Oct. 27th

In Chapter 2 of *Row the Boat*, PJ Fleck emphasizes the power of perspective and perseverance. He states that while we can’t control the waters we face, we can control how we row through them. Life’s challenges, big or small, are tests of our resilience and mindset. The message is clear: keep rowing with purpose, even when the current pulls against you. This week, let’s embrace every challenge with a strong heart, a positive attitude, and unwavering determination. Remember, the journey is as valuable as the destination, and each stroke forward, no matter how tough, brings growth and progress.

Let’s have a wonderful week! 

Good things

Mrs. Wise giving students objectives and outcome during the Counselor Lessons 

Student Show off the earned PRIDE Tickets living up to the building/class expectations 

Ms. Squire starting off the day with a morning meeting and affirmations. 

Mrs. Ferguson used Rally Robin to allow students to interpret what action verbs are during the anticipatory set of the lesson. 

Mrs. Perryman uses Aggressive Monitoring to check for understand while students are writing their narratives. 

Mrs. Nasby sets up an interactive social studies unit for her 4th graders. 

Mrs. Pohlman and the Student Council put on a really fun 6th Grade Costume Ball. 

Elementary Boo Bash was a blast!

These ladies make it happen in the front office.

Instructional 

Kick-Off 2024 Slide Deck

Sample lesson from Mr. Wells (LINK HERE)

Professional Learning Teams (PLT’s) 

This week schedule will look like the following

Elementary: Regular PLT Schedule 

Middle School: Regular PLT's this Week. 

Nov. 6-8 We will not meet as a formal PLT, however this week we will have Learning Walks 

October  Staff Meeting 

October 9: SPED 101 4:30-6:30 pm 

October 15: Whole Staff 7:30-8:30 pm 

Grading Expectations Reminder

Pershing Grading expectations is at least 2 grades per week entered into Canvas 

Lesson Plans/Focus Boards

Focus Board Expectation

• Permanently placed in the room and clearly visible to the back of the room.
• Teacher reference Focus Board throughout the lesson

Lesson Plans Expectation

• Lessons are turned into the hub Thursday by end of day
• Lessons reflect the implantation of district curriculum and anticipation/differentiation to meet the needs of your students.

Mid Quarter Dates 

09-20-24

11-15-24

02-07-25

04-25-25

 

Reminder: November 5th is Teach Forward Day

You should now be able to see the location of your session on November 5 in Kickup.  In addition, you can check the Teach Forward November Catalog for details. Plan to arrive at your session for an 8AM start. With sessions spread out across the district to accommodate enrollments, plan to bring your own drink(s) and snacks. Thanks in advance for your understanding!

For those that were unregistered as of 10/17, they were auto-enrolled in a session. Locations for each session will be updated in Kickup and on the Teach Forward November Catalog.

I hope the information helps as you plan for Teach Forward. 

Operational 

Parent Teacher Conference Window

This is the last week of Parent Teacher Conference. Thank you all for working hard to communicate learning and expectations to parents. Please have P/T Conference log form turned in to me by 12pm on Nov. 1st. Please click HERE to find a sample conference log form. The 7.25 hours worked during conference will be traded out for a day off on Nov. 4th.

Red Ribbon Week

Elementary 

Middle School 

SPED Make Up Training - Crystal Magers

The SPED Make Up Training will be offered on Monday, November 11th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and Tuesday, November 19th from 7 a.m.-9:00 a.m. You can sign up through KickUp.

Important Date

AMI Days 

This year SPS will utilize AMI days this school year for inclement weather. Please see the following graphics. 

AMI Teacher Expectations 

October Important Dates 

+7- SPED 101 4:30-6:30 Mandatory Training 

15- Staff Meeting 7:30-8:30 ELD guest presenters and staff picture day (wear green shirt day) 

17- Elementary Boo Bash 

18- End of Quarter Day- No Students 

•     6th Grade Costume Ball 5pm-6:30pm 
• Grades are Due 
• Educlimber expectations are due. 

