Happy First Week of Advent!
MATH Timed Drills
Last year we began timed drills for K-8th Grade. It came to my attention from parents that these are not being implemented consistently among the grade levels and classes. Please problem solve with your team on how these will be implemented with consistency as this was one of the factors we felt was needed for students as these are not part of the Envision or Digits programs. Thank you for making this happen!
Preschool/Pre-K, Kindergarten Bathrooms
As you may or may not know, law for Preschool/Pre-K is that they must have designated bathrooms for their program. "Big" people are not allowed to use the same restroom as them. Therefore, over the Thanksgiving Break, we began cleaning out the Locker Rooms. Dan worked really hard to get every thing out and it all cleaned up but he still has a few items to relocate, repair and clean. He also will be keeping the doors open so you will have the ability to better monitor your students.
We will keep you up to date on when this is completed over the next few weeks but please be aware that this restroom should not be used regularly by 1-8 grade students. We ask that you use the upstairs restrooms for breaks as we will try to keep these ONLY for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten. The Preschool/Pre-K teams are making signs noting this change but please do not take your students there for bathroom breaks remind them if there is an emergency, they will soon be using the locker room bathrooms.
As a reminder, completed lesson plans are due by Monday of that week. I have been checking plans and there are some teachers who either have not completed all content area plans or have inaccurately written plans. As a reminder these should be posted each week using the www.teacherease.com lesson plan format. I am checking these regularly so I wanted to review lesson plan component expectations.
Remember that your lesson plans should be written so if another educator picked them up and read them - they would make sense. Having only page numbers, etc. would not make sense so please ensure you include clear descriptors for the following components:
1. Title - should reflect the Core Knowledge Sequence topic as well as our Religion curriculum unit of study that is is being integrated into the lesson - not page numbers or program titles like "Reading Street" or "Envision".
2. Objective: Please use the Objective Tab rather than the Goal tab - the objective should reflect exactly what the students will be able to do using your BLOOM's word! You should have one content area objective and also one ELA objective for every lesson.
3. Standard - the standards pop up for you to choose from - please include both your ELA and Content area focus
4. Assessment - the assessment should reflect how you know they got it in this particular lesson! Remember EVERY lesson should have an assessment - either formal or more informal like an exit card or question. Please give a descriptor as well as your page number if needed.
As a reminder, please use the Core Knowledge Sequence reading list for book choices for read aloud and small group reading material. Each year, quality classic pieces of literature are suggested! Please make sure to include these as part of your instruction!
As became expected practice a few year ago and is stated in our handbook, religion is to be taught every day even on Mass days. Mass is certainly "counted" as religion time commitments but a religion lesson aligned to the Archdiocesan religion curriculum should be taught daily!
New RELIGION Curriculum to be Released in January
YEA! Our Religion curriculum team has spent over two years writing our new Religion curriculum! We are really excited that it will be released in January, 2014. Here at CC, we will be trained in the new curriculum following our accreditation in March or more toward the end of school. You will have the last few months of school and all summer to get to know it. We will begin implementation in August of 2014 next school year so no worries! Just wanted to keep you in the loop of the progress!
AGENDA for January 6 Full Day PLC
As a reminder, we will have a full day PLC on January 6 before students return. This will not be a work day but centered on training and coming together as a school community and meeting with accreditation teams! Please plan accordingly. Also, please bring a breakfast snack to share! I will once again make the coffee and have some yummy creamers for you!
Reading Street Inventory
As we believe all of our Reading Street and Prentice Hall supplies have arrived, we are asking for you to return the inventory list where you note what you have and what you may be missing. We will touch base with Pearson to get what you are missing after we receive these inventory sheets. Please turn these into Dawn by January 7, 2014 so we can get this completed.
All School's Award Recipients and Mass Participation
Believe it or not, Catholic Schools Week and our All Schools Mass is Right Around the Corner! We will once again have Mass at St. Dominic's. We are so honored that our dear Ms. Dusbabek and our students will serve as the choir this year!
