Progress Monitoring

 Teachers,

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

Progress Monitoring —

We are starting Progress Monitoring(PM) next Monday. This week we will go oversaw to Progress Monitor and put our groups together. If we have time we will set our Pathways Goals in mClass. The reason we do Progress Monitoring is to see the progress of our students, but to also see what is workin and what needs adjusting. This is an important part of our WI time. We will PM the skills the students are working on in WIN time and see how they are progressing. We will make the adjustments as we look at these reports each month. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“What is troubling is being average and settling for it.” Adul Gwande

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Sept. 21-25 - Friendship Week	Mon. Sept. 28-29 - Annette Brinkman observations Tues. Sept. 29 - K-1 Anette PD 2-3:30 Wed. Sept. 30 - Observation Debriefing
September 21-25: Start With Hello Week

What I’m Listening and Amazed by This Week —

Marble Machine

I am enamored his 4:30 minute video of the Marble Machine. How do people ever think about doin this?

What I’m Learning about This Week—

The ‘What’ and “Why’ of Social-Emotional Learning

We have opened the Wellness Room and students are able to use its calming effect. We keep track of who goes and when they go to get a sense of a pattern with each student or when there is a need for Amanda to take a little extra time with a student.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.

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.

Pie With The Principal

Teachers,

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

Pie With The Principal —

Monday is Kim’s first Pie with the Principal meeting. It is something the is doing to get to know the community a little better. It is a forum so parents can ask questions and help them understand anything that is happening at our school. It is also a great time to do a little PR with the parents so they feel comfortable to come to talk with her or with you. It also gives Kim an understanding of what the community needs and is thinking about. Kim is also going to initiate Parent Learning Walks throughout the year. This will be a time when a few parents that sign up can walk through the school to see the great learning and teaching that is going omg in this amazing school. She will talk about something to look for in the classrooms that have to do with students. It is a great way for parents to see what their students are doing. Encourage parents to attend the forum on Monday. It will start at 9;30 am in the library. She will have a few of them throughout the year so parents can come and discuss issues and eat a piece of pie.

Quote I’m pondering —

Stop beating yourself down. You DESERVE to feel good about yourself.— Mel Robbins

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Sep 9 - Pie with Principal 9:30 am (parent meeting) Mon. Sep 9 - Teacher Training (out at 1:15) Tue. Sept. 10 - PTA Meeting 12 Fri. Sep 13 - Tuacahn Assembly 10:30 am Fri. Sep 13 - Staff Luncheon	Tue. Sept. 17 - Picture Day Wed-Thu Sept. 18-19 - Dixie State Students Fri. Sept. 20 - Jog-a-thon Fundraiser Start Fri. SEPT. 20 - Meet the Masters 8:15 am
Sept. 23-27 - Just Say Hello Week

Favorite Article This Week —

What to Do When You Feel Like You're Too Behind to Catch Up

I know it is the beginning of the year and we have a lot to do. This is not only for what to do when you are behind, but it is also for doing things that will help you with any frustration. One of the biggest ones is the first thing. Identify something you can do immediately.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you first grade for being the first one to dive into interventions. All grades have worked to get the groups working. I appreciate all the work first grade has done to make it work with each class to make sure students are getting everything they need. It is wonderful to see how you work together as a team and get things done. I appreciate your willingness to adjust for every need students have. Thank you first grade for your work. Thank you for each one of you and all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

