May 1, 2017

This Week
Wednesday:
* Class Placement
    - Sped please plan on attending grade level conversations
    - Come with completed cards

Thursday:
* 12:30-2:00 5th Grade to Cimarron

Friday:
* Kindergarten Egg Drop
* 9:30-2:00 First Grade to Botanic Gardens

Reminders
* Please acknowledge your summative evaluation by May 6th!

* All DRA2 scores need to be entered in TWO places in IC by May 4th. Click here  for directions on where to enter the data.

* Istation needs to be administered between May 1-5. K-3 teachers please do this with all students, 4/5 teachers please administer to anyone on a READ plan.


Spring Tech Schedule

2017 Summer PD Opportunities!

Earn $300 or $600 PGI this summer at DCSD Summer PD!   Review your PGI hours on your PD transcript in InspirED Review the sessions for June 6-9 (both online and face to face classes available) Use the GRE highlighted sessions below or search all sessions! 15 hours = $300    30 hours = $600 Sign up for sessions in InspirED (You must register for the event first) - there are both online and face-to-face classes.   Keynote sessions are not PGI eligible. Submit your PGI hours using this link by June 20:  PGI Submission Link!

Independent Planning Option

Earn up to 14 PGI hours for two days of planning! We have a great opportunity to work on projects that benefit your upcoming year and teaching right here at GRE!!  On June 8 and 9, we will have work sessions here for 7 hours each day (8:00 - 3:30 with a 30 minute lunch).  Free childcare will be offered by some awesome high school students who would love to earn community service hours! Use this LINK to submit a proposal for the use of your days by May 10.  You must also sign up in InspirED for these days to get credit.

Some Recommended Sessions for GRE Teachers...

Instructional Practices
Effective Strategies for Teaching and Learning - Elementary	June 6	9:00-11:00
An Overview of Balanced Literacy in Reading:  Elementary Teachers Only	June 6	9:00-11:00
Strategies to Foster Mathematical Thinking and Problem Solving	June 6	9:00-11:00
Providing a Framework for Formative Practice	June 7	11:30-1:30
Creating and Refining Meaningful Feedback	June 6	11:30-1:30
Unit Planning
Creating, Refining and Updating your Units Using Mapping	June 6	9:00 - 11:00
Technology
Exploring Tech Tools for Literacy:  Grades 3 - 6 (other tech sessions during this time as well)	June 6 and June 7	9-10:00
Upgrading Projects Using Tech Tools	June 7	11:30-1:30
Upgrading questioning through the integration of tech tools	June 7	11:30-1:30
Upgrading feedback and reflection through the integration of tech tools	June 6	11:30-1:30

Link to Summer Dates for DCSD PD Opportunities

PGI Submission Link! If you have credits to claim for PGI- here is a link for more information!

PGI Submissions 2016-2017

PGI submissions for the 2016-2017 school year are due by June 20, 2016.  Please use the link above to submit for payment.  Information and requirements are included on the form. PGI hours are not able to be rolled over from this year into the 2017-2018 school year.  


2017-2018 Draft School Schedule

Click here for the draft schedule for next school year.  Please let Libby or Jenny know if you have questions or concerns.  Here are a few highlights

Happy Birthday

Nicole Moore - May 1st

Stacie Martino - May 2nd

Mel Berry - May 5th

Go For the Gold

• Thank you Karen Petty and Karen Warner for a great talent show!

• Thank you Karen Warner for being flexible with your space!

• Thank you Fat Friday team for the delicious taco bar!
• Thank you Bev Holtzer and Jessalyn Russell for relocating on Friday!
• Thank you Christy Schwalick for figuring out the 5th grade lunch issue!

Golden Nuggets

Morning announcements: Hawk

Lounge duty: McMillan/Robart

April 2017

This Week
Monday
* Libby Summative Evals

Tuesday
* Libby Summative Evals
* 9:00-10:30  Director of School Visit - Carrie Stevenson

Wednesday
* SD: Enter Cite 6 Data --All Data Must be Entered on 4/26

Thursday
* Fire drill - time TBD

Friday
* Fat Friday Taco Bar
* Kindie Egg Drop
* 9:30-10:30 Talent Show
* 10:45-11:45 Talent Show (please see below for more info)

Spring Tech Schedule

Reminders
* Our talent show is Friday, April 28th. The first dress rehearsal will be from 9:30-10:30 and will include the following classes: 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B  (Graham, Woolums, Castro, Meredity, Anderson, Lewis, Lautenbach and Hawk)

The second dress rehearsal will be from 10:45-11:45 and will include: 2C, 2D, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5C, 5D (Moore, Meier, Russell, Shepperd, Holtzer, Poli, Kramer, Rayens, and Dalcerri)

If your planning time is during your dress rehearsal, specials teachers will supervise your class. 

All the performers and Emcees will need to attend the whole morning.

