Hey Panda Family,
MTSS Training (Certified Staff): As we work through the state complaints that carried over from last year, we are required to complete corrective actions given to us by the state. One of the corrective actions they are requiring is for us to have an additional MTSS training that will build off the training we completed at the end of last school year. This training will be given by the leads in our district, and we were told it will be this Monday, October 4 @ 3:30. Unfortunately, we are bound by the state's timeline as to when it must be completed. Please see the email from Mr. Elkins with the full details.
Bathrooms: Please remind your students that if they need to go to the bathroom outside of your scheduled class bathroom time, they need to use the 200 hall bathrooms (student bathrooms located closest to the staff workroom). All other bathrooms are designated for class bathroom use as indicated on the class bathroom schedule. If a student is having to use the bathroom 5-6 times a day, they are either avoiding classwork or they may have a medical concern. Either way, it is worth discussing with the parent to bring to their attention.
Covid Coordinator - Ms. Landreth: The district has allotted us additional funds to have a second person serve as a Covid Coordinator at our school to help with paperwork, contacting parents, and addressing symptoms. We have elected to have Ms. Landreth fill this second Covid Coordinator role. She will be joining Ms. Bolchalk and Ms. Gardner to help with all Covid-related issues that arise. Thank you, Ms. Landreth for taking on this role!
Field Trips: Just a friendly reminder that Ms. Gardner and I will both attend a field trip with your grade level this school year. Please let us know if there is a specific trip you would like us to attend. We are happy to help with any kids or any tasks that you need us to while on the trip. Thanks!
iReady Data: This past week Ms. Owens shared an iReady google document with you and your grade level. This document has BOY iReady data for each student on the grade level - including the specific levels in each iReady domain. We encourage you to use this data to form your targeted small group instruction as we fill our academic holes. We shared the data for the entire grade level of students because we know some grade level teams are planning to share students for small group instruction (students that have similar needs).
- Remind students not to throw mulch
- Put all recess materials back in the shed so everyone can use them
- Review expectations, as needed. Practice!
Pumpkin Palooza: We can show our community support for reading!
PGE Pumpkin Decorating Contest:
Classrooms will find one pumpkin (let us know if can’t get one donated from a parent)
Decorate your pumpkin as a book character
This would be a great activity to let a parent volunteer help coordinate and come in to help - just an idea!
Bring your class pumpkin to Fall Festival for display and voting!
(This activity is meant to be a community reading promotion, but is completely optional)
Scholastic Book Fair Oct 11-15; Family event Oct 16 from 10:00-2:00
Scholastic Book Fair website link (https://www.scholastic.com/bf/pgepandas)
S.M.A.C. Student Media Advisory Committee
4th Grade Meeting Wed 10/6 at 8am in media center
5th Grade Meeting Friday 10/8 at 8am in media center
Staff Spotlight: From Mr. Elkins & Ms. Gardner - Shoutout to the entire staff! As we begin to calculate the initial Instructional Round data for maximizing our time and staying on schedule it looks incredible. Everyone has been very cognizant of transitioning promptly to ensure we stay on schedule and we give each subject its' allotted time each day. Great work!! We will be sharing the data this week.
IF Updates
LETRS Training Timeline Here is a copy of the timeline from the district. Please print this or put it somewhere that it will remind you to stay on track.
Intervention Log: As we continue to improve our MTSS processes, we are adding another layer of documentation. This is an Intervention Daily Log. In this log, you should note information in all of the areas, including the date, the number of students in the group, the minutes the intervention was actually performed (not what is on the schedule), the materials you used and a brief note about progress. I have sent this to print shop, but here it is.. I will also put some in the boxes behind Sharon, so please stop by to get one so you can begin this important documentation. It is also linked to the MTSS button on Canvas.
Items from Previous Weeks
Opening Staff Meeting Presentation: 2021-2022 Opening Staff Meeting
- 4th grade R2A - October 14th (select students)
- 5th grade Science Check-in - October 14th
- 3rd- 5th math Check-In - October 15th
- 4th and 5th ELA Check-In - October 18th
- Make up testing - October 19th-22nd
Positive Covid Student Cases or Exposures: If a parent reaches out to you letting you know their child has tested positive for Covid, or has been exposed outside of school, please email Ms. Gardner and myself so we can reach out to the parents and input the case into the district system. Also, make sure you communicate to the parent how to access the child's makeup work while they are absent.
Attendance due to Student Quarantine: If asked about attendance for quarantine, please share the following information with parents. The attendance procedures from DPI will be followed for the coding of quarantine students in PowerSchool. The absences will be excused absences.
Asynchronous Work During Quarantines (from district): If students are absent due to inclement weather, long term sickness, or quarantine, teachers should provide playlists or assignments to continue learning through Canvas. Since we are not using concurrent teaching practices this year, playlists and other assignments housed in Canvas would provide asynchronous learning and continued practice during extended absences. If an entire class is quarantined, teachers may want to return to teaching the whole class through Zoom or Teams during the duration of the quarantine. (Note- A device distribution plan may be needed for K-2.)
Emergency Sub Plans: Please make sure you have created emergency sub plans in case you have to be out on a moment's notice. Your sub plans should have a detailed schedule, any important student information (health info, behavior concerns, etc.), and lesson plans.
Lesson Plans: Lessons plans should be on your Canvas page. They should be easy to follow and should have these elements: Standards, EQ ("I can" statements), Materials used, Assessment activities (should match standard), and any relevant links. Your lesson plans in Canvas should serve as a blue print for your instruction. If you would like to create more detailed plans for yourself you are more than welcome to, but it is not required.
