Look ahead for August 25, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Setting goals or "jumping through hoops?"

  As long as I have been around education, remember I was raised by two educator parents as well as having sister in laws that are teachers, I have seen lots of goal setting and professional development designed to improve education but turned out to be nothing more than "jumping through hoops."  You might even hear me from time to time talk about "playing the game" in regards to R.S.A., Title One, or T.L.E. It is very easy to see these things as just another program, "hoop to jump", or something "else" we are being told to do.
  In the coming days, weeks, and throughout the remainder of this year we will be talking professional growth and student achievement through goal setting.  These conversations will take place in regards to TLE, your classroom and the overall academic goals for Hayes Elementary.  In order to ensure that we are not creating "hoops" I want to make sure our conversations include:

Being intentional:  Take ownership of your goals instead of viewing them as part of the process.  Set a goal that will stretch your learning and improve your pedagogy.  This will help you take your abilities to the next level.

Motivation:  Set goals to motivate yourself and your students throughout the year.

A growth frame of mind:  Your attitude about goal setting, meetings, and collaboration will go a long way to determining whether you are jumping "hoops" or improving yourself and the staff.

Focus:  Make sure you set specific, measurable, reachable, and relevant goals for you and your students.

Plan:  Have a plan on how you are going to reach your goals, set up support systems with your co-workers and the office staff, track your progress, and celebrate the successes along the way.

Get out of your comfort zone, understand that you might stumble along the way, and most of all make sure your goals are what's best for the children here at Hayes Elementary.

Let's have a great week!

-Shaun Ross

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:  Sixth Grade
October:  Library/Media
November:  Fifth Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  First Grade
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:

Clint Smith - The Danger of Silence - via @TEDTalks

Smart Kids' Life Advice - via @TEDTalks

A Pep Talk for Teachers and Students - via @IamKidPresident

Articles Worth Reading:

Building Better Teachers - via @theatlantic

4 Principles Of Student - Centered Learning - via @TeachThought

The Most Dangerous Phrase In Education - via @TeachThought

Writing the New Standards: No Rush - via @okeducation

Super Duper Academic Standards? - via @jmsprincipal

15 Examples of Student-Centered Teaching - via @TeachThought

No Second Chances on a First Impression...Make Your Welcome Worth It - via @8amber8

Make a Mark by Establishing Classroom Procedures - via @coolcatteacher

27 Ways To Make This the Best Year Ever! - via @jenniferlagarde

Weekly Look Ahead:

Monday August 25, 2014 - Normal school day, IT department visit during planning time to discuss lesson plans, Google calendar, and assist with smart board, SEAS training at Hayes for Ms. Brock, Ms. Koranloo and Mr. Ross @ 1:30PM, IEP meeting at 1:50pm 

Tuesday August 26, 2014 - Grade level meetings during planning times.  We will continue looking at our data notebooks, OCCT scores from last year, and current edusoft benchmarks. Ag. in the classroom with third grade, AG in the class and Ms. Bagwell (G.E.) at the faculty meeting.  (This meeting may run a few minutes longer than normal.)  Re-Eval Prep @ 9:50am, IEP @ 1:00pm,  TLE parent meeting at 6:00pm (Not a required event unless specifically asked to assist)

Wednesday August 27, 2014 - Normal school day, OAM with Ms. Heckman during planning time.  She will help you decide your value added piece in TLE, Students of the Month for August are due!!

Thursday August 28, 2014 - Normal school day, IEP @ 9:10am, IEP @ 9:50am, IEP @ 10:30am, P.A.L. parent meeting @ 6:00pm in the Hayes Library (Not a requirement unless you are volunteering for P.A.L. tutoring)

Friday August 29, 2014 - Rise and Shine for August S.O.T.M. (P.E. and music will showcase), spirit day!

