Goodbye October

Can you believe it? Where did October go? I have a feeling we are in for much of the same with our busy Nov filled with a few days of no school here and there.  With each new day comes new intentions.  With each new intention comes new results!  I am excited for the potential our students have each and every day.  Thank you for bringing your best.  They deserve it. 

November 1st School Improvement PD for all Marshall staff 

~Eleot review activity 

~Integrated Action Plan (IAP) Data Dive (review all 6 principles then focus on Marshall's current IAP, action steps and progress).  

~Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) survey.  To prepare for the Marshall Leadership Team's (MLT) CNA Nov. task, we will survey the entire staff with the new tool. This will not only give us a much more accurate pulse on staff's idea of needs as we move forward, it will also familiarize the staff with the entire school improvement process.

I am excited to have us all on the same page for both the accreditation site visit and for the Improvement Plan process the Marshall Leadership Team will tackle this year.
All staff are expected to attend.  Please bring your Cognia folder. If you cannot make it, please see me. 

Notes from The VOICE (Shaw & Fedde)

• Thank you for signing your employee handbook. This was due on October 21st. FUSD wants to make sure you took note of a couple of sections. In regards to the FERPA section, just a reminder that when you are having conversations in regards to a child in your room please move these conversations from the hallways to a room, even with a closed door if necessary. The complaints from parents in regards to this type of complaint is up and avoidable. They also wanted to clarify the section on conflict of interest, in which you have to sign off on. A conflict of interest is with anybody in your immediate family only (spouse, sibling, child) that works for or will be hired as an outside vendor to do work for FUSD.
• There are 3 calendars that will be up for review for next year. All 3 calendars do have our November PD moved to a Monday to protect prep time.
• Speaking of our November 8th PD, classified will be happy to hear that they will be able to clock in and out at the site. It is my understanding there will be more time clocks with signs pointing at them, and that the geo-parameters will be opened up to make clocking in and out possible!
• Kevin Fedde is our site representative for Marshall classified staff. If any classified staff has any questions or concerns that they would like him to take to the VOICE in their behalf, the forms are located behind the copier in the work room.

SPED Corner by Hauer

Eligibility for Special Education

“It’s really difficult to see a child struggle; it’s heartbreaking. Add to that increasing demands of the curriculum and environmental factors. It’s human nature to want to make it easier for children and special education is often a way to do that.”

I am often questioned why students with low IQ’s or students that are struggling with academics throughout their school years don’t qualify for special education.  I found some great information that explains common misconceptions specifically about learning disabilities and gives insight about these topics.

Dr. Horowitz (https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/five-misconceptions-about-learning-disabilities).  One misconception a week...

Misconception 1: The Term ‘learning disabilities’ is interchangeable with other disorders.

“Learning disabilities (LD), are not one thing, but rather the name for a category that encompasses a variety of specific disorders that create real obstacles for success in school, on the job, and in life. It’s an umbrella term that points to weaknesses in such areas as reading, writing, spelling, math, and other kinds of skills, and is presumed to result from faulty or inefficient ways that information is processed in the brain. By definition, individuals with a learning disability do not struggle because of low intelligence, poor teaching, lack of motivation or other such factors. Their underachievement is unexpected and unexplained, which is why the term is often misunderstood.

“It’s important to note that the term is also often confused with a number of other disorders, so let’s set the record straight. Learning disabilities do not include problems that are primarily due to visual, hearing, or motor disabilities — even though students with those types of disorders can also have LD. It doesn’t include intellectual disabilities (formerly called “mental retardation”), emotional disturbance, or autism spectrum disorders, although children who fall within these diagnostic categories can also have learning disabilities. LD is not caused by cultural, environmental, or economic factors. And LD is not synonymous with ADHD, even though they often co-occur and share lots of the same features. They both require specialized, structured and carefully targeted instruction and support. But here’s the big difference: ADHD can be treated with medicine; LD cannot.

November is Indigenous People's month

If you have some planned events for November and the celebration of Indigenous People, could you please share those events, times, dates with me? 

Thank you!  

Bianca's apple bar was beyond incredible!  Thank you for all of your time and effort in supporting your colleagues.  My favorite was the peanut butter/chocolate combo with pretzels!  

