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.

Assemblies

Teachers,

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

Assemblies —

I think assemblies are the bane of my existence. Not what we have them for, but the whole management of it. So in talking with the 5th grade they set me straight and here is the plan we will follow from here on out. We will face the direction of the playground. The persons doing the assembly will be in the center of the cafagymatorium and not to one side. If you have your class sit in two lines it is easier to get to students, if needed. Please monitor your students. If there are students you know will need some guidance during the assembly, please put them close to you. Jeff and Harvey will have chairs at the yellow lines for teachers to sit on. We want to keep an aisle in the middle for access for whatever is needed. 

Facing the front we will have the first grade on the right side of the cafagymatorium starting at the green line and going to the yellow line. Behind them will be the second grade. On the left side will be 3rd grade green line to the yellow line. Behind third will be fourth grade. Fifth grade will stretch across the back in their chairs from yellow line to yellow line in 2-3 rows starting on the green line in the back.

Assemblies will be far and few between and will be kept to Fridays, when possible. I really appreciate your patience as things come up and we are learning what is the expectation and norm at Arrowhead. It might be a good idea to practice going into the cafagymatorium and help the students know where they will go and what they will do in an assembly. Up to you. 

WE are in the middle of having a new sound system installed in the cafagymatorium and having a projector mounted also. This will make it easier for presentations and programs you will have in the cafagymatorium. As soon as it is completely installed we will have training for the team leaders. 

Quote I’m pondering —

When you renounce something, you're stuck to it forever. When you fight something, you're tied to it forever. As long as you're fighting it, you are giving it power. You give it as much power as you are using to fight it.”

— Anthony de Mello

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Tue. Sept. 17 - Picture Day Wed. Sept 18 - TAT Fourth Grade 8:00 am Wed-Thu Sept. 18-19 - Dixie State Students Thu. Sept 19 - Hogle Zoo Visit - 2nd Grade Fri. Sept. 20 - Jog-a-thon Fundraiser Start Fri. Sept. 20 - Meet the Masters 8:15 am	Sept. 23-27 - Just Say Hello Week Mon. Sept 23 - Community Council Meeting Tues. Sept 24 - Storytelling Starts Wed. Sept 25 - TAT Third Grade 8:00 am
PTA Jog-a-Thon Friday, Oct. 4

Favorite Article This Week —

Starting from Where the Learner Thrives

What we teach should be about the learner. What are their needs? What is best for them? 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, Jeff and Harvey, for keeping this school running. It is true that the custodians and the secretaries actually keep the school running. We appreciate all that you do for Arrowhead. Keeping the school inside clean and sparkly for the students and helping keep students safe. We appreciate all you do to keep the outside safe and keeping our school looking amazing. We appreciate your hard work in the morning (Jeff) and in the evening (Harv). The school runs smoother with you here. Thank you for being amazing custodians. 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.

Be Very Careful On The Line?

Teachers,

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

Be Very Careful On The Line? —

I was watching a video a couple nights ago of a police officer getting a call from a scammer that told her she needed to give him her social security number, name and address or the police would be at her house in 45 minutes. These scams are very common now. Please be careful and check out everything before replying to any text, email, or phone call that asked for any information about you. They are very slick about getting information in a couple different calls that they need to steal identity, find out credit card information, and other personal information from you. This is called social engineering. They plan how to get the information they need in different forms and at different times. Please teach your children, students, and your family about not giving any personal information to people they do not know. Here is a link to the video for your entertainment. Police officer Llink.

Quote I’m pondering —

“Education is a life long marathon of learning not a yearly race that starts again each year.” Unsure of author

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Sep 2 - Labor Day (No School) Tue. Sep. 3 - Afternoon Specials Start T-4th, W-2nd, Th-5th Sep.3—Sep.6 - Evaluation Pre-conferences	Mon. Sep 9 - Pie with Principal 9:30am (parent meeting) Mon. Sep 9 - Teacher Training (out at 1:15) Fri. Sep 13 - Tuacahn Assembly 10:30am Fri. Sep 13 - Staff Luncheon
Sep. 17 - Picture Day

Favorite Article This Week —

Teaching Students How to Ask for Help

This is one of the strategies we all want for our students. How to know when and how to ask for help. It is not something students come to us knowing how to ask for help. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you Fifth grade. I really appreciate how you problem-solve before you come to the meetings we have had. Thank you for meeting and getting some ideas together. I appreciate your desire to help your students. I also appreciate when there is a need you are willing to move schedules and just do what needs to be done. I appreciate your help. Thank you for the extra things you do with “The Point”, and students council, and all the other opportunities you give your students as they get ready for the next level in education. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.

