The Weekly Words
9/7/26
Team,
Last year, we began our work together with Wallace and Chhuon’s research on student engagement; focusing on what students do (Behavioral), feel (Emotional), think (Cognitive), and shape (Agency).
This year, we are moving from foundation to execution. Here is how we build on those core drivers in year 2 together, starting directly with our upcoming week's focus: Catch Them Doing It Right! This week:
- Elevate Student Voice (Feeling Heard): Publicly spotlighting correct behaviors during morning meetings and daily lessons shows students that their positive actions directly shape our school culture!
- Validate Potential (Taken Seriously): Catching students as they tackle tough problems and model the Noble Big 4 sends a clear message: we expect high standards, and we actively see and celebrate their growth!
- Bring the Energy (Going All-In): Modeling joy, enthusiasm, and curiosity turns every small, everyday win into shared inspiration across our entire community!
By intentionally celebrating positive behaviors, identifying productive struggle, and recognizing students mastering content in real-time, we leverage last year's progress to make our second year together our most connected, impactful year!
Mr. Walker, M.Ed.
Principal
Hello all,
I hope everyone is doing well and that the first few weeks of school have gone as smoothly as possible. I apologize for not being able to begin the school year alongside all of you. I am excited to share that I plan to return on September 8 and I look forward to meeting each of you and becoming a part of the Noble community.
I understand that “Noble Is The Place Where Everyone Is Amazing,” and I look forward to both learning from and contributing to this motivating environment. As I join the school community, I have three priorities that I hope will guide my work this year:
1. Relationships and School Culture: Establish strong relationships with students, staff, and families while learning and understanding our school’s culture, expectations, strengths, and needs.
2. Student Success Systems: Learn and support the systems currently in place for student behavior, attendance, and social-emotional support while identifying opportunities where I can provide additional assistance.
3. Staff Collaboration: Become a collaborative resource for teachers and staff by listening to your needs, supporting student concerns, and working collectively to create a positive, productive, and supportive learning environment.
Most importantly, I look forward to learning from all of you, supporting you, and working together throughout the school year. My hope is that, together, we can help our Noble students reach their fullest potential, experience success, and, of course, have some fun along the way!
I look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Mrs. Futchi: Huge shout out for an incredible 29-year legacy of wisdom, devotion, and transformative relationships built across the district and at Noble! We will miss you!
Ms. Alexis: Thank you for filling Noble with an irreplaceable spirit, heart, and vibrant collaborative energy! We will miss you as well!
E'mari Rowell: Props to Ms. Monroe's 1st-grade Library Helper for keeping the library organized and running smoothly every single day with amazing hard work, leadership, and enthusiasm!
Mrs. Holyk's Class: Major celebration for hitting a huge 500 Dojo points milestone through fantastic hard work, great behavior, and awesome teamwork!
Mrs. Beckles' Class: Awesome job getting creative with personal fans to stay cool and beat the heat!
Ms. Burkey: Phenomenal effort leading the charge to distribute dozens of pairs of shoes to families in need!
The Entire Noble Team & Staff: Kudos to everyone for showing incredible flexibility through Wednesday's calamity day and powering through Thursday and Friday despite the heat wave and ongoing internet issues!
I’m excited to share that our CH-UH Academic Services team will be partnering directly with our TBTs this year to support and strengthen our work. Beginning this week, they will start by focusing their support on our 3rd Grade TBT and will also join our 5th Grade TBTs in the coming weeks. Please join me in welcoming our assigned team member, Amanda Sell. She is eager to learn from the great practices already happening in our building, share successful models from across the district, and serve as a hands-on resource whenever you need ideas, answers, or extra support.
Don't See you name? Please be sure to complete our Staff Interest Survey!
September Birthdays
September 6: Mrs. Holyk
September 7: Ms. Hagan
September 12: Ms. Alexis
September 19: Mrs. Ohlinger
September 30: Ms. Burkey
I am thrilled to share that we have been awarded a full-time ReadOhio Regional Literacy Coach through the ESC of Northeast Ohio. We are pleased to welcome Lindsey May to our team. Lindsey will serve in a similar capacity as Megan Brown (McBride) in previous years. Lindsey will be based at our school to help support our ongoing literacy goals and partner with our staff to build on the great work already happening in our classrooms. Please join me in giving her a warm welcome as she visits our building Tuesday afternoon.
Following the departure of Mrs. Futchi and Ms. Alexis, we are making a few classroom adjustments this week to better support our team and maximize instructional space:
Ms. Hagan will be relocating from Room 105 to Room 103, placing her right next door to her kinder colleague, Ms. Larson.
