February 27- March 2

COURAGE

Please devote at least 15 minutes during your specials block to teach MARCH'S character trait: COURAGE

Click here to check out a youtube playlist with 4 different videos/songs about courage, including the Kid President video below:

For the lower grades, check out this reading of Brave Irene:

We will be celebrating Dr. Seuss's birthday the week of February 27th through March 3rd

 Spirit Week with a Dr. Seuss twist! Here is the schedule:

Monday, February 27     

 Focus Book                 The Cat and the Hat        Wear a crazy favorite hat.

Tuesday. February 28    
Focus Book   Green Eggs and Ham or The Lorax   Wear Green or Orange or a Mustache  

Wednesday, March 1

Focus Book     Fox in Socks      Show off your crazy mismatched socks! 

Thursday, March 2  (Dr. Seuss' Birthday) 
Focus Book      Sleep Book      Wear your pajamas for P.J. reading day!

Friday, March 3    

Focus Book    I Can Read with my Eyes Shut      Read my shirt day! Wear a shirt others can read.


There will be a door decorating contest to be judged on Thursday, March 3rd. All teachers are encouraged to participate! The door must depict the theme in one of Dr. Seuss' many books! The winning class will win ice cream sundaes!

Dignitaries Coming To Read Thursday, March 2nd 

We have dignitaries coming to read to our students in grades K-3. 

The dignitaries will attend a reception from 8:30-9:00AM and will read in two classes from 9:10-9:30AM and 9:40-10:00AM. Stay tuned for the schedule!

Selected 6th grade students will serve as school ambassadors and will escort each dignitary around the school. 

Important Dates... check out more dates by clicking HERE

• Feb 27th- BAW observations- get the schedule by clicking here
• Feb 27th-  Shelter/Evacuation
• March 1st- BAW debriefs
• March 2nd- NAEP 4th Grade Testing
• March 3rd- Minimum Day- Prepare Report Cards
• First week of March:  Begin SBAC Practice/Training Tests  
  http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/    
• March 7-10 Conferences
• March 9-Picture Day
• March 11- Super Saturday
• March 13- Fiesta Days Assembly

Timberwolf Tip...

Reclassification

Reclassification is coming up soon.  Forms will be due on 3/8.  The ceremony is scheduled for 4/6. 

Technology in the classroom 
I think this text to speech tool could be useful for students with IEP's who are reluctant writers. This program could make them realize that they have a voice! Also, with SBAC just around the corner, it may be beneficial to expose students to digital writing experiences in a low stakes environment. This link gives some tips for implementing digital writing in the classroom. 
http://www.thetechieteacher.net/2016/08/literacy-tips-for-digital-writing.html

**This webpage lists all of the stores that offer educator discounts :) Cheers to these companies that demonstrate an appreciation for what we do!
 https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/90-retailers-that-offer-teacher-discounts

Spotlight is on you!!

Karen Rivera
Language Teacher

Your job as a Language Teacher means that you see kids of all ages and work with teachers at all grade levels.  Do you notice anything in terms of behavior that may be different from younger/older grades ?

As a Language teacher, I really enjoy that I get the opportunity to work with a variety of grade levels.  In terms of behavior, I have noticed that the younger students are more eager to please and look for approval from adults.  However, they tend to tattle on one another and can lack focus because they get easily distracted.  As the students get older they are becoming more independent and developing more personal relationships.  They tend to seek approval from their peers and are more aware of social surroundings.  Some typical behaviors they exhibit are disruptions in class to gain peer attention and disrespect towards others. 

Have you worked with PBIS or similar school wide practices in the past? 

Yes, I worked at a school that promoted a positive school wide reward system based on three main areas: citizenship, academics, or improvements.   Teachers would recognize students (usually one student for each of the areas) each month at a school-wide assembly. The students would get to invite their parents to the assembly so they could see their child get recognized and receive a certificate/gift card.  The goal was to allow every child to have a chance to be recognized for something positive they did or accomplished in that school year.   

What are some reasons that you have given students Paws?  What specific behaviors did you reinforce?

I have implemented PAWS with my own classroom behavior system (ticket system).  I use PAWs to help reinforce behaviors such as showing responsibility by completing homework, reading AR books with a passing score, and for showing improvements.     

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?

Yes, I think having consistency among staff members is important in order for a school wide program to be effective.  Many of the students move from class to class throughout the day, and if they are held to the same expectations they will know what is expected of them regardless of whose class they are in.

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??

Since I also implement my own ticket system and I usually work with small groups of students the number of PAWS I hand out is not a high rate.  I estimate about 6-8 per week.     

Is there anything about the way that Markham approaches/implements PBIS that you would change? 

I think implementing monthly assemblies for lower and upper grades that spotlight students and help promote PBIS traits would be a another way to motivate students.     

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.)

Any weekend getaway trip would be really great!

                                                   

Citizenship Awards...

This month is flying by.  Please remember to choose ONE student in your classroom that has exemplified Citizenship 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.

Markham Shout Outs....

SHOUT OUT TO JANINE BROWNE FOR ORGANIZING AND DISTRIBUTING DAVIS BASKETBALL TICKETS TO ALL OUR HARDWORKING READERS.

ALSO SHOUT OUT THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH AN AMAZING STAFF SO KUIC WILL BE BRINGING US A COFFEE STARTING AT 9:50 ON FEBRUARY 28.

SPICE teachers- Thanks for getting me your spelling bee names so quickly. You guys rock! :)

Heather- Thank you for helping us get those ABC books printed! :)

Becky and Rosie- Thank you for keeping SPICE in mind at the district's writing training. :) I appreciate having you two advocate for our program and needs.

Yesenia and Jessica- Thank you for letting us use your classrooms for the WRITE training.

PBIS team- You guys are putting in so much time and dedication for our school and to make learning fun for our students. KEEP UP THE HARD WORK!

The Yard Duty Staff- You guys all take such good care of our kids and when you bring them into my office I can tell that you care! Thank you :)

Thanks Simone for arranging for the coffee on Valentine's day!

Thanks to everyone that helped with assessments! We appreciate everything that you do! We couldn't do it without you!

Alicia B- Thank you for being so thoughtful and writing a personalized Valentine to every teacher! I appreciate your kind words.

Alex H- For communicating with and organizing our Fire department visit! I appreciate you doing that!

Simone- For being a great partner to work with and always sharing your yummy treats! Thank you!

Alicia B- Thanks for the love note! What a kind thing to do to make our staff feel appreciated. I'm so glad that we work together!

Let out a happy "howl" here -  Markham's Staff is HOWLing....