you need your smart board replaced? (only yes if you have had consistent, unresolved issues)

Please cut an paste these questions with your answers when emailing Evelyn.

Bucket Fillers: Pam Hazell and Cindy Nevins created a form for teacher assignment input in the PST process. This is going to be instrumental in the class assignment process for our at-risk populations. Great thinking! #crestrong

Sara Pardeck and Bayli Ijames hosted second round interviews in their classes today. I appreciate their perspective in the hiring process and their open door policy to allowing these candidates a positive atmosphere to let their talents shine.

Victoria Hutsell embraces a challenging student when redirected back to the classroom. She has waved us away at the door when checking on his return. She is confident in handling his transition and recognizes his need for time an space in the moment. I appreciate her desire to have in class and her approach to him as an individual. #crestrong

Jennifer Engel does an exceptional job of using social media as a tool for sharing the great happenings in her classroom and our school. I am certain parents feel a sense of peace in the snapshots of learning and character development they can access during their day. This is a talent that certainly links school and home.

Tricia Clark is in flux at the moment regarding a daily schedule due to her students’ health needs. With that she asked, seeks direction, and desires to serve in the best capacity. I appreciate the confidence I have in her to be able to share her time and turn on a dime as needed within our sped team.

Stay tuned…

Michelle

 

 

April 12, 2015

PTO Minutes:

United Way Week:

REMINDER*** United Way is this week and if you have not paid your dues, you can pay me or Evelyn on Monday. It is $10 and you can post date a check for the 20th if you need to. All week of jeans, dessert wars on Wednesday (winner will receive a gift card), and NO PLC on Friday. Teaching is awesome, but teaching in comfort is a bonus! Have a wonderful weekend!

Summer School Dates Set:

Summer school will begin on Monday, June 8th this year and will run through Thursday, June 25. Summer school will again be held at the Primary for elementary students. The school day will be 7:30-2:30 Mondays through Thursdays. Dr. Worley sent an email out last Thursday about summer school, and she included the application for those interested. Applications are due to Dr. Worley by 8:00a.m. on Monday, April 6th.

E-Mail Transition to Google:

The district will be transitioning our email to Google (Gmail) before the school year’s end. Becky will have someone here at CRE at PLC time on Friday, May 22nd to help us with the transition.

Intervention Scheduling: Math and Literacy Intervention cut off will be May 8th due to the start of our assessment window.
Instructional Spotlight:
australian kalThe Australian Kaleidescope was a great success again. This program is offered to us from our local Arts Council free of charge. A whole day of structured, extended learning opportunities for students. Win Win! Thank you Mrs. Harris for your dedication to organizing this event for our third grade team.
author visit Once again our Author Visit was terrific. Thank you Ms. McCormick for your extra efforts and good work in hosting this day of learning that really brings so many core curricular elements together. A showcase of talent, relevance, and academia at it’s best. A good day for CRE for sure.

Budget: The final cutoff date for orders will be April 30th. . Keep in mind that we need the invoices for the orders by this date as well. The end of the year is approaching quickly.

Yearbooks: The PTO should receive all ordered yearbooks on May 8th. In addition, each building will receive 30 extra yearbooks (both soft cover and hard cover) to sell in the offices. Students who did not get the opportunity to order will have another chance on a first come…first serve basis.

 

Week at a Glance:

United Way Week

District Cur Mtg- Tuesday 4:15

Relay for Life Fundraiser: Skate for a Cure at Skateworld- Tuesday 5:00-7:00

Final C of O Math visit- Wednesday

Elementary Interviews at CRE- a.m. Thursday

Michelle Vacation Day (spring garage sale) -Friday

No PLC-Friday

Bucket Fillers:

I want to let you know how much I appreciate Nurse Terry and the 600 hall para’s. This morning I ended up on breakfast duty by myself, and they all stepped-up and helped me by extinguishing situations before they started and helping students follow the morning routine.
I couldn’t have done it without them. ~ Cindy Nevins
 Marta Nangle has embraced new student enrollment and the challenges that come with services a family with language limitation. It is fun to see her expertise at work. The families she services are well cared for and know that our school district thrives on their participation and partnership. #crestrong
Tricia Clark has been in a hybrid position for a while with extenuating circumstances with her assigned student. This has allowed her to dig in and assist others which she has done without missing a beat. Give her a kid and watch her go.
New student placement: There are too many to list specifically, but our building has experienced an influx in enrollment and some cases are heavy in need. I appreciate and recognize how the classroom teachers, sped, and support staff have rallied around families and students to create a sense of belonging. #crestrong
I am still working on diagnosing the Edublog/Calendar problem. It shows up on my view but I will contact tech support to assist early this week. Until then Evelyn keeps a running list of all dates on the SIS home screen, under the Bulletin tab.
Here’s to a week of dedication to teaching and learning at CRE.
Michelle

April 2, 2015

Happy Easter Weekend, I hope each of you find the time to relax and enjoy the beautiful weather. I will be taking a vacation day on Monday, April 6th. Mrs. Thompson will be on CR campus should a need arise.

It has a been a great week here at CRE. Thank you for each of you who have put forth extra effort to participate in various extensions of your school role. (Autism Awareness Day, Food Power set up/scheduling, Positive Post It Note Day, and many other “things” that get thrown your way)

I am most proud of professional behavior and a desire to serve observed here at CRE. Professional behavior in work settings, attending to the instructional conversations that take us from good to great, and “doing” the extra that truly impacts the connection with a student or a family. These are all qualities of our staff that I consider myself lucky to observe and be a part of each day. Service to others is the pulse of our CRE core. Service in words, actions, and work ethic when it comes to the “many” tasks in a day to make our school solid in instruction and support for our school families.

I am proud to be #crestrong

Ozark Mountain Bank employees are offering to visit Kindergarten through 6th grade classrooms to present information about the importance of saving money. The presentations can be customized to fit the time that teachers have available in their class and can be done between now and the end of the school year. Anyone who has questions or is interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact Roger Frieze atroger_frieze@ozkmtnbank.com.

Please let me know if you are planning to invite visitors into your classroom. If grade levels can coordinate dates and times that would make travel time most efficient for our guests.

Bucket Fillers: With MO extension here today we were given many compliments on our staff and how everyone was great to work with.  Jeff Gaar goes above and beyond every day to be a servant and it showed this morning.  Cindy Nevins recruited some early morning helpers to unload the van at 7:00!  I appreciate her, Jan and Nancy Longo showing up at the crack of dawn.  Mrs. Blackerby, Juli, Bayli, Lindsey, John and all of the extra hands made a difference.  I know I am missing many helpers but I appreciate the team coming together to make this a great day of learning.

 

Michelle