December 17, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• A 5K student shared with me how proud she was of herself and how she has had so many good days in a row without getting into trouble or making sad choices.  I love how she put together her choices each day with the feeling of pride and success.

• 2nd graders helping each other (and me) create the poinsettia project after learning about Mexico's Christmas traditions.  They did a nice job of teaching their peer how to finish the project successfully.  All of them got it down and they looked great!

• I had the opportunity to attend a few IEP/parent meetings this week and last that had teachers that shared specific information to parents in a way that was easy for parents to understand, made them feel a part of the education plan for their child,   I am constantly impressed by how you all really get to know your students' strengths and needs.  

• 1st graders are growing and growing as readers.  I love hearing about them moving levels.  Although I know it is extra work for the classroom teachers, it is exciting work that is definitely worth the time it takes to reshuffle guided reading groups!

• Finally, thank you all for your collegiality and help with covering out of your normal, everyday duties this week.  I truly appreciate you all!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, December 20
• Ho-Ho-Ho Down Day (Wear Flannel/Cowboy attire)
• Bus Duty for the week (Stanton, Hughes, Wedel)
• GG lessons for the week:  Review skills/topics from the school year so far
• Jenny leaving for Dr appt at 1:45pm
• School Board Meeting @ 6:30pm
• MS Winter Concert @ 7pm

• Tuesday, December 21
• Ugly Sweater Day or Red/Green Day
• Student of the Month nominations due
• Expectations planning meeting 3:10pm-3:45pm
• Social Media posts due to Josh (Donovan, BCaine, Huso, O'Toole)
• HS Winter Concert @ 7pm

• Wednesday, December 22
• Long Winter Nap Day (wear jammies/comfy clothes)
• Staff Meeting at 3:10pm in the IMC Learning Commons

• Thursday, December 23
• Wear Festive Holiday Apparel
• December Citizenship grades due
• All EP documents due including the Rapid Cycle planning document

• Friday, December 24
• No School - Have a wonderful and relaxing break

Nitty-Gritty

• Powerschool Information
• I have had a few questions from teachers about how to see contact information for both parents.  Please refer to Mr. Modaff's email on Dec. 15 on how to access the contact information for your students for all parents/emergency contacts in Powerschool. It is located in PowerTeacherPro in the student tab under demographics.  Please ask for help if you can not find it.
• As we are nearing the end of the semester, there are a couple of details I want to remind you about for your grade book.  First, make sure when you create an assignment in the gradebook, that you are choosing only learning targets (for the subjects that have them in the gradebook) and that the Auto-Calculate score box is checked.  See below for a screenshot for more information.
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• Finally, watch for an email from Brad regarding other reminders and how-to directions for preparing for report card time at the end of Semester 1.  The first semester ends on January 14th and grades are due on January 17th.  HERE is a google doc of details about end of the semester grading.

• EP Documents
• Please make sure to submit all EP documents before you leave for winter break.  If you need any help, please let me know.  Remember, the rapid cycle feedback planning form does not have a due date assigned to it, but it still needs to be completed before you leave for break.  Thank you in advance for this important work.

• End of the Semester Idea
• I am wondering what anyone thinks about having a celebration of sorts for our elementary students on the last day of the semester, January 14th.  I'd like to have each grade together for a special activity with me (which would also give you some extra time to work on grades as well.). Thoughts?

• Spring into Success Summit
• Some of you may have received an email from Cesa 6 about their upcoming Spring into Success Summit that takes place in February.  Unfortunately, Dodgeland is not participating in the summit this year.  Cesa 6 has shared with us that the sessions will not be recorded and they apologize for the confusion the emails caused this month.

• Attendance Reminder
• Please make sure that you have your attendance submitted each day by 8:30 so that we can be sure that we have it completed before the auto-calls start around 9:30am.  I realize that mornings can be very hectic, especially with a special right away in the morning.  However, it is very important that we have accurate attendance data each day.

• Safety Drills
• This week we had some crazy and unusual weather for December.  While we often have drills monthly, as teachers, you always have the opportunity to add in to your instruction time to discuss safety procedures.  This includes tornado drills even during a time when we don't typically do them.  If you have any questions, please see the maps in your room to see what areas of the school are closest to your room for you to go during a tornado drill.

• Email from Dr. Thompson
• On Thursday, 12/16/21, Dr. Thompson sent an important email regarding a national TikTok Challenge.  Please make sure that you have read this letter.  Rest assured that if we believed there was a credible threat to students and/or staff safety, school would not be in session.  We believe communication combined with proactive measures will allow us to concentrate on learning in a safe environment, tomorrow and every day.

• Christmas Lights
• I love how the Christmas lights look in your classrooms.  However, please make sure that they are off and/or unplugged when you leave for the day.  If they are left on, there is a potential for starting a fire, which would be tragic for us all.  Please check any lights in your classrooms when you leave each day.

• Y Care Job Opening
• Does anyone know of someone looking for a part time job?  The Y is looking for someone to take over the after school care from 3-5:45 each day.  The current lead teacher has put in her two week's notice because she has moved further away and can't make the drive each day.  If you know of anyone, or you yourself would like to make some extra money, please see me or contact Trisha Zandler at tzandler@theydc.org

PD Spotlight

Click HERE to read a short article talking about the benefits of taking breaks and using time off from work to relax, rejuvenate and relieve stress.  During the holidays, there is often added stress with gift buying, or scheduling or cooking, etc., but please make sure to take time for yourself doing something for yourselves.  You all work so incredibly hard each and every day at Dodgeland.  I fervently hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing break.  You definitely deserve it!

Friday Funny

I am pretty sure this is what most of you have written down in your plans!  :-)

December 10, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Parents of a student sharing how proud they were of their son and the growing confidence he has this year.  Watching students grow each year is so exciting!

• First grade students making such thoughtful predictions and strong language during discussions surrounding Mystery Doug's weekly segment.  So awesome to hear their thinking.

• Students were SO excited for their concert all week.  It was so wonderful to watch them perform live this year.  I missed it so last year!

• Speaking of the winter concert...The cute factor was on overload!  The kids nailed each song that they sang and you could tell they were learning a lot more than just the words to the songs. I could tell they were learning about rhythm and instruments, and so much more!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, December 13
• Bus Duty - Schwoerer, Piekarski, Johnson
• Mentor Meeting Year 1 teachers only - 3:15 in the IMC
• Newsletter articles Due to Jenny - 5th grade, anyone else?
• Milwaukee Bucks Day
• GG Lessons for the week: Respecting/Accepting differences for gr 2-5, following directions for K-1

• Tuesday, December 14
• Social Media Posts due - Stampfl, Bingen, Schwoerer, Piekarski
• Jenny in a meeting from 1-2pm

• Wednesday, December 15
• Workout Wednesday
• Academic Grade Level meeting 5K - 11:35am-12:20pm in room 108
• Jenny in a meeting from 9:45-10:45am
• Jr Coach Lunch Reward 3rd gr @ 12:30, 5th gr @ 1:00 in room 120

• Thursday, December 16
• SEL Grade Level meeting 3rd gr - 12:05-12:50pm in room 133

• Friday, December 17
• Books are Fun orders due

Nitty-Gritty

• Supervision after Noon recesses
• It appears that many of our 1st-3rd grade students are struggling when coming in from recess and then safely and quietly getting to the commons for lunch.  Please help remind students of the expectations of how to transition from recess, lockers to lunch in a safe manner.

