Week 29: March 27th-31st

Bullock Brief

A week for duty [link here]

Habit 7 Schedule.  The full schedule is here [link here].

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
B	C	D	E	F

All events can be found on the shared Master Bullock calendar.

______________________________________________________

SIT: 2:45pm in the Platform.  Agenda has been shared with the team.

Last call for the teacher and TA of the Year:  Votes due Monday end of day. Teacher of the year [vote here].  TA of the year [vote here]. 

Homework Huddle:  Due to the professional development on Tuesday, we will not have Homework Huddle on Tuesday, March 28th.  We will provide a flyer to notify parents on Monday.  Teachers (and huddle leaders), please confirm huddle student transportation on Tuesday.

In-class awards:  Our in-class awards should take place within the next week or two.  This should be time to celebrate success, revisit WIGs and showcase our student leaders.  You cater the awards to what works for you. 

PLCs:  Our K-2 teams will have a professional development session with Claudia Lanier from DPI on Tuesday, March 28th starting at 2:45pm.  This session will be the professional learning portion of PLCs this week.  No PLC coverage will be provided for K-3 since teams will be attending this session. 

4-5 PLCs, we will continue our book study with The Artisan Teacher.  PLC coverage will be the same for 4th and 5th grade.  The objectives will be determined by the teams (analysis of student work, data review, kid talk, instructional strategies, etc.).

Trash cans:  Our custodians have asked that we not remove the trash cans from the Dining Hall during lunch time.  All of the cans are necessary to handle the trash from the classes in the Dining Hall.  If you need a trash can, the blue bins outside of the K station can be used. A win-win.   

Copiers:  Please double-check that the copier is logged-off before making copies so that no "flashes" are placed on someone else's account. 

Schedule:  Please make sure to stick to the master schedule in regards to Habit 7, recess, and lunch.  If there needs to be a change to the master schedule, please notify the office so that we know where to find  classes if we need to find students and prevent unexpected "traffic jams" in the hallway.  Thanks for synergizing to keep things moving smoothly. 

Linda Ross:  I am sad to announce that Linda's last day will be this Friday, March 31st.  Linda has been a wonderful addition to the Bullock family.  Linda's warm smile and caring heart will certainly be missed at Bullock. 

.___________________________________________

RtI:  3-5 RtI this week in Ms. Stone's room March 28th starting at 2:45pm.

Summer School : Please submit summer school applications no later than Tuesday, March 28th  [link here]. Hard copies have been provided.   

Druthers:  Please make sure to return your druthers by this Friday, March 31st. The digital copy is located here [link here].  A hard copy has also been distributed. 

PLC Parking Lot:  The K-2 book study of The Next Steps in Guided Reading will continue. K-2 PLCs should break from creation of writing rubrics (with writing samples) to discuss the results from the most recent Q3 testing.  Teachers should bring their data to PLCs with an item analysis completed to discuss trends and patterns within data.

Vertical PLC notes  [link here].  

1. Create grade level rubrics for writing standards (start with EOY and then move to MOY).
2. Determine ways for students to access and review new words/vocab (Interactive word walls, personal glossary, individualized review, etc.) every day.
3. Create a list of grade level standards that need to be mastered by EOY for each grade level. 
4. Build in spiral review into lesson plans (centers, targeted games, etc). 

Instructional reminders:

• Ensure spiral review is built into lessons every day. 
• Focus on teaching text structure (especially in grades 3-5).
• Students should be taught to write their thinking as they read.
• Calculators need to be used every day in 3-5 classes. 
• Teach and review academic vocab [link here]. 
• Please continue to maximize teaching time.
• Computer assignments should be rigorous and closely monitored.
• Consider time-wasters and ways to reduce. 

Quarterly and EOG Testing Dates: 

• Cumulative test for grades 3-5:  April 18th-20th
• Science EOG - May 25th
• 3rd-5th reading EOG - May 31st (please note change)
• 3rd-5th math EOG - June 1st (please note change)
• RTA -June 6th

Info from recent Bullock Briefs (worth revisiting): Overt responses [link here].  Discipline and relationships [link here]

Quick links:  PLC schedule [link here].  Lunch schedule [link here].  PLC template [link here].  Retention forms [link here].  Looks Fors [link here].  Max Thompson tips [link here].  Field trips [English version] and [Spanish version]. 

