School Grade

Our school grade for the school year 2018-2019 was released to principals a few weeks ago.  This information remains embargoed and probably will stay that way for awhile until the state legislature decides on whether they will implement hold harmless for schools due to the new iLearn test and the fact that the state saw scores throughout drop.  As you look at this data understand that 50% of our grade comes from the percent of students scoring proficient on iLearn and 50% comes from the growth that students make.  We receive growth data for the top 75% of students and the Bottom 25% of students with regards to students passing iLearn. 

Breakdown

What does this tell us?  First and foremost, we must meet the learning needs of all of our students.  The days of addressing bubble students are over as we benefit from all students growing and from more students being proficient.  Here are some of my initial thoughts:

• We were real close to being a C again
• We won't ever be higher than that until we can get more students to proficiency. 
• Kudos to all teachers for getting the growth that we got, especially our math teachers for their work in the blocked classes where most of our bottom 25% of students lie.  
• We are targeting and collaborating over the things that will make us better.  

1. We have grown immensely in our strategies of meeting the needs of our ELL students and these strategies are good ones for many other students as well.
2.  Weekly we address the question of what do we do for those students that don't know and and aren't able to do what we have identified as most important.  We need to push our learning here. 
3. We are increasing the amount of thinking that is required of students through increasing the amount of writing and making sure that we are balancing DOK levels in classes.  Increasing the amount and complexity of reading and problem solving are also keys.  
4. We are collaborating monthly to strategize ways to helping students that are struggling both academically and behaviorally. 

These steps will pay off if we are relentless in our planning in each of these areas.  We must continue to grow for our students to continue to grow and we are and we will.  We must be relentless to be Amazing not average.  

So as we continue, because of hold harmless and the likelihood of it being implemented we will be able to use our C grade from 17-18 for our 18-19 grade. This years grade was a baseline with the new iLearn test so now we know what we need to do to be Amazing.  Remember the grade is embargoed.  

Accolades at Lincoln

Bob Garrity, Riley Heeren, and Angie Bronicki for their growth mindsets with working with our Apple Learning experts.  These three teachers worked with the Apple representative during two of their prep periods and were willing to open their classrooms to try out some new strategies and push themselves to add to their toolbox.  They were reflective in their teaching and willing to be coached.  I appreciate you stepping out of your comfort zone and working to learn.  We look forward to learning from you. 

Darlene Derifield- I was able to attend a presentation that Darlene made to 10 superintendents last week sharing her experience and learning during her externship from last summer.  Well done and way to step out of your comfort zone to present your learning. 

Besty Barron, Rachel Anders, and Jake Singleton for your excellent Spotlight on Lincoln presentation at the board meeting last week.  Thank you. 


Upcoming @ Lincoln

Monday PD- Tomorrow Nov. 11th Red Room School Safety- Jake Singleton
             Nov. 18th- Traveling Awards and ELL continuation- Ryan Ahlrich
             Nov. 25th- Behavior RTI Collaboration
             Dec. 2nd- Academic RTI Collaboration
             Dec. 9th- iPad PD
             Dec. 16th- Breakfast and New Building Tour

Spirit Assembly- November 15th-  Spirit Assembly Schedule- 8th Grade PBL
               December Assembly- Dec. 20th -7th Grade PBL
             
Lincoln Commemorative Community Day- Nov. 20th 9:00-11:00  Schedule coming at the end of the week. 

November Work Days- Nov. 19th- Science and Social Studies-  ELL planning time TBD
             Nov. 21- Language Arts Work Day-  3rd quarter Planning and ELL                         planning time
             Nov. 22nd Math Work Day- 3rd quarter planning and ELL planning time

NWEA Winter Testing Coming Soon- December 3 Math - December 5th LA Reading  No Language Assessment this window-  2 hour delay schedules

Fundraiser House Winners Movie Afternoon - Friday Dec. 6th  More information to come

Note: Nov. 19th is the Red for Ed Rally in Indianapolis- A decision for what that day looks like is forthcoming.