This Week

Saturday, September 14:

   ·    Nicolle’s Birthday

Tuesday, September 17:

   ·    Constitution Day-Please submit your plans to Stacey by the 13^th.

   ·    Social Contracts Posted

Friday, September 12:

   ·    Pay Day Breakfast-4^th Grade

   ·    K-2 AND 3-5 SOM Assembly

Happy Birthday

Nicolle: September 14

Moral Focus

This month we will be recognizing students who exemplify wisdom. Don’t forget that each teacher will recognize one student per month. Every Friday at morning assembly, we recognize students in the following grades:

    ·     Week 1: Y5s-2^nd Grade

    ·     Week 2: 3^rd-5^th Grade

    ·     Week 3: 6^th-8^th Grade

    ·     Week 4: Specials

This month we are altering our schedule. Y5s-2 AND 3-5 will have their SOM assembly on September 20. 6-8 AND Specials teachers SOM assembly is September 27.

Classroom Culture

We want everyone to continue to focus on classroom culture this week. A key factor in having a great classroom culture is making sure you have solid routines and procedures. Transitions in teaching are important because student learning depends upon them. Efficient transitions increase instructional time and decrease challenging behaviors. Transitions that are executed smoothly can be fun, efficient, orderly, and time saving; but, they must be modeled and practiced continually. Make transitions fun by creating a friendly competition. Time students to see if they can do it under a specific time limit and continue to challenge them to beat their personal best.

The stoplight timer pictured above adds a nice visual cue. However, the timer on your phone works great, too, especially if your students get to choose the alert sound!

Parent Volunteers

We love how involved our parents are and that they volunteer in classrooms. If you have a parent volunteer, please inform them that they need to either work in your classroom or the Parent Room. We cannot have parents working in the staff lounge due to confidentiality. Thank you for keeping your parents informed.  

FRL Forms

It’s critical that we receive ALL Free & Reduced Lunch (FRL) forms back. These forms provide us with a great source of funding. To try and motivate families, I informed them that any class that has 100% of the FRL forms turned in by Wednesday, September 18 will earn a free casual dress day on Friday, September 20. Please assist Ashley by reaching out to families as necessary.

Shout Outs

Keystone Staff for a great start to the school year. Although I know that the first week of school can be hectic, you have been warm, welcoming, and positive in all the interactions that I observed.  

Stacey for assisting me with WIDA. You saw a need, and without me even asking, you filled a need. You are invaluable.

Sarah Z. for organizing and facilitating an amazing icebreaker during August PD.  

Cari and Sarah D. for organizing a bajillion leveled readers in the library.

Jena for answering my last minute request and putting a bulletin board in the entry hallway!  

Sarah Z, Kelly, Robyn, Sarah D, Brian, Ashley G., Jennifer D., Jen H., Jamie, Cindy, Stacey, Ellen, and Emma for all the extra traffic duty that you have done this week.

Sarah Z. and Jen D. for taking on additional SpEd responsibilities during this transition.  

Sarah Z. for assisting with all the speech requirements during the transitions.

Sarah D. for all things testing. Thank you for creating the NWEA testing schedule and organizing the Chromebooks. 

Deb for finding a room to store all the November PD items.  

Sheila and Andria for meeting with me and keeping it real! 

This Week

Tuesday, September 10:

   ·    Staff Meeting 4 PM in Hegna’s Room.

   ·    Staff Meeting Snacks-7^th Grade

Thursday, September 12:

· Board Meeting in Staff Room at 6 PM.

August PD

We covered A LOT during August PD (school goals, policies, curriculum, safety, etc.), but we kept the “fun!” Thank you for being willing to build cathedrals and save starfish this school year! 

Click on the slideshow to view your enthusiasm for Keystone. Happy New Year!