Weekly Update - Friday, November 18, 2016

GO HUSKIES!  And, a special good luck to Brent, Eric, and Kyle! 

This blog will not be updated until Friday, December 2nd! 

LCD Projectors
Just another reminder regarding LCD projectors - turn them off when you aren't using them.  The bulbs are very expensive.  The IT Department is going to start not replacing them- which means it's our budget.  I can tell you, if that becomes a reality, we won't be able to replace bulbs like we should.  We have limited funds for the remainder of the year. 

Turn your LCD projector off when you aren't using it!

Just a couple random things:

• On Monday, we will have some teachers from Austin visiting McKinley.  They are here to learn about our PLC process, Intervention Blocks, and how you use assessments to guide this.  They will be visiting PLCs.
• Make sure you have your reading assignment for our November 30th Staff Power Hour.  The article is on poverty.
• On December 2 (Teacher Workday), I am out of the building from 10-3pm meeting with some administrators from the Burnsville School District.  If you need me that day, I will be available by email or text.

Teacher Clarity of Purpose- REPEAT
I'm getting around to classrooms, I'm noticing that teachers are doing a great job of stating the Enduring Understanding or Learning Target for the day/week.   It's posted and stated to students very clearly.  What I am noticing is that the clarity of that EU or LT is missing- students don't know exactly what mastery will look like by the end of the lesson?   What should they walk away being able to do?  From John Hattie's research around what is effective, you can see that learning clarity has an extremely high impact on learning.  Students, as well as teachers, need to be crystal clear about the "end result" - mastery.  This is why the Essential Standards Charts work well with this process - your team determines the EU, but also mastery way before you start teaching any lesson/unit.  When students know what mastery looks like, they rise to the occasion. 

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Week of November 21: Click here to access the weekly building newsletter
Week of November 28: Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Kindergarten Teacher, Jen Koziolek!  Jen does amazing work with her Kindergarteners.   Jen is patient, compassionate, and focused on each of our students' success.  Jen goes above and beyond to make sure her students are socially, emotionally, and academically prepared.  Jen's classroom is filled with energy, excitement, and rigorous learning!  Keep up the great work, Jen!


Have a great weekend! -Justin

Weekly Update - Friday, November 11, 2016

Happy Veteran's Day!
A huge thank you to all of our McKinley Veteran's!

PLC Notes & ESC:
When you turn in PLC notes and your Essential Standards Chart, please email them.  It's way too hard to manage paper copies.  Also, please remember to get your sign-in sheet into Lorri. 

LTS Positions:
We have two upcoming long-term substitute positions to be aware of:

• 1st Grade:  Julia Arnold, currently student teaching in Dani Rypka's room, will be filling in for Jess Zupansic during the month of December.
• Kindergarten:  Jaci Heath, currently long-term subbing in 3rd grade at Washington, will be filling in for Courtney Hugs from January until the end of the school year.

A huge McKinley welcome to both Julia & Jaci!

Teacher Clarity of Learning:
I apologize up front... I'm going to be making a blanket statement to all.  You know this is one of my personal growth goals, but I do think this is something we should all hear.  

As I'm getting around to classrooms, I'm noticing that teachers are doing a great job of stating the Enduring Understanding or Learning Target for the day/week.   It's posted and stated to students very clearly.  What I am noticing is that the clarity of that EU or LT is missing- students don't know exactly what mastery will look like by the end of the lesson?   What should they walk away being able to do?  From John Hattie's research around what is effective, you can see that learning clarity has an extremely high impact on learning.  Students, as well as teachers, need to be crystal clear about the "end result" - mastery.  This is why the Essential Standards Charts work well with this process - your team determines the EU, but also mastery way before you start teaching any lesson/unit.  When students know what mastery looks like, they rise to the occasion. 

 

Reading Night Slumber Party:
We had our first reading night this week - "Reading Night Slumber Party!"  We decided to change our focus this year to building excitement around reading, rather than teaching strategies to parents.  Families came in for a pizza dinner and then enjoyed some "reading time" together.  We had over 300 people last night!!  A HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this night possible - Dani Rypka, Jess Zupansic, Jen Schlauderaff, Michelle Simon, Rachel Peterson, Julia Arnold, Krystal O'Connor, Sonya David, Libby Zeman, Jen Koziolek, Greg Leuch, & John Dale.  Also, a huge thank you to Lorri Harrison for all the coordinating of food and supplies!

