Our countdown is nearly finished.  We have almost crossed the finish line.  Just four days to go.  

This weekend I was looking through posts on Instagram and saw many people across the country posting about staff leaving for summer and surviving a year of working in a school during a pandemic.  It seemed surreal.  The staff looked tired... yet proud and accomplished.  They looked defeated... yet humbled and satisfied.  Did we also just really live through holding in person school for students during a pandemic too?  We did! This year we all, no matter our role on campus, worked hard and faced challenges that didn't seem to be possible in our lifetime.  As you enjoy this last few days on campus with students and your peers, take some time to recognize what you have overcome.  Think through the faculty meeting topics at the beginning of the year, the ever changing requirements for exclusions and safety protocols, and the ongoing difficulty of students and staff coming and going this year.  Take time to also celebrate what you were able to accomplish on top of your already full plates.  You loved on kids and made them feel comfortable and safe being back in school, you leant eachother helping hands when areas needed cleaned or lesson plans needed prepping for a coworker, you delivered items to students that were home sick, and you held amazing events to help families and students still feel connected.  

You smashed the Impossible Mission that 2020-2021 threw at you.  Sure, you are tired.  We, too, are ready for a breather.  But, James and I couldn't be more proud of how you handeled this challenging and humbling year.  Without a doubt, you rose to the challenge that James put on you at the start of the year when he said that we needed to be the staff in the county the stayed focused on our effort and attitude.  He said we wouldn't be the staff that settled into excuses or let ourselves forget that we were here for the kids.  You did just that.  Almost daily, you stopped and checked in on each other, or on us.  You stepped up to find ways to think out of the box to make school special.  You are amazing.  You have survived.  Thank you for being you.  You truly deserve all the sunshine that summer time has in store for you.

Admin Off Campus:

James and I will be off campus on Wednesday and Thursday this week to attend our last two days of training with the Department of Education.  We are excited for this opportunity, but realize it is somewhat bad timing.  We have asked Phebe Westby, our district Language Arts Curriculum and Instruction Specialist, to serve as our replacement for the day.  Phebe is a former DCE teacher and is a wealth of knoweldge.  She'll be an awesome help to any of you that need it!

Fire Drill:

We have a fire drill scheduled for Wednesday, but are trying to move it.  This is a stinky day as we will be off campus and there is a good chance of rain all week.  Although it seems silly to hold a drill, it is required because students are on campus in the month of June.  Due to the likelihood of rain, we are tentaively planning to try to hold the drill TUESDAY afternoon at 1:50 pm if the skies are clear.  Please be preapred for a drill at any time this week when it is sunny outside if it happens to rain Tuesday afternoon.

5th Grade Rocket Day:

Our fifth grade team will be taking classes outside to participate in Rocket Day on Thursday, June 3.  The students will be launching their rockets from the Deep Creek Walker sidwalk into the fields.  Because of this, we will need to have you avoid the field area most of the day.  The playground equipment and basketball court will be fine for use.  

Retirements/Farewells Breakfast:

We will be holding a staff meeting on June 7 at 8:30 am for the entire staff.  This will be an opportunity for us to gather together for one last breakfast and to say our goodbyes to our retirees and to staff that are moving on to new places.  We will meet in the cafeteria so we can spread out.

Paraprofessionals:

Just a reminder that paraprofessionals work this year on our teacher work day, which is June 7.  If you are a para in a CD room, please report to your assigned classroom.  If you are a grade level para, please report to the program planner's room.  If the teachers do not need assistance, please come by the office.  We have some projects that we could use your help for if you are up for organizing!

End of Year Checklist:

If you are a paraprofessional with a chromebook checked out, please be sure to turn it in to me in my office before you leave for summer.  You will need to wrap your powercord and place it on top of your chromebook.  

Teachers, please be sure to complete your end of year checklist.  Once your room is ready, please call James or me and we will come by your room to sign you off.

Open Positions:

We are currently still looking for two teachers for our CD classrooms for next year.  We will also be interviewing soon for our Reading Recovery position.  This summer we will be posting open paraprofessional positions as well.  If you know anyone that is interested in becoming a Cub, please help us spread the word!

This Week's Schedule:

Happy last four days.  Please reach out to us via email or text if you need anything while we are gone. 

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 5.24.21

9 days.... 9 days left with our kiddos in one of the most challenging years many of us ever have faced or ever will face in education.  We have 9 days left to make our mark on our Cubs.  9 days to mark their hearts with fond memories of us as a staff and of their peers, to mark their minds with excitement for learning, and to fill them with love for our school in a way that makes them long to be back while they are gone for summer break.  

