Look ahead for December 15th, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Make sure, 100% sure, that your classes are working and that they are doing academics the next two days.  NO exceptions.

Make sure that you are up to speed on the special schedule Mr. Patel has put out for Tuesday.  This looks to be a great opportunity for our students to get see different perspectives from around the world.

- Congrats to Ms. Herriott and her Rally Ball team for bringing home a 1st place trophy in last week's tournament.  Amazing job!

- Thank you to Ms. Davisson and Ms. West for allowing our Honor Choir to perform Christmas carols to neighborhood nursing homes.

- Thank you to Mr. Nielsen for the time and effort put into getting the Christmas packages for our needy families.  A big thank you to the OGE family who supported Hayes Elementary in this activity.

2014 - 2015 Committees:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiU29FazU0VEVJWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

Showcase Schedule for Monthly Rise and Shine:

In order for everyone to take a more active role in the Monthly Awards I am asking that each grade level participate in the showcase portion of the Rise and Shine.  Everyone on campus will have a month to show the rest of the school what's great about your classes.  You can have your students sing, dance, demonstrate, share...  Have fun with it!

August:  P.E./Music
September:  Office Staff
October:  Library/Media
November:  First Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  P.E./Music 
May:  Second Grade


Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

• English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years. 
• Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
• Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
• World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
• Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
• Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
• Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
• PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2014-2015:

- All students WILL achieve academically.
- Increase OCCT Reading scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Mathematics scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Writing scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase the number of students who qualify for promotion in RSA by 25%
- Decrease Suspensions by 25%
- School wide overall attendance to 96%
- Faculty attendance to 98%

Videos Worth Watching:

Marcus Mariota Tribute Video - This young man just won the Heisman Trophy.  This is a great, and touching, tribute to him from Pop Warner football to his days as an Oregon Duck.

Articles Worth Reading:

Choose Love - via @TechNinjaTodd

It's a Transformer - via @Jonharper70bd

An Open Letter to Oklahoma Dentists - via @jmsprincipal

Why Teachers Aren't Going Anywhere - via @twhitford

Why Kids Won't Quit Technology - via @TheAtlantic

How to care for an extrovert or introvert - via @WeAreTeachers

The Surprising Science of Why You'll Get More Done By Having Fun - via @FulfillDaily

Top 10 tips on how teachers can improve their work-life balance

Burning the Candle: Most US Kids Lack Sleep - via @nbcnews

Solving the Biggest Problem in Education - via @ajjuliani

25 Of The Best Resources For Teaching With YouTube - via @TeachThought

Change is Inevitable, Growth is Optional! - via @benjamingilpin

It can be pretty lonely on that island - via @justintarte

Culture of Compassion - via @twhitford

And Then It Happened - via @vroom6

The Kid from the Other Side of the Tracks - via @benjamingilpin


Weekly Look Ahead:  

Monday December 15, 2014 - Normal school day.  Grade level meetings in classrooms.  We will be talking about the future... no need for a Crystal Ball.  Book fair in Hayes Elementary Library.  After school tutorials from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  City volunteers to Hayes Elementary

Tuesday December 16, 2014 - Holiday Parties.  IF YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY PARTY I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IT.  AS OF RIGHT NOW I AM ONLY AWARE OF PRE-K, KINDER, AND FIRST GRADE.  Special Presentation by OU students to classes at Hayes.  You should have signed up for a time with Mr. Patel.  Please make sure you follow the schedule.  Book fair in Hayes Library.  Dessert day to celebrate the holiday season in the office, all day... please come and share during your conference/planning period. City volunteers to Hayes Elementary.

Wednesday December 17, 2014 - Principal's Meeting!!!!!!!!!  Hurrah!

Thursday December 18, 2014 - Holiday!

Friday December 19, 2014 - Holiday!  

Look ahead for December 8th, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Last week I spoke about not getting complacent and losing sight of our goal for student achievement. This week I would like to continue the conversation on test taking strategies and keeping focused on the needs of our students to be successful in the classroom as well as on the upcoming state assessments.

It is difficult for anyone to read, think, reread, answer questions and use test taking strategies for any lengthy amount of time.  The hard it is for an individual student to do any one of these things the harder the exam will be for them.  As you are aware our some of our students really struggle in the areas of reading and comprehension.  We need to continue to build reading and THINKING stamina in all of our students.  When we improve these skills the stamina for sitting, reading and thinking increases.  The commitment lies in this and the efforts to utilize your 90 minute reading block to ensure extended time for your students to read independently.  One final thought on the subject...  You GOTTA Model It!

