Pages

10/30/14

Monday November 3rd, 2014

Duties for the week:

     AM Bus: Moore
                  Garcia
                  Jacobson
     PM Bus: Lent
                  Owens
                  Pauley
     Lounge: Sweet


Meetings/Reminders for the week:


   November 4th, 2014- Tuesday- RTI

   November 5th, 2014- Wednesday- Eval Team

   November 5th, 2014- Wednesday- Picture Retakes

   November 5th, 2014- Wednesday- Scratch for Schools- Sally, Lark, and Anne

   November 6th, 2014- Thursday- 1st Quarter Leadership Assembly 8:40 in Gym

   November 6th, 2014- Thursday- Grade Level Teaming with Resource, Title 1, and ESL for
        Grades K-5- Wonders Rep

   November 6th, 2014- Thursday- 1st Quarter Grade Level Leaders for Sept/Oct Principal Lunch

   November 7th, 2014- Friday- Patrols at Hands On 9-10:30

   November 7th, 2014- Friday- PTA Meeting 11:40 in the library

   November 7th, 2014- Friday- Online Chat with Student Leaders and Dr. Dobbs at 1 pm.

   November 7th, 2014- Friday- 3rd Grade Swimming at YMCA 1-3


I will be at project leadership Monday- Wednesday. Just email, call, or text if you need anything.

A big thank you to Chick Fil A! We are having a monthly student leader from each grade level, and they are providing kid meals for a monthly principal lunch. We will have our first lunch this week.

Last year we had 43 write ups for the month of October. This year we had 29 write ups during October. The playground paras have said recesses this year are the best they have been in quite a while. Please continue to practice the 7 habits with your students as we start a new month. Please also review classroom and school rules and expectations. Great things are happening!

We have our first quarter leadership assembly this week. Please pick your students up when the bell rings and take them straight to the gym. Please bring your iPad so attendance can be taken in the gym. Please use both doors to the gym so students can be seated quickly. 

Here is a post from the school website with pictures from the Halloween parade and classroom parties. Thanks Ms. Hayes for helping with pictures! Please share with students:

Pictures

One of our school wide leadership jobs for students to apply for, is school website reporter leader. We have our first report! This young lady worked with her friend to plan the questions, choose a person to interview, wrote a letter requesting an interview with the teacher, interviewed Mrs. Pauley in second grade, practiced with her friend, and typed up her report. Future business women giving a presentation! They have already picked their next topic and teacher for the next report. Here is the video that is posted on the school website:

Video 

Here is a post from the school website with pictures from the recent kindergarten field trip:

Kindergarten

On to November!


 

10/29/14

Thursday October 30th, 2014

We start the Halloween parade around 1:30. This is a big tradition at Harrison! Let us know in the office if you have a student without a costume. We can usually find something due to big hearts from staff.

This was a video from Idaho Leads on Wednesday. We will always need pencils, so don't panic with that piece. There might be one item that catches your attention. Think of the thought 'What generation are you preparing students for.'

Video

                        http://image.blingee.com/images18/content/output/000/000/000/78a/766239243_1810152.gif?4


10/28/14

Wednesday October 29th, 2014

Halloween is in the air! We start with preschool and kindergarten parades today.

PTA will have dinner for you in the staff room between 4:30-7:00.

We had a loose tooth that came out, but it got swallowed during lunch. Mrs. Simmons helped write a letter to the tooth fairy explaining what happened, and the young man had two friends for additional support during the situation. Here is a picture, and thanks Mrs. Simmons!



Here are a few pictures from tie Tuesday!




This young man made his own tie, and then came running up to me after school to get his picture taken for the school website. Creativity!




10/27/14

Tuesday October 28th, 2014

Please help remind students that there is no after school program today. The after school program will occur on Wednesday and Thursday.

As the weather is getting colder, please let us know in the office if you have a student who does not have a warm coat.

