Week of August 17

We are excited for our upcoming week together to bond, learn, and set the stage for an incredible second year at RJL.  Your spaces are looking great and it is awesome that you are pushing your barriers and putting the learners in charge of designing your spaces.


We received a special thank you from Metrocrest for helping to Sack Out Hunger this Summer.

CLASS VISITS
This school is about forming and building trusting relationships.  During the first week of school it is important that I get into your classrooms to meet the children.  I would like to request 15 minutes of your day.  You are welcome to stay or take a break while I am there.  PreK - 5 Designers, please sign up HERE for a visit.  THANK YOU!


LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Your house leader has the notes from Friday's work day.  They have been charged with sharing all that we covered during our day together.  They did INCREDIBLE work and I appreciate your open mindedness as they share where we are moving in #rjlyear2.  Our group worked diligently to follow through with the vision of our #rjlyear1 team and in responding to feedback from our parent surveys.


RED AND BLACK ATTACK
Interested in supporting our CISD Education Foundation?  Order your Red and Black t-shirt here and you will be allowed to wear jeans with this shirt once a month this entire school year.  You must have this year's t-shirt to participate!


HOUSE ASSISGNMENTS FOR 2015-2016
In an effort for ALL staff to be in a house, please view this document.  This is the house you will be a part of for luncheons, showers, and other events.  Your will be seated by houses for Tuesday's staff meeting.


CLASS LISTS/EMAIL
It is an expectation that you reach out through email to welcome learners who have verified that they ware attending next year.  Diana has a comprehensive list of learners who verified.  Please email and welcome them to your class/house by end of day Wednesday so that that they know who to look for at Meet the Designer Night.  Please DO NOT email those highlighted in yellow.  The list will change as people verify, so please watch for any changes.  THANK YOU, DIANA for creating this list!

COMPLIANCE TRAINING

We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.  Please have this completed by Friday, August 21.  Don't forget to complete your surveys in Euphoria to receive credit.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Please review this updated version before Thursday.  The more prepared ahead of time, the more time that can be given to you to prepare for Meet the Designer Night.  This document frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD.  


CAMPUS HANDBOOK
Here is our updated campus handbook.  A copy of the signature page is already in your teacher mailbox to sign and return to Diana by the end of the first week of school.  NOTE: If you already completed reading the handbook, the Lounge section was updated on August 11, 2015. 


CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Here is campus specific information about location and dress for this week and here is the district plan for our Nurse, ESL Facilitator, Literacy Coach, Specials Designers, and SpEd Staff.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you don't know where to go each day.  Our theme is TEAM so there will be many team building activities peppered into our learning!


STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT
This is the elementary student code of conduct learners in CISD are expected to follow.  It is posted on our website and learners are required to return a signed copy of acknowledgment.  Please review this so you are familiar with what consequences follow infractions.


CAMPUS CALENDAR
Can't seem to open the calendar shared by Chantel on Monday?  Try this... open the email sent on Monday, click on add calendar (top left corner).  You should be able to see all of the events on our staff calendar in green, now, when logging into mail.coppellisd.com and selecting calendar.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 18-21: RJL Back to School Training
August 19: Pre K Orientation
August 20: Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)
August 21: Jillian's Birthday 
August 23: Kristen's Birthday
August 24: First Day of School
                   Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast (7:50-8:30 Media Center)
August 25: Roxann's Birthday
August 27: Sam's Birthday
August 28: Stephanie's Birthday
September 8:  4/5 Stop Collaborate and Listen
September 15: 2/3 Stop Collaborate and Listen
September 17: K/1 Stop Collaborate and Listen

Week of August 10

Thank you to those of you that helped Sack Out Hunger on Saturday.  We appreciate your hearts of service and time on Saturday!  It was awesome that we had returning staff, new staff, parents, and leaners participating.  What a great event!

Enjoy this last week of summer break with your friends and family.  Try not to work TOO  MUCH!! We are going to have a remarkable year together!

We will be feeding you lunch next week.  Please complete this poll by Friday so we order the kind of pizza you prefer.


LEADERSHIP RETREAT
Campus Leadership Team, please join us on Friday at the Coppell Biodiversity Center for a day of work and ideation.  We will work from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. and provide breakfast, snacks, and lunch.    Dress is casual, and we request you bring your charged laptop and great ideas for the year.  Please bring a drink of your choice.


