September 2, 2016

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Happy Friday! You all survived the first full week of school and have earned a nice three day weekend.

The English teachers gave a pre-assessment in the STAR Reading program this week. With that data, you should be able to see what level and areas where your students struggle. Then you can incorporate strategies in your class that will improve these weak areas. Mrs. Zeka will send out a reminder on how to look at the data. Neal and I will look at the data and start moving kids out of study hall and into the Success Center that were identified as needing urgent intervention. Those on the intervention list will be monitored and tested at midterm again.

During advisory on Tuesday, please do the goal sheets. We will not be watching "The Harbor" yet; that will start on September 12. You will want to make sure you get channel 3 on your TV. If you do not, you may need to rescan your channels. When the TV's were set up, channel 3 wasn't working so the tuner skipped right over it. If you can't get any TV stations in your room please let me know so we can find another place for your group to watch it or see if we can get it to your room.

We have our first building in-service on Wednesday, September 14th at 7:00 am. During this first meeting your group will have three tasks to complete. 1. Go over your group norms from last year and make revisions if necessary. 2. Create a Tier 2 plan either individually or as a group. 3. Create your short term SMART goals. You will meet in your small groups. We have not finalized our building PD plan yet as we are waiting for the board to approve the district plan. Our building plan will mirror the work you are doing in the district. If you are looking for other ideas, you can write your Tier 2 plan to continue your work on mindset or if you co-teach, you could focus on that. These will need to be turned into me then by September 16th.


Have a great weekend!
Mark

Students as Leaders

On September 6, 15 Student Council members will be attending a conference in Fort Dodge to listen to Mike Smith, the creator of "The Harbor" talk about leadership. "The Harbor" is the video series we will start watching in advisory.

Co-Teachers in our high school have been taking a class with Mrs. Brown to learn more about the art of co-teaching and the advantages that effective co-teaching models can bring to the classroom.  They have been working hard and meeting 2 times a week at 7:00 am to take on this task.  Thank you to all that have been participating in this process.

Assistant Principal's Corner

Congratulations to our 2016 Homecoming Royalty.  This year's Queen Candidates are Gretchen Dodge, Jessica Eisma, Matilynn Langel, Emmaily Madson, Makena Masuen, and Krista Zenk.  This year's King Candidates are Colton Beitelspacher, James Brownmiller, Silas Buss, Zerick Campbell, Bryce Frentress, and Trent Hilbrands.  Our Master and Mistress of Ceremonies this year are Cole Berkenpas and Sydney Rand.

Congratulations to Jeanne Rust.  She has been selected as this year's homecoming parade marshall.

Also during homecoming week the student council is conducting a fundraiser.  Six staff members have been selected/asked to participate in this fundraiser as a motivation to get our kids involved.  The money raised will be put toward additional refillable water bottle stations in our high school.  The candidate that raises the most money will dress like Dorothy on Homecoming Friday and make a special appearance at our coronation ceremonies.  The candidate are: Mr. Moss, Mr. Martin, Dr. Iverson, Mr. Gerdes, Mr. Eckstaine, and Mr. Bork.  Good Luck Fellas and thank you for your participation!

Librarian's Corner

School has started and most students should now be able to get into their computer accounts and emails. If not, please send them to the library to have Mrs. Dalton or I help them out.
As you may have seen on the document I shared earlier in the week, the list of our databases has changed. In case. Here is a current link to those: LCS DATABASE LINK. If you want to know the passwords, check out your shared folder at DATABASE USERNAME & PASSWORDS If you would like me to come and refresh students' understandings of the databases, please let me know. I would be glad to teach them. Just please remember I have classes in the middle school on Thursdays and odd Fridays. The public library also offers some wonderful databases, including one that features creating resumes, college prep help, samples tests and examples for 4th grade through college. Shirley Taylor is the librarian, and she also would love to come in and teach your students about any of their resources, or I can help with those as well. Similar to the instructional coach, I am here to help you. Let me know how I can!

Instructional Coaches' Corner

Students learn the most when they reflect on their learning. Likewise, teachers can learn a lot when they reflect on their practice. An instructional coach can assist you in that reflective process.
  • We can help you tape your lessons for viewing later (consider having us teach your class while you view the footage and reflect).
  • We can also have conversations with you that will lead you through your reflection.
  • You can find an area for growth and have us give you feedback through observation.
Do you have a goal or practice that you want to work on this school year? We can partner with you to achieve it!

Articles Worth Reading

5 Tips for Teaching the Tough Kids

Dialogue Defibrillators: Jump-Start Classroom Discussion

Observe Me - Great idea on how to gather feedback from others!

Upcoming Activities

Friday, September 2
- Varsity Football @ MOC Floyd Valley

Tuesday, September 6
- 4:30 Cross Country - Gary Meyer Meet @ Brunsville
- 5:00 pm Freshmen/Sophomore Football vs. Western Christian
- 5:00 pm JV Football @ Sioux City North - Leeds Field

Thursday, September 8
- TBD Varsity Volleyball @ Sioux City East

Friday, September 9
- 7:00 pm Varsity Football vs. Spirit Lake

Saturday, September 10
- 8:30 am Varsity Volleyball Le Mars Invite

Monday, September 12
-5:00 pm Freshmen/Sophomore Football @ Cherokee

Tuesday, September 13
- 5:00 pm Boy/Girl Cross Country @ Sunrise Pointe Golf Course Storm Lake
- 6:00 pm JV/Varsity Volleyball vs. Estherville Lincoln Central

Thursday, September 15
- 5:30 - 7:30 pm T &I Booster Club Supper

Friday, September 16
- 4:45 pm Freshmen Football @ SBL
- 7:00 pm Varsity Football @ SBL


Be Extraordinary!
Mark

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