On Wednesday, we hope you participate in our Swingin’ Into the Season activity. Step up to the tee, take your best swing, and roll your way through the 7th day before a Merry and Bright Winter Break! Click here for more details!
On Friday, let Meemic make your morning sparkle by selecting your Tim Horton’s
breakfast options here. If
you’d like to partake, you must complete the form by Monday, December 8 at
noon. No exceptions can be made to the due date, so make your selections today!
Many of you know previously we had a 3-year MICIP goal focused on attrition (retaining students). Although that is no longer our schoolwide goal, student retention remains a very important part of our school culture. I’m excited to share that we have already decreased our attrition rate by 1% year-to-date, and that progress is a direct reflection of your daily efforts.
One of the biggest reasons attrition matters is
simple: when students stay with us year after year, your job becomes easier.
You’re able to build momentum instead of starting over. That stability allows
you to focus more on teaching and less on establishing procedures and common
norms. With returning students, you inherit relationships that are already
built and familiarity with our academic systems.
Thank you for the daily work you do to help
students feel valued, supported, and excited to come back each year.
Thank you for your active engagement during our
professional development session on Active Student Engagement. As a
follow-up, I’m sharing this
resource that contains the engagement strategies we explored, along with a
few additional strategies to support the shift from participation to integrating
high-leverage engagement into your instruction.
These strategies are designed to help students
think more, talk more, and do more of the heavy lifting throughout the
lesson—allowing you to check for understanding in real time and make
adjustments more quickly.
Please take a moment to review the resource and
consider one or two strategies you’d like to try or refine this week. If you’d
like support implementing any of them, your dean is more than happy to plan,
co-teach, or provide feedback.
Thank you for your continued commitment to shifting
the cognitive work back to students—exactly where it belongs.
Our ½ day next Wednesday is our annual reunification training. All staff (hourly, salary, SFE, and Aramark) need to attend to learn/review our reunification plan and visit the reunification location. See the schedule below.
· 11:45-12:15 Lunch on your own
· 12:15-1:15 Extra Prep (Enjoy 😊)
· 1:15-2:15 Reunification Review (Gym)
· 2:15-2:30 Travel to reunification location
(BHS Athletic Wing)
· 2:30-3:00 Run through at reunification site
Please
bring your red emergency bag containing an updated emergency contact list to
the gym presentation. We will need staff to carpool because they have limited
parking. You need to park at their Early Childhood Center which is directly
across from the Athletic Wing.
Let me know
if you have any questions.
I’m happy to
announce that we have hired a Speech Pathologist, Saima Zaman. Saima will be
working remotely. Although she isn’t on-site, please giving her a warm Keystone
welcome.
Starting at 3:45 on Tuesday, please
go to the staff lounge to sign in, pick up documents, and grab
some snacks. Our staff meeting will begin promptly at 4:00 pm in the technology
room.
You may click HERE for the agenda.
Our students have the opportunity to show their understanding of our Moral Focus virtues and become a published author or artist! NHA’s Moral Focus Writing and Art Contest allows students to write or create artwork that demonstrates their understanding of one or more Moral Focus virtues. All writing entries must be submitted by January 9 to your child’s homeroom or ELA teacher. All art entries must be submitted to Mrs. Brown by January 20. Please reference the email that was sent Wednesday.
Congratulations
to Ms. Hutcherson’s class for spelling the
word, HERE. Ms. Thomas’ class for spelling the
word, PRESENT; and Ms. Khafagi’s class for spelling
the word, ATTENDANCE.
I am so proud of
these classrooms for staying committed to showing up, especially with winter
break approaching as it can be challenging to maintain momentum.
Stacey
Reed, Robyn, Kim J, and Tameka for allowing
another principal to observe you in action. Your expertise and commitment to
excellence make a powerful impact—not just on our students, but on leaders
across our network. I truly appreciate your willingness to share your practice.
