Sunday, September 30, 2018

Fish Can't See Water


Last Thursday and Friday, I attended a conference focused on issues faced by women in educational leaderships roles.  We had 10 speakers over those two days but one speaker spoke of the challenges of educating students in the 21st century and how it differs from years gone by.  Mr. Suhail Farooqui, CEO K12 Insight, shared a presentation entitled "The Brave New World of 21st Century Leadership".

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He had many points during his presentation but the concept I want to focus on goes along with the idea that "fish can't see water".  Fish don't know that they're floating in water. They just do as they have always done. It is the same way with culture. When you're working in a school, you do not see all that makes up the culture.  We have to be aware of this concept and realize that the students and families might "experience" our culture in a different way than we do.
I got a taste of this when I went to visit another charter school recently.  I was lost on their large campus and could not find my meeting space.  I passed at least three staff members and no one stopped to help me out and I promise I had the "I AM LOST" look on my face.  After 10 minutes I found my way and I had already decided that nothing good happens at this school because no one was out to greet me, as promised.  After a day visit I had a better opinion of the school but I promise...it took me half the day to get over my arrival.



What do people think about our school?  What is our culture? I promise we might be the last to know.  We have to be open to the feedback that our students/ families give us.  One superintendent does Lunch and Learn sessions with her students to hear about their dreams and what they need from their school/teachers? 

 Get ready to offer suggestions on how we can gauge our culture at our staff meeting on Thursday!  I have also posted a quick video to illustrate this culture unawareness issue.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and see you tomorrow!        - Angela



Week of Monday, October 1- Friday, October 5
*Observations and Pre-Observation Conferences Begin This Week
* No PLCs This Week

iReady Assessment Dates Have Been Revised 9.30.18 at 9:30 PM

Monday, October 1
  • Stomp Out Bullying Day
    • Please join us on Monday, October 1st, to "stomp out bullying" and wear blue! Students will be allowed to be out of uniform if they are wearing a school appropriate blue top/dress. Closed-toe shoes(no heels) are still expected. STAFF CAN WEAR BLUE JEANS!!!
  • Donors Choose Applications Need to Be Submitted by this date (all homeroom and arts staff must have a program submitted- can be done by grade or department)
  • 5th Grade Planning 10 am- 11 am
  • Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2 pm-3 pm
  • Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, and Connors) 2 pm-3 pm
  • i-Ready Math 8th and 7th grade
  • 2nd Grade Math Clusters 3 & 4 Pre-Assessments

Tuesday, October 2
  • Admin Meeting 9 am- 10 am
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12 pm- 1 pm
  • Arts Integration Team Meeting 1 pm- 2 pm
    • Caudle- Akers
    • Johnson- Strimel
    • Williams- Hill (for Pond)
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2 pm-3 pm
  • i-Ready Math 6th grade
  • 3rd Grade Math Cluster 3 Pre-Assessment

Wednesday, October 3
  • i-Ready Math 5th and 4th grade
  • 4th Grade ELA Unit 1: Habits of Great Readers Post Assessment

Thursday, October 4
  • Lanham and Pond Out at Vision Training
  • Kindergarten Planning 8 am- 9 am
  • Second Planning 9 am- 10 am
  • 4th Grade Planning 12 pm -1 pm
  • Arts Integration Team Meeting 1 pm-2 pm
    • Person- Falls
    • Campagna- Samuelson
    • Brown- Hill
  • Mandatory Faculty Mtg 3:30-3:45 (Lobby)
  • i-Ready Math 3rd and 2nd grade

Friday, October 5
  • Progress Reports Go Home
  • Kindergarten Planning 8 am-9 am
  • Grades Due-T1 Progress Report at 8 am
  • First Grade Planning 10 am- 11 am
  • MTSS Monthly Team Meeting  1:30-3:00
  • i-Ready ELA 8th and 7th grade
  • Kinder Math Cluster 1 Post Assessment


πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘ Chameleon ClapπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘
From Ms. Akers on 9/26:
2nd lunch count was perfect today!! Thank you Teachers!!!!

From Mrs. Hill:
Thank you to everyone that helped with Curriculum Night and the 4th Friday Table!! Can't wait top read feedback forms from the event.




Don't Forget
Culture: Contact each of your homeroom students' families and give a positive shout out. Arts and Support Staff, pick at least 21 students' families to give a positive shout out to. These can be done in Dojo or over the phone.  A form will be placed in your box for documentation this week.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a GOOSE (Get out of school early pass).

Arts: Plan and execute an Arts Integration Lesson in Math and share out to staff in an email or social media post. Must include pictures and a piece for student work and if using on social media use the hashtag #tceaarts
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Jeans Pass.

Academic: Complete and document at least one of the strategies shared by Ms. Covington. Please follow the directions in the memo to share.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a visit from the Hoot! Hoot! Cart

Personal: Pick two other people at work and create a Trio Accountability Model.  Each of you will hold each other accountable for a personal goal set by each person for themselves.  You will have to submit pictures of your trip meeting at least four times this month and email pictures and your goals to ahill@capitolencoreacademy.org
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Coffee/Tea Delivery to your room/office.

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