Getting Excited about my Puppies. . .

For those of you that don't know. . .I am very excited, because I am getting two beautiful puppies next weekend!  Wasn't sure how I wanted to start my blog today, so thought I would go with that happy news! 

And of course we can't forget Bruce who already lives at the house!  Who will be in for a shock when these precious babes get home! 

Week of:  April 25th-29th, 2016

Monday -  Some of the Auction Lunches!
Instructional Specialist Interviews - C106 starting at 2:30pm

Tuesday - Have a Terrific Tuesday!

Wednesday - Wear jeans if you want to!
5th graders leave for Sky Ranch (Angie, Kelly and Sue will be out) (Brett will be here and we are getting a sub for Sue)

Thursday - Wear jeans if you want to!

Friday - Wear jeans if you want to!
No Texan Town (same schedule as always specials start at 9:30am)

Important Reminders

 

Helping Young Learners with Struggles and 

State Suicide Prevention Training

I think I have most everyone's completed training certificates.  If you haven't completed, please do so ASAP!  

Please make sure that you are watching the training we discussed in our faculty meeting.  Once you have finished you need to put your certificate in my box.  Also, there will be  sign in sheet on Brett's office for you to sign you have completed the training as well that we have to turn in to the district.  I suggest you saving a copy or printing a copy of your certificate for you to have as well.

Click here for link!

 

Kinder Round-up

Don't forget that if you are interested in helping with our Kinder Round-up on Thursday, May 5th to touch base with our Kinder team!

 

STAAR testing Building Prep

As we head into testing the week of May 9th, be thinking of what all you will need to cover for testing purposes in the hallways and in your rooms.  Everything needs to be fully covered by Thursday, May 5th at 3:00pm.  (there are no exceptions on this timeline as with so many grades testing, we will have to do our walk around check earlier)

 April Birthdays

Brett Shelby- 7th 

Laci Garza - 11th

Morgan Peccarelli- 22nd 

Stacey Watson - 27th

 Engineer of the Week

 Our engineer this week is Meredith Schaaf!

Click above or here to watch video!

Shout Outs!

Thank you to everyone for helping to make our TCE Engineering Extravaganza night a huge success!  

The tour group from Friday was truly blown away again!  They were truly appreciative of getting to come and visit and can't wait to get back and brainstorm ideas to implement!

Shout out to Becky, Ashley and Laci for another successful fun run for our Spring Sprint!  

Final Quotes

Remember as we go through the final few weeks of this spring semester that you are taking time to rejuvenate yourself and focus on what it takes to make you feel 100%!

 

 

T-TESS, Tours, Engineering, Oh My!!!

This pic made me laugh. . .I know as we go through the final few weeks of school, you may feel this way at times due to stress and our kiddos feeling the ever approaching spring and summer weather! Just keep your head up and remember to keep breathing and keep those positive thoughts coming! :)

 

Week of:  April 18th-20th, 2016

Monday - Angie and Brett out (T-TESS evaluation system training) - 9:00am-4:00pm (Feel free to wear jeans!)

Tuesday - Angie and Brett out (T-TESS training) (Feel free to wear jeans!)

Wednesday -Angie and Brett out (T-TESS training) (Feel free to wear jeans!)

Thursday - Parent/Community Tours 8:30-10:00 and 1:00-2:30
Engineering Extravaganza - 5:30-7:00pm
(Wear jeans and a TCE shirt)

Friday - Lunch in Lounge (provided by Angie as a treat)
(Jeans and a nice shirt!)
Visitors from Wichita Falls 7:45-11:00
Texan Town
PST/RTI Meetings - C106
Spring Sprint Run - All Day during Specials

Important Reminders

T-TESS Training Angie and Brett

 Brett and I will be out on Monday-Wednesday for the new training for next year for educator evaluations.  Jennifer Martin and Kelly Spears will be our go to people for the days we are out.  Also, Brett and I should be available through text and email during these days.  We will be at the campus first thing in the morning and then head to admin. after that for the training.  

 

Engineering Extravaganza Night

If you could please, make sure and add on the Google Doc the location you want to be for your station.  I would like for all of the stations to be downstairs again this year! 

Only two people per station please, 

click here to sign up! 
     