KEYS
Please see Todd if you need keys to your space, design studio, or storage closet.  He will do his best to get these to you in a timely manner.

COMPLIANCE TRAINING

We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.  Please have this completed by Friday, August 21.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

New hires were updated on our CISD Learning Framework during training last week.  Returning staff, please review this updated version.  This dynamic document is one that frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD.  We will be referring to this document during Back to School Training.


CAMPUS HANDBOOK
Here is our updated campus handbook.  A copy of the signature page is already in your teacher mailbox to sign and return to Diana by the end of the first week of school. 


CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Because you have flex time earned for Apple and Tiles training in June, our campus Back to School work days will be from August 18-21.  Here is campus specific information about location and dress for that week and here is the district plan for our Nurse, ESL Facilitator, Literacy Coach, Specials Designers, and SpEd Staff.  Please don't hesitate to ask if you don't know where to go each day.


DATES TO REMEMBER:
August 13: Shelley S's Birthday
                   Residency Verification Day (7:30am & 5:30pm)
August 14: Leadership Retreat
August 18-21: RJL Back to School Training
August 19: Pre K Orientation
August 20: Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)
August 21: Jillian's Birthday 
August 23: Kristen's Birthday
August 24: First Day of School
                   Yahoo BooHoo Breakfast (7:50-8:30 Media Center)
August 25: Roxann's Birthday
August 27: Sam's Birthday
August 28: Stephanie's Birthday

Week of August 3

What a great week of learning in Coppell ISD at our Principal's Academy.  We learned a great deal about Professional Learning Communities, Learning Walks, and our updated Learning Framework. We found our media specialist, Meghan Hunt (mehunt@irvingisd.net), and look forward to watching her grow as a media specialist.  We also found our PE Designer, Julie Behr (jus_1021@hotmail.com).  She will be joined with a....wait for it....FULL TIME PE AIDE.  We have recommended Kandice Benson (kbenson@coppellisd.com).  Please take time to welcome these new folks to our famiLEE!

New hires have been in training this week and at the Chamber breakfast yesterday Ashley and Alan were winners of door prizes.  If you want some coffee, see Ashley, and if you want to visit the Container Store with Alan, he has money to spend.

SACK OUT HUNGER
We are looking forward to seeing our volunteers this Saturday.  If you participate(d) in this event and have photographs, please add them to this location for our iBook.


COMPLIANCE TRAINING

I am doing my very best to push things out to you throughout the summer so that you do not have a massive "to do" list when we get back to school.  We have required training related to allergies and bloodborne pathogens.  The required trainings can be accessed in one course in Schoology.  You will need to log into Schoology and join the course.  Please use the following directions to access the required training documents and resources.

1. Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com 
2. To log on to Schoology
   1.  Go to: http://cisd.schoology.com
   2.  Log in using your school email address as your username
          ex. ngarvey@coppellisd.com
   3.  A temporary password was sent to you this summer, if you can’t find the email with the temporary password, there is an option to use “forgot my password”.  This will send a new temporary password to your email account.
   4.  Once you have logged in, click on COURSES at the top of the webpage
   5.  Click on JOIN
   6.  Type in the following code: 4VVC5-4HVN5
   
   
   

   

   
   

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

New hires were updated on our CISD Learning Framework during training this week.  Returning staff, please review this updated version.  This dynamic document is one that frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD. 

iBOOKS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK
This week our final focus will be on collecting evidence in relation to COMPELLING EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see  what kind of information we are looking for. 

Please drop your written contributions (we need examples of how you have demonstrated this in your spaces), photos and videos in relation to Visionary Leadership in this location by Monday, August 10. Now it is time to construct our book!  

CAMPUS HANDBOOK

Here is our updated campus handbook.  Please sign and turn in the handbook receipt form to Diana before the end of the first week of school. 

CAMPUS PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

Because you have flex time earned for Apple and Tiles training in June, our campus Back to School Training will be August 18-21.  We will send out more specific details about location and dress next week, but plan on beginning at 8:00 a.m. and concluding at 4:00 p.m.   Here is the district plan.  

DATES TO REMEMBER

August 3-4- Balanced Literacy Training 

August 3-7- New Teacher Orientation
August 13- Shelley S's Birthday

                   Residency Verification Day (7:30-10:30a.m. & 5:30-7:00p.m.)

