Only You Can Do It!

This weekend I was part of the launching of a 2nd campus of the church I have been a member of sense 2011.  Since spring we have been planning on the "birth" of this new church location- buying materials, practicing what to do and what to do when things go wrong, advertising on social media, reading about leadership and how to work with a team to build something "great", etc.  At 8:45 AM we came together with great expectations and a little worry to see all our planning become a reality.  

And by 11:45 AM, our "first" service was history.  We cleaned up and restored the school, that we're using for our services, back to its original shape and we'll be back next Sunday to do it all over again.

I know that some of you are thinking what does the above quote and your church launching have to do with what's happening at TCEA?

My husband and I are the leaders for the Front Porch group at our new service location.  That means that we lead the group of people you come in contact with the first seven minutes you're on our campus.  I love knowing that my smile, my handshake, my kind words are some of the first things they'll experience while on our campus.  My team is awesome and I trust that we embody all our church stands for during our interactions with members and guest.

I shared the above quote with them and I feel it's just important or even more important for you to know.  You are so important to our school.  You're impacting students everyday and you might not even know it.  You're changing students every word you say to them and with every look you give them.  You leave a piece of you with them during each interaction you have.  Our quote is so much more vital to all TCEA staff because we work with the most vulnerable groups of people on Earth...children.  They believe what we tell them to believe and many times they way they view themselves is seen through a lens others have given them.  

As we move through this week, I challenge you to focus on your interactions with students and see if you can identify "what" you're leaving with them afterwards.

Hope you've had an amazing weekend!

Angela

Week of September 28-October 2, 2015

Monday, September 28

• Mid Term Grades Due at 8:00 AM
• 1st Grade PLC Mtg
• Staff Mtg at 3:30
• Hill out in AM (mtg. in Lillington)

Tuesday, September 29

• Arts PLC
• 5th/6th PLC

Wednesday, September 30

• Pay Day
• IS Presentations 10-11 (WC & Drama)
• 3rd Grade PLC
• Finance Audit

Thursday, October 1

• 4th PLC
• 2nd PLC
• IS Presentations 10-11(Media Arts & Music)
• Hill Out TBD (2.5-4 hours)

Friday, October 2

• IS Presentations 10-11 (Dance & Visual Arts)
• K PLC
• Progress Reports to Go Home

Reminders for This Week

• Please sign up for an observation time if you haven't done so
• Please remember to give green stickers for lunch competition and if there are no stickers, just initial jar and I will replace with stickers later
• During lunch duty, you must help with table clean off.  You can elect students to help you or you can do it yourself

The Time Is Now!

Can you believe that we are almost at the end of September?  I can't.  It seems like the days are flying by and we are truly now getting into a rhythm and flow that we'll follow through the school year.  As we move through the school year, we must not forget our purpose.  Keeping focused on the why we're here and the who we are here for will help us make it through the rough times that we will have.  It is natural to have rough patches and how we navigate these times helps make us who we are.  I am learning a lot about TCEA and our staff but one thing I learned over the summer was that we are a group of "risk takers".  Seriously, you have chosen to work at a "start up" focused on educating the whole child and doesn't just say "the whole child" is important but incorporates this thought into everything that it does.  Being a part of something new can be hard but if we work together, we can make anything happen.

Working together means that even when we're tired and we feel like someone is asking us to do something out of our "lane" we do the best we can with the task for the greater good.

Working together means that we have to inspect what expect until we get the results that we want!

Although you might get frustrated and feel like you're being asked to do more than you feel you should have to do, know that if these things are being asked by me...the students are at the core of the decision.  That's where that part of remembering the who and  why we're doing what we do is so important.  Educating students is not about us...it's about the students we're pouring in to!

I attached a video that asks...What's Stopping You From Achieving Your Goals?  I ask that when you watch the clip think about the ultimate goal you had when accepting a position at TCEA and what are you doing on a daily basis to make your goal a reality?

Looking forward to an amazing week!

Angela

What's Stopping You?

Week of September 21-25, 2015

Monday, September 21

• 1st Grade PLC
• SIT Mtg at 3:30
• Board Mtg at 5:00

Tuesday, September 22

• Arts PLC
• 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Data Day
• 5th/6th PLC

Wednesday, September 23

• Caine and Lett at Testing Meeting
• 2nd and 3rd Data Day
• 3rd PLC

Thursday, September 24

• K/1st Data Day
• 4th Grade PLC
• 2nd Grade PLC
• PBIS Mtg (SOC Committee)

Friday, September 25

• K PLC
• Hill leaves at noon for Zora's Doctor Appt at Duke
• FEO Dance

FEO Dance:  Please let me know if you're planing on attending by Wednesday.  I am planning on coming back for the dance but would like to know who I can text while traveling back from Raleigh if I have questions about what's going on.  Don't forget that the FEO will provide dinner (pizza) for staff and their children who attend and I will be giving Comp Time.

