Forward Exams are done, so now what?

It seems that the focus for most of us all year has been Forward testing.  We have talked about how we are preparing our students, how we will make the testing environment as quiet and focused as possible, and how we can make sure that our students are giving their best effort and taking their time.  Now that Forward testing is over, except for the students who will need to do makeup tests, we should set our sites on continuing to provide excellent learning experiences for all of our students.  We still have important learning to do!  Keep student learning moving forward, pushing our students to stretch themselves and ask more of themselves.  Collaborate with your colleagues and connect with your students and their families.  My work to provide feedback isn't over for you now that Forward Exams are over.  Please invite me in to see the great things you are doing with and for our kids.  You know I love being in your classrooms more than being in my office, and I'd love to stop in, observe what's happening, and then have a discussion following my visits.  I am excited to watch what the next six weeks has in store for our kids, and for you!

Calendar

Monday, April 25th    BLT meeting 4:15PM/ Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Wednesday, April 27th    Grade level meetings 7:45AM/ Arrowhead Math placement test in the PM

Tuesday, May 3rd    Final Choir Concerts

Wednesday, May 4th    Building meeting 7:45AM

Friday, May 6th    Merton only Student Senate Dance

Wednesday, May 11th    District meeting 7:45AM

Friday, May 13th    Career Day for 6th-8th grades in the AM/ District Celebration after school

Friday, May 13th-Sunday May 15th    PTO Scavenger Hunt

Wednesday, May 18th    Content meetings 7:45AM/ PTO Culver's Night

Monday, May 23rd    Student Achievement Committee 5PM/ School Board meeting 6PM

Forward Exam makeups

Here's the plan for the next few days.

Friday, April 22nd    Grades 5-8 ELA Session 1 at 9:00AM in room 119

Friday, April 22nd    Grades 5-8 ELA Session 2 at 10:30AM in room 119

Monday, April 25th    Grades 5&6 ELA session 4 9:00AM in the computer lab

Monday, April 25th    Grades 7&8 ELA session 4 10:00AM in the computer lab

Monday, April 25th    Grades 5-8 ELA session 3 11:00AM in the computer lab (headphones needed)

Tuesday, April 26th    Grade 8 Science and Social Studies 9:00AM in room 119

Tuesday, April 26th    Grades 6-8 Math session 1 10:30AM in room 119

Wednesday, April 27th-Friday, April 29th    TBD

*Room 119 is right across from the library.  It's the Health, Geometry, and 8th grade Algebra A classroom.

A-team update 

• Emergency Procedures Discussion. These have been Updated. Remember to put 1 in your sub folder. Have you checked your map for your tornado location? We'll be having a tornado drill next week.

• End of the Year Room Expectations: Packing up your room will be coming to assist with planning. 

• Summer School Rooms: After we have enrollment, we will assign rooms & let staff know. Summer School enrollment closes April 14. All summer school classes will be in the Primary School.

• District Postcards Highlights this Month: 3rd Grade Arcade, Math Meet, Staff Longevity.

• State Requirements for Substitutes: Can student teach and substitute in classroom, involved in teacher prep program & junior status & 15 hours of classroom observation- then can substitute.

• Staffing Updates: Interviews set for April/ May for 5K & 3rd Grade positions. Interviewed this week for Intermediate School FACE teacher.

Tweets, quotes, and blogs

A Small Question to Help Further Build Positive Relationships (from Pernille Ripp)

(from MindShift)

"If you're waiting for the right time...Time never comes, time only goes."

Azereth Skivel

(from George Couros' blog)

"The best thing a human being can do is to help another human being know more."

Charlie Munger

Family smore

Some of you may be wondering what happened to our family smore.  I do send it out every week.  It's on my webpage and on the Twitters and the Facebook.  Although I need one more picture to complete this week's smore, here is the link.

Personal day requests

This is a reminder from Wednesday's meetings that there are no more requests for personal days on April 29th or May 20th.  Please see me if you have any questions.

I'm looking forward to the weekend because I'll be with my family a lot.  Saturday morning is golf with my dad, brother, and brother in law.  Then there's a surprise birthday party for my brother in law in the afternoon (Don't tell him!).  On Sunday Jen and I will probably be doing some work around the yard, getting our patio set for Spring and Summer nights, and maybe watching a little NASCAR.  I hope that you are able to enjoy time with your family and friends this weekend, too.

Jay

Take care of the kids.  Take care of each other.  Take care of yourself.- John Gunnell