The Academy at Middle Fork Weekly Memo: August 29-September 2, 2022

 


I. Praise and Thanks! 

  • Thanks to everyone for your sincere and dutiful participation in Friday's Learning Experiences! I appreciate your efforts to learn and connect in the following ways: 
    • "Hike a Little Higher" with Dr. Julie Hasson
    • CPI Training for Selected Staff
    • Wayfinder
    • Breakout Sessions on Restorative Justice, Math Workshop, Writing Journals
  • A special thanks to Heather Wham and Kori Trainor for their instructional leadership! I appreciate their stewardship of our PD sessions on Friday! 
  • Thanks to Alix Shaver and Suzanne Smith for their leadership in facilitating the Wayfinder PD on Friday! 
II. This Week's Events: 

Monday, August 29: 
  • 🎉🎉🎉 The First Day of School! #CelebrateMonday #FDOS 🎉🎉🎉
  • Tuesday, August 30: 
  • Continued excellence for our mini-Mountaineers!
Wednesday, August 31:
  • 1:45-2:10 p.m.-4th Grade Writer's Notebook Launch
Thursday, September 1
  • 8:30 a.m.-HIKE Schoolwide Kickoff Assembly
  • 3:00-4:00 p.m.-BOG Training
Friday, September 2
  • 8:45-9:45 a.m.-BOG Practice
III. Reminders and Updates:

A. Our First Day of School: 
  • This is such an exciting and pivotal day! Our mini-Mountaineers need us and I know that you will make a positive impact. 
  • We may have some hiccups due to it being our first day. Let's do our best to be proactive and positive in service of our mini-Mountaineers.
  • Invest time in building relationships and reviewing procedures. 
  • Make sure that you communicate relentlessly your BELIEF in our students and communicate HIGH EXPECTATIONS. 
  • Also, please be sure to conduct a school tour so that students are familiar with surroundings. You are encouraged to bring them to the main office, too! 
  • Please make sure that you are aware of how your students are getting home. 
  • Remember to be at your duty spots or classroom doors greeting students starting at 7:30 a.m. We will begin dismissal at 2:20 p.m. Be sure to see Darron Daniels' email on this with specifics. 
B. Planned Lessons: 
Be sure to have your Planned Lessons for this week uploaded on the Google Drive if you have not done so already. 
  • Your Planned Lessons for the upcoming week are to be uploaded on the Google Drive every Friday by 4:30 p.m. 
C. Instructional Focus Points: 
  • Morning Meeting: Make sure that you are following procedures for Morning Meeting and establishing a positive beginning for the day. 
  • Standards: Ensure that your instruction is aligned with standards and that it is evident in the classroom. 
  • Time on Task: Make sure that you are following the master schedule. 
  • Above all things, make sure that our mini-Mountaineers feel that they are Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the classroom under your watch. 
D. PLT
  • PLTs will start next week. 
  • Stay tuned for more information from Heather Wham. 
E. Committee Sign-Ups:
  • Kori Trainor emailed a Google Sign-Up Form for Committees. 
  • All staff members are to join a committee for the school year. 
F.  Meeting Schedule for 2022-23
  • Staff Meetings: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month 
  • SIT: 1st Tuesday of each month
  • MTSS: 3rd Tuesday of each month
  • HIKE: 2nd Wednesday of each month
  • Hospitality: 1st Thursday of each month
  • Green Team: 2nd Thursday of each month
  • Curriculum: 3rd Thursday of each month
  • Inclusion Excellence: Meeting Time TBA
G. Optional Book Study
  • There are two titles on the horizon for optional book studies: 
    • Safe, Seen, and Stretched in the Classroom by Julie Hasson
    • Innovate Inside the Box by Katie Novak & George Couros
  • We will start with Innovate Inside the Box. More information on the book can be found here.
  • If you are interested in participating in this first book study, then complete the form here.
H. For Your Toolbox: 
  • My inspiring friend, Lauren Kaufman, is an inspiring author, friend, and educator. 
  • She is the director of literacy for a school district in Long Island, NY. 
  • Her blog is both inspiring and insightful. I am always deeply reflecting after I read her words. This is her latest blog post and it is timely as we are in Back to School mode. Click HERE for the blog. 
I. One More Thing:
  • We got this and I believe in you! I am so proud to be your principal and I am excited for our band to HIKE up the mountaintop together. 
  • Our first week with our mini-Mountaineers is going to be inspiring and uplifting! 
  • Thanks for sharing your gifts and strengths! 

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