Week of May 13th-17th-Mothers Day Edition

Thank you for doing your best in balancing the classes as best as possible. My goal is to NOT make any changes after class list are made, however, there might be circumstances where change might be possible. Please add suggested teacher to the class list (optional) Make sure that you consider the following: 

Pinks and Blues- Class List Creation for 2019-2020

1.       It won’t be perfect…get as close as possible.

2.       So many factors to keep in mind:

a.       Did you even out the behaviors?

b.       Boys/girls?

c.       High/mediums/lows?

d.       Previous teacher (it can be awkward getting half your class from a previous teacher for various reasons)

e.       Parent contact frequency (involved parents are great! However, if you have 20 parents that want detailed daily updates, that makes for a long year as well!)

f.        Separate cliques when possible…if necessary.

g.       Special education/ELD:  Putting all of your ELD students in the same room is not ok.

3.       Know that due to various factors, I may have to reshuffle a bit (high maintenance moves in during the summer…one moves out…). Please give me a detailed list that explains some of your thoughts so I don’t screw up in August if I have to reshuffle.

4.       If it’s a HUGE factor (sudden retirement/transfer, MAJOR concern moves, who knows what…) I may contact whoever is around and pull the grade level back in to make major adjustments.

Please make sure to have a cover sheet. You do not have to use the one provided (click on link to print a copy), however please make sure that all the categories are outlined. 

Class list are due on or before May 29th!!! 

And so we turn our attention to 2019/2020…

FYI: A copy of instruction and cover sheet will be in your box on Monday! 

Staff Shout Outs-Timberwolf "howl"

Our PTO: They are AMAZING! They always go above & beyond!!!!

PTO: Thank you so much for all you did for us this week. All of us felt really honored and pampered. It was wonderful!

Laura Vanhoy and everyone who went to visit Sally: Thank you Laura for organizing us to visit Sally. I know that she felt really loved and her family enjoyed the respite.

Jose and Samantha: Thank you for making us feel special all week with little treats! First time ever in my teaching career have I been made to feel appreciated all week!
 

PTO: For all the yummy treats this week! It is great to feel appreciated. First time in my teaching career have I felt the love and thanks ALL week long!

Our VTA reps,PTO, and admin: Thank you for all the special treats this week. We definitely felt all the love and appreciation!

Ayesha: "We get each other." Being your grade level partner is awesome!!! Our adventures at work are always "eventful" and I'm thankful we're in it together. I am so proud of how much you have grown as a teacher these past 2 years.

PTO: Thank you so much for such a fantastic week of surprises! I've never felt more appreciated!

Jose and Samantha: Thanks for the treats all week!

Thanks for the treats all week!: Thank you for acknowledging other teaching staff during Teachers Week.
 

Mrs. Switzler: A huge shoutout to Mrs. Switzler for doing an amazing job juggling an especially crazy Friday! We are lucky to have you.
 

Cortney Parr: Thank you, Cortney, for being such a dedicated teacher/VTA rep/advocate for our students!! You are a key part of our Markham community!

Karen Guy: It’s inspiring to watch her in action. Her compassion, humor and kindness are gifts. 

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

Mon. May 13	Tues. May 14	Weds. May 15	Thurs. May 16	Fri. May May 17
	Kinder Fieldtrip @ Loma Vista CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	PTO Paint Night CAASPP TESTING 3-6th  SPICE Program Meeting @ 3	All School Fun Run (click for schedule) Kinder Data Talk CAASPP TESTING 3-6th  4th Grade Fieldtrip	CAASPP TESTING 3-6th
Mon. May 20	Tues. May 21	Weds. May 22	Thurs. May 23	Fri. May 24
3rd grade Data Talk	3rd Grade Fieldtrip  Book Fair	Book Fair	Book Fair  AR 100 Point Club Trip to Rockin' Jump	Book Fair  3rd Grade Novel Knowledge (spanish) Beach Day!

May 16th- Fun Run Schedule: Click Here

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

Hello from the PTO!

Fun Run:   The Big Day is this Thursday, May 16th.  We have sent the run schedule to you via email.  Please reach out to your parent volunteers to see if any of them can help mark laps and cheer the kids on while they run.  We are also looking for another candidate to be "Edwin" during the run, as this is a big job for just one person.  If you know of anyone who may be willing, please let us know.  

