Monday October 2nd, 2017

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   October 2nd, 2017- Monday- Eval team

   October 3rd, 2017- Monday- K Teaming with ESL, Title 1, and Resource

   October 3rd, 2017- Tuesday- Intervention Meeting/MTSS

   October 3rd, 2017- Tuesday- Tie Tuesday/Wear a scarf

   October 3rd, 2017- Tuesday- 1st-5th Grade Level Teaming with ESL, Title 1, and Resource

   October 4th, 2017- Wednesday- Walk to school day

   October 4th, 2017- Wednesday- 1st Year District teaching training

   October 5th and 6th, 2017- Thursday and Friday- No school due to state inservice days


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:

   Lancaster- Habit 7: Sharpen the saw

next week: Habit 8- Find your voice, and inspire others to find theirs- Johns


Walk to school day is on Wednesday. We have dads and grandpas that will be meeting and walking with students from three starting locations, at 7:35 am.

One of the best parts about ending a month, is having the opportunity to recognize staff. We had several nominations with very kind comments:

August/September Staff Oscars


We have two picture links that would be great to share with students and families. The first includes several great pictures from the boys activity:

Boys Activity with their Favorite Gal


The pictures from this last week include August/September student leaders of the month, a cooking class, preschool, interventions, leadership, classroom buddies, and learning mixed with fun:

Pictures This Week


It's important to keep searching for the hook, when trying to increase student interest in reading. This is a great positive story that shares how that hook could be comic books:

The Comic Book Teacher


This is a great article with ideas for behavior. There might be one idea that catches your eye:

How to Discipline Students Without Taking Away Recess


Here is a great thought as we start the week:

Friday September 29th, 2017

A big thank you to everybody who helped plan and assist with the Boys Activity. It was super fun and the weather was perfect. We had happy kids and great family time.

We have the hearing and vision screening for K, 1, 3, and 5 today.

The Principal's lunch for August and September students leaders is today. Please also remember to email Oscar nominations for staff.

Have a great weekend.

Thought for today:

Thursday September 28th, 2017

Today is the family activity for boys, from 5:30-7:00. Please encourage and remind families and students.

Thought for today:

Wednesday September 27th, 2017

We have a staff meeting after school. Rhonda Birnie will be with us to share about the New Zealand Numeracy Project. The goal is to start at 3:10 in the library.

Please remind the boys and their families about the family event on Thursday. It is going to be a really fun evening, and the weather is cooperating perfectly.

This is a great resource for morning meetings. Responsive classroom has been a great resource at our school. Every classroom is different in how it looks. The important piece is building a classroom community where every student feels valued:

Morning Meetings

You may have noticed positive sticky notes posted around the school. A big thank you to our staff members who started this. Our days are often unpredictable. You matter regardless of the hard moments:

So true:

Tuesday September 26th, 2017

We have grade level teaming with Mrs. Buschhorn today. Everybody is welcome. If you are classified staff, you are welcome to join any grade level team.


We have a note for families going home this week, and a reminder about upcoming activities:

Walk to School Day, Spirit Wear, and Coats/School Pantry

Back with Upcoming Dates


The thought for today is a great reminder of the importance to work as a team, lifting others up:

Monday September 25th, 2017

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   September 25th, 2017- Monday- Eval team

   September 26th, 2017- Tuesday- Intervention Meeting/MTSS

   September 26th, 2017- Tuesday- K-5 Grade Level Teaming with Mrs. Buschhorn

   September 27th, 2017- Wednesday- Staff Meeting

   September 28th, 2017- Thursday- Boys Activity with the their favorite gal 5:30-7:00 pm

   September 29th, 2017- Friday- Hearing and Vision screening for K, 1, 3, & 5

   September 29th, 2017- Friday- Principal's lunch with August/September student leaders


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:

   Rodriguez- Habit 6: Synergize

next week: Habit 7- Sharpen the saw- Lancaster


We have pictures of student leaders, and students beginning with the end in mind with their learning:

Pictures This Week


The staff meeting agenda this week:

1. Leader in Me check in- action teams

2. Numeracy Project


The grade level teaming meeting on Tuesday with Mrs. Buschhorn is all about assisting our second language students. Every is welcome to attend. You can pick any grade level team to join.



So true:

Friday September 22nd, 2017

Have a great Friday!

Ignite a spark in those that you work with, including the students you encourage and support everyday:

Thursday September 21st, 2017

Today is picture day.