Specials are Coming, Specials are Coming

Teachers,

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

Specials are Coming, Specials are Coming —

We are close to starting specials in the afternoon. This will be a learning experience for all of us. Please be patient as we get this started. We have 3 classes your grade levels will be going to. We understand there are 4 and 5 classes in each grade level. Please put your classes into 3 groups. Please review how to act in the specials classes. We would like you to walk your class to the first special and help them get situated in the class before going to your team meeting. Please pick them up at the end of Specials so you can take them back for the ending bell. Kim and Glen will meet with you at the first Team meeting each month. We will be starting Specials after Labor Day.

We will also start interventions right after Labor Day. During the team data meetings, we will get the students grouped according to their needs and start working on lessons for the students. If you have questions or concerns, please let me or Kim know. We want this to be as successful for the students and teachers as possible. 

Quote I’m pondering —

"HOW we praise students can have a big impact on their mindset and achievement. Praise the effort." - Jo Boaler

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Tues. Aug. 27 - Acadience testing (All day) Wed. Aug. 28 - Team Data 9-5th, 10-3rd, 11-1st Wed. Aug. 28 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Thu. Aug. 29 - Team Data 9-2nd, 10-K, 11-4th Thu. Aug. 29 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Fri. Aug. 30 - PTA Room Mom Meeting 1:00	Mon. Sep 2 - Labor Day (No School) Tue. Sep. 3 - Afternoon Specials Start T-4th, W-2nd, Th-5th
Mon. Sep. 9 - First teachers training ½ day. School out at 1:15. We will have a guest presenter and then work on Professional Growth Plans.

Favorite Article This Week —

An Updated Guide To Questioning In The Classroom

Here is an article to help with questioning in the classroom. I really like the cube. You will need to adjust for your grade level.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, kindergarten teachers. What a week as you started your classes after getting them into the right places. We get the bus riders back to their parents and you have been amazing with the students. We appreciate your patience as we get help for you with your big classes. This will be an amazingly successful year. Thank you for the time you take with your students. Thank you for the love you give them as they start their first full ½ day in school. Thank you, kindergarten teachers, 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.

First Week Assessments? Check!

Teachers,

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

First Week Assessments? Check! —

What a first week. I hope you were able to get your testing done, or at least get most of it done. We have a few aides will be able to help you. Please let me know if you need some help finishing up the testing. As you get this information put into the spreadsheet (change your size to 75% so you can see it better) it should give you a better picture of what needs your students have in literacy. This will help in all subject areas as we have students read and understand what they are doing. 

Quote I’m pondering —

“You can have anything you want if you are willing to give up the belief that you can't have it." -- Dr. Robert Anthony

What’s Happening —

This Coming Week	In Two Weeks
Mon. Aug. 19- First day of Kindergarten Mon. Aug. 19 - First day of PE Mon. Aug. 19 - Library and Computer Start Turs. Aug. 22 - PE	Tues. Aug. 27 - Acadience testing (All day) Wed. Aug. 28 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Thu. Aug. 29 - SEP Conf. 4-7pm Fri. Aug. 30 - Evaluation Training 8am Fri. Aug. 30 - PTA Room Mom Meeting 1:00
Upcoming Dates - Mon. Sept. 2 - Labor Day. No School

Favorite Smartphone Apps This Week —

You have read a lot this week and so I thought I would give you a list of apps to check out. This is a list of Apps on either Apple or Android devices. They are helpful in a lot of places. 

GasBuddy- This shows gas prices everywhere you go. Good to have on vacation or just to look at what prices are wherever you are.

Duolingo- If you don’t have this app it is a great way to learn a little Chinese, or Spanish, or even Navajo. Stretch your language usage. 

Star Chart- What a great app when you are outside at night looking at the stars. Or even during the day and you are learning about stars and planets. 

Snapseed- This is a photo editing app. If you like editing photos this is a pretty good one. 

Flush- Yes this is an app for finding the nearest public bathroom. You may think it is funny, but when you need one, this is the app to have. It does not tell you the name of the place you are going to, but there is a bathroom there.

A Big Thank You —

Thank you, teachers, aides, staff, and everyone for working to get everything done this first week of school. I appreciate all the work you put into your jobs. Please know that I appreciate what you do. From the lunch aides to the custodians to the teachers and secretaries. There is so much you do to make students successful and make this school a safe place for students to come every day. Thank you for all that you do. Thank you.

I appreciate all of you and your hard work.