The Weekly "Buzz"
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Thoughts for the week...
November 17, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" I know we have a few very long days ahead, but do take time to enjoy getting to know your students' families. It's a great opportunity to let them know how much you care about their child.
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, I think about how much we have to be thankful for here at Woodland Meadows. I am very thankful to spend my days working with a team of professionals that remind me everyday of how deeply dedicated they are to the success of each and every student. A team that works together, and comes together to support one another. Our Woodland family is very special and I am thankful for each of you who help me learn and grow each day. Enjoy the time with your families and I hope you find the best deals if you plan to brave the crowds and SHOP! |
The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
Saline Area Schools is implementing a digital delivery service for student report cards for the 13-14 school year. This system replaces the hard copy report cards that the district has sent home in the past. Please see the attached file for $FirstName$ $LastName |
Thoughts for the week...
November 11, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" As we honor our Veterans, I'd like to take a moment to thank our many staff members who have served, have spouses, children and other loved ones serving in our Armed Forces. The sacrifices these families make is truly awe-inspiring. We are truly thankful for the sacrifices and know we owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you. Report cards will once again be sent home electronically. We will be running a report to identify families that do not have access to email. Further, we expect this process to run much smoother than last year because last year our vendor had let a critical certificate default. Have a wonderful week! Check out these great educational tools. Popplet- great for mapping out ideas, relationships, mind maps, structures, visual displays Scootpad- great tool for practice, student, teacher and parent reports Sqworl- Educational tool designed to visually bookmark your favorite resources for kids ClassDojo- fun management tool where students earn points for participation and good behavior. Parents can log in to see how their child is doing. |
The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
Friday 11/15 (D)- Have a Great Week! |
Thoughts for the week...
November 4, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" As we welcome November and prepare for conferences, please be sure that you are communicating any concerns with families ahead of time. Conferences should not be the first time a parent has been notified of a concern, as that can create a negative experience for both the teacher and the parent. We've focused on building relationships and connections with our students and families. Some of your students may currently be celebrating one of the most important holidays of the year in their culture. This week is the celebration of Diwali. Learn about it HERE. Here is a link for the Common Core/PBL sample. This week focuses on understanding Daylight Savings Time. Also, as we discuss important educational aspects with families, it's important to remember that some parents have not been exposed to common educator lingo- terms, acronyms, and ideas we use everyday can be brand new to families. A colleague shared this wonderful handout to help parents as we discuss the Common Core. Check it out!
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The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
Wednesday 11/06 (B)- Friday 11/08 (D)-
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Thoughts for the week...
October 28, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" What is the difference between inspiration and motivation? Motivation comes from within, and inspiration is that special gift we give to one another to encourage us to keep going, hold out hope and give it another try. As we wrap up the month of October I found myself inspired by so much! How much easier would it have been for Matthew Stafford to have spiked that ball? Instead he took the risk, and the the hits to drive it into the end-zone for the nail-biting win. Inspiration is all around us here at Woodland Meadows. Outstanding instruction, teachers working together and sharing in the success of every learner, teacher leadership, each of our goal area teams going above and beyond, and many of you attending PTA events showing your support and connecting with families. You inspire me everyday. It is our leadership, the inspiration we provide for one another that motivates us to go just a little further, to take a leap of faith and score. Please take a moment to be inspired by your colleagues, and by this story of friends inspiring one another. The page has several stories, but #06 should be cued by following this link. Also, many of you have begun thinking about deep understanding and promoting project based learning. Here is another example.... The World Series |
The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
9:55-10:32- K 10:35-11:12- first 11:15-11:52- second Nov. 20 Pie the Principal assembly Assembly 1- 9:10- grades K and 2 Assembly 2- 11:05- grades 1 and 3
Thursday 10/31(C)- |
Thoughts for the week...
