Thursday September 1st, 2016

We have grade level teaming today for Kindergarten and 1st grade. The mentoring committee is meeting after school.

This article is a great reminder for anybody who works in education, not just classroom teachers. Our job matters, and we get to see growth and success in children everyday:

20 Things to Remember

Here is a reminder from our Leader in Me training last week, with a beautiful picture from Sintra Portugal. There are always hard days and challenges, and always great rewards and successes. Remember the following thought, and this would also be great to share with students:

Wednesday August 31st, 2016

We have a staff meeting after school in the library, and we are going to try and start at 3:20.

Our new counselor sent a great welcome letter home to families, and the second page included a list of food resources in our community. Here is the post on the school website. This link would be great to share electronically with families if you have an email list for your classroom or students you work with:

Counselor Welcome Letter and List of Community Food Resources

This was a thought shared at the Leader in Me training last week. Often we look at changing just behaviors, often the other adult or student, when changing our own mindsets and paradigms can be more powerful. Paradigm shifts, how we look or think about something, usually go much deeper than behaviors:

Tuesday August 30th, 2016

Tuesday is a busy day. Here are the main items occurring today:

   *Intervention Meeting 7:45
    
   *Kinder Hearing Screening

   *Grade Level Teaming 1st-5th

   *Art Lunch Group in Library with Mrs. V- 5th Grade

   *Robotics Kick Off with 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, U of I 5:30-7:30

Here are two thoughts from the Leader in Me training last week. I've added the text to beautiful pictures I took this summer in Granada Spain. The bottom picture is from the Alhambra. You can click on the images to view them in a larger size, and they would be great conversation starters with students:

Monday August 29th, 2016

Duties for the week: 
     
     AM Bus: Ardito
                 Lancaster
                 Schroeder
     PM Bus: Thomason
                 Fullmer
                 Rodriguez
     Staff Room: Sharp
 
 
  Meetings/Reminders for the week: 
 
   August 29th, 2016- Monday- Eval Team 3:00
   
   August 30th, 2016- Tuesday- Intervention Meeting 7:45

   August 30th, 2016- Tuesday- Kinder Hearing Screening

   August 30th, 2016- Tuesday- Grade Level Teaming 1st-5th

   August 30th, 2016- Tuesday- Art Lunch Group with Mrs. V- 5th Grade

   August 30th, 2016- Tuesday- Robotics Kick Off with 21st Century Grant 5:30-7:30

   August 31st, 2016- Wednesday- Staff Meeting 3:20

   September 1st, 2016- Thursday- Kindergarten Grade Level Teaming

   September 2nd, 2016- Friday- Para Training for SIPPS Intervention, with & at Perrine, 9:00-12:00

   September 2nd, 2016- Friday- Early Release at 1:15, and no Kinders

   September 5th & 6th, 2016- Monday & Tuesday- No School for Students, Labor Day and Data Day

   September 6th, 2016- Tuesday- Data Day for Certified Staff



Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:
 
    Anderson- Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind


Here is the flyer for the robotics kick off with our 21st Century Community Learning Center grant, and this would be great to share with students and families:

Robotics Kick Off


Here is the staff meeting agenda:

1. Migrant Education Program- Ms. Montano

2. Before and After School Program with 21st CCLC Grant- Ms. Reese

3. Leadership premiums, teacher evaluations, LIM, and housekeeping- Ms. Ardito


This is a great overview of what we are striving for at our school in regards to restorative justice practices and being proactive with students, instead of just reactive and punitive consequences. This fits very well with Leader in Me. When we listen and dig deeper with students, we help to develop positive life long skills with our students. There is also a short video clip:

Restorative Discipline Matters

You can't deny that we have fun at our school. Sometimes home situations are heart breaking, but school can provide the smiles and positivity that our students need to experience. Our kids need that. We even have a fun committee:

Friday August 26th, 2016

Thank you to everybody for assisting our guest teachers on Thursday, and being so welcoming! We had almost 30 people at our training and it was truly like a gift to our staff. I'm so glad several of our classified staff were able to attend as well. Here is a great picture. Staff were so respectful and attentive to the speaker, and the trainer was excellent:

Here is a great thought for Friday. Have a great weekend! We all get the same choice:

Thursday August 25th, 2016

Today is going to be an all hands on deck kind of day. We have our Leader in Me training today, and it's nice that we will be having it at the school. We will be in room 18, from 8:30-3:00. We have several guest teachers in our building today. We've never been disappointed by any of our Franklin Covey coaches and trainers. This is our trainer for the day. You can ask her any questions before or after the training even if you aren't attending:

Trainer

This quote sounds just like what we tell our students. I like to also tell students that the new person might be their roommate at college one day. It's hard to see kids at recess without a friend. Please keep reminding students about looking for kids who need a friend to play with. That's think win-win, and that's spreading kindness:

Wednesday August 24th, 2016

This  is a great article about family involvement, particularly with families whose first language is not English. I love the quote, "It's not just about fundraising and showing up to parent nights." We have a great opportunity at our school to provide all students a rich cultural experience because of all the different languages and cultures that we have:

4 Tips for Family Involvement

This is a great link for ideas about teaching and reviewing classroom procedures. Time spent now is time earned later for teaching and learning. The ideas also integrate ELA:

17 Ideas For Reviewing Classroom Procedures

Here is a great thought for the day, both for students and staff:

Tuesday August 23rd, 2016

This is a great link with several ideas for accommodations in the classroom. There might be one that catches your eye that you could try:

19 Ideas

We have a family note going home this week. The office will make copies for you:

Front of Family Note

Back of Family Note- With Upcoming Dates


Such a great reminder to sharpen the saw:
                                

image: @PETeacherMk

Monday August 22nd, 2016

Duties for the week: 
     
     AM Bus: Porter
                 Hammond
                 Garcia
     PM Bus: Sharp
                 Warner
                 Rice
     Staff Room: Rodriguez
 
 
  Meetings/Reminders for the week: 
 
   August 24th, 2016- Wednesday- Eval Team

   August 25th, 2016- Thursday- Leader in Me Training 8:30-3:00 in room 18


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:
 
    Hammond- Habit 1: Be Proactive


Thought for the week:

Friday August 19th, 2016

Thank you to everybody for a great first day of school on Thursday! Many hands truly make light work.

Here is a great picture of two students with Dr. Dobbs and Dr. Dickinson. We have had school supplies donated for our students, and it is very much appreciated:

Thank You Post

We have our 1st quarter classified staff meetings today. We'll meet by the office, and then find a room depending on the size of our group for each time option.

If students need a grab and go breakfast, they are in room 15.

Have a great Friday! Thought for today:

Thursday August 18th, 2016

Today is the first day of school!

The 1st quarter classified staff meeting is on Friday. Here is the schedule:

1. PRC- 7:55

2. Title 1, ESL, Mentor, Playground, and Resource: 9:30

3. Preschool- 12:00

We have extra copies of the bus schedule, lunch menu, and other forms/handouts on the table on front of the office. Please help yourself if you need anything, or if families ask.

If you walk by the office and the phone is ringing, feel free to answer it.

Let us know in the office if students need school supplies and or a backpack.

We have several people available to assist with tears, separation, or any other feelings. Just let us know in the office and we'll find someone.

One of my favorite activities at the beginning of the school year is visiting/welcoming students in every classroom pre/k-5th, and reading books to them. The schedule is online, and a paper copy is on the counter in the office, if you need to find me.

We have big hearts at Harrison. Please make sure students go home today excited to come back tomorrow, because they know that there are caring adults who can't wait to see them again. Thought for today:

Wednesday August 17th, 2016

A big thank you to everybody for welcoming and assisting families during Open House on Tuesday, and for assisting with table booths and the front office area.  It was very much appreciated! From the classrooms, to the office, front entry way, our custodians, and parent volunteers- what a great example of synergy and kindness.

Here is the updated schedule for celebrating staff birthdays. It is also on the schedules tab at the top of the staff blog.

