September 2, 2022

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• The retreat this morning was just what I needed this week.  I heard so many of your stories and how you have made a difference to so many in your careers.  I can't wait to watch you all with our students this school year!

• Teachers asking great questions and really diving in to the MyView literacy curriculum.  I am impressed with your work ethic and critical thinking with the implementation.

• Open House was so great!  To the staff that put extra time in preparing for their kids and families, to the staff that pitched in where ever they could that night.  Thank you for all that you do!

• So many hard working adults in the building that are moving classrooms, unpacking boxes, setting up new rooms, and showing resiliency and flexibility all along the way.
  
  

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, September 5
• Labor Day - No School

• Tuesday, September 6
• First Day of School!!!
• What will you do for Number Corner and Bridges today?
• Bus Duty for the week: Chambers, Schweitzer, Johnson
• Breakfast duty for Sept: Riege, Vicky
• Circle Drive AM: Vredeveld
• Circle Drive PM: Lexi and Andrea W.

• Wednesday, September 7
• Workout Wednesday (It's back.  Every Wed of the year!)

• Thursday, September 8
• Friday, September 9

Nitty-Gritty

• Ipad Orientation
• Remember that iPads should only be given to students once Christina has met with your class regarding iPad usage and expectations.  This will help us to make sure that everyone has had the instruction on appropriate behavior using their iPad.

• Routines/Procedures
• Click HERE to see the slideshow from Tuesday's staff meeting.  Some highlights of things to remember are below:
• 5K-5th grade students eating breakfast will go to the commons area starting at 7:35am, and students in 3K and 4K will go directly to their classrooms when arriving.
• If it is raining or too cold, all students will be directed to the commons for breakfast or directly to their classrooms.
• Please do not begin packing up students early.  School ends at 3pm.  Bus students will be lining up on the playground (sitting behind their bus cone in line) until the bus comes from the MS/HS side of the building.  This will not be until at least 3:10pm.
• If you have a classroom that faces the playground and can see when buses arrive, one suggestion was for teachers to hold them in your classrooms until you see them.  I will leave this up to you.
• If you have bus duty, please go to the playground until we know if we need more help by the circle drive going forward.
• Students waiting for a ride, should sit on the new concrete sidewalk by grades to await for their ride.  Areas will be marked for them.
• Recess Routines - Please watch for updates from Teresa regarding recess videos for students.
• Lunchroom routines - Students will be sitting at seats designated for their homeroom. 
•  In grades 1-3, students should sit boy-girl-boy-girl.  We will attempt to keep Free Friday seating if we can handle it.  
• Students in 4-5 will implement guest pass system when we have routines solid.
• All students should use the bathroom in the commons for grades 4-5.  No one should be stopping in the bathrooms outside the gym on the way back to class.
• Gathering Areas
• The area outside the 5K classrooms should only be utilized by students with a supervisor, including the bench.  Watch for a video from me to teach students appropriate usage of the new furniture.

• Digital Citizenship
• Please look through the digital citizenship lessons to teach this school year and how you might refer back to your grade's skills/lessons throughout the year in your projects.  The more they apply the lessons the more it becomes a part of how they use technology appropriately in all parts of their lives.

• Donation Materials
• On Friday afternoon, we will be packing up any materials that need to be donated and taking them to Goodwill.  If you have materials that no one has claimed from your emails, please bring to the lounge on Friday and place in a box to be taken out.

• School Safety
• Please make sure that you have read Brad's email thoroughly regarding our safety measures at Dodgeland.  There are important things that we all need to be aware of to keep us safe.  These measures are put in place to provide a safe learning environment for us all.  If you have any questions, or didn't see the email, please contact me or Brad.

• Library Lessons
• Library lessons will start the week of September 19th for all classes.  Please mark this on your calendars.  This will allow Christina to have everything ready for all of your students, as well as assist with staff members that need her for tech integration at the beginning of the school year.

• Math Books/Supplies for Bridges
• I sincerely apologize that the books are not going to be here before the first day of school. They are scheduled to arrive on September 7th.  As soon as they arrive and are checked in, I will get them to classrooms ASAP!  If this affects your ability to start on Day 1, I totally get it!

• Purple Purpose Room
• The Dodgeland NHS has started a room that holds supplies for students including clothing, shoes, school supplies, hygiene items, etc.  If you have a student in need, please remember this space/program.  They are taking pride in creating a safe, organized and well-stocked area for our students.  The room is located in the HS in the concession stand hallway, third door on the left.

• First Day
• Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes and Dodgeland apparel on the first day of school next week.  It will be a fun day, but also very busy with lots of walking and standing!  For other details, please watch your email for the checklist of items to go over with students throughout the week.

PD Spotlight

Andraya shared this with me this week and I liked it so much, I thought I would share it with all of you.  The point of this short quiz is to see how you problem solve and work on a team.  I have to say, mine was pretty spot on!  It also could be helpful to know what strengths the others on your team have to help with a high functioning team dynamic.  Click HERE to take the quiz yourself.

Friday Funny

You should never, ever, EVER be afraid of voicing an idea at DES.  I always want to hear it.  But I did think this meme was awfully funny!  (If you don't know what this refers to, you can ask Lexi about it. lol)