Updating Routines

Team,

Thank you for your work with the acceleration plans for students.  I hope you noticed, as I did, that students who are using the technology programs and receiving the interventions on a consistent basis are making gains already  Reviewing progress, I see students are gaining fact fluency, working on mastering letter sounds, improving skills using context clues, figurative language, and comprehension in addition to more individualized skills.

We have now implemented the accelerated plans and our next check will be  March 8, 2019.  Please share progress with students and help them set a goal for the next implementation check.

This week we begin a new newsletter structure for families.  They are in your mailbox on orange paper and should go home with students today.  As you review the one-pager you will notice that we are tracking two data points with parents:  Attendance and Homework Completion.  I will update weekly totals for attendance with the help of Ms. Edmerson and I need you to keep up with how many students are turning in homework daily/weekly.  I am reporting these numbers to solicit help from parents to encourage them to set the expectation for completing and turning in homework.  Please be sure to record accurate attendance each day by 9:15AM.

Staffing updates:  We currently have an instructional assistant position listed on the job site.  We did interview a candidate last week, but she declined the offer.  We are still looking to hire two, but have to get the other position posted.  Also, we had interviews scheduled for fourth grade yesterday.  One candidate was a no-show and the other received a job offer from Byck as she pulled into King yesterday.  We will press on, but if you know anyone looking -- please encourage them to apply.

Last, as we work to provide high quality instruction to all students, give yourself a time audit.  Check the following to ensure minimal loss of instructional time:

• Are all students seated and working at 9:05?  They should be.
• Do you use timers daily for morning work, centers, activity, transitions?  This builds consistency and greater sense of urgency for students.
• Are you following your class schedule?  Stick to the times you have posted -- do not let reading run 30 minutes over -- this is really hard on students -- they are more comfortable in a structured environment -- they need to be able to predict what is happening next.
• Are you prepared and ready when your push-in help arrives?  This is crucial to maintaining a strong schedule conducive to student learning.
• Review your transitions for efficiency.  Do you use a tone, vocabulary word, music, or other signal to get students moving without you saying it?

Have a great week, I appreciate your hard work and collaboration with all staff!