* The Benefits team will be providing all DCSD staff additional Benefits Open Enrollment support with health insurance questions and Workday. They will be at Legend HS on Wednesday, May 3rd from 1:30-4:30 in the library. If you plan on attending, please sign up for Benefits Open Enrollment assistance through this link:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10C0D45AEA82FA0F85-benefits4 

You can also refer to DCSD's Benefit Summary.

Leadership Team Meeting Highlights:

2017-2018 Beginning of the Year Schedule

Click here for the School Schedule
We welcome your feedback around the extra recess schedule as we have not looked at that yet.

Beginning of the Year Schedule for 2017-2018

August 2017

* The leadership team traded out the work day on December 22 for Thursday, August 3.
* Meet your teacher will be scheduled for Monday, August 7, in the morning.

Staffing
* Michelle will be moving to second grade next school year.

Go For the Gold
• A huge thank you to our Leadership team for their time and thoughtful input!

Golden Nuggets
Morning announcements: Lautenbach
Lounge duty: Zankey/Martino

April 2017

This Week

Monday

Leadership team meeting

Tuesday

Jenny summative evals

Wednesday

7:30-8:15 Staff development in the Gold Mine room

Jenny summative evals

5:00 SAC Legend feeder meeting

Friday

No school!

Reminders

* Please share our class placement process and new school blog information in your April monthly parent blog.  You can use the communication shown below.

* Please submit your student recognition in the PTO mailbox.

* A ninth grade student from Legend would like to have the opportunity to observe a teacher for a half or full day between May 22nd and 24th. She would then like to ask a few questions after she observes. If you are willing to have this student in your room, please email Libby.

* August PTO Teacher Grants can be used to purchase new spirit wear.  Let Jenny know if you are interested in pre-ordering one of the new shirts.

Class Placement Process

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor.  This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members.  We take this responsibility very seriously.  Our process for creating class lists is detailed below.

· Teachers identify the social and academic needs of each student.  They refer to existing data and record pertinent information to assist them in their decision-making.

· Teachers meet as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced.  Balanced classrooms meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic strengths and needs and friendships.  Learning specialists and the specials team also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide feedback.

· Each grade level team types a draft of their class list, which is then submitted to me.  I review each child’s placement and ensure that all parent input has been considered. Classroom teachers approve any additional changes to ensure classes remain balanced. 

· Class lists are finalized in August to reflect the addition of new students.

This process is consistent across grades K-4.  Our 5th grade team collaborates with teachers at Cimarron Middle School to ensure students’ success in 6^th grade.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students.  It is a delicate balance that takes tremendous thought by professionals who know and care about your child.  Please remember that our ultimate goal is always to create balanced classes that promote the success of each child.  Please also know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons and that our process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we are reluctant to make changes once this process is complete as moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire classroom. 

We do value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style.  We will take into consideration all pertinent information that you share with me on or before FRIDAY, April 28th.  While we welcome your input, we cannot honor specific teacher requests.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Jenny Brown).  I will accept either a letter or email (jjbrown@dcsdk12.org).

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing.  As you can imagine, I receive a great deal of parent input and verbal information is nearly impossible to track.  Further, please direct all of this communication to me, as I am ultimately responsible for reviewing final class lists in July when teachers are not available.

New School App
Gold Rush has a new mobile app!  This is a great tool for getting all things GRE at your finger tips.  Click on the following links to download this app.

Google Play

Apple App Store

Happy Birthday

Shannon Wilde - April 17th

Go For the Gold

• Thank you Tech committee for your time and input!

• Thank you to everyone who helped administer PARCC and those who were flexible with their schedules. 

• Thank you Gail Golish for a great Book Fair!

Golden Nuggets

Morning announcements: Rayens

Lounge duty: Marchese/Wilson

Congratulations to Michelle Anderson on her                                      Congratulations to Kathryn

daughter's wedding!                                                                              Kramer on her new puppy 

                                                                                                              Otis!

April 2017     

This Week

Monday

7:45 Tech committee meeting - Intermediate (3-5) teachers

7:30-4:30 Book Fair

PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Tuesday

7:45 Tech committee meeting - Primary (K-2) teachers

7:30-6:30 Book Fair

PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Wednesday

SD: Continuing mathematical conversations

7:30-4:30 Book Fair

PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Thursday

7:30-6:30 Book Fair

8:00 Jenny admin meeting

PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Friday

7:30-2:00 Book Fair

PARCC testing Grades 4 & 5

Reminders

* All students in grades K-3 and all 4th and 5th graders on a READ plan need to be assessed again on I station between May 1 and May 5.  Please email Janet Hurley by April 21 if any students need to be testing in a small group.  

* We would love to capture more great math lessons! Please let Jenny, Kristi, or Libby know if you would be willing to have a math lesson video taped. 

* Last call to remove all personal items from the Science room in the first grade hallway. Please do this ASAP!

