Consistency

conformity in the application of something, typically that which is necessary for the sake of logic, accuracy, or fairness. "the grading system is to be streamlined to ensure greater consistency" synonyms: uniformity, constancy, regularity, evenness, steadiness, stability, equilibrium

Thank you for an awesome week.  I believe we totally rocked it! Please know that I see and have heard about the amazing things you are doing in your classroom to build the foundation for the rest of the year.  I know that some might question why we are spending so much time doing "stuff" that doesn't seem fun or educational but we know something they do not know.  Taking time to build this foundation now will help us achieve better results and push our students to higher levels of success.  

When people are house shopping they rarely drive by a house and turn around and come back to take another look because the foundation has that "WOW" factor.  No, they're usually impressed by what lies on top of the foundation.  But if the foundation wasn't there, the house wouldn't be able to stand securely through any storm.  We are building the foundation now and the coming weeks we'll be building upward.  That's when we'll get the "ooh" and "wow".  

                        vs.                

Weak Foundation                                                                            Solid Foundation                                    

Wishing you a restful Sunday and a wonderful weekend!

Angela

Week of August 31- September 4, 2015

Monday, August 31

• WIDA Test Window Open (ESL and ELL Testing)
• IS Planning 3:30-4:30

Tuesday, September 1

WIDA Test Window Open (ESL and ELL Testing)

Kindergarten Performance Series Testing Reading* (grade level lead checks out materials for grade level day before assessment from Mr. Klein)

Wednesday, September 2

• WIDA Test Window Open (ESL and ELL Testing)
• Kindergarten Performance Series Testing Math*

Thursday, September 3

• WIDA Test Window Open (ESL and ELL Testing)
• 1st Grade Performance Series Testing Reading* 

Friday, September 4

• WIDA Test Window Open (ESL and ELL Testing)
• 1st Grade Performance Series Testing Math* (grade level lead checks out materials for grade level day before assessment from Mr. Klein)

* Teachers have the flexibility to have students complete reading and math on same day (please refer to email from Mrs. Lett).

Reminders

• Lesson plans do not need to be submitted to your folder until Tuesday, September 8.  I will be creating an sharing these folders this week.
• If you take students outside of building, please sign in and out at front desk and grab a walkie talkie.
• Please collect Friday Folders and things turned back in and get to front desk by Tuesday.
• New Dismissal Plan begins Monday...please be positive and this needed change.
• Please be careful how we talk in front of parents.  Remember that we see the big picture and they only see and care about their student.  We we try to explain change or anything we're implemented try to tie it to their child.  Doesn't always work but it's worth a try. Also, although we know that they can take their student somewhere else if they don't like a new procedure we don't want to bring that up every time they do not like something.  That's more of a final line and I don't know if that needs to be said when we're tired, frustrated, angry, etc. It comes off cold and not informative so send them to me or me to them if you feel it's time to close!
• This week start reminding students that dress code compliance is mandatory for most starting 9/8.  This will help us next week if we just state rule or remind of this rule soon.
• Please look on cafe wall for lunch duty responsibilities.  They should be posted by 11 on Monday!  Who's on duty and when is below.
• How My Student Will Go Home Sheets will go home Monday PM.  We will take to your rooms.  Please encourage every student to bring back on Tuesday and I'll have a surprise for them by end of week.
• Please turn in all Summer Reading Logs to Mrs. Lett by end of day Monday.  This is the last day these will be accepted.  If they're from another school, their logs will be accepted as well.

Lunch Duty For This Week

11:00-11:30

WEEK 2	LEE	RUSSELL	PEARSALL	VAUGHN	JACKSON
	SCRIVEN	PAYTON	KLINE	RUSSELL	MORRISON

11:30-12:00

WEEK 2	GRUNDEN	KYLES	WILLIS	JONES	DANIELS
	WILLIS	JONES	DORF-CAINE	NELSON	HILL

12:00-12:30

WEEK 2	CALDWELL	BROWNLEE	MCLAUGHLIN	GRIGGS	FALLS
	JERNIGAN	NELSON	LETT	FALLS	GRIGGS

Showtime!

This clip is 8 minutes of motivation.  You can just look for your favorite or check out the whole thing... very motivating!

• We are three days away from the 1st day of school for the 2015-2016 school year!  It's the beginning of an 180 day journey that will include hills and valleys (because we know life is like that).  We're in it to win it and the best thing about the journey we are departing on this Wednesday is that we have each other to help us navigate the hills and valleys.  We need each other because we have taken on one of the hardest jobs on Earth...educating children.  I have been saying in small conversations with staff that the key to staying focused on the job at hand is "getting over ourselves" and that is so true.  When you think about all that we have to do outside of the classroom to prepare and then the way we're sometimes treated  by stakeholders you can leave at the end of the day feeling joyless and questioning your purpose.  Don't let situations steal your joy!  Get over yourself and see the real purpose for what you do. Wondering how to get over yourself?  Dig deep and see the real purpose of what you do and if it enhances the lives of those around you then you have refocused and ready to make great things happen for other people.

I am honored to join you in this journey next year and I am looking forward to arriving at our destination, Day 180, with successful growth for all students at TCEA!  Have a sensational Sunday and I'll see you Tuesday at 12:30 in the cafe.