A Sense of Progress Is in the Air

Teachers,

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

A Sense of Progress Is in the Air—

I read an article about setting ideals and goals. Ideals is where we want to be. Ideals change for students every year and sometimes throughout the year. They change for us as teachers as we see new ways to teach. As we When we set our goals as a teacher or class it is more important to measure ourselves against where we have been and not the ideal. If we measure ourselves or students on the ideal there will always be a gap. This does not make anyone happy. Closing the gap takes time, sometimes it takes a lot of time. Years. And years. But if we measure ourselves or students against where they were in the beginning,everyone experiences satisfaction and happiness and we will all be ready for the next step to get us closer to the ideal. Reaching goals brings happiness and confidence. We should review the progress we are making regularly to see if we need to adjust or keep on the path. Reviewing keeps us appreciate the little things that lead up to the goals. Students need these little things to help them see where they are in the path to the goal. Focusing on the gain and progress will create a positive feeling and memory that leads to a positive past. We have negative memories with different subjects in school because we were focusing on the ideal not the gains we were making. When we are always in the gap and not seeing gains we do not feel the joy of accomplishment. We put all this effort into getting to the ideal but it doesn’t seem to get closer. Measuring gains helps us see what we have accomplished and pushes us forward to achieve the next goal that will get us to the ideal. Having students measure where they are and seeing that they are improving and getting closer to the goals we help them set helps motivate students to do better. Not every student will seem motivated, but that is the 10-15% of students. That leaves 85-90% that will be motivated. Those are great percentages. Goals we set in class are the learning targets we shoot for over a course of time based on learning outcomes in our daily lessons. These should be specific and measurable. Students need to know what they are shooting for in small chunks. A road map. This is where we are going (ideal, GVC) and the way we get there is by taking this route (learning targets) on these streets (daily learning outcomes). Every step of the way we measure and celebrate moving to the next goal. We all need hope. Hope is a by product of confidence, which is a by product of past success.  The more we all succeed the more hope we have and the greater our outlook on life is. The end of year tests are not the ideal or goal we are shooting for. It is the learning and growth from year to year for the students. Progress is we want to see in ourselves and the ones we teach. I sense the progress happening in our school. 

Quote I’m pondering —

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream and how you handle disappointment along the way. -- Robert Kiyosaki

What’s Happening —

Mon. April 29 - TAT 3rd Grade 8:15 Tues. April 30 - Choir Concert 2:30 Wed., May 1 - PLC 8:15 Thu., May 2 - Mini Color Run for Boxtops Fri., May 3 - Last School Store 10:00am Fri., May 3 - Retirement Party 1:30-4:00	Mon. May 6 - TAT 4th Grade 8:15 Mon. May 6 - Dibels 9-12 Mon. May 6 - Assembly 9:30 Mon. May 6 - Kinder Program Tues. May 7 - Dibels 9-12 Tues. May 7 - Bike Assembly 2:45 Tues. May 7 - Kinder Program Wed., May 8 - Bike to School 8-9 Wed., May 8 - Kinder Program Fri., May 10 - Last Day Take Home Library Fri. May 10 - Bus Ride Karaoke 1:30
April 29-May 3 - Lunch Workers: Marchant and 2 from Ping/Fuchs	May 6-May 10 - Lunch Workers: Sorry, I didn’t have the list with me.

Favorite Article This Week —

Overwhelmed? Do 5 Things.

This time of year I usually feel a little overwhelmed with testing and my kids getting all their final assignments done. Simplicity is important in times like these.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you for 5th grade for your help with knowing what we need to do at the end of the year. As you sat down with us you really helped us understand what we need to do and what is coming up. Thank you for brainstorming with us to make sure we have all the awards ready. We appreciate your willingness to help and guide us through the rest of this year. Thank you for giving us ideas that will make next year run smoothly for everyone. We appreciate everyone for helping us. Fifth grade, you have helped us get ready for the end of year assembly. That will be a big one. Thank you for all your hard work with the 5th-grade students. They are amazing and I am sure they will do you proud as they go to Lava Ridge. Thank you for all you have done for the school. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

I'm in Control

Teachers,

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

I'm in Control  —

Pat Cross said, “If it weren’t for students impeding our progress in our race to the end of the term, we could certainly be sure of covering the material. The question, however, is not whether we, as teachers, can get to the end of the text at the end of the term, but whether our students are with us on that journey.” We control what happens in our classrooms. We control the environment and how engaging our lessons are. We control how we act and react to what students do each day. We control how we perceive the actions of others. We control us. We cannot control students. We do not control student behavior. If we try we end up in a fight-or-flight situation for the student and the teacher. When a student misbehaves (talks, walks, does nothing, etc.), we need to remember it is not a threat to us. Address the situation with the student and move on. Answer the question, What is best for the student? We can find a way to change their behavior by thinking it as a puzzle that needs to be solved, not a threat to be removed. A physical threat is a different situation that needs a different consequence, but we still need to ask, What is best for the student? Let’s make their days better for being here.