October 20, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" This week's Project Based Learning project has focused on a seasonal topic: Pumpkins! Follow this link for a sample lesson on common core thinking/project based learning. Click here Sometimes our perceptions are more a reflection of within.... A Folk Tale About Worlds A traveler came upon an old farmer hoeing in his field beside the road. Eager to rest his feet, the wanderer hailed the countryman, who seemed happy enough to straighten his back and talk for a moment. "What sort of people live in the next town?" asked the stranger. "What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer, answering the question with another question. "They were a bad lot. Troublemakers all, and lazy too. The most selfish people in the world, and not a one of them to be trusted. I'm happy to be leaving the scoundrels." "Is that so?" replied the old farmer. "Well, I'm afraid that you'll find the same sort in the next town." Disappointed, the traveler trudged on his way, and the farmer returned to his work. Some time later another stranger, coming from the same direction, hailed the farmer, and they stopped to talk. "What sort of people live in the next town?" he asked. "What were the people like where you've come from?" replied the farmer once again. "They were the best people in the world. Hard working, honest, and friendly. I'm sorry to be leaving them." "Fear not," said the farmer. "You'll find the same sort in the next town." |
The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
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Thoughts for the week...
October 13, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" As I walked through the building last week, I couldn't help but notice the outstanding teacher leadership taking place throughout the school. PBIS leaders building bulletin boards supporting our initiatives, sample management systems, Literacy support groups, exploration of Math screening tools, technology surveys and support, around every corner there is evidence of initiative and professionalism. I have heard many staff members comment on what a positive start we've had to the year. Each of you should be commended for your role in stepping up and making a conscious effort to be part of the solution. We know things aren't always perfect and it is often easier to sit and lament about what isn't working, but it takes true leadership to work toward making change and improvement. Thank you for all of your efforts. With each passing day our team, our achievements and our morale get stronger and stronger. I also want to acknowledge the important work many of you are doing in guiding the teachers of tomorrow by working with the University students. Great job, team! Additionally, I know many of you appreciated the link I sent on Project Based Learning. These are great models to think about in our instruction. This week focuses on Toys! Click here for another PBL sample! |
The "Szczech" list...
Link to Morning Announcements
Monday 10/14 (E) - Book Fair this week! |
Thoughts for the week...
October 6, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" With the plethora of information- and misinformation- available on the world wide web, one must be cautious about what to actually believe on the internet. I'm sure a portion of it is completely false, a smaller portion maybe partially true, and an even smaller portion may be entirely true. This weekend, I came across a letter attributed to a Principal addressed to his/her students with regard to the State Standardized testing. You, too, may have come across this little gem. I don't know if it's true, but I do know the sentiment that has been shared is felt by many educators- including myself. The work you do daily cannot simply be measured by a test score. The coats you donate to keep your students warm, the gifts, the food, the love and care are not measured on the MEAP. In turn, many of your student's successes are not measured by a standardized score. The student who cried, hid and ran from us last year that is now smiling and skipping to class will not measured on the MEAP. Our greatest successes may never be documented on a State test. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our students. For it is that difference that will stay with them long after they've forgotten about their MEAP score. Here is the letter by the "Principal": "We are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you-- the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you write poetry or songs, play or participate in sports, wonder about the future, or that sometimes you take care of your little brother or sister after school. They do not know that you have traveled to a really neat place or that you know how to tell a great story or that you really love spending time with special family members and friends. They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best... the scores you get will tell you something, but they will not tell you everything. There are many ways of being smart." |
The "Szczech" list...
Link Here to the Morning Announcements
Monday 10/07 (E) - Start of a great week! Tuesday 10/08 (A)-
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Thoughts for the week...
September 29, 2013 The Weekly "Buzz" Over the past few weeks I've used this format to share speakers, inspirational letters and funny clips all focused on the area of building relationships. We are moving into the month of October now. I hope you've been able to make a positive phone call and send a Happy Gram to each and every student. (Postage is available in the office) These are intended to support you in building positive connections with your families and with your students. We have another great week ahead of us at Woodland Meadows! October brings some exciting events and more opportunities for you to reach out and connect with families. We have the Fun Run, class Halloween parties and PTA hosts our annual Halloween Bingo! I'd like to invite you to stop by our Bingo night for a short while to spend some time with families. Feel free to bring your family along! I love sharing photos of special events on our morning announcements. Feel free to take some photos while at Field Trips and send them to Jeanette (for the yearbook) and to myself to put in the Three Bee Report. Have a great week! |
The "Szczech" list...