Here is your thought for the day:


10/24/14

Monday October 27th, 2014

Duties for the week:

     AM Bus: Terrell/Bloxham
                  Lindquist
                  Jensen/Matlock/Ardito
     PM Bus: Goodwin
                  Sweet
                  Bloxham/Terrell
     Lounge: Moulson


Meetings/Reminders for the week:


   October 27th-30th, 2014- Monday through Friday- Red Ribbon Week- Be Drug Free

        Monday- Wear Red!
        Tuesday- Tie Tuesday! 
        Wednesday- Favorite Team Shirt!

   October 27th, 2014- Monday- Flu and Blood Draw 2-7 pm in Lunchroom

   October 27th-31st, 2014- Monday through Friday- Student Led Conferences

   October 28th, 2014- Tuesday- RTI

   October 28th, 2014- Tuesday- Kinders to Tubbs Berry Farms: AM at 9am & PM at 1pm

   October 29th, 2014- Wednesday- Eval Team

   October 29th, 2014- Wednesday- Preschool and Kindergarten Parades at 8:45 ish and 12:40 ish.

   October 29th, 2014- Wednesday- PTA dinner for teachers- Sandwiches and Fixings

   October 30th, 2014- Thursday- Classified Staff Quarterly Meeting in Library
          at choice of 8:00, 11:10, or 11:40

   October 30th, 2014- Thursday- 2nd Grade Tubbs Berry Farms 9-11:45

   October 30th, 2014- Thursday- 4th Grade Movie in Lunchroom 9-10:30

   October 30th, 2014- Thursday- 1st-5th Grade Parades at 1:30 ish

   October 30th, 2014- Thursday- No School Kindergarten

   October 31st, 2014- Friday- No School All Grades

   Upcoming- November 5th, 2014- Wednesday- Picture Retakes


Thank you for letting us know in the office about any special class activities and field trips. That information in on the school website, school app, and other communication tools so families know as well. That information also lets all of our support staff know.

The main items this week are Halloween, Red Ribbon Week, and student led conferences. Let us know in the office if you need help with anything.

I will be gone on Wednesday for Idaho Leads, as well as Michelle and Robin.

Please make sure to address Veteran's Day, and include in your lessons for that day. There are several resources on the internet, or you can check in with the instructional coach for ideas. 

Here is a post from the school website with new student leader bulletin boards. Students love seeing themselves in the pictures!

Student Leaders for September/October

10/23/14

Friday October 24th, 2014

Here is a link with ideas for classroom management.

Classroom Management

Thank you to everybody that helped with family night! It was one of our best. We had several families that stayed the entire time because of so many fun activities to choose from.  I loved seeing all the students helping set up and prepare, instead of just adults. Thank you to those that emailed pictures, and pictures that students took. Please continue to email pictures and I will put together a video. Here are a few:











10/22/14

Thursday October 23rd, 2014

Tonight is family night! If you have any questions or would like to help, please see MaryAnn or Jenny. We have several fun activities.

The reading and language arts lessons in second grade have been about learning different countries. This has been a great global literacy opportunity! I jumped out of my chair when I heard some fiesta music from Mrs. Enders' classroom. Students were learning about Mexico, China, and France. They even sampled some food from each of those countries. Here are two pictures:



The upper grade bathroom painting continues! Here are a few pictures of the sports theme. Great synergy!



10/21/14

Wednesday October 22nd, 2014

Staff Meeting is after school. Please bring a pen or pencil.

We have a new para starting today who will be assisting with fifth grade due to class sizes. This is very much appreciated. Please help Erica Martens feel welcomed.

Here are two pictures from Mrs. Anderson's classroom. We really want to share the great activities and learning occurring in your classroom. Some pictures are also posted on the school website and twitter, and some may be used with the yearbook. 







10/20/14

Tuesday October 21st, 2014

Grade level teaming for first through fifth grade is today.

