End of Year Details - spring 2021

 

To Do List Timeline

May 31 

SLO submitted

June 1

Book Fair Schedule

June 3

Last Day of School Schedule

June 4 

Last Day of School Check out

End of Year Technology Checklist (included on Houlton Checkout Sheet)

Houlton Checkout Sheet

professional development plan for 7.5 hours

complete K assessments

PowerUp Survey - earn money for Houlton

June 1-June 11

On-Cycle and Probationary Summative meetings 

IPad Collection:

Due to some changes Apple has put into place, we must collect ALL the iPads by the end of the school year. Please see the checklist below for what information we need from you when you turn it in.

1. iPad and charger
2. Apple ID and password (same as itunes account and password)
3. Lock code or passcode
4. Your name and a contact phone number if we have any questions.
5. Full list of what apps you want added back to your iPad(s) including any paid apps you have purchased. If it's easier to take screenshots of this information, that is fine - just print the screenshots and turn in with the device.
6. If you have older iPads that you no longer use, please make note of this and turn those in as well.
7. iPads must be turned in no later than Friday, June 4th to either me or the media center.

Please let Ryan DeLaCroix or me know if you have any questions about this collection.

2020-21 3rd Trimester Report Card Schedule

Here is the timetable for the 3rd Trimester:

Grades can be entered now.

Thursday         05/27/21 Grades are due in Skyward by 11:59 pm.

Friday 05/28/21 1st printing of report cards.  Gradebook reopens for changes.

Wednesday 06/02/21 Changes made by 11:59 pm.

Thursday 06/03/21 Final printing and report cards are sent home with students.

Things to remember:

Please make sure you grade ALL Skills and ALL Trimester Grades.  If the title of the column is underlined it needs a grade.   Every student needs a grade for every subject/skill.  

The teacher is responsible for making additional copies if more than 1 report card per student is needed.

Extra report card envelopes are in the office.

With Appreciation...

 

I am grateful...

When people ask me about Houlton, the first word that always comes to mind is dedication.  As I think about my appreciation for the Houlon Staff, I realize how blessed we are to have a village that is dedicated to helping students succeed.  Almost every day, we have staff that...

• eagerly agree to take "one more" CICO student
• put aside what they're doing to read with a student each day
• volunteer to help in the lunchroom, bus line, parent pick up, etc. when needed
• identify creative ways to recognize students for doing well
• write grants or plan fundraisers to be able to purchase things to enhance student learning
• arrange and rearrange schedules to best meet the needs of students
• fulfill "other duties as assigned" because they know it helps kids
• think "outside the box" to be there for a student
• put time into thinking of engaging ideas so students can learn AND have fun
• step in to help, just because a student needs something
• think about what's best for kids at every point in the day

And the list goes on! I am grateful for your dedication to meeting the wide range of needs that all of our students have. I hope you recognize that your dedication impacts not only their math or reading, but their entire day. It can be difficult at times, and I thank you for your perseverance in staying the path.  You all make such a difference in the lives of our Houlton students.

Houlton families are grateful...

The Houlton families would also like to share their appreciation this week!  All staff will find a number in your mailbox Monday morning!  On Monday through Thursday, 10 numbers will be called on Hawk Talk.  I'll include the numbers in the Daily, for those that aren't in the building every day. If your number is drawn, you will choose from gift cards ranging from $5-$25 in the office.  On Friday, we will finish up with some bigger prizes!

In addition, HPA will provide special treats each day:

Monday - fruit and yogurt for breakfast

Tuesday - soup and salad bar

Wednesday - coffee and donuts

Thursday - popcorn bar

Friday - lunch!

Enjoy your week!  You deserve it!

Spring Assessments

Here are some updates for Spring assessments:

Forward Make Ups

I believe we only have one IDL student (next Wednesday) left - yahoo!

BAS

• The window for BAS is open from May 2-21.  This is a Formal Assessment window, and students should be tested to their instructional level.  
• Data should be entered into DnA by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 21.  When you enter the data, please be sure to include both instructional level and also the additional fields from the assessment (All columns should be completed when entering the data into DnA).  This will be replacing the 1/2 sheet from before.  The district will print information in the fall for next year's teacher (one pagers).
• You can use this document to guide where each column is found in the BAS.  Lori made copies, too.
• Remember that if you're administering the levels where the total comprehension score is out of 6 rather than 9, you will enter the score into "Beyond/About" rather than "Beyond". 
•  If you have ANY questions please reach out to your building coach or Amanda McCarthy
• Add the last completed student BAS recording sheet to the student literacy portfolio for next year's teacher reference.

