Look ahead for March 2, 2015

Notes from the Principal:

25 days until O.C.C.T testing.  Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth grade teachers really need to push our students to attend intercession.  If you need anything let the office know ASAP!!!  Monday is Dr. Seuss day.  If you would like to dress up, do it!  If not, I understand completely.

We have J.A. on campus Wednesday, please remind your students how to act when we have visitors in the building.

Our Grade level competition begins the Monday we return from Spring break.  We will talk about it to the kiddos at Rise and Shine on Friday.

Let's think about the following:  

How do I react when I am interrupted?  
Do I tune in to what my students are feeling?
Do my words match my actions?
Can I admit my mistakes and recognize my limitations?
Can I separate the act from the child?
Do I teach for the teachable moment?
Am I tuned into my students special needs?
Do I avoid showing favoritism?
Am I enthusiastic about teaching?
If I were a child, would I want me as a teacher?

Take a few minutes to reflect and think through your answers to these questions.  I will be asking individuals throughout the week about their answers.  

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 5th
February:  Kindergarten - March 6th
March:  Third Grade - April 3rd
April:  P.E./Music - May 1st
May:  Second Grade - May 22nd 


*** Oklahoma State Blueprints: ***

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2013-09-05/blue-prints-plds-item-specs

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:

Why Principals Matter - via @TheAtlantic

Students' Views on Teachers, Policy Hold Sway in Georgia District - via @educationweek

A Square Peg in a Round Hole - via @MikeAnderson

Everybody hates Pearson - via @jennrein

Articles Worth Reading:

Indiana: Half of Voucher Students Never Attended Public School - via @DianeRavitch

Good Advice - via @WeAreTeachers

Why aren’t more teachers using tech? - via @TeachersApps

Grades 1-2: Read Across America Day - via @ScholasticTeach

5 Google Chrome Apps for Social Studies Teachers - via @medkh9

30 Trends In Education Technology For 2015 - via @teachthought

Happy Talk History - via @nytimes

The Next Great Migration - via @nytimes

Social Media is the new Fridge - via @Joesanfelippofc

Kansas could put teachers in prison for assigning books prosecutors don’t like - via @salon

A Comprehensive List of Education-Related Twitter Chats for Teachers - via @medkh9

5 Classroom Strategies That Help Introverts and Extroverts Do Their Best Work - via @graphite

What do you want leaders to do with technology? - via @conprin

Breaking the Cycle of Homelessness for America’s Students and Families - via @usedgov

Brilliant minds do not always shine on standardized tests - via @ToddWhitaker

Seven Surprising Things About Creativity - via @edrethink

Ready to Ramp Up Reading! - via @benjamingilpin


Weekly Look Ahead:  Formal observations are open. 

Monday March 2, 2015 - Dr. Seuss Day!  Everyone can wear there favorite Seuss costume!  After school tutorials.  Mr. Ross to Camelot @ 2:00pm for staffing update for the 2014-2015 school year.  IEP @ 10:50am.

Tuesday March 3, 2015 - Normal school day.  IEP @ 8:00am and 2:00pm.  Ms. West and Mr. Ross to the OKCPS job fair from 4:00pm to 7:00pm @ Grant H.S.  NO FACULTY MEETING.  

Wednesday March 4, 2015 - J.A. in a day to Hayes Elementary.  IEP meeting at 12:00pm.  Wagner Bridal Shower after school.

Thursday March 5, 2015 - Normal school day.  1st/2nd Grade musical (2:00pm and 6:00pm)  After school tutoring.  

Friday March 6, 2015 - Spirit day.  Rise and Shine in the Gym!  Kindergarten showcase.  

Look ahead for February 23, 2015

Notes from the Principal:

30 days until O.C.C.T testing.  The fifth grade writing test is Wednesday.  Please emphasize to your students the importance of being quiet and orderly in the hallways while tests are taking place.  We will have several small groups testing around the campus.  Therefore it is important to minimize distractions and hallway movement.

I am seeing some good things taking place in the classrooms at every grade level.  Everyone is working to make sure our students have the best chance to be successful.  I really appreciate everyone's efforts.  They will pay off!

Our testing grades have a four week instructional focus, plus the "dead week" before the exam, to emphasize key areas of instruction in order to increase student achievement.  Small group tutorials will be using the same key areas in order to create the biggest bang for the buck.  "Dead week" will be used to go over test taking strategies, focus on key areas that create the best chance to show student gain, and rest before the testing window opens.  We will also have our testing pep rally on the 10th of that week.  So... get your best cheers ready!