As we have gone through interviews in the last two weeks we have asked candidates to share why they decided to go into the field of education.  A recent candidate shared that as a first grader she knew she wanted to be a teacher, so she started a journal that she wrote in about the pros and cons of her teacher.  She then kept this journal going all throughout her years of schooling.  Why would she do this?  At the young age of 6 she realized at that there were things that she wanted to carry with her and implement once she was a teacher, and things that staff did in school that she wanted to be sure to not do.  Why do we tell you this?  The impression, or mark, we leave on our students is powerful.  Students watch every move we make.  

This year has been challenging.  Some of our Cubs have been challenging.  But, even for those most challenging students... we have 9 days left to make that positive, meaningful mark on them.  What will your mark be on each of your students?  Which student needs a bit more love before they head off for summer?  Which may need a positive academic celebration to make them realize that they are capable of hard things and that they have grown so much in their year with you?  Which student admires one of our support staff and may benefit from some time with them?  Which students may light up getting one last leadership award in the office?  Which students may aspire to be something great someday because of a little seed you planted in their minds through a great book or conversation?  As you start these last 9 days of school, look at each of your students one at a time.  Think about what they may need. Then, make your mark!

Fifth Grade Promotion

We are so excited that we will have the opportunity to do a promotion ceremnoy for our 5th graders this year.  They will be celebrated in our back field on Wednesday at 9:30.  Please be sure that you have read Mr. Vernon's emails about lunch changes for the day and see the schedule below.  We also will need to have all staff park in the front parking lot or at the church next door.  We need to leave the bus loop open for parent parking.

Bagged Lunches: Students in grades Pre-K through fourth grade will receive bagged lunches on Wednesday, May 26 due to fifth grade promotion.  Grade levels will follow the lunch schedule below to come and pick up their bags from the cafeteria.  Class should follow their order for normal lunch with two minutes between classes.

11:00 - 2nd Grade (11:00, 11:02, 11:04, 11:06, 11:08, 11:10, 11:12, 11:14)

11:16 - 4th Grade (11:16, 11:18, 11:20, 11:22, 11:24, 11:26)

11:28 - Kindergarten (11:28, 11:30, 11:32, 11:34, 11:36, 11:38, 11:40, 11:42)

11:44 - First Grade (11:44, 11:46, 11:48, 11:50, 11:52, 11:54, 11:56, 11:58) *Teachers that have students in the LLI group at this time should be the last classes to go to lunch and LLI kids will need to leave group a few minutes early)

12:00 - 3rd Grade (12:00, 12:02, 12:04, 12:06, 12:08, 12:10, 12:12)

12:12 - Pre-K

12:30 - Fifth Grade Luncheon

Recess - There will need to be a few changes for recess times.  Pre-K, please avoid the playground from 9:15-11:00 and coordinate with kindergarten for a time that they are not out there.  4th grade can go outside at 1:50.  Third grade will need to check outside and see if the promotion ceremony is over as we will be cutting it close to your scheduled time.  If this occurs, you can have your classes play a game in the courtyard for a few minutes and then head to the back areas.

Campus Cleanup

We need the help of our Cubs to make our campus shine.  It has been quite awhile since families have been able to visit our campus, and this week our fifth grade families get to do just that.  We need help making the back fields, playground areas, and bus loop area look nice.  If your class has some time on Monday and Tuesday, please have them assist us in gathering up garbage, stray water bottles, jackets, etc that are in these areas.  If your students see that the back area has already been cleaned up by other students, we would love their help in the courtyard areas as well!

Weekly Schedule

We know that things have been crazy busy and overwhelming.  There is a lot that has been going on and a lot that we have had to ask of you.  Thank you for hanging in there with us.  We appreciate you lots.  Please stop by or email us if there is anything you need in our last couple of weeks!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 5.17.21

There are only three weeks of school left!  It is hard to believe that one of our most challenging years ever is approaching the end.  We have almost made it!  Our students are starting to feel the excitement of summer time approaching.  As you lesson plan for the last few weeks of school, find some creative ways to keep the kids engaged.  Although it may seem like the perfect time to ease off, our kiddos still have some gaps to close to be as ready as possible for the upcoming school year.  Now, this doesn't have to mean worksheets and essays.  However, think about some fun ways to keep learning alive.  Maybe take them outside with sidewalk chalk to solve some math problems, complete an escape room challenge, do a balloon pop for each day left of the year which contains an academic fun activity, toss balls into buckets for correct answers, or even have your kiddos play the snot game using colored Vaseline to pick up question cards for their team.

Testing:

We have made it to the last week of FSA testing!  This week our fifth graders tackle science testing on Tuesday and Wednesday.  This will cause two more days of schedule changes.  Let's rally one more time and wear our Mission Possible shirts on Tuesday to show our support!

You should also be getting close to wrapping up end of year assessments (DRA, STAR, etc.).  All of these data points are important for making decisions for class placement for next year, seeing how much our Cubs have grown despite the obstacles that we have faced, and to compare the data to FSA for the first time.  