• Vacant classrooms
• Earlier this week, a safety inspection was done across the school building.  One area that we received feedback on was in regards to empty classrooms. If your classroom is vacant for any reason, please make sure that your door is shut and the lights are off. This will send a message that the room is unavailable to others to enter without an adult.

• Extra Duty sheets
• As we discussed at the staff meeting on Tuesday, there may be extra duties that you have done that you didn't realize could be written on your extra duty sheets.  If you turned one in already, Laura has processed it.  Please grab another one from the shelf in the office and submit it to me so that it can be added to the Dec. 31 paycheck.  Below is a reminder of examples of extra duties at the elementary level.
• Extra Lunch Duty (covering for someone else)
• Extra Recess Duty (covering for someone else)
• Teaching during your prep
• Teaching other classes during part or all of your day (including taking on another class with your own)
• Each time you have students with you to teach/supervise, write it on the extra duty form.
• I would recommend that you have one handy all year long so that you can add it on the sheet as you go.  I appreciate the collegiality and the teamwork in covering for others when they can not be at school.  It is truly appreciated.

• Recess Reminders
• Mrs. Chambers is our school recess coach.  As such, she is working hard at putting procedures in place to help make this part of students' days an extension of their learning and a successful and fun place to be as well.  Please make sure that you are reading her communication and following the guidelines.  If even one person (myself included), strays from the routines, it creates confusion and conflict amongst students.  If you have questions, please reach out to Mrs. Chambers at any time.
• Now that we seem to have hit winter (sigh), there are questions related to whether recess will be indoors or outdoors.  The rule is:  If it is below 0 degrees, windchill included, recess will be indoors.  If it is 0 or above, windchill included, recess will be outdoors.  Each day, Mrs. Chambers will be checking weather conditions and will communicate if recess is indoors by 9am for morning recess and 11:15 for noon recesses. If you do not hear an announcement, you should assume it is outdoors.  If Mrs. Chambers is not here, I will make the determination.  If we are both gone, Ms. Hahn will make the determination.
• Finally, if it is raining, recess will be indoors.  If it is snowing (unless it is blizzard conditions), recess will more than likely be outdoors.  Again, there is a procedure set up for who will make that decision and it will be communicated in a timely way.

• WIN
• After winter break, we will have our next round of i-Ready/FastBridge testing.  Once we have that data, it will be important that we begin creating WIN groups for reading and math for each grade.  I understand that there are a lot of things on our plates right now, but I am afraid that if we are not looking carefully at our data and efficiently responding to what our students need, they will not grow as much as they otherwise might.  Please keep this in mind as you think about your next semester planning.

• Field Trips
• As we continue on for the next semester, I would like you to know that field trips can be reinstated for classes.  Please keep in mind what the COVID protocols are for the locations that you are considering taking your class to in your planning.  In addition, a field trip is an opportunity to provide learning in another place.  The trip should relate in some way to what you are doing in your yearly curriculum.  If your grade would like to plan a field trip, please fill out the field trip request form before finalizing any dates with locations.  If you have any questions, please see me.

• Expectations Reboot
• After the winter break, all of us spend a good amount of time reviewing the behavior expectations in the classroom, reminding them of the classroom procedures and practicing the "right" way to do things.  In one of the grade level SEL meetings, an idea (one I LOVE) was brought to the team about setting up some sort of Welcome Back Expectation rotation.  We could clearly cover the expectations we have for students' behavior in the hallways, in the lunchroom, at recess, etc.  Are there any people that would be willing to work on a plan of how we could systematically present this to our students when they return to us in January?  Click HERE to indicate willingness to help out.

• New Staff Member
• Most of you already know this and have even worked with her, but in case you haven't, there is a new paraprofessional on our team.  The opening was created to be proactive regarding some upcoming referrals and student move-ins that we are aware of in the special education department.  Please welcome Lexi Huelsman to our team.  As I told you in the staff meeting, she is much more excited to work with you than me!  She would prefer to be called "Ms. Lexi" to students to prevent any confusion with me.  I know that she is looking forward to joining you and wants to do a good job, working hard on work that matters!

Friday Funny

Is it weird that I used to LOVE looking through my school's card catalog?  I loved the smell of the cards and the rows of drawers, and even the way that each card was individually typed, like with a typewriter!  I may be dating myself here since there may be some that never had the privilege of doing this... :-)

December 3, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• I watched an adult talking with a 5K student today about a choice she was making with peers.  She was calm, kind and very clear about how the choice she was making was affecting other children.  By the end of the conversation, the student was hugging the adult and had made a safer and kinder choice.  The SEL skills that we teach in the moment is so automatic for so many of the adults in our system.  It is so exciting and rewarding to watch.

• Staff welcomed back our students with joy and ready to make the most of our days before break. Students seemed ready to learn and genuinely glad to be back in the building.

• Kris shared that teachers' hard work with implementing Bridges math units and number corner is paying off.  She is very impressed by how things are going across the building.  Way to go!

• 4K students sharing their alphabet bags with their classmates for the letter "T."  One of the students told me he brought a golf tee.  "It sounds just like the letter."

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, December 6
• Bus Duty (Klink, Lucht, Zastrow)
• GG Lessons for the week (Perspectives for gr 3-5, self-talk for grades 5K-2)

• Tuesday, December 7
• Social Media posts due to Josh (Schweitzer, Chambers, Koenings, Braunschweig)
• Pyramid Model Leadership Mtg 1pm in Room 110
• Staff meeting in the IMC @3:05pm

• Wednesday, December 8
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in a meeting from 9:30-11am.
• Grade Level Data meeting 1st grade @ 12:05pm in room 122
• Fundraiser Pick-up from 3:15-6pm

• Thursday, December 9
• Jenny in a meeting from 8-9am
• Elem. concert dress rehearsal (See Ben's email for more information)
• SEL Grade Level meeting 4th grade @ 12:35pm in Room 138
• Elementary Winter Concert @ 6:30 for grades 5K, 2 & 4

• Friday, December 10
• Elem. gym is being used for FFA fruit sale sorting due to construction.  Watch for email about location/plan for Elem. PE classes that day

Nitty-Gritty

• Fundraiser Pick-up
• If you are available on Wednesday afternoon, please stop down in the elementary gym to help families collect their fundraiser items.  Many of the families will arrive right after school and the faster we can help them find their items, the less stressful it will be for them.

• Sunshine Committee
• Watch your emails for updates from the Sunshine committee and added dress up days for the month of December.  Thank you to this committee for adding holiday cheer to our month!