 
 Eureka Math Lesson planning

Jane Gaun created a great template to assist us. Please review the Required Content Components of a Eureka Math Lesson as well as this well planned Eureka Math Lesson Plan Template. You can also access both on THE HUB

• Fluency/application
• Concept development
• Problem Set
• Debrief
• Evidence of learning and opportunity feedback
• What ways are students asked to reason, share and make their thinking visible?

Evaluations this week: Overton, Thompson, Gerlick

Red Ribbon Week 

Coming Up 
No CTs this week due to PD

Monday, Oct 28
Wear Red

Tuesday, Oct 29
From head to toe - crazy socks and hair
~2-3pm Best Foot Forward Assembly - Creede Repertory Theatre for all Marshall students.  Study Guide here!

Wednesday, Oct 30
My Future's so bright - sunglasses/neon colored clothes
~Picture Retake Day
~12-3pm Reasor at Threat Assmt
~5:30-6:30pm Taiko Drumming  Performance
   Happy birthday Bobby Macias! 

Thursday, Oct 31
Good Character- Good Choices (costume policy - see blog last week)

Friday, Nov 1
Marshall THINKS, Marshall tee to conclude Red Ribbon Week
~6:45-8:30am Reasor, Overton & Fedde at Growth &  Inspiration Council
~9:30-10:15am Taiko Drumming Assembly
~1:00-3:00pm School Improvement PD - All Staff expected to attend

~Nov 2, Grand Canyon Youth Fundraiser 5pm
~Nov 5, Cognia Accreditation Review 1-4:45pm 
~Nov 6, PTO 4:30-5:00pm
~Nov 6, Parent University 5-7pm - mandatory 
~Nov 8, You Matter PD - mandatory
~Nov 8, No School for students
~Nov 11, No School - Veterans Day
~Nov 20, 5th grade middle school  visitation
~Nov 27-29, No School Thanksgiving Break.

Bus Duty: 5th grade Team (TPPP eligible)!

Please acknowledge you have read this post.

Fall is in the air

 Did you know just how much your attendance matters?

As common sense suggests, teacher attendance is directly related to student outcomes: the more teachers are absent, the more their students’ achievement suffers. When teachers are absent 10 days, the decrease in student achievement is equivalent to the difference between having a brand new teacher and one with two or three years more experience.  Worse yet, a number of studies have found there to be a disproportionately high rate of teacher absenteeism in schools serving low income and minority students, providing yet another obstacle to closing the achievement gap.  Such findings are hardly surprising given that teachers represent the most potent school-based factor contributing to students’ academic achievement, as has been thoroughly documented in recent years.  

In summary: YOU MATTER SO SO MUCH!  

This graphic represents Marshall as of Monday, October 14th.  We have managed to cover for each other without having to combine classes thus far.  Thank you to each and every one of you who have given up your time to cover a class.  It takes a village as we continue to do everything we can for our students. 

1st qtr- time management

I know it feels we never have enough time.  I am not sure if you noticed but I tried to conserve as much of your 1st qtr time as possible.  Limited meetings, limited PDs, limited evaluations, limited parent nights, limited committee commitments in Aug/Sept, limited assemblies, etc. I valued your time to build relationships with your students and parents.  To establish routines and clear expectations. To collaborate and plan with your grade level team, ELL specialists and SpEd resource teachers.  This was time very well spent. Now it is time to hit this strong foundation running!  I look forward to what this second qtr will bring with our School Improvement PD on Nov. 1st.  Our well-planned Parent University on Nov. 6th.  Our upcoming student celebrations. Our upcoming performances (Creede and Taiko Drumming).  This qtr will fly faster than the first!  Take care of you and carefully manage your time as we move students forward!

Social Emotional Learning begins this week! 

~For this week, students will meet with Mrs. Lester in the computer lab. 

~Technology standards are the responsibly of the gen ed teacher.  Remember, only one lesson must be taught from the Digital Citizenship/Internet Safety Education to meet the Federal Internet Safety requirements. However, FUSD strongly encourages digital citizenship instruction throughout the academic year, as it provides an opportunity to set expectations for online behavior and prepares students for college, career, and life.

