Week 28

Happy First Day of Spring and Ravioli Day

March 24 - Earthquake Drill
March 24 - Water Safety (5th & 6th)

March 27 - Data Meeting with Central Office
March 28 - Teacher of the Year Luncheon @ 11:30
March 30 - Stand for the Silent Assembly @ 12:45 (this means a change in lunch schedules)

April 3 - Wings Party
April 5 - Spring Pictures
April 6 - Band Concert @ JH (6th grade)
April 7 - Arbor Day assembly (4th grade)
April 7 - Band recruitment @ 1:00 (6th grade)

April 11 - Honor Choir
April 13-14 - No School

April 17 - Collaboration Day
April 18 - Staff Paint Party
April 19 - Honor Choir to St. Louis Cardinals
April 20 - School Board Meeting @ 7:00
April 21 - Club Day

April 26-28 - Mid-term window

May 2 - Growing Up video (4th grade)
May 3 - Growing Up video (5th-6th grade)
May 3 - MAP Boot Camp (4th grade)
May 4 - MAP Boot Camp (5th grade)
May 4 - Kids on Broadway
May 5 - MAP Boot Camp (6th grade)

May 8 - Begin MAP testing
May 11 - Faculty Meeting

May 15 - SINGS to Springfield
May 18 - School Board Meeting @ 7:00
May 19 - SINGS to Arkansas

May 22 - 7-up Splash @ The Elk's Lodge
May 24 - Wings Party @ Skate City
May 24 - Yearbook Signing @ 9:30
May 25 - Awards Assembly@ 7:30
May 26 - Last Day


Next Year

I want to start by apologizing because this is going to sound like I can't make up my mind and I keep changing things around. With that being said, I want us to move to two person pods across the whole building next year. This is the right move for several reasons.

First and foremost, we are an elementary school. The thing that makes elementary schools great is the connections between student and teacher. When we give a teacher 100 students and a kid four different teachers to keep up with, we lose some of that closeness, and let's face it, we are big. We have to do something to make this building feel smaller and to promote those connections between students and teacher. Last year we talked about doing a "school within a school" model, but felt like it was too late to get it worked out. This may be the answer.

Second, we are going to have to get more time in math and ELA. I'm not trying to minimize the importance of science or social studies, but we are going to have to narrow our focus a little on math and ELA. The great thing about two person pods (and the way the schedule will work) is that if you need to spend a little more time on a lesson, you could take that time from your science or social studies. If you finished math or ELA early, you could give more time to science or social studies. It increases the flexibility of your schedule.

Finally, it's what's best for kids. Too often, we make our decisions based on what is best for the adults and not what is best for the students. I know that some of you will say that you are not good at teaching reading or math, but that's why we collaborate and do professional development, to help you get better at what you do. I know I have just added another prep for each of you, but it's what's best for our students.

As far as placements for next year, if you currently teach math, you will also teach science and if you currently teach science, you will also teach math. The same is true for ELA and social studies. Podmates are still up in the air. I don't want to have to move a bunch of people around, but I will have to take into consideration the personalities and teaching styles of those involved.


Here is the bird video.