• Staff Meeting
• If you are unable to attend on Tuesday, please let me know so that I can catch you up on what you missed.  (Since I needed to move the date, please know I truly understand if you already have things on your calendar that day and can't make it.)

PD Spotlight

This is the article that I needed this week.  I hadn't realized how very stressed I was feeling in my personal life until Wednesday afternoon when things turned out well.  At that moment, I wanted to sit down and cry.  Weird right?  But the relief was overwhelming!  All of us have moments, situations and stressors that we are dealing with each and everyday.  It is not necessary for all of us to know the specific details of what stress each other is dealing with to be kind and empathetic with one another.  This time of year causes additional stress for many people, including our children.  It is important to remember this as we prepare for the holiday season.  Click HERE to read a very short article about 9 stress management techniques that every teacher needs to know.  Technique number 4 and 7 really spoke to me.  I enjoy my work, I want to do a good job and I know at the end of the day that I gave everything I had to my work.  I love the sentiment that doing good work does not have to mean burn-out.  How can I be proud of the good hard work I complete without it leaving me so exhausted that I think I can't function?  What techniques speak to you?

Friday Funny

Below is a picture of my nephews.  They were born on the exact same day, 13 years apart, and are so sweet to watch together.  Spencer, who just turned 18, is unbelievably patient and loving with his 5 year old cousin.  Johnny thinks everything Spencer does is amazing.  However, Spencer uses that to his advantage and can convince him he has special magic powers.  He would use a secret knock by the back door in order to get it to open, so then Johnny wouldn't even try the handle unless Spencer used his magic powers.   It was hilarious to hear him tell his mom that he can not get in the door until Spencer gets there.  Of course, Spencer kept telling him he would get those same powers when he gets older. :-)

November 19, 2021 (Blog for next 2 weeks)

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• A 3rd grade student shared with me that he was having a great day.  He was smiling and seemed proud of himself for his choices.   

• 5K students couldn't wait to show me how to use their iPad to spell new words!

• Classrooms have solid routines and procedures in their classrooms that it makes it easy for others to step in to help out.  Students love to tell me how things work in their classrooms, and I love to see that they know exactly what to do!

• Teachers are consistently sending a message to students about showing respect and kindness.  I know that it doesn't always seem like it is sinking in, but I believe if we stay the course, we will all benefit from a positive environment to work and learn in for all of us!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, November 21
• Bus Duty (Stampfl, Chambers, Ganser)
• GG Lesson for the week is on being Thankful
• School Board Meeting @ 6:30pm

• Tuesday, November 22
• Social Media Posts due to Josh (Mook, Zastrow, Lucht, TCaine)

• Wed-Friday, Nov. 23-25
• Have a GREAT THANKSGIVING!

• Monday, November 29
• Bus Duty (TCaine, Vertz, Murphy)
• GG Lesson this week:  Being Assertive
• Welcome Back Stephanie S!

• Tuesday, November 30
• Final Day to place those Shout Out tickets on the board!
• Social Media posts due to Josh (Juech, Huso, Murphy, Johnson)
• Student of the Month Nominees Due
• RE-Scheduled Academic Grade Level Meeting 2nd grade: 12:05-12:55

• Wednesday, December 1
• Jenny is gone for the day.
• New Month - New duties 
• Breakfast Riege/O'Toole
• AM Circle Dr Wieneke/Gruenwald
• PM Bus Duty Vredeveld/Hahn
• NO Academic Grade Level Meeting 2nd Gr.

• Thursday, December 2
• Student of the Month announced at 8:15ish
• SEL Grade level meeting - 5th gr 12:35-1:25

• Friday, December 3
• Badgers Day - Wear your Badger Apparel
• November Citizenship grades due in PowerTeacher Pro

Nitty-Gritty

• Elementary Winter Concert Returns to In-Person
• The 5K, 2nd and 4th grade students are performing in the elementary winter concert on December 9th, starting at 6:30pm. I am excited to see them perform live this year.  If you teach one of these grades, please connect with Mr. Johnson regarding any details that you and/or your students need to know in preparation for this performance.

• Staff News
• As you know Bethany Turcotte has been our long-term sub for Stephanie Schuett since the beginning of the school year. However, what I am excited to share with you all is: Bethany has agreed to stay on with us until the end of the school year working in our 4K program alongside the 4K team.  This year, our 4K students have a unique set of needs that often require our paras to be available and with students outside of the classroom.  By having Bethany remain with us with her background in 4K students, we can meet all of our students' needs.  Please continue to make her feel welcome at Dodgeland!

• Dodgeland Elementary Clothing Store
• We are selling Dodgeland Elementary apparel this month.  Please click HERE to view the items for sale.  This will also be shared with students and parents.  If you have any questions, please see Rachael for more information.

• Personal News
• I have a very important appointment on Wednesday, Dec 1.  I need to move the grade level meeting to Tuesday that week for 2nd grade.  Please let me know if this does not work for the group.   Thank you in advance to everyone on team Dodgeland for helping with students and staff in need that day.

PD Spotlight

Last week, this article came to my inbox and it caught my attention immediately!  I had to read it immediately.  By the end of the article, I had two thoughts.  1.  I am so glad to know that it is not just the students that I am seeing each week that are struggling with respect.  and 2. It's nice to read some ideas that I already know, but now am reminded about why they are important.

Finally, the article helped me to remember that we must stay the course, regardless of how frustrating it may seem at times.  This is another reason why it is so important to recognize when you need a break or when you need help.  Calling for help is sometimes the best option so that we can consistently follow the expectations and follow-through consequences, but still maintain our relationships with each other and our students. I hope you find this article as helpful as I did.  Please remember that I always want to support your work so that together we can help our students grow to be happy, successful and kind people.

Friday Funny

I think my sense of humor gets more and more bizarre the more tired I get.  But, embarrassingly, I laughed for a very long time over this.

November 12, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 3rd Graders could not wait to tell me all about the state that they are researching.  I learned about state flowers and flags and bordering states from so many of them.  I love to hear students excited about their learning.

• Multiple teachers respectfully, honestly and passionately asking follow up questions when they are concerned about something going on in their classrooms or DES.  I always want you to feel like you can share anything with me.  We may not always agree on things, but I can promise that I will listen and work with you to find the best solution possible. I encourage you to make an appointment to see me (or stop me when you see me) about anything.  We are a team and together we will provide a school that all of our students and us will thrive in!

• How about those 5th grade writers/readers this week, huh?  I was so proud of them all today I actually had tears in my eyes.  They were poised and clear and hopefully they felt proud at the end of the assembly.  I know I was proud of them!