Helping Young Learners with Struggles and 

State Suicide Prevention Training

Please make sure that you are watching the training we discussed in our faculty meeting.  Once you have finished you need to put your certificate in my box.  Also, there will be  sign in sheet on Brett's office for you to sign you have completed the training as well that we have to turn in to the district.  I suggest you saving a copy or printing a copy of your certificate for you to have as well.

Click here for link!

Cancelled Team Leader and 

TLC Meeting for the week!

I am going to cancel our team leader meeting and our TLC for this week due to Brett and I being out for training.  Team leaders- I will email any info out to you needed and we will do more cultural plunge presentations during our faculty and vertical meetings in May!

 

 Wichita Falls Group on Friday

We will have a group of about 25 visiting us on Friday during Texan Town and afterwards in the classrooms.  They will be here from about 7:45-11:00am.  Team leaders, please let me know what you will be working on during this day.  I am going to try to make this the last group we have for this year, unless something else randomly comes up!  I appreciate all you do to make visitors welcome!   

April Birthdays

Brett Shelby- 7th 

Laci Garza - 11th

Morgan Peccarelli- 22nd 

Stacey Watson - 27th

Engineer of the Week

This week's engineer is: Morgan Peccarelli

 Click above or here to watch video!
 

Shout Outs!

Marly Natherson and Kasey Kemp for leading our last vertical team with the System Safeguard info!

Everyone for the amazing showcase of learning with our tour group on Thursday!
  

Jennifer Martin and her taking on the new role of Assistant Principal next year at Austin elementary!

Everyone who was able to make it out to the TCE Hoedown!  It was a wonderful night and I appreciate your support for our campus and families!
  

Laura Fairchild for going above and beyond helping me throughout the Hoedown and for helping us with wrapping up the evening event in pack up and clean up!
  

Rosa, Marina and Sarah for all of their help with another successful event!  Please make sure and tell them how much we appreciate all that they do!

  

Resources on De-stressing

Here are a few ideas for you or for your kiddos during these next few weeks of getting ready for testing (STAAR) and as we make our way to the end of the year!

Click here for article on helping kiddos with stress!

Click here for article link:  

 Resources on Developing Resilience, Grit, and Coping with Challenges

 

Final Quotes  

Busy Time of Year. . .

Hi everyone,

I don't know about you. . .but this time of the year just seems to get extremely busy very quickly!  I am trying to make sure I don't forget things, so please do the same and make sure you are checking your calendar regularly as all of the springtime events get started!  

Week of:  April 11th-15th, 2016

Monday - Interviews after school - 3:15 - C106

Tuesday - Middle School North Coming 1:30- 5th grade - Cafeteria

Wednesday - Vertical Meeting - 3:15

Thursday - Wichita Falls Tour Group - AM
Brett Out (PM)
Katy McKinney's baby shower - 3:15

Friday -Texan Town
Therapy Dogs
PST/RTI Meetings - C106
TCE Texan Hoedown and Auction - 5:30-8:30pm

Important Reminders

Engineering Extravaganza Night

We will be having our TCE Engineering Extravaganza Night on April 21st from 5:30-7:00pm.  I am attaching the stations from last year below.  Please try to vary the stations up and have new challenges for the kiddos and parents!  You can use some of the same materials, but definitely ensure there are problems or challenges within it, not just playing with the materials since they are familiar with our maker station materials now. 

Helping Young Learners with Struggles and 

State Suicide Prevention Training

Please make sure that you are watching the training we discussed in our faculty meeting.  Once you have finished you need to put your certificate in my box.  Also, there will be  sign in sheet on Brett's office for you to sign you have completed the training as well that we have to turn in to the district.  I suggest you saving a copy or printing a copy of your certificate for you to have as well.

Click here for link!

 

Wichita Falls Group on Thursday

 Our group coming this Thursday will be here from about 8:00-11:30.  It will be a large group of about 25-30 people, so once we start walking, Brett and I will probably split the group.  Please make sure you have everything freshened up in classrooms and hallway displays, since we will have this group and another on coming next week.  Team leaders, please email me and Brett so we will know what you will be showcasing.  This is the group that is focusing a good bit on technology integration in learning!  Thank you!