August 14- Leadership Retreat (info coming soon)

August 18-21- RJL Back to School Training

August 20- Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)

August 21- Jillian's Birthday

August 23- Kristen's Birthday

August 25- Roxann's Birthday

August 27- Sam's Birthday
August 28- Stephanie's Birthday

Week of July 27

Thank you to those of you that we able to help on Saturday to Sack out Hunger.  It was a wonderful way to give back to our community and help Crossroads Church that partners with our school.  If you are interested in signing up to help on August 8, here is the signup.  There are still 5 openings. 

UPDATED CISD LEARNING FRAMEWORK

Here is a copy of the newest version of the CISD Learning Framework.  Remember, this dynamic document is one that frames all of the work that we do in Coppell ISD.  New teachers will become familiar with this document at New Hire Training and we will reference this document throughout the year.


PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR 2015-2016
Please complete the following survey to inform campus administration of your professional learning wants/needs for the upcoming year.  The survey will close this Friday, July 31.

iBOOKS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thank you for those of you that contributed to last week's Ongoing Professional Learning and teaching portion for our iBook.  

This week our focus will be on collecting evidence in relation to VISIONARY LEADERSHIP.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see what kind of information we are looking for.  

Please drop your written contributions (we need examples of how you have demonstrated this in your spaces), photos and videos in relation to Visionary Leadership in this location by Monday, August 3. Next week, you will receive an updated blog with our next focus.  THANK YOU for your help with this!!

CAMPUS HANDBOOK

Here is our updated campus handbook.  Please sign and turn in the handbook receipt form to Diana before the end of the first week of school. 

NEW TO CISD TRAINING

Here is information that the district has shared regarding new teacher training.  If you have already checked out your MacBook or iPad, please bring these, charged, to all trainings.  

DATES TO REMEMBER

July 31- Wendy's Birthday

August 2- Katie's Birthday

August 3-4- Balanced Literacy Training 

August 3-7- New Teacher Orientation

August 13- Shelley S's Birthday

August 18-21- RJL Back to School Training

August 20- Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)

August 25- Roxann's Birthday

August 27- Sam's Birthday

Week of July 21

Thank you to those of you that made it out to Main Event on Monday.  It was nice to have family members there, too!  Todd did a great job organizing the event and it was fun to see that we have some skilled (and not so skilled) bowlers on staff.  Stay tuned for another get together!

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING FOR 2015-2016
Please complete the following survey to inform campus administration of your professional learning wants/needs for the upcoming year.

iBOOKS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thank you for those of you that contributed to last week's Innovative Learning and teaching portion for our iBook.  We have over 90 images and some narratives submitted.  Thank you to those who have taken the time to contribute.  

This week our focus will be on collecting evidence in relation to  ONGOING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see what kind of information we are looking for.  

Please drop your written contributions (we need examples of how you have demonstrated this in your spaces), photos and videos in relation to Innovative Learning and Teaching folder in this location by Monday, July 27. Next week, you will receive an updated blog with our next focus.  THANK YOU for your help with this!!

CAMPUS HANDBOOK

Here is our updated campus handbook.  Please sign and turn in the handbook receipt form to Diana before the end of the first week of school. 

NEW TO CISD TRAINING

Here is information that the district has shared regarding new teacher training.  If you have already checked out your MacBook or iPad, please bring these, charged, to all trainings.  

DATES TO REMEMBER

July 26- Nicole's Birthday

July 31- Wendy's Birthday

August 2- Katie's Birthday

August 3-4- Balanced Literacy Training 

August 3-7- New Teacher Orientation

August 13- Shelley S's Birthday

August 18-21- RJL Back to School Training

August 20- Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)

August 25- Roxann's Birthday

August 27- Sam's Birthday

Week of July 14

Happy Tuesday, Friends!  I hope you are enjoying the time off.  I have been making the most of my friends and family time before returning to work next week.  Mike has enjoyed quite a few home cooked meals (applause) and Hannah and Sophie have had daily walks.  LIFE IS GOOD!  

We found out yesterday that we are LEED Gold Certified (WAHOO!) and there is a new article in Texas Architect about our school.   Let me remind each of you, YOU were hand picked to be part of our famiLEE!  It is because of YOU and YOUR EFFORTS that we are transforming education and blazing new trails.  


HOW TO SYNC GMAIL TO CISD EMAIL
If you have been approved by the board, then you have a Coppell ISD Outlook account.  You will also have a Coppell ISD Gmail account.  To access your Outlook account from home, go here.  Your Outlook user name is your first initial, last name.  For example: ckastrounis.  

To access your Outlook account from home, go here. Your Gmail username is first initial, last name, @g.coppellisd.com.  For example: ckastrounis@g.coppellisd.com.  Both of these accounts have the same password.  

Since your Google invites will go to your gmail account AND so that you don't have to check BOTH, here are digital and listed directions to sync the two of them together (thank you Coppell ISD iTeam):

1. Log into your Google Apps Account (Google Apps 2011-12, if it is your first time, use the password CISD)
2. Click Email on your Google Apps Dashboard
3. Click on the gear in the top right corner.
4. Click on Mail Settings.
5. Click on "Forwarding POP/IMAP" in the settings tabs.
6. Click "Add a Forwarding Address"
7. Type in your regular @coppellisd.com email address.
8. Open Outlook or Webmail
9. Find the email from "CISD Administrators Team"
10. Find the confirmation code in the email.
11. Highlight and copy the code.
12. Go back to Google Apps.
13. Paste the code in the confirmation code box.
14. Click the verify button.
15. Click the dot next to "forward a copy…"
16. Choose what you want to do with the gmail (I prefer to have it marked as read).
17. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
18. Click "Save Changes"

iBOOKS CONTRIBUTIONS FOR THE WEEK

Thank you for those of you that contributed to last week's Flexible Learning Environment portion for our iBook.  We have over 90 images and some narratives submitted.  Thank you Stacey, Alli, Roxann, Elizabeth, and Amanda for your work on this.  Thank you Britt for learning some funky new widgets for us to use.

Again, we cannot start our work without your help!  This week our focus will be on collecting evidence in relation to  INNOVATIVE LEARNING AND TEACHING.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see what kind of information we are looking for.  

Please drop your written contributions (we need examples of how you have demonstrated this in your spaces), photos and videos in relation to Innovative Learning and Teaching folder in this location by Monday, July 20. Next week, you will receive an updated blog with our next focus.  

CAMPUS HANDBOOK

If you want to get a jump start on some of the Back to School tasks that need completed, you can read our campus handbook NOW.  It has been updated from last year.  It is compelling reading and tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about RJL (and then some).  There is a form for you to sign and turn in to Diana before the end of the first week of school. 

DATES TO REMEMBER

June 27- Viana's Birthday

July 13- Cassie's Birthday
July 14- Shelley L's Birthday
July 15- Lunch at Mattitos (email Lauren)

July 26- Nicole's Birthday

July 31- Wendy's Birthday

August 3-4- Balanced Literacy Training

August 3-7- New Teacher Orientation

August 18-21- RJL Back to School Training
August 20- Meet the Designer Night (5:30-7:00)

Week of July 7

Hi friends!  We will continue to update you though the summer and email you when the blog is updated.  Please take time to read and comment. 

2015-2016 STAFFING
Jess (3rd grade Purple House) and Jacque (1st grade Green House) were approved by the school board last night.  This means they are now on our school-wide email distribution list.  YAY!  Please take time to welcome them, if you have not done so already.

Courntey will be going to teach 3rd grade in her sons' school, so if you have connections to anyone interested in our  media specialist position, the job posting will go up this week.  Spread the word!! 

iBOOKS UPDATE:

We are busy starting to compile information to tell "our story," but we need your help.  Each week we will have a focus and reach out to you to send us documentation (narratives, pictures, and video).  This will ensure our whole building is part of the storytelling and represented AND we will do this virtually so that you can participate from your swimming pool, couch, or beach chair.

This week we are requesting any evidence in relation to FLEXIBLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.  Below is the part of the rubric that relates to this task in order for you to see what kind of information we are looking for.  

  

Please drop your written contributions, photos and videos in relation to Flexible Learning Enviornments in this location by Monday, July 13.  On Monday, you will receive an updated blog with our new focus.  

If you are curious what we are compiling, you can look at Belton New Tech High School's iBook or any other school iBook on iTunes.  Download it to your iBooks and the sky is the limit.

If you are interested in going through our Twitter Feed and adding photos to the five categories, please email Chantel and Todd and we will grant you access to the folders.

If you are interested in heading up one of the 5 areas of this project they are:

• Visionary Leadership
• Innovative Learning and Teaching
• Ongoing Professional Learning
• Compelling Evidence of Success
• Flexible Learning Environment

Thank you, Britt, for meeting with Todd and Chantel today to start the legwork on this.