February 6-February 10

CITIZENSHIP

"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter" - MLK

Primary: The Citizen Chain (full instructions in Character handbook): Each student will receive a strip of paper to write about great actions. Staple  the links together to show the sense of community and display within the classroom.

Upper: Recipe for Citizenship (full instructions in Character handbook): Discuss the recipe of a cookie. Emphasis the ingredients that are needed to make that batch. Relate that to how the community of the students would be different with things missing (ex: laws)

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

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

• 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
• 2/6:  Third Grade Writing Rubric Calibration and Scoring
  2/7:  Fourth and Fifth Grade Writing Rubric Calibration and Scoring
  2/8:  Writing Scoring at Sites- Informative PT
  2/9:  Kinder and First Grade Writing Rubric Calibration and Scoring
  2/10:  Second Grade Writing Rubric Calibration and Scoring
  2/15:  K-5 Opinion Writing Scores
• Feb 9- Staff Meeting
• Feb 15- Mandatory SBAC Training/Staff Meeting- Certificated and Classified Staff

Read Across America is Coming Up!  

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

Events Include

 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. 

Timberwolf Tip...

SBAC is coming up!!!  Check out the schedule by clicking here!

If your students need accessibility reports, please complete the Accessibility form.  You can access the form here.

What are you doing for Black History Month?  Send Alicia B an email to let her know by Friday.  Don't know what to do?  Check out this site for ideas.

As we prepare to reflect on our student's writing assessments and begin units on Non-fiction Informative Writing (2-5) and Personal Narratives/Poetry (K-1), here is an article that addresses Strategies to Help Struggling Writers.

                                                                                         

Spotlight is on you!!

Norma Rubio Guerrero
Third Grade

You have dedicated much of your career teaching at Markham as a third grade SPICE 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 honor of teaching in the SPICE program for the last 18 years.  I have worked with many families and have taught students and their siblings.  This has given me the opportunity to form relationships with families.  I have learned that at the end of it all parents are entrusting their children to us to help shape them into responsible, productive and caring human beings. THEN and NOW, students reflect what and whom they see.  As teachers we have to continue to hold students high expectations for behavior and academics at all times, regardless of what obstacles a student might be facing.

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

Our past practices of teach-to's and refocus forms are good if all students know them. PBIS is a good step in bringing our school together for behavior. I am a true believer in schools being student-centered. I am optimistic that PBIS will evolve into our student council being inclusive of ALL students regardless of age.  Our kinders and first graders can learn from our sixth graders.  

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

I have incorporated PAWS into my behavior system in class.  All students know they are required to be ready to learn daily.  However, there are many times throughout the day when they deserve to be acknowledged for going above and beyond academically and as they interact with their peers.

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 the entire staff needs to be on the same page on both PAWS and consequences when not following through with the rules.

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??

This year I have given more PAWS since it is also a part of my class behavior system.  I estimate giving out about 15 a week. 

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

I don't think I would change any of the components of PBIS. Rather, I would definitely strive to include all students in being peer leaders with roles like trash/hall monitors. Our students need to see each other as leaders and role models.

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 spend my PAWS on anything I would choose a trip. I love history and learning about new places, people, food, etc.... Preferably somewhere warm and sunny:)

                                                                           

                                                                                 
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.

Timberwolf Tip...

SBAC is coming up!!!  Check out the schedule by clicking here!

If your students need accessibility reports, please complete the Accessibility form.  You can access the form here.

What are you doing for Black History Month?  Send Alicia B an email to let her know by Friday.  Don't know what to do?  Check out this site for ideas.

Markham Shout Outs....

• Marcela Arredondo- Whenever I talk to you, I feel like I have your complete attention. Thank you for all the ways you communicate, "What you are saying matters."
• Becky Ensley- You are so fun to work with and a great team player!
• Natalie- I love your positive and calm demeanor with your students. :)
• A huge howl of appreciation to Sylvia Sheppard for buying AND hanging hooks in rm 17 for students jackets and backpacks! Thanks so much for all your help with organization in our SDC classroom. 
• I would like to give an enthusiastic shout-out to our tirelessly patient, optimistic, and hard-working Assistant Principal, Alicia. Alicia does whatever she can to empower and support both students and teachers. Whether she is responding to one of my e-mails at 4:00am, using her “lunch break” to talk to me about one of my students, or providing a voice of reason at an SST, Alicia has been a constant support system. Alicia, I appreciate your dedication, sense of humor, and no-nonsense personality. Markham is lucky to have you as a leader! 
• I am proud to send a heart-felt Shout Out To Alicia Blacknell. She has such deep passion for nurturing and empowering the hearts and minds of children…..and teachers.She is tireless in her pursuit of fairness and justice for everyone.She is a fountain of wisdom and insight,and a voice of reason.She has ears that really work-she genuinely listens to you and seeks to truly understand!The obstacles we all face in our mission require grit and personal courage,and Alicia has more than her share! And hand in hand with that grit and courage walks a bottomless optimism.Alicia,you are truly dedicated in your service to our community. For these reasons,and many more,I salute you…loudly!
• Alicia Blacknell- Thank you for always putting students first! Your dedication in improving students opportunities is top notch. You make Markham an even better place. Thank you for your dedication. 
• Thank you Stephanie and Karen for always stepping in where you're needed, even when it's not part of your job.  You ladies work so hard behind the scenes.  We appreciate you.
• Thank you Becky for taking up Shewolves in Lisa's absence.

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