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

June 2017 Summer Update

Happy June, everyone!  I hope you are having a relaxing and enjoyable start to summer.  Most of my summer updates will involve the construction at our new site. 

STEM Integration Workdays:
Classroom Teachers, don't forget to turn your claims into Amy LaDue by June 30th for your June STEM Integration Workdays.

SAVE THE DATE:
Save the date - Friday, July 21 & Saturday, July 22 for our McKinley Patrol Fundraiser at the Cash Wise Food Stand.  Proceeds go to our school patrol team.  A huge thank you to Sonya for organizing this!

Master Building Schedule:
The master schedule is complete!  I will be emailing this out to classroom teachers, along with your individual reading and math blocks.  I will send this out in the next day or two.    *This master schedule is still subject to slight changes. 

Click here to access the 17-18 master schedule 

Construction Update:
I toured our new school today with Bob.  The work is coming along- I was shocked at how much progress has been made.  Below are some pictures of the progress...

Current entryway looking into library - walls were removed to widen hallway.  To the left of this picture is Karen Thurnau's new 3rd Grade Classroom. 

Current entryway looking to the north (gym/new addition).  This hallway is being widened to create a commons area. 

The new McKinley Office.  Where I am standing is the entryway - straight ahead is Lorri and Selena's desk, with my office behind. 

Hallway into the new addition.   This hallway is where specialists and the Flex Learning Lab is located. 

The current library.  Straight ahead is where a 4th (Johnson) and 5th Grade (Gilligan) Classroom is starting to be erected. 

4th Grade's Conference Room. 

A new 2nd Grade Classroom (Stephani) which is open to the 2nd Grade Resource Room, but also accessible to 1st Grade (straight ahead).

 

The new bathroom (new addition, outside the 1st Grade Area).

1st Grade's Resource Room

New 1st Grade Classroom (Schlauderaff)

New 1st Grade Classroom (Nelson on left, Zupansic on right)

 

Hallway to new Kindergarten wing.

New Kindergarten Room (Larson)

New Kindergarten Room (Larson)

New EL Room being built in hallway that connects new and existing school (located in old art room)

Hallway to 1st Grade Wing (Flex Learning Lab on left)





 

I hope you are finding some time to unwind and enjoy the people you love.  Have a great summer and 4th of July!

-Justin

Weekly Update- May 19, 2017

Happy Friday! 
This pretty much sums it up...

 

Discipline:
As I indicated in the Staff Power Hour notes, we have 10 days left of school.  I recognize that some of our student are "checking out".  I'm seeing some similar frustrations with staff.   Please be aware of your frustration and tolerance level as you come to work each day.  Again, I know some students are showing significant behaviors that need to be addressed.  I'm also seeing less patience (including me!) which is resulting in more discipline.  Please just be aware of this, as well as your own personal frustrations, as we move forward... many of our students are losing their safety, security, and love for the summer. 

Moving:
Thank you to all who attended our packing clinic.   As we discussed, the library closes this Monday.  On Wednesday (May 24), we will begin to take materials you need to get rid of - extra curriculum, resources you don't want (that are in good condition), extra posters, etc.  This is NOT a dumping ground, though.  It will be a spot to share resources. 

Also, boxes arrived yesterday.  They will be distributed- do not grab them.  Please remember Nikki's directions as you pack.  Also, if you need more boxes, request them in SchoolDude and indicate "bond move". 

Come see me if you have individual questions! 

New Building - Room Assignments:
As I promised, below is a link to the blueprints/room assignments for the "new" McKinley.

Click here to see room assignments

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

Have a great weekend, everyone!
Justin

Weekly Update- May 12, 2016

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  It's been a great week honoring all the educators in our building.  Just a reminder- today the "energy bus" will come around to deliver energy to you! 

Thank you for all you do.  We truly have the most amazing staff - we are a true team focused on ALL kids!

13 Days Left..
We have 13 days left of school.  When you do the math, 13 days is 84.5 hours.  When you put it that way, it doesn't seem like much.  Wow.  Remember, those 13 days or 84.5 hours matter. 

Also, as you know, we may start to see more behaviors appear.  Please remember that these behaviors appear for many reasons- some are "checked out", some are fearful of a summer of no structure, some are fearful they won't get food, some will miss the stable relationship they have with you.  Please be aware of this and remember how important relationships are, especially at this time of year.  Also, be aware of your level of frustration.  Often, we are feeling very similar.  Be aware of this as you approach our students. 

Moving Meeting- next Wednesday:
Don't forget our "moving meeting" is next Wednesday in Kayla Davis's room.  Nikki Karnop from Relocation Services will walk us through the process of moving.  Nikki has spent hours getting this move ready - and has done a great job with her plan.  If you have questions, please bring them to the meeting. 

