Wink’s Weekly Words
The Details are Excellence Makers
Once the FA data is inputted, what happens next is the difference between mediocrity and excellence, and the difference can be found in the details. As we review data, the overall grade and student growth tell us how they did, but it doesn’t tell us how we can grow students. The pathway to excellence requires us to analyze by student by skill.
Looking at your essential skills, find the kids who are still not mastering them. Then build your guided learning plans and tutorial periods around those students. If all kids are still not mastering them, that means that you will have to make plans to spiral those skills into the next 4 weeks of instruction.
The details is where you will find the opportunities for growth in each individual student.
#NoExcuseNovember - What Excuses are You Defeating?
Leave a comment on this blog to help your colleagues learn from your excellence.
Amy’s Announcements
MANDATORY STAFF TRAINING COMING UP!As we know, 504 and SpEd students receive accommodations for state testing. Now, in some cases, our RtI students can also receive designated supports if they're already using them in everyday classroom instruction. Come and learn how to use these supports/accommodations to assist your students, which in turn, gives them needed support for STAAR. This information, applied in your classroom, will make a huge difference with these students.We are holding 4 training sessions in November to explain this to all staff. This is a mandatory training, so every staff member will need to attend one of the after school trainings. Dates are: November 9, 16, 27, 29. Sign up in Eduphoria to get PD credit.
Thank you for your diligence in preparing our students to take their FA2 this week. Because of the crazy schedule on Friday, we extended the deadline for having tests scanned. Please be sure this is done by Monday so we’ll have adequate time to compile the data for campus meetings.
Staff Shoutout
This week’s post starts with an awesome email Mr. Wink received from Stacy Norton.
“I just want to give a big shout out to Ms. Patterson. What a great addition to our staff she is. That lady is all business!!!! Everything she says and does is with purpose. I don't really know how she covers all the area she does but it is always full steam ahead.
Who will you celebrate this week?
What a wonderful Veterans Day Program today - Mrs. Kay, Mr. Figueroa and so many others that contributed to an impactful ceremony - thanks for all of your hard work. I know this sweet veteran and many others appreciated the gratitude shown today.
Technology Announcements
As many of your know, we have had issues with the keyboards on our original order of Lenovo Chromebooks (used by all HS students, on a few carts at the MS and some teachers). Because of the continuing problem, Lenovo has agreed to replaced every keyboard on all 400 originally ordered devices.To accomplish the repair, we will be sending EVERY DEVICE to Lenovo over the Christmas holiday. This will require us to collect these devices before the break and reissue upon return.
FOR TEACHERS WHO HAVE A LENOVO DEVICE: We will need to collect yours, as well. We are working to see if we have enough devices in inventory to issue you a temporary device. More details will follow concerning this.
Sorry for this inconvenience, but we're glad that Lenovo will be helping to get these devices back to a desired condition.
Professional Learning
- November classes are listed in Eduphoria and HERE - https://goo.gl/9YfN8r
- Make sure you sign up and complete the survey to receive credit.
Special Programs Announcements
- Dyslexia
- Blue Ridge ISD Dyslexia on FB - https://goo.gl/dPkJiE
Miscellaneous Announcements
- If you haven’t heard the news, Cathy Agan, who serves in many capacities at Central Office (personnel, substitutes, volunteers, etc.) has resigned to be able to spend much needed time with family. We will miss her terribly at Central Office! Please join us for a come-and-go, goodbye send-off reception on Tuesday, November 14th from 3:30 - 4:30 in the Board Room at Central Office. Her last day in the district is Friday, November 17th.
