1-25-2019

I want to thank Dan and Matt for the coaching job they did yesterday.  The Bengals were beat soundly, which makes their effort, positivity and good example they set for our middle school girls more impressive.

Great article Angela found on teaching students "how to think".
https://www.edutopia.org/article/4-ways-develop-creativity-students


Please make sure your review the E-learning day letter that Dr. Ehrhardt sent out yesterday.  I will make my way around teams on Monday and Tuesday of next week to answer any planning questions you have.  Please continue to plan during your team and plan time as this can go in effect starting Feb. 1. This also means that if we have a cold day next week we will have to make it up.




I'm getting a lot of 2nd round evaluations done this week and next.  Please make sure that you schedule your next observation if you are on the evaluation cycle and please check your alternative evaluation to ensure you are making progress.  Finally everyone on cycle, please make sure you are checking on your student growth goals.

Challenge Read of the week:  Science and Memory
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/same-neurons-may-map-physical-space-and-memories/580357/?utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_content=edit-promo&utm_term=2019-01-18T12%3A15%3A17

The 175th Benjamin Anniversary committee met last night and came up with a lot of ideas to kick off the planning. Special thanks to Lauren Dunne and Melissa LaMantia who were the BMS representatives.

Cool library display and article BOOKFLIX
https://bookriot.com/?p=251910


Michael Miles was in to perform and teach our students again this week.  I know staff is busy, but I strongly suggest that when he comes back in the spring, you use your plan time to sit in Melissa's classroom.  This is really a special opportunity for our students.



Thanks to Jessica and Lauren for all of their hard work in getting NJHS off and running.  They will have their first full meeting on Monday morning and then hopefully get the new inductees confirmed that evening.  (pray for good weather)

How to cite sources without leaving google docs.  Good for your student research papers.
https://shakeuplearning.com/blog/cite-sources-google-docs/

Greg gave a new update on the Illinois Assessment of Readiness  (the artist formerly known as Prince...I mean PARCC).  It is pretty thorough so I will send out a detailed email next week.  Two takeaways are that Pearson will be delivering the assessment again this year which means there are a lot of similarities to years past.  Also, the test is shorter with two 90 minute sessions for ELA and three 60 minutes sessions of math for all grade levels.  More to follow.

Wisdom is the ability to see both sides and weigh them appropriately.


Thanks to Tim, Frank and Tony for being relentless in keeping up with the school grounds during this nasty weather.




Yesterday had a lot of challenges, but sitting in a PST meeting and having a mom tear up about how her son earning Student of the Month was such a powerful and positive event for him and their family, really Made My Day.  Please don't forget the impact that even the simplest things have on our students and their families. You are making a difference.