Putting It All Together

This year has taken off quickly and I want to be sure no one is left behind.  First, our district is still working from Vision 2020, but the foci have been updated to reflect our current work and trajectory for increasing student learning.

We are operating from three  pillars that drive our work:  

1. Backpack of Skills  -- student digital portfolio that follows them from this year through 12th grade

2. Racial Equity -- commitment to racial equity for all students

3. Culture & Climate -- commitment to positive school culture conducive to learning at high levels

From these pillars, there are six systems that guide the work of schools:

1. Standards Implementation

2. Effective Use of Data

3. Instructional Planning and Practice for Deeper Learning

4. Progress Monitoring and Analysis of Student Work

5. Academic and Behavioral Support

6. Instructional Feedback and Professional Learning

As we work collectively as a staff, our focus will be on implementation of district initiatives and aligning our work at King to encompass the pillars and systems approach.  For the next six weeks, I will provide additional information on each system.  At any time, please feel free to ask questions and bring forth your ideas and strategies that work well for your classroom.  Again, this is the time to lean in to your professional development and growth.

Digital Backpack

Currently, 213 students have logged into their digital backpack and created folders.  For those who still have students who have not logged on, please use the link below to find step-by-step instructions.  I do know there are fourth and fifth grade students who are able to help younger students log in.  Some students assisted Mrs. Schmidt's class Friday and each of her students have successfully accessed their digital backpack.  We will discuss the digital backpack further at faculty meeting this week.

Logging Students in to their Digital Backpack 

PLC Meetings Monday

In PLC this week, we will analyze student DRAs to determine reading groups and next steps for instruction.  Please bring your assessment binder with a hard copy of your assessments.

• Fourth and Fifth -- DRA
• Third - DRA and Spelling Inventory
• K-2 -- DRA, Spelling Inventory, and Sight Word List

Faculty Meeting Tuesday

We will discuss Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the Digital Backpack.  Please bring your laptops.

 

Setting the Stage for Student Learning

Monday will be our 18th day of school and instruction.  At this time, we should be more familiar with our students and students are becoming familiar with classroom and school-wide expectations.  As we immerse ourselves with strong instructional strategies and meaningful instruction for students, let's discuss planning resources and the function of learning targets.  As you click on links below, please remember they are linked to your JCPS Google accounts.

Today, I also emailed all homeroom, special area, ECE, and ESL teachers a coaching document, exclusive for you that you, Jones, and I will use as we all work to grow our core instructional program this school year.  This document will be used for ongoing feedback and reflection.  The first observation window opens September 15th.  Please remember your professional growth plan and Student Learning Focus (see last week's blog post) is due to me on a signed E2 by Friday, September 14th.  I will email a blank E2 for your use.  Last, I am working with our new teachers to create their professional growth plans at 4PM Monday (9/10) in room 104.  Anyone who needs assistance is invited to attend. 

Planning Resources

As we continue with planning for our three-week learning cycles and learning mastery, I want to be sure you are aware of and using the following resources to support purposeful planning.

• Literacy and Math workshop instructional frameworks:  A copy of each was placed in your mailboxes last week.  
• Here is a link to a short video on how to access and use the district curriculum frameworks, divided into four modules (appropriate for each 9 week grading period).
• Here is the link to the district curriculum frameworks
• Here is the link to the deeper learning website

Learning Targets

Please take time to review information pertaining to using learning targets in daily lessons.  This presentation discusses a high leverage model for creating purposeful targets to drive student learning.  Learning targets are meant to drive daily instruction and let students know what they are expected to learn in EACH lesson and how they are expected to demonstrate their learning (how you will MEASURE learning).

Sense of Urgency

I need everyone to be aware that we have no time to waste.  

• Students should receive bell-to-bell instruction with minimal down time.  
• Please adhere to your schedule as this allows predictability that is crucial for building routines and creating a safe space for students.
• Every homeroom teacher should have a read-aloud book, article, poem, etc. that you incorporate into daily instruction.  Choose a higher level text/item than your grade level, exposing students to higher level items -- this is a great way to incorporate culturally diverse topics and current events.
• Homeroom, Special Area, ECE, and ESL teachers should all collaborate to support student learning.  We have students who are learning English and who in general are learning to read. Incorporate pictures, videos, and concrete examples to help students make connections to their learning.
• Every student at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School will gain at least a year's worth of growth this school year.
• Engage students and parents in discussion regarding academic progress and  what students need to grow academically.  Leverage goal setting.

I can't wait to see what students are learning in your classrooms this week.  Have a productive week!  Be sure to check the living calendar and daily updates.

***Open House is Tuesday from 6:00-7:30 PM.  It is the expectation all will attend to meet with our families and welcome them into your classrooms***  There will be no faculty meeting.