BAS for IDL - from Lori

BAS text not available online - and not recommended:

• Send home GR text and do a running record with FPC printed form
• Present the GR book online  and do a running record with FPC printed form  
• Invite students come in for assessment on a Wed or before school

With all of these, the full information would be added into Illuminate, and the RR or BAS would be passed up to next years teacher with a note how it was administered. Please let me know if you'd like to follow up with any teams or how I can support.

BAS 5th Grade Update - from Amanda

As we enter the final BAS window of the year, we are asking for a small change to ensure a solid data set in this year of COVID.  Past practice has been to only assess students who had not met the end-of-year benchmark.  The BAS is not only a tool that is used at the middle school (intervention, placement, etc), it's also a tool that we use to measure the effectiveness of our literacy program (especially now that it aligns so closely with FPC).  This year it will also be a tool that will allow us to measure the impacts of COVID, enabling us to triangulate it with MAP and FastBridge.  Although it will take some additional time, we are asking that you assess all of your students to their instructional level. 

MAP

NWEA MAP is rostered and ready for the testing window beginning Monday, May 3.  Here's the link to the schedule:  HO Spring MAP Testing Schedule

Teachers can access the two documents we used during the Winter window to set up sessions and get IDL learner's devices checked.  We added information on the family document for access from an iPad, as that was a common tech issue this winter.  

Please remind teachers that the "Remote Testing Directions for Teachers" is not a document that should be shared with families.  They are encouraged to share the appropriate links within the document if necessary but everything our families should need is included in the "Remote Testing Document for Families".  If anyone has questions, please reach out.  

• Remote Testing Directions for Teachers
• Remote testing document for families

FastBridge

Traci and Heather's classes will be completing the MAP and FastBridge (as a pilot).  They will be our experts next year!!

Writing Samples

• We will not be doing the end of year ODW.
• We will not be putting an end of year "formal" writing sample in the literacy folder.
• Please have each student write a letter to their next year's teacher by the end of the year; keep and give to teachers next year.  Let Lori know if you'd like a template to use.

Fall BAS

Teachers will be allowed to use their 7.5 hours for assessing students using the BAS before school starts this fall (August, 2021).  More info to come!

Spring Events

 

With the ever changing landscape of this year, I wanted to share the plans that are being considered at this point (some secured, some tentative), awaiting district decisions at our April 19th meeting (Monday).  Updates to come!

This Week on Hawk Talk

• As they come in, we will be showing videos of students who completed a FlipGrid of their At-Home Brambleheart Boat Challenge 
• We will be showcasing students who send pictures of picking up litter for Earth Week

Music Programs

We will not be having grade level music programs this year.

Talent Show

Information was sent home on Friday, April 16, inviting students to create a short video at home via FlipGrid (like last year); teachers will be able to share these with their classes anytime the last 3 days of school.  Thank you to Tara, Julia, and Lori for organizing this!  Once compiled, they will let us know how long to plan for the videos.

Last Day of School - schedule for the day coming soon!

• Early Release Schedule with one special in AM
• 5th grade farewell - time TBD
• Shirt Signing (weather permitting, outside) - AM
• Boosterthon (1:00-2:00, K-2 and 2:00-3:00, 3-5)
• Bell Ringing (3:00-3:40 with 2-3 grade levels at a time, teachers ring bell except for 5th grade = students)
• 3:10-3:20 (K-1)
• 3:20-3:30 (2-4) 
• 3:30-3:40 (5th)

5th Grade Farewell

Tentative:  We will do a program in the gym with just the 5th graders, recorded and sent to families.  This will include receiving their certificate/flower, speeches, and 5th graders singing the school song.  Weather permitting, we will then move to the Loop Trail Trailhead for a short reception with families.  Times not determined yet.

5th Grade - End of Year Celebration

Tentative (haven't told students yet): 5th grade ice skating on June 2nd (morning) and back for pizza at school.