Quote I’m pondering —

To think is easy. To act is hard. But the hardest thing in the world is to act in accordance with your thinking. ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What’s Happening —

Mon. April 22 - No School Tues. April 23 - Character Ed/Steam - PLC Making Class Lists Tues. April 24 - Character Ed/Steam - PLC Making Class Lists Fri., Apr. 26 - No Fit Walk Fri., Apr. 26 - Field Day 1st-2nd grades Fri., Apr. 26 - Last School Store 10:00am Fri., Apr. 26 - Ice Cream During Lunch	Mon. April 29 - TAT 3rd Grade 8:15 Tues. April 30 - Choir Concert 2:30 Wed., May 1 - PLC 8:15 Thu., May 2 - Mini Color Run for Boxtops Fri., May 3 - Last School Store 10:00am
April 15-18 - Lunch Workers: Beraz and 2 from Sparks/Paxman	April 29-May 3 - Lunch Workers: Marchant and 2 from Ping/Fuchs

Favorite Article This Week —

Bigger than Basketball

Dwayne Wade is a basketball player that is retiring this year. This short video is a tribute to him. Who would trade jerseys with us at the end of our careers?

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Clark and Mr. Hansen for all you do for our students that need a little more attention at our school. You are truly always thinking about how to help and work with students in our school. What a resource you are to teachers. We appreciate all your time and effort in making sure students are getting their needs met each day. We appreciate all you do for students and for teachers. We appreciate your help. Thank you for all you have done. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a great 4 day weekend.

Labor Day…Take the Day off

Teachers,

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

Labor Day…Take the Day off—

Our first 3 day weekend and finally a day to take a moment and relax. I hope you take these days and do just that. Even if it is for just a couple hours. Do something you enjoy. Read, watch a movie, ride a bike, go on a hike, play a board game, anything that will get you away from school for a couple hours. It will be here when you get back to thinking about it. The amazing thing about teachers is that we never stop thinking about what we can do for our class. When we shop we always think about how that game or activity would help your students learn a little better. There is nothing wrong with that. That shows love fro what you do. Sometimes you need to let yourself get away from school. 

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 Week —

Monday, Sept. 3 - Labor Day (No School)

Tuesday, Sept. 4 - OEK Starts/Preschool Starts

Tuesday, Sept. 4 - Team Leader Meeting at 2:30 in Science Lab

Wednesday, Sept. 5 - Dibels for grades 1-3 possibly Kinder

Friday, Sept. 7 - Bike Safety Assembly at 1:30pm

Friday, Sept. 7 - Bike Rodeo in back of school at 2:15pm

Friday, Sept. 7 - Utah Food Bank Truck from 2:15 - 3:00pm - Any help would be appreciated

Favorite Article This Week —

Arrows Across America

Last year I found this website about the Air Mail Routes that flew in the20’s and 30’s. They built large concrete arrows that airplanes could navigate by at night. How cool is that. The closet one to us is on the Bloomington Outlook. Take a hike. Actually it is a short, steep uphill walk. Pretty cool though.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Heather for all the beginning IEPs you set up to take care of our students that need extra. It is a tough time of year to get everything sorted out and put into a schedule as you work around everyone else schedule. You are a needed resource in our school. Thank you for taking care of the students. Thank you for getting everything ready for the teachers and parents. Thank you and your aides for all the work that is done. Thank you for all you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful 3 day weekend.