09.30 – Happy Birthday Tracy Hoffman
10.2 – Happy Birthday Dianne Addonizio
10.3 – Happy Birthday Art Wahl
10.4 – Happy Birthday Erin Jackson
10.7 – Happy Birthday Adrianna Soranno
10.8 – Happy Birthday Caroline Lorenz
10.9 – Happy Birthday Angela Robertson
* Please make sure you share your birthday with Mrs. Crete.
We would like to add this information to our office calendar.
I N V E S T I N Y O U R S E L F
MOTIVATIONAL VIDEO
10.6 – Mike @ Title 1 Conference. / Mileage Club (Lunchtime)
10.7 – Mike @ Title 1 Conference. / STUDENT COUNT DAY.
10.8 – Mike @ Title 1 Conference. / Mileage Club (Lunchtime)
10.9 – PD Teachers. No Students. We will be meeting at Bennie Elementary. Agenda will be sent out soon.
10.12 – Columbus Day. / 9:00 AM. Mike @ Ad. Council. Riley. / 11:30 AM. Fire Drill # 2 / 7:00 PM Board of Education Mtg.
10.16 – 1:00 PM. PTA Bullying Assemblies
10.29 – 5:30 – 7:00 pm. District Fall Art & Music Show. APCA.
Please don’t forget to stay updated through the Lindemann Main Office Calendar. We will use this as our main calendar for In-House events and all things Lindemann. Mrs. Crete and Mrs. Bergiel will be sure to add your events to the calendar. IF you have a Guest Speaker, Field Trip, etc., please be sure to send them a note so your event can be added. THANK YOU.
NEW HORIZONS
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR!!
On behalf of the entire staff at Lindemann Elementary, I would like to say Congratulations Darren! New Horizons informed our schools that Darren had received their coveted award ~ Employee of the Year. Darren was honored at a Banquet on Thursday, October 1, 2015 sponsored by New Horizons. Darren dressed to impress! He is well deserving , extremely honored and excited to receive this award. I was honored to sit with Darren and his family during the ceremony.
Here is a copy of Darren’s Nomination letter.
New Horizons Employee of the Year Submitted by: Patti Heitchue
Darren Redding
Darren received some janitorial training at MCTI. He says that he had a difficult time finding employment on his own; he often would not get a call back after an interview so he came back to MRS for job placement assistance. He participated in a summer work experience at the Allen Park Schools. This program was funded my MRS and coordinated by New Horizons. Darren’s janitorial skills and strong work ethic impressed his supervisor, Robin Partrich and he was recommended for an on-call position at the end of the summer program. Within two months of working on-call Darren was recommended for direct hire into the school district. He is currently a full time employee at the Allen Park Schools. Darren no longer receives SSI and says he makes more money working and has insurance through his employer. He also states that he continues to advance in his job and is helping to train new employees
TEACHERS – Please remember to UPDATE your PIN Number that was provided to you in the beginning of the year.
If needed, I have copies of the letter that was sent out by Mr. Dawson’s office. Please see me.
Our Job Is to Evaluate Our Impact
By Gail Boushey
October 2, 2015
Issue #376
I was listening to Dr. John Hattie speak on the Bedley Brothers podcast, anticipating another nugget that would be both profound and obvious.
I leaned in a little closer when Tim Bedley asked Dr. Hattie what practice teachers would implement first if they were to look at all his research. What is one thing they could do that would make a significant, positive difference for the students in their classes?
Dr Hattie hardly skipped a beat between question and answer. “When teachers walk into their rooms each day, they should say in their minds, ‘My job is to evaluate my impact.’” He suggests that we look at our own teaching and ask, How it is working? Do we know where we are going? Do we know how to get there? Do we know where to go next? Answering these questions helps us evaluate our impact.
When I answer Dr. Hattie’s question for myself, I realize the Pensieve is the tool that makes the impact of my teaching visible, as it tracks student learning. Student understanding and progress are measured with Touch Points every time I meet with them in a small group or one-on-one. These indicators help me evaluate if what I am doing is working, when to try something else, and where to go next.
No longer can we blindly follow a program, pacing guide, or curriculum. As professionals, it is our responsibility to move beyond simply delivering lessons. When we work with students, providing instruction based on formative assessments, monitoring progress, and providing feedback, we will be following Dr. Hattie’s advice to evaluate our impact, and it will be evident that it is reaching its greatest potential.