Visit http://www.meetme.so/StefanieClarke to schedule time to meet with me

___________________________________________

Monthly focus:  Think Win-Win

Our leadership showcase will be held on April 7th.   Please make sure your bulletin boards display rigorous student work and are in good shape as we lead-up to the event.  Also please make sure your classroom is clean and orderly.  Thank you team.

___________________________________________

Should have recently completed (check that it's complete):

• Grade cards due - March 24th

Due this week:

• Teacher and TA of the year - March 27th
• SIT meeting - March 27th
• Analyzing writing with DPI - March 28th (at 2:45 in Platform)
• Error correction 1st - 2nd quarterly - Completed by March 31st
• Item analysis 1st-2nd - Due in PLCs this week
• Grade cards go home - March 30th
• K Three Piggy Opera - March 30th
• In-class awards - Due March 31st
• Druthers due - March 31st

Upcoming dates:

• 5th grade NC State visit - April 3rd
• Action Team and AIG meeting - April 3rd
• Leadership day - April 7th
• Spring break - April 10th-14th

 

Tarheel fans, I do hope you'll wear your UNC gear tomorrow to celebrate UNCs victory over Kentucky this evening and for making it into the Final 4.  Jeans are fine if your a wearing UNC attire.  Only UNC tomorrow (or normal clothes) to cheer on our Tarheels. 

Yes, I am still a NC State fan.  Just proud an NC team has made it this far. 

Week 28: March 20-24

Bullock Brief

B week for duty [link here].  

Habit 7 Schedule.  The full schedule is here [link here].

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
D	E	F	1/2 day-No Habit 7 Clubs 8:30-9:30	A

All events can be found on the shared Master Bullock calendar.

______________________________________________________

Action Team meeting: 2:45pm in the Platform.  Action Team leads should have the agenda to their teams 48 hours in advance.  Please send meeting minutes to the staff immediately following the meeting.

Excellent job team:  The school-wide AR party was a huge success thanks to you!!  Our super readers had a great time celebrating.  I am hopeful that all 700 students will work hard in 4th quarter to meet their goals to celebrate reading and meeting their goals. 

Teacher and TA of the Year:  Please cast your vote for the 2016-17 teacher of the year [vote here].  The voting form for TAs is located here [vote here].  Please vote by Monday, March 27th. 

Summer School:  In order to start summer school planning, please complete an application so Wendy and I can start working on assignments and numbers based on the budget [link here]. This is addition to the form you placed your name on earlier.  Summer School will be held from June 15th - June 22nd for grade 3rd-5th.   

Interview Team:  I need to convene our 2017-18 interview team.  I would like to have representatives from K/1, 2/3, 4/5, and specialists.  In the past, we have also included students when we can.  Being a part of this team is a wonderful leadership opportunity at our school.  I depend heavily on our interview team.   Interviews will be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday after school.  I understand that not every member can make every meeting.  The more consistently we have the better.  Email me if you are interested.

Druthers:  It is that time of year for our Druthers (noun: a person's preference in a matter).  I will have a hard copy in your box on Monday.  The digital copy is located here [link here].  Please return to me by Friday, March 28th.  The druthers is confidential and is very helpful in planning. 

Look Fors:  One of the K-2 "look fors" is time on task.  Every minute our students are in school is  a moment for learning to occur.  Please remember that our snack times need to be "working snacks."  Please make sure computer activities are rigorous, carefully planned and monitored. Be cognizant to time-wasters (sharpening pencils, packing-up, transitions, bathroom breaks, etc.) and establish processes to save time.   Full-length videos cannot be shown without prior approval (Instructional clips to build background knowledge that aligned with instruction are certainly permissible).  Please make sure we are "bell to bell" teaching/learning.