• Our Playworks Recess Coach had very positive things to share about our recesses and students (including our Jr Coaches).  Although, we know we can always get better and better, it was nice to hear the affirmation about your hard work, especially our internal recess coach!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, November 15
• Newsletter articles Due (5K and Speech)
• Reading Corps Tutoring begins
• Bus Duty this week (Bingen, Crane, Miller)
• GG SEL skills this week: Listening with Attention for 4/5, Using Self-Talk for gr 3, Focus Attention 5K-2

• Tuesday, November 16
• Social Media Posts due to Josh (Lisiecki, BCaine, Crane, Vertz)

• Wednesday, November 17
• Workout Wednesday
• Special Surprise for DES students 8:30am (see below)
• Jenny is in a meeting from 9:45-10:45am
• Academic Grade level data meetings (3rd gr 12:05-12:55pm - Rm 133)

• Thursday, November 18
• SEL Data Meeting (5K, 11:35-12:25pm - Rm 108)

• Friday, November 19
• The Energized Guy Online Assembly
• 4K-2 - Live Stream assembly 9am
• 3-5 - Live Stream assembly 10am
• Alternate Recess schedule for the day, Teresa's email was sent Friday.
• 4k/5k - 8:30-8:45
  1st and 2nd grade - 9:45-10:00
  3rd - 5th grade - 9:30-9:45
• XPD registration due to Kimi

Nitty-Gritty

• Shout Out Board
• I've noticed some new shout out tickets on the board already.  Keep them coming.  Showing our gratefulness for our fellow staff members is rewarding for both the givers and receivers!  And.  Don't forget, at the end of the month, I will be drawing names tickets for gift cards.  There is A LOT to recognize and celebrate at school, so let's get them publicly shared!

• Surprise for our DES Students!
• I had an unexpected phone call this week from the executive director of the United Way of Dodge county.  It appears that a number of college students at Moraine Park organized and completed a community project to fund children's books for elementary students in the area.  They were VERY successful and they are coming on Wednesday, November 17 at 8:30am to begin the book drive.  Every student in our elementary school will receive a free book to keep.  Watch for an email on Monday to find out details about how students will be getting and choosing their book.

• Assembly on Friday
• In classroom teachers mailboxes, you will find a card from the National Theatre for Children with some information regarding the online assembly next Friday, 11/19.  In the past, Juneau Utilities has sponsored the spring live performances that our children have really enjoyed.  Due to COVID, they moved the performances to the Fall and have a narrator that is introducing pre-recorded skits.  I really appreciate our communities support for our students' learning.  You should receive an email from the National Theatre for Children prior to the performance on Friday.
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• Arrival at School
• As many of you know, I am NOT a morning person.  I often tell people if there was ever a time where a 2nd shift school would be open, I would be first in line to work there.  However, I'm afraid this is just an outlandish dream!  So, in the meantime, I will have to put up with the snooze button and the morning people around me. :-). In all seriousness though, we do need to make sure that we have adequate supervision of students and having the opportunity to have a smooth start to the day starts the day off on the right foot. Please make sure that you are arriving at school and in the building by 7:30 (or 7:45 for some paras) ready to enjoy your day!

PD Spotlight

Christina shared this article with me this week and I've been reflecting on it all week.  As soon as I read it, I knew I wanted to share it with you this week too.  I found it so affirming to read about the things we do at Dodgeland to build relationships, to offer instruction and the structures to provide a safe place for students to avoid shutdown modes.  I believe one of the most rewarding parts of our jobs is to build strong relationships with children.  I want our students to know that I care what happens to them, but I also have expectations for how they conduct themselves in the school as well.  I believe when I show them that I mean what I say, and I follow through with my words, I still show them that I care about them at the same time.  It is also the reason I work to make sure I know every student's name and get to know them all.  The part of the article that spoke to me most is the end where it lists the practices to consider using in a school system.  Do you see these practices in your classroom and in our school?  I do! What resonates in this article for you?  

Friday Funny

So I read this to Lexi and she said, "No, that is not funny. Find a new Friday Funny."  But, she was laughing as she said it, so I thought, Dodgeland teachers need to see this.  I wonder what fraction of DES staff will find it funny.  (You can tell me if you agree with Lexi. lol).  :-)

November 5, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 4th graders worked together to study for a summative assessment by explaining how they got the answers and working on breaking numbers apart to multiply.  It was so interesting to listen to how they explained their thinking.

• 3rd graders are starting to work on their state writing piece.  I love hearing students tell me what they are learning from their reading.  Two boys even read a Spanish paragraph to me and then explained the important points to me in English.

• 5K students were reading and spelling "star" words in their weekly message from their teachers.  They were using whole body listening even with distractions in the room and were excited to find them in the message!

• Staff members working together to create a routine to help out with a student with significant needs.  There is a plan, but yet flexibility and open to feedback, and focused on what the student needs.

What's Happening At Dodgeland?

• Monday, November 8
• Mentor/Mentee Meeting @3:15pm in IMC - Year 1 Teachers only (Mentors are optional)
• Bus Duty for the week (Schweitzer, Lauth, Klis)
• GG Topic this week: Empathy and Respect

• Tuesday, November 9
• Recess Team Meeting in Room 120 at 3:05pm for all paraprofessional recess supervisors and certified staff recess team members
• Social Media Posts due to Josh (Miller, Piekarski, Schuett/Turcotte, Bingen)
• Rise Intervention - Round 2 begins.  This round goes until Winter Break.

• Wednesday, November 10
• Workout Wednesday
• Academic Grade Level data Meeting - 4th grade in Rm 138 from 12:35-1:25
• Staff meeting (See below)

• Thursday, November 11
• Veteran's Day Assembly @ 9:30am (See below for more information)
• SEL Grade Level data Meeting - 1st grade in Rm 122 from 12:05-12:55pm
• Jenny is in a meeting from 1:45-2:45pm

• Friday, November 12
• Packer Day Attire

Nitty-Gritty

• Staff Meeting - 11/10/21
• On Wednesday, 11/10, I have a very important appointment to go to. It was the only time they had available.  I know how precious and limited our staff meeting time is this school year, so I am truly sorry for this.  I will send out a video of important information before Wednesday afternoon.  Please plan to watch the short video during that time period.

• Veteran's Assembly
• The district Veteran's Day assembly will begin promptly at 9:30 in the HS gym.  Morning recess will be canceled for the day. Many local veteran's will be guests in our building that day, please dress professionally.  Due to Covid precautions, the veterans will not be welcoming elementary students for handshakes/high fives this year.  If you are new to this assembly, we will sit in the same section as the Homecoming assembly.  Please revisit behavior expectations prior to the assembly.

• Locker Mischief
• I am just bringing attention to all about a behavior that seems to be increasing. It appears that some of our students find it funny, or a good idea to move the locker name tags from lockers to new locations to make it confusing for classes.  (For example, this last week 4th graders came back to their lockers with their name tags on totally different lockers than their own.). I have found some of them on the cameras but not all of them.  For those I have talked to, I am not getting a very logical or satisfying answer to the rationale for this.  At any rate, lockers are provided for students to place their items in and it is disrespectful for others to enter anyone's locker but their own or to touch the labels on the outside.  Please keep an eye out for this as you are moving through the hallways.