Angela

• 
  
• Teach Like A Champion Focus For First 10 Days
• Although we covered multiple Teach Like A Champion techniques, I want us to focus on 2 for the first 10 days of school.  These two, I believe, need to be practiced starting August 26 and done consistently each day.
• Technique 32: SLANT SLANT is an acronym for what excellent attention behavior looks like.
• Technique 41: Threshold This threshold is the one at the door. By meeting and greeting students as they enter you can set the tone for your class.

Make sure that you explain and model this to out students in all spaces in our building.  When we continue to expect these behaviors from our students and hold each other accountable then it becomes second nature to our students.  New staff members, please look for an email from me regarding a sessions on these techniques.

Week of August 24-28, 2015

Monday, August 24

• TCEA Board Mtg at 5:00 PM

Tuesday, August 25

• Staff Mtg in Cafe at 12:30

Wednesday, August 26

• First Day of School

Thursday, August 27 (Day 2)

• Regular Schedule

Friday, August 28 (Day 3)

• Regular Schedule

As always, if you see a mistake or something that I need to add...let me know.

Could This Be THE YEAR?

Do you believe the quote above?  The idea that we can be the one thing that causes a student to experience success must inspire us but also cause us to see our job as one that is truly IMPORTANT!  I don't want to stress you out but I want to ensure you understand one of the roles of your job that's not clearly written on your contract.   According to the US Department of Education, research has shown that the most important school-based factor impacting a child's academic success is the quality of the classroom teacher, followed closely by the strength of the school leader.  We have to be on our game beginning August 26 and continue until June 10th.  We have to because anyone of us could be that one adult that helps that student become a success.

I am unsure if you have ever heard of Rita Pierson but she was an amazing educator.  Everything I have seen and read about her points to her belief that she was the reason why he students were successful.  She took it personal when students didn't learn and made it a priority to create success for all.  I hope you enjoy this and if you've already seen it before...they say you must hear something at least three times before it "sinks in"!

Have a spectacular Sunday and I'll see everyone in the morning!

Week of August 17-August 20

Monday, August 17

8-3 Performance Series Training

Tuesday, August 18

8-11 Art Integration PD

12-3 Behavior Presentation

Wednesday, August 19

8-11 Integration Station PD

12-3 PLCs

Thursday, August 20 Arts Staff Day Off

8-3 3D Reading Training

All Staff Must Attend Open House

Classroom Teachers Need To Be In Rooms by 6:45

Arts & Additional Staff Need To Be In Place by 6:45 (stations will be shared by 8/19)

*New Parent Orientation - Thursday, August 20th 6:00pm - 7:30pm

*Open House/Meet the Teacher Night - Thursday, August 20th 7:00pm - 8:30pm

 

It's A New Day!

Welcome to my blog!  I started using this platform to communicate with staff members two years ago and I believe it helped our team keep focus on what's important while navigating the waters of public education!  I hope you enjoy reading the blog and that it keeps you in the "know" throughout the school year.  I want to warn you that although I am married to a high school English teacher I struggle with spelling, conventions, etc.  My husband says I write like I talk and that's a PROBLEM! Well, I have him or people who are good at "that kind of stuff" edit my professional writings but these are my thoughts so just extend grace and mercy  and know I realize my short comings and I really am trying to be better...I really am.

Anyway, this week I wanted to share a bit about why I do what I do.  I am a member of your school community for the same reason I have worked at other sites.  I know that I was placed in such a time as this to make a positive impact in the lives of students.  By working with students, I have the chance to change their projectory in life and their impact on this world will live on way after I am gone.  That lasting legacy is what I am interested in.

My parents had hopes and dreams for their little girl way back in 1978.  They wanted the best for me and shared their hopes and dreams with me.

Fast forward to my 4th grade year and I am in the class of an AMAZING teacher who seems to anticipate challenge and pushes me to be better...now I want to be a teacher.

I graduated in May of 2001 ready to enter the teaching world and change the world...with my family's hopes and dreams mingled with my own.

And I feel I did.  Student by student, year by year... And then I went back to school at NCSU to become an administrator because I wanted to make change at the school level and I have.  At my most recent school, Erwin Elementary, I helped lead our staff to creating a more equitable and successful learning environment by taking our proficiency level from 38.1% to 51% in three years.

And The Capitol Encore Academy is where my allegiance now lies.  I was looking for a school that wanted to provide successful learning opportunities for ALL students while focusing on the whole child.  We will be the school that districts in our areas will model future schools and arts integration programs after.  We will be a model school for what's right in public education.  I see this in our near future.

And, that's why I am here.  Ultimately, my mission in life is to help provide a quality education for kids so they can live out their dreams as well as all of the hopes and dreams their parents have for them.

Why are you here?  I want to hear your story.  Please share via email or stop by and chat!  I love to hear what motivates those I work with.

Have an amazing Sunday and look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Angela

Week of August 10, 2015

Monday, August 10

8-11: Staff orientation

12-3: Lead teacher meetings (all other staff work in classrooms)

Tuesday, August 11

SIT meeting off-site all day

Remaining staff - Singapore Math Training

Wednesday, August 12

9 - 11 Teach Like a Champion Training

12 - 3 Teach Like a Champion Training

Thursday, August 13

8-11 Data Director Training

12-3 Monthly Assessments, Performance Series, Intervention

Arts/ Part Time Staff Schedule

Full days EXCEPT for the 11th (Day Off) and the 13th (PM Session Off)

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Angela