Friday Focus - September 30, 2011

• Don't forget that Miss Alaenious Day is coming up on October 12.  Please remember that the students really love it when everyone at the school participates in these type of events.  I cannot wait to see the many different ways that we demonstrate vocabulary that day.  
• Also, Barnes and Noble Night is also on October 12.  This is such a wonderful traditional event at Floranada.  I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible to help us celebrate literacy with our families. 
• Zak will be here on Tuesday, October 4 to provide tech assistance.  Please email him if you have a specific request.  

Quote of the week - "Aspire rather to be a hero than merely appear one." - Baltasar Gracian

Marzano Evaluation Model

Teachers,
We will have a mandatory three-hour training on October 28 which will provide a structured overview of the new Evaluation Model.  Throughout the next several weeks I will be posting information regarding the new Evaluation Model that Broward County will be utilizing.  Today I would like for you to read the following: Marzano Model  

Please understand that we will only be focusing on Domain 1, Classroom Strategies and Behaviors, this year.  Domain 1 addresses what teachers do in the classroom and the actions that have a direct effect on student achievement.  It provides the framework that establishes a common language across every classroom.  It will be also used by teachers as a general framework for lesson/unit planning. 
Finally, please read through the following vocabulary list, as these terms will help us to understand this Evaluation Model.

• Instructional Framework: Marzano model that drives the design questions and 41 elements
• Design Question: questions used to guide and plan instruction
• Lesson Segment: 3 parts of a lesson; routine event, addressing content, enacted on the spot
• Scale (rubric): continuum of feedback to document progress
• Protocol: form used to measure the 41 elements (strategies)
• Elements (strategies): a list of research based teacher behaviors that increase student achievement
• Routine Events: day to day procedures and rules

We will be posting a bulletin board in the teacher planning area outlining the model and displaying the vocabulary.
Discussion and comments on this are welcome.

Friday Focus - September 23, 2011

• We were not selected to be visited for the SACS Accreditation process!  If you remember, 40 schools were going to be picked.  Whew! - that's one less thing to worry about.
• Remember - no school next Thursday.
• Everyone needs to observe proper etiquette when using our walkie-talkies.  There have a few instances recently where comments have been made over the walkies that should not take place.  This includes aftercare as well. 
• In addition, please realize that your email can be considered a public document and you need to be mindful when putting something into an email. 
• Teachers, please remember that PGPs are due next Friday, September 30.  

Quote of the week - "With great power comes great responsibility." - Spiderman (actually written by Stan Lee).  As educators we have great power with our students' lives.  How responsible do we feel to utilize every moment we have with our students?

Friday Focus - September 16, 2011

• We have a busy week next week - please make sure that you are reading the Floranada CAB Calendar on a regular basis to keep up with our events.
• A big thank you to Mrs. Flower for our beautiful new Office sign!  It is located just outside of the main office.
• Next Tuesday will be September's Birthday Table and Super Citizen Ceremony.
• All teachers are strongly encouraged to attend the Document Camera/Projector training next Tuesday afternoon in the Media Center.  This will be helpful as we move toward our goal of increasing technology in our instruction. 
• Next Thursday is an Early Release Day.  Please follow the Early Release Schedule.  A copy is located in the Floranada CAB Conference.
• Our Fall Fundraiser Kickoff is next Friday in the Cafeteria at 1:15.  Classes will be sent back to their classrooms before dismissal.
• Don't forget that Interim Reports go home next Friday.

Quote of the week - "We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us." - Joseph Campbell

Friday Focus - September 9, 2011

• BAT I is next week.  We will be utilizing the FCAT Master Schedule for Monday - Wednesday. This schedule can be found in the CAB Conference.  The Bug Man will be here each of those days because of the change in schedule.
• Ronald McDonald will be here next Friday to kick off our AR challenge.  Classes will be called to the cafeteria by grade level.
• Substitute teachers will receive a class list to mark absences.  The class lists will be picked up by Mrs. Merriman.  
• I mentioned this yesterday, but I need to remind everyone that the laminating machine needs to be turned off when you leave the teacher workroom.  This is a fire hazard.  
• We have enough of the old report cards so we will not be utilizing Pinnacle for report cards this year. 
• Don't forget that Zak will be here next Tuesday afternoon for tech. assistance.  

Quote of the Week - "A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of  overwhelming obstacles." - Christopher Reeve

Friday Focus - September 2, 2011

• Teachers, just a reminder that there will be a Faculty Meeting this Tuesday afternoon in the Media Center.
• Individual student pictures is next Friday - Dr. Lewis will provide the schedule. 
• BAT 1 is coming up the week of September 12.  We will be adhering to the FCAT Master Schedule on those days.  This schedule can be found in the Floranada CAB Conference. 
• Please remember to not send students to the front office during the reading block.
• Mrs. Jones is doing a fantastic job in the Media Center.  Please assist her by having your students clean up after themselves by making sure that chairs are pushed in and headphones are placed back neatly.  We are also finding a number of books that are hidden in the Media Center.
• Let's continue to acknowledge each other with our FALCONS Award.  Not only do I want the good in each of us to be recognized, but I really want to see everyone wear the cape!

Quote of the week - "A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with his freedom." - Bob Dylan