Below is a short video that was created as a classroom research project, but it is a good reminder for all of us - not just those new to the field of teaching.

The Daily Five Book Study

This is an online professional learning opportunity to read and discuss The Daily Five, by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser “The 2 Sisters.” Participants will use the book and collaborative discussion as a springboard for teachers to benefit and improve individual literacy pedagogy. The October-November discussion will center on Chapters 4-6. The Google class code: zhji5eb

The CAFE Book Study

This is an online professional learning opportunity to read and discuss The CAFE Book: Engaging All Students in Daily Literacy Assessment I Instruction. The book, authored by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser “The 2 Sisters,” will be the foundation for this opportunity. Participants will use the book and collaborative discussion as a springboard to improve basic literacy pedagogy. The October-November discussion will center on Chapters 3-4. The Google class code: 2lqu59b

Learning A-Z Support Group

This Google classroom is an online professional learning opportunity to allow teachers to share knowledge and ask questions about Learning A-Z.

The google class code: 69cb7x7

November 3, 2016 @ 1:30pm - 3:30pm [online]

Learning A-Z Professional Development for EIP & ESOL teachers - Elementary

This professional learning webinar will focus on resources geared for EIP and ELL classrooms. Follow this link to register: https://goo.gl/forms/Eb2mNcf1r6MYWZWj2

November 8, 2016 @ 9:00 - 11:00am [at Smokey Road Middle School]

From Elementary to Middle School: A Snapshot of Literacy Instruction - Smokey Road Feeder schools

This professional learning opportunity will allow elementary teachers to experience ELA vertically and collaborate with colleagues on how to increase rigor, assessment driven instruction, and how to enhance writing instruction. This is a Teacher Workday. Remind your teachers to bring their STAR data to this session.

November 15, 2016 @ 3:00pm [Werz, PLC]

Redelivery of the Georgia DOE “Building a Culture of Writing” - Elementary

This professional learning series will offer collaborative conversations as an interactive presentation to build teachers’ capacity for writing instruction while cultivating a culture of writing. The K-5 grade band will work through several sessions where researchers and educators share best practices and practical application. Follow this link to register: https://goo.gl/forms/zQGNgh2BkS3dCFLG3

November 15, 2016 - 8:30 - 11:30 am

RTI Professional Learning

This meeting is mandatory since we are going to discuss RTI data and its importance in our decision-making process. Please make plans to attend this meeting.

November 17, 2016 @ 3:30pm [Werz, PLC]

Redelivery of the Georgia DOE “Building a Culture of Writing” - Secondary

This professional learning series will offer collaborative conversations as an interactive presentation to build teachers’ capacity for writing instruction while cultivating a culture of writing. The 6-12 grade bands will work through several sessions where researchers and educators share best practices and practical application. Follow this link to register: https://goo.gl/forms/9nhVTb3mNJ736ATI3

November 1, 2016 - 3-5 p.m

Professional Learning for Nurses

Discussion on Immunizations Audit, communications with parents, and changes to students asthma plans.

November 8, 2016 - 10:00-11:00 a.m

Diversity Training at ECHS (Module II)

Discussion on the impact of socio-economics on student achievement.

November 8, 2016 - 1:30 - 2:30 p.m

Diversity Training at Canongate Elementary (Module II)

Discussion on the impact of socio-economics on student achievement.

November 9, 2016 - 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Diversity Training at Newnan Crossing Elementary (Module I)

Discussion on the Dynamics of Diversity and the impact on student achievement.

November 10, 2016 - Curriculum Conf. Room - Werz Central Office 9:30-10:30 a.m

Professional Learning for School Social Workers

Discussion of on-going/current cases and update of procedures for schools on the role of School Social Workers.

November 14, 2016 - Werz Central Office - PLC - 9:00 - 10:30am

Counselors Professional Learning

This opportunities is for all counselor's elementary, middle and high schools.

November 15, 2016 - Werz Central Office - PLC - 3:00pm - 4:00pm

Pre-K Teachers and Pre-K Para Professionals Professional Learning

November 16, 2016 - 9:00-11:00 a.m.

ESOL Monthly Professional Development Meeting

Update on the new WIDA Screener and certification of teachers for administering that ESOL program eligibility test.

November 17, 2016 - Werz Central Office - PLC

Principals Professional Development Meeting

Elementary - 8:30 to 10:00

Middle and High schools - 10:30 - 12:00

Fitnessgram Refresher

Physical Education Teachers, don't forget that we linked videos about the fitnessgram to our Professional Learning Website. If you need a refresher, check it out here:

• How to create a FitnessGram Test Event
• How to Enter FitnessGram Scores
• How to Run a FitnessGram Overview Report
• How to Run Student Reports
• How to Run Summary Reports
• How to Run Statistics Report

November 1, 2016 - 7:30am

Maintenance Professionals

The first Tuesday of each month the CCSS Maintenance professionals meet to go over and discuss on going projects and/or issues within the school system district.

November 1, 2016 - 3:30pm

Grounds Crew Professionals

The first Tuesday of each month the CCSS ground crew professionals meet and discuss plans and projects at all locations within the school system district.

SafeSchools Modules

Since the beginning of the school year, we have rolled out five modules:

Mandatory for All

Annual Requirements: Child Abuse and Neglect

Annual Requirements: Standard Precautions

Confidentiality Training

CIPA

Mandatory for Teachers

Suicide Prevention

We appreciate the time each of you have taken to complete the assignments! As an added bonus, please feel free to review at your leisure the Coweta County School System Drug Policy.