Tameka
and Sally for welcoming our
DSQ to your PLC meeting. The way you facilitated conversations, analyzed
student needs, and guided your teams reflects what effective teamwork looks
like—focused, student-centered, and solutions-driven. I appreciate the
professionalism you bring to every meeting.
Emma for providing our students with
the opportunity to participate in the NHA and Bay Mills Holiday Card Contest.
Experiences like this spark their creativity and help them feel connected to
the broader community. Your dedication to offering meaningful opportunities
truly make a difference in their learning and growth.
Alex for sharing resources that make
a meaningful impact—not just in your classroom or team, but across the entire
school. Your willingness to collaborate and support others strengthens our
community and helps us all grow.
Tracy for the thoughtful and
unexpected gift. I truly appreciate our friendship and how you provided me with
some calm during a storm I was going through—even though you didn’t know about
it.
Nikki for allowing a student to take
a break in your classroom. Your flexibility and support provided relief not
only for the student but for so many others as well. Your kindness created a
calmer, more supportive environment for everyone.
Stacey Ramirez and Stephanie for helping me gather everything
needed to transform the front office into a Winter Wonderland! You have made
the process so much smoother and more enjoyable.
Andria for taking the initiative to
check in and see if I needed anything when you had time available. Your
proactive support made the front office sparkle.
Andria for consistently stepping up
and taking one for the team by attending the Lexia data review meetings. Your willingness
to support the team in this way do not go unnoticed, and we truly appreciate
your commitment.
Tameka for organizing and ordering the
Bundt Cakes treat for our 12 Days Before Winter Break! You’ve made the
countdown to the break even sweeter.
Stacey Ramirez for making the personalized labels
which added a special touch.
Sally for volunteering to pick up the
cakes and adhering the labels. Your help made it extra sweet!
Eric for providing our families and
students with amazing evening. It so nice to see the growth and development of
our students’ musical abilities under your direction.
Monday,
December 8:
·
Jen H’s Birthday
·
“May Your Holidays be
Lit!" Gift from Leadership Team
Tuesday,
December 9:
·
Staff Meeting
· Staff Meeting Snacks-5th
Grade
·
"Walking in a
Winter Wonderland" Dress in your interpretation of winter--puffy vests,
winter hats, all white, etc. -FREE (Students may participate)
Wednesday,
December 10:
·
Holiday Shop
(December 10-12)
· ½ Day-Reunification
PD
· ½ Day Snacks-6th
Grade
· Staff Dress in
Keystone Casino Shirt and Jeans (Holiday Picture)
·
“Sleigh the Ice, Stay
Merry & Bright!” Gift from Leadership Team
Thursday,
December 11:
· Morning Assembly Presentation Due (Bill of Rights Day)-Thomas
· “Swingin’ into the
Season” Activity
Friday, December 12:
·
“May Your Morning
Sparkle” Breakfast from Meemic
· Judy’s Birthday
· MTSS/IAT Meetings
·
Retention Paperwork
Due to Dean
December 15: "Be Cozy and Bright" (Harper Toy
Drive)-Wear jeans with a bright, sparkly, festive, and/or ugly holiday sweaters
for $1 (Students may participate)
December 16: "Cup of Cheer" Hot Chocolate Cart
and Activity from PTO
December 16: PLC (Team Meeting)
December 17: "On the 12th Day Before Break My Students
Came to Me…" Activity
December 18: “We’re Flannelling in the Fun this Winter”
Wear a flannel or plaid shirt with jeans-FREE (Students may participate)
December 19: 3rd Grade Social Media Post Due to
Jorvonna
December 19: “A Small Gift with Big Cheer!” Gift from Board
December 19: Spirit Day
December 22-January 2: No School-Winter Break
December 30: Emma’s Birthday
January 5: School Resumes
January 9: Moral Focus Writing Entries Due to ELA/homeroom
Teachers
January 20: Art Moral Focus Entries Due to Mrs. Brown
*If you have an event to add or something has been forgotten, please
let me know!
