WGSD Foundation 2014-15 Alumni and Major Grants

What's your idea for a WGSD Foundation Alumni or Major Grant?  You might consider:

• Technology, 
• Classroom furniture,
• Units of study, programs, or other pilots.

Below is Jerry Pinkner's e-mail to administrators.  Click here to access the documents he mentions.

The WGSD Foundation is proud to announce our 2014-15 Alumni and Major Grants. We will be excited to award 10 Major grants up to $5,000 each and one Alumni Foundation grant up to $15,000 to the greatest school district of teachers and staff!

Last year we awarded 3 Alumni grants of $12,000, $9,000, and $6,000 and then less in major grants, but we will always award a combination of at least $65,000, and hopefully more every year!

Applications are attached and available online on our website at http://wgsdfoundation.org/grants . Principals please e-mail to your staff and I am sure that Sarah and Stephanie will follow up in the future.  All grants are due to Stephanie Batson by April 1^st, 2014, although teachers are encouraged to get them in to her early for possible help.

If any teachers want feedback on viability of ideas and probability of success they can e-mail me directly at pinkids@earthlink.net .

Thanks for all you do!

Jerry Pinkner

WGSD Foundation President

Grants Chair

www.wgsdf.org

pinkids@earthlink.net

Cell 314-803-8204

7th Grade Parent Orientation

7th Grade Parent Orientation will be held on February 4th, beginning at 6:30pm.  Here is the schedule for the evening:

6:30pm: Welcome and Introductions in the Auditorium
              (This rarely takes the entire 20 minutes.)

6:50pm: Building Rotations (each 15 minutes in duration):

• 6:50-7:05
• 7:10-7:25
• 7:30-7:45
• 7:50-8:05

8:05pm: Announcement to end the evening.

Parents experience four rotations; they are:

• A student and parent panel in the auditorium.
• Time with PE, Reading, GEMS, and SSD teachers and the Nurse, SRO, and Summer School Leader in the gym
• A teacher panel (in rooms 208 and 214, depending on attendance)
• An elective teacher presentation in room 126.

Parents appreciate introductions and a little information about each person. Although this might be challenging to do in the gym, I would like those in the gym to do their best to share who they are and their role in the building before students browse the tables.

Parents also value knowing why you've chosen your subject, your role, and middle school.  Your enthusiasm and energy are important to comforting parents and helping them feel connected to Hixson.  

In addition, team teachers should be prepared to share the following (and, really, any teacher might receive questions about these things):

• A 7th grader's typical day, including arrival, dismissal, and after-school activities.
• An overview of class content.
• An explanation of Discovery, it's purpose and implementation.
• Drop off/pick up locations, times, and procedures.
• Offer time for questions and answers.

If, for some reason, the impending winter storm delays this event, we will re-scheduled for 2/11.

January 27, 2014

The Fourth Annual Hixson Middle School Trivia Night and Silent Auction was a great success! We had 24 tables, the most of our four years doing this.  We are able to host this evening and have it be the success that it is primarily because this event is teacher led.  This is a huge point of pride for our school, I think.  Parents, the community, and, this year, three board members are also support this event with their participation and donations.

This afternoon's faculty meeting has two agenda items: 1) Tech PD for February, March, and April and 2) a visit from Dr. Riss regarding the process for choosing Hixson's next principal.  Click here to read last week's mid-week update about this.

I've been receiving a few e-mails about next year from staff.  I'll try my best to answer those questions that might pertain to all here on the Network.  For example:

• Last week a couple people asked me if are flipping the schedule next year.  We are.  Dr. Miller has already had this planned for us.  
• Dr. Roberts will continue to lead us with out building budgeting (and budget "season" begins with the department chair meeting on 2/3/14).
• Administrators, counselors, nurse, and administrative assistants will still organize a Registration Day in the summer for students and parents to do a variety of things, including completing medical forms and picking up schedules.  This may take the place of student orientation and visitation.

February's Thinking Strategy is monitoring comprehension.  Click here to connect to these resources. Certainly all students can benefit from monitoring their understanding of what they are reading (and learning). Student ability to monitor comprehension is related, on some ways, to the strategies in iObservation related to students monitoring their progress and reflecting on their understanding.

This week I will begin a couple days off campus with meetings about curriculum and a few other things.

Faculty Meeting: 1/27/14

I am sending this mid-week update to share some changes for the faculty meeting on 1/27/14.  The meeting will have two agenda items:

1. I will discuss the plan for tech PD for February, March, and April of this year.  This will be 30 minutes or less.
2. Following this, Dr. Riss and Mrs. Holliday will share the process for hiring the next principal for Hixson Middle School.  I know that your input will be valuable and that both take choosing your next school leader very seriously.  

The meeting will adjourn at 4:30pm as usual.