Staff Meeting:

This week we will be holding our staff meeting at 7:20 on Thursday on DCE meets.  We have a lot of end of year information to go over with you so we will be starting right on time!  Make sure you have some paper with you to take notes if needed.

Awards:

Our end of year awards assemblies are taking place this week.  With a busy last two weeks of school we had to shift them to be a few days earlier than normal.  We are planning on this being a wonderful time for our students to come together to celebrate their accomplishments this year.  There are a few more awards to hand out compared to our middle of year ceremonies, so we will be moving through them a bit quicker.

This Week's Schedule:

We hope you have a great week!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 5.10.21

 

We have 725 students on this campus and I know you treat each of these students like they are your own.  So I hope all of you ladies enjoyed a wonderful weekend and a Happy Mother's Day.  You all deserve it.

Staff Appreciation Week

Thank you for your emails about Staff Appreciation Week.  We are glad you enjoyed it.  Please know that you are appreciated every week.  As we have been conducting interviews the last few weeks I always tell them about the DCES staff and how you all work to create a positive environment.  I share that We Are Cubs and work hard to be a school family that supports each other, collaborates with each other and has fun while working hard.  I know we have "bumps" along the way but I really want to keep improving to make DCES a magical place for our Cubs and a place where our students and staff feel they are part of something special.  

Testing

Testing is continuing this week.  4th and 5th grade Cubs will be completing the Mathematics sections of FSA on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Also each day this week make ups will be taking place in different areas on campus. Each morning of testing, you will receive an email of who is testing and in which locations. Please be sure to avoid these areas most of the day.  Many of our students have extended time accommodations and have been using this testing time well into the afternoon.  We want to be sure to give them the best possible testing environment.  K-2 classrooms will also continue DRA Testing and the STAR Assessments.  Thank you for your continued help as we are pulling all hands on deck to make testing possible.  Also a big thank you to Keli and Marie as they have figured out all these schedules, logistics and the morning snacks.

Schedule 

Four weeks left for students.  Stay focused. Stay positive.  Make sure students are constantly supervised.  We want to finish this crazy year strongly.

Have a great week.

Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo

We can't begin to thank you enough for how amazing you all truly are!  Every school year is challenging, but this one has been extremely so.  Since the onset of the school year, you all have taken anything that we have asked of you and done it without complaint.  We have had to shift our interactions with each other by wearing masks or meeting virtually, we have had to take on extra responsibilities such as wiping down surfaces and posting lesson plans online for absent students, we survived drive through and off campus events to allow our families to still feel connected to our campus, and you have jumped in and covered classrooms and duties... just to name a few.  We wish we could truly show you just how much you each mean to us, but we hope that this week brings you some laughs and some good food that remind you that you are loved.  Although the week is busy with testing, please find some time to sit with a coworker and enjoy a meal or hop into the photo booth to snap some silly pictures.  And, don't forget your opportunity to participate in the trivia question each day for the possibility of winning a prize!

Testing

Testing resumes this week for our intermediate students.  Each morning of testing, starting Tuesday, you will receive an email of who is testing and in which locations.  Please be sure to avoid these areas most of the day.  Many of our students have extended time accommodations and have been using this testing well into the late afternoon.  We want to be sure to give them the best possible testing environment.  Thank you for your continued help as we are pulling all hands on deck to make testing possible.  

This Week's Schedule:

Thank you again for all you do to make DCE great!  We love ya bunches!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 4.26.21

Happy Monday!  It is our last week of school in the month of April.  We are approaching the final countdown of days for this school year.  Thank you for all of your help in getting through Friday.  I for sure wouldn't have survived without you.  It is moments like those that show how we as a staff continue to come together to support one another through challenges.  Hopefully, clear skies and rainbows are in our future!

Testing:

This is our quiet week as far as state testing goes.  We will have a few third grade SAT 10 make-up tests to complete and then we will spend the remaining days prepping testing materials for the big chunk of testing that occurs in May.  As we prep, there may be times where you will not be able to enter Mrs. Brown's office.  Thanks in advance for your understanding!

Our Kindergarten through second grade DRA testing window is open.  Please be sure you make arrangements to have the data on your possible retention students prior to the due date of our retention meeting google form.  We will be reviewing this timeline at our staff meeting on Thursday morning.

Open Positions and Interviews:

We currently have three job postings.  The first posting is for a custodial position that would start for the remainder of this school year.  If you know anyone that is interested, please encourage them to apply!

We also have a general education teaching posting and a CD teaching posting up.  James and I have been busy filling our available minutes with holding interviews and have started some hiring.  Our interviews will continue Monday afternoon.  These have been a great opportunity to screen candidates to find the right fit for DCE and to also take some time to truly brag on all of the amazing things about our school.  There are many teachers from up north that are relocating to Florida.  This is creating a "buyers market" for candidates and they are interviewing us just as much as we are interviewing them.  We can't wait to share with you who our new additions to our staff will be soon!