If there are any of you that have fallen short, it is not too late. Simply log in to SafeSchools, click on the blue tab in the center that says, "view more courses", scroll down to the Policy section and choose the modules.

Instructional Technology Professional Learning

November 7, 2016 - Werz Central Office - PLC - 6:00 - 7:00pm

The Instructional Technology department will conduct a Chromebook and technology training for anyone who would like to attend. We will discuss how the Chromebooks operate, the Google Apps for Education, and the security embedded into the Chromebooks that keep our students protected.

November 9, 2016 - Northgate HS

Instructional Technology staff will meet with Northgate High School teachers on different tools to use to integrate technology into the classroom.

November 15, 2016 - Welch Elementary

Welch Elementary will host Chromebook and technology training for anyone who would like to attend session times are 10 am and 6 pm. We will discuss how the Chromebooks operate, the Google Apps for Education, and the security embedded into the Chromebooks that keep our students protected.

Training sessions are ongoing in schools across the districts for the use of our observation software Go Guardian. if you are interested in this training for your school, please contact your principal or John Vaughn to schedule a date and time for the training.

November 1, 2016 - Werz Central Office, PLC - 3:30pm - 4:30pm

Coweta Elementary Mathematics Initiative Information Session

Teachers who applied to be part of the Coweta Elementary Mathematics Initiative (CEMI) should plan to attend this informational session about the program.

November 9, 2016 - Northgate High School

Integrating Chromebooks into Math Teaching and Learning

A variety of ways to integrate Chromebooks into high school mathematics teaching and learning will be explored in this session. Although participation in the face-to-face sessions is limited to Northgate High School math teachers, resources will be made available through the High School Math Google classroom after the presentation.

November 10, 2016 - Western Elementary School

Developing Understanding of the Standards for Proficiency and More

This session is part of a monthly series of professional learning. It will focus on diving deep into the current and/or upcoming content standards by examining aligned assessment items and engaging in tasks that will help students construct conceptual and procedural understanding. Although participation in the face-to-face sessions is limited to Western Elementary teachers, resources will be made available to all Coweta teachers through the K-2 Math and 3-5 Math Google classrooms after the presentations.

November 15, 2016 - K-2 Math Webinar - 2:50pm - 3:50pm

Developing Number Concepts: Addition and Subtraction (Part I)

This is the first of a three-part series of sessions. A variety of teacher-directed and independent activities focused on helping children interpret and symbolize addition and subtraction will be discussed in this session designed for teachers of Kindergarten through Grade 2. Register by 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 at https://goo.gl/forms/96pBEBAzOuTl7WJ42 to receive an invitation to join this session.

November 17, 2016 - 3-5 Math Webinar - 2:50pm - 3:50pm

Fractions and Decimals (Part II)

In this second of a series of sessions, a collection of high-leverage tasks to assist in building conceptual understanding of operations with fractions and decimals will be examined. This session is designed for teachers in Grades 3-5. Register by 4 p.m. on Nov. 16 at https://goo.gl/forms/X73pyiSWLoHcc0Br1 to receive an invitation to join this session.

November 29, 2016 - Evans Middle School - 4:00pm - 5:00pm

Differentiation in Middle School Mathematics

Enishea Loggins will lead participants in a session focusing on differentiation in middle school mathematics. Participants are asked to bring their Chromebooks. No registration is required.

November 29, 2016 - Werz Central Office - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Mindset Training for Bus Drivers

November 15, 2016 - Werz Central Office - PLC

Leadership Academy

The 9th Module in the Leadership IV Series is Federal Programs.

It will meet on Tuesday, November 15 at 4:00 PM in the PLC at the Central Office.

Please use the link above to review the program topics and register for the module.

Dr. Will Rumbaugh shared this information in the October edition of the School and District Effectiveness newsletter.

I know football isn’t life; however, it can make for good analogies. For instance, I was watching this past Sunday as the Falcons were winning AGAIN. At the end of the 1st quarter, I thought about all that the team was doing during the timeout: they were looking at data (the score, statistics from the first quarter, who was hurt, film on their i-Pads of plays that were run, etc.); they were talking in a huddle (the players and the leaders/coaches together) about what they saw, how their game plan was working so far, and small changes they were going to make until halftime; they were regrouping and taking care of some needs (water, taping ankles, etc.); and the coaches got the players they wanted back in the game to start the second quarter, gave them their instructions, and psyched them up. I’m sure more was going on as I was forced to watch commercials, but I started thinking about you.

It’s the end of the first quarter (actually further, but you get the idea). You had a plan going into this year. Are you: looking at current data, leading indicators that will tell you how your plan is turning out? Reviewing what you are seeing in the classroom (particularly with what the students are doing) as a result of your plan? Working

alongside teachers so they know what the plan was, how it’s coming along, and can contribute going forward? Identified some tweaks that can be made now, to course-correct quickly? Publicly recognizing accomplishments so far related to the plan, and making sure any known needs are being attended to? Making sure EVERYONE knows exactly what to do until winter break?

You don’t have a referee with a whistle and a TV timeout to force you to stop briefly, but you are the instructional leader who can be intentional about pausing briefly and

being strategic with your next several weeks. And you can be thinking and planning now for the next pause you will have during winter break, and how that “timeout” can be used strategically to make the second semester even better than the first!