October 14

Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Paula, Michelle, Teresa and Holly (and so many others) all stepped in to help while I was gone this week.  I can not ever express to you how much I appreciate your help!

• Teachers worked so hard to prepare for conferences.  I was able to sit in on a few and was truly impressed by the professionalism and clarity that you shared important information with parents.

• Teachers and staff advocating for their students and their needs.  I am always open to discussions to find solutions for struggling students.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, October 17
• Bus Duty: Miller, Schwoerer, Klis/Huelsman
• Michelle will be out all day
• Logistics Committee meeting 3:15-3:45pm

• Tuesday, October 18
• Social Media Posts due to Josh: Mook, Murphy, Lisiecki, Mosher
• 5K SEL grade level Meeting 12:05-12:55pm

• Wednesday, October 19
• Workout Wednesday
• 3rd gr Academic grade level Meeting 12:05-12:55pm

• Thursday, October 20
• Parent Teacher Conferences 4-7:30pm
• Book Fair: 4-7:30pm

• Friday, October 21
• SAEBRS and MySAEBRS assessments should be complete by today.

Nitty-Gritty 

• SAEBRS/MySAEBRS Assessment
• Now that we have been in school for at least 6 weeks, it is time for us to complete the SAEBRS assessment.  For students in Grades 2-5, they should complete the MySaebrs assessment.  All classroom teachers should do the SAEBRS assessment for their own class in grades 5K-5th grade.  Click HERE for the video on how to do the SAEBRS assessment on FastBridge. (The only thing that is different from this video is that FastBridge is on the District Tab at the top.). The MySAEBRS assessment is also on Clever for students.  They would go to Clever on their ipad, go to the district tab, and click on FastBridge and then on the MySAEBRS assessment on the screening page.  If you need assistance with this, please let me know.

• MyView Coach Visit
• Alison will be in the district to observe and meet with individual teams to see lessons and also to answer questions individually.  I will create a schedule for her to come to each grade level.  However, I would like to know if you want her to observe a phonics lesson, a word study lesson, or a reading/writing lesson.  Please click HERE to indicate your preference.

• Parent Teacher Conferences
• On Thursday, I will have food in the lounge for you all to enjoy before or during conferences.  I know these are long nights for you all, so please take time to get a snack so that you at least don't have an empty stomach too!  Again, if you have any conferences that you would like me to attend, please let me know.

• My Calendar
• If you want to make an appointment to meet with me, the link to my calendar is HERE. Feel free to use this at any point.  I know that I am not always easy to find, but I will do my best to honor all appointments.  If an emergency comes up, I will connect with you to reschedule.

• Virtual Field Trips
• Did you see Jahra's email this week about possible virtual field trips for your class?  Click HERE to see the pdf of details in case it fits with your curriculum or what you are reading/studying.  I am certain that Jahra would be willing to answer any questions about her experiences as well.

• Purple Purpose Room
• The NHS is the group that mans the Purple Purpose room that is located in the High School.  Below is information that they would like us to know about this room/initiative.
• The Purple Purpose Room is now open to all students in need of school supplies, clothing, and hygiene supplies. It is located in Room 340 in the high school (take the hallway next to the concession stand, third room on the left). We will try to be open before school, 7:30-7:45am, and from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. Here is the website link of details as well.

• CESA 6 Looking for Volunteers
• The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation is looking for volunteers to evaluate applications for the 2023 awards. Anyone can be a reader! You just need a computer and the internet. Scoring takes approximately 20-30 minutes per application. There is a brief online training is required before beginning. Click HERE to register to be a reader.

TechKnow Tip

Network and Data security is a major focus as we become more dependent on digital platforms. Keeping your personal data, students data and the district data protected is a major priority for the Dodgeland Technology Department.

One of the most common ways hackers breach a system is through phishing (email) attacks. We recently did a simulated phishing test with all of our staff members. 20% of our staff clicked on the simulated phishing email. To ensure staff know what to look for you should receive a KnowBe4 Tech Tip later today. We will continue the tips next week, with a new email tip each day. These KnowBe4 tips are not to scare you, but educate you on what to look for in a suspicious email.

PD Spotlight

During the past two weeks, I have had the privilege of attending a couple of sessions through the Foundation and AWSA.  One of the things that was similar about these sessions was inspiring messages about the importance and gratitude that others have about what we get to do everyday.  I don't know about you, but there are many days where I am so physically and mentally and emotionally exhausted, that I lose sight of my why and the reason I chose this career. I beat myself up about the errors I have made or the things I have forgotten to do. Today, the speakers talked about courage and bravery and grace.  Their message was that our work is not easy.  We do not always receive gratitude from others.  The days can be long with tremendous stress.  But.  The courageous action is to do the things that scare you.  To show up each day ready to take on the challenges.  To never give up and accept that you are NOT going to know all the answers. To give yourself grace and keep going with hope for the future. While I can appreciate these messages, it is not an easy message to carry around with me each day and remember. Then there are things that occur in my life that help me put things in perspective and reflect on what is truly important in life.  

Below is a picture of 6 very wonderful people.  Two of these people are my parents.  (They are the middle two in the top picture.). This group of people have been a part of my life since I was an infant.  They all met in their early 20's and have been friends for almost 50 years. They have celebrated many milestones together and yes, have grieved together as well. Between them there are 10 children, all of whom know these people very well because they have been present at almost every milestone event. 

As a child (and even still today), I loved watching them and listening to them talk.  They were highly entertaining.  When I look at the first picture, I can actually hear their distinct laughs as I look at it.  They care about one another, they help one another, they sometimes disagree with one another, but they always show deep love for each other. They are a true definition of lifelong friendship.

Why do I include them in the PD spotlight?  Because this group of people have had more than their share of adversity, especially in the last couple of years. Yet, when my mom's surprise party came around, (bottom picture), this group of friends dropped everything to be there for her, even though it was not easy. They spent time together laughing, reminiscing and catching up.  It was just like so many events of my childhood.  Except this time it was different.  This time, I look at this picture (bottom picture) and while I still see joy and can still "hear" the laughter, I also see pain and worry. No one knows the future, but they are all about to enter a time where they will need to do things that scare them too.  They don't know all the answers. (Although, as a kid, I certainly thought they did.)  They are supporting one another by giving and offering help.  They provide a listening ear and are protective of one another. They are still guiding us "kids", modeling for us about life and bravery, and how to reflect and have hope for the future.

So while, this is not a professional development section on teaching practices, I am hoping this section resonates with you.  If you have felt that deep exhaustion in the past few weeks, perhaps this section helps give you pause and encourages you to give yourself grace, to be courageous, to ask for help when you need it, and to see this group that you may have never met as inspiring you to reflect on what models you have in your life of bravery, grace and hope.  How do your models affect how you see your day-to-day challenges?  What support can I offer or provide?  What can I do for you?  Please see me if you need my help or support. You are all important to me.

Friday Funny

So, Michelle might not find this as funny as I do as she went three rounds with the Fed Ex people in the last week, but how about you?  Any of you relate to this?  :-)