Sunday Night Memo, 1/26/20

January 26, 2020

Share something positive that happened at work during the first semester. It can be a situation w/a colleague, student or parent. (entrance slip from faculty meeting)

“The math team.  Nuff said.  2+2 does = 5”

“Positive email from parent saying their son’s interest in science has grown bc of their science class.”

“I got to work another semester with my awesome team of teachers!”

“I have so many wonderful kids who help and have a positive attitude.”

“Getting to know a new colleague.”

Paycom and AESOP Reminder

By now we have all interfaced with the new Paycom system and are adjusting to the transition.  Just a reminder that both the systems do not talk to each other.  Please make sure you are putting your absences and personal day requests into AESOP too.  I am not able to see those requests in Paycom and still have to approve them in AESOP. 

Character Committee Mtg, 1/27

The Character Committee will be meeting on Monday at 3:30pm in the Library.  Please join the team as they continue to develop and design the character rollout.

SKI Club, 1/28

Our new afterschool activity, SKI Club will hit the slopes on Tuesday.  If you are interested in some ski time, please let Dawn or Brennen know.  Students will leave at 3:30pm.

7^thgrade Orientation, 1/30

It’s that time of year to welcome another class of students.  7^th grade Parent Orientation will be held on Thursday, 1/30 @ 6:30pm.

Band/Orchestra Tour, 1/31

The tour has been rescheduled for Friday and students will be out all day, sharing their musical talents with elementary and Steger students.  Please let Emily, Joe or Stephanie know if you have any questions.

Winter Mixer, 1/31

The Winter Mixer will be on Friday at 6:30pm.  Come out and join students for a night of fun, music and games!

French Teacher Interview Committee

If you are interested in serving on the French Teacher interview committee, please let me know.  We will hold interviews the first week of February.

OUTS This Week:

·       Grace out on Tuesday, 1/28 for personal day

·       Grace out on Wednesday, 1/29 from 1-3pm for meeting at CO

Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Grace

Monday Night Memo, 1/20/20

January 20, 2020

I hope everyone enjoyed the bonus 4 day weekend!  Now please put away your snow underwear and mix tape for the snow dance.  Friday was our last day left for the snow days and from this point on we will have to make them up! J Also, thanks for a great faculty meeting last week. It was nice to sit back and laugh with everyone and remember why we love this age group.

High School Visits

This week, our 8^th graders will be heading over to the HS for their annual visits.  Here are the dates they will be out visiting:

Green Team, Tuesday 1/21

Blue Team, Thursday, 1/23

Purple Team, Friday, 1/24

First ski day for Ski Club, 1/28

Come out and enjoy an evening on the slopes with our kids on Tuesday, 1/28.  It should be a great afternoon and Hixson will be the only school scheduled for the slopes.  Don’t know how to ski?  Perfect, this will be a great time to learn!  Ski Club departs at 3:30pm.

Incoming 7^thgrade Orientation, 1/30

It’s that time to welcome our newest parents on Thursday, 1/30.  Please let Mike know if you have any questions. 

Outs for the Week

·       Grace out on Wednesday, 1/22 all day for Assistant Sup Interviews at CO

·       Aimee, Mike and Grace out on Thursday, 1/23 for DLT meeting at CO

Have a fantastic week!

With gratitude,
Grace

Sunday NIght Memo, 1/12/20

January 12, 2020

Faculty Mtg, 1/13

On Monday, we will have our faculty meeting off campus.  Attendance is expected and we will begin at 3:45pm to give time for travel. Our meeting will take place at Helen Fitzgerald’s on S. Lindbergh (https://helenfitzgeralds.com/) from 3:45-4:30pm.  Please bring something to write (pen or pencil) with and money to purchase an adult beverage(s), if you wish.  Munchies will be provided.

If you are not familiar with Jimmy Kinnel’s Mean Tweets, please watch the links below.  Disclaimer that there is some strong adult language/topics and apologies in advance if offended.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLTOiQ8gXp4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahSKGi_21xg

Afterschool Activities 1/14

Activities start up again next Tuesday.  Please remember to contact Maddie if you need to cancel or for morning/afternoon announcements.

CLT Meeting Observer, 1/16

On Thursday, 1/16, Bryan Dunn from EdPlus will be visiting CLT meetings and observing.  Bryan is a part of the team supporting Webster Groves on a district level. 

SAM Stuff

Before Winter Break, I had a time tracker from SAM shadow me for two days.  Sarah Magruder is my building SAM and she will work with me to improve my time management.  We will begin using some language from the training we attended on Friday.  It will seem odd at first but please stick with us as we utilize the tools we are being given.  Sarah is my SAM which means she will be telling/reminding me to use my time better.  I appreciate your patience as I learn to manage my time better so I can serve each of you more effectively!  Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

Some answer to some questions I’ve received:

What is SAM?SAM is a professional development process using a unique set of tools to change a principal’s focus from school management tasks to instructional leadership—activities directly connected to improving teaching and learning. Over 1,200 school leaders in twenty-three states contract for SAM services.

What is a SAM?A SAM is a person or team of staff members who meet with the principal each day to schedule instructional leadership time, reflect on impact and develop a First Responder structure in the school. Some schools elect to hire a new staff member for this role. Many use existing staff, usually a secretary, principal or teacher leader. Most schools use a team approach, for example: a secretary and assistant principal. SAM: School Administration Manager

Who and what are First Responders? The life of most school leaders is interrupt driven. The SAM process identifies staff members who should be the first to try to deal with management issues instead of immediately pulling the principal from instructional work. The SAM team works to create management systems within the school to manage the management so the principal can stay engaged in activities designed to improve teaching and learning. NSIP surveys of parents, students and staff at SAM schools reveal that the management is better accomplished when the First Responders system is in place and the principal increases instructional engagement.

You keep referring to TimeTrack. What is TimeTrack? TimeTrack is a cloud based calendar that the principal uses like a lesson plan every day. The calendar tracks the time the principal spends with individual and groups of teachers and provides specific detail of the interactions. TimeTrack records and charts are used in a daily meeting with the principal and SAM team to determine next steps and track time use.

Have a great week!

With gratitude,

Grace

Sunday Night Memo, 1/5/20

January 5, 2020

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a wonderful, well deserved break and enjoyed the time off with family and friends.  I’m looking forward to reconnecting with each of you and kicking off the second half of our school year.  Welcome back!

Summer School 2020 Mtg, 1/8

Summer school will be structured slightly different this year. This year, students will be able to choose weeklong learning experiences.  This provides more choices and the opportunity to personalize the learning experience.  If you are interested in working a couple of weeks OR the entire 5 week summer, please join Aimee, Mike and I for a quick summer school meeting on Wednesday, 1/8.  We will meet in the main office at 3:45pm.  To help us prepare, please let me know if you will be attending the meeting.

Math Interview Committee

If you are interested in serving on the Math Interview Committee, please let me know.  We will begin interviews in a couple of weeks.

Faculty Mtg, 1/13

Our next faculty meeting will be next Monday.  We will meet in the cafeteria at 3:30pm.

Outs for the Week

·       Sarah Magruder and Grace out on Friday, 1/10 for SAMs Training

Have a wonderful week!

With gratitude,

Grace