Our school wide WIG's are ready and posted by the front office, for the areas of reading and attendance. A big thank you to our staff lighthouse team, especially the academics action team. Here is the list of starting places and the end goals, for IRI and MAZE:

K: 2% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 84% by May 1st is the end goal

1st: 8.5% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 71% by May 1st is the end goal

2nd: 17% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 75% by May 1st is the end goal

3rd: 35.6% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 80% by May 1st is the end goal

4th: 1% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 80% by May 1st is the end goal

5th: 11% in the Fall were already at end goal, and 80% by May 1st is the end goal


Here is a great resource to bookmark and refer to throughout the school year:

WIG Resources


Thought for today:

Wednesday September 20th, 2017

Please help remind students and families about picture day tomorrow.

We've been talking with students about being aware of their surroundings, and to run to an adult if they encounter unsafe situations. This is a great resource that helps for any questions you might have,  if a parent asks for a resource for how to talk with their children, or for conversations during morning meeting:

What to Teach Kids About Strangers


Keep striving for those end goals, beginning with the end in mind:

Tuesday September 19th, 2017

We have our staff potluck today for all of our August and September birthdays. The sign up sheet had several yummy food items listed.

Please keep reminding students about the change in weather. If students need coats or close toed shoes, or even warmer clothes, please let us know in the office. We have some donations, and can match up with community resources. I know it's hard to transition to pants and socks, I'm in that boat myself, but we live in Idaho and it needs to happen. We have children who are cold when they are outside, and the weather will be getting colder as the week progresses.

Choir and service leaders start today after school. A big thank you to Mrs. Dickinson for leading this.

Please help remind students and families about picture day on Thursday.

So true:

Monday September 18th, 2017

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   September 18th, 2017- Monday- Eval team

   September 19th, 2017- Tuesday- Intervention Meeting/MTSS

   September 19th, 2017- Tuesday- All Staff Potluck- August and September Staff Birthdays

   September 19th, 2017- Tuesday- Choir and Service Leaders Starts

   September 20th, 2017- Wednesday- District 2nd Year Teacher Training

   September 21st, 2017- Thursday- Fall Picture Day


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:

   Sharp- Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood

next week: Habit 6- Rodriguez


Pictures this week include STEM/STEAM activities. The pictures are a great way to learn the new Science standards. There are also pictures from Math, Writing, a special guest, and picnic tables from CSI:

Pictures This Week


National Hispanic Heritage month starts on the 15th. We never know what our demographics are going to be until school starts. We have more Spanish speaking families this year. As Hispanic Heritage month starts this week, this is a great resource. The hope is that we are celebrating and recognizing contributions from all cultures all year long:

National Hispanic Heritage Month


You just can't work at Harrison and not be a risk taker. Our students are striving to beat all the odds and statistics, and we have to be willing to try things that could help them. We expect the same with our kids:

A Classroom Full of Risk Takers


These Math progression videos are great for all of our staff members, not just teachers:

Math Progression


Kids are smart. They know if you care about them. So true:

Friday September 15th, 2017

Cooler weather has arrived. Please talk with students about dressing appropriately for the weather.

Please help encourage students to check out the newly updated job board by the front office.


Have a great Friday:

Thursday September 14th, 2017

We have Kindergarten teaming today.

Please remember to include something for Constitution day over the next few days. We have much to be thankful for here in the United States.

This is a great video from our Franklin Covey consultant, and the students are like our students:

Leader in Me

We teach all kids:

                                                                                  image source: @TechieTeachOtt

Wednesday September 13th, 2017

We have a staff meeting after school in the library today. Our goal is to start at 3:10.

This is a great post to share with students. There are pictures of students starting their first day of school from different countries around the world. Global literacy is one of our goals. All of our classrooms have US and world maps, so you could also identify where each country is located. Third grade is learning about customs and traditions in their weekly ELA lesson this week, and that fits with this as well We also strive to provide pictures that look like our students, and this is great for that as well:

What the First Day of School Looks Like Around the World


This thought for the day is so true. What we read, who we meet, and where we visit are all learning opportunities and are a part of who we are. The same is true for our students, and what a great opportunity our students have at Harrison. Our kids get to meet and converse with diverse people from around the world every day. That includes learning with students who have different abilities and strengths:

                                                                                 image source: @hostelworld

Tuesday September 12th, 2017

Today is tie Tuesday. We also have grade level teaming for 1st-5th today.

