Now's The Time!

I have always enjoyed this time of year.  I am a woman who loves a list and loves more to cross things off the list.  So, this time of year I am famous for making resolutions and trying to create a "new and improved" version of myself...like many people across the world.

So, I have a challenge to you!  It starts will reviewing the non-negotiables I shared in August with the staff.  Just in case your mind has been cluttered with other information and lesson plans, I thought I would review these with you.

1. Growth Mindset: We can ALL improve and we owe it to our students to live that.  If our students don’t see us practicing, researching and observing ways to improve our practice then how will they know what we are trying to teach them everyday will help them improve and that the idea of PERSEVERANCE is needed to survive?
2. Be More Dog: Here's the video to remind you of this saying.

3. Communication is the Key: Take a look at this conversation and if we need to buy some chess clocks...I will...I will!!!  Not perfect but at least both parties are talking.

When I look back over the past 4 months, I see that many of the daily struggles we still experience as a school can be traced back to these three topics.  We must recommit ourselves to the job at hand...providing our students with what we recite in our vision at every faculty summit.

We, at Encore Academy, are dedicated to enriching the mind, body, and spirit of every child with standards of excellence, ultimately preparing globally competitive artists of their chosen craft. Encore prepares students for success in college, career, and life by developing resourceful individuals who possess the abilities to problem solve and express critical and creative thinking articulately. Through our vision and collaboration with home, school, and community, every Encore graduate will be well prepared for the demands of the 21st Century with the ability to:

• Inquire - Think curiously.
• Imagine - Think beyond.
• Innovate - Think creatively.
• Inspire - Influence Excellence.

If we can't get over ourselves and commit to creating the environment we pledge to create then we are just fooling ourselves...not our kids because they can see us for who we truly are even when can't see it ourselves.

As we begin our 2nd leg of this school year journey, let us all commit to doing the job we've been called to do and chose to do.  

We will be doing a few introspective activities in PLCs this week. Grade Level Chairs please but me on your agenda for 20 minutes.  We will be creating a weekly schedule for grade level meetings and creating a mission statement for your grade level with your peers.

I have missed all of you and I hope you've enjoyed your break! See you Monday, January 4th 2016 at 7:30 AM!

Angela

January 4-8, 2015

Monday, January 4

• 1st grade PLC at 11:30
• IS Planning Block 4 at 3:30-4:30

Tuesday, January 5

• Observations (Round 2) begin for Beginning Teachers
• Arts PLC at 10:00
• 5th/6th PLC at 12:30
• SST Mtg at 3:30

Wednesday, January 6

• 3rd Grade PLC at 1:45
• Winter Break Reading Activity Sheets Due to Classroom Teachers

Thursday, January 7

• 4th Grade PLC at 11
• 2nd Grade PLC at 12
• FEO Executive Mtg at 3:30

Friday, January 8

• IS Lesson Plans Due
• K PLC at 11
• Hot Chocolate Party for Those Who Completed Winter Break Reading Challenge

Next Week:

• Board Mtg on 1/11 at 5:00 PM
• Performance Series Testing Begins (Mid Year)

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

So, nothing dramatic or life changing today! Just a quick funny holiday video (one of my favorite songs) and an update of events for the coming week.  Thanks for a great two days of conferences. Please make sure you get me a copy of whom you've met with and have scheduled meetings with so I can contact those you haven't heard from.  I need, at the latest, Monday by 3:30.