We also have the following nominations to complete and return to the diocese by end of day December 9. Please copy and paste the following into an email and send me your name if you are eligible for a service award and vote for a fellow teacher for the other awards. Also, discuss with your team how you want to nominate as our students to represent our school in the areas below the awards section. Thank you!
Service
Awards
The Catholic School
Who is Eligible:
All teachers, staff members, administrators, and TCE employees.
5
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
10
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
15
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
20
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
25
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
30
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
40+
Year Nominees (list below, with position):
Christ the
Teacher Award
This award is given to a
teacher who personifies the ideal of Christ the Teacher. Jesus calls us to
preach the Good News to all people. Recipients of this award demonstrate not
only excellence in teaching, but in Christian service to all of God’s children.
Through their love, compassion, dedication, and faith, Christ the Teacher Award
winners serve as an example of Christian teaching and living in our world.
Who is Eligible:
Teachers
Name
of Nominee:
Description
of how nominee exemplifies this award:
St. John
Bosco Award
The St. John Bosco Award is
given to a teacher who has demonstrated excellence in instructional innovation.
Like St. John Bosco, recipients of this award are not afraid to explore new
directions and innovations in education. St. John Bosco used a number of
unorthodox methods, including acrobatics and magic tricks, to spread Christ’s
words to children. Through the introduction of new programs, use of new
materials or technology, or creative approaches to teaching, recipients of this
award show that education is a constantly changing craft.
Who is Eligible:
Teachers
Name
of Nominee:
Description
of how nominee exemplifies this award:
St. Peter
the Rock Award
This Award is given to a
staff member of a Catholic school who demonstrates excellence in service to the
school community. The support staff is the backbone of a school. Just as Jesus
stated that he would build God’s Church upon the Rock of Peter, our schools are
built upon the love and dedication of its many stakeholders. This award
recognizes those who often work “behind the scenes” to make a school succeed.
Be they an office worker, custodian, teacher’s aide, or other staff member,
recipients of this award demonstrate dedication, competence, generosity, and
respect for all of those within the community.
Who is Eligible:
Staff members (including office personnel, custodians, teacher’s aides, and any
other non-instructional staff)
Name
of Nominee:
Description
of how nominee exemplifies this award:
St. Andre
Bessette Award
This award is given to a
new teacher who has demonstrated drive and dedication to his or her new
ministry.
Who is Eligible:
Teachers in their first year at the school.
Name
of Nominee:
Description
of how nominee exemplifies this award:
Students Who Will Represent Our School At Our All School's Mass
I would ask that each team choose one student for each of the following roles and discuss this honor before nominating them:
Middle School - Banner Bearer:____________________
Middle School - Prayers of the Faithful: ___________________
3-5 - Altar Server:________________
K-2 - Gift Bearer: __________________
These students will go with me in my car before everyone else to practice for Mass.
We will be having our staff Christmas party following our noon dismissal on December 20th! This is when we will have our final gift in our Advent Angel exchange! Please don't forget to sign up via Elfster.com with the link I sent you! This cool site will then send you your Advent Angel's name and no one knows BUT YOU who you have! Please don't forget that we also secretly give small gifts each day that week to our Advent Angel! It is a long standing tradition in our school that is a ton of fun!
Gifts for Fr. Mark and Fr. Joe
Submissions to the Colt
We will be purchasing new stoles for Father Mark and Father Joe as our staff Christmas gift. Father Mark already has the Children of the World so we are getting him to Noah's Ark on the right and then getting Fr. Joe the Children of the World on the left. We are estimating the cost as roughly $60 each for a total of $120! We are asking each person to give $4-$5 to cover the cost of these gifts for these very special priest of our school! We will give them these at our Christmas party on December 20th. Please give Dawn your $5 at your convenience.
Submissions to the Colt
As a reminder, the Colt Express goes out to our entire school community on a weekly basis and will have content you may find beneficial. If you have GOOD NEWS you would like share with the entire CCCS community, please send it to me!
