Heights Hype
March 23rd-March 29th
Heights Mission: Heights Elementary IB World School is dedicated to developing balanced, lifelong learners through educational excellence, a global perspective, reflection and action.
Heights Vision: To Be A World Class School.
The Vision and Mission for the School District of Lee County
- The Vision the School District of Lee County: To be a world-class school system.
- The Mission of the School District of Lee County: To ensure each student achieves his/her highest personal potential.
School District of Lee County Core Values:
- Excellence: We are committed to continuously improving the learning and working environment in order to deliver a superior education.
- Integrity : We are honest, fair, and open in all of our interactions.
- High Expectations: We establish challenging goals for our students and employees.
- Accountability: We take responsibility for our actions and their results.
- Belief in students: We believe in individualized instruction designed to meet the academic, social, and emotional needs of each learner.
- Professionalism: We demonstrate our passion for our profession by maintaining expertise in our field and holding ourselves to the highest possible standard of conduct
March 23rd: 3rd grade Sanibel Sea School
March 23rd: BEST Writing Training (4th & 5th grade)
March 24th: Common planning for each grade level
March 24th: 2nd grade planning day
March 24th-27th: 4th grade Field Trip to the Mud Flats
- Tues 3/24 Elrubaie/McDole
Wed 3/25 Licata/Gutierrez
- Thurs 3/26 Elverd/Stamper
- Fri 3/27 Moore/Williams
March 25th: IB PLC
March 26th: PBIS Meeting (3:45)
March 27th: Kg & 1st grade Field Day
March 27th: Reading Deficiency Notification Letters go home
March 26th: Kristyn Licata (4th grade)
March 26th: Stacey Head (2nd grade)
March 29th: Jessica Selby (Media Center Para)
Theme: If we want more from them, we must model more for them.
1. Instruction: From "Telling" to "Task-Modeling"
High expectations for ourselves means we don't just give instructions; we provide a "Gold Standard" roadmap.
The Self-Expectation: I will never ask students to do a task I haven't attempted myself.
The Engagement Strategy: Show your "Think-Aloud." If you want them to write a persuasive paragraph, draft one live on the board—mistakes and all. When they see you struggle and revise, the "ceiling" for their own work rises.
2. Engagement: The "First 5" Rule
High expectations for ourselves means taking 100% ownership of the classroom energy from the moment the bell rings.
The Self-Expectation: I will greet every student by name and have a "Hook" ready that isn't just "Open your books."
The Engagement Strategy: Use a Response Trigger. Instead of asking, "Does everyone understand?", use a high-engagement check like "Fist-to-Five" or "Whiteboard Waterfall."
Quick Tip: If engagement is low, ask yourself: "Would I want to be a student in my class today?" If the answer is "maybe," pivot to a gamified review or a quick movement break.
3. Feedback: The 4-to-1 Ratio
Great teachers expect themselves to be coaches, not just graders.
The Self-Expectation: I will provide four positive reinforcements for every one corrective piece of feedback.
The Engagement Strategy: Micro-Feedback. Instead of waiting a week to return papers, spend your "walk-around" time during independent work giving "on-the-spot" stickers or verbal "glows."
Quick Tip: Use a "Feedback Loop." Ask a student: "What is one thing I could do to make this lesson clearer for you?" That is a high-expectation move.