Staff Birthdays Schedule

We are all here for a reason. You matter and are important. Remember this when you encounter unkind words, actions, or people:

image source: @FalconPassElem

Tuesday August 16th, 2016

Open House is from 5:00-6:30. Please help remind families about signing up for different areas to assist and volunteer during the school year. Every family that signs up for something will be entered in a drawing for a Fred Meyer gift card. Sign up sheets will be by the office. We will also have free yogurt that was donated by Chobani. School shirts will be sold, and we will have staff providing applications and information about the before and after school program with the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant.

The following link has ideas for teaching reading skills, as well as increasing interest in reading:

Reading Ideas

Just as adults are talking about the upcoming election, Hilary and Trump, so will students. This link from PBS has several great resources and downloads for the upcoming Presidential election. There is also a nice poster download about debating, which would be great for any topic that your class is discussing this year:

PBS Election for Educators- Information about website

PBS Election for Educators- Direct Link

This picture was shared at our staff retreat on Monday:

Monday August 15th, 2016

Duties for the week: 
     
     AM Bus: Terrell
                 Lindquist
                 Sweet
     PM Bus: Kenyon
                 Music/PE/STEM
                 Nail
     Staff Room: Porter
 
 
  Meetings/Reminders for the week: 

   August 15th, 2016- Monday- AM: Staff Retreat 8:30-11:30 
   
   August 15th, 2016- Monday- PM: District Opening Event at Roper 1:00
 
   August 16th, 2016- Tuesday- Staff Work Day

   August 16th, 2016- Tuesday- Open House 5:00-6:30
 
   August 17th, 2016- Wednesday- Staff Work Day

   August 18th, 2016- Thursday- First Day of School 8:15-3:15

   August 19th, 2016- Friday- Insurance Meeting 7:45 am in Library

   August 19th, 2016- Friday- 1st Quarter Classified Staff Meeting 9:30

Upcoming: Thursday August 25th is Leader in Me Training day.


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:
 
    Hammond- Habit 1: Be Proactive


Please remember to print the first quarter block/specials schedule. 

This is a great article for all educators, not just new teachers. We've all been new:

As A New Teacher


Here is our staff summer video. So many great sharpen the saw activities:

Staff Summer Video 2016

We had a great staff retreat on Friday. One of the activities was a field trip learning about our bus stop locations, our school boundaries, and where our students live. We had our teachers, our new school secretary, and our custodians. What a great activity:

A big thank you to Great Harvest Bread and our awesome driver Mr. Reinke from Western States Bus! We ended the field trip with a yummy treat:

As we start the first week of a new school year, remember that we are all learning and trying. It's going to be a great year! Enjoy the journey:

Monday August 8th, 2016

A big thank you to everybody who has helped a new staff member, assisted with painting, made a colleague smile and laugh, or spread kindness that brightened somebody's day! Also, thank you for sending your summer pictures for the staff video.

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   Monday August 8th, 2016- Board Meeting at CR will Recognize Classified and Certified Staff- Mrs. Pauley and Ms. Ramezan: 7:00 pm

   Wednesday August 10th, 2016- New Teacher Training

   Thursday August 11th, 2016- Standards Based Report Card Training

   Thursday-Friday, August 11th and 12th, 2016- Kindergarten Open House

   Friday August 12th, 2016- Staff Retreat
 

Tuesday will be the last day of the getting ready for Kindergarten program. A big thank you to Mrs. Pauley and Ms. Cantu for leading and teaching! We have had a great group of kids. Here are a few pictures, and you can click on them to make them larger:

Get Ready For Kindergarten

We only have two positions to fill, the playground para positions. If you know someone who would be a great candidate, please encourage them to apply.

We really need students to fill out the bus application form if they are going to need transportation. Please talk with friends and families. The online form is on the right side of the school website, the right side of the district website, and we have paper copies in the office. We will also have a staff member from the bus company at open house. As of right now, we only have one school bus planned. That bus will cover all of the stops from the President streets, Boys and Girls Club, Fawnbrook, Rivercrest, and a few stops in between. Having students signed up for bus transportation is crucial for planning.

Getting ready for the beginning of a new school year can be crazy busy and stressful. Don't forget the excitement as well: