February 28, 2020

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• The Read Across America's planning and kick-off assembly this week was so great!  A shout-out to all the members of the committee! --Sue, RaChelle, Brenda, Elizabeth, Mitch & Mandy--
• 5th graders are adding text features to enhance their informational pieces on the Iditarod.  Not only do they include them, they are explaining how the feature teaches more information and improves their writing piece.
• Vocabulary Parade - Need I say more!  So many adorable vocabulary outfits.  This was my first experience with this and I loved it!
• Many of us have stepped in again this week to help with students that need us, fellow staff members that need help covering in different places, and even just providing a calm and friendly ear to someone that needs to talk.  Thank you for taking care of each other and even me!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, March 2
• Hat Day/ Dr. Seuss' Birthday
• EP training - Documentation Log (optional) @ 3:15 in the IMC
• Band-o-rama for 5th-12th grade @ 7pm
• Tuesday, March 3
• LUNCH TIME CHANGE for grades 5K-5th - 11:30-12:30
• ACT test day at the High School - HS TA's will probably not be present in your rooms
• Dodgeland Referendum Open House @ Clyman Town Hall from 6-7pm
• Wednesday, March 4
• Step Up to Your Bright Future Day (wear neon/bright colors)
• Jenny has a GWCF meeting in Watertown from 9-11
• Grade Level Data meeting for Grade 1 @ 12:05
• Thursday, March 5
• Students of the Month announced @ 8:10am
• Submit the Bridges survey
• Friday, March 6
• Talkread Playgroup @ 9am in room 115
• Consumable packets due to Marie

Nitty-Gritty

• New Face:
• Please welcome Ms. Amara Hartmann.  She will be working with Shanalyn V. for the next month or so as a substitute.  She may look familiar to some of you.  She is also the after school Y-Care teacher as well.

• Students of the Month
• It's time to announce student of the month!  Please click here to fill in your nominee for this month.

• Bridges Math Input
• I am looking for your input on thoughts from your exploration of the Bridges preview and the scope/sequence.  Please complete the quick survey before March 5.

• March 3 Lunch time
• Due to the statewide ACT testing on Tuesday (that lasts until 12:30), our lunch times will change to 11:30 for K-2 and 12:00 for 3-5.  If you have a special at 11:30, please see Sue, Elizabeth or Justin to make sure that it still works for 12:30 that day instead.

• Target Based Grading Update
• The last two Thursdays have been so helpful and informative.  I can't wait to share all of my new learning.  However, I do have to say that the biggest thing I have learned is that we are on the right track!  There were many times in those two days where Mrs. Johnson and I looked at each other and said, "We are doing that."  That felt good.  I also have some answers for some of the questions you left for me last week.  Our next PD day is on March 16.

• FaceBook Faculty Feature
• I have lots of faculty features to use for the upcoming weeks.  If you have not sent me 3 pictures to use for the post, please do so.  Or I can come to take pictures of you in your classroom, just let me know!

PD Spotlight

On Wednesday, I referenced this article during the staff meeting.  Click here to read (or listen to) the entire article.  After spending a couple of weeks focusing on kindness in our school through the random acts of kindness week or the Read Across America week, I find this article to make me think.  I like to think that I am kind, but when I read this I thought, "What are my 'rules' and does this affect my actions/words and my quest to treat others kindly and with respect?"  She says that when you understand others' perspectives, the behaviors become far less frustrating.  At the end of the article, she talks about how to deal with these types of "secret rules."  I don't know if I can do all of these things, but I do know that I want to follow the path of "Judge Good" that Greg Wolcott and Ted Neitzke described.  I feel that these two ideas complement one another immensely.  Telling myself a new story about others' behavior allows me to be more at peace and calm.  However, with that being said, in the workplace, I do want feedback from our team.  It is important to me that I keep growing as a person as well as a professional.  Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Friday Funny

This week's Friday Funny feels like me this week.  I still remember my own name as of the posting of this week's blog!