Good Friday, March 29, 2013

I hope you have had an extremely restful spring break and are ready to return and run the achievement race to the end.  It gets really hectic from here on out.  Many of you were completing projects and emailing but hopefully not too much.  You would be surprised to hear that I sat and rested.  It was odd, but interestingly good.  

The Smarter Balanced Pilot test has been canceled by the organizers, based on feedback they have already received.  It would be available in May after we are already out of school.  So take that off your list of things to do.  :)

Here is a great article about learning new technology.  If you are one of those late adopters or feel slightly intimidated by all that is out there, check this out. Hesitant Teachers Can Learn New Tech

I need students to present at the Board meeting Monday, April 8th.  Catherine has given me some of her Core Fair items to display.  Did anyone else save some?  Should we take students to share a Core Fair project or some to explain our growth in SWPBIS?

The carnival is fast approaching.  The Parent Advisory does need your help and there are ways to reduce the stress involved.  Ticket sales will start April 5th.  We need the EAs to help us count money and track ticket sales.  Classroom auction baskets are due on the 19th so they can be wrapped up and displayed.  Remember you will receive the proceeds to spend on your classroom so you might advertise with parents and grandparents to come to the auction.  If you are willing to sell tickets the night of the carnival, please sign up for a time in Lisa's office.  We also need grocery bags decorated as advertisement.  Sandy has given instruction on poster design, handed out basic information of carnival (date, time, location) and had bags decorated as a fun homework assignment.



Here is a synopsis of other information and upcoming events:

• Monday, 3:00 School Leadership Team meeting
• Wednesday, our Hawks ticket winners are supposed to get Dragon Breath.  Angie is investigating to see if we can pull this off.  I haven't heard back from her yet.  If so, it will be at the end of the day just before release, 1:40p.
• Wednesday, 2:00 ISAT meeting for all.  Collaboration to follow.  Teachers in District collaboration at Purple Sage.
• Pinterest has been opened inside District filters for teachers.  Please use responsibly - meaning you screen things before opening in front of students.  Know that occasionally inappropriate pictures may pop up and teacher filters are different than students.  This will allow you access to pages you may have pinned for reference. 
• Friday, 8:15 is our Character Assembly. 
• I have scheduled a teacher meeting to discuss the Office of Civil Rights April 29-30 visit.  The meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 15th @ 3:00.  I will cover the points of the complaint, the law and the investigation process.