Who doesn't love a good Brene Brown quote? Some of my core values are transparency, being humble, and being compassionate. Brene says, "Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind." If I was ever unclear about my expectations, I apologize. I value your feedback and open, honest communication. We know negative undercurrents happen in schools and systems when people blame others without being clear, talk about people rather than to people, and fail to have tough conversations. Brene states that hard conversation is often called a "rumble." "A rumble is a discussion, conversation, or meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of a problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless in owning our parts, and, as psychologist Harriet Lerner teaches, to listen with the same passion with which we want to be heard." We are a team so let's look out for one another and "let's rumble."

Here's a link to Brene's article.

Extra credit if you know the movie image.

I think we are going to reach my goal of having one observation done for everyone before winter break. If I sent you a message, can you please make sure to sign up! Thank you!

Here is the link for observation sign up!

Check out how we did this week!

4th and 5th grades-it is very evident that you have made this a priority with increased time and lessons completed in Reading. I know it has been a struggle with Amplify. Nice work!

Great job 1st grade in having 100% of students completing lessons in both reading and math.

PBIS Clarifications:

The PBIS framework is a universal system of preventive supports for students and staff. Tier I is effective in 85%-90% of students. For our other 10%-15% we move to Tier II strategies and interventions.

You are all fabulous, intelligent, and compassionate educators. Just like our students, there is not a one size fits all approach. Our main goal is to teach expectations in all settings everyday. The strategy that you utilize for classroom management may include classroom contracts, morning meeting, classroom dojo, and clip charts.

Please look out for a survey about PBIS coming soon. We will also have time to discuss PBIS and share out data at this week's staff meeting.

PBIS Meeting Dates: 1/18, 2/15, 3/14, 4/11, 5/23

We meet at 8:05 in the Staff Lounge.

Thank you for all of your help on Clubs! The next dates are Thursday, December 14th at 2:20 and Friday, January 12th at 2:20. After this, we will switch clubs again.

PBIS Weekly Focus:

12/4-Cafeteria Expectations

12/11-Classroom Expectations

12/18-Playground Expectations

We have seen increased behaviors lately. Our most explosive behavior is from a few students who do have IEPs and behavior plans. Please see Parsons EBIT TEAM Protocol: Emergency Behavior and Intervention Team to understand protocol for dealing with explosive behavior situations.

Just a reminder, in order to keep yourself and students safe, please refrain from putting your hands on students unless you are trained and using CPI strategies.

Megan Colligan, the Director of Special Education, will be at our staff meeting this week to answer questions regarding special education.

The special education department and our ASD consultants have also offered some professional development. I have requested they come to present on De-Escalation Strategies.

Attendance letters have gone home for the first report card. Please make sure you are calling after three days if a student is absent without parent communication. I am happy to make phone calls or have parent meetings as well. Officer Seifert is available to meet with families as well. Below is what I recently sent to parents.

Regular attendance and punctuality in school gives students the best chance of benefiting from the instructional program. Experiences missed because of absence cannot be made up adequately. We would like to encourage you to schedule family vacations at times other than when school is in session. When you must schedule a family trip during school time, contact the teacher in advance concerning how your child will complete missed assignments. Families that are struggling with attendance should know that it is our mission to be partner oriented.

❖ Parents are asked to call the school when their child is going to be absent. Please record your child’s absence on the automated line when prompted.

❖ Truancy occurs once a child misses beyond 10 scheduled school days in a semester or up to 12% of scheduled school days up to the current day of instruction.

❖ Generally, parent interventions will include phone calls, letters, involvement of local truancy officer, and possible report to Wayne County prosecutor’s officer.

❖ Student absences are reported to parents on progress reports, Parent Connect, and report cards as well as upon request.

Thank you to Becky and Jera for preparing our students for the annual Christmas concert. The Christmas Concert is Monday, December 11th at CHS. Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will start at 6:00. Third grade through fifth grade students will start at 7:00. All teachers must attend. Thank you for your support!

Thank you to Kristyl for her patience in dealing with some very difficult student behavior.

Thank you to Angel, Dane, and Brittney Gagnon for being on call and responding when needed.

Thank you to Katie and Danielle for helping a child through a difficult transition.

Thank you to Colleen, Meredith, and Becky for feedback and communication.

Thank you to Hollie, Brittany G, Colleen, Wendy, and Dane for attending our School Improvement meeting.

