Week of April 1st-5th

Take time for class meetings, character development and other activities that support educating our students and supporting their growth as individuals! 

National School Library Month

Tuesday, April 9: National Library Workers Day, a day for library staff, administrators, and Friends groups to recognize the valuable contributions made by all library workers. Please thank Mrs. Browne and recognize her for all that she does for ourMarkham family.

Staff Shout Outs-Timberwolf "howl"

Melissa Mainini: For handling all the change and challenges in her classroom with grace and patience. Melissa is always willing to try new things for the benefit of her students.

The amazing office staff: Thank you for being so flexible with my sudden absence.

 Volunteers: I would like to thank the 5th grade and 4th grade classrooms who volunteered their time and students to be communication peer models. As Developmental Disabilities Month comes to a close, I have had the pleasure of speaking with students and teachers who are excited to help and learn from students with communication differences. #neurodiversity

Melissa Mainini: Thanks for being a great VTA rep partner! I would not be able to survive at this position by myself! Thank you for always sending out the meeting notes. 

Anna Campos: She is been endlessly ELPAC testing and subbing. One of Markhams Stars!

Chelcy:  She is a great advocate for her students, and she cares so much!

Jose and Samantha: for always being available to help and answer questions! :)

Jessica Cano: Jessica is open to ideas and suggestions. It is a joy to watch her grow as a teacher!

Sunshine: Great job preparing and hosting Marcela's baby shower!

Kathy Vough: for being such a warm and caring person. We are lucky to have you.

Gina:  She has spent endless hours on Elpac testing and gathering the follow up information on our reclassified students!

Ana Hernandez: Even though Ana is a very experienced teacher, she continually is searching for innovative plans and ideas to bring something fresh and new into her teaching. It is motivating and inspiring to watch her at work with her students and keep refining her craft. The Markham community is fortunate to have her as one of its teachers.

Admin and office staff:  Thank you all for working together to help Iván with the proposal surprise last Friday!

My Kinder/TK team: I love you all! Thanks for being wonderful. I'm going to miss you so much!

Gina Kiefer:  Ms. Gina is new to my TK class, bit she hasn't missed a beat! She fits right in and works extra time on most days. She is also a wonderful resource for anyone looking for help with a behavior intervention. Thanks Gina for being such a wonderful addition to Markham!

Important Dates... check out the yearlong calendar by clicking HERE

Mon. Apr. 1	Tues. Apr. 2	Weds. Apr. 3	Thurs. Apr. 4	Fri. Apr. 5
	Jepson visit (Lander & Ceja) @ 9:15am GOTR @ 2:40 Art Smart @2:40	PTO Board Meeting 6 p.m.	Cano & Romo on Fieldtrip Guerrero Fieldtrip Jepson Visit (Mainini, Vanhoy & O'Rear) @ 9:15 Spiritwear Sale Begins!	Jones Fieldtrip PTO Paint Night @ 5pm
Mon. Apr. 8	Tues. Apr. 9	Weds. Apr. 10	Thurs. Apr. 11	Fri. Apr. 12
	Muffins with Mom day 1 8am GOTR @ 2:40	Muffins with Mom day 2 8am PTO Dine & Donate at Villa Corona - 4-7 p.m.		AR Breakfast

PBIS WORLD- Great Resources for Tier 1,2 & 3 Interventions Click here for more resources

Hello from the PTO!

We have a few members of our Markham Family who are struggling right now and could use our help.  A meal train has been set up for Sally Poe, who is battling cancer.  You can follow this link to sign up.  https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/y27wnk?fbclid=IwAR32KWXjnX0gIl_uTIGwJSq64RDBK95hAdJxjuHmgH30sahypXXAOJpjIZQ

Also, Ryley Hampton, who is in First Grade, is battling leukemia.  A Go Fund Me has been established for her family, to assist them as they spend time supporting her treatment.  You can follow this link to help: https://www.gofundme.com/ryley039s-warriors?fbclid=IwAR2Df2Ip-Uju_lZFUS6TgrxIhQ-EOJCWtoq6b5qLmUl7B7MgRwkQ3kAfAp8

Our next board meeting is this Wednesday at 6 p.m. in Room 9.  The agenda is posted in the bulletin board.  We hope you will consider joining us.  Among other things, we will be discussing fundraising for next year.  We would love your ideas!