Next week I will discuss the concept of a testing vocabulary and our need to incorporate this into our daily lessons and activities.

On a nearly-political note:  What are we aiming for in Oklahoma City Public Schools?  Education is, and will always (as far as I can see) a moving target.  Some of us continue to try and meet all students at the same time by delivering the same message, with the same expectations, and receiving the same results in return.  I believe the students at Hayes, the community surrounding it, and the teachers that make up its staff deserve a better set of results.  I linked a 7 minute video, below, called "This will revolutionize education." Take the time to watch the video and see if our "target" isn't clear and closer than ever before. While our target moves I would say it hasn't ever changed... Educate your students, one at a time, at different points in time, at different places and paces, AND never give up on a single student.  I'll ask your thoughts on the video during Tuesday's grade level meetings.

Christmas Break is coming!!!  Keep up the good work.  And for anyone who is asking; I want a red rider BB gun with a compass on the stock.  My mother, however, says I'll shoot my eye out.

2014 - 2015 Committees:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiU29FazU0VEVJWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

2014 - 2015 Peer Observation:

The peer observation window opened Friday September 26, 2014.  I will check periodically to see how everyone is doing on their observations.  Please use the link below to find out your partner.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiTHVIdDRnbUNNWnJHMElhR2xfeHNyOGVXajdF/edit?usp=sharing

Peer Observation Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiNXVnZVA1U0Jza2s/view?usp=sharing

Showcase Schedule for Monthly Rise and Shine:

In order for everyone to take a more active role in the Monthly Awards I am asking that each grade level participate in the showcase portion of the Rise and Shine.  Everyone on campus will have a month to show the rest of the school what's great about your classes.  You can have your students sing, dance, demonstrate, share...  Have fun with it!

August:  P.E./Music
September:  Office Staff
October:  Library/Media
November:  First Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  P.E./Music 
May:  Second Grade


Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

• English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years. 
• Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
• Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
• World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
• Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
• Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
• Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
• PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2014-2015:

- All students WILL achieve academically.
- Increase OCCT Reading scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Mathematics scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Writing scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase the number of students who qualify for promotion in RSA by 25%
- Decrease Suspensions by 25%
- School wide overall attendance to 96%
- Faculty attendance to 98%

Videos Worth Watching:

RSA Shorts - The Power of Empathy

They Are Watching  - @stumpteacher

This Will Revolutionize Education

Articles Worth Reading:

19 Secrets Teachers Won't Tell You - via @Buzzfeed

10 ways to calm a class after lunch or recess - via @AngelaWatson

Questions for student retention advocates - via @mcleod

Brookings: Father's Education Influences Child's Ed Attainment - via @EdNewsorg

Schools, Race And Integration: Complaint Says Charter Schools Are Resegregating Public Education - via @ibtimes

What do kids want in books? New research revealed - via @ScholasticTeach

Have You Seen Yourself Teach Lately? - via @TeachThought

Stop Ignoring Google + - via @E_Sheninger

Dog owners will understand

The Curriculum Wars: What All Children Should Learn - via @educationweek

Listening - via @casas_jimmy

What Maslow's Hierarchy Won't Tell You About Motivation - via @HarvardBiz





Weekly Look Ahead:  

Monday December 8, 2014 - Unannounced Observation cycle continues through Friday the 12th. Peer Observations continue through Friday. After school tutorials from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  Reading Buddies.  Everyday Math training for our Mathematics staff members.  THIS WILL BE A DIFFERENT KIND OF DAY.  STAY FLEXIBLE!

Tuesday December 9, 2014 - Normal school day, grade level meetings during planning (We will meet in your rooms).  After school meeting for those individuals who have not completed and turned in their safety certificates to Ms. Shue.  Those who are up to speed are excused from attending.  2 IEP meetings; 10:00AM and 2:30pm

Wednesday December 10, 2014 - Normal school day.  OKC Reading Buddies  Ross to his book study @ 2:00pm.  

Thursday December 11, 2014 - Normal school day.  After school tutorials from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  OKC Reading Buddies. IEP meeting; 8:30am - 2:00pm/6:00pm 5th/6th Grade Musical in the cafeteria

Friday December 12, 2014 - Spirit Day! Rally Ball competition @ OCCT - Honor Choir to Retirement Homes - The last Friday with students until January 9th.  

TUESDAY DECEMBER 16th:  The office staff would like for everyone to bring a desert, preferably home made, to share with the entire staff during their planning times.  There will be a sign up sheet in the office.  We hope everyone will participate in the activity.  We will set up in the office so that everyone has an opportunity to partake in the goodies.  