Check out the website for additional resources, podcasts, videos, etc.
HALLOWEEN PARADE & PARTY INFORMATION
2:00 PM ~ Parade
Classroom parties immediately following the parade. Classroom teachers, please do your best to schedule your parties around your Specials Classes. If your party happens to fall during your specials time, it is expected that the classroom teacher will host the party in their classroom with their students and parents. I do not expect the Specials Teachers to cover classroom parties. If you need to host your party before the parade, please let me know so I can update the front office staff that we will have parents checking in early. The Specials Teachers would be happy to teach their class at their scheduled time. Thank you.
10 • 5 • 15
Blue Shirt Day®
World Day
of Bullying Prevention
a campaign of
LINDEMANN ELEMENTARY WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN BLUE SHIRT DAY ~ PLEASE WEAR A BLUE SHIRT ON OCTOBER 5, 2015
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.
Chromebooks ~ Share To Classroom Application
We have added a new feature to our Chromebooks. I would like to thank Chelsea Darin for suggesting this tool for our teachers and classes. With the help from Adam Michalak, we now have the ability to share content across our Chromebook devices. After MAP testing is completed we will host a brief after school training session. Please click the link below for further information. Students and teachers can use the Share to Classroom Chrome extension to share web content. Teachers can use it create and share assignments and announcements as well. For details about using the share to Classroom Chrome extension, see the article on sharing for teachers or for students.
https://support.google.com/
LINDEMANN ELEMENTARY EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE
We have a box ready near the main office ready to collect all of your used Crayola Markers.
Crayola ColorCycle
Crayola and schools across North America are banding together to help kids understand the importance of their role in protecting the environment. That’s why we launched Crayola ColorCycle. Through this initiative, students in K-12 schools across the continental United States and parts of Canada can collect and repurpose used Crayola markers.
ColorCycle is also a great opportunity for teachers and their students to explore eco-friendly practices. Specially developed standards-based lesson plans are available to enrich instruction and promote lively class discussions.
Dr. Matt Sokol (Special Education Director) wanted to share this resource with our general education classroom teachers. If you are interested in learning more about proven strategies that work with ASD students in your classroom, visit the AFIRM website by clicking the logo. Simply create a FREE account to gain access to all of these modules and resources.
AFIRM Modules
AFIRM Modules are designed to help you learn the step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an EBP with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age. Supplemental materials and handouts are available for download.
Each AFIRM module provides:
- Key components of an EBP including the various approaches that can be used with learners
with ASD - Behaviors and skills that can be addressed using the practice
- A step-by-step process for applying the practice
- Specific resources that you can download and customize for your own use
- An option to earn a free certificate for professional development
Available EBP Modules:
How to create assessments for the Common Core
Here’s how to create new formative assessments
to measure complex student comprehension
http://www.eschoolnews.com/2014/01/16/assessments-common-core-567/
The rigors of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) ask today’s educators not simply to measure students’ factual knowledge, but instead to accurately assess students’ critical thinking. With such a major transition from multiple-choice testing, it’s important to know how to create assessments for these 21st-century standards.
“The most important question to ask at the onset of assessment creation is: How might we develop and use rich tasks to focus on those outcomes that matter most, and make school more relevant and engaging for learners andteachers?” Click on the link to continue reading this article….
New Math Apps Help Students Visualize and Explain
Common Core Math Concepts
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/zombie-fish-bits-free/id958693611?mt=8
Primal Math, an award-winning team dedicated to helping young learners develop their natural abilities to do math, invites K-5 teachers and their students to discover new and exciting ways to explore common core math concepts—both in the classroom and at home—with Primal Play and Zombie Fish Bits. These free, interactive gaming apps take students well beyond memorization—using fun modeling tools to develop visual strategies and explore spatial representations of math concepts.
❶ Take a Test Drive – Download the apps below to see if your students can benefit from a deeper understanding of math concepts. Like what you see…
❷ Share the Primal Math Class Flyer with your students so they can test-drive the apps at home.
FIRE DRILL ROUTES
Exit routes have been established for years and have not changed over time. Each year our student population continues to grow. If you feel we need to re-look at exit plan please let me know. I noticed that many of our classes were jammed up in the halls waiting for others to exit safely. I would be happy to look at switching classes if that offers the safest exit and is best for the safety of all.
