PLC Work

As we build our SMART Goal into our daily work, here are three action steps that I would like to have teams focus on during their PLC time this week:

SMART Goal Actions:

ACTION 1:

Teachers will use the PLC process to monitor student growth towards essential learnings once a cycle (Day 3).

ACTION 2

Teachers will use common (formative) assessments to determine baseline and next steps of instruction (i.e. team-created assessments, running records, comprehension interview, etc.)

ACTION 5

Students in grades K-5 will utilize written responses to reading.  SMART Team will continue to review purpose, process, and products.

Also remember the 4 questions that drive our work:

1. What do we want students to learn? (essential standards)
2. How will we know if they have learned? (team-developed common assessments)
3. What will we do if they don’t learn? (systematic interventions)
4. What will we do if they already know it? (extended learning)

This Tuesday, when you work collaboratiely with Lori and your teaching partner, focus on Action Steps 1 and 2 - and if time/relevant, Action Step 5. The SMART Team members will share your progress at our October 3rd SMART Team meeting.  The focus of our this year's SMART Team meetings is going to be to share the work that is happening at each grade level, so we can learn from each other - and celebrate the work that is happening in our building.

Have a great week - and thank you for your continued work to ensure that every child achieves at a high level!
Sue

SLO/PPG 2017-18

SLO/PPG for 2017-2018

Dear Staff;
Part of this week's staff meeting will be a review of the SLO/PPG process, so that certified staff are ready to work on this during Thursday's Late Start.

I'll be reviewing a couple of key resources:

SLO/PPG

District Educator Effectiveness site

• Educator Effectiveness Timeline (month by month)
• Educator Effectiveness Teacher Components 2017-18 (Professional Goal Setting and Review)
• Last Year’s SLO/PPG presentation (standard review, overall process)
• Professional Goal Setting Plan
• Houlton’s 2017-18 SMART Goal

Thursday will start the process, but you will also have some time on the October 16th Professional Learning day. With the early start to the year, we are a little ahead of past timelines!

Have a great week - it looks like it's going to be another nice-weather week! Sue

Day of Service and Remembrance

9/11 is a day to remember the past, but also to think forward on ways to honor the work of the heroes on that day through service and remembrance going forward.  

At Monday's All School Meeting, I will talk briefly about this day, and invite students to think of ways they can serve their community.  This will be completely optional, and I will encourage students to come to me with their ideas.  Teachers are welcome to talk about it with their classes, but I am more than happy to meet with kids "outside of class" if they are interested in organizing something. With the playground fundraisers currently in place (ButterBraids and Grand Opening BBQ), this is completely optional, and something I'm encouraging interested students to pursue on their own.

Below are some helpful links:

• Helping for Hurricanes (revised from Harvey to include Irma)- inviting students to work around their house to earn money for hurricane victims
• Hurricane Resources (thank you, Anissa)
• Environmental Service ideas 
• Green Apple Day of Service
• Keep America Beautiful website

Please let me know if you have any questions, or if you'd like help with any individual or class projects.

Thank you for your support!
Sue