January 27, 2023

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Teachers holding students accountable for their behavior with consistent responses.

• Staff advocating for students’ needs by collaborating with others to find possible interventions or strategies to help them.

• Students are celebrating their growth in reading and math.  I love hearing their excitement when they share with me.

• Students apologizing when they make a mistake and especially when someone else is hurt or feeling bad afterwards.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, January 30
• Bus Duty: Miller, Schwoerer, Klis
• Jenny in a meeting until 8:15am

• Tuesday, January 31
• Social Media Posts due to Josh: B.Johnson
• John Schlender will be in the building

• Wednesday, February 1
• Workout Wednesday
• World Read-Aloud Day

• Thursday, February 2
• Groundhog Day

• Friday, February 3

Nitty-Gritty

• Indoor Recess
• Please refer to Teresa’s email to prepare for indoor recess next week.  There is a better than average chance of having multiple indoor recesses next week.  Also, please keep in mind that the MS/HS gym floor has recently been refinished and no one is allowed on it without tennis shoes.  This means that students that are wearing boots will have to sit on the side.

• Device Updates
• Did you get your devices updated?  Today is the deadline!

• World Read-Aloud Day
• Brenda shared with us that Wednesday is World Read-Aloud Day.  If you would like me to read aloud to your class on Wednesday, please sign up for a time using my calendar.  HERE is the link.

• Assessment Reminder
• If you have any students that have not finished their mid-year district assessments, please have them finish them as soon as you can.  If you need assistance proctoring these assessments, please let me or your team know.  Also, all SAEBRS and mySAEBRS assessments should be done for all students in grades K-5 (2-5 for mySAEBRS).  If you need any help, please let me know.

TechKnow Tip

Check out this 13 minute video overviewing Apple Classroom. There are some great new ways to utilize this classroom management tool!

Friday Funny

The longer that I am in this career, the stranger the statements I say on a weekly basis.  Who else says things that you could swear would never be said in other careers!

January 20, 2023

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• 2nd graders in Number Corner who are fully engaged and made some great word problems about the number sentence they had made.  Such great thinking!

• Teachers holding students accountable for their behavior even when they don't like it because it is what's best for them.

• Staff helping each other out with schedule conflicts.  Thank you for always being a team player!

• Teachers asking excellent questions and providing feedback so that report cards could go home on time.

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, January 23
• Bus Duty: Donovan, Lucht, Palen
• School Board Mtg @ 6:30pm

• Tuesday, January 24
• Social Media posts due to Josh: O'Toole, BCaine, Schwoerer
• Jenny in meeting from 8:30-10am

• Wednesday, January 25
• Workout Wednesday
• Staff Meeting 3:10-3:55pm in IMC

• Thursday, January 26
• Jenny gone all day for a conference

• Friday, January 27
• Purple Friday

Nitty-Gritty

• MyView Survey
• Earlier this week, Allison from Savvas emailed those that are piloting the MyView program to get feedback that she can use to help support us for second semester.  If you haven't completed the survey, please do so as soon as you can.  The link is HERE.
• In addition, the Markesan School District has reached out and wonder if anyone from here would be willing to talk about MyView with them.  They are also piloting this year.  If this is something you would be interested in, please email me.

• Recess reminders from Teresa
• Please remind your students that NO gum or candy is allowed on the playground. If they are chewing gum in class, they must spit it out before recess. There is gum getting spit out on the turf again.
• Please remind your students that voices need to be off, they should be walking to lunch in a single file line, and listening to the junior coaches on the way to the Commons.

• February conferences 2/15
• As you start to look ahead, please start planning for which families/students that you will want to meet with.  Conferences are scheduled for February 15 from 4-7:30pm.  If you would like me to attend, please let me know so I can get it on my calendar.

• Newsletter Info
• Next week, I will start putting the February newsletter together.  If you have any information that you would like included in the newsletter, please email me the information and any pictures that you would included.  If you have pictures, please email them to me as jpegs, as they are easier to use in the newsletter.
• If you have any thing for the February calendar, please get that to Michelle as soon as possible.

• Planning Ahead
• I know it is only the middle of January, but I wanted to let you know that the Juneau Utility has generously donated a presentation from the National Theatre for Children.  They will be here at Dodgeland on February 21 performing the show, "Energy Endgame."  The show is approximately 30 min. long.  4K-2nd grade show is at 8:15am and grades 3-5 show is at 9am.  This will affect specials schedules and possibly recess. Please plan accordingly. (Also, the students from St. Johns may be joining us for one or both of the presentations.)

• If your grade level does any field trip planning, I was informed that the district will pay for transportation for 1 field trip as long as the bus cost is $400 or less.  Currently, the district has paid the cost for a bus for grades 2 & 3.  For all other grades, please keep this in mind as you are planning the cost of a trip and especially for the cost that will be passed on to students.