We will be launching our Spring Spiritwear sale on April 4th.  We will collect orders through April 12th, and expect orders to be back right after Spring Break.  If you have not yet taken advantage of your 10% first order discount, please do so when you place your order.  Also, please be sure to turn in all orders to the office when you receive them.  We had some very disappointed people during our last sale, because their orders were not turned in and they did not receive their items, and we would love to avoid that this time around.

Speaking of flyers and fundraisers, the PTO would appreciate it tremendously if you could timely distribute items that we attempt to send home.  Please let us know if there is a best day to give flyers to you for distribution, or if there is a "submit by" date within your classroom to ensure that flyers go home.

We still have LOTS of school supplies, so if you are starting to think about stocking up for next year, we have erasers, pencils, spiral notebooks, scissors, crayons, markers, pencil sharpeners and rulers.  We'd love to get these out of storage and into your hands so that you can stock your classrooms.  We have some glue sticks, but very few.

The PTO's Recycle for Reading Program has raised over $523.00!  All proceeds are given to the library to purchase books.  Special thanks for Sal Lucido for his tireless volunteer work in sorting our recycling, and for his passion for the program, as well as to the parent volunteers and board members who turn in the recycling each month during their weekends.

Dia del Nino is set for April 30th.  Kids will enjoy inflatable slides, an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, otter pops, music, and other activities during their lunchtime recess.  We will be sending a flyer home about this event, and are hoping to get parents to volunteer.  The more volunteers we have, the more activities we can have available for the kids!

Our Multicultural Festival is on May 3rd.  We would like to hear from you!  Please COPY and PASTE link into your browser to participate in a Doodle Poll: https://doodle.com/poll/gztpp4b36hgbp6ne  and tell us what you would like this event to be!  Ideally, we would love to receive your responses by WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3RD, so that we can discuss at our board meeting.  The poll will close on Friday, April 5th.

Have a great week!

Kim & the PTO Team

MATH Interactive Tool!

Interactive Math Tool- Here is an online tool that might be useful. It lists vertically all the standards so you can scroll through and see how different concepts are articulated through the grade levels and exactly how standards build throughout the grade levels.

http://www.mathcoachinteractive.com/mci_common_core.php

MATH PROGRESSION VIDEOS

I encourage all elementary math teachers to check out Graham Fletcher’s website www.gfletchy.com It has great information including performance tasks and progression videos that show where the heart of understanding in certain math strands. From a vertical articulation standpoint it gives great information to educators on depth in certain grade levels.

The Progression of Multiplication (Progresssion Video)

The Progression of Fractions [Progression Video]

The Progression of Division [Progression Video]

The Progression of Addition and Subtraction [Progression Video]

The Progression of Early Number & Counting (Progression Video)

BETTER LESSON- Science, Math, ELA and more

Visit the website www.betterlesson.com and see the plethora of free lessons in several content areas and grade levels for science (and other subjects too!)

Week of March 25th-March 29th

5 Highly Effective Teaching Practices

1. Teacher Clarity

When a teacher begins a new unit of study or project with students, she clarifies the purpose and learning goals, and provides explicit criteria on how students can be successful. It's ideal to also present models or examples to students so they can see what the end product looks like.

2. Classroom Discussion

Teachers need to frequently step offstage and facilitate entire class discussion. This allows students to learn from each other. It's also a great opportunity for teachers to formatively assess (through observation) how well students are grasping new content and concepts.

3. Feedback

How do learners know they are moving forward without steady, consistent feedback? They often won't. Along with individual feedback (written or verbal), teachers need to provide whole-group feedback on patterns they see in the collective class' growth and areas of need. Students also need to be given opportunities to provide feedback to the teacher so that she can adjust the learning process, materials, and instruction accordingly.

4. Formative Assessments

In order to provide students with effective and accurate feedback, teachers need to assess frequently and routinely where students are in relation to the unit of study's learning goals or end product (summative assessment). Hattie recommends that teachers spend the same amount of time on formative evaluation as they do on summative assessment.

5. Metacognitive Strategies

Students are given opportunities to plan and organize, monitor their own work, direct their own learning, and to self-reflect along the way. When we provide students with time and space to be aware of their own knowledge and their own thinking, student ownership increases. And research shows that metacognition can be taught.

Staff Shout Outs-Timberwolf "howl"

Becky Schlafer-Miller: Becky has been my teacher mentor and friend for the past two years and I feel so lucky to have her help and guidance. Even on my lowest days in my tough first year she knew what to say to help me grow and learn from it. Thanks for sharing teacher memes with me when we are having tough days, and I can never repay you for the countless copies and advice. Thanks for being the best teacher partner ever! <3

All Staff at Markham: We are a hard working, dedicated & extremely passionate group of professionals. I'm lucky to be working with this amazing group. 