Instruction:  During our K-2 vertical PLCs and in individual 3-5 PLCs,  the need for spiral review has emerged numerous times.  Ms. Grace has provided excellent spiral review materials with the calendar math and stretch math  for 3-5 math.  It is an expectation to use those provided materials (see math block suggestions for timing) and provide timely feedback. Spiral review is also needed for sight words, academic/content vocabulary (see resource below)  and math concepts in K-2 as well.  Please ensure that review is built into your lesson plans daily. 

Calculators:  Calculators need to be used every day in 3-5 classes.  Calculators are an excellent way for students to check their work. 

Academic vocabulary:  A grade level team had a discussion about academic vocabulary this week. This resource has been shared before, but I thought it might be helpful to share again to access grade level appropriate academic vocabulary lists [link here].  This resource also provides some methods for introducing vocabulary. 

Absences: Please remember that Dowdy, Perrell and/or Clarke need to be notified prior to an absence.  We will be sending letters to folks who are not following that process.  Arranging sub coverage can present a challenge.  We went through a really tough "sick season"  this year.   We seem to be on the other side.  Yay!  Please remember to post sick leave as early as you are able to do so on AESOP.  Late posts are really hard to find coverage.  Thanks for your help in help in ensuring our instructional program is uninterrupted.  I hope everyone stays happy and healthy as the Spring arrives. 

Shower for Sosha:  Come join us to celebrate Sosha's upcoming marriage at 1:00pm in the Platform on March 23rd.  Congrats Sosha!

DPI session #3:  K-2 teachers, Claudia Lanier from DPI is returning on March 28th for a session with our K-2 teacher on written responses driving instruction. The session will be held from 2:45-4:15 in the Platform. 

PLCs:  The K-2 book study of The Next Steps in Guided Reading will continue. K-2 PLCs should break from creation for writing rubrics (with writing samples) to discuss the results from the most recent Q3 testing.  Teachers should bring their data to PLCs with an item analysis completed to discuss trends and patterns within data.

Vertical PLC notes  [link here].  

1. Create grade level rubrics for writing standards (start with EOY and then move to MOY).
2. Determine ways for students to access and review new words/vocab (Interactive word walls, personal glossary, individualized review, etc.) every day.
3. Create a list of grade level standards that need to be mastered by EOY for each grade level. 
4. Build in spiral review into lesson plans (centers, targeted games, etc). 

3-5 PLCs, we will continue our book study with The Artisan Teacher and  the discussion of high-yield instructional strategies (annotation), text structure and helpful acronyms/pneumonic.  We will dive into writing instruction together. 

.___________________________________________

RtI:  K-2 RtI this week in Ms. Stone's room March 20th starting at 2:45pm.

Quarterly and EOG Testing Dates: 

• Cumulative test for grades 3-5:  April 18th-20th
• Science EOG - May 25th
• 3rd-5th reading EOG - May 31st (please note change)
• 3rd-5th math EOG - June 1st (please note change)
• RTA -June 6th

Instruction tip: Exemplary schools on EOGs
When text structure is the focus for prepping for EOG or summative exams, comprehension goes up.  Knowing text structure is a transfer goal.  It must happen all year.  Students need to be trained to run a marathon with  incremental exposure to longer text.  Students cannot repeatedly train on short passages

1. Students read the title and  think about what the passage might be about.
2. Students circle or underline words in the question to indicate what you are looking for
3. Students read 1-2 paragraphs...then write.
4. Go to questions and look at what they wrote and answer.  They skip what they do not know.  
5. Only go to the text on the questions they do not know.  
6. Students look for signal words or text structure.  
7. Students know there is always a main idea, text structure and vocabulary question.
8. Students identify the test structure BEFORE they read.

Info from recent Bullock Briefs (worth revisiting): Overt responses [link here].  Discipline and relationships [link here]

Quick links:  PLC schedule [link here].  Lunch schedule [link here].  PLC template [link here].  Retention forms [link here].  Looks Fors [link here].  Max Thompson tips [link here].  Field trips [English version] and [Spanish version]. 

Visit http://www.meetme.so/StefanieClarke to schedule time to meet with me

___________________________________________

Monthly focus:  Think Win-Win

Our leadership showcase will be held on April 7th.  Ms. Waters and the Traditions team are doing a fantastic job of preparing for this special day.  Look for further updates from the Traditions Team.  Please make sure your bulletin boards display rigorous student work and are in good shape as we lead-up to the event (and to feature student learning every day :). 

