October 2013

Click here for GRE's professional development cite.

Reminders
•  Our PGI class will begin this Monday from 4:15-5:15 in the library.  Please bring your computer and writing materials.

•  Thank you for your thoughtful conversations during staff development this week.  The link to the remediation/extension ideas is on our staff development site.  Please remember to try one or two ideas and bring artifacts/results to our next staff development on November 20^th.

•  Halloween Party 2013 – Students will arrive at school in their costumes.  They should not have weapons, masks, or inappropriate costumes.  Parties will be from 9:15-9:55.  We will begin the parade at 9:55 and it will end at 10:15. Regular classroom routine will resume at 10:30.  If you have students who do not wish to participate in the Halloween festivities, they can arrive at school at 10:30.

•  Teachers, please begin thinking about who will need accommodations for TCAP.  In order to receive an accommodation, students must be on a formalized plan (IEP, 504, ELLP).

Go For the  GOLD!
•  Thank you everyone for taking the time to collaborate and talk about your students!

•  Thank you Stephanie Braden for making cupcakes for a student.  You are so thoughtful!

Golden Nuggets!

Lounge Duty:  Dalcerri/Fleet              Friday Treats:  Office

Morning Announcements:  Hawk

Morning Supervision: Shepperd, Marchese, Nelson, Braden, Hurley, Brands

Remember your lovely orange vest!

October 2013

Click here for GRE's professional development cite.

Opportunities

•  Please make sure you have signed up in the lounge for a Collaboration day this week. This is an opportunity to talk with special education teachers about your students. 

•  CITE support group will take place this Wednesday from 8:00-9:00 in the Gold Mine room. This is an optional, informal time to come and ask questions about CITE.  

•  Halloween Party:  Students will arrive at school in their costumes. They should NOT have weapons, masks or inappropriate costumes.  Parties will be held from 9:15-9:55.  We will begin the parade at 9:55 and it will end at 10:15. Regular classroom routine will resume at 10:30.  If you have students who do not wish to participate in the Halloween festivities, they can arrive at school at 10:30.  Parade route will be sent out this week.

•  Teachers, please begin thinking about who will need accommodations for TCAP.  In order to receive an accommodation, students must be on a formalized plan (IEP, 504, ELLP).

•  Please turn in Social Committee dues to Janis ASAP.  Full time certified staff owe $25 and part time or classified staff owe $12.50. 
• PTO is hosting a spirit day on Friday called color challenge. Each grade level will be assigned a color and the grade level that has the most students wear that color will receive an additional recess supervised by Jenny.  You will receive your color early this week. 

Opportunities

•  If you are interested in our PGI course, Writing in the 21^st Century, please sign up this week.

•  World Class Education is offering five teachers the opportunity to attend the upcoming National Science Teachers Association conference.  If you are interested, please let Libby know by Friday.

Go For the GOLD!

•  Thank you teachers for all of your thoughtful work during assessment days!

Golden Nuggets!

Lounge Duty:  Kramer/Rude        Friday Treats:  SPED and SPED EAs

Morning Announcements:  Fleet

Morning Supervision: Rossi, McMillan, Hayes, Lautenbach, Dalcerri, Rayens

Remember your lovely orange vest!

October 2013

 Click here for GRE's professional development cite.

Reminders

* Please make sure that you have set your goal with Jenny and/or Libby before the end of the day 

   Thursday.

* Digger Dash prizes will be given to students during their recess times on Thursday.
* Announcements of school closures due to weather can be found on the DCSD website, the snow
   hotline (303-387-7669) or local television and radio shows.
* Please forward the attached letter to your room parents informing them of how they can contribute  
   photos to the yearbook. If you have photos to add you can send them via CD or zip file to 
   buffsandcats@comcast.net.
* Halloween is coming! As always, the parties will be first thing in the morning, followed by a parade. Party times and the parade route will be in the Barker after fall break.

Opportunities
* World Class Education is offering five teachers the opportunity to attend the upcoming National
    Science Teachers Association conference. If you are interested, please let Libby know.

Go For the GOLD!
* Thank you Nancy Aldridge for being our SAC representative!
* Thank you fifth grade team for always picking up your students on time from lunch!
* Thank you all for your hard work! Have an amazing Fall Break! You all deserve it!

Happy Birthday!
Chelsey Liccardello – October 12th
Laura ElHaje – October 13th

Golden Nuggets!
Lounge Duty: Fier/Holtzer Friday Treats: No treats
Morning Announcements: Lautenbach
Morning Supervision: Brownley, Woolums, Martino, Hawk, Holtzer, Fier
Remember your lovely orange vest!

CITE Q & A 
What are the expectations for documenting evidence? When will I learn how to upload evidence in my e-portfolio?

Our next staff meeting will focus on the topic of e-portfolios and evidence.  We will specifically address what to upload and show you how to create/use an e-portfolio.  Information on how to create an e-portfolio can also be found on our staff development site.

Is there a quota for the number of teachers who can get highly effective, effective etc.?

No. Please remember, however, that receiving a rating of highly effective, is difficult given the level to which you need to implement several new initiatives.  For example, you need to consistently apply our work in staff development (using GVCs, backward planning, creating and using a balanced assessment system) to other content areas (math, social studies and science).  In addition you need to consistently plan and assess 21st century skills and the 4cs in all content areas. Please do not forget that implementing all of these initiatives effectively is extremely time consuming and require additional work. See the CITE document on our professional development site for additional information regarding the differences between effective and highly effective.

How is credit given for team created items?

Team generated lessons, projects or backward plans are considered evidence of effective collaboration (standard 4).  These are fully supported and encouraged!  Fully implementing the reading and writing backward plans we created as grade level teams, for example, is evidence of being effective.  Applying what you know regarding backward planning by creating high quality backward plans in other content areas would be evidence of highly effective.  This could be done either individually or as a team.

Shouldn't all team members receive the same rating if they are all collaborating?

Not necessarily.  Many of the cite standards/elements talk about how the teacher implements the ideas and practices in the classroom with children  (i.e. many of the standards state "...in collaboration with students").  The consistency with which the planning is implemented in the classroom and the extent to which individual teachers involve students (i.e. creating I can statement, setting student goals etc.) can vary and therefore individual's rating can differ.

When will the teacher team who reviewed standard 1 look at other standard?

The teacher team that created the CITE idea document is meeting on October 28th to continue our work on standard 2.  We hope to meet before each staff meeting to bring clarity to CITE.

How will I get feedback throughout the year?

You will receive information from classroom visits either in a paper or electronic form. Jenny and Libby will also meet with all teachers in February to review your progress on the CITE document and update your goals.  We will also have an opportunity to discuss your practices throughout the formal observation process (pre-observation and postobservation discussions).  These are opportunities for you to ask specific questions about how you can continue to grow.  In addition you may want to attend the voluntary Cite support group morning meetings. The first one will be held on October 23rd. You can stop in at any time from 8-9 to ask your questions, review evidence etc. You can also schedule a time to talk with either Jenny or Libby at any time throughout the year for more specific feedback.