January 20, 2014

Coretta Scott King quotes her husband, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as saying, "We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny . . . an inescapable network of mutuality . . . I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you out to be."  I have had this quote on my mind for several months now for a variety of reasons.  It makes me think of all the ways we work together as a school.  I hope you had an opportunity during this extended weekend to reflect on how we are connected and to participate in activities that commemorate the memory and the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Hixson Kindness Challenge
I mentioned our Kindness Challenge in my mid-week update last week.  Click here to check out the blog for learning about and communicating about this challenge and other targeted acts of kindness.

Hixson Middle School Trivia Night and Silent Auction
This teacher-planned fundraiser benefits our school and our community as we come together to play and have fun.  Thank you for all the ways you are contributing to this, and I hope to see you on Saturday evening.  Click here to to register online if you and your table mates haven't yet.  The funds from this will support much-needed renovations to the girl's locker room.

Fourth Monday Faculty Meeting
Instead of the choices I've offered in the past for fourth Monday faculty meetings, we will meet for 30 minutes (or less) in the auditorium on 1/27.  I want to explain how we are going to approach tech PD for the rest of the year.  Hopefully, it will be differentiated in such a way as to support your learning and the learning of the building.

Human Resources Update
It's that time of year . . .

1. Katherine Alexander will return to Hixson next year as the middle school orchestra teacher and coordinator of elementary programs.
2. Three prospective applicants have already contacted me about the Hixson principalship.  Be sure to let Dr. Riss know if you are interested in participating in this search.  Your input will be very, very valuable.

This Afternoon's Announcement

Thank you, all, for your presence and support this afternoon. I know that Dr. Riss will work diligently to find a suitable, and perhaps better, leader for Hixson, and I know your input will be valuable to this.

Following is the transcript that I did not read of my announcement:

Good afternoon. As the principal of Hixson Middle School, I believe strongly in the strengths and talents we bring together as a part of this community, and I know that I have learned a great deal about teaching, about learning, about leading, and about myself as the principal for this school.  I want to thank you for all the ways you have contributed to this. I am announcing this afternoon that this semester will be my last as the principal of Hixson Middle School. Unfortunately, there is no good time to make such an announcement, and I appreciate that you are present to hear it today.  Effective July 1st, 2014, I will begin serving as the Head of an independent school in the City of St. Louis called Crossroads College Preparatory School. As I said at the very beginning of the year, you matter to our students, their families, to one another, and to me.  This has not changed, and I continue to have great expectations for our students, for you, and for the entire Hixson community. Thank you for your time and your attention.

As I wrote in my winter letter, our short-term wins this year are truly valuable for the learners at Hixson.  I hope you are proud of your work, and I hope that you believe your skills and commitment make our school and our learning better.  Dr. Riss and the Board of Education have expressed their appreciation of and support for our efforts with Marzano, with technology, with Discovery, with RtI, and with Rachel’s Challenge.  Much of this work and its success is the result of your commitment and your leadership.

Therefore, we will continue refining RtI and Discovery, we will continue planning for a 1:1 beginning, at least, in 7th grade next year, we will continue our target acts of kindness, and we will continue to learn and implement what we know of good teaching as measured by iObservation and the work of Marzano.  Dr. Riss and I have discussed this. Your voices, captured on my wall and in our School Improvement Plan, will continue to inspire my work as principal even as the district, and you, search for whomever (perhaps more detailed, perhaps better in any number of ways) will serve as the proud principal of Hixson Middle School next year.

With great expectations,

Jason

Mid-Week Update, 1/15/14

Resources from Monday's Faculty Meeting
Click here to review Dr. Riss' PowerPoint from Monday's faculty meeting, and Click here to connect to the facilities information she mentioned as well.

Collegial Learning Walks

I have a different way to approach collegial learning walks this semester.  Teachers will be invited in groups based on common plan time to participate in a walk.  Participants do not need to prepare anything in advance of the experience.  My goal is for as many classrooms to be visited as possible this semester based on teacher availability/comfort with visitors.  During a learning walk, a classroom is visited for 5-7 minutes.  Please look for an email in the next few weeks for your invitation for this professional development opportunity.

RtI Leadership Meetings

After spending the first semester discussing math interventions, the RtI Leadership Team will be meeting this semester to look at behavior interventions.

If you are interested in determining tier two interventions for our students with behavior concerns, please join us in the annex after school on the dates listed below. Meetings will last no longer than 4:30. Your input will be appreciated, even if you are unable to stay for the duration of the meeting.

Jan 15

Feb 12

March 12

April 9

May 14

Hixson Middle School's Kindness Challenge
This morning I drove up to the window at the Brentwood Starbucks Drive thru and learned that the gentleman in front of me had paid for my tea.  I didn't realize how good this would feel until I experienced this act of kindness.