___________________________________________

Should have recently completed (check that it's complete):

• Peer observations due - March 15th
• AVID survey - Due March 15th

Due this week:

• 4th grade field trip and 5th grade temple visit - March 20th
• Error correction in 1-2 based on quarterly - Starting this and due March 31st
• Item analysis 1st-2nd - Due in PLCs this week
• End of Q3 - March 22nd
• 1st grade San Lee Park - March 22nd
• Spring Portraits - March 22nd
• Early dismissal - March 23rd
• Clubs - March 23rd
• Sosha's shower - March 23rd
• 5th grade AIG meeting - March 23rd
• Grade cards due - March 24th

Upcoming dates:

• SIT meeting - March 27th
• Analyzing writing with DPI - March 28th
• Grade cards go home - March 30th
• In-class awards - Due March 31st
• K Three Piggy Opera - March 30th
• Student transfer -forms due -  March 31st
• Leadership day - April 7th
• Spring break - April 10th-14th

If you put in the time to read this "beefy" brief, you can certainly wear some jeans tomorrow to start the week off.  Have a happy week.

Week 27: March 13-17

Bullock Brief

A week for duty [link here].  

Habit 7 Schedule.  The full schedule is here [link here].

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
E	F	A	B	C

All events can be found on the shared Master Bullock calendar.

______________________________________________________

Staff Meeting: 2:45pm in the Platform.  Agenda [link here]

Instruction:  3-5 are conducting a book study on The Artisan Teacher.  We recently read a chapter about overt responses.  I think the chapter is an excellent refresher on the importance of checking student thinking during the lesson.  I have shared that chapter [link here]. 

Discipline: I sent an email about discipline on Saturday.  Please read [link here].  Relationships are at the heart of all that we do.  Always living our vision and mission in all things we do.

AR Celebration: We will be celebrating our super readers this Friday, March 17th.  Students will enjoy the celebration during Habit 7.  We will send a complete schedule on Tuesday. 

St. Patrick's Day: Wear green on Friday for St. Patrick's day.

Q3 testing for 1 and 2:  This week our 1st and 2nd grade scholars will be taking their exams on Wednesday and Thursday.  The complete testing plan can be found here [link here].  Please keep a quiet, respectful environment throughout the building, especially as you transition in the hallways.

Field Trip: It is important to make sure that the fees charged for field trips cover all expenses including taxes, gas and fees for buses and extra expenses.  Many of our field trip this year have required us to use school funds to cover shortages.  At this point, we do not have any "cushion" for those expenses.  Please check with an administrator when setting the price for a field trip.  A field trip template has been created to use for field trips.  Please use the forms located here  [English version] and [Spanish version].

PLCs:  We are continuing our work to address vertical needs in K-2  [link here].  Grade levels are working on writing rubrics and exemplars.  Super job teams.  "The end in mind" is a notebook with the writing rubric for EOY with copies of the S, N and U writing samples. 

1. Create grade level rubrics for writing standards (start with EOY and then move to MOY).
2. Determine ways for students to access and review new words/vocab (Interactive word walls, personal glossary, individualized review, etc.) every day.
3. Create a list of grade level standards that need to be mastered by EOY for each grade level. 
4. Build in spiral review into lesson plans (centers, targeted games, etc). 

3-5 PLCs, we will be discussing high-yield instructional strategies (annotation) and focus on text structure.  We also need to make sure we have consistency with the use of acronyms for helping students remember content or the sequence of steps. 

AVID  (4th and 5th):  We will have 12 visitors on March 14th to observe AVID and the Leader in Me in action.  4th and 5th grade teachers, please make sure you have completed the AVID survey that was sent earlier this week. 

Book Fair:  Ms. Ashworth and her team did a phenomenal job with the Spring book fair.  It was engaging and got our students excited about reading while earning money for our media center.  Super job Ms. Ashworth! 

EOG test date change:  There has been a change to the EOG test date for 3rd grade.  3rd-5th will test the same subject on the same day.