Sadly, we're learning that some kids have not been provided with their Run packets.  Please pass them out if you haven't yet.  All kids, even if they won't be on campus to run, are eligible to earn prizes, Monsters and the opportunity to participate in dunking the Principal if we reach our fundraising goal.  Teachers, YOU can earn monsters too, just by registering!  Get even one pledge, and you will also get to try to dunk your boss if we reach our goal!  All of the funds raised go right back into our school, as we hope you've seen this year with our many special events and activities.  Help us to Help Markham!

On the day of the run, we are encouraging kids to dress as CRAZY as they want -- tutus, wacky hats/socks, etc.  But they do need to wear tennis shoes.  There will be music, the giant tunnel, a water station and GoGo Squeez packs for each student.  

Multicultural Picnic  We've received your input, and our Multicultural Event will take on a new look this year!  We are having a Potluck/Picnic, on May 31st from 5-8 p.m.  We have entertainment scheduled as follows:
5:30 - Markham Choir
6:00 - UC Davis Bhangra Crew
6:30 - Aztec Dancers
7:00 - Jepson Ballet Folklorico
DJ Rene will also be spinning your favorite tunes, and we will have a raffle as well.  Flyers will be going home next week with potluck assignments.  We encourage people to wear something that celebrates their culture, and we hope to be able to all sit back, relax and celebrate another awesome school year together!  Please join us!

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 May 6th-10th-Teacher Appreciation Week

Teachers Day! Teacher Appreciation Week – Freebies & Deals!  -Click here for Freebies & Deals 

We Are Teachers

A poem by Kyle Harris

We are teachers, great disseminators of knowledge.

We are nurses, healing scrapes and sickness.

We are counselors, mediating disputes between our students.

We are social workers, protecting and supporting those at risk.

We are parents, the children becoming our own.

We see their triumphs and trials, they see our highs and lows.

We see them grow, as they lead us to grow.

And every day we must struggle, learn, and grow for them

Because just being “ready” isn’t good enough.

Because they don’t need us “ready” to teach when they aren’t ready to learn.

Because it doesn’t matter if you know your times tables,

If you don’t know if you’re getting food at home.

Because ancient history doesn’t matter when today is another fight to survive.

Because slavery and civil rights don’t mean anything

When you’re still oppressed.

Or when they already know that the color of one’s skin

Determines the color of their clip chart.

Because it’s hard to teach keeping your hands to yourself in school

When you are beaten and molested at home.

Because children who are loved at home come to learn

When children who aren’t come for love.

Because the kids who need that love the most show it in the most unloving ways.

Because our children don’t need us to be “ready” when they tell us about their pain.

They just need us to be there.

Because no student should ever be a “problem.”

It’s easier to teach the obedient ones who don’t challenge you

Than it is to love the ones who won’t conform.

Why “catch a bubble” when you have your own truth to speak?

Why silence your student but expect them to find their own voice?

Where will we find critical thinkers, when our “best students” don’t question the status quo?

This isn’t why we teach.

We are individuals, and we teach individuals.

We don’t produce identical students from identical classrooms.

Because at the end of the day, we don’t teach standards.

We teach students.

There are days where we fail, but that doesn’t excuse us from giving our all.

We are human, too.

We are counselors. We are social workers. We are nurses. We are parents.

We are teachers.

Thank you for all of your passion, dedication and belief in our students. This week we celebrate all of you for everything that you do!

Staff Shout Outs-Timberwolf "howl"

Cristina Brooks: Thanks for being all ears! Thank you for being my moral support when I needed it the most!

PTO: A big THANK YOU for the water dispenser and delicious water! This is the best gift ever! It is so nice to be able to refill your water throughout the day and it isn't tap water!
 

Alexandra Hernandez: For always being so positive and happy! It is a joy to work with you and be able to plan and share ideas with!

Megan Burns: Thank you for having such a passion for Early Childhood Education and wanting to try new things. You push me to strive for more than what is routine and to become more creative. I will miss all your positive influence on me and technological know how.

Gina: For translating for the 2nd grade team :)

Mike VanHoy: Mike has consistently offered me support and guidance with difficult students and teaching situations. Whenever I am stumped on how to approach a situation, student, or parent, he always has advice that leads me to make an informed decision. He shares my passion for teaching the whole child, for fighting every battle despite how hard it is, and showing love to our students through structure and balance. I will be extremely sad not to have him as a support next year, though I know he has earned that retirement (especially this year!) Thank you for always being there to mentor me and confirm that my teacher instincts are good! You will be sincerely missed.