Our counselors, in conjunction with our work with Rachel's Challenge, have printed Kindness Cards. You will receive two of these in your mailbox soon.  The idea is that we do acts of kindness in our communities and acknowledge these with this card.  What does this look like?  Like this, as an example:

Starbucks Employee: The gentleman behind you paid for your tea.
Dr. Heisserer: Thanks. I'd like to pay for the car behind me.  Please give them this kindness card and ask them to pass it on.
Starbucks Employee: I will.  Thanks.

Ask the counselors for other ways you might use these cards.

January 13, 2014

Last week, I had many reasons to be impressed by our students and by our staff last week.  Thank you for beginning the semester with, what appeared to be, nothing less than zeal!

Faculty Meeting
Dr. Riss will be presenting to us during our faculty meeting on Monday after school.  Her updates include:

• The WGSD Legislative Advocacy Committee,
• Achievements,
• Finance,
• Enrollment,
• Unaccredited Schools,
• Facilities, and
• the New Vision Statement.

I know that she is looking forward to time with us and will value any questions we might have. 

Evaluations Update
Drs. Miller, Roberts, and I are continuing to do evaluations second semester.  These observations will most likely be informal observations and/or walk through observations.  To review:

• An informal observation lasts for about 20 minutes.  You are scored and receive feedback on 3-5 dominant elements.  The post-conference can be completed virtually through iObservation or in person.
• A walk through observation lasts for about 10 minutes.  You are scored and receive feedback on 1-3 dominant elements.  The post-conference can be completed virtually through iObservation or in person.

As a reminder, you will need to re-visit your Growth Plans at the end of the year.  At this time, you will revise it so that it is set for next year when you return to school.

You'll notice that the feedback you have received so far is in Domain 1.  Drs. Miller, Roberts, and I will meet in the spring to give feedback on elements in Domains 2, 3, and 4.  

If you have any questions, please let me know.

January's Thinking Strategy

Determining importance is our thinking strategy for this month.  Proficient readers and thinkers are able to distinguish main ideas and important details from those that might be subordinate.  Think our curricular conversations about what's essential versus just what's interesting to know.  Click here for the Think Mark, mini lesson, and Reader's Toolkit.

Out-of-the-Building

I will be out of the building for a couple hours in the middle of the day on Monday and on Thursday morning for a district admin meeting.

Dismissal for 1/8 and 1/9

Given the amount of snow on our campus and on the roads around us, Drs. Miller, Roberts, and I are concerned with student safety during dismissal.  Therefore, students who ride the bus or who are picked up by parent or carpool will be dismissed first.  Five minutes after dismissing those students, we will dismiss students who walk.  Hopefully, this will create more space, alleviate congestion, and mitigate any possible safety issues.

The dismissal schedule for today and tomorrow, then, will be as follows:

3:10pm—One of the principals will dismiss by an announcement students who ride the bus or who are picked up by a parent or carpool.

3:15pm—The bell will dismiss the remaining students, those who are walking home.

Please share this with your students. I will let parents know as well.

January 6, 2014

Happy New Year! And Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed your winter break in every way that is meaningful to you.  Even though January 6th is a snow day, I am updating the Network Blog to stay in the habit.

So, will Tuesday be
a. another snow day?  b. a records/PD day?  c. the 1st day of 2nd semester in full swing?

As of right now, we'll have to wait and see.

UPDATE: As of noon on 1/6/14, Tuesday, 1/7, will be a snow day.  We will begin second semester on 1/8.

• The building will be opened until 3:30pm tomorrow, and you are welcomed to work in your classrooms (bring your children if necessary).
• Dr. Miller extended the grading window, per her earlier e-mail.
• Please use the main entrances (as Dr. Riss asked).  
• I will be there for at least half of the day if there is anything with which I might be helpful.

Whatever you choose, please be safe and warm.

Attendance
Of all the New Year's Resolutions you may (may not) make, please resolve to take attendance every class period every day.  We improved and then the week before break . . . and then, our improvement didn't show up the week before break.  Taking attendance is a small and important detail.

January's Thinking Strategy
Determining importance is our thinking strategy for this month.  Proficient readers and thinkers are able to distinguish main ideas and important details from those that might be subordinate.  Think our curricular conversations about what's essential versus just what's interesting to know.  Click here for the Think Mark, mini lesson, and Reader's Toolkit.

The Multiple Choice Question Above
When you read my multiple choice question above, you may have noticed some ways that I could have written it better.  For example,

• Using at least four alternatives,
• Using capital letters rather than lower case ones,
• Listing alternatives on separate lines, and
• Of course, making sure the correct answer is listed (unfortunately, at this time, I do not know the correct response).

[As the district moves to re-write its curricula, it follows that assessments will may need to be revised/re-written/made new as well.  Many of you are already involved in this.  Therefore, I think this is a good time to review best practices for writing assessments.  Click here to see some reminders from a previous blog post.]

Further Updates
I may update this post between now and when we return to Hixson depending on what I learn about next week, so please be sure to review this post again when you return to your classroom.