Look ahead for December 1st, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Just a reminder as we sprint to the Christmas holiday break that peer and informal observations are due next week.  Remember to take care of yourselves; eat your veggies, take your vitamins, and get your rest.  We are not nearly as effective when you aren't here.  No one is an expert like you are in your classroom.  Our students success depends on your being in the classroom.

Looking at the latest rounds of our benchmark exams it is clear that learning is taking place in our classrooms here at the home of the "Fighting Rutherford's."  It is important that we do not allow ourselves or our students to become complacent with the mid-year results.  We must continue to focus on instruction, quality instruction, in our classes and ensure that all of our students have the best opportunity to be successful.  One thing we will begin to look more closely at is the breakdown and needs of the sub-pops that make up our school.  These sub-pops go beyond SpEd and ELL and include Afro-American, Native American, at-risk, etc...

While our focus and direction will continue to stay on the same path as it has been all year we will need to begin transitioning towards a more focused curriculum and incorporating test taking strategies in our daily routines.  The conversations with our students needs to carry the same tone and verbiage as the upcoming standardized tests.  Our students need to hear the language on the test in every lesson we teach.  Test taking strategies need to be taught on a regular basis.  Things like how to draw out information from the text, understanding what the question is asking, and making inferences are things that need to be taught on a regular basis in our classrooms.  These strategies are not exclusive to our core content teachers but need to be extended into all aspects of the daily routine.  Specials teachers can incorporate higher level thinking into their lessons and conversations with their students.

Next week I will continue to discuss, and we will continue to incorporate, these test taking strategies in our daily routines.  Keep up the good work!

Shaun Ross

2014 - 2015 Committees:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiU29FazU0VEVJWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

2014 - 2015 Peer Observation:

The peer observation window opened Friday September 26, 2014.  I will check periodically to see how everyone is doing on their observations.  Please use the link below to find out your partner.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiTHVIdDRnbUNNWnJHMElhR2xfeHNyOGVXajdF/edit?usp=sharing

Peer Observation Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiNXVnZVA1U0Jza2s/view?usp=sharing

Showcase Schedule for Monthly Rise and Shine:

In order for everyone to take a more active role in the Monthly Awards I am asking that each grade level participate in the showcase portion of the Rise and Shine.  Everyone on campus will have a month to show the rest of the school what's great about your classes.  You can have your students sing, dance, demonstrate, share...  Have fun with it!

August:  P.E./Music
September:  Office Staff
October:  Library/Media
November:  First Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  P.E./Music 
May:  Second Grade


Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

• English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years. 
• Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
• Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
• World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
• Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
• Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
• Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
• PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2014-2015:

- All students WILL achieve academically.
- Increase OCCT Reading scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Mathematics scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Writing scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase the number of students who qualify for promotion in RSA by 25%
- Decrease Suspensions by 25%
- School wide overall attendance to 96%
- Faculty attendance to 98%

Videos Worth Watching:

Laura Trice: Remember to say thank you - via @TEDTalks

Johnny Lee: Free or cheap Wii remote hacks - via @TEDTalks

George Takei: Why I love a country that once betrayed me - via @TEDTalks

Future Ready - via @usedgov

Articles Worth Reading:

November 30 Day Challenge from @TeachThought - via @kschneider44

Thinking about the importance of open ended and effective questioning. - via @JessicaWells18

8 Qualities of Leaders Who Deliver Value Everyday - via @entmagazine

Educate With Heart - via @TonySinasis

What Are We Talking About When We Talk About Standards? - via @HuffPost

The Educational Delusion Scheme - via @jmsprincipal

3 Assumptions We Shouldn't Make About Educators - via @gcouros

Igniting Student Writer Voice With Writing Process Strategies - via @edutopia

The One Simple Question That Leads to Success - via @pickthebrain

US History Teachers Blog: Quizlet and Studying for Tests - via @kenhalla

The Week in Review - A Lifetime of Teaching - via @rmbyrne

For You, My Friend - via @shfarnsworth

Why Education Reform Cannot Work - via @idsnews



Weekly Look Ahead:  

Monday December 1, 2014 - Normal school day, Unannounced Observation cycle continues. Peer Observations continue. After school tutorials from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  Part One of Mr. Ross' evaluation at 3:00pm to 4:00pm.  OKC Reading Buddies