Staff Lounge:

The staff lounge will be closed on Friday starting at 1:30 pm so that we can begin preparations for STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK.   Please be sure that any food that you need from the fridge or any items that you may need from your mailbox are removed from this room before 1:30 pm on Friday.  Otherwise, you will not be able to enter until the morning of Monday, May 3.

This Week's Schedule:

Have a great week!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 4.19.21

 Happy Monday!  

Testing

We have made it over the first hurdle of FSA testing.  We are down to two students that are completing make-up tests on Monday.  Be on the lookout for the email about testing locations.  This week our third grade Cubs will be taking the SAT 10.  This is an alternate test that provides us with additional data on students to assist in determining if our third graders should be promoted to grade 4.  This test is just as important to our Cubs as FSA is.  Please be sure to provide them with a quiet testing experience this week!

Textbooks

We are continuing to work on surplussing our Reading Street materials.  The large Gaylord boxes are now full.  This means that anything that you have left in your rooms or planning rooms need to be boxed up or given away to students.  Our first batch of boxes have arrived from the warehouse.  Mr. Papas will be delivering them to your planning rooms on Monday morning with a roll of tape for your grade level to share.  Each teacher is only receiving two boxes each to start.  If you end up with boxes left over please email me to let me know, and I will shuffle them to grade levels that need them.   Once you have all materials boxed up and they are ready to be moved from your room, please email Steve Pappas and he will swing by and pick them up from you.  If you have your own cardboard boxes, they need to be approximately the size of a box of copy paper and should not exceed 40 pounds in weight.

Coverage

Thank you to everyone for being so flexible.  We have been down quite a few staff members on a daily basis.  This is requiring a lot of shuffling in schedules to be sure that classrooms, duties, specials, and the lunchroom are covered.  We really appreciate those of you that have had to fill in as subs or that have stepped in to cover an area.  DCE is such a family!  Thank you thank you!

Visioning

This week we will be holding an after school meeting with our Program Planners and our PPC members to talk about the 2021-2022 school year.  We will be discussing the School Improvement Plan, setting 3 year goals, outlining a professional development plan, and much much more.  We can't wait to work collaboratively to get next year started off right, and to be able to send you off for summer with a little bit of information about our focus and vision for 21-22.

Weekly Schedule

Have an amazing week!  

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 4.12.21

We have made it through another week, and our down to our last 8 weeks of school!  Last week was the kick off of traditional FSA.  Our fourth and fifth graders wrote their hearts out.  This week we head into third grade reading testing.  Each morning I will send out updates of where we are testing.  Don't forget, we will be wearing our GRIT shirts on special days to rally around our Cubs.  Below is the shirt schedule.

Staff Appreciation Week:

We have some fun things planned for Staff Appreciation Week.  Mark your calendars to join us in having some fun during the week of May 3-7.  As we are preparing, we need to gather some information from you.  Please take a minute to complete the survey linked below by the end of the day Wednesday, April 14.

SURVEY - CLICK HERE

Intervention:

If you have been utilizing Do the Math with students this year as an intervention, we would love to hear from you.  We have purchased some additional materials for next year with the hopes of expanding the number of students in each grade level that are able to participate in this intervention.  Please complete the survey below so we can start narrowing down our plan for the 21-22 school year.  Thanks!

Do the Math SURVEY - CLICK HERE

This Week's Schedule:

Have an amazing week and holler if you need anything!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 4.5.21

We hope you all head a wonderful three day weekend and that you were able to spend some time relaxing or with some people that are special to you.  We were lucky to end last week with such a special day.  Despite the rain, our Cubs were able to gather together with their lunches, towels, teddy bears, and friends and spend time picnicking together.  Then, after school, James, Mrs. Defond, and I were able to attend the Do the Right Thing Award Ceremony to recognize Ford Gainvors for his kind actions during the pandemic to one of his neighbors.  The day wrapped up with Ms. Crowder and the fifth grade teachers celebrating many of our Cubs that were inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society.  Although we have had some crazy and stressful days, it is days like these that help us remember why we love what we do!

Testing:

This week we begin the first session of our FSA testing window.  Our staff and students are ready to start showing off all that they have learned since returning to school in late August.  Although we lost some face-to-face learning time at the end of last school year, we have seen our Cubs grow so much academically this year.  We may still be uncertain what the FSA results may yield for our school and our students, but we do know that with all of the challenges that we faced this year that we all showed up, put forth our best effort, and inspired our students to show grit each and every day.  It is time to breathe, and know that we have done what we could for our kiddos and now it is their time to shine.

Below is a photo of the days that we are encouraging staff to where their Mission Possible Shirts.  This will allow us to make out kiddos and staff that are testing know that we are thinking of them as they are testing.

