JUSTICE/FAIRNESS
It is very easy for people to lose self-esteem in their daily lives. Talk to your students about their hopes, dreams, and qualities that make them unique. Have your students create a collage of a fair and just future that they strive for.
"You cannot be fair towards others until you're fair to yourself."
Important Dates
- Jan 30- Evacuation Drill
- Jan 30th- Feb 3rd Opinion Benchmark Writing Window for both Reach and SPICE.
- Jan 30 & 31- New Teacher Math PD
- Feb 1- Staff Meeting
- Feb 2- Family Math Night 5:30-7
- Feb 6- Leadership
- AR Assembly- Feb 6
- Grade 3 9am
- Grades 5/6 2:05pm
- AR Assembly- Feb 7
- Grade K/1 9am
- Grade 2 10:40am
- Grade 4 2:05pm
Staff Reminders
Staff Meeting Clarification
Article 4.2 states the following: The District may schedule up to a maximum of twenty four (24) hours per school year in additional to the regular work time, not to exceed three (3) meetings per month and not to exceed a total of three (3) hours per month. The beginning of these meetings shall be adjacent to the duty day and must start with in thirty (30) minutes of the duty day, and may not exceed ninety (90) minutes past the duty day. Meetings starting before the end of the duty day shall not continue beyond ninety (90) minutes past the duty day.
Meeting time outside of the duty day may be used for:
4.2.1.1 Faculty meetings. Reasonable effort shall be made to communicate agendas to staff at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of meetings.
4.2.1.2 Professional growth/in-service training activities.
4.2.1.4 Department/grade level meetings/collaborative/planning time.
If a meeting says "staff meeting" even though it is a training, the assumption is that all staff will attend. If there is a training that is not a staff meeting, it is optional. For example, our training on Morning Meeting was during our staff meeting time (3 hours per month) so all teachers should have attended unless they had tutoring etc. The ELD training coming up in February, is not during staff meeting time so it is optional and all participants will be compensated because the work extends beyond the duty day.
I will strive to avoid staff meetings on Tuesday, however, sometimes you can only book trainers on Tuesdays.
Clarification on School Wide Focus
Several teachers have shared that they are confused as to the direction of the school in terms of program focus. I have heard from many teachers that they wish there was on school wide focus rather than one for SPICE and one for our neighborhood students. We have asked grade level leads to develop a list of cultural activities already being done. Those activities will be shared at the Leadership meeting in March.
The Leadership team will provide me with feedback on next steps. There is a google form out for teachers to indicate if they wish to proceed with mission vision work with the county. I will take that input and make a decision on whether to continue with mission and vision work. My goal is to proceed with caution, and take the school in a direction that will be supported by all teachers at Markham.
GROWTH MINDSET
As researchers and teacher educators, we have found that a gift many effective educators give struggling students is a practical and optimistic mindset coupled with strategies that help them learn successfully. Over the last two decades, we have supported teachers in teaching students about their brilliant brains and in showing students strategies to support positive outlooks about their learning capabilities.
For the whole articles click here
Staff Meeting Clarification
Article 4.2 states the following: The District may schedule up to a maximum of twenty four (24) hours per school year in additional to the regular work time, not to exceed three (3) meetings per month and not to exceed a total of three (3) hours per month. The beginning of these meetings shall be adjacent to the duty day and must start with in thirty (30) minutes of the duty day, and may not exceed ninety (90) minutes past the duty day. Meetings starting before the end of the duty day shall not continue beyond ninety (90) minutes past the duty day.
Meeting time outside of the duty day may be used for:
4.2.1.1 Faculty meetings. Reasonable effort shall be made to communicate agendas to staff at least
forty-eight (48) hours in advance of meetings.
4.2.1.2 Professional growth/in-service training activities.
4.2.1.4 Department/grade level meetings/collaborative/planning time.
If a meeting says "staff meeting" even though it is a training, the assumption is that all staff will attend. If there is a training that is not a staff meeting, it is optional. For example, our training on Morning Meeting was during our staff meeting time (3 hours per month) so all teachers should have attended unless they had tutoring etc. The ELD training coming up in February, is not during staff meeting time so it is optional and all participants will be compensated because the work extends beyond the duty day.
