The Weekly Words
8/23/26
Team,
Hard to believe that this time last year, we were just beginning to unpack the power of a growth mindset together. Since then, I’ve seen so many of you cultivate classrooms where mistakes are embraced, resilience is celebrated, and students truly believe that hard work and perseverance expand their capacity to learn.
As we step into Year 2 together, continuing to build this culture remains at the heart of our work. Whether through "normalizing error," learning directly from missteps, or turning minor failures into feats of success, we know that helping students reframe challenges is what drives real growth. (And as always, if you ever want to geek out on Carol Dweck’s research over a cup of coffee, the offer still stands! My treat.)
Growth Mindset Challenge: Share one concrete way you plan to promote a growth mindset in your space this year. Reply to this email with your strategy by Wednesday to be entered into a drawing for a surprise tool for your classroom!
Mr. Walker, M.Ed.
Principal
Team,
The wait is almost over! A reminder that Dr. Michelle Watson’s official start date at Noble will be Tuesday, September 8, right after Labor Day weekend.
Dr. Watson brings a wealth of expertise and heart to our leadership team. As a dedicated building administrator, her primary focus will center on our building climate and academic growth. She will partner directly with us on high-level behavior interventions, collaborate with families on proactive solutions, and help strengthen our PBIS, Attendance, and MTSS systems to elevate both school culture and student learning across the board.
While Dr. Watson will not be evaluating, she will be an incredible resource, key thought partner, and advocate for our team. We are so fortunate to welcome her energy and talent to Noble, get ready to give her the warm, enthusiastic welcome she deserves on September 8!
Community & Culture: Our Noble Chalk Cheers was an incredible display of community that filled our entryways with positivity and inclusion to kick off the new school year!
Ms. Windham: Masterclass in "sweating the small stuff"—when her line wasn't quiet, she had students reset, re-do the procedure, and achieved 100% compliance!
Lunch Monitors: Enhanced hallway and cafeteria supervision made a huge difference, leading to great student choices outside at recess!
Mrs. Ohlinger: Led meaningful 4th Grade Community Circles and SEL support outdoors to build strong classroom connections!
Mrs. DiDona: Empowered students by teaching them about their locus of control and self-discipline to shape healthy social habits!
Ms. Lewis: Provided clear, explicit directions to set her students up for a safe and fun recess!
Ms. Sa’ad: Brought non-stop energy, balancing her Pre-K Discovery Lab duties while jumping in to support 4th and 5th Grade Science!
Mr. Rossi: Connected school expectations, kindness, and inclusion through interactive song and dance!
Mrs. Cohen & Mrs. Ruddy: Clearly unpacked small group instruction expectations so students were ready to learn!
Mrs. Barrancotto: Set her students up for daily success by providing a clear visual roadmap every single morning!
Kindergarten Team & Ms. Cash: Executed a seamless Kindergarten Staggered Start! Special shout-out to Ms. Cash for going above and beyond with hands-on support and relationship-building with our newest learners!
To help keep all of our essential resources, templates, schedules, and administrative updates organized in one central hub, please take a moment to join our Noble Staff Resource Google Classroom.
Having everyone connected ensures you’ll always have quick access to the tools and information you need throughout the school year.
Four educators in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District earned their Ohio Master Teacher designations in 2026. Those educators are:
Initials:
- Rebecca Oberfield - Noble Elementary
- Katherine Strine - Heights High
Renewals:
- Brad Hallam - Delisle Options Center
- Jazmine Monroe - Noble Elementary
The four teachers were recognized during the 2026 Staff Convocation Day program. Congratulations to all, especially our Noble All-Star, Master Teachers!
Don't See you name? Please be sure to complete our Staff Interest Survey!
August Birthdays
Mrs. Ruddy - August 7
Mrs. Somody - August 12
Mrs. Wynn - August 12
Ms. Lewis - August 20
Mrs. Craven - August 26
Attendance
So far this year, our building has 92.8% average daily attendance.
Here are where grade levels landed for August (so far):
- KG - N/A
- 1st - 85.84%
- 2nd - 91.34%
- 3rd - 92.57%
- 4th - 89.15%
- 5th - 97.69%
Chronic Absenteeism at Noble
We met last year's Chronic Absenteeism Goal! Our goal this year is 20.8%! Let's continue to call and make contact with families each time we notice extended absence. Let's be proactive and use events like Curriculum Night to touch base with families with history of CA.
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.
Please structure your TBT time this week around two core themes, norm-setting and early student data:
Norms & Process: Establish clear TBT protocols for examining student work samples, managing time per agenda item, and meaningfully integrating support specialists (Intervention Specialists, Speech, OT, Gifted, etc.) into your planning.
Data & Student Needs: Begin building out student data walls using early watch lists, EOY data from 25-26 SY, etc. to identify students on your radar and roadmap necessary intervention strategies.
Based on feedback from our BLT and families, this year’s Curriculum Night will feature three 25-minute sessions so parents can visit multiple teachers and classrooms. To maximize community connections, our Intervention Specialists, PTA, CLC, and local after-school partners will host tables in the 5th Grade hallway, and I will handle transition announcements between sessions.
Please ensure you include the provided Title I slides in your classroom presentations, which will also be shared during dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.
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.
As the 2026-2027 school year begins, we want to take a moment to share with you a tentative schedule for the next few weeks in Elementary Instrumental Music. Please keep in mind that we will be recruiting beginners in both 4th and 5th grade. You will likely receive questions from parents and teachers and, as always, feel free to forward their questions to us.
Week of August 19 through August 25 – Introductions
Week of August 27 through September 4 – Instrument Petting Zoo
Weeks of September 8 through September 14 – Registration, Scheduling, Instrument Rental
Week of September 15 – 1st Week of Lessons
Next week we will be visiting classrooms and distributing a "welcome" letter to all interested students. Then, with the homeroom teachers, we will create a schedule to meet with students and demonstrate various instruments. During this instrument "petting zoo", students will be allowed to touch and play the instruments after sanitizing. The following week will be scheduling and obtaining instruments. Lessons will begin the week of September 15th.
Our first fire drill of the year is scheduled for tomorrow, August 24, at 2:45 p.m. Please review drill expectations with your students beforehand and consult the Emergency Handbook for complete evacuation protocols and logistics.