This is a short article that we can relate to at Harrison. We often intervene and use restorative practices with situations that revolve around skin color, languages spoken, and where a student was born. With little kids, the hope is that we can plant seeds that will create understanding and a global perspective. All students will be leading together as adults in our community. As this article states: "Teachers need to emphasize the importance of empathy, inclusion, and respect as they interact with both groups of students." Some countries separate students who are refugees, but we integrate all students:

Education for an Unknowable Future


Be the reason:

Monday September 11th, 2017

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   September 11th, 2017- Monday- Eval team

   September 12th, 2017- Tuesday- Tie Tuesday

   September 12th, 2017- Tuesday- Intervention Meeting/MTSS

   September 12th, 2017- Tuesday- Grade level teaming 1st-5th

   September 13th, 2017- Wednesday- District Para training

   September 13th, 2017- Wednesday- Staff meeting

   September 14th, 2017- Thursday- Kindergarten grade level teaming


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:

   Enders- Habit 4: Think win win

next week: Habit 5- Sharp


Please encourage Tie Tuesday. The building leadership team/staff lighthouse team wanted to try Tie Tuesday every month on the first Tuesday. This could even be a scarf. We model everyday for kids how to dress professionally for work. We've also noticed that our students act more attentive and focused on these days.

The agenda for the staff meeting this week:

1. Federal Programs- Mr. Brulotte
2. TFEA- Introduction and Information

Our paras will be participating in a training on Wednesday, so please prepare for keeping students in your classroom. This is a great opportunity for our paras to learn best practices for areas like ELA and Math. Our students are really lucky at Harrison, as we have several classified staff who assist with their learning and growth.

Nadia Lopez is a great example. This is a great Ted Talk to view, and her book is great:

Why Open a School? To Close a Prison.

We are getting ready to kick off our school wide WIG's for the new school year. The two goals will focus on reading and attendance. The pictures from this last week include several great examples of students practicing their reading skills. It's a really steep hill for many of our students. The pictures would be great to share with students, and you can click on them to view in a larger size.

There are also pictures from math lessons with the new math curriculum. This helps with seeing what students are learning in grades that are different from the ones you work with. If you get a chance, I highly encourage you to visit classrooms during their math time. I'm hearing lots of positive comments about our new math curriculum, and I'm seeing happy kids engaged and loving math.

Then we have a great picture of our music teacher assisting in Kindergarten. It's a team effort at Harrison, as we climb the steep hill with our kids. A big thank you to our block/specials teachers for all the help they provide in classrooms:

Pictures This Week


So true:

Friday September 8th, 2017

We have Friday Fun and the bookmark sale with student leaders today.

We have our new teacher breakfast check in this morning.

There is no after school program on Fridays.

Enjoy your weekend:

Thursday September 7th, 2017

We'll need patience with the office today. The secretary will be out. Thank you for answering the phone and assisting students and families when you walk by the office today.

Please help remind students and families about the Friday Fun activity tomorrow, and the bookmark sale with student leaders.

This post is a great reminder that some days may seem more challenging with students, but the end result is great. Kindness and patience:

Focus on Who Students are Becoming, Not Just who They are Right now

Thought for today:

Wednesday September 6th, 2017

We had a great data day. Super exciting to see where our students will land in the spring. A big thank you to everybody for working as a team, sharing best practices and ideas, being willing to try new ideas, and for loving all of our kids.

Please remind students to be drinking water. It's going to be really hot today.

Here is a resource for wiggly kids. Every classroom has students who need wiggle breaks. Honestly, even adults need breaks to move and breathe:

10 Tips for a Smooth Year for Students with ADHD


If you are a new teacher at Harrison, even if it isn't your first year teaching, we have our first new teacher check in breakfast on Friday in room 17. We'll start at 7:30 and there will be breakfast snacks.

Yes:

Monday September 4th, 2017

Meetings/Reminders for the week:

   September 4th, 2017- Monday- No school for Labor Day

   September 5th, 2017- Tuesday- No school for Data Day

   September 6th, 2017- Wednesday- Staff Lighthouse/Building Leadership Team 3:10 pm

   September 8th, 2017- Friday- Friday Fun- Class Colors

   September 8th, 2017- Friday- Student leaders selling bookmarks for .50 cents each


Habit of the week/Classroom leading morning announcements:

   Blair- Habit 3: Put first things first

next week: Habit 4- Enders


I would highly recommend reviewing classroom and school expectations on Wednesday. When we have several days off of school, it can be rough when we start back. This is also helpful for new students who have joined us.

Here are pictures that include math learning, leadership, a classroom mission statement, and our Friday learning recess:

Pictures This Week


This is a great article about the importance of building positive relationships with students. This fits well with building a positive classroom community and morning meetings:

Relationships Matter More Than Rules


This article is a great reminder of the importance for students to set goals. This fits well with leadership notebooks and student led conferences. I think we can all relate to the comments about how tests don't always show the growth that we see with kids everyday. The author works at a school with similar demographics as ours:

Conferencing and Goal Setting with Students


So true: