Thursday, March 15, 2012

Congratulations on a successful round of conferences.  In the fall the Leadership Team redesigned conferences in hopes of increasing attendance.  Last spring we did not have a good turn out, but it appears your personal invitations, student led conference and Core Knowledge displays of learning helped us meet our goals  It was amazing to watch on Tuesday night and to hear such positive comments.  Parents really seemed to appreciate the preparation and sharing by their children.  Again - you out did yourselves.  You are amazing!

We (Cindy, Stephanie and others from the District) are currently in Seattle at the NCCE (technology) conference.  Our heads are spinning.  We have attended some great sessions and have some ideas for progressing with the technology we have and for the iPads that are coming.  I think I have found a tier 2 & 3 math intervention that we can try for 30 days.  So those students on an IPlan (formal or informal) we can enroll them in this research proven program.  Yea!  Lots more but it will take some shaking out of our heads and notes.



Leadership team will be covering the following items at our next meeting.  Please give information and feedback to your representative.

• The need to make sure every grade level is teaching all agreed upon targets for science and social studies.  We are creating gaps in learning by skipping curriculum.  It is noted that with interventions and other subjects it is hard to keep everything on the plate.  We will continue to discuss how to simplify and still cover -
• The mission and vision statement as well as the PD plan (limited since some of this will come from Title I school wide work) for next year.

Next week as you leave on Thursday we need your help in securing the building for spring break.  You probably have this list memorized now but just in case.........

• Unplug all extra electronics
• Turn off power strips to computers
• Make sure doors and windows are locked
• Take home any personal items (not covered by insurance)
• Lock up small electronic devices
• Close blinds
• Turn heat to 'continuous unoccupied'

Middleton Unplugged vote indicates that the majority of staff understand the impact of videoing on the brain and would like to try to affect assessments through participating in the Unplugged challenge.  Most of those positive votes would like to do it on a smaller scale with only encouraging through the Unplugged advertising.  There were five votes that would like to offer a challenge with prizes.  If YOU would like to offer the challenge to your class I will be happy to supply prizes and recognition to those that complete it.  You could  select a class goal (65% of class) or individual.  I can also reproduce the calendar and the pledge sheets for you.  Just let me know what you need from me.