Week of December 14-18, 2015

Monday, December 14

• 2nd and 3rd Field Trip
• 1st Grade PLC at 11:30
• Staff Mtg at 3:30
• Board Mtg at 5:00

Tuesday, December 15

• Arts PLC at 10
• 5th and 6th PLC at 12:30
• Staff Christmas Party at 5:00

Wednesday, December 16

• IS Block WCL/Drama at 10
• 3rd Grade PLC at 1:45
• Beginning Teacher Mtg at 3:30

Thursday, December 17

• IS Block Media/ Music
• 4th Grade PLC at 11
• 2nd Grade PLC at 2
• Hill leaves at 2:30 for Dr. Appt

Friday, December 18

• IS Block Visual Arts/ Dance at 10
• K PLC at 11
• Lunch from FEO
• Polar Express Movie Night 6-9 PM

It Takes A Village

I am sure you all are very aware of how important a collaborative relationship between all stakeholders is in helping a student achieve their personal best in school.  A colleague of mine would always shout "it takes TEAMWORK to make the DREAM WORK" when we were frantically preparing for a parent event.  Although we sometimes did not get the turnout we wanted or we had to spend countless hours preparing for the event, we knew that whomever did turnout was worth the time and effort.  We also knew that we'd never get the hours back but it would pay off in the future.

We are getting ready to host our formal first parent conferences, of this school year, and I know that you all have worked hard to prepare for them.  I wanted to just remind you of the importance of these sessions and also give you a few reminders/hints for a successful conference.

A Harvard study shared a simple acronym to help teachers and parents plan for conferences:
“BE HEARD”- Best intentions assumed; Emphasis on learning; Home–school collaboration; Examples and evidence; Active listening; Respect for all; and Dedication to follow-up

The study also shared the following:

 Approaching Parent–Teacher Conferences 

• A two-way conversation. The parent–teacher conference is not only an opportunity for parents to learn from you, but for you to learn from them. Nobody knows your students better than their families. Their insights into their child’s strengths and needs, learning styles, and non school learning opportunities can help you improve your instructional methods. Your efforts to better understand their aspirations and perspectives make parents feel respected and build trust with them.

 • Emphasis on learning. You can make the most of parent–teacher conferences, and other forms of family involvement, by “linking them to learning.” This means bringing events and communication back to a discussion of strategies to support student learning. You can arm parents with knowledge and suggestions for how to help their children learn.

 • Opportunities and challenges. We all need praise and constructive criticism to grow. All parents are proud of their children and need to hear about their strengths as well as their challenges from you. This helps show parents that you value the unique strengths of their children and have high expectations for their ability to succeed in school and in life.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT: http://www.hfrp.org/var/hfrp/storage/fckeditor/File/Parent-Teacher-ConferenceTipSheet-100610.pdf

And, one more thing...

Here's a video about conferences.  It is directed towards new teachers but it is always nice to review these vital strategies. 

Successful Parent Teacher Conferences

I am here for you if you're worried or concerned about any of your conferences. Please come see me if you need suggestions or need me to sit in! 

Have an AWESOME week!- Angela

Week of December 7-11

Monday, December 7

• GRADES DUE AT 8:00 AM
• 1st Grade PLC
• Pep Rally at 2:30 in the lobby (students need to be packed and ready to go home)
• SIT Mtg at 3:30

Tuesday, December 8

• Differentiation PD Surveys Due By End of School Day
• 3rd grade music assembly at 9:00; 4th-6th at 9:30
• Arts PLC at 10
• 5th and 6th grade PLC at 12:30
• SST Mtg at 3:30
• Reading 3D Mtg at 3:30

Wednesday, December 9

• 3rd grade PLC at 1:45
• Conference Schedules Due to Hill by 3:30

Thursday, December 10 (early release)

• revised schedule attached to email
• Parent Conferences from 12:30-5:30
• NO RtI nor Arts Classes
• K Awards at 8:00
• 1st and 2nd Awards at 10:30

Friday, December 11 (early release)

• revised schedule attached to email
• Parent Conferences from 12:30-5:30
• NO RtI nor Arts Classes
• 3rd Awards at 8:00
• 4th, 5th, and 6th Awards at 10:30

REMINDERS

• RSVP for Holiday Party ASAP
• Take time for you and try to relax
• Our new 4th grade teacher Ms. Gibson begins tomorrow! Please stop by and welcome her!
• K teachers need cereal boxes- lets help them out
• We need help getting gratitude cards out...please see Mrs. Lamb if you can drop one off at a local business.
• Y'all are AWESOME!!!!!