Still working on...

Kite Flying/Plant Sale, All-School Picnic (with families); parent volunteers coming into the building

I will keep everyone updated as I get more information!

Sue

Severe Weather Awareness Week

 

As with everything else this year, our safety and severe weather drills 

will look a little bit different this spring!

Tornado and Severe Weather Drill

We will not be doing an official tornado drill this year, but please do the following sometime this week:

• Watch this National Weather Service video about Tornado Safety (1:42)
• Show your students to your tornado drill location
• Practice the crouching/covering of head stance while spread out in your classroom. Specialists - please review where each class goes for their safe location in a tornado drill.

Safety Drill

We will not be doing an official safety drill/lock down this spring, but please do the following sometime this week:

• Rewatch the video and review lock down procedure with your class: Houlton Safety Video (1:34)
• Document the date when you completed the safety drill this spring:  Spring Safety Drill Completion
• A letter will be sent to families in this week's newsletter letting them know we've been discussing safety and severe weather drills.

Fire Drill

I will do a fire drill sometime after Forward testing - I'll let you know ahead of time. We will continue with the two groups - the bell and the announcement.

Fire Drill (2 groups)

• BELL - K (front entry), 2 (1st grade door), and 3rd (door by 5th)
• ANNOUNCEMENT - 1st (1st grade door), 4th and 5th (door by 5th)

Let me know if you have any questions!  

Sue

The week ahead...

 

Brambleheart

We are starting our One Book, One School this week, featuring the book Brambleheart.  I hope your students enjoyed the introductory activities on Friday!

Here's the link to the chapter introductions with links to the readings.  These introductions include a short summary of the chapter, new characters, any new vocabulary, and sometimes a question to listen for. I'm hoping these introductions will help build schema before the chapter is read.

We are looking to do a Zoom meeting with the author on the morning of April 9th.  We are scheduling it to work around specials and the Forward schedule.  Please let Sue know if you have questions.

A reminder that this Friday (early release) is door decorating - it can be very simple.  Our theme is the friendship and kindness shared between the characters in the book.

April 5th Professional Development (schedule for everyone)

Everyone - 8:00-8:45 - Staff Meeting

Classroom Teachers

9:00-11:00-FPC Planning 

• Building grade level team planning

• Willow River Office Hours-Join Google Meet as needed

11:00-12:00-Lunch

12:00-4:00- Teacher Prep

Specialists 

9:00-11:00-Team Meeting /team meetings with Lisa

11:00-12:00-Lunch

12:00-4:00- Teacher Prep

Special Education

9:00 - 11:00 - Teacher Prep and Meetings as Needed

11:00 - 12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - 4:00  - Professional work time for IEPs, BIPs, CCR IEP review

Committee Meetings

12:30-1:00-Math Committee Meeting

1:15-1:45-ELA Committee Meeting

2:00-2:30-SS/Science Committee Meeting

2:45-3:15-Department Head Meeting

Enjoy the week!

Monday is supposed to be beautiful (but back to winter on Tuesday and Wednesday!) -

Sue

A year ago today...

 

March 22, 2020

A lot can happen in a year...

I want you to pause for a moment, and reflect on the past year.  Think about the new learning, new "normals", adjustments, accommodations, and creative problem solving that has taken place since March 22, 2020.  

Words you probably hadn't heard of or thought about much before...

Google Meet
tiled layout
webcam
mute/unmute
your video must be on
Can you hear me?
social distancing
hand sanitizer
online resources
stay at home order
work from home
tech support
quarantine
mask ordinance
Netflix binging (OK, that one is for me!)

As you reflect on your learning, perseverance, determination, dedication, change in approaches, and continued commitment to Houlton students - I want you to recognize the enormous success that we have experienced because of everyone's contribution.  Wow, what a year.  Wow, what a team.  Thank you for your suggestions, ideas, adjustments, and 100% GRIT to make this last year work for our staff, families, and students.