Remember, all testing information is posted in our DEC Staff Shared Drive in the "Assessments" folder.  We are pulling quite a few staff members to assist with testing.  We also have schedule changes occurring on all 5th grade testing days.  Please be sure to frequently check this folder for updated information.

Click Here for Test Information

For those of you testing on Tuesday, please remember that you should plan to visit Mrs. Brown's office between 7:30 and 7:50.  This will allow us a few minutes to get on campus and pull out your test materials in the morning.

This Week's Schedule:

Good luck to all of you testing, and thank you to the rest of you for being so flexible!  Our Cubs will do awesome.... they have GRIT.... and they won't quit!

Have a great week!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 3.28.2021

 Happy Monday to you all.  It's a short 4 day week and Thursday will have some fun in it.  

Teddy Bear Picnic

For those of you that are new to Deep Creek, the Teddy Bear Picnic is a tradition that I believe has taken place every year that DCES has been open as a school.  It is a tradition that emphasizes that we are a school family, not just as a school and staff, but extended to our Cub Families and community.  It is usually attended by almost every DCES family. I believe that the traditions that DCES holds dearly are what helps make it special and I want to always try to preserve as many as possible.

Teddy Bear Picnic 2021 - April 1 (During regularly scheduled lunch times

This years Teddy Bear Picnic will be different, because of COVID-19 protocols we will not be able to invite guests into our campus.  Instead we will focus on students eating in a picnic style with their class families and grade level families.  

1.  Classes should take out their blankets and find a spot in their designated courtyard or pavilion before picking up their lunches from the cafeteria.

2. Designated Areas

• Courtyard #1:  Between C Building and D Building
• Courtyard #2: Between C Building and G Building
• PE Pavilion

3.  Picnic times by Grade Level (Normally Scheduled Lunch Times)

• 10:52 - 11: 32 AM 5th Grade in Courtyard #1
• 11:14 - 11:58 AM 2nd Grade in Courtyard #2
• 11:36 - 12:18 PM Kindergarten in Pavilion
• 11:56 - 12:40 PM 1st Grade in Courtyard #1
• 12:20 - 1:50 PM Pre K in Courtyard #2
• 12:24 - 1:10 PM 3rd Grade in Courtyard #2
• 12:58 - 1:38 PM 4th Grade in Courtyard #1

4. Dismissal

• We will have trash cans all around courtyard to dump trash
• One student from your class will bring trays back to the cafeteria
• Just make sure you are clear from your area in time for the next grade level to place their blankets before they pick up their lunches.  

5. Miscellaneous

• Staff will not be able to eat with their "personal" children. (I will talk about this more at Thursday's Faculty Meeting)
• Encourage students to wear their DCES Blue and Gold with uniform bottoms as we will make Thursday our spirit day, since we don't have school Friday.
• Students may bring Teddy Bears to picnic with them. If they do bring other stuffed animals it is ok. The point is the picnic not policing which type of stuffed animal they bring.
• I will have the school PA System between the two courtyards to play music
• Remember we are following the DEAL Day schedule.
• On Tuesday and Wednesday I will have a Gummy Bear guessing game set up in the cafeteria. One wining class per grade level will win Gummy Bear Snacks for Thursday's DEAL Day
• At the beginning of DEAL Day I will have a school wide KAHOOT game made that we will all play for the first 15 - 20 minutes.

Looking Forward to a great week.

Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 3.22.21

 Welcome back!  We hope that you had an amazing Spring Break.  This year, more than ever before, it was much needed for all of us.  Now, we are rested and ready to tackle the last quarter of the school year. 

Welcome New Staff:

Right before break we were able to hire for our three open positions.  

Please join us in welcoming Bailey Crawford as a Paraprofessional III.  She will be working as a one-on-one with a third grade student.  Although we will miss having her as a sub, we are so excited to have her on campus with us full time!  

We have also filled our open custodial position. Please welcome Nerie Suarez.  Ms. Suarez will be taking Mr. Eric's place.  If you see her, please give her a DCE welcome!  

The final addition to our staff is Lynnae Chaisson-Traylor.  Lynnae will be our new Data-Tech and comes to us from the HR department.  She will be moving in to her new office on Monday and will be off campus a few days this week for training.  We can't wait for you to meet her!

Grades:

We are nearing the end of quarter three. The quarter wraps up on Friday, March 26.  The grade posting window is now open.  Grades need to be finalized no later than Monday, March 29 at 7:20 am in Focus.  Report cards go home on April 5.   If you anticipate that you will need help with Focus or with report cards, please be sure to let her, James, Marie, or me know as soon as you can.  We want to be sure that we are able to help you, or get you the answer/help that you need before the window closes!

Collaborative Planning:

With the end of the year being filled with so many schedule changes, testing, and events we have decided that we need to stop the back-to-back collaborative planning sessions for March, April, and May.  Although we are canceling the back-to-back sessions, we would still like you and your team to come together on those Tuesdays for collaborative planning during your planning periods.  This has been reflected on the DCE calendar.  Additional dates for other events (awards, etc.) have been updated on the DCE calendar as well.