Oct. 21- Nov. 1st Parent Teacher Conference Window 

22-  P/T Conference Late Night 

30- Picture Make Up day 

Nov. 

4- Trade out day for P/T Conference (No Students) 

5- Teach Forward 8-11am (No Students) work in rooms the rest of the day. 

15- Mid Quarter 

25-29-  Thanksgiving Break 

October Birthdays

6- Megan Patton

13- Joseph Bossi

20- Damika Bowden

24- Renee Wise

November Birthdays

1- Megan Ebert

6- Aaron Salley

8- Melody Thweatt

18- Kevin Kleiner

28- Lindsey Mitchell

30- Jessica Dancey

Oct. 14

 

As we reach the end of this quarter, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your dedication and effort. Together, we’ve faced challenges and celebrated victories, and now it’s time to reflect on how far we've come.

In P.J. Fleck’s Row the Boat, he reminds us that success comes when we all row in the same direction. As Fleck says, “The oar symbolizes the strength to keep moving forward. No matter how tired you are, you have to keep rowing.” Each of you holds an oar, and your daily dedication helps keep our students and school moving forward, even when the waters are rough.

Remember, the boat doesn’t go anywhere if we don’t row together. We are more than just individuals; we are a team, united in our mission to guide our students toward success. “The compass,” Fleck writes, “represents the direction and purpose that guide our journey.”

As we prepare for the next quarter, let’s continue to align our efforts, knowing that when we row together, we create momentum that leads to greatness.

Thank you for all that you do—let’s keep rowing!

Good things

Dr. Gegg led 39 students through induction into the NJHS (National Junior Honor Society). Safe Community and Global Society

6th grade math student represent their learning of Equivalent Ratios. (High Levels of Learning) 

Mrs. Breeding helps to display art as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. (Safe Community and Global Society) 

Mrs. Davis takes time for students to have the opportunity to process during band. (High levels of learning.) 

Instructional 

Kick-Off 2024 Slide Deck

Sample lesson from Mr. Wells (LINK HERE)

Professional Learning Teams (PLT’s) 

This week schedule will look like the following

Elementary: NO PLT'S THIS WEEK 

Middle School: NO PLT'S THIS WEEK 

October  Staff Meeting 

October 9: SPED 101 4:30-6:30 pm 

October 15: Whole Staff 7:30-8:30 pm 

Grading Expectations Reminder

Pershing Grading expectations is at least 2 grades per week entered into Canvas 

Grades are due by Oct. 18th

Lesson Plans/Focus Boards

Focus Board Expectation

• Permanently placed in the room and clearly visible to the back of the room.
• Teacher reference Focus Board throughout the lesson

Lesson Plans Expectation

• Lessons are turned into the hub Thursday by end of day
• Lessons reflect the implantation of district curriculum and anticipation/differentiation to meet the needs of your students.

Mid Quarter Dates 

This week serves as Mid quarter week. Please have grades entered into Canvas by the end of the week. We will begin to run Progress Reports on September 23rd.

09-20-24

11-15-24

02-07-25

04-25-25

 

Operational 

Parent Teacher Conference Window

Our late night will be Oct. 22nd until 7:30 pm . Parent Teacher Conference will begin Oct. 21st-Nov. 1st the link HERE is the guidance that was sent on Sept. 24th. I have noticed that some teams have started placing student names on the master schedule provided. It is an expectation that if a student has a D/F in your classroom, teacher teams should make an extra effort to get parents in for a conference. Conferences held is a tradeoff for time off on Nov. 4th. I will be checking in with teams this week.

Safe Schools 

Begin now working on your Safe Schools Vector training. The 1st deadline will be Oct. 21st, 2024. Please don’t let this date sneak up on you. 

Important Date

October Important Dates 

7- SPED 101 4:30-6:30 Mandatory Training 

15- Staff Meeting 7:30-8:30 ELD guest presenters and staff picture day (wear green shirt day) 

17- Elementary Boo Bash 

18- End of Quarter Day- No Students 

•     6th Grade Costume Ball 5pm-6:30pm 
• Grades are Due 
• Educlimber expectations are due. 