Intercession teachers; begin planning those lessons now and let the office know if you are needing materials, consumables, copies, etc. so that we can help make intercession a success.  Last call for anyone interested, even for a day, to teach intercession.  We will certainly welcome the help.

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 5th
February:  Kindergarten - March 6th
March:  Third Grade - April 3rd
April:  P.E./Music - May 1st
May:  Second Grade - May 22nd 


*** Oklahoma State Blueprints: ***

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2013-09-05/blue-prints-plds-item-specs

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:

Powerful Inspirational true story...Don't give up! - 1992 Barcelona Olympic's 400 meter runner.  ...gets me every time.

World Best Motivational Videos for Students - Take a look!

A Must See Motivational Video - Take another look!

Articles Worth Reading:

Beyond Knowing Facts, How Do We Get to a Deeper Level of Learning? - via @MindShiftKQED

State Superintendent Joy Hofmeister says she'll work to fix lawmaker AP history bill - via @AndreaEger

Hofmeister Speaks Future of Education to Tulsa Crowd - via @KTULNews

Literacy Leadership Across the Curriculum - via @TeachToLead

APUSH: What you can still do - via @okeducation

Why Annual State Testing Matters - via @educationweek GREAT INSIGHT!!!!!

Teacher Leadership Makes Inroads, But Strives for Permanency - via @educationweek

50 Questions To Help Students Think About What They Think - via @TeachThought

Would you welcome a Home Visit? - via @benjamingilpin

iPads In Special Ed: What Does The Research Say? - via @npr

Some students need our help -  via @mcleod

101 Ways For Teachers To Be More Creative - via @TeachThought

Letting Your Kids Play in the Social Media Sandbox - via @nytimes

Vouchers: Not a Gift for Students - via @okeducation

Teachers Need Genius Hour, Too - via @edrethink

25 Fascinating Facts That Will Make You Wish You Could Speak Every Language in the World - via @22words

How to Help Students Develop the Growth Mindset With #20time - via @markwguay

10 Ways to make your classroom cozier for gifted students  - via @ByrdseedGifted


Weekly Look Ahead:  Formal observations are open. 

Monday February 23, 2015 - Normal school day.  Pre-Kindergarten ZOO trip postponed.  After school tutoring.

Tuesday February 24, 2015 - Faculty Meeting; J.A. in a day visiting and Ms. Wolfe sharing out. Everyday Mathematics training during planning time (1st-6th Grade) IEP meeting at 10:50am.  

Wednesday February 25, 2015 - 5th Grade OCCT Writing Exam.  Fifth Grade and Pre-Kindergarten Specials Flip.  Please be mindful that testing will be taking place in the building.  Keep your students quiet and respectful that their school mates are testing.  Mr. Ross to the TLE task force meeting at Camalot; 8:30am.

Thursday February 26, 2015 - Normal school day.  After school tutoring.

Friday February 27, 2015 - Spirit day.  BLT Meeting in the Library at 7:30am.  Donuts for Dads in the school Cafeteria at 8:00am.

Look ahead for February 15, 2015

Notes from the Principal:

We will be taking the Mathematics benchmarks this Tuesday and Wednesday.  Grades two through five will be paper and pencil while sixth grade will be using the chromebooks in their classrooms.

Don't forget that Tuesday is the test administration faculty meeting.  Everyone needs to be in attendance.

Something special hits when our OCCT countdown hits 30!

Good behavior must be taught systematically.  The majority of behavior, ours included, is learned.  As teachers we must be intentional in how we approach teaching the expected behaviors in our classrooms and hallways.  What this means is we MUST continue to teach good behaviors from the first day of the school year to the last.  There is no exception for "by this time of year they should..." We must teach it, reteach it, and teach it again.  "If not now, when?" - Winston Churchill

As teachers, we have endless opportunities to speak.  Sometimes we need to take a step back and let silence do the talking.  Remember that calm is contagious and that silence is a powerful tool in a teachers arsenal.  Self control is huge.  Avoid power struggles with your students.  Good discipline is all about good timing.  Tell your students once and then honor their decision or choice.  This is for both positive and negative choices.  Practice makes permanent!  Don't climb the ladder and allow yourself to ratchet up problems or classroom disruptions.  Stay in control and continue building your high achieving classrooms.