Mid-Year Review
Mark your calendars - we will be having our Mid-Year Evaluation reviews on Tuesday, December 10, Wednesday, December 11, Thursday, December 12 and Friday, December 13 for teaching staff. During these days, we will have each of you come for your planning period or after school to discuss your progress using our evaluation rubric. Please bring any piece you feel would add to the body of evidence that shows your progress related to the rubric - lesson plans, grade books, notes from parents, testing data, etc. There have been a few revisions for those that have requested them. Please plan to meet with Maureen and I at:
Tuesday, December 10
5th - 12:33-1:37 -Chromy/Rothstein (with Gutschick)
6th -1:39-2:37 - Martinez (with Gutschick)After School - 2:45-3:45 - Maloney
Wednesday, December 11
1st -7:40-8:32 - Nuvolini
2nd - 8:34-9:25 - Conlon
3rd - 9:27-10:19 - Gieck
4th - 10:21-11:13 - Cave
Lunch - 11:52-12:30 -Gutschick
5th - 11:15-11:50, 12:35-12:50 - Degenhart
6th -12:52-1:42 - Hennessey
Mass - 1:45-2:45
After School - 2:45-3:45 - Bruno
Thursday, December 12
1st -7:55-8:53 -
2nd - 8:55-9:53 - Ortiz
3rd - 9:55-10:53 - Wetta
4th - 10:55-11:52 - Dusbabek
Lunch - 11:52-12:30 -
5th - 12:33-1:37 - Gonzales
6th -1:39-2:37 - Corbett
After School - 2:45-3:45 -
Friday, December 13
1st -7:55-8:53 -
2nd - 8:55-9:53 - Leckey
3rd - 9:55-10:53 - Sr. Mary
4th - 10:55-11:52 - Smith
Lunch - 11:52-12:30 -
5th - 12:33-1:37 - Baca
6th -1:39-2:37 - Kowalsky
After School - 2:45-3:45 - Wilson
AdvancEd STAFF Survey
Thanks so much to the teachers and staff who have already completed our Staff Survey! We have about half of our staff that have completed the survey so far! As a reminder, the results of the survey are reported to AdvancEd and then we receive all the results as collective data. All individually identifying information is kept confidential! So please click on the following link to complete our survey ASAP: AdvancEd Staff Survey
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD - Athletic Facilities Manager
I have not received any response that any of our staff is interested in this position so we have opened this role to our Corpus Christi Community! If you know of anyone who is interested in this role, please have them pick up an application from the front office. The pay rate for this position is $8/hour.
The job would entail basic leadership of the gym during events that would include:
- On Tuesday and Friday evenings the gym will need to be opened by 5:00 to let players and coaches in
- Additional hours are required for beginning and end of season tournaments
- Games and clean-up are done by 9:00 PM - depending on the CSAL schedule.
- The gym would need to be set up for games and cleaned up following games
- Any "rowdy" behavior would also need to be addressed by this individual
- A prayer and introduction of players is also led by this person
Announcement Schedule:
On all days but Wednesdays we will have announcements in the gym during Advent. We will resume our regular schedule after Christmas: 5th Grade - Jan 7-10, 4th Grade - Jan 13-17, 3rd Grade - Jan 20-24.
Virtue of the Week:
December 9-13 - Justice
December 16 - 20 - Temperance
On all days but Wednesdays we will have announcements in the gym during Advent. We will resume our regular schedule after Christmas: 5th Grade - Jan 7-10, 4th Grade - Jan 13-17, 3rd Grade - Jan 20-24.
Virtue of the Week:
December 9-13 - Justice
December 16 - 20 - Temperance
Here's What Happening NEXT WEEK:
Wednesday, December 11 - Busy Day :) - please see below:
TOMORROW - Staff PLC Day 10:00-Noon and then 1:00-2:00
- AdvancEd Teams - Work with Teams from 10-Noon after question and answer and time!
- Lunch (in Teacher's Lounge) and Coach's Meeting/Lunch (in Conference Room) - 12:15-1:00 PM
- Father Mark Talks with School Staff - 1:00-2:00 PM in Computer Lab and then we get you back on the road to drive home safely!
