Weekly Update - October 5, 2018

Happy Friday, everyone!

A huge thank you to everyone for the hard work around guided groups and Power 20!  I know this has been a ton of work to prepare for - with some grade levels not having much time between the start date and your data subout.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  High quality, purposeful core instruction (including guided groups) is one of the most effective ways to create readers.  I'm excited to see all the growth we have this year!

Also, a huge thank you for your flexibility around our new inclusive model around Special Education and EL.  I know the schedule changes have been frustrating - something we can work on earlier next year.  It's been a learning curve - you change one schedule, it impacts five others.  However, you have stayed focused on what our learners need.  Thank you! 

Belief System:
Do you believe all kids can learn?  Do you truly believe this?  Or, are you an educator who makes comments like "Oh, that kid" or "Man, it's only been a month with these kids!"  Your belief system determines so much of your daily experiences.  First, your beliefs will determine your outlook for the day.  If you are looking for negativity, you will find it.   If you are out seeking the positives, you will find many of those!   Secondly, your belief system can make or break a students' experience here at school.  This includes your thoughts and biases.  If you have already "painted a picture" of a learner in your room - and it's not positive - I challenge you to get to know that student more.  Find time and patience to learn more.  And, if you are biases are standing in the way of this work, walk to your bias.  Learn more about it... challenge it... decrease the way you think about it.  The quote below is from Jimmy Casas, a former principal and now author/presenter around school culture and all kids.   What legacy do you want to leave?

Picture Re-Take & Badges:
Just a reminder - next Thursday, October 11th is Picture Re-Take.  Every staff member needs their picture taken this year!  Everyone!   If you took it on picture day, you are good to go.  These photos will be used for our new badges.

Referrals & Discipline:
A couple of things regarding office referrals.  Please read this carefully so we are all on the same page.

• If a student is physical and harmed someone, they come to the office.  
• Please complete the referral completely -including last name, date, time, etc.  We use this data for tracking purposes (to provide supports to students).
• Please involve me if you are keeping a student in for recess.  I'm seeing more and more students inside for recess.   Due to schedules and space, I should be involved before the consequence is given.  Some students have temporary plans that include staying in for recess - this should not become a daily thing.  
• Please put referrals in the gray basket behind Julie and Selena - not in my mailbox.  I check the gray box frequently.  When you put it in there, please put this upside down to keep the information confidential.

Independent Reading:

So, now that we've worked hard to create purposeful, high quality small/guided groups, what are the other students doing?  As I've made my way around this week, I see a lot of independent reading.  This is awesome - kids need time to just read!  Something to reflect on - is this purposeful practice/reading of books?  Are students engaged, or fake reading?  Think about it this way - in a basketball game, the coach is off on one side of the court helping two players practice their form.  The other players are shooting hoops at the other end of the court.  If they end up playing tag down there, are they practicing and developing as basketball players?  This is more work we will be looking at this year - what can students be doing, including independent reading, to be purposeful and engaged (while you meet with groups)?  Libby and I will be around the building doing some time-on-task to gather this data.

Cell Phones:

Please monitor the amount of time you are on your cell phone.  I am not making a statement about not using phones, as I know how important they are for internal communication, as well as for posting the learning on Twitter.  However, I'm seeing more and more people on their phones throughout the building.  Please be aware of the time you are using this - especially for non-school activities.  

Learning Work:

Thank you for all your hard work this week around literacy beliefs and feedback.  I absolutely love that this staff is full of learners.  Not only in our meetings, but on Twitter and with each other.  The amount of learning that occurs in this building is fabulous!

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

McKinleyStrong Educator of the Week:

The McKinleyStrong Educator of the Week goes to Nurse Brittani Tancre!  Brittani wears so many hats during the day - and keeps our students healthy and ready to learn.  Brittani has compassion, care, and high expectations with everything that she does.  She takes great care of our students' health needs throughout the day.  Keep being awesome, Britttani!

Have a great weekend - enjoy some down time! 

-Justin

Weekly Update - September 14, 2018

Happy First Week, everyone! 
What a great first week of school!  It's great to see people (students and staff) happy and enjoying our time back at McKinley. A huge thank you to everyone for your flexibility and "going the extra mile" this week - there is always things that come up when we are teaching routines and schedules.   Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Thank you to Paige Larson for sharing the above picture on social media.  What a great reminder to us all - and to help us keep that "perspective".  Remember your "why".

ALSO - If you haven't gotten me your impact statement, please send ASAP.  Also, just a reminder that Infinitec training is due October 28!

