Friendship

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Friendship —

My son has been talking to me about how he has not had many close friends in his time in school. We have this conversation every year when things get a little tough at school and he says he doesn’t have anyone that will help him with school or just to hang out with. Of course family doesn’t count in his mind. I understand. I’ve been in that position at that age. But I read something that I thought was profound and gave it to him. We discussed it and I hope it helps him feel more comfortable about how to make sure he is being the friend and the friends will be there, and are there if he just stops to see them. Here is the passage I read.

“The dynamic of friendship is almost always underestimated as a constant force in human life: a diminishing circle of friends is the first terrible diagnostic of a life in deep trouble: of overwork, of too much emphasis on a professional identity, of forgetting who will be there when our armored personalities run into the inevitable natural disasters and vulnerabilities found in even the most average existence.

[...]

But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self; the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”
— David Whyte

This is a hard concept for young people to understand. This is what we need to keep teaching students, to believe in those around us, to see the essence of those we call friends. See them for who they can be and forgive the mistakes they make. To make sure those around us are seen, truly seen. Friendship is important. Our journey is impossible to accomplish alone. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Your kids don’t really listen to a word you say, but they pay a great deal of attention to how you are living your life. And if there’s a discrepancy between what you’re telling them and how you’re living your own life, you lose your audience.” — Tom Waits

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Dec. 9 - Teacher Training Afternoon Wed. Dec. 11 - TAT Kinder Thu. Dec. 12 - Choir Concert Fri Dec. 13 Choir Christmas Assembly 9:30	Tue. Dec. 17 - Acadience Training Paras 9-12 Wed. Dec. 18 - Intervention Meetings Thu. Dec. 19 - Paraprofessional Training 9-12
Dec 21-Jan 3 - Christmas Vacation Jan 15 - Acadience Testing All Day

Favorite Article This Week —

Subtract

This is an article that I have needed for a while. Priorities. What is important. Being purposeful. So much in such a short article. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Sparks and Kim and everyone that makes the holidays special. All the activities and fun that happens just brightens each day. Thank you for spending time to make sure everyone is included and for just giving everyone a way to have fun at a job that can be stressful at times. Thank you for bringing the fun. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Thanksgiving

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Thanksgiving —

What a wonderful time to remember all that we are thankful for. So I shall keep this short. Enjoy time with your family. Enjoy the time you have off.

Quote I’m pondering —

“I try to be available for life to happen to me. We're in this life, and if you're not available, the sort of ordinary time goes past and you didn't live it. But if you're available, life gets huge. You're really living it."

—Bill Murray

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Nov. 26 - Reunification Drill Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break Nov. 29 - Black Friday	Dec. 4 - TAT
Dec. 9 - Teacher Training Half Day Dec. 18 - Intervention Meeting Day with Aides

Favorite Article This Week —

How to Analyze or Assess Reading Comprehension

I have been learning about reading comprehension lately. This is an interesting article on comprehension. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you kindergarten for helping with Heathers class while she is gone. Thank you Tui for taking notes and gifts to Lily when you went north. Thank you teachers for al you do to support each other in times of need. We need our immediate families and extended families when we are in need. Thank you for your kindness and love toward each other. This is something to be thankful for anytime of year. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

The Greatest Show?

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

The Greatest Show? —

There is a new projector in the gym. We have a new cordless mic system. As I watched the programs at the end of last year, it was hard to watch the video on a dim projector set on a cart that blocked the view for parents. When you have a program or something you will do in the gym it will ready for you. You can use one of your classroom Chromebooks or the Chromebook in the conference room. There are other options if you want to learn more. The easiest is to your presentation it in a Google Slides presentation. If you have a powerpoint you can put it in Google Drive and it will convert to a slides presentation. I can help if you need it. The projector is bright enough so we do not have to turn the lights off. That is a big bonus for assemblies and performances. We are figuring out the sound part of it right now. So far we have two mics and a way to plug in sound to play over the speakers. There is a mic for each side of the curtain so if the curtain is closed a mic can be used on each side of the curtain. And both can be used for the whole gym. It is pretty nice. One thing we would like to stress. Please try to keep students from throwing things at the projector. It is a bit hard to move back if it gets hit. But we understand accidents happen… If you have questions, please let me know. I think your performances with sound and presentations should be easier for others to hear and see. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“Here is my secret. It is very simple: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