As always, if you have any questions about the BLOG or anything else please see me!

What if?

People have always said that you can tell what someone values by looking at what they have the most of or what they spend their money on.  I participated in a staff development a few years back and the presenter shared pictures of his community and discussed how he used his drives around the community to discover what was important to the families he served as principal at the local elementary school.  The pictures he showed displayed new Cadillac Escalades and BMWs parked outside of trailers (this showed that the people in the trailers might appreciate the right now over the building of a legacy). The pictures showed a new high school football stadium but a community library that was housed in a building built in the early 1900's and no cars in the parking lot (this showed that the community might support the achievements on the field more that the achievements in the classroom).  

What if our nation treasured what we do as educators as much as the sports stars on TV?  The below clip gives us a glimpse into that imaginary world.  I know nothing I shared above is true but I LOVE Key and Peele and thought this skit was pretty good.  Enjoy and I hope you have had an awesome weekend.  As always, if you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

Angela

Reminders

• Please post PLC agenda (by day of) and minutes (after PLC) in PLC Folders.
• Lesson plans need to be posted in lesson plan folder before teaching them.
• Cafe Expectations need to be followed.  They are posted in the cafe.  Teachers, you may have students from your class wipe tables if you feel they are capable and you are on duty.
• Students are removing stickers from the jar so if a class is given a sticker, please also mark on paper on shelf in cafe.
• Please return to cafe at least 3 minutes before your lunch period ends to help corral students.
• If you will be using someone's space for a meeting or a special class activity, please work that out with that person beforehand.
• If you need something from Mr. Robert or Mr. Lamar, please leave a "sticky note" on their closet door downstairs.  These request need to be made as early as possible (a day early if you can).

Week of September 14-18, 2015 

Monday, September 14

• 1st Grade PLC at 11:30
• Correlate Meetings at 3:30-4:30 (all staff will need to attend)
• Performance Series Testing Con't
• WAPT Testing Window Open

Tuesday, September 15

• Arts PLC at 10:00
• 5th/6th PLC at 12:30

Wednesday, September 16

• 4th Grade PLC at 11
• 3rd Grade PLC at 1:45
• Beginning Teacher Meetings at 3:30-4:30 Will be having NCEES training so any new staff that might not be a BLT will need to attend

Thursday, September 17

• 2nd Grade PLC at 12
• Read to Achieve Parent Session in Cafe at 8:00

Friday, September 18

• K PLC at 11:00

Happy Three Day Weekend!!!!

I hope you have enjoyed your Labor Day Weekend!  I am going to honor the holiday by attaching a video explaining Labor Day (thought you might be able to add to your lesson plans next week) and info for this upcoming week.  Thanks for all you've done to establish procedures and rules these past eight days and to build community in your rooms.  Blessed to be working alongside this wonderful team and I know that all of your hard work of building a foundation will pay off this year!

As always, if you have any questions please ask!

Angela

Week of September 7-11, 2015

Monday, September 7

• Labor Day: No School

Tuesday, September 8

• Principal Visits Begin (please make sure you've sign up for a session: https://docs.google.com/a/capitolencoreacademy.org/spreadsheets/d/1gcGw7PG9pJ9PKtuaHHvsvh6QF6bKC56OkKZ4fODQsdY/edit?usp=sharing)
• Arts PLC at 10 AM
• 5th/6th PLC at 12:30 PM
• 3rd Grade PLC at 3:30 PM
• Please return all RED FOLDERS to Mrs. Lamb (clean folders out and give papers back to students)

Wednesday, September 9

• Principal Visits Continue
• 4th Grade PLC at 11
• Mtg with 1st Grade at 3:30

Thursday, September 10

• Principal Visits Continue
• 3rd Grade BOG
• 2nd Grade PLC at 12:00

Friday, September 11

• First Responder Basket Delivery
• PD Surveys Submitted to Hill Deadline https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1KdIuz8vtXKWB0Dc0-6Gs1yvURUiVvzPGpJ0GvPR9vJE/viewform?c=0&w=1
• Teacher Shop Open 3:20-4:00 at Box Office (chameleon cards will be in boxes by Wednesday)

Reminders

• Red folders to Mrs. Lamb on Tuesday (please remove papers before turning it in)
• As goodies come in for Friday, please bring to box at receptionist desk.
• Planners from FEO are for all students.  They will give one to student even if they did not buy one.  My expectation is that they're used daily even if you do not use for homework.  They can be used for data collection, behavior communication, reading log, etc.  I will be asking for how you're going to use them by next week so please make a plan.  Questions/ comments...come to me.
• I need everyone to view this video and insert either planners, school supplies, school materials, books, etc. in place of the white flowers.I get that we are all stressed but be careful because people are listening and although WE understand the frustration when you voice it to someone who doesn't see the good with the bad all they walk away with is the bad and it makes us ALL look bad.  Their perception is their reality that they,in turn, share with others.  

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