Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.
I know that comments take time but they are very important to children and families. Some teachers (I haven't heard this here ;)) dread conferences. While I know they are stressful and exhausting, I always loved conferences. I loved the opportunity to talk to parents about their children, to share all the positives, and to work together to help their child be the best they could be. As you enter this exhausting week, just remember you are doing very important work. Give yourself a pat on the bat and grant yourself a lot of grace. You are doing great!
Fun Run Fundraiser Update
Wahoo!! We have raised $25,059 towards our school goal of $20,000. We've also had $8,000 in sponsorships!
Congrats to all of the winners who were announced at our Town Hall! Here are the only things left!
11/6 is Lunch with Mrs. Aherne for Jonah and Brody K
11/14 is Lunch of choice winners for Gia D, Nick M, and Paislee D
11/16 is Lunch for the kids of parents/businesses who sponsored. There are 28 students. The fire trucks and police cars are coming to let them check out the cars and eat lunch with the kids.
Trusting Readers Book Study
Book meeting 2:
We discussed Chapter 1: All Roads Lead to Independent Reading. We had a great discussion about trust and engagement in the literary classroom. Here were some many takeaways.
- The right anchor chart can provide visuals that support engagement and expectations.
- "Engagement in learning is one of the major contributors to student achievement."
- "Trust plays a key role in this work, as trusting relationships between students and teachers are the foundations of thriving classrooms that intentionally invite engagement in reading."
- Beware of emphasizing time alone when thinking about reading stamina. Instead view stamina as a by product of deep engagement. When this occurs, so does meaning making.
Our next book study date is
What to expect:
We will meet twice per month for 30 minutes each time
Everyone reads at their own pace, please attempt to keep up
Safe zone: this is where we can ask questions and discuss to deepen our understanding
Practice respect
Be willing to participate
Shout Outs
Thank you to the 4th and 5th grade teams for giving up instructional time to have the Guidance Center present about Anti-Bullying each Monday.
Thank you to everyone for helping with our Halloween Parade!
Thank you to Kristyl, Diane, and Patty for helping out Jenn's class on Thursday and Friday.
Thank you to Wendy for attending I-Ready training with me.
Thank you to Amanda and Dane for presenting our Student of the Months.
Thank you to Kara for following up with some difficult phone calls.
Thank you to Joel and Hollie for completing the PBIS data for October.
My coffee fairy Katie Trupiano!
Parent Shout Outs:
Staff Shout Outs: Please shout out a colleague!
Who would you like to Shout Out? Fill out the form here.
Orange Frog
Here is what Amanda saw in Kim!
I chose Kim this week, because she is ALWAYS smiling and positive! Even if a problem arises, Kim always puts a positive spin on things and chooses to look at the bright side. In addition, she not only acts positively herself, but projects it onto others as well! Kindness is contagious.
Kim is also extremely helpful to myself or anyone in need. She is very selfless in the way that she will give up her own time to help another. This is shown in the way that she leads the Orange Squad!
Kim's students love her, because they also know how kind and caring she is, and that they can count on her. Kim is a staple at Parsons!! :)
I asked Kim the following questions.
- What brings you joy? Watching my children thrive and succeed at the things they love
- How do you bring joy to others? I smile and say, "I hope you have a great day!" Also, I love to give hugs, big squeezy ones!
- Who is someone that brings joy to you? Jack and Audrey
Spark Student of the Week: Colton L
Colton has really impressed me with his positivity and kindness this year. I have seen a lot of growth in Colton from 4th to 5th grade. Colton is a good role model to others.
I asked Colton the following questions.
- What brings you joy? Sports, Duck and deer hunting, and his horse Moose
- How do you bring joy to others? Be nice and respectful
- Who is someone that brings joy to you? My friends and family
Bite Sized PD
If Someone is… If someone is falling behind in life, you don’t have to remind them. Believe me, they already know. If someone is failing at work, they know. If someone is struggling in their relationships, with money, with self image, they know. It’s what consumes their thoughts each day. What you need to do for those who are struggling is not to reprimand, but encourage. Tell them what’s good about their lives, show them the potential that you see. Love them where they are. When we can’t see clearly for ourselves, we need others to speak greatness over us. People don’t need you to tell them what’s wrong with their lives, they already know. They need you to reassure them that they can still make it right.
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