— Antoine de Saint Exupéry

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Nov 18 - Community Council 12pm Wed. Nov. 20 - TAT 2nd Grade	Nov. 26 - Reunification Drill Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break Nov. 29 - Black Friday
Dec. 9 - Teacher Training Half Day Dec. 18 - Intervention Meeting Day with Aides

Favorite Article This Week —

We Are What We Choose

Choices. There are so many in our lives and some are more important than others.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers for taking the time to talk with your parents. I appreciate that you are willing to take the time and build relationships with them. They need to feel that they are part of the team for their student and these SEP’s are important to build those relationships. Thank you for helping parents understand more about their child. Thank you for sharing with them what they can do to help their child. I can see the love you have for your students and it is shown in the SEP’s. In talking with a few parents they mentioned these things. Thank you for building that relationship. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Positive Parent Conferences

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Positive Parent Conferences—

What does a good parent conference look like? Just like the students, we need to build a relationship with the parents so if we call home for support they will be more apt to give it to us. Keep notes. Share an experience about their student. Share student data. Positive first and then something the student needs to work on. Always have a plan of something they can help with to support at home what you are doing at school. If there is an issue that needs to be discussed, discuss it as a brainstorming session so a plan comes out of the meeting. And end with a positive note letting the students and parent know the students can do it. Let the parents know that you care and together you will both help their child succeed in school. Let the parents know you are partners in their student’s learning. Most parents know how their child is and if they need help. They are always comfortable enough to admit it or show it. Teachers are usually the bearer of bad news for parents. Keep conferences positive. Keep all your meetings with parents as positive as possible.

Quote I’m pondering —

The more relaxed you are the better you are. That's sort of why I got into acting. I realized the more fun I had, the better I did it. And I thought, that's a job I could be proud of. It's changed my life learning that, and it's made me better at what I do.

—Bill Murray

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Nov. 11-15 - SEP Week out at 1:15 pm Mon. Nov 11 - Veterans Day Mon. Nov 11 - PTA Meeting 12 pm	Mon Nov 18 - Community Council 12pm
	Nov. 26 - Reunification Drill Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Favorite Article This Week —

Students Sitting Around Too Much? Try Chat Stations.

This is an interesting idea. Give students a topic and have them talk about it. What a great way to get them talking about content in English and especially in Spanish where they need the practice talking with each other.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Fourth Grade. Seeing you work together on building your assessments in Schoology was amazing. I appreciate you asking if you can take a day to learn with each other and work on curriculum and assessments. It was a long day, but it was wonderful seeing the outcome of what you did. Thank you for all you do for your students. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Mindset

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Mindset —

A couple years ago I took an online class from Jo Boaler, an incredible Stanford Math professor, about how students learn math. One of the things I learned from her was that I needed to change my mindset on how students learn. Mindsets frame what is going on in our minds. There are two mindsets. A fixed mindset or a growth mindset. The research Carol Dweck has done teaches us that a fixed mindset is an internal monologue focused on judging. A growth mindset has an internal monologue, but it is focused on implications for learning and constructive actions. The trick is to find what situations we use which mindset with and change the internal monologue from a judging one to a growth-oriented one. How does this apply to what we do here at school? How can a growth mindset change the way we teach, learn, and work with students? Curriculum? Student Engagement? Homework? Planning? Working within teams? Coke vs. Water (this ones for me). How does this apply to us? A growth mindset helps us to become a learner rather than a non-learner. Our school is full of growth mindset teachers. Full of learners.