Monday, December 2 - Friday, December 20 - Advent Celebration in Gym Each Morning (other than Wednesdays) at 7:40 AM - PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED to join us!
Sunday, December 8 - Corpus Christi Colors Sunday; Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, December 9 - Everyday Uniform for PK-8; 8th Grade Fundraiser - Honey Baked Ham Orders due today!
Tuesday, December 10 - Everyday Uniform for K-5; PE Uniforms for 6-8; NO AM Advent Celebration; Advent Celebration and Christmas program Dress Rehearsal at 1:45 PM
Wednesday, December 11 - Busy Day :) - please see below:
- Mass Uniform for K-8
- Go to classrooms at 7:40
- Advent Confession Time - Begins at 10 AM - YEA! Our second graders are having their FIRST RECONCILIATION today so they will go first! We are SO proud of this great step in their lives!
- Other 3-8 grade classes will be called following 2nd grade beginning with 3rd grade and as is required until all can participate
- 1:45 - School Mass
Thursday, December 12- Everyday Uniform for K-8; Advent Celebration in Gym at 7:40 AM; HSA General Meeting in Cafeteria - 5:45 PM; Christmas Program in gym - 6:30 PM
Friday, December 13 - Spirit Day - regular uniform bottoms and a CCCS spirit shirt or "Holy Spirit" shirt
Reminder of THINGS to DO:
- Send Kim AND Mike a link to your blog! :) According to my and Mike's notes, we have links from the following teachers:
- Dusbabek
- Baca
- Maloney
- Gieck
- Bruno
- Smith
- Kowalsky
- Nuvolini
- Conlon
- Gonzalez
- Corbett
- Wilson
- Degenhart
- Complete the staff survey at the link above
- Please complete your Tier 2 and 3 Progress Monitoring and plan for Benchmarks. Next Data meeting is in January - please turn in monthly Tier 2 Intervention Logs to Kim for November and December. We will discuss these at your mid-year reviews.
EVENTS COMING SOON:
Wednesday, December 11 - Advent Confession Time - Begins at 10 AM - classes will be called beginning with 3rd grade and as is required until all can participate.
Thursday, December 12 - HSA General Meeting and Christmas Program - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, December 11 - Advent Confession Time - Begins at 10 AM - classes will be called beginning with 3rd grade and as is required until all can participate.
Thursday, December 12 - HSA General Meeting and Christmas Program - 6:30 PM
Monday, December 16-December 19 - Middle School Mid-Year Exams
Friday, December 20 - End of 2nd Quarter; Preschool-8th Grade - Christmas Parties - 11 AM; Noon Dismissal; Staff Christmas Party Sponsored by HSA - At 12:15ish PM in the Parish Hall
Saturday, December 24-January 6 - Christmas Break
Tuesday, January 7 - Students return from Christmas Break
PLC Schedule and Themes for the Next Few Weeks:
- Preschool/Pre-K Team Meeting and PLC - Tuesdays at 6:30 AM - lead by Jen
- K/1/2 PLC - Mondays at 10:30 AM - lead by Kim
- Middle School PLC - Tuesdays at 12:00 - lead by Maureen
- 3/4/5 PLC - Thursdays at 11:10 AM - lead by Maureen
- Week of December 9 - Be Here, There and Everywhere - the objective of this PLC is that TWBAT describe the importance of and implement proximity in the classroom. You will be asked to identify your own comfort zone and SHAKE IT UP! Here is a driving question for this week's lesson - ask yourself - "Where do I normally sit/stand in my classroom?" Bring your answer with you to this PLC.
- Week of December 16 - Making Lessons Meaningful! - the objective of this PLC is that TWBAT describe how they can weave their faith into their lessons while making lessons meaningful to students. How can you take some new risks, rethink what meaningful learning entails, and make your lessons even better than they currently are?
Diocesan Committees
Team members please mark your calendars for meetings at the diocesan office!
- No Scheduled meetings noted on the diocesan calendar. :)
Have a BLESSED Week!