Jessica Carrizo: For doing such a good job with my student in speech! Thank you:)

Upper grade teachers: for filling out my survey for my class

My awesome 5th grade ladies: It is always a pleasure to work with you. I appreciate every single one of you!

Chelcy Lehman: She is a great team player! I love her ingenuity, positive can do attitude, and just an all around amazing person!

Norma Guerrero: She has always been there to listen and help me when I have needed the support! Thank you!

Ayesha Faust: a true up-and-comer,has the vision and personal courage to impose the highest standards(both academic and behavioral) on every member of her classroom family-AND the skills and inclination to fight the inevitable battles that come with it,positively influences her colleagues by her example and her willingness to both share her perspectives/philosophies and to listen to others. Ayesha has a "growth mindset",an increasingly clear vision of her role, and will someday be in a position of leadership

1st Grade Team: You guys did an awesome job on Day 1 of GLAD cycles

Cristina and Erin: Thank you for being so flexible and allowing us to use your rooms for ELPAC testing!
 
Becky Ensley: Thank you for always ensuring that I eat... thank you for feeding me! What would I do without you? :)
 
Shanon, Becky, Heather, Bobbie: Thank you for always being so welcoming and putting up with me.

Karen Sellers: Thank you for all your support in ensuring that our students get their academic needs.

Kathy: Thank you to Kathy for being such an amazing human being.
 
Mike Milligan: Thank you for being so flexible and keeping a huge smile on your face!
 
Helen Blood: for focusing on what your students need.

Megan Burns: her willingness to try new things and ask for help when she needs it.

Cristina Brooks: Thank you for being an amazing team player! I love bouncing off ideas and collaborating with you.

Sam Switzler and Mrs. Cristina Brooks: Thank you ladies for all your help this week with my special student. Though it was a challenging week for him, I know it ended all in good vibes where he and his mom feel very supported. Thanks so much!
 
Mike Milligan: for stepping in to substitute when we were short a sub on Thursday!

SPED Staff- for being kind and understanding with all the changes that are taking place. It is greatly appreciated & we appreciate you. 

DID YOU KNOW?

Our very own Liz Peralta got engaged at Markham on Friday! Check out the amazing video below....

Important Dates... check out the yearlong calendar by clicking HERE

Mon. Mar. 25	Tues. Mar. 26	Weds. Mar. 27	Thurs. Mar. 28	Fri. Mar. 29
Novel Knowledge Winners Announced during AM announcements Grade Level Leadership @ 3pm	GLAD Coaching 2nd Grade Spring Picture Day Art Smart @2:40 GOTR @ 2:40	Staff Meeting- Whole Staff @ 3pm MPR	GOTR @ 2:40 Spanish Spelling Bee 9:00-10:00	Cesar Chavez Assembly 9:30 Novel Knowledge Celebration Lunch @ 11am-1pm
Mon. Apr. 1	Tues. Apr. 2	Weds. Apr. 3	Thurs. Apr. 4	Fri. Apr. 5
	Jepson visit (Lander & Ceja) @ 9:15am GOTR @ 2:40 Art Smart @2:40		Cano & Romo on Fieldtrip Guerrero Fieldtrip Jepson Visit (Mainini, Vanhoy & O'Rear) @ 9:15	Jones Fieldtrip PTO Paint Night

PBIS WORLD- Great Resources for Tier 1,2 & 3 Interventions Click here for more resources

Hello from the PTO! 

Thanks to all of you who helped support the Jelly Belly Fundraiser!  We are hoping to have final results from the Grade Level Challenge sometime next week.  At our next meeting we will be discussing fundraising for next year. Because we do not bring in much money from our fundraisers, we have to do a lot of them, and we realize it can be overwhelming.  We are looking for ways to raise more money with fewer fundraisers throughout the year.  We would love to hear your ideas!

Family Paint Night is April 5th and all families, teachers and staff may sign up for up to four slots.  If we have over 80 participants we will hold a lottery.  You may sign up via flyer or online by following this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/markham-spring-paint-night-tickets-58168067255?fbclid=IwAR185_XFDF2sKcWxu9lcUFz1BtGjDQ_Dyv3wGsUBI_kkqencE1X7d4Q9170

The PTO will be having a special event this year for Day of the Child/Dia del Niño on April 30th! We are very excited to bring inflatable slides, an inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, otter pops and music to our kids,which they will enjoy during their lunch recess! More to come on this new, exciting event!