Quote I’m pondering —

With realization of one's own potential and self-confidence in one's ability, one can build a better world.-- Dalai Lama

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Nov. 4 - Pie with the Principal 2:30 pm Tue. Nov. 5 - Reflection projects are Due Wed. Nov. 5 - TAT 3rd grade Thu. Nov. 7 - 4th PD Day Thu. Nov. 7 - Reflections Night 6 pm	Nov. 11-5 - SEP Week out at 1:15 pm Nov. 11 - Veterans Day Nov. 11 - PTA Meeting 12 pm
	Nov. 26 - Reunification Drill Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

Favorite Article This Week —

When should reading instruction begin?

I never thought about this. One thing I thought was interesting was when Shanahan writes, “Often kids enter kindergarten or first-grade with the expectation that they are to learn to read that year. Spreading this expectation across 3-4 years can reduce pressure and anxiety.” Interesting thought.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Brenda for your constant help when I am unsure what the procedures are that have been set up over the years. The basic things, like where do we line up? How do certain things work? It is the little things that make such a big difference. I appreciate your help. I appreciate all you have done at  Arrowhead and during your career. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Data Nerd

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Data Nerd —

The data is out and the interventions are going amazingly. The data is showing amazing growth in each grade level. If you have not seen the growth in the Conference Room, please stop in and look. When we test in December for PA and Phonics we should see the results we are looking for. We might have a few small groups that need the PA or Phonics and we will keep those groups win. We will have the aides run those small groups and the other aides will work with you in small groups reteaching or differentiating Tier 1 skills. Fluency will be where our focus will be. As fluency builds, so will comprehension skills. We can add in Socratic Seminars, Discussion groups, Jr. great Books, and Literacy circles. These will build fluency and comprehension. What a great day when we are teaching what we need to and not playing catch up.

Quote I’m pondering —

“ When you think someone is a foe, you don't just miss out on feeling their emotions, you also inhibit yourself from thinking their ideas, even if they are right.".-- David Rock

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Oct. 28 - Teacher Training Afternoon Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 - Red Ribbon Week Oct. 29 - 3rd Grade Orchestra Field Trip Oct. 30 - TAT 4th Grade Oct. 31 - Halloween Parade 2:30 pm	Nov. 3 - Daylight Savings Time Change Nov. 4 - Pie with the Principal 9:00 am Nov. 5 - Reflection projects are Due Nov. 5 - TAT 3rd grade
	SEP Conferences - Nov. 11 - 14 Reunification Drill - Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Break - Nov. 27-29

Favorite Article This Week —

The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home

A little phone call home once in a while to share something good about every student will build a relationship when something goes wrong. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you fourth grade. I appreciate your work and help with each other. I appreciate you wanting to build your knowledge of using the LMS in your classrooms. I appreciate that you meet together each week to keep on the same page and help each other with testing and assignments. I appreciate your willingness to learn. Thank you Fourth Grade. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Have a Wonderful Weekend

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Have a Wonderful Weekend —

I hope you are taking a break. Not thinking about school, but just spending time with those you love.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” —Anne Lamott

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Oct. 22 - Storytelling Festival Oct. 23 - Intervention Meetings (schedule below) Oct. 24 - 4th Grade PD Oc. 25 - Meet the Masters Oct. 25 - Aide Training 9:00 am	Oct. 28 - Teacher Training Afternoon out at 1:15 training at 1:30 in library. Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 - Red Ribbon Week Oct. 31 - Halloween Parade 2:45 pm

Favorite App This Week —

Google App for Android. Google App for IOS

This app for your smartphone is amazing. Click on the little dot in a box in the search box and it will open Google Lens. Point it at anything and click the button on the bottom. It will show you that item. Leaf? It will tell you the tree, with 80% accuracy. Bug? Book? Bar code? It will show you online prices. Pretty fun.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, teachers. Thank you for everything you are doing to help students improve their literacy. Thank you for working with the aides and helping them get started. Thank you for seeing the value in the interventions and getting students the help they need so they can be successful. Teachers, what you do is very important. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

+1 Intervention Meeting Schedule

Please make sure you are ready to go with your intervention assessment data. Make sure your data is in the school Assessment spreadsheet. We will be assigning aides and teachers with specific groups and making sure everyone is on the same page. Thank you for all your help.