I will strive to avoid staff meetings on Tuesday, however, sometimes you can only book trainers on Tuesdays.
Clarification on School Wide Focus
Several teachers have shared that they are confused as to the direction of the school in terms of program focus. I have heard from many teachers that they wish there was on school wide focus rather than one for SPICE and one for our neighborhood students. We have asked grade level leads to develop a list of cultural activities already being done. Those activities will be shared at the Leadership meeting in March.
The Leadership team will provide me with feedback on next steps. There is a google form out for teachers to indicate if they wish to proceed with mission vision work with the county. I will take that input and make a decision on whether to continue with mission and vision work. My goal is to proceed with caution, and take the school in a direction that will be supported by all teachers at Markham.
What's Happening Around Campus...
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| Our after school art program is off and running! A big thank you to Jennie Rae, Erin, Nakaren and Shanti for helping out!! |
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| Our Robotics Club had it's first sumo wrestling event of the season. Check out these awesome robots! |
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| A big thank you to Melissa, Omar, and Mike Silva!! |
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| Mike Vanhoy has begun a chess club two times a year! He is very excited about teaching students analytical skills in a fun environment. Check out the Ten Commandments of Chess! |
GROWTH MINDSET
Helping Struggling Students Build a Growth Mindset
Veteran researchers present five strategies—like maintaining success files and allowing choice—to help struggling students develop a positive attitude needed for success.
As researchers and teacher educators, we have found that a gift many effective educators give struggling students is a practical and optimistic mindset coupled with strategies that help them learn successfully. Over the last two decades, we have supported teachers in teaching students about their brilliant brains and in showing students strategies to support positive outlooks about their learning capabilities.
For the whole articles click here
Spotlight is on you!!
Laura Vanhoy
First Grade
You have dedicated much of
your career teaching at Markham as a first grade teacher, you have seen many students
and their families come and go, over time, have you noticed anything in
terms of behavior that may be different now than years past?
I have had the pleasure of teaching at Markham Elementary for the
past twenty years. I have seen families come and go and various types of
behavior. However, this year I am seeing students being positive and
friendly towards their peers. I have also noticed my first graders being
more responsible than ever.
Have you worked with PBIS
or similar school wide practices in the past?
Yes, Markham has used many different positive reinforcements over
the past 20 years. I admire those staff members who are willing to go the
extra mile to see school wide practices succeed. Positive reinforcement
is good for all students!
What are some reasons that
you have given students Paws? What specific behaviors did you reinforce?
I try to get the first graders ready for their life
responsibilities. Many first graders think that they are unable to
complete homework assignments or read on their own. I remind them that
they ARE able to go home, open their backpack and get their homework out.
They shouldn’t have to be reminded to read if they already have books in their
backpack or home. I started giving Paws for those students completing
homework. It is working quite well. My homework completion rate was
at 40% and now we are at 60%. Responsibility skills are definitely
improving in room 26.
PBIS requires that the
whole school be active and participate in implementing its components -
regardless of job duty. Do you think that this approach will benefit
students? If so, why?
I totally believe that this approach will benefit students.
We all need to be a Markham “village” and look out for ALL students that are
making Safe, Responsible and Respectful decisions. We also need to guide those
that aren’t with our positive PBIS program.
About how many Paws do
estimate you give students per week… and why do you think you use the PAWS to
recognize your students at such a high rate??
I probably give out 40 to 60 Paws each week. My eyes are always
open and looking for those students that are being Safe, Responsible and
Respectful.
Is there anything about the
way that Markham approaches/implements PBIS that you would change?
Yes, I would have the PAW Shop open more frequently. Students save
up Paws because the shop is closed. Then when it is open the line is very
long. Some students are unable to cash in Paws. Yes, first graders
do cry because of this. L Maybe, we can have the shop inside the
circles when it rains? We do appreciate all of the volunteers that give
up their time and donate prizes. We are very fortunate to have them!