Upcoming dates of note:

Monday September 1, 2014 - Labor Day holiday
Thursday September 4, 2014 - Parent conferences from 3:30pm-6:30pm (required)
Friday September 5, 2014 - Parent conferences from 8:00am - 12:00pm (required)
Friday September 5, 2014 - 1/2 day, enjoy your afternoon.
Friday September 5, 2014 - Part two - Great Expectations in Edmond
Saturday September 6, 2014 - Part two - Great Expectations in Edmond

Tuesday September 9, 2014 - PALS after school program begins. (6th Grade)
Tuesday September 16, 2014 - Parent Title One Meeting from 6:00PM-7:00PM

Look ahead for August 18, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

Our kids need to know what you stand for and your procedures and expectations from day one.  Pick the procedures that make your class your own and stick to them.  Continue to practice as needed.  It is important to remember that you don't change up the rules from week to week or from student to student.  These two things will cause classroom disruptions, discipline issues and lower academic success.  

Stay a day ahead.  Materials should be prepared a day before a lesson is taught.  You should be prepared for your students with accommodations as well, have their accommodations ready to complete the task.  When you plan as a grade level, which most of us are doing, the grade level is counting on you to perform the task.  Whether it is making copies, creating warm-ups, or even activities related to the content it is important that you do not let you team mates, or students, down by not being ready to go.

Be the role model we are expected to be as educators.  Dress the part.  Sloppy is not an option, even on on our "spirit" days.  If you wear jeans make sure that they are not the same pair you lounge in on Saturdays.  

Be careful what you post on social media.  You never know who your friends are friends with.  It is never a comfortable conversation having to explain something you've posted in order to save your reputation or even your job.  

Finally, education is no longer a one room classroom where the teacher is isolated and independent.  Expect to work as a team, coach each other on best practices, research and find new ways to improve your craft.  Iron sharpens iron.  

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:  Sixth Grade
October:  Art/Library
November:  Fifth Grade
December:  Pre-Kindergarten
January:  Fourth Grade
February:  Kindergarten
March:  Third Grade
April:  First Grade
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:

Articles Worth Reading:

Social Media and Strategy - via @8amber8

What If You Were a Student For a Day? - via @justintarte

40 Card Games For Kids - via @deliacreates

Everyone's a Teacher, Everyone's a Learner - via @gcouros

How Google Motivates One Of It's Most Innovative Teams To Move Faster - via @businessinsider

The "Rules" of School...And Why They Are Not Really Rules - via @edjurist

Our Work Defines Our Legacy - via @NMHS_Principal

Cheers to recharging this weekend - via @WeAreTeachers

7 Books To Get Your Kids Excited For Reading - via @HuffPostBooks

Building Better Teachers - via @theatlantic

Learn More Efficiently by Planning to Teach What You're Studying - via @lifehacker

Mourning a Great Teacher: Robin Williams - via @dianeravitch

Weekly Look Ahead:

Monday August 18, 2014 - Normal school day, easy CBM benchmarking window opens. Kinder-4th

Tuesday August 19, 2014 - Grade level meetings during planning times.  We will begin to look at our data notebooks, OCCT scores from last year, and current edusoft benchmarks. We will not have an after school faculty meeting.

Wednesday August 20, 2014 - Tornado/Severe weather drill.  Normal school day, LLI training @ North Highlands Elementary (3:30pm to 4:30pm)

Thursday August 21, 2014 - Normal school day, RSA training @ Hayes Elementary (3:30pm to 5:30pm)  This is a mandatory training for Kindergarten through fourth grade.  Those who attended the trainings last week are not required to attend.  

Friday August 22, 2014 - B.L.T. meeting at 7:25am, Spirit day, LLI Training at Cesar Chavez Elementary (3:30pm to 4:30pm)

Upcoming dates of note:

Tuesday August 26, 2014 - Parent RSA Meeting from 6:00PM-7:00PM
Tuesday August 26, 2014 - Ms. Bagwell from G.E. at our faculty meeting
Wednesday August 27, 2014 - Ms. Heckman during planning time to address Value Added
Friday August 29, 2014 - August student of the month/Rise and Shine at 8:30AM.  
Tuesday September 9, 2014 - PALS after school program begins. (6th Grade)
Tuesday September 16, 2014 - Parent Title One Meeting from 6:00PM-7:00PM

Look ahead for August 11th, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

“A quality teacher-student relationship means more than the combined power of all teaching and discipline techniques known to humankind.”

