Week of August 13, 2018

What a GREAT week of learning it has been!  I'm looking forward to learning more about Bulb, 1:1,  and the Home Grown institute today.  Thank you for being the learners you are and finding "take aways" from each session you attend.  We are EXCITED to be on campus tomorrow and next week for the rest of our back to school work and have lots planned for you with work time too! 

DID YOU KNOW:

• the district has updated their Minimum Expectations for Grading at the Elementary level?  Please review this document and let Admin know if you have ANY questions! 
• the office is making copies of your backpack tags and laminating for you.  They will be in your teacher mailboxes.  Your new car numbers (they are hanging tags this year) will be in your mailboxes, too.  I am OBSESSED with them!  Shout out to Bliss for sponsoring these! 
• an interactive TV on wheels will be delivered to each house and Music this week?  We can't wait to learn more about this cool tool the district purchased.
• we have video conferencing available in the PTO room, now?  We will be trained on this in the upcoming weeks.
• you have access to our faculty favorites? Make someone HAPPY with a little surprise!  

CONVOCATION

Please carpool over and wear the grey Convocation shirt that was delivered to your mailbox. Convocation starts at 8:30.  Please be back in the cafeteria at 12:45.  We will be having you record this year's school song, so bring your props!!

RECOMMENDED INSTRUCTIONAL MINUTES

The district has updated the Recommended Instructional Minutes at the Elementary level.  Please review this document and let Admin know if you have ANY questions!  With these recommendations we will have to make a conscious effort to ensure that houses are ready ON TIME for morning broadcast to start at 7:47.  Morning arrival should look like learners coming to your spaces, dropping off backpacks, and sitting together in a common space in your house immediately.  My expectation is that you start announcements on time.  Waiting even two minutes each day adds up to 10 minutes of instructional time a week and 360 minutes a year.  That is 6 hours of learning time!  Keeping this in mind, your character lessons should be MINI as well.  Community time and character building is who we are AND valuable time together, and I ask for your intentionality of keeping these lessons meaningful and brief.  It is expected that morning house meetings conclude by 8:10-8:15.

How adorable is miss Elizabeth Sinclair, our newest Spur?

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

PTO and volunteers will be delivering school supplies to your spaces next week.  If there is a specific place you want these stacked in your space, please put up a sign in an easy to see place.

COMMITTEE SIGN UPS
To help speed up Friday afternoon, it will help if you sign up for your committees for the year.  Some (like DEIC) need to be "elected" so we will have to vote if you put your name there.  All staff needs to serve on a minimum of two committees including one of these committees: EcoPond, Sustainability, Garden, Recyling, or Composting. 


ADMIN  VISITS
Ashley, Leigh Ann, and I would like to meet each and every learner in every the first weeks of school.  Please sign up HERE to bring your class to our spaces.


FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Since parents have permission to walk their learners to your class on the first day of school, we thank you for being prepared to welcome them and to ready to leave a great first impression of their first day of school with YOU!  Remember that this first week is about building SOLID relationships with the children and their famiLEEs.  Please,  by August 24, pick up the phone and call EVERY family. Tell them/leave a message sharing something special about their child.  It will pay huge dividends to take the time to do this!  My expectation for you, this first three days, is to ensure that school is SO FUN and EXCITING, that the learners do not want to leave at the end of each day.  

FIND YOUR MARIGOLDS
Welcome back for another year of teaching and learning.  Our work is HARD work, but we are surrounded by such awesome people here at Lee.  Take a minute to read (or reread for some of you) this passage adapted form Cult of Pedagogy.  Find your "marigolds" at Lee, better yet...be someone's "marigold!"

LEE LIFE PRINCIPLE:

Excellence- to stand out with valuable quality

LESSON IN LEADERSHIP:

Quickly learn the names of other designers and learners in the school and greet them by name.

LEE QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Excellence is never an accident.  It is always the result of High Intention, Sincere Effort, and Skillful Execution" -Aristotle

DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 12- Stephanie R's Birthday
August 13- Workday
     PTO Breakfast
     Staff Picture (5:45 Gym)
     Meet the Teacher Night (6:00-7:00)
August 14- Workday
August 15- First Day of School
August 16- iPads due to Melinda
     4th and 5th Grade iPad Rollout (8:00-10:00)
August 17- 3rd Grade iPad Rollout (8:00-10:00)