The Lions' Den

First Reflection, then Adjustments

Last week, we reflected on The Why we choose to do this work of educating students.  This week, empowered with our reflection, we are moving towards adjustments.  Actually, we have been reflecting, adjusting, and acting all year -- each time with more purposeful use of data.  Please continue the process of analysis, reflection, and adjustment as you review student work and plan next steps.

Near the beginning of the year, Dr. Pollio asked all principals to set goals for culture and climate, deeper learning and organizational coherence.

       Culture/Climate:  We will work to increase the percentage of teachers who agree “…there is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in this school,” as measured by the TELL survey in 2019 and with interim surveys to be completed by staff in December 2017, May 2018, and December 2018.  (70.4%, TELL 2017)

• According to the survey from Gold Day (1/2/2018), 75.7% of staff agreed their is an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect in this school, this is an increase of 5.3%!
• Additionally, 75% of staff members agreed that students in this school follow the rules of conduct.  This is an increase of 50% from the 2017 TELL Kentucky Survey.
• As we continue to have high expectations for ALL students, we should celebrate our growth and continue to scrutinize our processes.

       Student Learning: Instruction / Deeper Learning:  During the 2017-18 school year, the principal will solicit two teachers to increase PBL in their classroom and present products to community members, school staff (faculty meeting), students, and parents.  Additionally, we will implement student led conferences with the February PTC day.

• At this point, we have not met this goal.  Student led conferences will give parents the opportunity to hear their student explain and demonstrate their progress and growth.  As part of this deeper learning initiative, it is to our benefit to create opportunities for students to articulate their learning and growth needs.  This allows our students to understand and utilize goal setting strategies and measurements to deepen ownership of their learning. 
• Parent -Teacher Conferences will be in the evening and must take place between February 26th and March 9th.  We will vote on days in the faculty meeting this week.  You must work both evenings to be paid for conferences.
• I'm still looking for teachers to increase project based learning in their classrooms and present products to community members, school staff, students, and parents.

      Organizational Coherence:  Support for Classrooms / Support for Teachers:  During the 2017-18 school year, we will implement a Google environment to streamline school communication, reinforce school initiatives, and support the learning and feedback processes in our school.  

• We have created a Google environment for streamlined communication.  The Lions' den weekly blog provides information to all staff members, including instructional resources, a living calendar, the daily announcements, and daily school updates.
• Online classroom profiles provide a common place to store student data, accessible from your computers and visible to administrative staff and resource teachers.  This shared environment creates a platform for real time collaboration and planning.  This will be the more efficient data wall.
• Online PLC resources such as minutes and learning calendars create a shared environment for teachers to collaborate with team teachers, ESL, ECE, resource teachers and administrative staff.  Learning calendars are updated to reflect pacing and sequence and their continued updates will keep these relevant for future learning. Since we won't have to reinvent the wheel, we can better critique our practices and increase our pedagogical efficacy. 

     Faculty Meeting

•        Safety plan review 
•        Share walk-through feedback
•        Review the walk-through instrument
•        Begin discussion regarding our student backpack of skills
•        Schedule Parent - Teacher Conference dates; reschedule MLK celebration; schedule upcoming events

PLCs (2/1/2018)

• Trauma Informed Care; K- teachers, please attend on your planning.
• Special area teachers will begin at 9:15 in the library; the remaining sessions will be in room 104.

Have a productive week!