SLO and PPG Preparation

Certified Staff:
As we look ahead to Monday, October 7th, I want you to start thinking about your SLO and PPG goals, so you can most efficiently use your time on that day.

We will continue to use our MAP data for the SLO, measuring growth from spring to spring, as well as having all students gaining a percentage of their growth target points.

Here's an SLO  Example:
MAP assessment:  65% of the students will meet spring to spring growth target on MAP assessment and 100% of the class will meet at least ½ of the RIT points toward their growth goal.

Goal Criteria

50-59% Average Growth

60-69% Above Average Growth

70+% Excellent Growth (Rigorous goal)

PPG Guidance:
For the PPG this year, we will continue to base it off your standard reflections, which you will complete on October 7th.  Using the strengths and areas for growth data, you will determine a professional growth area you feel you'd benefit from, aligned to a specific standard.  This will guide my conversations and support for both individuals, as wel as the whole staff, throughout the year.

For an sample of the complete SLO, click here:  Sample Reading SLO 2019-20

SMART Goal Action Plan - with last year's data included

Q: What MAP report will we need for our SLO?

*Go to:

• MAP Growth Reports
• Achievement Status and Growth Projection Report
• Term Rostered-Fall 2019-20
• Term Tested-Spring 2018-20
• Select Spring 2019-Spring 2020 Projection Report
• Create PDF Report

Upcoming Support for SLOs

• Wednesday, October 2nd - 8:00 staff meeting (SLO review) - optional
• Monday, October 7th - Trauma Sensitive School training (a.m.) and SLO work time (p.m.)
• Thursday, October 31st - SLOs and PPGs due
• Lori Bieging is always available to help!

Please let me know if you have any questions -
Sue

Looking at Student Work

The process of collaboratively looking at student work has many benefits.  Not only does it offer another perspective of what the data shows for the student, but it also allows teachers to reflect on their instruction to determine what things are working, and what things can be tweaked.

The process of looking at student work in a collaborative manner helps teachers take a closer look at how they teach.  If students are having difficulty, this problem solving conversation helps teachers to determine what next steps they should take.  According to Education World, educators who look at student work in a collaborative process are able to learn about the effectiveness of their instrution, better understand students' learning and development, develop more effective curriculum and assessment, and find ways to help students do high quality work.  Bringing samples of student work to the table with your colleagues, looking closely at them, and addressing important questions about teaching and learning has the potential to deepen teachers' understanding of the more traditional - as well as the innovative - work they do with students in the classroom.

This week, teachers will be looking at student BAS reading assessments, in order to make collaborative decisions on next steps of instruction - following the old saying, two heads are better than one.  The purpose of this partnered review is to really focus on effective instructional strategies that will help students find success.

Outdoor Learning

Harvard studies show that spending time outdoors seems to have many benefits for physical and mental health.  Here are five potential benefits of spending more time outdoors:

1. Your vitamin D levels will go up

The good news is that you'll make all the vitamin D you need if you get outside a few times a week during these summer days and expose your arms and legs for 10 to 15 minutes. Of course, it has to be sunny out.

2. You'll get more exercise (especially if you're a child)

You don't need to be outside to be active: millions of people exercise indoors in gyms or at home on treadmills and elliptical trainers, but being outdoors is associated with activity. Studies have found that the children were more than doubly active when they were outside.

3. You'll be happier (especially if your exercise is 'green')

Light tends to elevate people's mood, and physical activity has been shown to relax and cheer people up, and research has found that exercising in the presence of nature has added benefit, particularly for mental health. Their investigations into "green exercise," as they are calling it, dovetails with research showing benefits from living in proximity to green, open spaces.  In 2010 the English scientists reported results from a meta-analysis of their own studies that showed just five minutes of green exercise resulted in improvements in self-esteem and mood.

4. Your concentration will improve

ADHD studies have suggested that outdoor exercise could have positive effects on the condition, reporting that children with ADHD seem to focus better after being outdoors. 

I encourage you to spend some time outdoors when possible, especially as the weather seems to be improving this week! 

A reminder of our 2nd recess guidelines:

Although we do not have a second recess on the schedule, we encourage outside physical activity.  Here are some guidelines:

1. A 2nd recess for grades K-2 is highly encouraged, especially on non-PE days
2. For grades 3-5, you can use your discretion.  There are no specific limits on the number of 2nd recesses per week but consider PE and non-PE days
3. We highly value teacher-led classroom community-building activities that can take place at any time.

Try to find learning opportunities in our "park" area, or our Houlton Hawk Landing art bench - the speaker is always charged and ready in Julia's office. Enjoy some time outside -

it looks like it's going to be a beautiful week!