March 19 Update

Happy Spring Break! 

We've made it!  I hope you are all going to find some relaxation, rejuvenation, and time with those you love!  Turn everything off and enjoy your time away - you've earned it!  

Before You Leave:

Please make sure your room is cleaned up, fridges are unplugged and clean, and that all things are put away.  There will be some cleaning over break - so please have your room/office ready for this. 

International Day of Fun at Work 2021:

Thanks for a great day on Thursday!  The creativity, positive energy, and teamwork is always a highlight from this day.  We will announce winners when you come back from break! 

Transition Day - March 29:

Don't forget about our transition day when we return on March 29. A huge thank you to the team who planned this exciting day.  Don't forget, this is a day to regulate students, rebuild relationships, and re-establish routines.  It's a great day to revisit things and get student voice in the expectations and learning!  

Learning Loss:

For the past year, we've been experiencing COVID-19 and the changes to schooling - distance learning, social distancing, contact tracing, etc.  But, what about the positives from this experience - can you think of any?  Resilience, innovation, and true care for our scholars come to mind.  This last year has really changed the way I think about education.  

One thing I've been hearing lately is the term "learning loss".  Whether it's a curriculum resource, legislators, or social media, this term has become a widely used phrase.  I want to caution us on the use of this term.  When we use "learning loss", there are a few things that this is indicating.   First, it's indicating that no learning has occurred for the last year.  We know this is absolutely not true.  Learning may look differently, but it was happening.  In fact, I think students were learning new skills that we would have never taught if this had not happened.  Second, this term puts ownership and blame on the learner.  We are saying that the learner did something to "lose" what we taught him/her.  Again, absolutely not true. 

I caution you in using the term "learning loss" when it comes to this pandemic and experience.  We may not be in the same spot with curriculum - and learners may still have pre-requisites to learn.  However, we know that learning - possibly learning of NEW skills - has occurred!  

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I hope you find some time away to "recharge your batteries"!  We will come back, stronger than ever, and ready for 4th quarter!

-Justin

March 12 Update

Happy Friday, McKinley!

Just a reminder - next Thursday is our rescheduled International Fun Day at Work!  I hope you are planning your outfit(s) and gearing up for a great day of fun!  

Teacher of the Year Nominee:

A huge CONGRATS to 5th Grade Teacher Mark Langlois for being nominated for Owatonna Teacher of the Year!  We are so lucky to have Mark - and his passion and expertise - at McKinley!  Congrats, Mark!  

Progress Monitoring Data

Grade level teams met back at the end of January and determined interventions and support for students who are not yet meeting the benchmarks.  Please continue to regularly check in on the progress monitoring data to see the growth in Fastbridge (and with PRESS for decoding and phonemic awareness interventions).  In order to be effective, our tier 2 interventions must be fluid and responsive.  If you have students who are not showing any growth, it is time to revisit the support. Reach out to Libby if you would like to collaborate around the data or if you have any questions.  

Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment

Please remember to enter your data into Infinite Campus prior to leaving for spring break.  Here are the directions for entering into Infinite Campus.  

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Have a great weekend, everyone!

-Justin

March 5 Update

Happy Friday, McKinley! 

I saw this on Twitter this week - what a great reminder of the way we talk about students.  I think this is an area we can continue to self-reflect and grow around; lately, I've heard some of our old phrases coming back into existence.  When we refer to students as "low group", or other deficit terms, we change our mindset and indirectly lower our expectations.  Continue to challenge yourself - and your team - to the way we are talking about our scholars.  

Maximize Every Minute:

Please remember, we've set an internal goal to maximize every single minute.   Continue to regularly examine your classroom schedule - are you maximizing every single minute?  

Productive Struggle:

I recently came across an article around the idea of productive struggle.  It's actually highlights a study (don't run, I promise it's written in friendly terms!) around when adults (mostly parents, but teachers too) step in and don't allow for productive struggle.   The article points out that we are sending an indirect message to kids that "I don't think you can do it, so I'm just going to do it for you".  It's a great reminder of why productive struggle is critical for our scholars.   

