Friday Focus - February 22, 2013

• Next week is FCAT Writing for our 4th graders.  The test will take place on Tuesday and makeups will be the following two days.  We appreciate everyone's support in keeping the hallways quiet during the testing time in the morning.
• Monday is our Terrific Kids' assembly at 8:15 in the cafeteria.  
• PLCs are scheduled for next Thursday afternoon.
• Super Citizens' names are due to Mrs. Olstein next Friday.  I am imploring teachers to make sure that your students have a speech and/or a poster to present at the ceremonies.  Every student was prepared last month, but there were three students who were not this past week.

Video of the Week - Good video with an overview of the Common Core State Standards for ELA - CCSS ELA and Literacy

Quote of the Week - This one has been posted outside my office this week, but I felt that it needs to be shared on this space as well.  "Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace." - Dalai Lama.  I share this quote because I am constantly reminding myself of my purpose, which is to makes children's lives better.  Sometimes people may feel that they have been targeted by others and let this alter what should be the main focus.  As educators, we need to see the big picture and ask ourselves if we are truly here for the children and, if so, are we doing everything in our power to make students' lives better.  Please be assured that my actions will always be with the children of Floranada in mind first and foremost.  Also know that I only want every one of our students to receive the same education that the students in our best teachers' classrooms receive and any support/guidance that I provide is with this mindset. 

Friday Focus - February 15, 2013

• No school on Monday!
• Birthday Table and Super Citizens' Ceremony are both next Tuesday.  
• Interim Reports go home next Thursday.
• There is an assembly for K-2 next Thursday afternoon in the cafeteria on beach and water safety.
• A question to ponder - how many minutes a day do your students spend actually reading?  
• Teachers, please remember to complete the brief survey that I sent out this week. 

Common Core State Standards for Writing: CCSS Writing Samples - Please see the following attachment from the CCSS ELA.  These should give you some idea of what the expectation will be for students from each grade level.  CCSS Writing Samples 

Quote of the Week - "For many students, their teachers may be the only adult with whom they have a meaningful conversation all day." - Vickie Gill.  Reflect on this statement.  How does it make you think about your conversations with our students? 

Friday Focus - February 8, 2013

• We have a faculty meeting on Monday. 
• Report cards go home on Wednesday.  
• Honor Roll Assemblies are next Friday: 4th grade at 8:15, 5th grade at 9:00 and 3rd grade at 9:45.
• We will be conducting our second tornado drill next Wednesday at 10:10.  Just before that we will conduct our fire drill for February.  

 
Article of the Week - Educational Beliefs This is a cool article that should get you thinking about how your grade level team and our staff collaborate (or don't collaborate).  Which belief system do you subscribe to?  Or is your belief system not listed?  Which do you think the others on your team and in our faculty adhere to?  Which do you think fits me?  This could be a great exercise at an upcoming PLC meeting.  Thanks to Mr. Schipani for sharing.  

Quote of the Week - "If your plan isn't working, adjust your plan. Never give up." - Matt Martin.  As educators we must be relentless in our pursuit of success for all of our students.  I hope that each of us can honestly say that we do everything in our power for the children of Floranada.

Friday Focus - February 1, 2013

• Report cards are due to team leaders on Monday.  Also, Honor Roll names are due to Mrs. Tusa and Terrific Kids' names are due to me.  Report cards are due to administration on Wednesday.
• Team leader day is Tuesday.
• Thursday is an early release day.  We have assemblies that day - The NED Show.  K-2 is at 8:30 and 3-5 at 9:30.  
• PLCs are scheduled for Thursday at 1:00.
• Our SAC and PTA meetings are next Thursday: SAC at 5:15 and PTA at 6:15.
• Class Pictures will be taken next Friday.
• Floranada Day is next Saturday from 11:00 until 3:00.
• As we transition to the Common Core State Standards, our writing instruction should begin to reflect this shift.  The expectation for next month's writing samples is that students will write reflectively to something that they have read.  We should see examples of students using text-based evidence in their written responses. 
• Check out this website - 25 Things Successful Teachers Do Differently  Which of these speak to you?  Numbers 1, 2, 5, 6 (high expectations), 11 (self-reflection), 16 and 23 really stood out to me.  I also liked what the author stated in the beginning of the article that a teacher never giving up on a student is what makes that child successful.  This brings to mind my belief that we must be relentless in our pursuit of academic success for all of our students.  Thank you to Mrs. Hernandez for sharing this article. 

Quote of the Week - "One day, you'll be just a memory for some people.  Do your best to be a good one." - Anonymous.  How will you be remembered?