Knowing where students are.

As we begin to get into some normalcy we have a abnormal week.  This week we will be NWEA testing for the first time this week.  Each of these tests will help us with a very important step in helping all students achieve at high levels, KNOWING WHERE STUDENTS ARE.  Before we can help students achieve at high levels we must first know where students are in their learning.  These tests help us answer this all important question.  Are they on grade level, where are their strengths and what weaknesses do they have, all in relationship to reading, language, and math.  From the data of these assessments we all can better prepare for our lesson and help students achieve some success at their level.  Core teachers will have opportunities to look at the data and then will share their students learning data with administration.

Along with these assessments their are other ways that we gather important data to know where students are.  The ELL checklists that have been sent to all teachers to gather data on language levels of our English language learners.  These checklists help teachers know where students are therefore giving them strategies to meet students where they are rather than one size fits all strategies.  We also learn where students are through observations in the classroom particularly with behavior.  We all have learned so much so fast with regards to behavior.  We see the struggles that students have regarding behavior.  This information can help us set students up for success.   Remember, that when dealing with the difficult students we do not stray from our goal to teach them our expectations and help prepare them for high school and beyond.  At times this can be our greatest challenge and remember the strategies that Todd Whitaker writes about in "What Great Teachers do Differently".  Two specific strategies come to mind for me when working with these students:  Treat all students as if they are good and repair, repair, repair.  Yet, another way for us to learn where are students are is through advisory.  Are we getting on students level to break down communication barriers between adults and students?  It is important to set aside judgement and past happenings during this all important time.  We all are serving as advisors during this time and we know so many of our students need a caring adult to show they care.  What a great time to build these relationships and again set students up for success.

So as we prepare for the week of NWEA remember the goal of these tests are to learn as much as we can about our students in order to set them up for success.  We will be on two hour delays all 3 days.

In other News:

• Obligation to Report:  I remind teachers that we are all obligated by law to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect.  This means that teachers must call the Department of Child Services when we learn of either.  Teachers can no longer just report to admin and be relieved of their duty.  Teachers must call themselves then report to admin that a call was made.  Admin will be available to sit in the phone calls if you request.  Here is the number once again:  

                Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline:  1-800-800-5556

• eLearning-  As we approach September 1st teachers will need to prepare for eLearning days as after this date should we miss school we will have an online learning day.  Teacher should prepare their links to assignments in this document.  If you have questions let me or a mentor know.  

                     2017-2018 Lincoln elearning hub 

• PD on Monday will be our interdisciplinary RTI meeting.  Teachers should sit in interdisciplinary teams and begin to identify students who need extra time and support above tier 1 core instruction both academically and behaviorally.  We will rbriefly introduce the process then collaborate.  The second half of PD will be reviewing the proctoring procedures for NWEA.  

• Friday- New building meetings will take place with the architects according to the shared schedule.  For those of you that need coverage during this time we will have some floating subs for you.  Meetings will be approximately 45 minutes.  

• Looking for Speech team coach-  If you are interested in this paid position please let me know.  Our speech team has a history of success and we very much would like to continue this with the help of a willing teacher to lead the team.  

• Tardy reduction plan starts this week.  Although the plan is a catch those that are tardy plan remember our goal here is to be proactive and have all students ON TIME, EVERY TIME.  Active hallway supervision and beginning of the class procedures are key in being proactive.  

Upcoming:  

Monday- PBL collaboration 3rd period 

Wednesday- Humanities 7th, Humanities 8th, Science collaboration 

Thursday- Math Collaboration and RTI (STAT team meeting 3:15-4:15) 

Good News@ Lincoln: 

Kudos to:   Our mentors for their help with all of our new teachers

                   Our teams for focused collaborations thus far

                   Our social committee for the last Friday get together

                   Our 7th grade PBL team for already having students write a 5 paragraph essay

                   All teachers for making abundant amounts of reading, writing, and discussing our highest

                   priority.  

                   Jennifer Grindle and Megan Wiesenburg for stepping up to lead our NJHS and student 

                   council respectively.  

                   Lori Day for her help in preparing computers for NWEA 

                   Paula Neidlinger for getting the Apple Suite figured out and Storm TV ready to go.  

Have a great week!