Oct. 21- Nov. 1st Parent Teacher Conference Window 

22-  P/T Conference Late Night 

30- Picture Make Up day 

Nov. 

4- Trade out day for P/T Conference (No Students) 

5- Teach Forward 8-11am (No Students) 

October Birthdays

6- Megan Patton

13- Joseph Bossi

20- Damika Bowden

24- Renee Wise

October 7

The Power of Processing

Incorporating processing strategies in the classroom is a powerful tool to help students deepen their understanding of content and engage in meaningful learning. As Bob Marzano points out, “students need opportunities to process information to transform their thinking and knowledge.” By using strategies such as summarization, questioning, and collaborative discussion, teachers can facilitate this transformation, helping students connect new knowledge to what they already know.

Processing strategies are not just about comprehension but fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills. When students are given the chance to process information actively, they are more likely to retain and apply it in real-world situations. Marzano emphasizes that "effective instruction requires students to be given opportunities to think critically and reflect on their learning." Processing strategies also support differentiated learning, offering various entry points for students with different learning styles and abilities.

By embedding processing strategies into daily instruction, teachers empower students to take ownership of their learning, encouraging engagement and fostering a classroom culture that values curiosity and reflection. As Marzano suggests, these strategies can “maximize student learning” and make teaching more impactful.



Good things

Mr. Cook, Mrs. McClure, Mrs. McGinnis, Mrs. Steineke and Mrs. Fleetwood all use physical movement as a way to help connect the learning and process.

Students use hands on experiences to connect to the learning. Mrs. Breeding's Art class students are building bobble heads uses the techniques learned and in Mr. Kleiner's class student practiced mummifying a classmate to connect learning of ancient Egypt.

Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Patton and Mrs. McCord all use grouping strategies 3 different ways. (Effective strategies to maximizes the learning)

Mrs. Morgan Thomas’ class starts their 1st week of the coffee cart. (Safe Community)

Instructional 

Kick-Off 2024 Slide Deck

Sample lesson from Mr. Wells (LINK HERE)

Professional Learning Teams (PLT’s) 

This week schedule will look like the following

Elementary

Middle School: Monday's will shift to current bringing student work day. 

October  Staff Meeting 

October 9: SPED 101 4:30-6:30 pm 

October 15: Whole Staff 7:30-8:30 pm 

Grading Expectations Reminder

Pershing Grading expectations is at least 2 grades per week entered into Canvas 

Lesson Plans/Focus Boards

Focus Board Expectation

• Permanently placed in the room and clearly visible to the back of the room.
• Teacher reference Focus Board throughout the lesson

Lesson Plans Expectation

• Lessons are turned into the hub Thursday by end of day
• Lessons reflect the implantation of district curriculum and anticipation/differentiation to meet the needs of your students.

Mid Quarter Dates 

This week serves as Mid quarter week. Please have grades entered into Canvas by the end of the week. We will begin to run Progress Reports on September 23rd.

09-20-24

11-15-24

02-07-25

04-25-25

 

Operational 

Parent Teacher Conference Window

P/T conference window will be Oct. 21st-Nov. 1st. Our late night will be Oct. 22nd until 7:30 pm

Safe Schools 

Begin now working on your Safe Schools Vector training. The 1st deadline will be Oct. 21st, 2024. Please don’t let this date sneak up on you. 

Important Date

October Important Dates 

7- SPED 101 4:30-6:30 Mandatory Training 

15- Staff Meeting 7:30-8:30 ELD guest presenters and staff picture day (wear green shirt day) 

18- End of Quarter Day- No Students 

•     6th Grade Costume Ball 5pm-6:30pm 

Oct. 21- Nov. 1st Parent Teacher Conference Window 

22-  P/T Conference Late Night 

30- Picture Make Up day 

October Birthdays

6- Megan Patton

13- Joseph Bossi

20- Damika Bowden

24- Renee Wise