November 3 Update

Happy Friday - and end of 1st Quarter!

I hope you had a great week.  A few updates - 

Monday, November 6:

Just a reminder - Monday is a professional development day for elementary.  Below is the email from Julie with more specific information:  On November 6, E-5 staff will come together for a day of professional learning. Please view this document for your schedule. To find your specific schedule, you can use the links at the top.  Please remember - as adult learners, this is a great day to embrace learning and growth!  

Perspective:

One of my favorite reminders - all about our perspective.   As we enter into November, this is a great reminder for us all.   Every day, we get to determine our perspective.  We can either live in a solutions-based world or a problem-based world.  We can choose to focus on all the negative, frustrating, and irritating things in our day or celebrate the little moments, positives, and times we smiled.  And, with all that's going on in the world, this is a great reminder for us all - we control "the seat" (perspective) we sit in every single.  What perspective will you choose each day?

Conferences:

On November 14, 16, and 17, we have our first Family-Teacher Conferences (see building calendar for times). We moved away from parent-teacher conferences to be more inclusive of who is joining the conference (it's not always a mom or dad).  Please take some time to read through the tips, as well as watch the 6 minute video clip.  Both are from the Search Institute and will help remind us of tips to a great conference.  

Tips for Teachers - We have some tips for educators who hope to make the most out of conferences:

1. Think of this (short but important) meeting as a relationship-creating opportunity. Use intentionality. Start off by sharing a bit about yourself, ask about the parents. Share a few wonderful observations about their child. Build a connection. This will set a positive tone for the meeting and create the kind of conversation that will yield benefits throughout the year.
2. Be the expert, but listen to parental concerns. Parents expect you to be adept at teaching, but they want to feel that you value their input too. Not focusing only on the child’s weaknesses, but also their strengths, can help parents feel like you know and care about their child.
3. Don’t start with the negative. Don’t begin the conversation with “I have no concerns”—that starts the exchange in deficit mode. Instead, start with a simple, plain-language description of the three things you hope the students learn by being in your class.
4. Emphasize your goals. Giving a syllabus or written materials is great, but talking clearly, even passionately, about your goals for the class is better. Talk about what you hope to accomplish during the semester with excitement, and you’ll be amazed at how the parents become your partners in learning.
5. Provide feedback—both good and bad. Give them the feedback you need to provide, such as a review of grades and assignments. But if you feel it’s necessary to point out a deficit, find a way to do it with understanding, and try also to point out a strength.
6. Before they leave, ask one last question. This is one of the most important ways a parent can see that you really notice and care about their child and are seeking to develop a positive relationship with them; that they are more than just one among many. Something such as “What do you think I should know about your son or daughter to help him or her thrive in my class?” works. Or something more specific, such as “Tell me about your child’s sparks,” or perhaps their strengths, struggles, or “How might I be able to help your child navigate these challenging times, or give him or her extra support?”
7. Take notes on what you learn. Integrate what you learn from the parent into your interactions with the student, and return to your notes at your next parent-teacher conference. 
8. Remember it’s about the relationship! Parents want to know their child is seen and cared for and that you are paying attention to the insights they are sharing with you about their child. They want to feel like they have built a connection with you. They—and you!—want to build on that connection next time you meet.

American Education Week:

November 13-17, we celebrate each of you!  Please see the linked document on the ways we will celebrate each of you!  

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Have a GREAT weekend!  Make sure you do something for YOU this weekend! 

-Justin