One of the biggest joys this school year that we should all pause and recognize is simply the amount of reading and writing our students are doing. Our students are learning about how to use literary devices such as “Small Moments” in the third grade, and the spirit of independent reading is spreading fast and furious throughout the school on every floor. Thank you, teachers!
Look, we could take a hit on test scores this April when we choose not to subscribe to curricula created by test-makers, but I am confident that the efforts our students put in to read and write will pay dividends to those who deserve them most and when they deserve them most: students in their futures.
When students read and write, they THINK and they LEARN. Why else would Dr. Howser always look up and pause before the last line of every entry in his excellent journal? So yes, Doogie was a genius because he wrote plenty and he thought plenty. Maybe.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Leading our first ever National Coming Out Day, staying late for our High School Admissions Info Night, and designing the school response plan to address student crisis, the 102 Guidance Department was on fire this week. They are our in-house experts on all things socio-emotional; lean on them. Good job Ms. Arduini, Ms. Babakitis, and Ms. Pearlman!
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
OCTOBER 31st: Teachers in PK-2 are approved to celebrate Monday October 31st during 8th period. Should teachers in any other grades want to participate in the festivities please speak with your APs for clearance.
Explicit policies regarding students dressing up that day will be sent home this week.
TEACHER DRESS UP CONTEST: For pride, for unity, or for the gift cards that will be awarded to the participating members of the winning team, grade teams can compete in our Best Team Costume contest this year. The judge will be Ms. Cathy Kane, one of the best school aides to serve anywhere. Clusters and other teachers not with one particular grade: pick a team.
10/17 PM: Teacher teams will review student work as grade teams to adjust curriculum and instructional practices. ENL, RtI, and Humanities teachers in 3-5 and Grade 1-2 teachers will participate in Lexia training. Let’s put those shiny new iPads to good use.
10/18 ELL PARENT MEETING IN THE LIBRARY AT 1:30PM: I’ve invited multi-lingual parents to join me in a meeting to discuss how we can better engage non-english speaking families. Stronger partnerships, stronger students. Shoot me an email should you like to participate in our school committee to empower ELL families.
FRIDAY FUNDAY: A full 10 minutes after Ms. Theodorou won her class free snacks by naming Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”, my phone somehow called Ms. Mills’ classroom on its own because she tried so many times to get through. She broke the phone trying to win for her students. She said her students get so disappointed when they don’t win, and it hit me then that we’re kind of sending 1,300 out of our 1,330 students home (slightly) disappointed every Friday afternoon. Here’s the fix:
Any teacher willing to suggest and SING out the week’s question (or perhaps have their students do it…DJ Borelli will work out the kinks…) for future Friday Funday’s will automatically win their whole class free snack bar coupons. It’s a win win for all…and I heard our school might have it’s first staff Karaoke event coming up…come on…it’s just for 10 seconds!
mrkobot.com 