Plans for Professional Growth

Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in your growth as a professional educator.  Our school district is undergoing a major transformation, seeking to better educate all of our students and do so in more innovative, equitable and personalized ways.  With these foci, also available are numerous opportunities to engage in your personal growth.  Through the districts collaboration with Google to create the digital backpack for students, there are opportunities for Google Level 1 and 2 Certifications.   Professional development opportunities are shared through the weekly email Friday Forward.  There are videos created by JCPS educators and others around the state on the #KentuckyGoDigital channel.  This video describes how to get Google certified.

Google Certified Educator: Designed for educators and classroom teachers who wish to demonstrate proficiency in using Google for Education tools. The Level 1 status indicates that an educator is able to successfully implement G Suite for Education into their teaching practice in order to enhance teaching and learning. The Level 2 status indicates that an educator is able to successfully integrate a wider range of Google for Education tools and other technologies in order to transform their teaching practice.

The Diversity, Equity & Poverty Department is hosting many professional development sessions, speaker series, and sponsoring book studies on various topics.  Attached is a copy of Envision Equity, their monthly newsletter that shares stories around the district, promising practices, resources, and a list of sessions they offer.

PD Central has many choices of professional development across various topics and last, lean in with reading professional books, articles, and talking with other educators.

Take advantage of any professional development using MAP results.  A very useful report when planning instruction is the Classroom Learning Continuum.  You are able to run the report for math or reading.  This report shows you where students are 'ready to learn' related to learning standards.  On the NWEA website, log in, click on 'growth reports', and then 'learning continuum'.  Any of our resource teachers, Jones, or I can assist with locating this report.

Our vision is for students to demonstrate proficiency, develop individual talents, and display leadership within the school and community.  To be prepared to meet students where they are and guarantee at least a year's worth of growth for each student, we must continue to increase our knowledge and collective efficacy to facilitate achievement.

Reflecting on your practices and creating a plan for your professional growth will provide a trajectory for your goals this year.  Resources can be found on the KDE website.  Please remember your professional growth plan is due to me by September 14th.  

Our Student Progress Goal is to implement the student digital backpack for each student, with all students having at least three entries by November 1, 2018, at least six entries by February 1, 2019, and at least 10 entries by May 1, 2019. This will be achieved through the following practices:

• We will facilitate instruction on the attributes of the JCPS Graduate Profile (five success skills):  (1) Prepared and resilient learner, (2) globally and culturally competent citizen, (3) emerging innovator, (4) effective communicator, and (5) productive collaborator.
• We will make clear connections for students as to how their work products will be representative of the graduate profile attributes.
• We will collaborate with one another and outside educators to improve our collective efficacy with providing differentiated learning experiences to challenge students.
• We will analyze student assignments and work products utilizing the Quality Work Protocol to improve our practice.

I also shared a document with everyone via Google Slides.  I ask how we can make the five success skills concrete to influence student understanding.  It is crucial we build this foundation for our school.

Please remember to check the daily updates and Living Calendar.  We will begin MAP testing Tuesday.  

Wednesday, we will have a visit from district personnel who will complete classroom walkthroughs (I do not have a copy of the instrument) and talk with staff regarding our mission and work at King.  Be prepared for visits to your classrooms.

**Please keep Mrs. Harlan in your thoughts and prayers, her father passed away over the weekend.

Getting Into School Shape

I don't know about you, but I realize I have to get back into 'school shape.'  Building stamina to work all day and navigate the hundreds of interactions you have each week with students, staff, parents, and your own friends and family has to be a concerted effort.  What plans have you made or will you make for self-care?

I appreciate how we all are starting the school year in a positive and collaborative manner.  As we continue to plan and work with all students, staff and families, remember we get what we give.  The partnerships we nurture are the ones that grow and have impact in the lives of students.

This week, please continue to implement universal screeners-- BRIGANCE and DRAs.  I will check in with each of you to assess your progress and find out if you need additional assistance.

Digital Backpack and Google

To be inclusive of our new staff, I will begin to include two of the backpack videos weekly so we all understand how the student digital backpack impacts teaching and learning.  Feel free to watch ahead, but I will include two per week on the blog.

There is also a JCPS Digital Backpack Training Channel.  The link is below...

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClJGe3MS7UcJr2GvkuIWthw/featured

Information on Google Level 1 Certification Cohorts

Student Movement

We will move students to balance classes and ensure students are in appropriate peer groups as outlined in our Total School Cluster Grouping model.  The plan is to start students in their new groups by Wednesday of this week.  Teachers will be provided letters to go home to parents regarding the class changes.

School Data

Based on walk throughs last week, 73% of classrooms had posted learning targets and aligned activities. Twenty percent of classrooms had learning targets consistently written in student agendas and 33% of classrooms had inconsistent implementation of learning targets written in agendas.  This is a school wide goal of 100%.  This allows all to know what's going on in classrooms, reinforces learning targets for students, and practices handwriting.  This week, let's strive for 100% implementation.