Welcoming Students with a Smile:
While this isn't a new concept to McKinley, it's a great reminder to us all - the importance of setting the tone from the minute students arrive.  This article is showing the research behind teachers/staff who greet students at the door with a smile and a relationship - discipline decreases.  It also sets the tone for the classroom, from the first minute students arrive.   Please remember - your language, facial expressions, body expressions, and overall demeanor impact more than just you.   Click here to access the article

Going Outside: 
If you are going outside with your class, you need a walkie talkie.  It is a requirement.  In the event of a safety issue or just for us to communicate with you, you need this outside (recess and outdoor learning).   Two things - please identify yourself ("Kiel to Office") and please make sure the light is on when you return it (they need to be charging).   I know this is a change, so please make a note to grab a walkie as you head outside. 

Fountas and Pinnell Benchmarking:
As you work on completing your assessments (by Friday, 9/21), please make sure you are finding the instructional level for each student.  You will bring your records (the actual copies of assessments) to our data subouts, as the information is essential for our collaboration around supporting all of our students. 

Every student should have a new F/P benchmark done this year. 

Libby recently wrote a blog entry on using the data to create actionable instructional goals.  The entry has some steps you can take, but also some things to consider as you create groups -   Click here to read the article. 

Core Instruction Reminders:
As we are providing high quality core instruction, please use the below chart as a great reminder to balance the teacher talk, student talk, and thinking in your classroom.   As you can see, students need time to think, discuss, and reflect on the learning. 

Birthday Books:
We are trying something new this year - as students have a birthday, they can come down to the office and pick out a book in honor of their birthday.  We have a wide range of levels and interests for our readers.   The goal is to continue to send the message that we value literacy and learning! 

Social Media- Twitter:
I love seeing all the learning on Twitter - wow!  Not only does Twitter communicate our "why" with the outside world (including families), but also can serve as a professional learning network for our staff.  How awesome is it to see the amazing learning we are doing with students, each and every day!  Please continue to use this - and use our hashtags #mckinleystrong (things related to school pride) and #mckinleyPD (for any learning that you are sharing with our staff). 

Educator Hub:
I have added a few links to the Educator Hub:

• Computer Sign-Up 
• Learning Studio, MakerSpace Cart, and Outdoor Learning Cart Sign-Up is coming soon!
• Link to Teaching and Learning Coach's Blog

Thank you to everyone who is accessing the Hub.  I hope you are finding the efficiency of this document to be helpful! 

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

McKinleyStrong Educator of the Week:
The McKinleyStrong Educator of the Week goes to Special Education Paraprofessional, Sonya David!  Sonya is a student-centered educator who is positive, committed, and always about "all kids".  Sonya goes above and beyond to make McKinley a place where all students are valued and successful.  Keep up the great work, Sonya! 


I hope you have a relaxing, rejuvenating weekend.  It's going to be a beautiful, hot weekend... enjoy one of these last few "moments" of summer!

Keep inspiring excellence!
-Justin

Weekly Update- September 29, 2017

Happy Homecoming!
What a beautiful day for a parade!  I hope you enjoy your afternoon downtown- celebrating Owatonna!  Go Huskies!

Staff Power Hour Follow-Up:
Thank you for the great conversations and learning on Wednesday at our Staff Power Hour.  It is great to go even deeper with our work around PBIS and literacy.  Just to recap our learning:

PBIS:

• Lots of behaviors at recess, lunch, and in line.   We brainstormed some ways to be proactive in keeping our lines quiet and focused.  Remember- the volume is a 0-1 in the common areas (including hallways).
• Be aware of your proximity - we should be spread out in lines and outside. 

Literacy:

• Benchmarks are fully underway! 
• Continue to finish those up.   This resource- and the data collected- will help us shape the focus of our small group instruction and conferring.
• As you dig into this work, please invite Libby to either meet with you individually or at a common planning time so you can figure out how to support you with these resources. 

 
McKinley Building Goals:
Our Site Team has developed our two building goals for the year:

• Goal 1: My May 2018, all grade level PLCs will meet their goal of 100% student mastery of critical, teacher-identified reading Enduring Understandings. 
• Goal 2: By May 2018, McKinley Educators will closet the achievement/opportunity gap(s) by increasing each student group's proficiency by 10% as measured by the Reading and Math Comprehensive Assessments (MCA III). 