K-5 Distance Learning Teacher Posting:

Our District is exploring a permanent option for K-5 families - "Owatonna Online".  This is still pending approval from MDE.  We are looking for teachers to teach, inspire, and help develop this program.  If you are interested, or want to know more information, please let me know.  Also, the position has been posted (internally) - if you are interested, please apply!   Click here to see the posting!

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Have a great weekend and do something for YOU!

-Justin

February 26 Update

Happy Friday!

I hope you've had another great week - can you believe we are already at March?  As crazy as this year as been, I think it's flown by!  

Exhausted Educator:

Let's face it, we know February is a hard time for educators.  And, people in general.  And, this year, we top February off with a pandemic.  I can feel the vibe - people, including myself, are exhausted.  

Please remember - it's alright to acknowledge you are exhausted.  It's also alright to take some time for you.  Go on a walk, do something you enjoy, call a friend who makes you laugh.  Heck, you might even do this mid-day!   

Also, read the quote below.  You are making a difference.  Our students feel a connection, care, and love.  And, that connection, care, and love can be for your colleagues, too.  We can find ourselves lost in the "to do list" and forget that we are making a difference - EVERY SINGLE DAY.  

They're Too Young to Talk About Race:

A huge thank you to Danielle Nystrom for sharing the image below...

As educators, we find ourselves in the trap of "They are too young to talk about race..." or "It's elementary, we teach love and don't see skin color."  This silence actually perpetuates racism.  We continue to send the message that race/skin color is something that should be silent and is not discussed.  I challenge you to monitor this over the next week - how many times could a conversation lead into race that you avoid (for whatever reason).   When this happens, do some self-reflection - why did you not facilitate the conversation?  

International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled): 
We are excited to announce our rescheduled 2021 International Fun Day at Work!  Below are some documents regarding this fun day.  Start brainstorming your dress and team!  :)
International Fun Day at Work Document
Order Form (Evan's Eatery Food Truck)

Building Weekly Newsletter:

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Have a great weekend, everyone!  Do something for YOU!

-Justin

February 19 Update

Happy Friday, McKinley!
I hope you had a great week of conferences - time to rest up over the weekend!  And, it's going to be a heat wave! :)

Remember Your Why!  

If you find yourself having one of those "yuck" or "what am I doing? days, take some time and think back to your why - this will guide you!  

Late Start Fun!
Here are some pictures from our late start challenge - "show me you want a snowday without showing me you want a snowday!"  Such creativity in this group!  

How are your Math Launches Going?

One of the things we learned about from Sara Vanderwerf last summer was the importance of the math launch and the beginning of the focus lesson.  She talked about how they were tied to the lesson, but that we would set them up so that all kids had something to contribute to the conversation.  Some of the routines to try are:

• Notice/Wonder
• Same/Different
• Which one doesn't belong?  
• Tell me everything you know about...

If you would like to do some brainstorming around math launches, either as a team or individually, please reach out to Libby or Wendy Eggermont.  They would love to help support math launches.

Benchmark Assessments (Fountas and Pinnell BAS)

We are in the window for completing the BAS with each student.  These should be done and entered by the end of quarter 3.  Please see these directions for entering into Infinite Campus.  Please reach out to Libby with questions or concerns.   

Behaviors:
It's that time of year - the dreaded February.  This is a time that is always hard for students, as well as staff.  Please remember this as we go through the next few weeks.   We may need to do more re-teaching, more patience, and more communication than we have before.  We may need to do more checking of our own emotions and frustrations (this is not a bad thing, I am having to do more of this daily).   Please remember this as we enter the next few weeks - take care of ourselves, each other, and our students.  And, please - I am in no way saying students cannot be referred to the office.  There are major behaviors that warrant this.  