Faculty Meeting

Culture/Climate

Jr. Beta Club

Restraint and Seclusion

Reminders

• Please remember to check the living calendar and daily updates.  
• Dr. Parks added a link to a sub plan template to the blog, please be sure you have 3 days of meaningful sub plan lessons available in your classroom in the event of an unexpected absence.

Setting a Trajectory for Success

Thank you for a great start to the school year.  Our students have entered ready to learn and our mission is ...to provide rigorous instruction and remove barriers to learning so students believe in their own ability to achieve success. We will ground our work in this mission and ensure our students are learning each day.

There are some day-to-day consistencies that we must guarantee to ensure strong communication among staff, across classrooms, and with families.

• Positive Contact Log -- all homeroom teachers much reach out to parents and turn in a parent contact log to me demonstrating your attempts to reach out to parents, introduce yourself, and establish a positive rapport with families.  Shout out to Mr. Wilkerson for completing his positive contact log.  These are due to Dr. White by Friday, August 24th.  You can click on the link and print the log sheet.

• Class schedules -- All homeroom teachers and special area teachers should have posted class schedules outside their doors and all teaching staff should provide White with a copy of their schedule.  There was talk of creating a folder on Google to house and share schedules, we will work to get this up and working, but in the meantime, please comply with the above schedule requests.

• Agenda use -- Each student has been provided with an agenda for their use.  The expectation is for all students to write the daily learning targets in their agendas per subjects (K can use printed labels for parents) and for this to be used as a communication tool between school and home.  Nightly signatures are expected from parents.

• Daily attendance emails from Courtney Edmerson -- each day Ms. Edmerson sends the daily absence summary.  All are asked to review the list for discrepancies and if any are found to report that to her so that we have accurate daily attendance.  

From Sheldon Nance (plant operator) -- We all must break down boxes before placing them in the outside recycling bin.  Our school received a fine for not doing so in the last pickup.

Faculty Meeting Agenda (Tuesday)

• School culture/celebrations
• Learning discussion  (article is linked)
• Strategy
• The Evaluation Process (E2 signature)

Double check the duty schedule, it will fully begin Tuesday, feel free to make changes or add yourself to an area.

Please be sure to check the daily updates and living calendar each day.  Have a great week!

Welcome Back Team King!

I'm so excited for our new school year and new team members.  Please join me in welcoming the following new teachers:

Brenda Adamson       3rd grade
Jennifer Moore          4th grade
Hayley Miller            4th grade
Jessalyn Stivers         4th grade
Courtney Green         5th grade

I want to give a huge shout out to our custodial team for ensuring the building is ready for all to return:  Sheldon Nance, Angie Hopkins, and Michael Jenkins.  Thank you for making our building beautiful, we accept the shared responsibility for keeping it that way.

Thank you to all teachers and instructional assistants for teaching during the YMCA Summer Learning Loss Program:  Elizabeth Buckley, Felicia Duncan, Rachel Fields, Carolyn Flener, Amber Williams, Tara Johnson, Lonnetta Martin, Edward Newton, Jessica Schmidt, and Stacy McClain.

Last, thank you all for participating with professional development over the summer to improve your knowledge and skills in preparation for our students.  The most effective tool for student learning is an effective teacher.

We had an awesome turn out for Kindergarten Kickoff and Back to School Orientation.  Thank you for your participation.  Ms. Jones created a slide show to show the highlights for Kindergarten Kickoff.


Please keep Teri Nichols (cafeteria manager) in your thoughts and prayers, her grandmother passed away last week.

Tomorrow, we will start in the cafeteria at 9:05 AM, breakfast will be available beginning at 8:45.  The agenda is available here.  Please bring your laptops.

Duty Schedule 

Relax, Reflect, and Recharge

Team,

Thank you for being an employee at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary.  This year we have met challenges head on, embarked on new practices, and nurtured our environment so that it is conducive to learning.  I appreciate your dedication to our students and your willingness to be the change.  WE are on the way to great things and I thank those of you who will continue our journey next year.

Thank you to teachers who are working the YMCA Summer Learning Loss Program and other district programs you may participate in over the summer.  Learning cannot continue without you, thanks for your commitment.

Over the break, please take time to relax, reflect, and recharge your superhero abilities.  We are tremendous contributors to the lives of our students.  We have the power and influence to challenge our students to greatness and support their growth daily in our classrooms and school building.  Our attitudes are contagious and we want our students to catch the positives they need to be successful.

During the break, I will send out information as it becomes available regarding district news and information pertaining to King.  Please take advantage of district professional development opportunities throughout the summer (everyone needs a minimum 24 hours). We will have PD sessions at King on August 1st, 2nd, and 7th. (more info to come). 

As a reminder, I will send out the staff handbook and compliance items prior to your return to school so that we can have more time to collaborate on the first two teacher days.

Enjoy your summer break.