9:00 - 3rd

10:00 - 2nd

11:00 - 1st

12:30 - 5th

1:30 - Kinder

2:30 - 4th

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

We Don’t Need No Stinking Goals!

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

We Don’t Need No Stinking Goals! —

The district put together some reading goals and I need to share them with you. There are 2  specific literacy goals. One is about Kindergarten and the other about Second grade. They are specific to these two grades but really affect all grades.

1. By May 21, 2020, Washington County School District will increase the percentage of kindergarten students at or above benchmark as measured by the Acadience Reading composite from Beginning of Year (BOY) to End of Year (EOY) by 5%. 
2. By May 21, 2020, in Washington County School District, 37% of 2nd grade students who scored well-below benchmark at BOY, as measured by Acadience Reading, will no longer be well-below benchmark at EOY.  

These are doable goals and I think they will be met by our school by January. We also have a goal for Arrowhead Elementary. One is specific to K-3 and the other for all grades. We hope we can add 4th and 5th to the Acadience goal soon.

1. With us concentrating on Phonemic Awareness and Phonics this year our goal is to have at least 90% of students in all grades that scored below grade level on Phonemic Awareness and Phonics skills at BOY will be on grade level by EOY, as measured by Phonemic Awareness and Core Phonics tests.
2. We will have an increased percentage of students at or above benchmark from Beginning of Year (BOY) to End of Year (EOY) by 10% in Kinder, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, as measured by Acadience Reading. 

This will bring our students at below grade level on EOY Acadience to below 10%. That will bring our school to below 10% of students at the below or well below grade level on Acadience. The work you and aides have been doing will make a huge difference in reaching these goals. But the main reason for the goals is to help each student realize their potential and build self-confidence in their reading skills as they get better at reading. This will provide them with endless opportunities. It will also increase their abilities in science and math. When these goals are met, we will not play catch up so much as differentiating and scaffolding Tier 1 lessons. That is where we should be with around 10%, hopefully less, needing interventions. 

Quote I’m pondering —

"Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can't be done." -- Bo Bennett

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Tue. Oct. 15 - Picture Retakes Wed. Oct. 16 - TAT Kindergarten 8:00 am Oct. 14-16 & 21-25 - No rotations  Oct. 17-18 - Fall Break	Oct. 22 - Storytelling Festival Oct. 23 - Intervention Meetings Oc. 25 - Meet the Masters Oct. 25 - Aide Training 9:00 am
	Oct. 28 - Teacher Training Afternoon Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 - Red Ribbon Week Oct. 31 - Halloween Parade 3:00 pm

Favorite Article This Week —

Why Not Teach Reading Comprehension for a Change?

This is an interesting article about Comprehension from Timothy Shanahan. Pretty bold in it concept. A reminder that comprehension is more than just answering questions on paper.  

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Crystal, Amy L., and Heather L. for taking the time to be a part of the PTA and Community Council. These are important jobs to help our community see and hear about what is happening in our school. It also gives the community to learn more about what our needs are and how they will help our students. PTA does so much for our school and Crystal helps them as they find activities and opportunities for our students. Amy L. And Heather L. Help with Community Council as the council decide what the money and programs we need for our school are decided upon. They help relay how the programs are working and if changes need to be made. Community Council helps us with programs and Items that will help our school. Thank you for helping with these councils. It really makes a difference for our school and for the students. Thank you for taking the extra time. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Bonus: I just saw this today. Inktober. Artists draw single pictures each day of the month of October. Here is a list of prompts for the month. it looks like a fun 5 minutes morning or after lunch activity. Have fun.

Bring On The Tiers

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

Bring On The Tiers —

I was reading Timothy Shanahan about his 9 Tiers of Support. There was a lot to it so I think we should stick to the 3 Tiers of Support. We need a little clarification on the 3 Tiers. They have been around for many years, but there might be a few misconceptions about the different Tiers. The 3 Tier Model of Support is to help efficiently match students to instruction needed. It also helps make decisions using ongoing data to support students in their learning. So let me break it down with a quick review of the 3 Tiers of Support. 