Testing:

FSA Testing will be getting underway this week.  Our students that are on Access Standards will be taking the FSAA.  Let's wish Ms. Blass, Mrs. Nuwer, Ms. Belous, and Ms. Spitalieri (Innovative) good luck!  They will be using the first grade planning room, fourth grade planning room, and fifth grade planning room for testing, so please avoid these areas this week and provide them with as much quiet as possible!  I will send a very brief reminder out each morning letting you know who is testing, what times, and where.

We will also be holding our FSA Manual training for all 3-5 teachers, all K-5 paraprofessionals, and other requested staff members on Thursday.  Instructional staff that need to attend the training will meet in the media center at 7:20 am.  All paraprofessionals (except for one-on-ones) should select either the 10:00 or 11:00 session and meet in room H-117.  We are training additional staff this year due to the unexpected nature of Covid.  We want to be as prepared as possible so that our students can be successful and show off all that they have learned!  

Important FSA testing information is starting to be added to the DCE Staff Shared Drive in google.  You will see that there are documents that show schedule changes when needed and which staff are tentatively being used on which days.  This will be a working document.  Even if you are not a 3-5 teacher or para, you should get in the habit of checking this document regularly during testing season.  We will go over some of this important information at our next staff meeting.

This Week's Schedule:

Have a great week!

-Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 3.8.2021

We are officially one week away from the most deserved spring break.  It is our hope that there is an understanding of the level of appreciation shared for the roles you serve at DCES.  Schools are great schools, because they have great teachers and great support staff.

This year spring break is not just signifying an important break, but also the finality of formal observations/evaluations process.  This process brings stress and worry to many and honestly, it brings stress and worry to Keli and me as well.  Our stress and worry comes from knowing that if we want DCES to keep improving then there has to be a focus on improving teaching and learning.  Our stress and worry comes from giving the best feedback and assisting this staff towards continuous improvement.  I believe that standards are important.  I believe that using the correct materials are important.  I also believe that proven effective programs are important.  However, nothing and I stress nothing makes as much difference as the quality of our teachers and staff.

Moving forward, we heard the voice of the staff loud and clear in the survey before Christmas.  You want Keli and I more present during classroom instruction.  We agree.  We have shared our application and selection into the Community of Leaders Academy (COLA) with the FL DOE where the focus is on performing classroom walkthroughs.  This has added a lot to our schedule, but we applied because again we know that the only way to keep improving our school is to keep improving teaching and learning.  This week we are going to be reaching out to individual teachers that would be willing to assist us in continual improvement of our observation/walkthrough techniques by filming classrooms lessons.  These videos will allow our cohort leaders to coach us as we practice giving feedback.  We thank these teachers in advance.  Also in the next few months, we will be working with PPC and other school leaders to assist in developing classroom “look-fors”.  Our goal will be creating a general understanding of what quality instructions look like at DCES and the techniques that Keli and I should see as we increase walkthroughs. 

I will close where I started.  We are one week away from the most deserving break for a staff that we cannot thank enough. We thank you all for your support and appreciate your efforts to make DCES the best place possible for our students.  We know we have a great school because of you and we with your commitment we want to keep making it better.

Have a great week and then enjoy your break.

Social Worker Week March 7 - 13

This week is Social Worker Appreciation week. I would like to thank Marie Navarro for all the love and support she provides our DCES students. Definitely a caring lady that goes above and beyond. Thank you, Marie.

Monday Morning Memo 3.1.21

It's March and the countdown to Spring Break is on!  Just two weeks to go and this week is full of fun.  It is Read Across America Week and there are many fun reading activities planned.  Please be sure to take a look at this week's schedule at the bottom of our memo.  We can't wait to see you participating in the fun.  Sometimes all we need is a little wacky hair ourselves to lift our spirits and to help us refocus on what school is all about.  

FSA Testing

FSA testing will be underway soon.  Our students that are on alternate assessment will begin testing right after spring break, and the rest of our 3rd-5th grade Cubs will start testing in April.  We will be sharing a lot of assessment information in the coming weeks.  To help you keep track of all of the important information related to testing, anytime I email you a document or information I will be placing a copy of it into the staff Google drive in the "Assessments" folder.  At this time, you may want to take a look at the testing calendar.  Additional documents will be added to this folder soon that will include which staff will be assisting on which days and the needed specials, lunch, and recess schedule changes.