Tuesday December 2, 2014 - Normal school day, grade level meetings during planning.  Mr. Ross to Central Office in the morning.  2 IEP meetings @ 9:00am and 9:15am.  NO after school meeting.  OKC Reading Buddies

Wednesday December 3, 2014 - Normal school day.  November student of the month names due to front office. ELL Training in the Hayes Elementary Library from 3:30pm to 5:30pm.  REMEMBER YOU GET PAID FOR ATTENDING!!!  OKC Reading Buddies

Thursday December 4, 2014 - Normal school day.  After school tutorials from 3:15pm to 4:15pm.  OKC Reading Buddies.  Staff Holiday Party @ Chilis...  Around 4:30ish...?  Bring a small gift for the "dirty santa" exchange.  

Friday December 5, 2014 - Rise and Shine in the Cafeteria.  First Grade is showcasing.  Spirit Day! Rumble from the OKC Thunder at Hayes Elementary.   TGIF!!!!!!

Look ahead for November 24th, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Ms. West and I will be conducting some observations before we leave for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Please refrain from showing movies, having two days of make-up work, or any other form of time filler.  Utilize these days to include some online activities or have the students create something.  Do not waste these days.  The holiday doesn't begin until Wednesday, make sure we are teaching until then.

Remember that your peer observations are due by December 13th.

Remember to complete and turn in your safety training course to Ms. Shue.  Those are due by December 9th.

2014 - 2015 Committees:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiU29FazU0VEVJWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

2014 - 2015 Peer Observation:

The peer observation window opened Friday September 26, 2014.  I will check periodically to see how everyone is doing on their observations.  Please use the link below to find out your partner.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiTHVIdDRnbUNNWnJHMElhR2xfeHNyOGVXajdF/edit?usp=sharing

Peer Observation Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiNXVnZVA1U0Jza2s/view?usp=sharing

Showcase Schedule for Monthly Rise and Shine:

In order for everyone to take a more active role in the Monthly Awards I am asking that each grade level participate in the showcase portion of the Rise and Shine.  Everyone on campus will have a month to show the rest of the school what's great about your classes.  You can have your students sing, dance, demonstrate, share...  Have fun with it!

August:  P.E./Music
September:  Office Staff
October:  Library/Media
November:  First Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  P.E./Music 
May:  Second Grade


Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

• English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years. 
• Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
• Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
• World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
• Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
• Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
• Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
• PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2014-2015:

- All students WILL achieve academically.
- Increase OCCT Reading scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Mathematics scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Writing scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase the number of students who qualify for promotion in RSA by 25%
- Decrease Suspensions by 25%
- School wide overall attendance to 96%
- Faculty attendance to 98%

Videos Worth Watching:

HBO's John Oliver on State Lotteries and Education - via @educationweek  - Watch on your own time and not around kiddos.  Great content, but shown on HBO.


Articles Worth Reading:

Are you smarter than a 19th century student? - via @TEDTalks

What to Do With That Awkward 5 or 10 Minutes You Have Left  - via @WeAreTeachers

ReadWorks Offers Thanksgiving-themed Articles and Questions for K-12 Classrooms - via @rmbyrne

I Am A Dad With Stage 4 Lung Cancer, And Here's What I Know Now - via @BloggerFather

Weekly Look Ahead:  

Monday November 17, 2014 - Normal school day, Unannounced Observation cycle continues. Peer Observations continue. After school tutorials.

Tuesday November 18, 2014 - Normal school day, GREEN FOLDER PARTY during grade level meetings.  Fifth and Sixth Grade teachers will begin looking at the benchmark data.

Wednesday November 19, 2014 - Holiday

Thursday November 20, 2014 - Thanksgiving!

Friday November 21, 2014 - Holiday

Look ahead for November 17th, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Welcome back Ms. Johnson!

Continue to keep Ms. Perry, Ms. Wingate's mother and Ms. Lindsey in your thoughts.

This week we will complete the mathematics benchmarks this week, we will talk about the results next Tuesday.  We will be completing the exams in small groups and trying to recreate the testing atmosphere that we know is coming up in the spring.  If you have an student who is not on an ELL or Sp. Ed. list you need to keep them in your room.  With the exception of sixth grade these exams will be taken with pencil and paper.  ALL exams, no exceptions, will be taken during the allotted times on Wednesday and Thursday.  We are trying to recreate the upcoming O.C.C.T. exams.

Remember that your peer observations are due by December 13th.

Remember to complete and turn in your safety training course to Ms. Shue.