• 3rd-5th reading EOG - May 31st
• 3rd-5th math EOG - June 1st

New Custodian:  I am thrilled to announce that Mr. Derr will be joining our custodial team on Wednesday of this week.  Mr. Derr is coming to us from Southern Lee High School and will soon take over one of our eight regular routes.  Mr. Derr's professionalism and experience will be a wonderful addition to the team. 

New EC TA:  I am also thrilled to announce that Jillian Stone will be rejoining the Bullock team.  Jillian used to be a 1st grade TA.  She has garnered a ton of experience and certifications in working with exceptional needs in her time away from us.  She will be an incredible addition to the EC team.  She will begin on March 27th. 

.___________________________________________

RtI:  3-5  RtI this week in Ms. Stone's room March 14th starting at 2:45pm. 

Homework Huddle (including ESL):  The Homework Huddle is underway on Tuesday-Thursday from 2:45-3:45pm each day.  The program will run Tuesday thru Thursday until May 25th.  

Summer School:  Summer School will be held from June 15th - June 22nd for grade 3rd-5th.   If you are interested in teaching summer school, please enter your name here [link here].

Spring Cleaning:  Please work together to make sure common areas (pods, lobbies, etc.) are tidy and clean.  As you are in the those areas, please make sure to store items neatly out-of-sight. 

Leader of the Week (error): I made an error in last week's brief.  You no longer will write in your leader of the week on the board, but please do send your Leader of the Week on Friday at 2pm. We will make an announcement.

Quarterly and EOG Testing Dates: 

• Q3 testing for grades 1-2: March 15th and 16th (through Q3 content)
• Q4 testing for grades 1-2: May 17th and 18th (through Q4 content)
• Cumulative test for grades 3-5:  April 18th-20th (note slight change)
• No grammar for any grade
• Science EOG - May 25th
• 3rd-5th reading EOG - May 31st (please note change)
• 3rd-5th math EOG - June 1st (please note change)
• RTA -June 6th

Instruction tip: Exemplary schools on EOGs
When text structure is the focus for prepping for EOG or summative exams, comprehension goes up.  Knowing text structure is a transfer goal.  It must happen all year.  Students need to be trained to run a marathon with  incremental exposure to longer text.  Students cannot repeatedly train on short passages

1. Students read the title and  think about what the passage might be about.
2. Students circle or underline words in the question to indicate what you are looking for
3. Students read 1-2 paragraphs...then write.
4. Go to questions and look at what they wrote and answer.  They skip what they do not know.  
5. Only go to the text on the questions they do not know.  
6. Students look for signal words or text structure.  
7. Students know there is always a main idea, text structure and vocabulary question.
8. Students identify the test structure BEFORE they read.

Quick links:  PLC schedule [link here].  Lunch schedule [link here].  PLC template [link here].  Retention forms [link here].  Looks Fors [link here].  Max Thompson tips [link here]. 

Visit http://www.meetme.so/StefanieClarke to schedule time to meet with me

___________________________________________

Monthly focus:  Think Win-Win

A person or organization that approaches conflicts with a win-win attitude possesses three vital character traits:

1. Integrity: sticking with your true feelings, values, and commitments
2. Maturity: expressing your ideas and feelings with courage and consideration for the ideas and feelings of others
3. Abundance Mentality: believing there is plenty for everyone

Please discuss some examples of a win-lose, lose-lose and win-win with your accountability partner this week.

___________________________________________

Should have recently completed (check that it's complete):

Due this week:

• Staff meeting - March 13th
• 1-2 Quarter Test - March 15th-16th
• PTO meeting - March 16th
• ESL parent night - March 16th
• Peer observations due - March 15th
• AVID survey - Due March 15th
• 5th grade band visit - March 17th
• AR celebration - March 17th

Upcoming dates:

• 4th grade field trip and 5th grade temple visit - March 20th
• End of Q3 - March 22nd
• 1st grade San Lee Park - March 22nd
• Spring Portraits - March 22nd
• Early dismissal - March 23rd
• Clubs - March 23rd
• Grade cards due - March 24th
• Student transfer -forms due -  March 31st