• Open Door Counseling Services
• I received an email about updated information about accessing the Open Door Counseling Services that are at Dodgeland weekly.  Click HERE for a copy of the brochure.  If you have any families that are interested in this for their child, these can be printed and sent home for students.

PD Spotlight

This week I had a very interesting conversation about students and their ability to attend and have the soft skills/executive functioning skills to be successful in a classroom.  The conversation made me reflect on how these skills are affecting their success in the classroom and learning complex skills as well.  Executive functioning has three main parts: working memory, control emotions and responses, and cognitive flexibility.  It appears that lately I have had more and more conversations with children working on their on emotion/response controls.  I came across this short video as a tip from an elementary school teacher that shared how she models this skill to help students build their own skills as well.  I believe this will take time, but it can be done and be effective.  In addition, the most important part is that this works when we have strong relationships with our students.  Just as many of our PD lessons in previous years have emphasized; relationships matter.  Students will learn and grow in a safe and kind classroom environment. Holding students accountable is the kindest way to show students that you care.  Please click HERE to watch this teacher describe how she models this skill to help students develop their own executive functioning skills so that they can learn at high levels.

Friday Funny

I don't know about you, but I plan to put that hour to good use this weekend!

October 29, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• A 4K para was helping two students resolve a conflict between them by giving them the words to tell his peer how he feels.  At the end, both boys were ready to learn!

• A staff member came to tell me that she felt that I had not finished a serious conversation with her this week in a way that felt resolved.  I certainly did not want her to feel like I was not listening or not taking her question seriously.  I appreciate so much that she came back to respectfully share with me how she felt.  I hope to do better in the future and it allows us to continue to strengthen our working relationship.

• Our Rise students just finished the first round of reading intervention.  Their teachers celebrated their progress and their smiles show that they were proud of how they are progressing.  Students that are feeling good about themselves tend to work even harder at future lessons.

• A Junior Coach shared with me that he is covering for an absent classmate.  He was very responsible about making sure that he was on "duty" on time.  I love the leadership skills that these students are building through this program!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, November 1
• New Month:  Breakfast duty - Fobes & Bolman, AM parking lot - Vredeveld & Riege, PM Parking lot - Helmer and O'Toole
• Bus duty for the week - Huso, CaineB, Huelsman
• GG Topic this week: Calming Down Strategies

• Tuesday, November 2
• Social Media posts due to Josh - Jenkins, Chambers, Stanton, O'Toole
• Pyramid Model Leadership Meeting: 1-2pm (4K team)
• Student of the month nominations due

• Wednesday, November 3
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in a meeting from 9-10:45am
• 5th grade Academic Data Meeting 12:35-1:25pm

• Thursday, November 4
• Math Coach visit, See below for more info.
• 2nd grade SEL Data meetings - 12:05-12:55pm
• October Citizenship skills grades due in grade book

• Friday, November 5

Nitty-Gritty

• Fundraiser Update
• Our fundraiser representative has notified me that there are delays in getting materials to the warehouses for the delivery to us.  This means that we have to change our originally scheduled delivery date.  The new date will be Wednesday, December 1.  We will be staging this in the elementary gym this year.  Also, we had one of our biggest sales yet.  This will be especially helpful for all of us!

• SEL Plans for the Week
• I have noticed that many of our students are struggling with self management skills and social skills lately.  (Or maybe that is just what is coming across my plate lately.). To assist with this, I will share weekly the topics that Mindy is teaching in classrooms so that all of us can reinforce this skill with students across each week.  This week, students will be discussing Calming down strategies. Which students in your class need reteaching in this skill?  Do they need a visual to help them?  Deep breathing, take a walk, Oasis breaks, drawing, counting in their head, etc.  Sometimes students need reminding of a strategy as they get to this stage.  The key is to remind them before they are so stressed and emotional that logic/critical thinking is impossible.

• Math Coach Visit
• Kris will return on Thursday to meet with teachers and talk through your questions, reflections, concerns, etc.  Brent Kriewald will be here to cover classrooms while you meet with Kris in Susan's room.  Please Sign up here for a time period or to ask questions.  If there are multiple people that want to meet with her, please let me know and I can help cover classrooms as well.

• Student of the Month
• Please fill out a nominee for this month's Student of the Month.  Your student should be someone that is consistently following the code of conduct/citizenship skills, they are kind and respectful to others (including unstructured times), and haven't been a student of the month already.  If you scroll down, you will see the September students of the month.  Click HERE for the document.

• WIN groups
• I know that many of you have been asking about WIN and when it will start.  We are going to start SEL WIN groups the week of November 8th.  For full implementation of WIN groups, I want to wait a few more weeks.  However, many of our interventionists are ready to work with groups of students during that time period.  Please see Brenda, Mitch and/or Sue for more information.  In addition, our Reading Corps tutor will begin taking kids the week of November 15 as well.

• Coat Drive
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PD Spotlight

A few weeks ago, I talked about stress and what your method was for dealing with stress.  I am sharing it here in the PD Spotlight again, because I recently came across an article describing the 2021-22 school year.  In it, the author stated that this school year may be even more stressful for teachers and students than the previous year.  The hypothesis was that there was COVID fatigue happening in communities, but also due to the weight of students that are academically behind typical year's achievement pre-COVID.  In addition, many schools are trying to implement some sense of normalcy but have more ground to cover in the same amount of time.  I don't know about you, but this definitely resonated with me. 

It would have been easy to just say, "Yep, this is going to be awful" and then spend the rest of the night commiserating with others about how I never get caught up on my work, students keep making unsafe and unkind choices regardless of how many times I speak to them or you all instruct them.  But.  I choose not to.  I know the realities of our work and the realities of our students' current emotional and academic states.  But, because we all care so much about the people behind that data, we carry this stress with us every day.  This sometimes means that we take it out on the people closest to us.  As you read in the "Hear Ye, Hear Ye" section, I was guilty of this very thing this week.  I feel terrible for causing even more stress for this colleague. 

I envision our Dodgeland team as a group of exceptional educators that care deeply and work together toward the same purpose and vision:  Happy, kind strong students.  When challenging situations come up, let's remember that we are here to support one another.  Be respectful and kind in your interactions.  We all work hard.  We all have to-do lists that seem to never end.  We all have moments in our day where we are not quite sure what to do next or how to solve a problem.  Using your own SEL skills, communicate your needs to others, accept help when it is offered and be reflective about feedback you receive.  Together, our students (and each other) will grow and succeed.

Friday Funny

This is me.  All the time.  Every day.  I've learned to embrace my awkward tendencies.  :-). Anyone else relate?

October 22, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 3rd graders were explaining a work place game to me.  I love how they add on from each other's explanations because they are listening to one another.  It also allows them to be the leaders.  Way to go!

• A 5K student came in to comfort a 4K student that got hurt by telling him that "He would be okay."  His sweet, kind voice made all the grown ups smile, and our little 4K friend loved the attention as well.

• A student that had a rough day was able to call home at the end of the day to share with her parent how she was able to make changes and end on a good note.  The pride they both felt could be heard in their voices.