Once the digital citizenship lesson has been completed, each teacher must sign the FUSD Teacher Verification Form and submit it to their school office.  Completed verification forms should be collected at the school sites and then sent (via district mail) to Ruth Thomas by December 20^th.

Please familiarize yourself with the technology standards and remember, Learning.com is one of many resources available to you.  It is not a curriculum you must teach.  Technology standards are best taught when embedded in your lessons as most of you already do.  If you have questions about technology expectations, please come see me.  

Finally, the technology lab will soon be available to all on a sign up basis just like the science lab! 

Creede Repertory Theatre Presents:

Best Foot Forward!: El Mejor Pie Adelante!

Book and Lyrics by Lojo Simon

Music by Brandon Grayson

Directed by Melissa Firlit

Sawyer McNally really wants to win the “Dance Starz” crown, but her competition is fierce, and “Lil G” Gonzalez has all the right moves. When a storm forces the two dancers from different walks of life to get to know one another, Sawyer learns that there are more important things in life than winning.

An original, bilingual musical, Best Foot Forward exposes students to a variety of music and dance styles, promotes appreciation of differences and reinforces positive behavioral patterns. 

 This performance is scheduled for Tuesday, October 29th at 2pm in the Cafegymatorium.  All materials (study guide, songs, Spanish translations) can be found at their web page.  Each student will receive their own book!

Halloween 
...is on a Thursday, I will take Friday off.  I joke. I don't have a problem with Halloween at all!  It's the day after that always seems to present great challenges.  We will be ready for them! Please check out the "Halloween 3-Pronged Policy"  below.  No surprises here, just common sense. 
 
Marshall's 3-Pronged Policy -----E  
1.  Any Halloween activities must be aligned with standards and instruction.
2.  Aligned Halloween activities must not impact or interrupt other school programs, schedules, or special classes, including but not limited to RTI.
3.  Costumes must be school appropriate following the guidelines below.  If your students wish to come in costume, please make sure you pass along and monitor these guidelines.  

• If costumes are in any way unsafe students will be required to remove them.  
• No attire may be worn which would in any way impede the student from moving safely and quickly out of the building in the event of an alarm.
• If students do not have a change of clothing, they will be required to stay in the office until parents arrive.
• Costumes must not obstruct vision or movement or in any way present a hazard to the student or other classmates. 
• Masks may not be worn.  Not even outside the classroom.
• No fake knives, swords, or guns of any kind may be used as a part of any costume. 
• Such items will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension from school.
• Costumes must not be overly gruesome and overtly violent.

Also, please keep in mind: many of our families find the celebration of Halloween to be offensive, contrary to their religious beliefs, or just a distraction from what should otherwise be a normal, productive day of school.  In planning to incorporate Halloween into your teaching next week, should you choose to do so, please recognize and honor each individual's position on this issue and their right to hold it.  You may not choose to exclude from instruction students who choose not to recognize Halloween.  Please keep in mind: a separate-but-equal instructional program for such students is most often neither.

Thank you for you help in enforcing the "Halloween 3-Pronged Policy".  Please share your educational ideas and photos with the rest of us!

Please pay close attention to our Specials and RTI schedules.  For the integrity of all of our programs, we must make every effort to be on time.
 

SPED Corner by Hauer

Did you know that a general education teacher is a required and a valuable member of every IEP meeting? Even if a student is not in a general education setting or you do not personally know the students' academic abilities, you have an important role in the meeting. General education teachers represent the curriculum and standards for each grade level. Your input on how we can align standards with IEP goals and ideas on how to break down the barriers for students to access the general education curriculum is vital in creating SMART goals for an Individualized Education Plan. Your knowledge in task analyzing skills would also be helpful when planning the steps of how students can best meet their goals by meeting the student where they are and mapping out the next steps of their education. If you are invited to an IEP meeting please promptly rsvp if you are able to attend. Make it a priority to be on time and stay the full meeting. If the time doesn't work for you, please work with the special education teachers on a time that does fit into your schedule. For students not in your class it would be beneficial to talk with the case manager that invited you so that you can best understand how you can be a support during the meeting and meet the student you will be discussing so you can put a face to a name.

This is a tip of the month sent by ADE:

Suggestion: Have each participant explain his/her role. Example: I am Mary Smith and I teach second grade. My role in this meeting is to answer questions and provide input about grade-level curriculum and grade-level standards.

