Sunday, January 7, 2018

Off to a Fabulous Start of the Year!

Week of:  Jan. 8th-12th, 2018

Monday- Team Leader Meeting - 3:15 - Kristan's room

Tuesday - Angie Out (Principal Meeting - AM)
STEM Planning Day Specials (Music, PE and Art)

Wednesday - Jeans Day - Any Shirt
Faculty Meeting - 3:15 - Library  

Thursday - Kelly Out (Counselor Meeting - AM)
Kristen and Tina meeting with K-5 teams (PLC's) - conference time
PTO Meeting - 6:00pm

Friday - Annelise Out (RTI Meeting - AM)
Jeans Day
Texan Town 

Important Reminders
Faculty Meeting
If you would please bring your book What Connected Educators do Differently to our faculty meeting this week.  We will be doing a brief activity with our reading so far.  Then please go ahead and have the other half of the book read by Wednesday, March 7th.  

Cultural Plunges
Please remember to be conducting your cultural plunge if you haven't already done so.  Here is the reminder from earlier this year of details:
Also, please be thinking about a cultural plunge that you might do this year.  We will talk more to discuss ideas and possibilities, but here is the info to start brainstorming ideas.  
  • Any international student/adult organization
  • Different race or cultures church service or ceremony
  • A rally political, gay rights, women's rights, etc.
  • Organizations where people have disabilities or are elderly (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) 
  • Grocery stores or shopping areas where English is not the language spoken
  • Restaurant/marketplace of different culture, race, location in which you are the minority
  •  Community sponsored event or festival by an ethnic population
  • Interact with homeless (remain in safe location)
  • Any other ideas are welcome!  

 Goals for Cultural Plunge: 
1.  to have direct contact with people who are culturally different from oneself in a real-life setting which represents the target group
2.  to gain insights into circumstances and characteristics of the focal community
3.   to experience what it is to be very different from most of the people one is around
4.  to gain insight into one’s values, biases, and responses  to others

Remember that any cultural connection in which you are relating to your learners to help build stronger relationships is the key!

Final Product for Cultural Plunge: 
A short presentation using some kind of technology to share out your experience (individual or with partner).  Could be something where you use pictures, quotes, expressions, thoughts, etc.  You may be creative in how you share out!  

We will start having presentations at our January TLC meeting.  


"Who made you happy this week?"
Shout Out Your Happiness!

Kristan, Thank you for helping us with practice science STAAR testing! You are so flexible and always willing to help! -5th grade team 

Thank you Katie and Angie for helping me with Spelling City! I can’t wait to use it with my learners!! – Catherine

Warms my heart that our new learner has had a great start in 1st grade at TC due to a loving accepting team of teachers and learners!

Casey- THANK YOU for helping my kiddos with their new Texan Town clubs when their choices did not save the first time! You are fabulous!! -Heather J. 

Thank you so much Schuyler for taking care of things while I was out sick!  I can't say thank you enough!  Dianne

Laura, Thank you always taking care of me!  I truly appreciate your care and concern!  Thanks so much!  -Dianne J.

Lori, I am more amazed by you every day and I didn’t even know that was possible!!!  Thank you setting up all my RAZ Kids accounts and for being a wonderful friend !!!!

Marly, Heather, Morgan, and Kate- Thank you for making this week back so enjoyable! I love laughing with y’all! 

Kelly, thank you for always listening to our concerns and spending so much time with our kids! We are all so lucky to have you! Love, Jenna

Sue, Thank you for always being so willing to listen to my lungs, take my temperature, give me a hearing test, etc. I appreciate you!! Love, Jenna

Shout out to Kristan for preparing your resources and helping to present at our professional learning day on Tuesday!  Great job showcasing Guided Reading for the district and appreciate your efforts! - Angie

Thank you Casey Wagner for once again getting all of our Texan Town jobs/clubs worked out and ready to go!  We appreciate you!!  - Angie

Thank you Annelise for being an amazing leader and 504 coordinator!  You have been buried in paperwork with many upcoming meetings and please know we appreciate your diligence, efficiency and efforts in making sure everything is ready to help support our kiddos!  Thank you! - Angie

January Birthdays
Tracy Gipson - 12th
Lisa Hansen - 18th
Lisa Laughlin - 21st
Kim Becker - 23rd
Erica Shelby - 30th

Curriculum Connection
Thank you to everyone who posted on our relationship padlet.  I saw there are a few people who didn't get to add to the padlet from the December 1st assignment.  Please make sure you have added your thoughts and as a connection for this week, please go in and read the other padlet ideas from our staff!  There are some great relationship connections to help jump start our semester!  

Please post two things:  

1.  A way in which you have formed a stronger connection to your learners this year.  This could be a specific example or strategies utilized. 


2.  Link an article, video connection or individual/group on Twitter that you follow focusing on building stronger relationships with learners.  


Click here to add info to our padlet!

Final Quotes


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