Tier 1 is for all students. They are taught the same skill as a whole group or in small groups. Small groups are a good way to differentiate the skill into who needs a little more but are part of the same rotation all students are a part of. Some groups might need more scaffolding on that skill or can have an extension, but everyone is taught the same skill. We use Research-based effective instruction and differentiate as needed for students. If they do not understand the skill or concept we differentiate in Tier 1 to teach and help students understand. This should cause the vast majority of students to perform at grade level. Usually, about 80% of the class will fall into this group. If it is not around 80% differentiating is needed with more scaffolding of concepts.

Tier 2 is designed as additional instruction for students who are at risk on a screener test (Acadience Reading, Phonemic Awareness Test, Core Phonics, R4R BenchmarkTest, etc.). The purpose of Tier 2 is to catch up with students who are at risk so they can reach the benchmark goal. Instruction is in a small group with a more narrow range of skills with more explicit instruction and frequent progress monitoring. Tier 2 is in addition to, not instead of, Tier 1 instruction. If we do small groups in our class, the lowest group is not an intervention group unless the teacher is having an additional small group with those students. Students should never come out of core reading or math instruction to get Tier 2 instruction. Our Intervention Groups are designed as Tier 2 groups because they are in addition to the work we do in our class. Students should not be in Tier 2 for a long time. Usually, about 15% of the class will fall in this group at different times and with different skills. Tier 2 is often delivered in groups of 4-6 for 30 minutes 3-5 times per week.

Tier 3 is intensive support, unique and individualized. Tier 3 is used to minimize the problem and correct it over time. It is in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2 instruction. If the deficit is severe it is not required to go to Tier 2 first. Research-based intervention materials in small groups or with individuals. Finding what will enable learning. Is special education needed? After Tier 1 and Tier 2 data are being collected bring to TAT to find other options and strategies. Usually, about 5% of the class will fall into this group. Tier 3 is often delivered in groups of 4-6 for 30 minutes 3-5 times per week.

The 3 Tiers of Support help us identify needs among students. All decisions about the tiers of support are data-based. When we finish the interventions in a couple of weeks we should see our numbers decline in needs for Tier 2 interventions and get to the 15-20% of students in our school that need Tier 2.

Quote I’m pondering —

“If you aren’t in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?” —T.S. Eliot

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Oct. 7 - Pie With The Principal 9:30 am Tue. Oct. 8 - Jog-a-Thon Money Due Tue. Oct 8 - School Board visiting Chinese Classrooms 12:30-1:15 Tue. Oct. 8 - PTA Meeting 12:00 pm Wed. Oct. 9 - TAT First Grade 8:00 am Wed. Oct 9 - DLI Meeting	Oct. 14-16 & 21-25 - No rotations  Oct. 17-18 - Fall Break
	Oct. 23 - Intervention Meetings Oct. 28 - Teacher Training Afternoon Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 - Red Ribbon Week

Favorite Article This Week —

Too Late To Apologize: A Declaration

Great Video about the American Revolution. Never knew the founding fathers could rock like this. Enjoy.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Coach Shane and the PE Aide Coaches. We appreciate your willingness to work with our students and help them through life when you are working in PE. We appreciate the work you put in to have activities for the students and helping them enjoy PE. We appreciate you building a love of physical education with the students in all the different ways you teach exercise. We also appreciate it when there are short days or holidays your flexibility to accommodate most of the classes. And it's a class need to miss that you will help make up the missed days. I also appreciate the help Coach Shane gives us on Fridays with the store and with other activities that happen on Fridays. Thank you, coaches, for all you do for our students. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and everything you do for the students.

I Had A Vision

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

I Had A Vision —

I have been thinking about Interventions quite a bit and thinking of where it is going has become more and more clear. I am seeing the interventions changing over time and as more students fill their gaps teachers will be remediating their Tier 1 content while aides fill in gaps. Over the next few years, I am hoping it will look like this throughout the year. At the beginning of the year we assess student needs in literacy and start our intervention groups. After a month or two, the intervention groups will get smaller and end up being a couple groups that can be managed by the Aides. If there are only now or two groups the other aides can help with remediation of Tier 1 concepts. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? As soon as the interventions taught reach where the grade level should be in their Tier 1 lessons, it becomes Tier 1 and the aides can help with differentiation. That is the dream. That is the vision. I want to Intervene aides out of their intervention jobs and have them help remediate Tier 1. There will always be 10-15% that will need an intervention, but that is a better issue than 50%+ in interventions. You are all amazing. Thank you for all you are doing with the interventions.