With so much gratefulness, 
Sue

Inclusive Conversations

 

Breaks from school are often a happy and carefree time for children, filled with new experiences and opportunities to play, relax, and create memories. While this is true for many children, research finds that for some children, breaks from school can be a stressful period of isolation, boredom, and inactivity.  For low-income families, spring breaks can include food insecurity, lack of things to do, and stress at home.  Unequal access to and limited participation in engaging activities means that some children may miss out on interesting educational and social opportunities otherwise enjoyed by their more affluent peers.

I share this to remind staff that not all of our students will be enjoying a week on a beach, ski slope, or on a family road trip.  Keep this in mind when asking students about their spring break plans, or reflecting on their week off when they return. Try focusing on what students missed about school rather than on what they got to do, as these conversations can cause the students that didn't get to do anything anxiety or embarrassment when it's their turn to share.  I'm not saying not to talk about spring break - but just to be aware of the range of experiences your students may have had.

I recognize that we have a challenging week ahead, with everyone (staff and students!) anticipating a much deserved week off.  Continue the inclusive environment we have built and hold in high regard, with patient, thoughtful and positive interactions with our students, and each other.

Five more days... we can do it!

Kindness Week

 

Welcome to Kindness Week!

March 1-5

Kindness Matters at Houlton!

Thank you to Mrs. Bohl's class for planning Kindness week at Houlton! The plans will combine the Great Kindness Challenge and Random Acts of Kindness Week, which are both about providing tools for creating a positive school environment. Houlton is going to focus on a variety of kindness activities the week of March 1-5, including making a school-wide display called Kindness is Blossoming at Houlton, which will showcase kind activities that were completed during the week.  We are looking forward to a full week of kindness!

Monday, March 1 : Kickoff  to Kindness Week

Kick off shoes for reading during Read to Self in class!

Classrooms will receive hearts and a Kindness Challenge List  that they can use for ideas.  Students are to write or draw a picture of the kind acts they performed the night before or that day at school.  Mrs. Bohl’s class  will collect the hearts at the end of each day and will be displaying them on the wall outside the office.

Kindness Quote: No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted. -Aesop

Tuesday, March 2: Ride The Wave of Kindness! 

Dress up like you are on a beach so we can pretend it is summer! NO SWIMSUITS

Watch how kindness spreads in this video: Kindness Boomerang (5:44)

Kindness Quote: Kindness costs nothing but means everything!

Wednesday, March 3: Crazy for Kindness

Wear mismatched or mixed up clothes!

Pick out your favorite kindness act from this Video Clip - Random Acts of Kindness - Give it a Try! (4:24)

Kindness Quote:  Kindness is hard to give away, because it keeps coming back. -Marcel

Thursday, March 4: Celebrate Everyone is Unique          

Wear your favorite color!

Kindness Quote: Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world. -Harriet Tubman

Friday, March 5:  Score Points by Helping Others

Wear your favorite sports apparel    

Kindness Quote: Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you. -Princess Diana

Going Beyond Work-Life Balance to Ignite Passion and Thrive

 

Why Does Self-Care Matter?

Self-care includes all of the things you do to take care of your well-being in four key dimensions - your emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual health.  If you are a person who gives a lot of yourself in service to the well-being, learning, and growth of others in some way, self-care and care of others becomes a challenging balancing act.

Self-care is essential for managing stress, preventing burnout, and mitigating compassion fatigue - all common occupational hazards for caring individuals.  Helpers, healers, and leaders are often focused on the results they are achieving with and for others.  Self -care broadens that focus, and involves focusing on yourself and taking time to rest, reflect, replenish, and renew - taking time to nourish and nurture all of who you are so you can continue to be there for others.

Below are the four quadrants Sarah Johnson referenced - take time this week to think about how you are balancing, in order to TAKE CARE of yourself!  Try to keep these quadrants in check to be able to give your all... to all (including you!).

Links from Friday's Training:

• Intentional Thrive Deep Dive (pre-recorded presentation - 1 hour)
• Handouts

Have a great week -

Sue

National Kindness Day - February 17th

 

Wednesday is National Random Acts of Kindness Day, and it's a perfect time for everyone to share a little bit of kindness! We know that there are many social and emotional benefits of being kind, but there are educational benefits as well.  Kindness is a key ingredient that builds positivity and helps children feel good about themselves as it increases serotonin levels.  This important chemical affects learning, memory, mood, sleep, health and digestion.  Children with a positive outlook have greater attention spans, more willingness to learn, and better creative thinking to improve results at school.  This makes it a great thing to promote!