Imagine that you are able
to receive Paws as an adult for good behavior. What reward would you
choose to spend your Paws on, if the # of Paws did not matter? (ex: favorite
food, a trip to ______, a day in bed, etc.)
If I could
get Paws for good behavior as an adult I would use them to buy snacks for my
classroom and take a tropical family vacation.
Citizenship Awards...
This month is flying by. Please remember to choose ONE student in your classroom that has exemplified Justice/Fairness ALL MONTH. Click on the Blue Justice/Fairness link to list your student NOW. Other students you would like to recognize can be praised by using Good News Referrals and PAWS, which each staff member has received.
Timberwolf Tip...
1. FrontRow is now on the Markham gateway! Click the math link on the top or find it on the student links on the side. Kinder and 1st grade iPads should already have the app installed.
2. We have gained another amazing staff member in the front office this week. Luisa is available (along with Becky Ensley) for all of your translation needs! Having a translator at easy access is an amazing resource to utilize - translating class news, calling families with important messages, you name it!
2. We have gained another amazing staff member in the front office this week. Luisa is available (along with Becky Ensley) for all of your translation needs! Having a translator at easy access is an amazing resource to utilize - translating class news, calling families with important messages, you name it!
Markham Shout Outs....
Rolando helped my staff clean up a mess and he did it with a good attitude!
Our yard duty crew- Thank you for braving the cold on those days the kiddos go outside for recess and for giving us a break on those days they are stuck inside.
Rafael- Thanks for always having a smile and friendly greeting for everyone who comes in the office!
Anna- You are doing a good job taking care of our students!
Our office staff is one of the biggest reasons why I decided to work here at Markham! No matter how tired or upset I may get, I can always look forward to a smile on my face when I walk in their. Thank you ladies!!!!!!!
Alicia B is always available when I need a problem solved! It feels great to have this support!! Thank you!!!
Jose- Thanks for allowing SPICE to use your room for our staff meeting!
Karen Sellers, Thank you for taking the time to meet with our special friend in the mornings. Finding the time to meet with a student's individual need is not an easy task. I appreciate you and the work you do with our littles.- Rosie :)
Thanks Erin for the awesome Power Point for our ELD idioms this week. It was a big help. -Sue
Megan Burns- Thank you for being so excited about math and being an advocate for math programs and lessons for our students. Thank you for encouraging teacher professional development in this area.
Rafael- Thank you for making me feel supported!!!
Thank you Sue for last minute taking over my Istation intervention group while I attended an IEP meeting :)
Christin - Discussing their child's disabilities is never easy for a parent to do. I appreciate the warm energy you bring with you to IEP meetings, and how proactive you are with both the students and their families :)
Our yard duty crew- Thank you for braving the cold on those days the kiddos go outside for recess and for giving us a break on those days they are stuck inside.
Rafael- Thanks for always having a smile and friendly greeting for everyone who comes in the office!
Anna- You are doing a good job taking care of our students!
Our office staff is one of the biggest reasons why I decided to work here at Markham! No matter how tired or upset I may get, I can always look forward to a smile on my face when I walk in their. Thank you ladies!!!!!!!
Alicia B is always available when I need a problem solved! It feels great to have this support!! Thank you!!!
Jose- Thanks for allowing SPICE to use your room for our staff meeting!
Karen Sellers, Thank you for taking the time to meet with our special friend in the mornings. Finding the time to meet with a student's individual need is not an easy task. I appreciate you and the work you do with our littles.- Rosie :)
Thanks Erin for the awesome Power Point for our ELD idioms this week. It was a big help. -Sue
Megan Burns- Thank you for being so excited about math and being an advocate for math programs and lessons for our students. Thank you for encouraging teacher professional development in this area.
Rafael- Thank you for making me feel supported!!!
Thank you Sue for last minute taking over my Istation intervention group while I attended an IEP meeting :)
Christin - Discussing their child's disabilities is never easy for a parent to do. I appreciate the warm energy you bring with you to IEP meetings, and how proactive you are with both the students and their families :)
Let out a happy "howl" here - Markham's Staff is HOWLing....