Quote I’m pondering —

I think that the most proud moments I’ve had in my career are after failures, when you kind of learn that the sun also rises and the world keeps spinning when you fail and when you succeed. -- Christen Press 

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Sept. 30 - Service Dog Training Wed. Oct. 2 - Walk to School Day Wed. Oct. 2 - Parent Learning Walk 9:30 am Wed. Oct. 2 - TAT Second Grade 8:00 am Fri. Oct. 4 - PTA Jog-a-Thon Fri. Oct. 4 - Reflections Starts	Mon. Oct. 7 - Pie With The Principal 9:30 am Tue. Oct. 8 - Jog-a-Thon Money Due Tue. Oct. 8 - PTA Meeting 12:00 pm Wed. Oct. 2 - TAT Second Grade 8:00 am
	Oct. 17-18 - Fall Break  Oct. 28 - Nov. 1 - Red Ribbon Week

Favorite Article This Week —

Reading Aloud to Kids and Why Lessons Need Purposes

Interesting article that Timothy Shanahan wrote. Everything we do with students should be

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Third Grade. Thank you for all you have done with interventions. I appreciate how well you work together as a team. Talking every day, keeping in touch with students, and helping each other. Thank you for all you do to help some of your students that need a little extra. Taking into account some of the baggage they come with and giving them a little extra support. Thank you for building relationships with the students. Thank you for all you do for kids. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Happy Kids

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday.

Happy Kids —

I went to a training this week and the first slide up was this saying, “Happy kids don’t punch you in the face.” True. So how do we keep kids happy and still teach the lessons we need to teach? The suggestion was to use the Rich Theory. Resources. Make sure students have the resources they need to succeed including basic needs and good teachers. Intimacy. Each student needs to have at least 1 person to have a relationship with. Sometimes we are it. They also need social skills that are not always taught at home. We become the ones to help with that. Competence. Students need to feel capable to do at least one thing to be successful. There is no need to master it, they just need to feel capable and be successful. Truly successful. Not a gimme. They can feel when someone is not genuine. Health. Achieving and maintaining good health. Are they eating at home? Are they drinking enough water throughout the day? Are they exercising? The absence of sickness is not health. These are 4 basic needs we can help to make our students successful and happy. Academics are so much easier when these 4 things are met. I understand that we cannot always fill all these needs. We do the best we can, we teach, and we care. Students Matter. Teachers Matter. You matter to those around you.

Quote I’m pondering —

My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds. — Anne Lindbergh 

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Sept. 23-27 - Just Say Hello Week See email for activities Mon. Sept 23 - Community Council 12 pm Tues. Sept 24 - Storytelling Starts Wed. Sept 25 - TAT Third Grade 8:00 am	Mon. Sept. 30 - Service Dog Training Wed. Oct. 2 - Walk to School Day Wed. Oct. 2 - TAT Second Grade 8:00 am Fri. Oct. 4 - PTA Jog-a-Thon Fri. Oct. 4 - Reflections Starts
Coming Up	PTA Jog-a-Thon Money turned in on Oct. 8 Red Ribbon Week Oct. 14-16 Fall Break Oct. 17-18

Favorite Video This Week —

The Angels of My Education

Who are our kids? Who will save the kids that come into our classrooms? Yes, another tear-jerker.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Alma and all the Reading Paras. It has been a stressful time as interventions were getting up and going. There was confusion with a few things and yet you came through with lessons and great attitudes. Thank you for helping teachers and students as this new plan helps students fill in holes to be more successful. Thank you for helping the teachers so they are able to reach more students and teach the ones most at risk. Thank you for coming in not knowing what to do and just doing whatever you need to help. Thank you for all you do for our school. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.