This article refers to librarians, but it could be referring to any staff member at our school:

Listening and Empowering Students 

We have different tech devices at school this year. Here are students practicing language arts skills with tablets in second grade:






Here is your thought for the day:


10/17/14

Monday October 20th, 2014

 Duties for the week:

     AM Bus: Porter
                  Garcia
                  Osborn
     PM Bus: Owens
                  Warner
                  Nail
     Lounge: Dickinson


Meetings/Reminders for the week:


   October 21st, 2014- Tuesday- RTI

   October 21st, 2014- Tuesday- 2 School Board Members Visiting

   October 21st, 2014- Tuesday- 1st-5th Grade Level Teaming

   October 22nd, 2014- Wednesday- Eval Team

   October 22nd, 2014- Wednesday- Staff Meeting

   October 23rd, 2014- Thursday- Kindergarten Grade Level Teaming

   October 23rd, 2014- Thursday- Title 1 & 21st Century Grant Family Night 5:30-7:00

   October 24th, 2014- Friday- No School for students- End of 1st Quarter

   October 24th, 2014- Friday- 2 pm Optional New Teacher, or less than 3 years, Check In Meeting


Please remember that the block schedule will be changing soon with the start of the second quarter. For those with Friday or Monday classes, this really helps so the same classroom isn't missing specials all year on no school days.

Second Quarter Block Schedule

The staff meeting this week has three items on the agenda:

1. Idaho Leads Activity
2. Wonders Digital Pieces- Mr. Fullmer
3. Staff survey for school improvement/capacity builder, like last year- Mrs. Jensen

Russel Quaglia in this article recently spoke at the Idaho Leads training a few weeks ago. He mentions student voice. There might one item that catches your eye in this article. This goes very well with our goals this year.

Student Voice

Please help remind students and families about our family night activity on Thursday. There are so many fun items planned. We have free hot dogs, free french fries with the fry truck, the CSI mens basketball team, pumpkin painting, math games, STEM activities, art activities, and more.

For teachers that are new to Harrison, or new within the last 3 years, the check in meeting on Friday is a great opportunity to get any questions answered, check in with colleagues, and to get assistance with anything you need.

Please gather the most recent student data for teaming this week. Feel free to bring your iPad or another device so you can enter notes and updates in Milepost.

Please remember to fill out the staff technology survey. This information gathered is really helpful for planning.

Halloween is coming! Classes have been visiting the pumpkin patch, and here is a great picture from Mrs. Lent's classroom:


10/16/14

Friday October 17th, 2014

PTA is selling cotton candy for .50 ¢ today, and it's the last day for Fall box tops.

We have a website reporter leader who I don't think slept very much Wednesday night. He was so nervous to interview Mrs. Dickinson, his first assignment that he chose himself. This young man picked out his best shirt and tie. He prepared his questions. He practiced with me and to check his questions. I was so impressed with his professionalism and leadership. Stay tuned for his final video report!


The Wonders reading program has some really great digital extensions. Here are two pictures from fourth grade. Students were typing narratives during the writing and language lesson, and you can see the ability for feedback to be given immediately in a different color on the side. Please check with Mr. Fullmer about the online pieces that align really well with the SBAC.



Fifth grade was using the chromebooks during a science lesson. Here are pictures from each of the three classrooms. As you walked from room to room, students were engaged with lessons through the use of gmail. Students were using their email, google apps, drive, spreadsheets, and working collaboratively with shared documents. If you would like to observe a classroom, please visit with the teachers.





We have a few students who will be having an online chat with Dr. Dobbs. We googled his picture so they could see what he looks like. They are so excited and they are thinking about questions to ask. This is a great opportunity for student voice, leadership, and technology. Here are two pictures with some of the students:




As I visit classrooms, evidence from text is a big piece during lessons. Here is a fourth grade class looking for evidence:


10/15/14

Thursday October 16th, 2014

The volunteer background check form has been updated. It is on the right side of the school website. Please use the updated form when giving to adults, and please update the link on your class blog. The volunteer code of confidentiality is included with the link.