The Multicultural Festival will be Friday, May 3rd The format will be similar to Fall Festival, but focused on bringing cultural awareness and education in a fun, festival environment. Of This also is a fundraising opportunity for your class or grade level. Our new SPICE Program Representatives will be in contact with you soon regarding this event. We already have performances by Aztec Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Dancers and of course, are awesome Markham Choir. We are looking for other performers, so if you have any ideas, please let us know!

We are also planning ahead for our annual Teacher Appreciation Lunch! We would like to present you with a Mexican Fiesta! Stay tuned for a Doodle Poll, where we will be asking you to tell us your favorite Mexican dishes and treats!

Finally, as you are beginning to plan your supply needs for next year, please keep in mind that the PTO still has some school supplies if you need them. We cannot inventory them again, but if you have a request, please email us at markhampto@gmail.com and we will do our best to meet your needs. We have spiral notebooks, erasers, kid-scissors, tons of new pencils and other items.

MATH Interactive Tool!

Interactive Math Tool- Here is an online tool that might be useful. It lists vertically all the standards so you can scroll through and see how different concepts are articulated through the grade levels and exactly how standards build throughout the grade levels.

http://www.mathcoachinteractive.com/mci_common_core.php

MATH PROGRESSION VIDEOS

I encourage all elementary math teachers to check out Graham Fletcher’s website www.gfletchy.com It has great information including performance tasks and progression videos that show where the heart of understanding in certain math strands. From a vertical articulation standpoint it gives great information to educators on depth in certain grade levels.

The Progression of Multiplication (Progresssion Video)

The Progression of Fractions [Progression Video]

The Progression of Division [Progression Video]

The Progression of Addition and Subtraction [Progression Video]

The Progression of Early Number & Counting (Progression Video)

BETTER LESSON- Science, Math, ELA and more

Visit the website www.betterlesson.com and see the plethora of free lessons in several content areas and grade levels for science (and other subjects too!)

Week of March 18th-22nd

(one of THE MOST important things in teaching), and building relationships with our students is CRITICAL to how effective we are as educators. We cannot simply close the door, turn our back, ignore the signs, or pretend that our kids DO NOT need us. They do. Plain and simple. 

Student Engagement

So how can you build these relationships with 30+ students in your class? Some ways can be simple. 

Check out THIS ARTICLE on some of the "Golden Rules" of easy peasy ways to make SIMPLE connections.

C'mon people. Don't they deserve it? Don't YOU?

WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A STUDENT IN YOUR CLASS???

IF YOUR STUDENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE IN YOUR CLASS, WOULD THEY SHOW UP ANYWAY??

Staff Shout Outs-Timberwolf "howl"

Our wonderful SDC preschool staff:
All Our Wonderful P.T.O. Ladies: for their dedication, generosity and constant effort to do nice things for us!

2nd grade team: For always being available to answer our questions :) 

Jessica Cano: Huge shout out to Jessica for making social/emotional learning a priority in her classroom! Because of this her students are able to be vulnerable and support each other. Thank you!

Omar and Lily: Congratulations on completing your MASTERS! It is so hard to complete a masters program and teach full time. You guys did it, which makes you 100 times more AWESOME! I am so proud of you both. What will you do with all the free time you have now?

2-6th grade: Thank you for all your hard work! ELPAC whole group testing is officially done. Thank you for your flexibility and commitment!
 
Samantha Switzler: For always being willing to come to my class and help with my "special" friends! I appreciate the support!
 
5th Grade Team: Thank you for the snacks! Thanks for always helping me out! It's awesome working with y'all! 

Cortney Par: Cortney is an amazing teacher. She devotes so much time to her job. She is a great grade level leader and a hard working VTA rep as well. She is an inspiration to her team.

Alex Lander: A shout out to Mrs. Lander for being an amazing teacher and coworker. No one is more thorough, reflective, prepared, and organized than, Alex! Alex pushes those around her, myself included, to be the best versions of themselves. I am so happy that she is a part of our Markham community!
 
Mrs. Switzler: I would like to shout out Mrs. Switzler for ALL that she does to support students AND teachers! Thank you for 'having our backs,' Sam!

5th grade team: You guys were so focused and productive during your GLAD planning day!

Kinder teachers: For their great collective work during their GLAD planning day!

Mike Vanhoy: Mike spends the time getting to know his students and their families.

