CRE Family News
The Veteran’s Day assembly was received as the touching tribute to those in attendance. Servicemen and Veteran’s shared their gratitude and our extension of patriotism to them. Thank you again, Mrs. Hazell for your efforts to organize the assembly. Thank you, classroom teachers for your efforts to prepare your students as participants. Our guests were touched and as an intended outcome so were our students. This will be a memorable learning experience for our students to pull from as they embark on their journey as a patriot. It is a necessary, now more than ever, that we look for ways to embed opportunities for our students to learn and model patriotism in the school setting. Thank you CRE for your support!
There is a lot of LIFE happening all around our CRE Family these days. Please continue to be an encourager to your peers. There are so many factors that are out of our control but reaching out with a kind word, hug, note, etc may be all that person needs to face the day with a renewed spirit. This is what we are good at and it is time to rely on our strengths. #CREfamily
Artisan Themes
All good teachers should be utilizing the six fundamental Artisan Teaching themes (Clear Learning Goals, Congruency, Task Analysis, Diagnosis, Overt Responses, and Mid-Course Corrections). These are all necessary strengths teachers must possess or be able to do to promote high levels of student understanding. These themes are the “essence” of what quality instruction should include.
Task Analysis – The ability of the teacher to identify and sequence all the essential steps necessary for mastery of a learning goal. It is not just the activities but the actual breaking down of content into steps where strategies and skills that are taught can be practiced and learned.
The application of skill in this particular area goes back to planning and follow through. There is strong evidence to support a strong link between standards and the task put before students. Again, the learning goal must first be identified, but access to information in a sequential format will enable learners to grasp new information and apply it with confidence.
I observed a solid example of task analysis in Ms. Schisler’s class recently. She did a beautiful job of sequencing the skills in advance to allow her students to ease into the expected task successfully. She was able to reference prior learning, anchor charts, stamina, etc. as precursors to their next step in their learning journey.
Attendance
Enrollment: 548
Current Attendance: 95.4%
NWEA
Literacy
Reading Strategy cards
Much like our efforts and purpose behind PBIS we are making a conscious effort to further unify our literacy language. The strategy cards will help to streamline our language between classroom, intervention, and support services. Clear, consistent language is the goal to helping our striving readers to accelerate. Think of how powerful this consistent language will be in helping our students who have three layers of instruction and already tangled in their learning. This supports everything at the CRE Core: partnerships, problem-solving, professional, and purposeful. Win, win!!
Thank you for subtle shifts like this that can result in exponential growth for our learners. Pebbles can become rocks and rocks can become boulders. This is easy to remove from the roadway.
Building Updates
We will have guests in the building after school on 11/16 from 4:15-5:15 attending the TOP meeting with Mrs. Brown in the cafeteria. This would be a time for us to make our staff kiddos aware of the meeting location.
Office Info
Evelyn has been sharing your updated budget in a google doc. This will allow you to have access to your updated account balances at all times.
Instructional Spotlights
Instructionally we have come along ways in our literacy instruction. Having a broad lens and the opportunity to observe instruction and instructional artifacts in every room lends itself to an overall reflection of growth.
Small group reading instruction was a focus of professional growth that has taken hold across the board. The intentionality observed and delivered in a small group reading moment is commendable. There is a sense of protection and understanding that the moment of direct teaching at the student’s level is our shared commitment.
Co-constructed anchor charts is an example of an instructional artifact that has been our focus in the past. This component of the literacy model is a solid example of accessibilty to learning new content. Students are often observed referencing or directed to reference anchor charts to support their application of learning needs.
The Reader’s Notebooks have been a reoccurring theme for us as a building since the word GO! It is refreshing to see the use of the RN in support of student growth in both reading and writing. There is strong evidence of our faculties commitment to providing students with consistent opportunities to respond to their reading as well as ample opportunity to practice their language and writing skills.
Here we are working on refining our language, spelling and grammar instructional practices. The possibilities are endless when this team sets their mind on a professional goal.
This brief summary serves as a form of communication to let you all know your efforts do not go unnoticed. Additionally, the real work happens when we attempt to keep all plates spinning in unison. We continue to use the visual of a Road Map this school year when addressing learning through the student lens. We are learning that many pebbles, rocks, and sometimes boulders are obstacles we can work together to remove. I challenge you to bring your best efforts to your craft each day, this gig is not easy and it is taxing but it IS worth it!
Please reach out when you feel the sinking feeling as we continue to evaluate the “teacher’s plate.” Thank you for your professionalism, commitment, and drive to best serve students.
Bucket Fillers
Kim Gillman Rocks!!! I have been trying to get answers to a question about enVision for a homebound student for 2 weeks and no one has been able to help me. I called Kim this morning and she not only answered my question but gave me a better solution to my issues. ~ Maggie Martinez
Ms. Brummel has been a great support for the learner’s in Mrs. Mosley’s class during Whitney’s absence. Way to come through as a friend and team member when it matters. Thank you for being a great support to our subs and helping them with all the in’s and out’s that impact the learning outcomes of students.
Mrs. Miller has also been supporting the needs of our guest teachers with extra efforts before, during and after the school day. We will be thrilled when our team is back in action but until then the team approach and support are appreciated more than you know. Thank you, Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Engel has been called on to support a number of needs in the building. Not only has she done an excellent job preparing Mrs. Keithley to run a classroom with high expectations in her absence but she has responded with a gracious “can do” attitude. The extra that is ask is not always convenient but her approach to responded when a need has been presented is appreciated.
Ms. Pardeck didn’t let a little bus break down deter her from enjoying the day with her students. Thank you for your sense of humor and “roll with it” personality that supported your kiddos and coworkers in the moment. Who doesn’t want to be broke down on a bus with Ms. Pardeck??? PAAARRTTTYY!!!
Ms. Halbrook was a source of steady, problem-solving in the moment on the 2nd grade field trip. I appreciate her modeling decisiveness and a sense of humor when experiencing challenging obstacles. No worries…all students were safe, enjoyed their day, and ate lunch…Thank you, Ms. Halbrook!
Ellie Brubaker shined as a champion for kids in the PST conversations this week. Her approach to learning needs, barriers, and whole child support are all commendable characteristics of committed educator.
Cara Rittman demonstrates her pulse on student learning growth in all settings. Her knowledge and specifics on individual students in intervention was impressive. She is often the liaison and can share student dynamics from a small group setting. Additonally, her knowledge of systems and processes is helpful in those decision making moments. Nicely done, Mrs. Rittman.
Mr. Beasley doesn’t even know the impact he has on students. His name came up repeatedly as a support to students in the PST process. This was a direct reflection of his intentional actions to connect with kids and serve as the positive role model we all need. So grateful for your presence, Mr. B.
Michelle