 TCE Texan Hoedown

Please remember that our biggest fundraiser for the year is this Friday from 5:30-8:30pm.  I need you to be there for an hour and a half.  This can be at anytime during the event.  Please make sure and thank PTO members when you see them helping to get ready for this event!  It takes many people to get this all together and going!

April Birthdays

Brett Shelby- 7th

Laci Garza - 11th

Morgan Peccarelli- 22nd

Stacey Watson - 27th

Engineer of the Week

This week's engineer is:  Kate Seifert

 Click above or here to see video!

Resource on Structure of Thinking
I found an interesting article on creating a culture of thinking in your schools well as a structure of thinking for learners. Check out the links throughout the article watch the videos! 
Might be something really beneficial that aligns nicely with problem based learning and the engineering design process.
Click here for link to the article!

Final Quotes
Even though we sometimes focus on how busy our lives can get. . .think about these quotes as well and stay focused and make time for happiness!

Beautiful Sunshiny Day!

Week of:  April 4th-8th, 2016

Monday - Wear jeans and Ranger's shirt or Ranger's colors! (to support Opening Day!)
Fire Drill/Lockdown Drill
Write From the Beginning and Beyond (see below for details)

Tuesday - Angie Out (All day)

Wednesday - Faculty Meeting - Library - 3:15 (Bond Presentation)

Thursday - Parent Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast - 7:30am
Bond Presentation with Dr. Waldrip - 6:00pm - Cafeteria
Friday - Texan Town

Important Reminders

Write From the Beginning and Beyond Tour

There is a person who the district is working with that will be walking around with me tomorrow, Monday, April 4th to look at evidence of writing around the building and seeing how we have been implementing Write From the Beginning and Beyond strategies.  We will be around between 8:00-9:30am.  I may ask some of you to share journals as we are walking around or writing samples of anything you have used with your kiddos showcasing the strategies.  Nothing to have to be prepped for, but if you have some good examples of anchor charts or writing you did, please have handy! 

TCE Parent Volunteer Breakfast

We will have our annual parent volunteer luncheon in the library on April 7th.  Everyone please make sure you have each signed up for something to help support all of our parents who do so much for the school!  

Click here to sign-up! 

Engineering Extravaganza Night

We will be having our TCE Engineering Extravaganza Night on April 21st from 5:30-7:00pm.  I am attaching the stations from last year below.  Please try to vary the stations up and have new challenges for the kiddos and parents!  You can use some of the same materials, but definitely ensure there are problems or challenges within it, not just playing with the materials since they are familiar with our maker station materials now.  

Only two people per station please, click here to sign up! 

TCE Texan Tours with Wichita Falls

We have two schools who have contacted me about bringing their staff to the building after the principals came for their visit.  (Truly a compliment that the administrators want to bring their staff and are taking the funds and time to come and see the learning at TCE!)
We will have these visitors on April 14th and April 22nd!

April Birthdays

Brett Shelby- 7th

Laci Garza - 11th

Morgan Peccarelli- 22nd

Stacey Watson - 27th

Shout Outs

4th and 5th grade teachers for all of their preparation and support with our first round of STAAR testing! 

Kinder-3rd grade teachers and specials teachers for keeping all of our kiddos working and quiet during our testing days!

Small group test administrators and monitors:  Lauren Torti, Lori Vincenzo, Kelly Burks, Mary Kennington, KaTrina Brown, Alicia Montgomery, Kim Becker, Candace Coffee, Cathy Wilson, Lisa Hansen, and Sherri Kingsley for all of their help on testing days!  

Candace Coffee for extending one more day and helping to give our kiddos STAAR who were absent during the testing days!  

4th and 5th grade teachers for all of their support with the partnership DTCC group and the video production for CISD!

Casey Wagner for getting our final Texan Town catalog ready to go for Spring sessions! We appreciate you!!

Final Quotes

Thinking about the spring semester. . .this can be a time when our kiddos start getting a bit bouncy and we ourselves are getting a bit ready for the summer.  Please remember, that this is time of year to buckle down, bring back that focus,  and keep on trucking ahead to do whatever we can to finish the year strong with our kiddos!  Remember why we do what we do and how we want others to know TCE is the best of the best in education and learning!