Laura Vanhoy: for giving us the info to connect with Sally to give her our love and support.

Parr, Ana Hernandez, Alex Hernandez, Espinoza, Loza, Miller, Sylvester, Garcia, Martinez, Tuttle, Vincenty, Martin, M. Vanhoy, Avila, Cadloni, Guerrero, Jones, Lopez, O'Rear, Ceja, Lander: 80-100% of your class has successfully taken the ISIP assessment for the month of March. We know that you are extremely busy, however, IStation is an intervention tool for all of our students.

To My 4th Grade SPICE Girls/ Team!: I want to recognize Marcela, Jessica, and Liz for all their hard work and dedication in the Spanish expectations that they set for their students. Having nieces and nephews going to this school and in the program, I am so happy that they have these strong women and teachers to lead them. You girls do an awesome job!
 
Lupita Avila: Thank you for lifting my spirits each day. You are a wonderful friend and colleague! 

Important Dates... check out the yearlong calendar by clicking HERE

Mon. Mar. 18	Tues. Mar. 19	Weds. Mar. 20	Thurs. Mar. 21	Fri. Mar. 22
AR Assembly 1st Grade @ 9:40 AR Assembly 2nd grade @ 2:05 Novel Knowledge @ 1:45 JELLY BELLY FUNDRAISER ORDERS DUE	3rd grade Ag Fieldtrip AR Assembly 4th grade @ 9:00 Novel Knowledge @ 1:45 Art Smart @2:40 GOTR @ 2:40	REACCcH Program Meeting @ 3pm in room 34 Novel Knowledge @ 8:45	GLAD Coaching 1st Grade Peralta & Arredondo Fieldtrip AR Assembly 3rd Grade @2:05 SPICE 2nd Recruitment Meeting @ 6:00pm GOTR @ 2:40	Novel Knowledge @ 8:45 AR Assembly 5th Grade @ 9:30 AR Assembly 6th Grade@ 2:05
Mon. Mar. 25	Tues. Mar. 26	Weds. Mar. 27	Thurs. Mar. 28	Fri. Mar. 29
	GLAD Coaching 2nd Grade Spring Picture Day Art Smart @2:40 GOTR @ 2:40	Staff Meeting- Whole Staff @ 3pm	GOTR @ 2:40 Spanish Spelling Bee 9:00-10:00 SPICE Recruitment @ 6pm	Coffee with the Principal Cesar Chavez Assembly 9:30 Novel Knowledge Celebration Lunch

PBIS WORLD- Great Resources for Tier 1,2 & 3 Interventions Click here for more resources

Our Jelly Belly Fundraiser ends this week!  Please turn in any orders that you may have received to the office!  Remember that the grade level with highest participation will receive 50% of net profits brought in by that grade level.  

The PTO's next event is a Free Family Paint Party on April 5th at 6 p.m. in the MPR.  We only have 80 spots, which will be chosen by lottery.  If you're interested in participating, please enter the lottery!  Everyone in our Markham Family is welcome to sign up!

The Multicultural Festival, originally scheduled for April 12th, has been rescheduled for May 3rd.  We are working hard on getting some great multicultural entertainment for the event.  So far we have a ballet folklorico group and the Aztec dancers from last year will be back!  Our board members will be contacting you about participating in this event, which, in addition to being AMAZING, will give you another opportunity this year to raise money for your class or grade level.

We are also planning a special celebration for Day of the Child (Dia del Nino) on April 30th.  Stay tuned for more exciting details! 

Have a great week!  

MATH Interactive Tool!

Interactive Math Tool- Here is an online tool that might be useful. It lists vertically all the standards so you can scroll through and see how different concepts are articulated through the grade levels and exactly how standards build throughout the grade levels.

http://www.mathcoachinteractive.com/mci_common_core.php

MATH PROGRESSION VIDEOS

I encourage all elementary math teachers to check out Graham Fletcher’s website www.gfletchy.com It has great information including performance tasks and progression videos that show where the heart of understanding in certain math strands. From a vertical articulation standpoint it gives great information to educators on depth in certain grade levels.

The Progression of Multiplication (Progresssion Video)

The Progression of Fractions [Progression Video]

The Progression of Division [Progression Video]

The Progression of Addition and Subtraction [Progression Video]

The Progression of Early Number & Counting (Progression Video)

BETTER LESSON- Science, Math, ELA and more

Visit the website www.betterlesson.com and see the plethora of free lessons in several content areas and grade levels for science (and other subjects too!)