Thank you for a wonderful week supporting one another and working so well together. Seeing your houses and your grades have so much time together to bond fills this school momma's heart. It has been such a wonderful time of togetherness, fun, laughter and nervousness. I am so super proud of the work you have accomplished this week and hope that time on Friday and Monday ease some of the worries or stress you have as you prepare for #rjlyear8. Thank you for championing me when I had to share tough news and for shifting (yet again) with such grace and resiliency. A special shout out to our new mommas, Kristina and Meghan, for coming up this week to be part of Back to School. That is some above and beyond commitment to your school and we see you!! We are excited to have Omi and Chandana here to take care of your children as you have time at home with your beautiful babies. We all know what incredible guest educators these two ladies are. Please make an effort to come up to the front on Tuesday morning so that we can take your "FIRST DAY" picture and present you with a "little something" from Leigh Ann and I as you welcome our learners and spread sunshine to their lives. You are loved more than you will ever know!
- there is a link to responses to our Faculty Favorites in case you want to know your famiLEE members better or surprise them with a treat?
- May is hosting her session from CISD LEARNS tomorrow (Friday), in her space, at 1:00? Take a break from lesson designing and get re-energized and excited about Math with May! I plan to be there!
- a Back to School Guide for parents was sent out tonight from Chantel?
- we have new arrival and dismissal practices at Lee? Here is communication I will be sharing with parents. Thank you to Hannah for helping with this task as part of your internship.
- if you ordered your CISD Ed Foundation shirt that it is in your mailbox? You can still order your shirts online.
- there are guidelines for employees who test positive for COVID-19? Here is a link that will outline the guidelines. Employees will need to stay out for 10 calendar days and guidelines for calculating that time are in the attachment. There is no option for working remotely from home.
Pretty People
Get Login Credentials for LivingTree (Google Form)
- LivingTree Website
Please, by August 27, 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! Parents are used to only getting phone calls when there is something wrong. Let's change their perception! It is also a TTESS Domain 4 descriptor.
Leigh Ann, Angela, and I like to visit with each and every learner/class in the first couple weeks of school. Please sign up for an office visit with each of us here (tabs for each of us).
FIND YOUR MARIGOLDS
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!"
Welcome Back to School
Many educators feel pressure to cover content or worry about other job related duties. At Lee, we want to invest time to learn about our learners. Your effort at the beginning of the year will pay off throughout the year. Here are five strategies you can use to build better relationships with your learners.
Learn names quickly and correctly: Value learner diversity and identity by learning their names quickly and pronouncing them correctly. Only use nicknames if they prefer them. Greet them by their name to make them feel loved and valued.
Learners are never too old for show-and-tell: Help them feel they’re more than just another student by allowing them to bring in something that represents them, their culture, or some activity that they enjoy doing at the beginning of the year. Plan five minutes each day for a few students to share what they brought until you have given everyone in the class the opportunity.
Post learner pictures and their work: All of us do such a great job of highlighting learner work and celebrations. Students love seeing their faces and work on the wall.
Find small ways to connect: Circle time is a wonderful opportunity to connect with learners. It will build a sense of community in your learning environment. And the kids never let you forget Circle Time.
Simply listen: After the year that we have had, our learners are probably eager to share EVERYTHING with you. Watch their eyes light up as they share their stories with you… their favorite teacher!
Have the BEST first week. Here for you!! Please use this link to book a time with me so we can collaborate.
ESL STRATEGY OF THE WEEK
Day 1 is NOT about RULES!
On the first day, what we say, how we say it, our non-verbals, and what's in our classroom speaks volumes to our students. Show them that they are valued by making available to them diverse texts, creating space on the walls for their work and letting them know that the classroom "rules" will be created together as a community. These things tell kids that they matter.
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