Model, model, model.  I do, we do, you do.  Teach your children your classroom expectations, measure their performance and apply the appropriate consequence, again both positive and negative.

One final note:  I was VERY pleased with how our students participated and acted during the assembly on Friday morning.  However, that's where my satisfaction ends.  Friday marks my biggest disappointment while at Hayes Elementary.  I did not like how the majority of the classes acted during their specials times or interacting with our guests.  It is extremely disappointing to see my teachers allowing their students to be off-task and showing a poor example of what we do at Hayes Elementary everyday.  I expect that our next opportunity to have visitors will be met with a much better result.  I also know that ALL of my teachers are professional and will make the appropriate changes needed to satisfy my expectations.  If we do not improve in those areas we, the leadership team and campus administration, will be discussing if we wish to continue parties and other special activities at Hayes Elementary.  Parties and special events are not a mandatory part of the school year.

Let's have a great week of work.  Push those kids in the areas they need to see improvement in order to be successful in the classroom and on the state exams.  35 days to testing.

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 5th
February:  Kindergarten - March 6th
March:  Third Grade - April 3rd
April:  P.E./Music - May 1st
May:  Second Grade - May 22nd 


*** Oklahoma State Blueprints: ***

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2013-09-05/blue-prints-plds-item-specs

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 Snyder - The Philosophical Breakfast Club - via @TEDTalks

Articles Worth Reading:

Oklahoma City School District teacher shows students different cultures through Multicultural Day

Is Leadership Style Born...or Made?  - via @JrSchug

Revealing Change - via @AngelaMaiers

Parental involvement overrated? Don't buy it - via @cnn

Literature and Society: Creating Thinkers - via @thenerdyteacher

What If... - via @DaisyDyerDuerr

The Jen Roberts Report - via @JenRoberts1

Social & Emotional Development - via @educationnation

Design Thinking for Libraries

9 Ways To Help Students Learn Through Their Mistakes - via @TeachThought


Weekly Look Ahead:  Formal observations are open.  

Monday February 16, 2015 - Normal school day.  George Washington's birthday.  After school tutoring.

Tuesday February 17, 2015 - Alternate schedule. Faculty Meeting, I need everyone in attendance.  3rd through 6th grade team meetings in Office.  Mathematics benchmark day one beginning at 9:00am.  IEP Meeting at 12:00pm

Wednesday February 18, 2015 - Alternate schedule.  Mathematics benchmark day two beginning at 9:00am.  IEP Meeting at 12:00pm

Thursday February 19, 2015 - Normal school day.  After school tutoring.  IEP meeting at 12:00pm

Friday February 20, 2015 - Spirit day.  Ms. Williams/Ms. Ingersoll Baby Shower at 3:30pm.  Please make plans to stop by and take part.  

Look ahead for February 9, 2015

Notes from the Principal:

We will be taking the Reading benchmarks this Wednesday and Thursday.  We will take the Mathematics Benchmarks next week.  Grades two through five will be paper and pencil while sixth grade will be using the chromebooks in their classrooms.

We will be having our Test administration meeting on the 17th of this month.  Everyone needs to make plans to attend.

I apologize for the short message this week as my four month old is being particularly needy... he has the same upper respiratory junk I have been fighting for over a week.

There are some good articles this week, take a moment to read them.  And, you can always go back to the prior links and read those as well.

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 5th
February:  Kindergarten - March 6th
March:  Third Grade - April 3rd
April:  P.E./Music - May 1st
May:  Second Grade - May 22nd 


*** Oklahoma State Blueprints: ***

http://ok.gov/sde/documents/2013-09-05/blue-prints-plds-item-specs

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:

The Power of Vulnerability - via @patrickmlarkin

Ken Robinson: How schools kill creativity - via @TEDTalks

Articles Worth Reading:

What if Middle Schools Started Adding Recess? - via @edrethink

Innovation and imagination at Greenwood - via MNSunSailor

The factory model of schooling undermines teacher nurturing - via @mcleod

Don't Ask for New Ideas If Your Not Ready to Act on Them  - via @HarvardBiz

You train a monkey. You ignite teachers. - via @TeachingQuality

Life in the Gray - via @danpbutler

Oklahoma Schools Superintendent Hofmeister eliminates field tests for this year's state writing exams - via @capitalbeatok


Weekly Look Ahead:  Formal observations are open.  