From Mrs. C - October 23rd is Unity day against bullying & united for kindness and acceptance and inclusion.  Students are encouraged to wear orange.

Evaluation Calendar is up to date.  Please go to THE HUB to see when you are scheduled.

Evaluations and Lesson Plans

I enjoyed getting to spend some time with many of you in CTs these past few weeks looking at qtr 1 data and discussing expectations for TPEC evaluations and your professional growth plan.  While I am not looking to collect quarter 1 lesson plans, I am requesting you submit one week's worth of plans so I can better understand how you are structuring your days.  You may send them electronically or place in my basket.  Thank you.

Evaluations this week: Mijares, Milios, Gustafson
 

November is Indigenous People's month

If you have some planned events for November and the celebration of Indigenous People, could you please share those events, times, dates with me? 

Thank you!

Coming Up 
Red Ribbon Week, more to come from Mrs. C.

Monday, October 21
~10:20am Progress monitoring training for special area teachers.
~4-5pm Reasor at DecisionEd training 
   Welcome Back Mrs. Krause!

Tuesday, October 22
~8:15-9:30am Reasor at DO (Title I budgeting)
~5:30pm Governing Board Mtg

Wednesday, October 23 - Unity Day! 
~9:15am-12:00pm Reasor at FRC - ELETEAM 

Thursday, October 24
~Turn in horseshoes for THINK assembly~
~6:00-7:00pm Kindergarten Fall Festival

    Happy birthday Christina Janeway!

Friday, October 25

~THINK assembly (T-H) recognized
~Blue Ticket Store is open
    Happy birthday Tori Beck!

~Oct 28-31, no CTs due to Nov. 1 PD
~Oct 29, Creede Repertory Theatre performance 2-3pm
~Oct 30, Picture make up day
~Oct 30, Taiko Drumming Parent Performance 5:30-6:30pm
~Nov 1, Taiko Drumming school assembly
~Nov 1, ALL STAFF PD School Improvement 1-3pm
   mandatory
~Nov 2, Grand Canyon Youth Fundraiser 5pm
~Nov 5, Cognia Accreditation Review 1-4:45pm 
~Nov 6, PTO 4:30-5:00pm
~Nov 6, Parent University 5-7pm 
~Nov 8, You Matter PD - mandatory
~Nov 8, No School for students
~Nov 11, No School - Veterans Day
~Nov 20, 5th grade middle school  visitation
~Nov 27-29, No School Thanksgiving Break.
 
Also, please do not forget to acknowledge the blog weekly before your day on Monday.   Most of you are great at doing this.  Yes, I do check.  Only 37 out of 62 of us acknowledged last week.  

Bus Duty: 4th grade Team (TPPP eligible)!

Please acknowledge you have read this post.

Bring on the 2nd Quarter!

We made it!  First quarter is down!  You built relationships, you established policies and routines, you taught, you gathered data and you met with your parents! Thank you for your commitment to your students as we push ourselves and our students to meet and exceed expectations!  We have major goals as we move forward into the second quarter.  We will continue to push our students (and our parents) through Parent University scheduled for Nov. 6th.  If you did not get a chance to meet with some of your families, please take time to send home a highlighted version of the Parent University catalogue.  We will promote it heavily in late October.  

You have all received your Cognia (formerly AdvancED) folder.   Mr. Penca is coming to our staff meeting on Thursday, October 17th at 7:45am.  It is truly an honor to be selected to represent FUSD during this intense process.  Speaking of FUSD, did you see Zach Fountain's email from Wednesday with THE PEAK newsletter?  So much great information in there.  Please refer to his email. 

International Walk To School Day - we crushed it!

Kinsey                   30%

Thomas                 49%

Sechrist                66%

Marshall                80%

 

Coming Up

Monday, October 14
~Taiko Drumming Begins!

Tuesday, October 15
~8:00-9:30am Nurse Liz at DO

Wednesday, October 16
~8:00-9:30am Mrs. C at DO

Thursday, October 17

 ~7:45-8:15am Staff Mtg with Mr. Penca

Friday, October 18 

Bus Duty: 3rd grade Team (TPPP eligible)!

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