Room 105 will transition into a flexible, multi-use intervention and assessment space once Ms. Hagan completes her move.
Room 105 will primarily host:
EL Instruction with Claudia Harrington
Village Tutoring
Small-Group Testing (MAP, 1:1 Acadience, and OST testing)
Our goal is to keep Room 105 as versatile as possible to meet various student support needs throughout the year before determining a final use. Thank you all for your flexibility as we make these room transitions!
We have a K-5 Enrollment of 310 students. We have a Pre-K enrollment of 25 students. So far this year, our building has 95.2% average daily attendance.
September:
- KG - 98.07%
- 1st - 94.09%
- 2nd - 95.96%
- 3rd - 94.70%
- 4th - 95.02%
- 5th - 96.07%
Chronic Absenteeism (CA) at Noble
Current CA Rate: 10.5% (DECREASE from 13.4% last week - Nice Work!)
- KG - 5.3%
- 1st - 11.6%
- 2nd - 13%
- 3rd - 14%
- 4th - 7.6%
- 5th - 11.1%
We met last year's Chronic Absenteeism Goal! Our goal this year is 20.6%! Let's continue to call and make contact with families each time we notice extended absence.
I would like to recognize and thank the following team members who have stepped up to lead our building-wide committees and teams:
BLT: Vanessa Hagan, Jazmine Monroe, Deb Elwell, Liz Bruce, Alexia Boyles, Nicole Nalepa, Rebecca Oberfield, Julia Ruddy, & Dana Bogus
TAP: Daniel Rossi, Becca Larson, Liz Bruce, & Nicole Nalepa
PBIS: Rosalind Jacobs, Wendy Burkey, Pam Ohlinger, Kimberly Holyk, Vanessa Hagan, & Erik Rozsa
Technology Coach: Jazmine Monroe
Title Lead: Dana Bogus
Vocal Music Stipend: Daniel Rossi
Instrumental Music Stipend: Sebastianna Costanzo, Amy Sisto, & Brett Baker
Student Council: Lynne Gaines
Noble Run Club: Lynne Gaines
As we kick off the new school year, we want to ensure your voice and concerns are heard. Please use the TAP form to log any building climate concern(s). We are currently finalizing the updated TAP link for the 26-27 SY and will share it with the team shortly!
The District has adopted a plan for communications with persons with disabilities, which is available at the following link: Communication Plan. The plan establishes procedures to ensure that the District's communications with persons with disabilities, including applicants, participants, members of the public, and companions with disabilities, are as effective as its communications with others.
A quick reminder that our BLT will meet this Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. in the Media Center.
Primary Focus: Unpacking our 2025–26 Ohio School Report Card data ahead of its upcoming public release.
Please bring your laptops and any data notes. Thank you for your leadership as we evaluate our progress and set our targets for the year ahead!
As you likely know, the first step with Evaluation Cycles is to meet and review your PGP. Please use this link to sign-up for a 20-minute slot with me. Our Noble PGP deadline is October 5, 2026. Therefore, our meeting has to be on or before that date. Note - I can add more times if these slots do not work for you; just let me know if you need that.
In preparation for our meeting, please have a draft of your PGP ready and in the Ohio Evaluation System for OTES 2.0 prior to our meeting time. Keep in mind that your goals should be aligned to our Noble One Plan and include one academic goal and one culture goal.
For the PGP, please ensure it is written as a SMART goal.
I look forward to discussing your professional goals and learning a bit more about you. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
The fall MAP Growth testing window opens on Monday, August 24 and closes Friday, September 18.
Find key steps for what to do Before, During, and After testing, along with Frequently Asked Questions for each phase here. See the August 20 email from Becky McDonald for more details. Schedule a session with Becky to review your MAP data, plan next steps, or troubleshoot testing.
PLEASE ENTER YOUR TESTING DATES USING THE LINK BELOW.
Starting the year strong during Beginning of Year Acadience testing is critical as we relentlessly pursue a 4-Star Rating for Noble, proving to our community that every student can thrive. Because state report card metrics measure Early Literacy growth from BOY to BOY across school years, these fall scores directly impact our upcoming report card. We cannot afford a slow start and must build targeted intervention groups and student focus lists immediately to maximize growth and hit our targets.
Upcoming Fire Drill: Our September fire drill will take place on Friday, September 18, at 9:35 a.m. Please ensure your posted evacuation map is clearly visible by your classroom door and review drill expectations with your students in the coming week.