Goal Setting and Data Tracking

How do we motivate students to improve academically?  Making learning visible, setting goals that are realistic, and frequently checking in on those goals to celebrate success is important.  Earlier this school year we rolled out some changes to the leadership notebooks.  Many of you stepped out of your comfort zone to try something new and many of you have experienced some success.  We shared earlier this year some examples of goal parties that classes were having to celebrate the first round of individual student goals that they had met.  Since then, we have started noticing increased data inside your classrooms.  As we get ready to head into the last stretch of the school year which is also our biggest academic push time, we would like for you to think about some ways that you can goal set with your students.  Is there a particular skill or strategy that you would like for your students to reach or to use more?  How will you know if they achieved their goal?  What is the benefit for them academically if they meet this goal?  What we as adults are excited about, our students will be excited about.  Let's get them excited about our belief that they can improve through setting goals and working hard to achieve them!

Goals can even be very short term.  For example, on a recent reading test you may have determined that only 65% of the class used the UNWRAP strategy to prove their answers.  Of those 65%, 87 % of them earned a 90% or higher on their test which indicates that the use of this strategy has positive benefits to understanding the content.  Of the 35% that did NOT use the strategy, 93% of them scored a 70% or lower which shows students that not using the strategy can be detrimental.  Sharing this data with the class can be powerful.  An idea is to then set a goal with the class for the percent of students that will use the strategy correctly and a goal for a class average for the assignment/assessment.  Sharing data like this and goal setting for the use of the strategy can have long lasting impact on how students tackle reading tasks and their success on them.  

Below are some photos of goal setting that is on display in some of our classrooms.  These are great ways to get students motivated as well.  Take a few minutes to look at these data walls!  

This Week's Schedule

Have an awesome week!

Keli and James

Monday Morning Memo 2.22.21

The last several weeks have been busy with classroom observations.  Although these observations fill up our schedule, it is wonderful to have the time to sit in classrooms, uninterrupted, to watch our teachers and paraprofessionals in action.  This week we would like to start sharing some of the pictures that we have been taking and some of the strategies that we have observed.  There is so much talent in our building and each of us has our own personal strength areas.  Learning from one another is so important.  It is not only professional development, but when we learn from each other in our own building it allows you continued access to the person who implemented these strategies so you can ask questions and collaborate.  As staff members in the world of education, we know that learning never ends.  Reach out to one another to keep learning.  Be open to new ideas.  Ask for opportunities to watch someone in another grade level during a planning period.  Continue to grow your practice. This is how we will continue to be the best elementary school in Charlotte County! 

Reflecting on Learning

As adults we reflect.  We reflect after we try a diet to determine if it will work for us and our lifestyles and whether it will produce the effects that we want as soon as we want them.  After we have a disagreement with a friend or spouse we reflect about what parts we were responsible for and how our reactions impacted the outcome of the disagreement.  Our cafeteria staff reflects about aspects of their job, determining which meals staff are liking or how efficiently student lines are moving. Office staff reflects at the end of the day on which flaws in our systems led to issues and which fixes may be possible.  In teaching, we reflect about how our instructional techniques impacted the ability for our students to learn the content to level we wanted them to in that particular lesson.  

Our young learners can reflect too.  Without us even asking, they make decisions in their mind about how much they like or dislike a subject area, or if they thought an activity was fun or boring.  They reflect part way through a lesson to determine if the skill is too hard and then decide if they want to give up or have grit.  The Marzano element of reflection just makes this action visible to us in the classroom. 

The beginning stages of teaching students how to reflect is sometimes easier done in small group by engaging students in questioning.  Below is just an example for you to see how you may consider starting or refining reflection with your little ones.  Look at the script below:

T – “We just learned how to add two numbers together using counters.  Do you think using counters to add was easy or hard for you?

S – “Kind of easy.”

T – “What made it easy for you?”

S – “I counted the red first and then counted the yellows too.  That’s how many I had.”

T – “You are right!  Counting the reds and then the yellows were our two parts that went together to make our whole. You did a lot of practice today with the strategy of using counters to solve addition problems.  Now, let’s look at our effort rubric.  Did you stay in your seat the entire time we practiced adding with counters?

S – “Yes!”

T – “Did you have a quiet voice to be able to hear all of the directions?”

Y – “Yes!”

T – “Did you have grit and try to solve each problem without giving up?”

S – “Yes!”

T – “I think that one of the reasons that you did so well with using counters to add numbers together is because you also did such a great job on our effort rubric!  You got 3 out of 3 points!  Now, let’s take a look at our learning scale.  The first step on our scale for addition is to be able to solve addition problems using counters.  You are going to do an exit ticket for me to solve one of these questions on your own.  If you are able to answer this problem correctly, we will be able to put a sticker on our scale to show that you have completed this level.  Go ahead and get started on your exit ticket to show me what you know!”

*Students solve the exit ticket question.

T – “Thank you for showing me what you are able to do on your own with counters.  Let’s place a sticker on our scales.  Now that we have mastered using counters to add, tomorrow we get to move on to using a number line to add two numbers.  At centers today you will do some more practice with counters so we can be sure that this strategy sticks with you!”

