Goals for the New Year!

Houlton's Goal for 2019!

Our goal for the 2018-19 school year stays the same:  

High levels of learning for all students.  

We continue to focus on the things we've identified 
as having the greatest impact: 

(1)  Guided Reading  

(2) PLC work on Priority Standards/Student Data  

In order to do this, support will be provided through district trainings, instructional coach support, additional resources, and planning time.

Lori's support:

• Tuesday, 1/8: 

PLC time to do assessment summary form (using the BAS for the focus group of students, and the word knowledge inventory)

• Friday 1/11, Tuesday, 1/15 and Friday, 1/18:

Guided reading modeling and/or observations

• Wednesday, 1/23: 

Supporting use of Illuminate Data during PLCs

Please let me know if there are other ways I can support your work.  I appreciate everything that you do for our Houlton students!  Your diligent attention, extra time and energy, continuous advocating and overall care and concern makes such a difference.

Happy New Year!
Sue

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Houlton Staff!

Enjoy the week =)

A couple of reminders for the upcoming week...

Wednesday, 4:00 p.m.
VERY QUICK mandatory staff meeting

Thursday, 8:30 a.m.
Wear red for our staff photo (in the media center) to include in the Family Newsletter that afternoon- We are RED-y for Winter Break!

Friday, 8:00 a.m.
Flannel Friday!!
Staff Holiday Breakfast (media center)

Friday, 3:15 p.m.
All School Sing Along - 12 Days of Christmas staff song (potential re-mix, will keep you posted... either way, little to no prep needed from the staff)

Note: School Perceptions survey due by the end of the day on Friday, 12/21.

Janaury (TBD)
Staff Party

Keeping Focus

Without a doubt, these next few weeks are always challenging to keep students focused, and to keep instruction moving forward.  But one of the best things you can do is to maintain as much of a routine as possible, especially this week.  As much as possible...

A reminder of this year's focus:

• Guided Reading, following the Jan Richardson format
• Priority Standards, and using PLC time to analyze pre/post assessments and common formative check ins

To prepare for the check in at this Friday's SMART Team meeting, please use this week's PLC (Tuesday with Lori) to discuss your priority standard work, and any questions/comments about guided reading.

Thank you for your commitment and focus - even when it's difficult!  This will continue to lead our work as we progress to our goal - high levels of learning for all students!

Have a great week!
Sue

Community Grief Support

Children and Grief 

As we come together as a community to support our students, I found some things that may help you as you  talk with, observe, and answer questions 

with our students this week:

Things to consider:

• after a death, many children want to share their story
• telling their story is a healing experience
• one of the best ways adults can help young grievers is to listen to their stories
• children also need continuity (normal activities), care (plenty of hugs and cuddles) and connection (to still feel connected to the parent who has died, and to you)

After a death, many children want to share their story. They may want to tell you what happened, where they were when they were told about the death, and what it was like for them. Telling their story is a healing experience. One of the best ways adults can help young grievers is to listen to their stories.

Please let me know if you need any support this week, and keep me updated on any students that may be struggling.  I am proud of our caring and compassionate staff, and know that we will keep these boys in our close care.