Establishing positive relationships with your students and creating a community where students have relationships with each other will truly benefit your classroom atmosphere.  Quality relationships increases the quality of instruction and helps with classroom management.

Here are some ways to improve instruction, classroom management, and sustain a safe educational environment in your classroom.  

1.  Teaching procedures; Daily teaching of your classroom expectations rather than relying on "rules" and consequences.

2.  Being consistent; Students will respond to a teacher that is constant in her daily practices.

3.  Communicating in positive terms and being intentional about your tone.  i.e. "Be Quiet!" is not going to produce quality results.  

4.  Teaching with differentiation so that all students get there needs met.  Our students need it and it shows that its OK that everyone has different needs.  

5.  Teaching with excitement and enthusiasm!  

6.  Remain calm and competent in all situations.  Demonstrate to your students appropriate responses when handling difficult situations.  

7.  Making and responding appropriately to mistakes.  Students need to see you make mistakes and model being a risk taker.  Show your students that mistakes are a part of the learning process.  

8.  Encourage reflection in your classroom; reflect upon mistakes and show your students that consequences may be present it is the behavior and not the child that you don't like.  

9.  Proximity control; be present and around during independent practice and throughout the school day.  Proximity does not end at your classroom door.  A few minutes in gym or the cafeteria will go a long way towards you and your students connecting.  

FYI:  The first bench mark of the year will begin Tuesday.  I am a firm believer in "practice how you play" so we WILL be taking these exams paper and pencil using the generic answer documents that can be printed off.  From there Mr. Ingersoll will allow classes to come into the computer lab and "key in" their answers onto the computer.  This is for grades 2-5!  Sixth Graders will take their benchmarks online.

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:

Joan Halifax: Compassion and the true meaning of empathy - via @TEDTalks

Every Kid needs a Champion - Well worth your time!!!!

Articles Worth Reading:

Google Chrome Basics - via @BethStill

Laugh More, Sing More, Trust More - via @educationweek

5 Ways to Make Kids Enjoy Homework - via @medkh9

Writing Ideas for the First Week of School - via @edrethink

Oklahoma Belongs to All of Us, Not Just a Few Rich Guys - via @oklabrett

Alfie Kohn's Guidelines for Educators - via @jmsprincipal

I Know What Students Want So Why Do I Forget It? - via @pernilleripp

Together We're Better - via @benjamingilpin

Weekly Look Ahead:

Monday August 11, 2014:  Karie Carpenter from Technology department @ Hayes during planning times.  Discussion will be about Google Drive, for lesson plans, and Google Calendar.  Benchmark window begins!

Tuesday August 12, 2014:  Grade level meetings during planning time to finalize and answer questions about lesson plans.  Faculty Meeting after school concerning "Routines and Procedures"
- IEP Meeting at 1:15PM
- IEP Meeting at 2:00PM
Ms. Oltmanns and Mr. Patel to Central Office for Initial RSA Training; 3:30pm to 7:00pm

Wednesday August 13, 2014:  Normal School Day, Fire Drill, Ms. West to Asst. Principals Meeting @ 1:00pm

Thursday August 14, 2014:  Normal School Day, Mr. Ross @ Principal's Meeting, Intruder Drill (Level THREE Lockdown in handbook)
Ms. Wagner and Ms. Blythe to Central Office for Initial RSA Training; 3:30pm to 7:00pm

Friday August 15, 2014:  Spirit Day, Normal School Day
- IEP Meeting at 9:10AM

Upcoming dates of Note:

Wednesday August 20, 2014 - LLI Training @ North Highlands Elementary 3:30PM-4:30PM
Thursday August 21, 2014 - RSA Training @ Hayes Elementary 3:30PM-5:30PM
Friday August 22, 2014 - LLI Training @ Cesar Chavez Elementary 3:30PM-4:30PM
Friday August 22, 2014 - B.L.T. meeting @ 7:25AM
Monday August 25, 2014 - Karie Carpenter @ Hayes Elementary during planning time
Tuesday August 26, 2014 - Parent RSA Meeting from 6:00PM-7:00PM
Tuesday September 9, 2014 - PALS after school program begins. (6th Grade)
Tuesday September 16, 2014 - Parent Title One Meeting from 6:00PM-7:00PM

Look ahead for August 4, 2014

Notes from the Principal:

"Do I belong?" is one of the biggest concerns students have in common across all grade levels.  My challenge to each professional at Hayes Elementary, and all of OKCPS, is to give your students proof every day that yours is the right class and you are the right teacher for them.  

Five things to avoid at the beginning of the school year!

1.  Not asking for Help. - If you need help, ask!  You will not annoy your co-workers or campus administration if you have questions.   If you are struggling in an area, classroom management for example, talk to campus administration or your veteran teachers to get some ideas in order to keep the classroom a place for learning.  
2. Afraid of being firm with your students. - DO NOT BE A DOORMAT.  Do not be afraid to show your students that you are unhappy about their behavior.  Think about the students who are missing out on instruction because of disruptions and an unsafe environment... If that doesn't make you want to take control, firm up, and do what's best for the students you may need to have a long talk with yourself.  
3. Not knowing it's OK to leave the to-do list unfinished at the end of the day. - We will have days that are longer than others, but DO NOT FREAK if you leave stuff on your to-do list.  Set yourself a time to go home and address your time sensitive things first.  Tomorrow is another day.  
4. Spending WAY to much $$$. It is very easy to offer extrinsic rewards, restock supplies yourself, and not know available resources we have at Hayes Elementary.  Some ideas on keeping your hard earned money in your pocket:  Limit those rewards, find the stores that have teacher discounts, utilize the teacher warehouse, ask your peers for available resources.
5. Worrying too much. - Some worry is valid, other worries are totally ridiculous.   If you are investing in your students, designing reasonably effective lessons (even if they aren't as effective as they were in your head), and being diligent about identifying and fixing the things that truly aren't working, your students will learn.  Even if you feel like a total failure, I can promise as someone who's been there that you're not.  Keep doing your best and try to improve where you can, but don't get so hung up on the silly stuff that you are paralyzed by fear or burn out.  

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:

Ron Gutman: The Hidden Power of Smiling - via @TEDTalks

Articles Worth Reading:

What an Effective Teacher's Classroom Looks Like - via @middleweb

Why Are We Waiting For Tomorrow? - via @gcouros

A Month of Math, Magic, and Mystery - via @sciam

2 Things That Really Matter When Leading Your School, District, or Organization This Year - via @21stPrincipal

Teaching Spanish with Comprehensible Input - via @sonrisedelcampo

10 Tips For Teachers To Connect With Parents via Social Media - via @TeachThought

Awesome Classroom Visual Featuring 10 Tips for New Teachers - via @medkh9

30 Ways to Use Chromebook in Education - via @medkh9

Additional Support Sites:

www.fcrr.org - Great, and FREE, website with RTI supports.

http://okcpscurriculumteam.weebly.com/instructional-guides.html


Weekly Look Ahead:

Monday August 4, 2014:  Visit from Ron Millican (District 7 School Board Rep) and Aurora Lora (Associate Superintendent) during the school day.  Normal School Day

Tuesday August 5, 2014:  Grade Level Meetings during planning time, this includes specials teachers.  Faculty meeting after school. Normal School Day

Wednesday August 6, 2014:  McGraw Hill/Microsoft at Hayes Library at 10:00AM (Nielsen, Perry, West, Ross, Williams, Friere in Library)  Great Expectations at Hayes Elementary at 1:00PM-1:30PM  Normal School Day

Thursday August 7, 2014:  Normal School Day

Friday August 8, 2014:  Rise and Shine in the Gym, Wilmont Baptist Church soccer ball give-away, practice assembly.  First Five Days Sheets due to office!  Jeans Day.

Have a GREAT first week of school!