In the pictures below you will see some ideas that showcase how teachers have been engaging students in reflection right here at DCE.  These photos come from Ms. Niehaus, Mrs. Mann, Mrs. Uebelacker, Ms. Racioppi, and Mrs. Stephenson.

Magic Show

We hope you can join us this week for the Staff Magic Show.  This show is optional, but will be a fun time for us to come together, hang out, and enjoy some entertainment.  We will have some snacks and drinks for you.  If you have personal children, they are welcome to attend with you as well.  The show will be held in the cafeteria from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm.  Cub Club will be relocated during this time.  If you plan to attend, please click on this link to RSVP so we know how many people to plan for.

RSVP Here!

This Week's Schedule

Have a great week!

We hope you all had a restful long weekend.  This week's memo focuses on student behavior.  Just as we often need a few days off to refresh our perspective and attitude, so do many of our students.  As we go into this new week with our Cubs, know that many of them are feeling the stress and pressure of this year just like we are.  Sometimes, all they need is a reset day.  Allow this week to be the moment that you reset with some of your kiddos that have behavioral challenges.  Imagine that this is your day one with them and see what happens!

Student Behavior

At the start of this school year we did a small session on student behavior.  During this session we reviewed the causes for some student misbehavior.  Our students do not wake up in the morning deciding that they are going to misbehave to make our days difficult.  But, there is always an underlying cause for their behavior.  Sometimes, this is can be environmental due to something taking place outside of school. Other times, it can be to avoid tasks/other people or to gain a task or the attention of other people.  In some circumstances, it can be because of internal factors that may be beyond their control (AHD, etc.).  These are just a few of the reasons, but the reality is that there is always a reason.  As you work with students that display challenging behaviors, keep your focus on their "why."  Look for patterns in their behavior, possible triggers, and examine your responses to those behaviors.  This can be challenging... and exhausting.  But, it is important to keep in mind that they are little ones and part of our role that we play in their lives is to help them maneuver through these struggles and be better tomorrow than they were today.  As you work through this, be sure to stay in communication with the child's parent(s).  We are not alone in the journey of supporting behavior.  Be sure to have a relationship with the parent(s) of your challenging students.  This relationship will grow stronger as you show your desire to help their child and take time to praise and celebrate their mini accomplishments with them.  This relationship will allow you to communicate their struggles and have these struggles received in a more supportive way.  

One way that we tried to improve communication about undesired behaviors was through our infraction forms.  Remember, you can locate these infraction forms through the DCE Staff Shared Drive.  They can be found in the "Behavior" folder.  To determine if a behavior is an infraction or a referral, please refer to the "DCE Behavior Flow Chart" and "Behavior Hierarchy" that can also be found in this folder.  Below is some of our behavior data collected so far this year:

Students with Infractions: 35

Total Referrals: 81

Students with Referrals: 43

Below is a link to a video that comes to my mind when working with students that have behavior struggles.  It is worth the three minutes!  Sometimes, a shift in our view of the behavior and/or the student can change everything.  Let's reset!

VIDEO LINK: CLICK HERE

Don't forget that there are people to help you brainstorm about students that you are concerned about.  Step one is to always check in and chat with your team and your case manager.  This week is child talk.  If you have a kiddo that is a concern, bring them up!  More heads are better than one.  Once you discuss the student at Child Talk your case manager will be able to let you know your next steps.

This Week's Schedule

Monday Morning Memo 2.8.21

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!  We hope that you have had a great weekend and that you are now getting ready to relax and snuggle up on the couch with some good food and family.  Although many of us may not be super sports fans, the Super Bowl is a fun time to enjoy a little competition and some very creative commercials!  This reminds us so much of school.  Our students enjoy a little competition and some creativity too!  In some of our formal observations in the last week we have seen so many of you finding creative ways to engage your students in purposeful practice.  Some of these practice opportunities have involved games.  In Mrs. Uebelacker's room students worked to put themselves in number order while playing a game called "Where Do We Go?"  In Ms. Racioppi and Mrs. Baldwin's lessons we say students play Kahoot, but also engaged in reteaching and discussion around questions that several students got wrong when then data tables popped up.  In Mrs. Angelo's room students played a "Slap" game to practice sight words.  After their word was slapped they had to share what consonant digraph they saw that helped them figure out that word.  Practice can be fun too!  In Mrs. Hertenlehner's kindergarten room we saw students have an opportunity to "change" matter by smashing, tearing, cutting, and crumbling paper and dough.  Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Ierfino both also let students practice by getting on and off a "bus" that was marked with tape on the floor or by hopping on and off a paper "log" as if they were a frog.  We love seeing you all find ways for your students to practice that keep them engaged, but very aligned to your standards and the critical content of the day!  Keep up the great work!

We will keep the rest of this memo short so you can continue enjoying the last bit of your weekend and the game tonight!  Please let us know if you any questions or needs this week!

This Week's Schedule:

- Keli and James