2014 - 2015 Committees:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiU29FazU0VEVJWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

2014 - 2015 Peer Observation:

The peer observation window opened Friday September 26, 2014.  I will check periodically to see how everyone is doing on their observations.  Please use the link below to find out your partner.  

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiTHVIdDRnbUNNWnJHMElhR2xfeHNyOGVXajdF/edit?usp=sharing

Peer Observation Guide:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3lrYycQKGUiNXVnZVA1U0Jza2s/view?usp=sharing

Showcase Schedule for Monthly Rise and Shine:

In order for everyone to take a more active role in the Monthly Awards I am asking that each grade level participate in the showcase portion of the Rise and Shine.  Everyone on campus will have a month to show the rest of the school what's great about your classes.  You can have your students sing, dance, demonstrate, share...  Have fun with it!

August:  P.E./Music
September:  Office Staff
October:  Library/Media
November:  First Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  P.E./Music 
May:  Second Grade


Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Available accommodations for the OCCT:

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2014-08-07/oklahoma-accommodations-guide

A quick guide to standards and assessments:

• English Language Arts: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school year – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Mathematics: 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 school years – PASS standards, PASS-aligned assessments.
• Science: 2014-2015 school year – begin transition to science standards adopted into rule in June 2014; PASS-aligned assessments for grades 5, 8, and Biology 1 for high school for 2014-2105 and 2015-2016 school years. 
• Social Studies: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies as adopted in 2012; All four social studies assessments are OAS-aligned in Grades 5, 7, and 8, as well as high school U.S. History. All four assessments will be fully operational in 2014-2015.
• Fine Arts: 2014-2015 school year – transition to new standards adopted by law in June of 2014, The annual district arts assessment report will be due at the Oklahoma State Department of Education the end of May 2015.
• World Languages: 2014-15 school year – PASS standards, no state assessment. New standards will be written beginning fall 2014.
• Personal Financial Literacy: 2014-2015 school year – Oklahoma Academic Standards for Personal Financial Literacy as adopted in 2008, no state assessment.
• Health/Safety Education: 2014-2015 school year – PASS Standards, no state assessment.
• Kindergarten: 2014-2015 school year – PASS standards, no state assessments.
• PreKindergarten: 2014-2015 PASS standards; no state assessments.

Hayes Elementary Academic goals for 2014-2015:

- All students WILL achieve academically.
- Increase OCCT Reading scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Mathematics scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase OCCT Writing scores for all subgroups by 25%
- Increase the number of students who qualify for promotion in RSA by 25%
- Decrease Suspensions by 25%
- School wide overall attendance to 96%
- Faculty attendance to 98%

Videos Worth Watching:

John Oliver Tonight - New Neutrality - View on your own time!!!!


Articles Worth Reading:

Dyslexia in the General Education Classroom - via @edutopia

Relationships plus technology equals...? - via @gcouros

End the 'Easy A's' in Teacher Prep - via @educationweek

Full Circle: A Special Education Teacher's Story of Hope - via @WeAreTeachers

5 Things I Learned to Say That Changed the Way I Taught - via @pernilleripp

And now for a non-election blog post... - via @okeducation

Hanta Yo! - via @james409jason

What it really means to be a public school educator today - via @washingtonpost

Teacher to parents: About THAT kid (the one who hits, disrupts, influences YOUR kid) - via @washingtonpost

What to do when your kid just doesn't 'get it' - via @teachmama


Weekly Look Ahead:  

Monday November 17, 2014 - Normal school day, Unannounced Observation cycle continues. Peer Observations continue. After school tutorials.  First and Third graders don't forget about our Oklahoma City Tutors.

Tuesday November 18, 2014 - Normal school day, 6th Grade PAL, Character Counts.  Grade level meetings during planning period.  After school Meeting in the Library at 3:30pm "First 1/4 Review."

Wednesday November 19, 2014 - Normal school day, Winter mathematics benchmarks for Grades 2-5.  We will take the exams with our small groups for ELL, SpEd and 504 groups.

Thursday November 20, 2014 - Normal school day, after school tutorials.  Winter mathematics benchmarks for Grades 2-5 day two.  Small groups for ELL, SpEd, and 504 groups.  Mr. Ross at "The great Conversation."  Hayes Elementary has been selected to display the artwork for UCO's " A Noble Profession."  The National teacher of the year and State teacher of the year will be speaking at this engagement.  It is from 3:30pm to 6:30pm at UCO.  

Friday November 21, 2014 - Spirit day.  Winter mathematics benchmark make-ups.  Mr. Ross at "The Great Conversation."