Principal's Update- Friday, February 19, 2016

TGIF! 

AND...
Happy 100th Day of School!

 

PLC's

Please don't forget to place all your documents in your shared folder- notes, Essential Standards Charts, etc.  It's getting harder and harder to track down your work.  Please place the documents in the folder by the next day. 

PBIS Data
Below is a link to our discipline data for the school year. The PBIS team will be meeting Wednesday to look at this data and determine trends, issues, and supports we need for behavior.   It's pretty interesting to look at discipline for the year.  Click here to see the discipline data

Teaching Students GRIT
I recently read a great article on teaching students to have "grit".  Grit has to do with the ways someone believes in themselves and their goals- and honors the resilience they will encounter.  It has a lot to do with mindset and helping students when a mistake is made.  Here's the article:  http://www.edutopia.org/blog/true-grit-measure-teach-success-vicki-davis

Outdoor Learning
As I told you, there are 15 of us who are receiving our STEM Certificate through St. Kate's.  I have recently joined this cohort to learn more about STEM and how we can "grow" as a STEM building.  Because I am not in a classroom, my "lesson plans" are to inform you of what we are learning, as well as some of the happenings in the building. 

Below are pictures from Katie Demmer's 2nd grade class.  Katie's class took their learning outside to "kick off" their work with forces and motion.  Her students were practicing scientific observations and how things move in nature.  What a great way to build background knowledge and practice a skill before you start a unit.

This weekend, I will be adding in some information about outdoor learning.  I will update the blog as soon as I have that in here !  

Weekly Newsletter
Click here to see the building weekly newsletter.

Valet Parking for the Week
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Sue Eidenschink.  Sue has been an amazing addition to our team here at McKinley.  Sue has a firm, yet compassionate approach to her way with students.  Sue holds her students accountable, still while supporting them (a very hard thing to do!).  Sue builds strong relationships with students and staff.  We're very happy you are now a "Monkey", Sue! 

Have a great weekend, everyone!  Enjoy some time to "sharpen your saw!"
-Justin