• Teachers spent hours preparing to share important information about students' strengths and opportunities the past two weeks.  The conferences that I got to sit in on showed that you are seeing their child as an individual and creating a strong relationship with them already this year.  Thank you for all you do for parents/families and our students!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, October 25
• EP work time canceled and moved to Wednesday.
• Bus Duty: Juech, Mook, Lisiecki
• Jenny is out for Dr appt from 9-10:30am.

• Tuesday, October 26
• Social Media Posts due to Josh (Donovan, Stampfl, Huso)
• Jenny in a virtual meeting from 1-2pm

• Wednesday, October 27
• NO STAFF Meeting
• Workout Wednesday
• Academic Data Meeting (5K from 11:35-12:15)
• Optional EP Work time (IMC from 3:15-4:00)

• Thursday, October 28
• Seals on Wheels visit (Fluoride Treatment)
• Picture Retake day
• SEL Data Meetings (3rd grade 12:05-12:50)

• Friday, October 29
• SEL data due in Fast Bridge for Saebrs/mysaebrs

Nitty-Gritty

• EP work time Meeting
• Originally, the calendar stated that there would be an optional work time meeting for the Effectiveness Project on Monday, but it has been moved to Wednesday, October 27.  It is a chance to dedicate some time to work on it and Jessica and I will be available to answer any questions that you may have at that time as well.  I will be in the IMC Learning Commons, from 3:15-4pm (or later if you need me) that day. 

• Picture Retake Day
• Picture retakes are scheduled for Thursday, October 28.  They will be in the same spot as the first time around.  If you did not get your picture taken as a staff member, please do this on Thursday.  If you are new to us, please also plan to get you picture taken as well.  We will be calling down classrooms that morning for those that are getting their pictures taken until we have gotten through each grade.

• Seals on Wheels
• The dental hygienist will be in the district for Seals on Wheels on Thursday, 10/28 as well. They are going to try something different for this first visit.  It is a cavity check and fluoride treatment only.  They will be wheeling a cart around to each classroom and calling students out to them to cut down on transition time since it is a short visit.  When I receive the final list, I will share who is participating with you.

• MySaebrs and Saebrs
• Please have each student in grades 2-5 complete the mysaebrs survey in Clever by Friday, October 29.  For homeroom teachers (grades 5K-5), please complete the Saebrs survey for each student by October 29th as well. Click HERE for access to the how-to video if you need it.

• Holiday Celebrations
• As the first major holiday is upon us this week, students will be excited and eager for the festivities.  Please continue to make each day a day focused on learning too.  While I also appreciate taking time to celebrate together, I also want to balance that with the realities of our students' learning needs.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

• Reading Corps Tutor
• Charlotte Schwark officially starts on Monday, October 25.  She will be participating in virtual training from the Green Screen Room in the IMC.  However, part of her day, she will also be working in Room 128 with Susan O'Toole to set up her space.  Please help her feel welcome!

• File Cabinets, Desks, paper, notebooks, etc.
• Have I mentioned that we have a LOT of paper in this school?  How about binder combs?  Anybody looking to make some books, or journals, or something?  The binder combs would be really helpful for those!!  We have plenty.  How about extra school supplies?  Any of your students need a backpack?  What about file cabinets or teacher/student desks?  You can take a file cabinet home if you like.  (See Dr. Thompson's email from 10/21).  I'll keep reminding you of these resources so I don't want anyone to forget that they are here!  :-) 

PD Spotlight

I share this PinkCast video with you because it relates to my own philosophy of learning, as well as how I feel about developing SEL skills in myself (adults) and our students.  We all make mistakes. I truly believe that mistakes are where a lot of our learning comes from.  However, mistakes have a way of haunting us as well and sometimes the fear of them creates new problems for both adults and students.  I watched this 2 min. video and liked the metaphor here, even if I will never put a tiny toilet on my desk.  I just can't do it.  What do you do when you're feeling stressed about an error?  How can you "flush" it away?

Friday Funny

This is funny in a subtle way, and totally something Matt would have done to his children. Sometimes things come along that spark memories that make me smile and laugh out loud.

October 15, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 3rd graders discussing and noticing patterns that are similar between counting by 3's, 6's and 9's.  I love to hear their thinking!

• 1st graders sharing with partners and whole class about their plan for writing a story with a beginning, middle and end. This is the beginning stages of the strong writers that we help grow at Dodgeland.

• Mrs. Johnson shared about a 6th grader that came to lunch with a notebook.  When she asked her why she brought it, the student said that she never used to like writing, but after 5th grade, she loves it and carries her notebook with her everywhere.  She shared that she told her teacher that she hated writing and her teacher said, "By the end of the year, you will love it!"  The student said to Mrs. Johnson, "She was right!  I do love it!"  Never doubt your influence!

• A 5K student walked into school on Monday, and said, "I'm so glad to be here today!"  I missed school.  Her joy was contagious and I couldn't help but smile!

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, October 18
• Bus duty for the week: Stanton, Hughes, Wedel
• Newsletter articles due to Marie (4K/EC and 4th gr)

• Tuesday, October 19
• Social Media Posts due (Braunschweig, Schwoerer, Crane)

• Wednesday, October 20
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny's in a meeting from 9:45-10:45am
• Academic Grade level meeting 12:05-12:55 (1st grade-meet in a classroom please?)

• Thursday, October 21
• SEL Grade Level meeting 12:35-1:25 (4th grade - meet in a classroom please?)
• Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7:30pm

• Friday, October 22

Nitty-Gritty

• New Staff Member
• Please help us welcome a new staff member in the special education department working with Teresa Chambers and Alicia Hahn.  Her name is Blasia Riege.  Some may remember that she student taught with Marlene in the spring of 2020 when we were all virtual.  So while we got to work with her before, this is the first time we get to work with her in person!  :-). Please help me welcome her to our team.

• Fast Bridge
• You know what they say about good intentions!  I want to try a mysaebrs assessment with a student before I send it out for all of our students to complete.  Thank you for your patience.  When I am ready, I will send a how-to video that you can show your students so that they know what to do.  They will need headphones for it.

• Herb Kohl Fellowship/Scholarship Program evaluators
• CESA 6 is recruiting volunteers to assist in reading and scoring the applications for this program. Anyone can be a reader.  The reading/scoring is online and takes approximately 20-30 minutes per application (generally each reader has 5-10 applications). Scoring must be done within the 3 week time frame and will start in mid-November.  If you are interested in reading or know of someone interested, please fill out the New Reader Registration Form HERE.  (Choose CESA 6 on the form.). More information and orientation videos can be found HERE.

• Reading Corps Tutor
• Exciting news!!!  A full-time tutor has been hired by Reading Corps and will start the training on October 25 with a start date with kids in mid-November.  Her name is Charlotte-Ann Schwark and she is from Juneau.  She will be working in Susan O'Toole's classroom with students in primary grades.  When a schedule has been developed, it will be shared with all. Please help me welcome her to our team!