CHILD STUDY TEAM – September 28, 2015
Deb Green, Dana Brown and myself all met this past Monday to review Student Referral Packets. Copies of the Student Referral Packet are available on this blog (Office Forms). Please read the form carefully and fill in all areas. The more data we have as a team, the better we can assist our students. Deb Green will be putting out a memo with upcoming dates for our next meetings along with a REED schedule, etc.
LINDEMANN BAND
Mr. Skebo met with 36 excited 5th grade students this past Monday for Band Rehearsal. They met in the Music Room from 3:45-5:00 p.m. Students interested in joining band must have registered with Mr. Skebo. 5th Graders may place their instruments in the hallway outside their room on Monday mornings until band begins in the Music Room after school. Please click the following link to view the Band Parent Letter.
Teacher of the Year Nominations
Nominate your hallway neighbor! The Michigan Teacher of the Year online nomination window opens September 24, 2015, and the deadline for submitting is October 22, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. http://www.michigan.gov/
2nd Grade Cursive Writing
Reinforcement in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.
Just a friendly reminder that the expectation is that our 2nd grade teams will introduce Cursive Writing. Our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teams will continue to reinforce cursive writing throughout the year. This was discussed last night at our ICC meeting. I do want to say how proud I am of our staff at Lindemann for following the curriculum expectations.
Are You a PTA Member? Cost: $7.00
Lindemann has always shown great pride by showing 100% staff participation with our PTA. If you have not yet had a chance to become a member, please see Adrianna Soranno as our teacher rep. She is collecting our staff funds and will be sure to get our membership cards passed out. As the building principal I do feel it is very important that we show our support and sign up to help with at least one event throughout the year. This year, we are working on hosting monthly Restaurant Fundraising Events. These are great opportunities to stay out of the kitchen and enjoy a night out with your family.
Good afternoon,
The 2015/16 Goal Setting Meetings will start to take place the week of September 28, 2015.
When we meet to discuss your goals, we have two options:
- As an individual. For those who wish to meet individually. I will create a calendar and share it with our building teachers. Please look over the schedule and add in your name to the time slot and date that works best for you.
- As a grade level. For those who share the same goal and wish to meet as a grade level. I will create a calendar and share it with our building teachers. Please look over the schedule and add your grade level to the time slot and date that works best for your group.
Teachers will use an approved assessment for their Student Growth Goal:
- K-1 will use the DRA
- Grades 2-8 will use the NWEA.
For evaluation purposes, teachers will have the option to choose Math or Reading as a focus for their Student Growth Goal.
Administratively, I will continue to be fair and reflective, giving my time to work with you in the very best interest of student achievement and creating the best learning environment possible. I will continue to work with my administrative colleagues to be sure we (as an elementary team) are viewing the data the same way. We will continue to use the Rubric created and outlined in the Growth Goal Memo that has been provided.
Walk Throughs. I will start my walk through process the week of September 28, 2015. A friendly reminder: In order to “count” technically as a walk-through, I need to see / observe:
- Student Target
- Lesson Plans
- Student Engagement
Please do not stop instructing or otherwise engage me during the visit, as I do not wish to be intrusive.
STUDENT GROWTH GOAL WORKSHEET ATTACHED – The Goal Outline sheet needs to be completed before our Goal settingmeeting. I have attached the form for you. You need to complete the first four boxes on the sheet. The end-of-year reflections/results obviously come at the end. You can bring a draft to the meetings we schedule or send the form to me electronically as a draft for review.
- When writing your goal, please use the verbiage outlined in our “Amendment to the Teacher Evaluation Student Growth Goal”
- Example: “On the NWEA assessment, 60% or more of my students will meet or exceed their projected growth rate pre-to-post.”
DANIELSON FRAMEWORK – You can review the framework as you wish throughout the year. It is not necessary to send me your self-assessment. We suggest that you document or make notes on significant accomplishments or evidence to share with us in our meetingsthroughout the year. If it is helpful for you, I have attached a form that you could use to keep your evidence. Some people prefer to use folders. It is entirely up to you.
* Non-Tenured Teachers must have a completed Danielson Framework on file. (Danielson Framework is attached to this email)
It’s important that we work together as a team and communicate. I am more than happy to host meetings that addresses any concerns that the staff may have before or after school hours.
I’m looking forward to working with each of you through the school year.
Thank you,
Mike D.
Register Online: www.lindemannmscr.eventbrite.com
- IF you want to participate in the actual Color Run Event. Please Register.
- IF you only want to volunteer to help and enjoy the activities, you do not have to register.