Natalie Sylvester: She is such a sweet person and seems to handle things with ease. Her friendly, calm, and quiet demeanor promotes such a positive learning environment for her students. I also love that her classroom is so organized and neat! I will miss her next year but wishing her the best!
 

5th grade team: We survived our first week of the CAASPP! It is always a pleasure working with you 4 ladies!!!

Karen Sellers: Thank you for putting together those detailed folders for our data talk day

Gina: Thank you for coming into my class and supporting me with my observation!

Lily: for being so flexible to give up her substitute!

Becky Ensley, and Shannon: for all their hard work for our incoming kinders, entering information, and calling to arrange for pre-entry screenings!

Cortney: for advocating for her newest student and her needs

Sue Vincenty: Thank you for putting together our second grade craft activity for Mother's Day!

5th & 6th grade Teams: Great work and conversations during Data Talks . Thank you for your openness!

Melissa: Thank you for organizing the GALA and the SF Tickets!! 

 

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

Mon. May 6	Tues. May 7	Weds. May 8	Thurs. May 9	Fri. May May 10
AR Assembly 4th Grade @9 AR Assembly  2nd grade @ 2:05 8:15 a.m. Teacher/Staff Appreciation pastries and coffee from PTO	Donuts with Dad @ 8am AR Assembly 3rd Grade @ 2:05 Cano & Soler on Fieldtrip CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	Donuts with Dad @ 8am CAASPP TESTING 3-6th  Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon from PTO!  11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.	2nd Grade Data Day Romo & Peralta Fieldtrip AR Assembly 1st Grade @ 9 AR Assembly 5th grade @2:05 CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	AR Assembly 6th Grade @ 9am  Teacher/Staff Appreciation Trail Mix Bar from PTO!  10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mon. May 13	Tues. May 14	Weds. May 15	Thurs. May 16	Fri. May 17
	Kinder Fieldtrip @ Loma Vista CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	PTO Paint Night CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	All School Fun Run Kinder Data Talk CAASPP TESTING 3-6th	CAASPP TESTING 3-6th

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

Hello from the PTO!

Spiritwear:  Thank you to everyone for your cooperation and help with delivery of our spiritwear orders!

Fun Run:  Another BIG THANKS for bringing your students to our Fun Run kick-off assembly!  We're hoping this will be our most successful year ever!  This year, kids have the opportunity to register online to receive pledges.  At the request of some teachers and staff, you all have been set up in the system as well for online registration.  PTO will happily get prizes to you too!  Follow this link, https://zbeston-line.com/fundraiser-43.html?fbclid=IwAR0WoAw4Y9jc6OIrEvfyWvaVo2tbD4LpZleWaX3x0kTJ0MMmb-N2An_ypPY#!/Fundraiser/43  and look for your name to register.  For shares, you earn those adorable little monsters, and for funds raised, we have lots of cool prizes!  Please promote this event with your students!  Everyone, including teachers, who turns in a pledge, regardless of the amount, will get the chance to dunk Jose or Sam in the dunk tank on June 4th.  Who wouldn't want to do that?  Our volunteers will be circulating into your classrooms every few days to pass out monsters to kids who earned them.  We believe this will help build excitement for the event.  Also, on the day of the run, we are encouraging kids to dress as CRAZY as they want -- tutus, wacky hats/socks, etc.  But they do need to wear tennis shoes.  There will be music, the giant tunnel, a water station and GoGo Squeez packs for each student as well.  The run schedule has been set, and we will get that to you.  We will not all run at once!  We know 4th grade has a field trip, but all 4th grade students can still participate in the pledge drive, earn prizes and earn the opportunity to DUNK our administrators!  

Calendar and Fundraising for 2019/20 school year. The PTO is working hard on setting our calendar and deciding on our fundraisers for next year.  We welcome your input!  Please be sure to take the Doodle Poll sent to your email about Dia de los Muertos, and email us about any other ideas you have!  What fundraisers to you hate?  (we know, all of them, but they are necessary!)  What would you like us to try?  All ideas are welcome and will be decided on at our next meeting.

HAPPY TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK!   The PTO has a few special things in store.  On Monday, enjoy pastries from Starbread and coffee.  On Wednesday, we have a Mexican Fiesta luncheon, and on Friday, we will have a trail mix bar.  We hope you all know how much we appreciate you, not just this week, but all the time!  

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!)