The team will be developing some action steps to achieve these goals.  Please make sure your PLC goal or individual goals are helping to support one (or both) of these goals.  More to come! 

 

What Does My Headscarf Mean To You?

I recently watched a 14 minute video on TED talks:  Click here to access the video

The video made me think about my biases and behaviors related to it.  I know that 14 minutes is a lot to devote.... so here are some key learnings. 

• You have biases.  Everyone does.  Biases related to class, race, disability, etc. 
• The goal is knowing your biases - and how to acknowledge them and navigate them.  

I really walked away questioning myself and how we work with families in a diverse building.  We all have kids and families best interest at heart- everyone does.  It's important we are aware that care isn't enough - we need to be aware of our own structures, words, and actions that support all. 

This year we will be doing some more work around this. 

EL Graduation- Tuesday:
We have our EL Graduation on Tuesday from 4-4:30pm.  This is a time for us to celebrate our students who have exited the program.  Join us for a fun reception and awards ceremony! 

Is Homework Valuable?
Another great article from Twitter (you know how much I love Twitter!) on the effectiveness of homework at the elementary level.  I think you will be surprised - click here to read the article

I want to add my two cents to this topic- in no way am I saying that you should never give homework.  If homework has a purpose and students have the support, homework can enhance the learning process.  However, the purpose and support aren't always there.

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to access the building weekly newsletter


Have a great weekend, everyone!  Don't forget to make every second count! 
-Justin

Summer Update - July 7, 2017

Happy July 4th, everyone! 
I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful MN weather!  Summer gives us that time to enjoy those around us and reflect, both professionally and personally.  I hope you are savoring in those moments.

Theme for 2017-2018:
With our upcoming big building "change" and our continued focus on relationships, our school theme for the upcoming year will be "Make Every Second Count".  You will start to hear and see more of this as we enter the school year.  This saying hit me pretty hard - to remember what matters and to make every second count, no matter the situation.  I often lose sight of things when I'm "stuck in the forest".  I'm excited for us to use this saying to stay grounded and focused on what really matters.  

Construction Progress:

Construction is completely underway at our new school.  The whole building is a construction site - the office addition, adding flooring to the new K-1 addition, and remodeling the existing building.  Below are some new pictures from yesterday: 

The new front door to McKinley

The new McKinley Office (just missing Lorri, Selena, and Katie!)

The new serving line for the kitchen.  There will be two garage doors that open to create an entrance and exit to the serving line.

Jen Koziolek's windows to her K2 classroom.  These windows are between her classroom and the resource room. 

Jen Koziolek's K2 Classroom (it's a dark picture - the walls are painted!)

The Kindergarten Resource Room

The main hallway looking south (toward the new front door)

 

The school name will officially change on August 1, 2017.  On this date, Willow Creek will be renamed McKinley Elementary with our school sign being installed around that time. 

 

Our school playground was ordered yesterday.  Below is an artist rendering of the playground, which will sit between the gym and Hemlock Avenue.  As you remember, our students voted on what equipment they liked the best.  Most of that equipment was ordered in this design.  Also, you will notice that the playground is in our school colors - purple and gold!  The playground will be installed on September 8-9.  If you are free to help volunteer, we would GLADLY appreciate the help! 

 



Our PBIS team will be meeting to discuss the expectations of our new site - from arrival, hallway expectations, to dismissal.  This will be a big change for us all.  I'm excited to see how we utilize the new space!  

Twitter:
Don't forget to keep up with Twitter over the summer!  Just a reminder of our school professional learning hashtag-  #mckinleyPD.  If you find something that is of interest to our staff, please tweet it with that hashtag.  There's a lot of learning and networking on Twitter! 

Direct Instruction Time Guidelines:
Speaking of Twitter, I found a great reminder of the appropriate amount of time for direct instruction (in any content area).  Ironically, this comes from Eric Jensen's other book, Teaching with the Brain in Mind.  As you can see, students learn best in shorter segments - with a max of 12 minutes.  This doesn't mean we need to only schedule in 12 minute intervals; however, it does make you think about how to segment your instruction into appropriate intervals.  After a lot of direct instruction, you may consider adding reflection, collaboration, or movement before moving on to more direct instruction.

Just a reminder- our McKinley temporary Office is located at Wilson. 

Have a great July, everyone!  I hope to see you around! 
-Justin

Weekly Update- April 12, 2017

35 Days left...
35 days left to make a difference in our students' lives.
35 more reading blocks... 35 more math blocks.... 35 more breakfasts... 35 more recesses...
That equates to 227.5 hours left. 
That isn't much time. 
How will you make it meaningful? 