Congratulations Amanda and Jen:
Congratulations to Mrs. Gislason on being awarded the 2017 Owatonna Teacher of the Year!  Also, a huge congrats to Jen Koziolek on being nominated.   We have such talent at McKinley!  Just a reminder that today is "Mrs. Gislason Appreciation Day!" 

Construction Update Pictures:
Construction is coming along at the new site!  I was able to peek my head into the construction area on Wednesday.  Below are some photos:

Entrance to Flex Lab

Kindergarten Resource Room

Kindergarten Room (Courtney Hugs' room)

Hallway into 1st Grade Resource Room

Main Hallway outside Flex Lab (looking into existing building)

 

New Student Orientation:

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday night to welcome our new McKinley students.  It was great to meet our new students, but also see them smile and feel welcome in their new school. 



 

 

 

Building Weekly Newsletter:

Click here to access the building weekly newsletter.

 

Have a super weekend, everyone!  Happy Mother's Day to all our mothers!

-Justin

 



 



Weekly Update- May 5, 2017

Happy Cinco de Mayo! 

Construction Update:
Just a reminder:  On Monday, we will stop using the front door for entrance and exit of students.  The door will not close; however, we will try and keep the "general traffic pattern" away from using it! 

EL Family Potluck:
We had a great turnout for our EL Family Potluck!   It was a night of great food and even better conversations.  A huge thank you to Laurie Wolhart, Caryn Boetel, Liz Stitzmeyer, and Sylvia Zavala for all your work making this night a success!

 



Spring Concert:
We had our Choir, 1st, and 2nd grade spring concert last night.  The night was magical!  A huge thank you to Paige Moon, Kim Gedde, and all the teachers who helped supervise this evening.  It was a first-class event! 

Student-First Leveling:
Libby wrote a great article in the literacy blog on leveling students - it's a great reminder that we don't "level kids".  As much as we need to know instructional & independent levels, we need to be careful we don't create a literacy environment that forces the student to "become the level".  Take some time to read this great blog entry: http://owatonnalitcoaches.blogspot.com/

Teacher Appreciation - Next Week:
Sorry for all the confusion regarding "Teacher Appreciation Week".   We will continue our celebration next week.  Monday is PAJAMA DAY for all educators.  Please remember, you are all educators who help educate our students! 

I saw this on Twitter last night.  It reminded me of how important gratitude and appreciation is, even among colleagues.  It's "5 Ways Teachers can show appreciation for one another".   Don't forget to appreciate each other!

Building Weekly Update:
Click here to access the building weekly update

Have a great weekend- enjoy the beautiful weather!
-Justin

Weekly Update- April 28, 2017

Happy Friday!
I am out all day at the District Office.  Justin Lang is available; however, please remember he is still teaching. 

I found this on Twitter this week- the Top 10 things that students deserve from us.  I love even the title - not "top 10 things students get from us"... but "deserve".  These 10 items made me stop and think - am I giving these each and every day?

Teacher Appreciation Week:
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week!  Remember, as we have always said, you are all educators.   We all have a role in educating our McKinley learners!
Click here to check the events for Teacher Appreciation Week 2017!

School Nutrition Appreciation Week:
Next week is also School Nutrition Week.  As you know, our students couldn't learn without the wonderful meals they receive.  Thank you to our amazing staff on helping keep our students fed and ready to learn!

EL Family Potluck:
Next Wednesday, May 3rd is our EL Family Potluck from 4-5:30pm.  For those of you who have attended in the past, this is a great event for our family.  It's also a great time to enjoy some authentic food and visit with families.   If you are available, consider attending.  Our families love to see you.  Thank you to Laurie, Liz, and Caryn for all their hard work planning this event! 

Staff Power Hour Follow-Up:
We had another great Staff Power Hour this week.  As you know, our focus is on student engagement and poverty.  I'm always amazed at how reflective you are during our Power Hours.  You have truly embraced a growth mindset and are empowering the collective work we are doing to improve.  Thank you! 

Before our next meeting, remember to "try" one of the action steps!
Click here to access the meeting notes

Spring Benchmarking Information
Click here to access the DIBELS schedule for May 10-11.   Thank you to Libby for organizing this! 

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


Valet Parking for the Week:
The Valet Parking for the Week goes to 2nd Grade Teacher, Catie Stephani!  Catie embraces a growth mindset for herself, as well as her learners.  Catie puts in the extra hours to ensure that her teaching will create student learning.  Catie is focused on students and builds strong relationships with her students.  She is focused on the right work.  Thank you, Catie! 


Have a great weekend - and stay warm!
-Justin