TO-KNOW

• Announcement: It is official …. We have air conditioning in the cafeteria!

• A few words from Building Maintenance/Safety: 1) If you have holes in your window screens please let Sarah know. We will attempt to repair or replace these screens. 2) If you have a fan in your room with a damaged “Face Covering” that has a whole big enough for someone to put their finger in it must be removed from the classroom. This is a safety violation. 3) Mr. Beckemeyer was in the building and identified a number of rugs that must be removed from classrooms. If a rug is “tattered,” fraying, unraveling, or if it is missing edging it is not allowed in the classroom because it is a safety hazard.

• In keeping with the attempts by the state to reduce the “Testing Load” the Diagnostic assessments have been removed from the plate. You may remember that two weeks ago they did away with the Social Studies AIR assessment. Here is a blurb from the state about diagnostic assessments:

• “Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, schools districts will not be required to administer the mathematics or writing diagnostics in grades one and two or the writing diagnostic in grade three, but may do so at the discretion of the district board. The state-developed diagnostic assessments below will remain available for use.”

• There will be some significant changes to how we keep track of attendance this year. I will keep you posted once I get some more definitive answers.

• Technology: First grade will be getting NEW Chromebooks this year. They are not in yet but will be arriving in the building soon. Since they will need to be tagged CHromebooks may not be available to first grade for the first week.

• Technology: This year the district will offer insurance for Chromebooks ($20) again. The district WILL NOT cover any damage to Chromebooks this year and the student will be responsible if they do not have insurance (Last year the district covered the first $30). We want to emphasize the importance of getting Insurance to families.

• Technology: We have a new WiFi network in the building. Please keep me informed about issues you may be experiencing. I will be in communication with VarTek so that they can adjust settings and make sure the network has appropriate coverage. Starting Monday, August 7th WiFi network passwords will be changing. Please refer to the list below.  ONly share with the appropriate people (i.e., only give students the student password).

• The district will be moving away from using the Terra Nova/InView and will start using the IOWA/CogAT assessment system this year. There will be training related to this scheduled with teachers.

• Printers: We have a new partner (ComDoc) to supervise our copy machines and printers. We should have brand new printers in the building on the first day. They may look a little different and will require an identification PIN to use. You will get an email with this PIN. Make sure that you write it down somewhere. Some training related to this will be provided.

• Last week I sent you a graphic about the new theme “Learners Welcome.” You probably noticed that PBIS (i.e., Safe, Responsible, Respectful) was on the outside loop of the graphic. DId you notice that Motivation,Reflection, and Perseverance were on the inside loop? What are these? These are what we believe define a Springmyer Learner (Thank you Theme Advisory). Below you will see some more information for your consideration:

• How could you work these ideas into your classroom?

• We have put together a Document with important dates on it. All of these dates are on the Staff Calendar but we thought it would be nice to have them in one place for your reference. Please take a look and let us know if we missed anything (Link). ***UPDATE*** New dates (esp. PTA Dates) have been added.

• The state has released Spring 2017 Mathematics & ELA Practice Test Items and tools. You may want to take a look: Ohio Test Portal

• Here is the Vision and Hearing Screening Schedule (Link)

Planning Calendar (Yearly Planning Calendar)

TO-DO

• IMPORTANT: Now that the Master Schedule (Link) has started to come together it is time to begin building your classroom schedule. You can begin doing this on the tabs on the Master Schedule Document. When doing this we MUST follow the guidelines developed by the district (Link).

• Teachers on the top floor (200s). While it is warm, when you leave please keep your windows open and doors open. This will help to cool down the top floor in the evening and hopefully make the mornings more bearable.

• If you notice a problem with connectivity within your classroom please let me know so I can arrange adjustments to the network.

• You should have received an email from Public School Works (Jason Nash) on July First. The email outlines the online trainings that you will need to complete this year (prior to 10/31/2017). Don’t wait till the last moment to get this done.  Set a goal to finish one each week so you aren’t busting them out in late October. If you have questions about Public School Works or need help just let me know.

• When you are in your room next please let me know if you have a FIRE EVACUATION MAP posted somewhere near the door.

• If you have a positive news story that you would like to share let me know. You can also submit the story to Emily buckley for coverage (Link)

• Let Sarah know if you have a damaged screen in your classroom.

• Let Mark Know if you have any needs related to computer carts (add or remove) prior to September 1st.

TO-READ

If you are inspired, perplexed, or irritated by the weekly reading I’d love to hear about it! Send me an email or grab me in the hallway. Learning never ends!

• Here is an article entitled “Peer-Reviewed Research Not a Must-Have for Many K-12 Officials” (Link). Interesting. I certainly have seen evidence of this throughout my career.

• Question:

• Where do you fall on the importance of research-based resources?

• Are the materials and resources you use Research-based?