The Academy at Middle Fork Weekly Memo: September 4-8, 2023

 

Together: "No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it."

 - H.E. Luccock

I. Praise and Thanks: 

• We successfully completed our first week Together with students at The Academy. Thanks to everyone for the full team effort to make good things happen for our mini-Mountaineers! 
• I am also grateful for everyone taking good steps forward with our new Academy Innovative Schools Model. It takes an amazing team to do innovative things together for the first time. 

Blog Note: When there are individuals who demonstrate one of the elements of our Portrait of a Lab School Team Member/Educator and you would like them highlighted in the Weekly Memo Blog, then please let me know.

II. This Week's Events At A Glance

DIBELS BOY OPENS THIS WEEK

Tuesday, September 5:

• 3:00 p.m.-SIT Meeting

Wednesday, September 6: Picture Day 

• 7:15 a.m.-Interventionists' Meeting
• 10:00 a.m.-Care Team Meeting
• 3:00 p.m.-Curriculum Coaches' Meeting

Thursday, September 7:

• 8:00 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom
• 3:00 p.m.-BOG Test Training

Friday, September 8: Enrichment Friday (Stay tuned for communication from Barbara Lewis on our next Enrichment Friday.)

• 8:30-9:45 a.m.-4th & 5th PLT
• 9:30-10:15 a.m.-Specialist PLT
• 9:45-11:00 a.m.-K & 1 PLT
• 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m.-2nd & 3rd PLT

Featured Enrichment Friday Activities

• 9:00-9:30 a.m.-Smart Start Kinder
• 9:00-10:00 a.m.-Lead Girls 5th Grade
• 9:00-10:30 a.m.-Minglewood Farms-3rd Grade
• 9:00-10:30 a.m.-App State Office of Diversity Read Aloud Visit

III. Reminders and Updates

A. Instructional Framework Reminder:

• Remember that Grades 1-5 should be following our Co-Teaching Model along with staying aligned with our Pacing Guide.
• Dr. Tschida is returning to the Academy. She will visit PLTs and continue Co-Teaching PD.

B. Class Dojo Points and HIKE Tokens:

• As a Restorative Practices school, remember that we are not taking away any Class Dojo points or HIKE tokens that students have earned. 
• Please seek out either Ms. Lewis, Mr. Daniels, or Mr. Tackett if you need ideas and support for implementing restorative practices in your classroom. 

C. Call the Office:

• Please be sure to call the office when you need support for classroom disruptions, student misbehaviors, etc. 
• Do not call, text, or radio for individual Support Team members in those situations. 
• Again, please contact the office. The Office Team will reach out to Support Team members on your behalf. 
• We are hopeful that a new Office Assistant will start at the Academy this week. Stay tuned! 

D. IV. PDPs (Professional Development Plans)

• All teachers (Curriculum Coaches, EC Teachers, Specialists, EC Teachers, ML Teachers, & Interventionists) must complete a PDP and meet with an administrator (Sean Gaillard or Barbara Lewis) by September 8. 
• As I shared earlier, teachers must have 3 PDP Goals on the following: 
• University Outreach
• Co-Teaching
• Your own individual goal
• Linked here is the Observation and Evaluation Schedule. 
• Prior to completing the PDP, complete the the NCEES Self-Assessment. You will complete the Teacher Rubric-Fillable and rank yourself accordingly to each standard. It is linked here. Make sure you are under the "Resources" link.
• The PDP is linked here. Make sure you are under the "Resources" link. Complete the PDP prior to the PDP Conference with Barbara or me. 

E. People Admin and Institutional Goals

• All SHRA employees and school counselors, social workers, nurses, teacher support coaches, school improvement coaches, administrators, directors will follow the SHRA process. 
• Staff Performance Plans must be completed by September 8 in People Admin. 
• Linked here is the Evaluation Schedule for SHRA.
• Linked here are the Institutional Goals. Make sure the weights add up to 50% if you are not a supervisor. 
• Linked here are directions and videos to assist with creating a performance plan in People Admin. Use the menu on the left to access what you need for support. 
• When you are finished in People Admin, press "Save Draft." Do not hit "Complete" yet. E-mail Barbara or Sean when you ready so we can approve.
• When I have completed making everyone a "Co-Reviewer" in People Admin, I shall email to notify that you are ready to begin the process. 
• You must have 3-4 Individual Goals listed in People Admin. Make sure that those goals are meaningful, achievable, and aligned with the Academy's vision and mission. 

IV. One More Thing...Maybe Two

• When I drive to The Academy in the morning, I play a lot of upbeat Music to get ready for our day together. 
• Here's one of my favorites to share with you from the great Bill Withers. What's your drive-up song? Please let me know and I am happy to share it here.