Link Here to the Morning Announcements
Sunday 9/29- Helen Burman's Birthday Monday 9/30 (E) - Start of a great week! Tuesday 10/01 (A)-
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Thoughts for the week...September 22, 2013
The Weekly "Buzz" Last week the following clip was shared with me, and I found it to be so inspiring. The hard work you do each day with some of our toughest kids is truly heroic. Some powerful quotes:
Have a great week! September 15, 2013
The Weekly "Buzz" The above link offers a little chuckle for you for the week! And for some inspiration... follow this link to read a powerful open letter to all teachers from the parent of a Sandy Hook victim. You are all heroes. Everyday. Great job completing your IDP goals. If you receive an "overdue" task email from Talent Ed, it is because I am carefully reading each goal and responding specifically to each teacher about their goals. Then, I provide the electronic signature, and it will prompt you for your electronic signature. As we move into the third week of school, by now you should be just about finished making a positive contact with each student/parent. Thank you for building these important connections. Have a great week ahead! September 8, 2013
The Weekly "Buzz" Tired. That word cannot even begin to describe the way most of us were feeling by the close of Friday afternoon. Exhausted. Weary. Sore. Energized. Energized? Yes! That's right. Energized. The start to the year was so smooth due to your hard work and efforts. The energy, the buzz throughout the building was tangible and we are off and running for another great year. Thank you for giving all you've got to kick off the school year. I continue to be inspired by the dedication, passion and enthusiasm you bring to the classroom. The connections you are beginning to build with families, the leadership you are showing with your students and colleagues, the excitement that is everywhere throughout Woodland Meadows! Have a terrific week, and never forget the impact you have daily on your students. Thank you! Have a great week! September 2, 2013
The Weekly “Buzz” This is it! Tuesday morning the students will be arriving full of energy and ready for a year full of learning, full of fun, eager for lifelong memories. We’ve been working hard preparing for this moment. Your classrooms look good, many of you have attended trainings over summer, and we, too, are ready for a year full of learning, full of fun and eager for lifelong memories. Many celebrities have pre-performance rituals. I read Heidi Klum carries a bag of her baby teeth for good luck, Olympic Gold Medalist (X4) Missy Franklin swims the backstroke with a water bottle balanced completely on her forehead, and LeBron James is famous for his chalk toss ritual. Do you have any first day of school lucky charms? How do you gear up for “game day”? My game day ritual is to think about my own school memories, send a few emails to influencial people in my own education. I let them know they’ve made a difference and that I am forever grateful for the impact they’ve made on me. I think about the people. The relationships. The connections. New students often worry that the teacher won’t like them, or they won’t have any friends. I have yet to meet an anxious student who, when asked, has said “I’m worried the curriculum isn’t rigorous enough”, nor have I met one who is worried about the “achievement gap”, or the common core. These are important academic issues, but this week is about the connections and the relationships. It’s about the people. So, wear your lucky socks, eat your lucky breakfast and get ready. It’s game time! Go Team! |
The "Szczech" list...
Link Here to the Morning Announcments
Monday 9/23 (E) - Start of a great week!
Monday 9/16 (E) - Start of a great week!
Friday 9/20 (D)- Saturday 9/21- Terri Eroh's Birthday
Sunday 9/8- Bekah Kargel's Birthday Monday 9/9 (E) - Start of a great week! Tuesday 9/10 (A)-
Thursday 9/12 (C)- BBJones assemblies, Friday 9/13 (D)- Fire Drill 9:20, Karan Hervey's Birthday.
I've included highlights here, and some items just for fun! Monday 9/2 - LABOR DAY Tuesday 9/3 (A)- First Day of School! Wednesday 9/4 (B)- Friday 9/6 (D)- Wrap up a great first week! |