School Volunteer Week:
Next week is "School Volunteer Week".  If you have a regular volunteer in your classroom, consider honoring them for them for their commitment to our students and families. 

Classroom Teachers - Morning Meeting Training:
On Tuesday, April 18,  Jen Koziolek and Jess Zupansic will lead us through some learning work around the concept of morning meeting.  This request came forward from our work with poverty and trauma- and how impactful a safe, predictable, environment is for our students.  Please be on time at 2:40pm to begin (we should be done by 3:15pm) .

Tornado Drill- Thursday:
Next week is also Severe Weather Awareness Week.  On Thursday, April 20, we will join the statewide tornado practice drill at 1:45pm.  Please know your safe site and talk through the expectations with your students. 

Moving/Construction:
I am meeting with Nikki (from our relocation company) this morning.  I should have more information on moving and be able to answer some of your questions. 

"Hugging a Porcupine"
I recently read a great article on "hugging a porcupine".  Please take a few minutes to read this - the message is worth the time!  http://www.viewfromtheedge.net/?p=13795

PBIS Discipline Data - March:
Below is the discipline data for the month of March.  It's interesting to look at the overall number of referrals, but then start to look at location, reason(s), motivator(s), etc. 

Click here to access the discipline data

#lovemyschoolday
Thank you to everyone who participated in #lovemyschoolday.  It was fun to show the world how much we love McKinley! 

Weekly Building Newsletter:
Click here to access the weekly building newsletter


Have a great weekend everyone!  Enjoy your time with family and friends!
-Justin

Weekly Update- April 7, 2017

Happy Friday! What a great week back! 

Re-Visiting Expectations/Noise Level:
Just a reminder to re-visit school expectations as we enter into spring.  We will probably need to spend more time re-teaching these, as students seem to have forgotten over spring break.  Also, please watch the noise level in the hallway.  I'm hearing more and more complaints of students being loud in the outdoor hallway (to music and art), outside the lunchroom, and outside MCA testing.

National School Library Week:
Next week is National School Library Week.  A huge thank you to Denise Carlson and Jane Carlson for all they do to provide our school with a top notch library!  Please take some time next week to appreciate them!

Update on Classroom Sections for 17-18:
With the move to Willow Creek (and the slight boundary changes), our classroom sections will be:
Kindergarten: 5 sections
1st Grade: 5 sections
2nd Grade: 4 sections
3rd Grade: 4 sections
4th Grade: 4 sections
5th Grade: 4 sections

I am currently working (with the admin team) on staffing and teams.  This information will come out in the next few weeks! 

Mini Coaching Cycles:
Libby and Joanne have created a video to introduce mini coaching cycles.  As we enter into April, please remember that Libby is available for a coaching cycle.  The video will introduce you to something called a mini-coaching cycle.
https://vimeo.com/212108651

SnapShot of Learning:

5th Grade had a "in school field trip" all day on Wednesday.  Arn Kind worked with students to learn more about the Revolutionary War.

 

On Wednesday, Romie Sanderson (Kindergarten) took over as Principal of the Day.  She did a great job (although, she thinks I eat pizza and play with Legos all day!). 

 

Last night, we had our Kindergarten Open House at the new school.  It was great to meet our new McKinley Monkeys, but to also see what it feels like in our new school!  Thank you to Lorri and our K team for preparing this event!

 

Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to 3rd Grade Teacher, Rachael Eickhoff!  Rachael is collaborative, compassionate, and flexible .  One of the things I appreciate the most about Rachael is the way she builds relationships with her students - she truly cares for them as a learner, but also a person.  Rachael is an amazing educator.  Thank you for all you do, Rachael!


Have a great weekend - enjoy the outdoors, it's going to be a beautiful weekend!
-Justin

Weekly Update- March 3, 2017

Happy March!  And, happy Friday! 

School Social Worker Week:
Next week is School Social Worker Week -  we will honor Mrs. Warner for all the work she does to support our students and families! 

PLC's Monday:
This Monday, March 6 is a Teacher Workday.   Just a reminder - please let Libby and I know the time your PLC will meet on this date, if it's not at 2:45pm (remember, you can meet during the day on a workday).

PBIS- February Data:
Below is a link to our February ORD data at McKinley.  As you can see from the data, office referrals are extremely high this month- even compared to this time last year.  The PBIS team is currently analyzing this data and will meet on March 14 to provide some recommendations to our staff on the "why" of this data.  It's alarming that it's this high, especially since we have been getting outside for recess (usually a lot of indoor recesses raise the level of discipline).