TechKnow Tip

You’ve been getting reminders from Brad about updating your laptop and iPad. Please remember that this continues to increase our security and the overall user experience. An added bonus, once you update, will be the addition of a new app Freeform. This infinite canvas allows you to add text, handwriting, shapes, pictures, media such as videos or audio recordings, and links. You can use it in tandem with AirPlay as a limitless whiteboard which allows you to walk around the room while writing ideas and notes with your Apple Pencil. You can use it to organize ideas and lessons, zooming in on certain portions for a better look. Once you’ve updated your devices, Freeform will be automatically loaded and ready to use. Have fun creating!

Friday Funny

As a crime and documentary TV junkie, this tweet made me really think.  I would like to know this answer.  Seriously.

January 13, 2023

 Hear Ye, Hear Ye

• Third graders were taking their time to do their best work on their i-Ready diagnostic assessment. I can't wait to analyze the results with all of you!

• The elementary students are excited to start rehearsal for this year's musical.  I can't wait to see it!

• Many teachers are collaborating with others about concerns about students' struggles.  When we work together, we don't feel so alone with difficult situations.

• Staff communicating with parents about concerns in a timely manner to come up with solutions together. 

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, Jan 16
• Bucks Day! Wear your Bucks attire.
• EP meeting @3:15 pm in the IMC
• Bus Duty: Crane, Mosher, Prod
• Grades due by 8am

• Tuesday, Jan 17
• Social Media Posts due to Josh: Chambers, Turcotte

• Wednesday, Jan 18
• Workout Wednesday
• NHS Blood Drive - must register for a time HERE

• Thursday, Jan 19
• Report Cards sent home with students

• Friday, Jan 20
• SAEBRS assessment due for grades k-5, mySaebrs due for grades 2-5
• Jenny in a meeting from 1-2pm

Nitty-Gritty

• TA Grading
• If you had a TA from the High School this year, you must put a Pass/Fail grade in for them in PowerSchool before Monday morning so that it is recorded for them in the gradebook.  If you are not sure how to do this, please see Mr. Modaff or myself.  In addition, anyone with TA's for 2nd semester they will start in your room next week.  

• Final Grading for Semester 1
• I know that this process can be confusing and since we only do it twice a year, it is hard to remember all the steps.  HERE is the How-To sheet.  If you have any questions at all, please let me know.  If it is a PowerSchool question, Brad is probably going to be able to answer it quicker, but if it is a question about the grading process, please see me or Mrs. Heun.

• Activity Account
• The fundraiser moneys have been added to the Google balanced sheet for each grade.  The amount carries over from year to year.  If you need the link sent to you again, please let me know.

• Email from Laura Grossman
• Please make note of the email that Laura sent to us on Thurs, 1/12, about work related injuries.  The email described the EMC OnCall Nurse process that you should follow if you suffer from an injury while at work.  Please see me first to report the injury and event and then you will call the OnCall nurse to find out the next steps.  She included Pdf's of the flyers as well.  Let Laura know if you have any questions.

Tech Know Tip

Have you restarted your device(s) lately?  :-). Here's your friendly reminder to make sure you restart it this week!  It really does help the device run better.

Monday morning restarts is a great way to start your week fresh or a Friday shutdown is a cathartic way of closing your week. A restart really does help your device work better- this week’s Chrome update was a great example. A restart is also a great troubleshooting skill- if something isn’t working correctly, restarting is a great place to start!

Friday Funny

This is so very true for me!  :-)

January 6, 2023

What's Happening at Dodgeland?

• Monday, January 9
• Bus Duty: CaineT, Huso, Huelsman

• Tuesday, January 10
• Social Media Posts due: Mook, Lisiecki
• Jenny in meeting 8:30-10am

• Wednesday, January 11
• Workout Wednesday
• Staff meeting: 3:10-3:55pm in the IMC

• Thursday, January 12

• Friday, January 13
• Last day of Semester 1

Nitty-Gritty

• SAEBRS Assessment
• Now that we are at the end of the 1st semester, it is time to do the Winter SAEBRS assessment.  For students in grades 2-5, please have them log in to mySAEBRS through Clever.  Please have both assessments completed by January 20th.

• i-Ready/FastBridge Assessments
• This week, please start the mid-year assessments for Math and Reading.  The 5K-1st grade assessments are 1:1 and will be done by interventionists.  Please connect with special education teachers and interventionists if you need help with modifications or accommodations for students.

• Summer School
• Have you been meaning to sign up to teach summer school and keep forgetting?  There is still time!  Even if you don't know what you want to teach, just let me know you are interested and we will come up with a plan together!  Click HERE to sign up to teach with us this summer. There are 16 total days of summer school starting Wed, June 7 - Thurs., July 6, Mon.-Thurs. from 8:00-11:55am.

• Recess Reminders
• Just a friendly reminder to be on time for your recess duty. If you need help problem solving how to be available, please chat with Mrs. Chambers to brainstorm some ideas. Mrs. Chambers will remind the Junior Coaches too, but students should never be outside without an adult. Junior Coaches may not take the students out without the adult supervisor.