Thank you to Joel, Erika, Hollie, Alisha, Becky, Jen, Angel, Kristyl, and Casey for meeting for PBIS.

Thank you to Wendy for organizing our MTSS schedule and for everyone that attended prepared and ready to help students.

Thank you to Kim for the hugs.

Thank you to Becky and Jera for getting our kiddos ready for an amazing concert!

Parent Shout Outs:

Staff Shout Outs: Thank you for the new shout outs!

Dane Ziemba - Thank you for your constant support! I appreciate your help and your knowledge! You are a great resource room teacher!

Wendy Brozek - Thank you for always going above and beyond to support kiddos and teachers!

Kendra Cook - Kendra comes to work with a smile every day and always looks for the positives, even though this year has had its ups and downs for her.

Kristly Bannon - She's a lover and a hugger and just what her kiddos need! I am also lucky to call her my colleague and friend.

Who would you like to Shout Out? Fill out the form here.

https://forms.gle/GQ4FtXAbx55YZUdN6

Spark Staff Member of the Week: Jackie Moreno

Hollie nominated Jackie for the following reasons.

It has been so wonderful having Jackie at Parsons this year! She always comes in for OG with a smiling face and shares great resources and insight. Jackie connects with the students even though she only sees them for a limited time and she supports everyone with whatever they need. Also, Chauncey is the best boy and sharing him with staff and students brought such joy!

I asked Jackie the following questions.

• What brings you joy? Dogs and my family bring me joy! It's impossible for me to pet a dog and not feel overwhelming calm and joy. I'm drawn to them. I love spending time with my family and watching my kids play their sports.
• How do you bring joy to others? I try to bring joy to others by having a good attitude and humor to lighten the mood.
• Who is someone that brings joy to you? Besides my family, I get so much joy from students both past and present. I love when they are excited to see me and all the hugs are never a bad thing.

Spark Student of the Week: Lily and Frankie Green

We have a DOUBLE spark this week! As much as we love these two as individuals, together they are double positivity! Imagine Poppy from Trolls times two! These two love to give hugs, smile ear to ear, and are always excited to come to school and learn! Their happiness and kindness is contagious!

• Lily

  • What brings you joy? Santa
  • How do you bring joy to others? I give compliments like I say I like your shirt.
  • Who is someone that brings joy to you? Mimi

  Frankie

  
  

  • What brings you joy? Santa
  • How do you bring joy to others? We give them love
  • Who is someone that brings joy to you? Mimi

Just a reminder that these links both give great ideas for interventions and strategies for student behavior. They can also be found in the Parsons 2023-2024 Drive in the folder for PBIS.

Tier I Behavior Strategies

Tier II Behavior Strategies

Please talk with your colleagues and chose a month! Team work makes the dream work! News articles should be short articles with one picture. Please sign up for one month as a grade, special, or committee. Even better, have a student group write an article! Here is the sign up.

Here is the link for the Fountas and PInnell Benchmark Assessment Calendar and guidelines.

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...December 19th!

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

Colleen found these professional development opportunities at RESA for upper elementary teachers. They are on Zoom and after school from 4:30-5:30. Colleen recommends the Building Morphological Awareness. Here is the link.

September 8, 2023

September 18, 2023

September 25, 2023

October 2, 2023

October 9, 2023

October 16, 2023

October 23, 2023

October 30, 2023

November 6, 2023

November 13, 2023

November 20, 2023

November 26, 2023

December 2nd: Gibraltar Christmas Parade

December 6th: Town Hall 2:00

December 7th: Staff 7:45

December 8th: Run through Christmas Concert, Christmas Party 6 pm Scheetz House

December 11th: Christmas Concert at CHS 6:00 (k-2) 7:00 (3-5)

December 12th: PTO meeting 6:00, Cabinet 8:30-11:30

December 14th: PBIS 8:10, Board meeting

December 15th: Bible Release

December 18th-19th: Santas's Shop

December 19th: Cookies with Santa PM

December 22nd: Last Day before Winter Break

December 23rd-January 7th: Winter Break

January 9th: PTO 6:00

January 10th: Early Dismissal 11:55

January 11th: Space Dome Assembly

January 15th: MLK Day, No School

January 18th: Drama Club Begins

February 19th-20th: Winter Break, No School

February 27th: PD Day, No School