Click here to access the February office referral discipline (ORD) data

I Wish My Teacher Knew...
I recently read an article where students shared "I wish my teacher knew..."  It's a quick, interesting read that will make you stop and think more about our students and their lives outside of our school.  https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/31/well/family/what-kids-wish-their-teachers-knew.html?_r=1

Poverty & Engagement Work Follow-Up:
At our last Staff Power Hour, we committed to trying three things before March 22.  How is that going?  Here are the three action steps:

1. Say what you do want instead of what you don't want (rule #4, page 29-30).
2. Find time to get to know kids.  Try a relationship thing every day.  Let students know something about you or do a mini-morning meeting (some personal sharing).
3. Watch your body language throughout the day.  As we read, body language sends many messages to students, staff, and families (without us even realizing it!).

Classroom teachers, I will be setting a short training on morning meetings in April.

A SnapShot of Learning:

Dani Rypka's 1st graders used the snow to practice two-digit adding and subtracting by making base ten blocks of snow! 

 

Mark Langlois's 5th graders spent some time at Maple Creek this week.  This is part of their year-long trout project with the MN DNR.

 

Our McKinley Science Fair Regional Winners!  A special thank you to Rachael Eickhoff and Lori Huisenga for organizing the science fair!

 

 

Weekly Building Newsletter:
Click here to access the weekly building newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Special Education Paraprofessional Bernie Jensen!  Bernie joined us this year, having worked most of her career at the Owatonna ALC.  Bernie has been a wonderful addition to our special education team!  Bernie is flexible, compassionate, and collaborative.  Bernie understands how to de-escalate situations to keep students focused on learning.  She also understands that students need strong relationships and to feel valued here at school.   Keep up the great work, Bernie! 



Have a great, relaxing weekend!
-Justin




Weekly Update- February 24, 2017

Happy Snow Day!  I hope you stay off the roads and enjoy the day!

I thought this was a great example of all the growth mindset language we are trying to use with student (and ourselves) around the word "yet"....

Some "random" updates:

• Integration Subouts start this week.  The schedule is attached is the building weekly newsletter (below).
• We were accepted into a PBIS grant through the state of MN.  This grant will help us continue to develop our work around PBIS.  I'm super excited!
• The MCA schedule was sent out yesterday.  Thank you to Denise Carlson for your work on this schedule!

Staff Power Hour Follow-Up:
At our Staff Power Hour this week, we started our work with Eric Jensen's book "Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind".  We had a great conversation centered around ways to engage students.  The thing I appreciated the most about this meeting was how reflective and growth mindset-focused we all were.  Each staff was looking for ways to get even better. 

As a team, we agreed to trying three things before our next meeting:
1. Say what you do want instead of what you don’t want (rule #4 – page 29-30).
2. Finding time to get to know kids. Try a relationship thing every day. Let kids know something about you or do a mini-morning meeting (some personal sharing).
3. Watch your body language throughout your day. As we read, body language sends many messages to students, staff, and families (without us even realizing it!).  

Click here to access the Staff Power Hour learning notes

Furniture Group for New Building:
The furniture group went to a showroom last week to look at new furniture for our new building.  I went into the visit thinking we'd look at desks, tables, chairs, etc. that just looked newer.  It was amazing to see how much furniture has changed to meet student and teacher needs.  Below are some of the pictures of the furniture (and our McK furniture group).  It's amazing to hear all the ways this furniture can be used.  The group will continue to explore our options over the next few weeks. 

 Twitter for Educators:
This has shown up in previous blogs, but it's something worth sharing again!  For those of you who are not on Twitter, it's time to join.  You will love it.  For those of you who are on Twitter, below are some ways to continue your growth on Twitter.  This year, I started participating in "Twitter Chats" with fellow principals (below).  The conversation and PD is awesome!

Don't forget about our hashtags: 
#mckinleystrong for information and events around our school community
#mckinleyPD is a spot to share professional development ideas/articles/links


Building Weekly Newsletter:
Click here to access the building weekly newsletter

Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to Marie Sjulstad!  Marie is an amazing paraprofessional who puts students' needs first.  She is flexible, focused on students, and collaborative.  One of the things I appreciate the most about Marie is how positive she is - she always finds something good in every situation.  Thank you for all you do, Marie!


Enjoy your weekend!
-Justin