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!  :-)