Thursday, October 4, 2012

Last week I polled regarding your use of ISEE and was surprised at with the results.  We had two people with usernames and passwords and six that stated they were waiting for data.  Well for those six, your wait is over - the data is there.   For those of you who wanted to know what ISSE is and if you should be signed up keep reading.   ISEE is a portal - think of it as a doorway, giving you one login to many resources.  Through this door you are able to access Schoolnet, Discovery Education, Professional Development opportunities and other resources.  Schoolnet is like a filing cabinet - a filing cabinet we fill with data that can then be shared and accessed.  Schoolnet has your most current student data and projected growth scores (which is a portion of our Star rating and P4P calculation). Through the portal of ISEE you link up to Discovery Education (the same service we had before but is now provided by the State).  Discovery Education has  video and sound clips plus a WHOLE LOT MORE.  There is still room in the Discovery trainings around the valley and I have heard very positive comments regarding these presentations. 

The Middleton Schools Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 8, 2012.  The Theme is A Star Spangled Christmas.  I mean, what says Christmas like red, white and blue?  Usually we elect a new staff member to lead this committee, but I will take volunteers from the crowd.  :)  Begin thinking.  I'm sure we will start official planning in November. 


V-Math is no longer available to all of our students due to cost.  Title I has access for a limited number based on curriculum purchase.  I have registered us for a new program related to V-Math as a one year free trial.  Darcy has taken care of the set up and is prepared to launch it with your classes as you choose.  Just let her know.  The program is called Mathletics.  There is a serise of videos hoste by YOUTUBE which can be helpful in getting started.  Just search Kwalkermathletics.   Be sure and provide feedback to Darcy and I if you choose to use it so I can make decisions for the future based upon this trial.

Scratch for Schools is next Thursday, October 11th at The College of Idaho.  Jenna and Elsa have volunteered to help.  We could use one or two additional people, maybe with experience in this competitive challenge.


Leadership Team Notes

• Grade level teams need to create a protected text lists.  Which books are essential for novel units or read alouds as part of your curriculum?  Please list them and we will compare to reserve.
• Red Ribbon Week themes are on the calendar.  We will again have a buddy door decorating contest.  Doors should be completed by 2p October 31st for judging.
• Students who dress as a 'character worth following in their footsteps' may wear their costumes all day on October 31st as part of RRW.

As part of the high school's efforts in raising awareness for our students to develop a career and college readiness plan, the high school has pledged to "go-on" through our Kathryn-Albertson Go On Grant. A key component of the evaluation is communicating throughout our district and having teachers get "on board".  One way you can help the efforts is to take the pledge along with the high school students to continue your education (This will help with their renewal for next year!)  The website to make your pledge is go-on-pledge.org. Enter your information on the pledge form then select Middleton High School.  Thanks in advance for helping the H.S. reach their goal! Over half their students have already taken the pledge!