August 21, 2015
Happy Friday everyone! I hope you all had a chance to have a relaxing, fun filled summer. This is an exciting time for many students, but can also be a time of stress for others. This year we are starting with heavy hearts as we lost Zach Rolfes to a car accident on Sunday. Students, as well as us, may still be struggling with the loss. Please be open to talking with students or getting them to the counselors.
A few of us had the opportunity to attend the PLC Conference in Minneapolis this summer. The group has echoed past groups in that the sessions were very informative, and that we are doing many of the ideas already in the school. We just need to take it to the next level. This is where our data process fits in. We will be focusing on student data,again this year, but now we need to link the data to our teaching strategies and take the time to make sure all students are learning at high levels. We started to talk about Response to Intervention (RTI) or Multi-Tier Supports (MTS) last year, and I wanted to touch on it again. Level 1 and level 2 interventions are things that you can do during class or before/after school. Level 3 interventions will be when we need to get the Success Center involved. Level 1 interventions are your basic intervention that you do in the classroom during class. This could be as simple as giving an extra example. Level 2 interventions can be done in class or before/after school. These are usually a little bit more than the level 1. You could group students with like misunderstandings and then provide extra instruction for those who need it. While we are providing interventions, please don’t forget about the students that already have it.
Finally, I want to thank everyone again for their hard work with our students. I know some do not appreciate it now, but they will mature and see that you were their for them. I am excited to get this year going and to see the great lessons you have planned for your students.
Staff News
I am pleased to welcome 6 new members to our family. Jessica Voigt will be taking over for Andy Kleeman in the Special Ed Department, Jodi Richey will be taking over for Judy Zeka in the English Department, Lori Carter will be taking over for Chris Soppe in the Math Department, Amy Schmidt takes over for Julia Wilken-Ott in the guidance office, Tara Allen is replacing Sarah Cargin, who left to take a year long mission trip, and Mariela Escobedo Gonzalez replaces Troy Caswell, who accepted another full time position.
Judy Zeka will be in the Success Center this year. The purpose of the room has changed a little to try to get a bigger bang for the buck. Every student will take our Star Reading Assessment every 9 weeks. Students who are not proficient on the assessment will be assigned to the Success Center for a little extra help on their area of weakness. Students that had been assigned based on not finishing homework will need to see their classroom teacher to make sure work is being done. Students can still be referred to the Success Center based on skill deficiencies. The referral form is still being discussed.
Assistant Principal’s Corner
Hope that everyone had a great summer. Your student council has been hard at work already to prepare for this year’s homecoming. The theme this year is “Hollywood”. Our dress up days for the week of September 14th-18th will be as follows:
Monday: Home Movie Night (Pajamas and Sweats)
Tuesday: Favorite Movie Character
Wednesday: Class Color Day
Staff – Mint Green
Seniors – Black
Juniors – Dark Purple
Sophomores – Light Blue
Freshman – Pink
Thursday: Paparazzi/Tourist Day
Friday: Red and Black Spirit Day
I attended a seminar on Bullying this past spring and again at the SAI summer conference earlier this month. In the session they gave many suggestions on addressing problem behaviors in the classroom as well as in the hallway. According to the research presented Amanda Easton, the number one place bullying occurs is in the classroom with the presence of adults. Considering that 90% of our student’s day is in the classroom, this is a concern. Considering this fact we also need to note that most bullying is verbal in nature - approximately 95%. With that being said, I challenge all adults in the building to address profanity in the hallways and classroom as well as verbal abuse. There is no need to figure out the specific target of the language, but just a need to address the behavior overall. By addressing the behavior to the group(s)/individual in front of others, sends the message that “We don’t talk that way here”! If you do witness instances of bullying in the building or get a report of bullying from a student please consider gathering the following information before your send them to a counselor or the office, as this will help establish a plan of investigation:
- The name of the accused student
- A description of the behavior that is bullying in nature
- Approximate Date
- Approximate Time
- Location of the alleged incident
- Potential witnesses
A new bulletin board by the office has been developed to inspire a positive working atmosphere for our students and staff as well as signs in the hallways addressing character and anti-bullying. Clearly identifying our expectations for good behavior will help our students realize the importance of citizenship and character development. Check it out!
Computer lab sign ups have been shared with you via google docs for our three labs, please let me know if you did not get an invite and I will send it to you again. The teacher duty schedule for the 2015-2016 school years was also shared with you so please be sure to note when you have hall duty, lunch duty, etc…
Have a wonderful school year and welcome back!!!!!!
Instructional Coach’s Corner
There is quite a bit of new technology in the district this year:-) If you are interested in some assistance with your new technology or you are interested in trying something in your classroom with technology you have never tried before and you would like some assistance just send me an email or catch me in the hallway and we will set up a time to figure out a way to implement your ideas. And don’t forget that there will be another Technology Application process this spring to request new technology for your classroom. If you have any questions about that or need some assistance just let me know and I will do what I can to help. ---Tracy
Librarian Corner
I just finished a class on Google sites, and have created a new and updated site for the libraries, with updated links to all of our databases. I still have more work to be done on it and welcome any suggestions. Take a look and see what you think: https://sites.google.com/a/lemarscsd.org/lcs-libraries/ Don’t forget, if you would like me to teach students how to use a database, the library catalog, or if you need some books/resources for your curriculu, please let me know. I would love to collaborate with you on projects and help you in any way I can.
There is also a link to Student Council, in which I will to try to post what Stu. Co. is doing for our school and community. - Nancy
Upcoming Events
Friday, August 21 7:00 pm Football Scrimmage vs. Sioux City East
Tuesday, August 25 6:30 pm Freshmen Orientation
Wednesday, August 26 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Open House
Thursday, August 27 5:00 pm Cross Country @ Spencer
7:00 pm Pride Night
Friday, August 28 7:00 pm Varsity Football @ MOC
Monday, August 31 5:00 pm Frosh/JV Football @ Central Lyon
Tuesday, September 1 4:30 pm Varsity Volleyball Tournament @ MOC
4:30 pm JV Volleyball Tournament @ MOC
Thursday, September 3 4:30 pm Freshmen Volleyball @ Western Christian
Articles Worth Reading
Be Extraordinary,
Mark
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