• EP - SLO/PPG/Rapid Cycle forms
• If you have any questions about this, please let me know. In addition, there is optional support/work time on October 25 after school.  This might help to dedicate time in your schedule to work on these forms and I will be there to help in whatever way I can!

• Supporting our Team
• Thank you for remembering to put your garbage/recycle bins in the hallway at the end of the day.  It really helps out the custodial crew.  In addition, having the kids (or yourself) wiping/sanitizing desks/tables at the end of the day and putting up chairs allows them to have time to get their long list completed each night.  Thanks for the teamwork!

PD Spotlight

I have been learning a TON this week.  Unfortunately, that also meant I didn't get to be in the building as much this week.  One of the sessions that I was in today was titled, "Making Every Minute Matter: One School's Journey from 68.3 to 97.4" and as I listened to the classroom teachers describe their system, I couldn't help but hear Dodgeland Elementary teachers' voices in my head.  Their dedication and competence just shined through, just like a Dodgeland teacher's does.  In addition, they described the hard work that they collectively put in, but that they needed each other to support one another, to collaborate with each other, to learn from each other and reflect with one another.  It made me think of all of you.  I am aware that you all work so hard, but it is important work and the pride you will feel in your students' achievements will be worth the effort and time that you are putting in.  As the year goes on, let's remember our purpose, our short and long term goals, and to lean on our colleagues as we go.  AND get ready, you will all get to hear much more about my new learning in the coming weeks as well!!  :-)

Friday Funny

My friend sent this to me and it made me laugh out loud.

October 8, 2021

 

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 5th graders using their experience with problem strings to help them solve problems later in their math book.  The more our students get to ask questions and practice thinking critically, the easier it will become for them and the stronger their math skills will become.

• A Jr. Coach was modeling for our youngest 4K/5K students how to use roshambo during a game of Switch on the playground.  It was handled so well.  It was awesome watching our students' leadership skills in action.

• A teacher talking with a student about the size of reaction related to the size of the problem.  It was a successful conversation with the student able to verbalize that his reaction did not match.  This is a hard skill to learn for young students as they work on self regulation.

• Teachers that are advocating for their students and what they need.  Some days our jobs are so challenging, but every day is so important.  Our students need your advocacy.  Even if you feel like things are not happening fast enough, please know that I hear you and know that you are looking out for our students and their needs.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, October 11
• Bus Duty for the week (Schwoerer, Piekarski, Johnson)
• Mentee Meeting (Year 1 Teachers Only) 3:15-3:45pm

• Tuesday, October 12
• Social Media Posts due to Josh (Mook, BCaine, Schweitzer)

• Wednesday, October 13
• Workout Wednesday
• Academic Grade Level Mtg (2nd grade - 12:05-12:55)
• CANCELED staff meeting

• Thursday, October 14
• FFA Petting Zoo
• SEL Mtg (5th gr. 12:35-1:25)
• Parent Teacher Conferences 4pm-7:30pm
• Book Fair 4-7:30pm
• Jenny gone at a conference all day

• Friday, October 15
• Jenny gone at a conference all day
• Book Fair 4-7:30pm

Nitty-Gritty

• FFA Petting Zoo
• Watch for an email this week to sign up for the FFA Petting Zoo.  It will be located in the grass on the far end of our playground/soccer area.  There will be 2 morning slots and 1 afternoon slot for classrooms.

• Fast Bridge Assessment
• Earlier this week a video was sent out to classroom teachers regarding how to complete the teacher portion of the SEL assessment. (SAEBRS). This next week will be the directions for how the students in grades 2-5 will take the mysaebrs assessment on their iPad.  This will provide us with data on strengths / opportunities as well as possible interventions.

• Calendly Link
• If you need or want to meet with me about anything, please sign up on my calendar.  Click HERE for the link.  I attempt to respond to emails as quickly as I possibly can, but I'm not always as timely as I would prefer.

• Soda Machine
• The soda machine in the Elementary staff lounge/office will be removed by Pepsi in the next few days.  It has been very temperamental for a long while and doesn't work more than it does. If you are looking for a soda, there will still be one in the High School lounge that is working well.

• Laminating Services from Skills USA
• Last Friday, 10/1, Anna Vitale shared information about the laminating services located right here at Dodgeland. Click HERE for the flyer.  If you have things that you need/want laminated, please consider supporting the SkillsUSA team.

PD Spotlight

The final competency area is called Responsible Decision-Making.  To me, this is the competency that brings the others all together to apply to a variety of situations.  This is using skills to analyze data and information to reason through problems or difficult situations.  This is about being open minded to analyze multiple perspectives and making a responsible choice that would be best for them. It also relates to how to come up with possible solutions.  This is an area that will always be important for the rest of our lives.  The old saying, bigger kids means bigger problems, may be just a saying, but it really means is that the skills of responsible decision making will always be important.  Click HERE to watch a 4 min. video that explains it in more detail.

Friday Funny

I don't know why, but this makes me think of my son.  He had a way with words!  :-)

October 1, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Teachers have been working so hard planning and teaching Bridges math lessons.  I walk in and it seems like you have been teaching this for years, rather than only weeks.  I don't know if you realize it when you are in the trenches all the time.

• Students are building writing stamina all over the building.  For some, just coming up with an idea can be so difficult, but I see students finding small moments in multiple classrooms.  

• Teachers working together to design lessons to provide the instruction in the skills and standards that they need most.

• Teachers and Support staff have been communicating between each other so that everyone is on the same page to support students throughout their day.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, October 4
• MisMatch Monday
• THE LIBRARY Opens for Students!!!! (See below)
• Bus Duty for the week (Chambers, Lucht, Zastrow)

• Tuesday, October 5
• Mad Hatter Hat Day
• Fundraiser Money Due
• Pyramid Model Leadership meeting 1-2pm (Room 110)
• Social Media posts due to Josh (Piekarski, Chambers)

• Wednesday, October 6
• Colors of Wonderland Day
• Jenny in meeting from 9:45-10:45am
• Academic Grade Level Meeting (3rd Grade - 12-1pm)
• September Citizenship Grades should be in your gradebook by 3pm.

• Thursday, October 7
• Pajama Day
• SEL Grade Level Meeting (5K - 11:35-12:25pm)

• Friday, October 8
• Purple Pride Day
• Jenny leaves at 12:30pm
• Early release for students:  2:20 for bus students, 2:30 for walking/parent pick-up students
• First day of Weekend Snack Packs

Nitty-Gritty

• September Citizenship Grade
• Don't forget to give your students a grade in your homeroom for September's citizenship grade.  If you need a refresher on how to do this, click HERE and HERE and HERE to watch the videos from last school year.

• Important Update for end of the day
• Our custodial crew has been working extremely hard for months in spite of staff shortages and a number of additional tasks on their daily lists. To support their work, please help (and/or have your students assist) each day with these tasks.
• Please place your garbage and recycling cans in the hallway before you leave.  All trash cans/bins will be placed inside the door each day for you to return to the places you prefer within your room.
• Please spray and wipe each desk/chair at the end of the day and place the chair on each desk.  This will allow them easier access to sweeping the floor.  (Older students could each do their own desks before leaving.)