* There will be no Library classes this week due to the Book Fair. If you are the odd man out, coverage will be provided for you during staff development. 

* Certified staff, please sign up for your end-of-year conference on the calendar on Janis' desk. 

* Classified staff, please email Libby a time that will work for you after you have completed your self eval in Workday.

* Please see below for the class placement information that was shared with parents. If you are getting questions or input from parents, please direct them to Jenny. 

Creating balanced class lists that meet the needs of all students is a difficult endeavor.  This process involves hours of thoughtful dialogue between classroom teachers, administrators, and other staff members.  We take this responsibility very seriously.  Our process for creating class lists is detailed below.

· Teachers identify the social and academic needs of each student.  They refer to existing data and record pertinent information to assist them in their decision-making.

· Teachers meet as grade level teams to form class lists that are balanced.  Balanced classrooms meet each student’s academic, social and emotional needs.  Teachers consider each child’s personality, academic strengths and needs and friendships.  Learning specialists and the specials team also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide feedback.

· Each grade level team types a draft of their class list, which is then submitted to me.  I review each child’s placement and ensure that all parent input has been considered. Classroom teachers approve any additional changes to ensure classes remain balanced. 

· Class lists are finalized in August to reflect the addition of new students.

This process is consistent across grades K-4.  Our 5th grade team collaborates with teachers at Cimarron Middle School to ensure students’ success in 6^th grade.

We strongly believe that this detailed and collaborative process creates learning environments that benefit all students.  It is a delicate balance that takes tremendous thought by professionals who know and care about your child.  Please remember that our ultimate goal is always to create balanced classes that promote the success of each child.  Please also know that your child is placed in a classroom for very specific reasons and that our process benefits all students.  Because of the input and thought given by teachers, parents, and administrators, we are reluctant to make changes once this process is complete as moving one child can disrupt the balance of an entire classroom. 

We do value parent input and welcome any insight you wish to share about your child’s strengths, needs and learning style.  We will take into consideration all pertinent information that you share with me on or before FRIDAY, April 28th.  While we welcome your input, we cannot honor specific teacher requests.  Please put your thoughts in writing and address them to me (Jenny Brown).  I will accept either a letter or email (jjbrown@dcsdk12.org).

I cannot express enough how important it is that your thoughts are in writing.  As you can imagine, I receive a great deal of parent input and verbal information is nearly impossible to track.  Further, please direct all of this communication to me, as I am ultimately responsible for reviewing final class lists in July when teachers are not available.

New School App
Gold Rush has a new mobile app!  This is a great tool for getting all things GRE at your finger tips.  Click on the following links to download this app.

Google Play

Apple App Store

Go For the Gold

• Thank you Megan Fleet for filling in to administer PARCC!

• Thank you Allison Hawk, Kylee Lautenbach, Betsy Zankey, Stephanie Brown, Jamie Marchese, Catherine Graham, Kathryn Kramer, and Lauren Meier for helping with interviews!

Golden Nuggets

Morning announcements: Dalcerri

Lounge duty: Hurley/Brown

April 2017

This Week
Monday
* 7:45 Social Media Committee in the office conference room
* 1:20 Lockdown & Severe weather drills

Tuesday
* PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Wednesday
* PARCC testing Grades 3 & 5
* 4th grade Young AmeriTowne
* SD: Continuing mathematical conversations

Thursday
* PARCC testing Grades 3-5
* 9:30-12:00 2nd grade to PACE center

Friday
* PARCC testing Grades 3-5

Reminders
* On Monday, April 3rd, we will have our lockdown and severe weather drills. We will begin with the lockdown drill at 1:20, followed by the severe weather drill.

* 3rd-5th grade teachers, please make sure all of the students' devices are charged and ready to go for PARCC each day!

* Sign ups for DRA/F&P sub days will be posted in the lounge on Monday morning.  All CITE 6 data will be entered into InspirED during staff development on April 26. 

* EOY self evaluations are due in InspirED by April 8th.

* On April 19 we will have cross grade level discussions from 7:30-8:15 instead of staff development during the day.

* Gold Rush will be honored for our academic growth at the Board of Education meeting this Tuesday evening.  Please let Jenny know if you are interested in accepting this award with her on behalf of our school.

PARCC Schedule

Happy Birthday
Lauren Rayens - April 6th
Pam Ditus - April 9th

Go For the Gold
• Thank you Justin Brakefield, Karen Petty, and Megan Fleet for covering car loop duty!
• Thank you teachers for all of the hard work you put into conferences! It is appreciated!
• Thank you Karen Petty, Karen Warner, Megan Fleet, and Kerry Dazzio for all of your help putting together the schedule for next year!
• Thank you Kerry Dazzio for the amazing art show!
• Thank you Kristi Barta for picking up CMAS materials!

Golden Nuggets
Morning announcements: Hawk
Lounge duty: Braden/Evans