A SnapShot of Learning:

Students participated in voting on Tuesday.  It was a great learning experience for them!

 

Kindergarten did some outdoor learning this week with Dr. Meagher.

 

 

Weekly Building Newsletter:

Click here to access the weekly building newsletter.

Valet Parking of the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to PE Teacher, Brent Yule!  Brent has been a wonderful addition to our McKinley team this past year.  Brent has a passion for physical education, fitness, and learning in general.  Brent has worked extremely hard to help integrate our reading and math curriculum into the PE setting.  Also, Brent does a great job of communicating with families via Twitter.  You've been a great addition to our staff, Brent - Keep up the great work!


Have a relaxing weekend- sharpen your saw!
-Justin

Weekly Update- Friday, November 4, 2016

With this weather, it feels like September... can you believe it's November?  And, I'm not complaining!

We have a lot of information this week- read carefully!

Quick Items:

• Reading on Poverty- Staff Power Hour: If you haven't picked up the readings for the Staff Power Hour, please stop in my office to get it.  We will use this at our November 30th meeting. 
• ISD Foundation Grant Available: Sarah Hoffman emailed the information regarding the ISD 761 Foundation Grant.  This is a great opportunity to fund an innovative project you'd like to do.  Last year, we received $5,000 for our guided math library.  If you can think of any projects/resources we need as a building, I'd be glad to write one.  Let me know.
• Absences - Enter into AESOP: If you know you are going to be gone (appointment, vacation, etc.) please enter it into AESOP in a timely manner.  I'm seeing more planned absences getting entered at the last minute.  This makes finding a sub harder.

PBIS Discipline Data - October
The PBIS team has been watching our discipline data and putting supports into place for students over the last two months.  Below is a link to our current discipline data, broken down to understand it.  As you can see, physical aggression and fighting seem to be our highest offense.  Please keep aware of this, as well as continue the communication with students about this.  We will address some of this at our PBIS Assembly this morning.    Click here to access the discipline data

Also, don't forget to keep the idea of "grit" going in your classrooms!   

Kayla's Tech Piece:
Are you interested in a quick way to gather data to use at your PLC?  You can use your SMART Response devices (“clickers”) to collect data from a pre-test, formative assessment, or summative assessment.  The data is collected for you and organized in an Excel document which makes it easy to organize and sort data quickly.  It is pretty quick and easy to set up the assessment in Smart Notebook and it will save you a ton of time correcting paper copies of tests from your students.  It also gives immediate feedback to your students so they know how they did!

Look for more information to come about upcoming training sessions for using Clickers in your Classroom, but for now—check out this link for “7 Clicker Tips for Teachers!”

http://www.colorado.edu/sei/documents/Workshops/Handouts/K12-teacher-tips.pdf

A SnapShot of Learning:

 The first grade team is using some SMART techniques with students, largely due to the support from Brent Yule.  The idea behind this is to link movement and learning together.  There are ways to have students refocus, too.  Brent would be a great resource if you are looking to hear more about this.

 

 Can you believe it's November and we have students outside with no coats on? 

 

  EL Graduation Night - we honored our "graduates" of the EL program on Wednesday night. 

 

Friday night was PTO Bingo Night.  We had a great time! 

 

It was fun seeing all the creative ways you took Halloween and turned it into engineering projects for the kids.   Wow! 

 

"Orange Out Bullying" was last Friday.  Thanks to Catie Stephani and Lauren Olson for organizing!

 

2nd grade engineering Cinderella's carriage as part of their "Cinderella" unit. 

 

Weekly Building Newsletter

Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking of the Week goes to Tier 3 Interventionist, Gia Davison!  Gia's calming, positive presence is felt in any interaction with her.  She keeps you grounded, but also focused on what is right for students.  Gia is highly invested in our students, finding ways to support and intervene on foundational reading skills.  Gia, we truly appreciate having you as a part of the McKinley team! 


Have a great weekend, everyone!  Get outside!
-Justin