We are striving to have students own their bathrooms to help reduce bathroom problems. The fifth grade teachers, and Mrs. Jensen and her husband, did a great job painting the walls for the upper grade bathrooms back in August. These two young men were selected to assist with the fun job of adding a sports theme. They were painting after school on Wednesday:






We are always working on math standards and math facts. The after school program is having students use Kahn Academy for extra math practice. They were in both computer labs Wednesday after school, and with the chromebooks so we could have three classrooms. We also have MobyMax that second grade has been using for extra math practice, and they would be happy to answer any questions.

MobyMax


10/14/14

Wednesday October 15th, 2014

The after school program will be walking to the corn maze at CSI today. We need them to quickly walk to the lunchroom and eat their snack after school, so they can be out the door by 3:45. 

It is time for October birthdays! This month the treats are hosted by the office, counselor, and playground paras. Look for yummy items in the staff room!


                                               http://www.educationworld.com/images2/faow/faow_10-11-99.gif

10/13/14

Tuesday October 14th, 2014

Questioning and researching are important pieces in the classroom. Here is an article with some strategies for the classroom:

Quality Questioning 

Our Leader in Me Classroom resources with the grant should be here by the end of the week. This includes the student activity books:

Activity Books 



10/10/14

Monday October 13th, 2014

Duties for the week:

     AM Bus: Coleman
                  Miller
                  Standley
     PM Bus: Jacobson
                  Lancaster
                  Moore
     Lounge: Goodwin


Meetings/Reminders for the week:


   October 14th, 2014- Tuesday- RTI

   October 15th, 2014- Wednesday- Eval Team

   October 15th, 2014- Wednesday- District Office Admin Team Visit

   October 16th, 2014- Thursday- Lighthouse Team

   October 16th, 2014- Thursday- 1st Grade Tubbs Berry Farm 12-3

   October 17th, 2014- Friday- PTA Cotton Candy .50 ¢ and last day for Box Tops


Here is the parent note that will be going home this week. Copies have been made for your class.

Parent Note Front

Parent Note Back With Upcoming Dates

The state department is having their annual holiday card contest.  Here is more information:

Holiday Card Contest

Here is an article about movement and vocabulary:

Movement and Vocabulary

We are going to have students K-5 participate in the hour of code event in December, during their computer class. Thank you Mrs. Sorensen for leading! Here is more information and a short video clip:

Hour of Code

We have new bulletin boards throughout the school. One is our new welcome board for families as people enter the school. We also one bulletin board ready from second grade with student leaders of the month for September from each classroom, and it looks great:


We had our first 'Caught Being A Super Husky' on Friday. She definitely displays synergy and helping others find their voice. You should have seen her during bus duty: sitting in the grass, reading her certificate, and the biggest smile on her face. The form is under the document tab and you can type right on it. There are also copies on my desk for you to take anytime. Any staff member can fill one out.


The fifth grade leaders who help walk kindergarten students to the bus everyday do such a great job. They absolutely make sure the kinders walk quietly and stay in a line. Here is one of the groups:


Digital Citizenship Week is coming up starting on October 19th. Is there one item you could teach and or remind students about digital citizenship? Students may be comfortable with technology, but they don't always know how to act appropriately online.





10/9/14

Friday October 10th, 2014

PTA meeting is at 11:40 in the library.

The Twin Falls Education Foundation is continuing the Teacher of the Month program this year. I put a post on the school website. Please share the information with families:

Teacher of the Month

Thank you to everybody that has their conference schedule finished! Having it online in a collaborative document has been really helpful. Please remember to update if there are any changes. Let us know in the office if you have any conferences you would like us to attend.

Have a great weekend!

10/8/14

Thursday October 9th, 2014

Please remember to sign up in the office for the flu shot/blood draw day that is coming up for staff.

We had a great turn out for walk to school day. A big thank you to PTA! Here are pictures of students, police escort, and a few players from the CSI girls basketball team.



Even our three year old preschoolers are student leaders. Here is a snack helper who was so excited to help:


The before school program had the privilege of having the CSI girls basketball team join them! 7:40 am and they were ready to practice and play! Here are some pictures.