• Homecoming News
• Please feel to join in the fun with the dress up days for Homecoming next week.  It is always a fun week showing our school pride!
• UPDATED Times:  The pep assembly will start at 1:35pm.  Please have your classes seated by then.  At 2:05pm, elementary students will be dismissed as soon as the school song ends.  The assembly will continue for MS/HS students with the announcement of winning class events.

• Library Opens!
• Starting Monday, October 4th, the IMC is fully functional! Check your email for a reminder of what the first day of library will be like. Since we are all learning new behaviors in our new space, please plan to join your class for the whole library lesson the first week. There is no way we could have gotten this huge task organized and ready without the amazing work of Holly Blattner and Bethany Nummerdor (library TA) so please thank them when you see them. As staff, feel free to check out the learning commons to bring your whole class down for an activity. To check out the learning commons, please stop in to talk with or email Ms. Rollins.

• Lunch Duty
• Is there anyone that would be willing to help out with lunch duty on Friday, October 8 from 12:30-1 and 1-1:30?  Please email me if you can.

• New Month of Duties!  :-)
• It's OCTOBER!  For some of you, your AM or PM duty changes for the month of October.  Please check the schedule HERE.

• Book Fair News
• Scholastic Book Fair is finally back! It will be open to our families Thursday, Oct. 14th and Friday, Oct. 15th from 4:00-7:30. In addition, I will have the book fair open for staff to shop Wednesday after school until 4:30. We will have books from birth - young adult. This is a great way to get a head start on holiday shopping or just to make someone smile because who doesn't like a surprise book?! You can also enjoy shopping online starting Oct. 11th with free shipping to your house. Get all your book fair information HERE.

• Weekend Snack Packs
• The Gathering Source is once again sponsoring snack packs for families that have signed up.  At the elementary these will be delivered to student's lockers on Fridays.  If any students/families ask you about this, please send them my way to get them signed up.  There may be students/advisor in our hallways putting these into lockers on Friday.  For the first couple of weeks they may need your help, especially with common names.

• Surplus of Supplies
• You may or may not know that we have many (like more than 20) boxes of binder combs that were moved out of the elementary office.  Do you have a project that you would like to do that incorporates these?  Every student in the school could make more than one book with the number of binder combs in storage down by Kimi.  Seriously.  Please help yourself!
• Paper. Paper. and more Paper.  It seems to be everywhere.  Have you checked out the paper in Ms. Mook's art room lately?  What can you use this month?  Whatever is used for our students, your classroom and learning will not have to be moved again at the end of the year.  Check it out!
• We have many extra backpacks and school supplies under the table behind Marie as well.  What do your students need?  I'm pretty sure we have it!

PD Spotlight

This week's SEL area that I am highlighting is called Relationship skills.  I have had a number of these types of issues come through me in the past couple of weeks.  This area is about not only creating positive relationships with others, but maintaining them as well.  This area includes learning to have effective communication between yourself and your peers. it also relates to skills that center around resolving conflicts with others and avoiding negative peer pressure that would adversely affect a person.  This is a skill area that students will need for the rest of their life.  They will engage with others in a variety of settings in the world of work and school.  They will be asked to complete a task with others in most career paths and especially at school.  At schools, we often ask students to work in a group and we teach how students will work together and how to communicate throughout the process.  Click HERE to watch a 4 min. video that explains this in more detail.

Friday Funny

This is a little bit like how my brain worked this week. :-)

September 24, 2021

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Staff members are sharing concerns and feedback with me.  I value your feedback and thoughts. I have the same goal as you; to make our school the best place for students to learn and staff to work.  I know it is hard work, and I see you all working so very hard.  Kelly Gallagher says, "You are most proud of the accomplishments you have worked the hardest for."   

• Staff members are checking in on their colleagues to see if they can help out by providing breaks, student assistance, and math support.

• 5K students were engaged in learning a new work place game and already knew the routines of the calendar collector job during Number Corner.

• 1st graders loved showing off their sketch book drawings in Art today.  It is Week 3 and they knew exactly what the beginning of class routine was.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, September 27
• Bus Duty for the week: TCaine, Vertz, Murphy

• Tuesday, September 28
• Social Media posts due to Josh: Lisiecki, any others?

• Wednesday, September 29
• Workout Wednesday
• Jenny in an online meeting all day. (Title 1 meeting for new coordinators)
• Academic grade level data meeting: 4th Grade 12:35-1:30pm in 4th grade room

• Thursday, September 30
• SEL Data meetings: 1st grade - 12:05-1pm in a 1st grade room

• Friday, October 1
• Kris, our Bridges Coach will be visiting for the day.

Nitty-Gritty

• EP News
• Last Monday, Jessica had a session on the Effectiveness Project and the forms that are due next month.  If you have any questions for me regarding those, please let me know.  Next week, Jessica will share a screencast regarding the Rapid Cycle Feedback form.  Once those forms are completed, I can begin the observations and feedback for you regarding the standard focus you chose.

• Students of the Month
• Please fill out the Students of the Month nomination by Tuesday at 3pm for your classroom HERE.

• Newsletter news
• The digital newsletter will be sent out next week.  If you have any other news that you would like highlighted in the newsletter for families, please send them to Marie or myself by Monday morning.

• Seals on Wheels
• We have been partnering with Seals on Wheels for a number of years.  This program offers free teeth cleaning and sealants for students in grades 4K-12.  Unfortunately, many of the families did not sign up online at registration this year.  I sent out the link on Class Dojo today, but if you have any family newsletters, etc. please share the link with families as well.
• https://sealasmile.wisconsin.gov/Consent/Home/About

• Homecoming Updates
• Roni has shared this document with us regarding the dress up days and the assembly.  The elementary homecoming planning committee will be providing information soon as well.  Homecoming is October 4-8.  We plan to return to our all school assembly and a parade this year.  If you are new to our district, please check with your mentor about some of our unique Dodgeland traditions and how our elementary students are involved.

PD Spotlight

The next SEL competency area I want to highlight is Social Awareness.  This area is the ability to empathize and take other people's perspectives.  This skill allows people to read facial expressions and body language to understand others feelings and sometimes this is enough to prevent conflicts between others as well.  This 4 min. video helps describe this area in more detail and why it is important for children and grown ups to have skills in this area.  I find myself misreading cues at times, but when I use skills in this area I can appreciate the perspective of others and it helps me to reflect on an issue in more detail.  I also then can appreciate the viewpoints that differ from my first thinking as well.  I find that when I work with students in conflict this is an area that students struggle with.  When they are calm enough to talk through an event, building skills in this area allows students to move on from the conflict in a much healthier way.  Do you notice the same in your classrooms?

Friday Funny

Some of these sentences were so easy to read, but others I had to read 3-4 times to get the pronunciations accurate.  Still, I found this to be funny.