Monday February 9, 2015 - Normal school day.  TONS of teachers out... as of the time of this post we have 9 out.  After school tutorials resumes.  Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers to the early childhood conference in MWC.  The office must know if you are having a party on Friday but 4:00pm.

Tuesday February 10, 2015 - Normal school day.  No after school meeting.  3rd through 6th grade meetings during their planning time.  Pre-K and Kindergarten teachers to the early childhood conference in MWC.  

Wednesday February 11, 2015 - Normal school day.  Reading Benchmark Part 1 beginning at 9:00am.  Grades 2 through 6 are participating.  Ms. West to her A.P. meeting at 1:00pm 

Thursday February 12, 2015 - Normal school day.  Reading Benchmark Part 2 at 9:00am.  Grades 2 through 6 are participating.  After school tutorials.  Mr. Ross at Principal's meeting @ 7:30am.  

Friday February 13, 2015 - Spirit day.  Valentine Parties in the afternoon.  United World Valentine's Party.  

Look ahead for February 2, 2015

Notes from the Principal:

Next week opens the Edusoft Benchmark window.  We WILL be setting this final benchmark just like we are having our students take the OCCT exams.  Small groups, accommodations, etc...  Teach those skills that our kids need in order to be successful test takers and critical thinkers.

Recently we've seen an increase in the behaviors that keep classes from being places of learning. Classes taking twenty minute bathroom breaks, students taking advantage of the trust they have built up with their teachers, and general non-compliance that happens because, after all, we teach children.  I wonder how many days of instruction we lose if we were to add up all of the time spent focusing on these non instructional things that happen from day to day.  If we are spending even 5 minutes a day on classroom disruptions that is 910 minutes, or 15+ HOURS, of instruction time lost. 15+ hours of lost instruction for students who do not get enough support at home is unacceptable.
How much instruction time do we think we are losing by giving a student five warnings? How many other low level, minor, behaviors are causing us to lose out on instruction time?  Think about that.

My hope is that everyone will continue to use the strategies you have in your tool bag, keep things in perspective, and understand the importance of class time.  Model those behaviors you want to see exhibited in your classroom.  Model, model, and then model some more.  Do not accept distractions that will cause your students to lose focus.  Reward your students that are doing the right thing and give appropriate consequences for those who are not meeting your expectations.

One more note... Everyone is working really hard with their students.  I can not complain about anyone's efforts towards preparing our students for success.  I appreciate each and everyone's hard work.

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 5th
February:  Kindergarten - March 6th
March:  Third Grade - April 3rd
April:  P.E./Music - May 1st
May:  Second Grade - May 22nd 


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:

Baby goat desperate to head butt a horse shows determination - via @mashable

Dan Meyer: Math class needs a makeover - via @TEDTalks

Ken Robinson: How schools kill creativity - via @TEDTalks

Articles Worth Reading:

The Difference Between Differentiation and Personalized Learning - via @TeachThought

OKMath 2014 Survey Responses - via @OKMathTeachers

Most Important Lessons We Can Learn from Children - via@thesocialcmo

I Am Horrible and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves - via @tra_hall

The 18 Habits of Highly Creative People - via @FulfillDaily

7 Super Bowl Lesson Pans and Resources for the Classroom - via @edutopia

Rapid Release of Responsibility:You Do, We Do, I Do  - via @educationweek

Things Every Teacher Should Be Able to Do On YouTube - via @medkh9

Authentic Accountability - via @thelearningnation

Kids and Family Reading Report - via @ScholasticTeach



Weekly Look Ahead:  Formal Observation Window is Open

Monday February 2, 2015 - Normal school day.  Groundhog day.  After school tutorials.

Tuesday February 3, 2015 - Normal school day.  No after school meeting.  3rd through 6th grade meetings during their planning time.  2 IEP meetings.  Student of the Month, January, are due to the office.  

Wednesday February 4, 2015 - Normal school day.  Second Grade Field Trip.  10:00am RSA Literacy visit to Hayes Elementary.  Hayes Elementary Accreditation at 3:00pm at Camelot.  

Thursday February 5, 2015 - Spirit day!  Rise and Shine in the GYM.  Parent conferences from 3:30pm to 6:30pm.  No after school tutorials.  

Friday February 6, 2015 - Student holiday.  Parent conferences from 8:00am to 12:00pm.  Two and a half day weekend.  SLO's are due to Mr. Ross no later than Noon.