• Semester 1 Grading 
• On Wednesday during our staff meeting, we use the time to answer any last minute questions about grading for the end of the semester.  Grades are due on Monday morning, Jan 16 at 8am.  Michelle will send you a digital copy of the report cards for you to proofread.  When you give her the okay, she will print them for the report card envelopes.  Extra mailings for split families, will be printed and given to you in case you have other information to send as well.  Completed envelopes can be returned to the office to be mailed home before January 19.
• The number of characters allowed for teacher comments has been increased to 5000, so there should be plenty of room for you to include comments on the report card for parents.  Please make sure that you include them in PowerTeacher Pro so that the comments are tied to each student's educational record.  If you have any questions about this, please let me know.
• Finally, watch for a Grading Tip sheet on Monday in case you need more information about the process.

Tech Know Tip

I’ve seen many of you exploring Novel Effects, a cool way to add some pizazz to your classroom read aloud. Did you know they have a great activities and learning resources page?! They provide activities like printable coloring sheets and games, as well as resources like graphic organizers and supplemental research information. These can be a great way for students to continue to practice their literacy skills they are working so hard on with all of you!

Friday Funny

Now this is commitment! Perhaps a future goal for me, many, many years in the future! :-)

January 2, 2023

What's Happening At Dodgeland?

• Monday, Jan 2
• NO SCHOOL
• Bus Duty: Braunschweig, Klink, Zastrow
• Jan. Support Staff Duty
• Breakfast: Riege, Gruenwald
• PM Parking Lot: Lexi, Wagner

• Tuesday, Jan 3
• Social Media Posts Due to Josh: Zastrow, Koenings
• 3rd Gr. SEL Data Meeting 12:05-12:55pm
• Paraprofessional staff meeting 3:05-3:45pm in Elem. Conf. Room
• Elem. Musical auditions after school
• Elementary Gym CLOSED all week

• Wednesday, Jan 4
• Workout Wednesday
• 5K Academic Data Meeting 12:05-12:55pm
• Elem. Musical auditions after school

• Thursday, Jan 5
• Jenny's at a Dr. appt will be in by 9:15am
• Elem. Musical auditions after school if needed

• Friday, Jan 6

Nitty-Gritty

• Elementary Gym Usage
• You may have noticed that the Elementary Gym is closed this week.  During break and continuing through this week, there have been a number of people working on the upgrades to the lighting and sound equipment for the stage in the elementary gym/multipurpose room.  While this work is being done, we can not use the gym for PE classes, Dodgeland Den or for indoor recess.  Michael has a plan all set for the Elem. gym classes using the MS gym and he will communicate how to transition classes to and from PE this week.  Indoor recesses will have to be held in classrooms for all grades this week if that becomes necessary.

• Later this winter, there may be one more week where this will be necessary, but will be communicated ahead of time.  I am so excited to see these changes for the space!

• Staff Badges
• Each year a school safety assessment is conducted as a requirement of Wisconsin Act 142. Our recent school safety assessment only had a few areas of deficiency noted that are being addressed. One deficiency applies to many of us: (myself included) "Security Procedures/Guidelines #3: Photo ID cards/badges are issued to all employees and are visible." Please remember to wear your school ID each day. If you lost your badge, please reach out to Kimi so she can provide you with another one.  If you did not have your picture taken, you will need to go to the District Office for Kimi to take your picture to print your badge.  If you need a badge holder, etc., see Kimi for that as well.

• Gift in your Mailbox
• When you return, you will see a small gift in your mailbox from me that now is a belated Christmas gift.  Lexi did most of the work for creating these small gestures, and I love how cute they look!  It's so weird to think that we were in the middle of a big winter storm when we left when you look around the building now.  Wisconsin weather I tell ya!

• i-Ready/FastBridge
• Starting on January 9th, you can schedule the mid-year reading and math assessments.  Please let your special education and interventionists know when you plan these so that you can provide the accommodations students need to do their best work on the assessments.  Having accurate information will help us provide the instruction that they need for the rest of the school year.

• Summer School
• Are you interested in teaching summer school this year?  Do you have questions about it?  We are able to go back to adding in a number of courses that needed to be on hiatus due to COVID or construction.  In addition, we have two sessions, so maybe you are only interested in one of the 2 sessions???  Please click HERE to let me know about your interest.  If you don't know what you want to teach, we can work together to determine that too!  If you want to be on a list to sub for the summer, let me know that too.

• Dodgeland Den Contact Information
• Before break, Brad and Josh worked on creating contact information for email and a phone extension so that parents and staff can connect with the Dodgeland Den staff.  (I don't know about you, but sometimes I don't know which person I need to send the emails too!). Below is the contact information for this program.  The emails will go to Michael, Ella, Chris, Michelle and myself.
• Direct extension: x1112
• Email address: dodgeland.den@dodgeland.k12.wi.us

TechKnow Tip

Friday Funny

Both of these spoke to me, so double the Friday Funny on a Tuesday!  :-)