We will talk about it on Hawk Talk on Wednesday, and we'll have some additional kindness activities next week - but wanted to share some resources for you to use in your classroom if you choose.

Videos:

• Make the World Awesome - Kid President (3:27)
• What the world needs now - Jack Hartman, song
• Kindness is a muscle - stop at 2:29 (song, using on Hawk Talk on Wednesday)
• Be a Super Hero - Jack Hartman, song
• Why be kind?  kids talking  (3:10)
• Give in to Giving - gr 3-5, animation, no talking (2:18)
• Kindness Through Their Eyes - kids talking (2:31)

Other Resources

• Random Acts of Kindness website
• Random Acts of Kindness color sheet (inside recess idea??)
• Calendar of Random Acts of Kindness
• 50 Ways to be Kind poster

Have a kind week!
Sue

Staff Development Day - February 19th

February 19, 2021

8:15-9:45 -  Virtual District Team Meetings (Social Emotional Learning and FPC Check in - certified staff); Specialist Plan/Agenda

10:00-12:00- Mental Health Training/Self-Care with Sarah Johnson

Going Beyond Work-Life Balance to Ignite Passion and Thrive - (10-11am Live Zoom Session - all staff)

There’s no question that every educator faces challenges on the job with ever-increasing demands that lead to stress and put us all at risk for burnout.  School leaders and educators often define themselves through servant leadership, tending to put others’ needs above their own and even end up sacrificing much of their personal time for their careers. If we aren’t intentional about our energy pouring, we may end up drained. Especially in our current circumstances, it is critical to remember that there is much in our lives that we can control, and it is time to empower ourselves to live intentionally in all spaces of our full lives. In this session, we will work toward going beyond surviving and be intentional about personally and professionally thriving.  

3 Objectives:  

Understand that balance at 50/50 formula is a myth, but we can live with passion, purpose, and priority. 

• Learn a more robust way of looking at balance for a full life, focusing on the Balance Quadrants—Personal, Professional, Positional, and Passions.
• Identify the key to thriving with balance, which is acknowledging a need for a mindset shift, assessing current reality, and setting plans to live with intention in all areas of life. 

Intentional Thrive Deep Dive (11:00-12:00, 60 minute pre-recorded session)

Building upon our time in the morning, which defines the case for going beyond a 50/50 work-life formula, this session offers specific strategies and action for participants to take. This workshop session will inspire you to examine where you are pouring energies and draining out as well as where you might make room to reignite flames in your lives that have fizzled.  Attendees will leave feeling relaxed as well as empowered to take intentional steps toward a more fulfilling full life. 

3 Objectives:  

• Self-assess current reality within the four Balance Quadrants, identifying areas of strength and growth. 
• Set actionable goals for building more balance into their lives through the Balance Quadrants.  
• Determine at least two actionable strategies to align with goals in the Balance Quadrants to seek a more intentionally lived life.

12:00-4:00 - lunch and work time (SLO, IDL prep, planning, Year 2 surveys) - all staff

Support Staff Plan

Parent-Teacher Conferences

 

While this is round 2 of virtual conferences (with the option of being in person, if requested), there are still challenges with effective communication during a Google Meet. Seeing examples of their child's work is often a highlight of conferences for parents, and definitely a useful tool for teachers. Listed below are some ideas for sharing work at virtual parent-teacher conferences, when you can’t just slide a folder across the table.

• Use a document camera. Don’t try to just hold up a paper to your webcam; that’s frustrating for everyone. Instead, use screen-sharing and a document camera to look at student work.
• Prepare a slideshow. This is more work in advance, but older students can help. Have them build a Google Slideshow of their work, then add in any you want to share as well. This is a terrific way for them to take ownership of their learning and progress.
• Scan and email. If you only have a couple of pages you’d like parents to see, scan them in and send them via email before the conference starts.
• Send work home. Make copies of any work you’d like parents to see, then send it with students before conferences. This way, you’ll both have copies of the work in front of you when you talk. Don’t skip the “making copies” step so the original doesn't get lost!

Let me know if there's anything I can do to support you with parent/teacher conferences -

Sue