International Fun Day at Work (rescheduled): 
We are excited to announce our rescheduled 2021 International Fun Day at Work!  Below are some documents regarding this fun day.  Start brainstorming your dress and team!  :)
International Fun Day at Work Document
Order Form (Evan's Eatery Food Truck)

Building Weekly Newsletter:
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Have a great, relaxing weekend!
-Justin

February 12 Update

Happy Friday, McKinley!

Productive Struggle:

Linked is an article on "Productive Struggle is a Learner's Sweet Spot".   This article gives more background - and some examples - of what productive struggle looks like in a classroom.  As we have been learning, our students need to engage in productive struggle to truly grow, reflect, have cognitive conflict, and hit that "eureka moment".  

Also, if you haven't already, take some time to watch the video below on the "Learning Pit.  Well worth the watch -  this is something we will continue to explore.

Vaccinations:

As we discussed, we are hoping that all staff who want to be vaccinated will be in the next month.  There is a prioritization list - this list comes right from recommendations from MDH and MDE.  If you have questions about this process, please let myself or Chris Picha know.   Please remember - we are not discussing/analyzing who got vaccines and who hasn't.    

Click here to access our District Vaccination Prioritization Document

PLC "Reboot" Feedback Team:

Based on feedback from staff and observations myself, I think we are needing a "reboot" with our Professional Learning Communities.  I want this work to come from our teaching staff - what is working, what needs to change, and what learning work should we engage in to make the PLC process focused on student learning.  I need help.  If you are interested in this team, please let me know.  I promise it will be painless - I need your input!  

Positive Recognition & McKinleyStrong Celebration (February 18):

Just a friendly reminder to not forget about the positive recognition we have in our building - McKinleyStrong slips, High Five Letters, Positive Office referrals, or a Good News Call Home.  Positive recognition greatly increases relationships, engagement, and an overall classroom community.  

Also, we have our first McKinleyStrong Celebration next Thursday, February 18 at 1:00pm.  We are playing schoolwide virtual bingo.  This week, Steph will be putting bingo cards in your mailbox.  A link will be sent later this week to watch the game live.  We have some great prizes - and are looking forward to a fun schoolwide game!  

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Have a great Valentine's weekend - and stay warm!

-Justin

February 5 Update

Happy Friday, McKinley!  

Stop what you are doing and read this picture below.   After you are done, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are ENOUGH.  In life (and this work) we can get caught up on everything we aren't doing.  Take a few minutes this morning to reflect and celebrate that you are enough and are appreciated!  

Conferences:

We have family-teacher conferences coming soon (note it's "family" and not "parent" - many of our families live with a non-parent who supports their learning).  With conferences coming, take some time at your team to discuss your format for conferences.  As you do this, think about what information, message, or mindset you would want if you were in the seat of a family member.  We can often spend time discussing the report card- but does this tell us enough?  Does this tell us about the student as a person?  Does this tell us about any goal setting you have done?  Student strengths?  

I challenge you to think through this process and challenge yourself.  Think about the last time you were at the doctor - were you more engaged and respected when the doctor listened to you?  Talked to you as a human?  Or, when they just read your chart to you?  Family-Teacher conferences are another great opportunity to build meaningful partnerships.  

Guided Reading Books: 

We are so fortunate to have some of the guided reading books from F&P in our library to use for students who are not yet in the kit that you have for your grade level.  Several have talked to me about how there are several books missing from different levels (especially j, k, l).  

Please only keep books for 2-3 days and swap out frequently so that people have what they need.  

A few reminders:

*There is 1/2 of an extra 1st and 3rd grade kit behind Denise so that we have levels A-R available if you do not have them in your grade's kit.  There's also a full set of Kindergarten's set in the guided library that you can also use for earlier levels.  

*Please check these out with Denise.

*Please return them quickly so others can use.

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Have a great weekend - stay warm! 

-Justin