Week 32: April 24-28

Bullock Brief

B week for duty [link here]

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

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
C	D	E	F	A

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

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SIT meeting: April 24th at 2:45 in the Platform at 9 3/4. 

Lighthouse meeting: April 28th at 2:45 in the front conference room.

Calendar meeting: May 1st at 2:45 in the Platform.  If you would like an event to be placed on the  2017-18 calendar, please plan to attend this meeting.  #beproactive. 

EVAAS Roster Verification: Please start the process of reviewing your rosters to ensure that instructional time is properly documented for every student. 

Student absences:  If you have a student who is absent for more than two consecutive days, please contact the parents to check-in on the student.  Please let the office (Babb, Clarke or Perrell) know if you have concerns over a student's attendance so we can assist you in setting attendance contracts or making parent contact. 

End of year party:  The end-of-year party is scheduled for Friday June 9th starting at 12pm (Ashley will be sending an update).  Lunch will be served followed by an end-of-year celebration. It will be a wonderful time to celebrate together.  All staff are invited. First Baptist Church will be providing lunch on June 8th at 12:30pm (on the 1/2 day).  The cumulative folder party will be that afternoon. 

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RtI:  K-1 RtI this week in Ms. Stone's room April 25th starting at 2:45pm.

Instructional reminders: Please make sure that there are no interruptions to your core reading and math times.  Our kiddos need core  literacy and math every day.

• 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. 

Sing for a Cure:  The Bullock choir will be singing at an event hosted by East Lee Middle School on April 28th. 

EOG and R2A Testing Dates: 

• 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

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

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Monthly focus:  Seek First to Understand and then to be understood

Becoming an Active Listener

There are five key active listening techniques. They all help you ensure that you hear the other person, and that the other person knows you are hearing what they say.

1. Pay Attention

Give the speaker your undivided attention, and acknowledge the message. Recognize that non-verbal communication also "speaks" loudly.

• Look at the speaker directly.
• Put aside distracting thoughts.
• Don't mentally prepare a rebuttal!
• Avoid being distracted by environmental factors. For example, side conversations.
• "Listen" to the speaker's body language .

2. Show That You're Listening

Use your own body language and gestures to convey your attention.

• Nod occasionally.
• Smile and use other facial expressions.
• Note your posture and make sure it is open and inviting.
• Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like yes, and uh huh.

3. Provide Feedback

Our personal filters, assumptions, judgments, and beliefs can distort what we hear. As a listener, your role is to understand what is being said. This may require you to reflect what is being said and ask questions.

• Reflect what has been said by paraphrasing. "What I'm hearing is," and "Sounds like you are saying," are great ways to reflect back.
• Ask questions to clarify certain points. "What do you mean when you say." "Is this what you mean?"
• Summarize the speaker's comments periodically.

4. Defer Judgment

Interrupting is a waste of time. It frustrates the speaker and limits full understanding of the message.

• Allow the speaker to finish each point before asking questions.
• Don't interrupt with counter arguments.

5. Respond Appropriately

Active listening is a model for respect and understanding. You are gaining information and perspective. You add nothing by attacking the speaker or otherwise putting him or her down.

• Be candid, open, and honest in your response.
• Assert your opinions respectfully.
• Treat the other person in a way that you think he or she would want to be treated.

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

• Staff survey (link above) - April 21st
• Safe School Modules - April 21st

Due/happening this week:

• Wear jeans (if you choose) on a rainy Monday - April 24th
• Administrative Professionals Day - April 26th
• 3rd grade field trip to Durham Bulls - April 26th
• School-wide Fundraiser - April 3rd-April 28th
• Last day for field trips - April 28th
• Pre-K day for kindergarten - April 28th
• 2nd grade field trip to Museum of Life and Science - April 28th

Upcoming dates:

• School nutrition week - May 1-5
• Teacher appreciation week - May 1-5
• Calendar meeting - May1st
• Midterm - May 3rd
• Jungle Book - May 4-6
• Arbor Day - May 5th
• Special Olympics - May 5th
• Battle of the Books -May 11-12