Coming soon to Arno…

Dec. 1

Game Truck/fundraiser 11:00-3:30

End of 1st Trimester

Dec. 4

Assembly- Let’s be Inclusive

Bleau obs 1:00

Dec. 5-8

Steve @conference

Dec. 7

District PBIS meeting 1:30

PTA Meeting 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 8

Report Cards sent home

Dec. 11

Guyot X-MAS 2:50

Dec. 12

Ad Council 9:30

Cookie Dough Fundraiser Delivery

Dec. 13

PBIS 8:00

Harrison obs 9:30

Roller obs 10:00

Cervantes obs 10:30

Amonette obs 12:45

Bleau X-MAS 2:10

Dec. 14

Staff Meeting 11:00 a.m.

Martinchick obs 9:00

Kubik obs 9:45

Holiday Lunch 11:00

PTA Snowball Dance

Higgins X-MAS 2:30

Dec. 15

Roller X-MAS 10:15

Zuke X-MAS 1:45

Dec. 18

Christmas Sing A-Long 2:30

Martinchick X-MAS 10:00

Pushman X-MAS 10:30

Dec. 19

4th/5th Grade Concert 6:30 p.m.

Math meeting 8:00

Martin obs 10:00

Huntington X-MAS 2:00

Dec. 20

Reading meeting 8:00

SIP 8:00

Johnson X-MAS 9:45

Mercer X-MAS 10:15

Harrison X-MAS 11:45

Cervantes X-MAS 1:30

Garza X-MAS 2:15

Dec. 21

Cougar Cash Lunch

SEL 8:00

Schultz X-MAS 10:20

Amonette X-MAS 1:30

Talamonti X-MAS 2:20

Kalis X-MAS 2:55

Dec. 22

First Grade to Henry Ford

Christmas Break begins End of Day

Eskew X-MAS 11:00

Jensen X-MAS 11:40

Warneck X-MAS 2:55

Dec. 23-Jan 7

Christmas Break

Jan 8

School Resumes

Thank you to everyone for another all-star year!  Through the good and bad times,

we always remain a solid team and the best in the business as they say. 

Thank you for all you do and have a joyous Christmas season!

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

ARNO COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS

• ACADEMICS ARE STUDENT-CENTERED, WHICH ALLOW FOR VARIOUS LEARNING STYLES TO SHOWCASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

• WE WILL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH STUDENT BY USING FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

• WE WILL FOSTER SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH A GROWTH MINDSET

• WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER AS COLLEAGUES BY COLLABORATING AS A TEAM USING A RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE WHEN ANALYZING DATA TO POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

What’s Your ELF name??

Gear Up for Holiday Spirit Week!

Committee Updates

Math (Team is meeting Full Day Dec. 6)

• Number talks- strategies and cheat sheet

• Number talks correlation chart

• Scan Number talks resources

• Ongoing teacher PD

Reading

Edmentum Update

• Switch 2nd grade from 2 reading trophies to 30 minutes on Edmentum Reading Path per week.

  • 2 reading trophies per week was too overwhelming for the second graders.

Grammar Question

• Instead of grammar workbook pages, could we use Edmentum Language Arts Learning Path instead? 

• Require 1 Language Arts Trophy per week.

• Grades 3-5 would NWEA Language Arts so the students could get a Language Arts Edmentum Learning Path.

• Grades 3-5 all showed interest in using Language Arts Edmentum.

M-STEP Prep

• Still need to copy SBA papers.
• Third Grade sent home Vocabulary Words #1. First quiz is on Friday.
• Vocabulary Words & Quizzes are copied and delivered.
• Homework packets are copied and delivered.

PBIS

1. Data Report

2. Tier 2 Referral Form

   1. When should teachers fill it out?

   2. Revise form created last year

Communication

Must Do’s 

-communicate one a month academic
learning based
-find a new yearly goal for staff in regards

May Do’s

-share pictures
-share info/events/PTA events after or
during school hours
-provide information such as flash cards
or other learning materials
-have an alternative platform for
communicating with parents other than
email

SEL

Data Day

Since we just had our data day on Nov. 29, there won’t be an additional data day for December.

January Assessments coming up

• FAST Reading and Math

• NWEA Reading and Math (3,4,5 ELA as well)

• Jan Richardson Reading

5th Grade Jan 10

4th Grade Jan. 11

3rd Grade Jan. 17

2nd Grade Jan. 23

1st Grade Jan. 24

Kinder Jan 25

CHRISTMAS STORY TIME

I would like to once again come around to all of your rooms to give you a holiday 30 minute break, and read Christmas stories to our kids.  Please fill out the google doc with your desired time: Christmas

Building to Kindergarten

Our annual fall Building to Kindergarten presentation was a huge success!  We had a big crowd that packed the cafeteria to learn about what it takes to be an entering kindergarten student next fall.    Thanks to our kinder team including Cassie Harrison, Nickie Roller, Cristina Mercer, Megan Johnson, our reading coach Beth Wesley, student teacher Angela Sammut, and all our reading intervention paras for creating a great program!

CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON

Reminder- we have our Staff Christmas Luncheon Dec. 14th 11:00-12:00.  We will do the one hour block again and will have a schedule when we get close.

A BIG Thank you for all of your support for the Cookie dough fundraiser!  All items will arrive on December 12 for pickup starting at 3:00.

CHRISTMAS TECH FUN

GOOGLE’S SANTA TRACKER

Google’s Santa Tracker is a program that runs every December. It lets you track Santa during Christmas Eve and leading up to that there are activities added daily from December 1.

This could be something you could let your students explore. Or, looking at the site as a class could be a fun way to begin or end the day in December.

Check out the page for educators that has a few useful lesson plans and teaching resources.

FLIPGRID

Have you tried Flipgrid yet? It’s an app that allows users to interact with each other via short videos. Usually, a teacher poses a question that is the topic for the grid.

Flipgrid is a really fun way to connect with other classes around the world, especially when timezones make Skyping difficult. Last year, I worked on a grid with a class in Ohio and in South Africa to compare our holiday traditions. It was a rich and engaging experience for everyone.

The end of the year is a great time to try Flipgrid. You could have a question just for your class to respond to or put it out to the families and wider school community.

You could even run a ’12 Days of Christmas’ Flipgrid and pose a different question for your students to respond to each day leading up to the break. These question prompts could be holiday related (such as sharing a favourite food, carol, tradition etc.). The question prompts could also be used as revision for the content covered in class.

DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE WITH GOOGLE SLIDES

Educator, Eric Curts has made a fun and free Christmas themed Google Slides activity. This is a great way for students to be creative and to work on their writing skills by describing or writing about their holiday traditions, plans, or memories.

Visit Eric’s website to download the template which you can use with your class.

When students complete their Slide, they can email it, post it on a class blog, print it, or share on social media. Alternatively, you can combine the Slides to make a new slideshow with everyone’s creations.

EMOJI PUZZLES

There’s a popular site called Solvemoji.com where emojis are used in maths puzzles.

Students could try making their own puzzles using holiday emojis!

They could use a tool like Google Drawings, Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Canva. Or they could just hand draw them.

Here are some examples from the Solvemoji.com website. There are puzzles for all levels from junior up to master.

REBUS STORIES

Here’s one more emoji idea because I always find they’re a hit with students!

A rebus story is basically where some words are replaced with images. They’re fun to read and create.

This is another idea from Eric Curts and he has a template you can download as well.

Students in a grade 3/4 class I was working in made rebus stories about their Christmas memories. Here’s an example…

Students could create other sorts of rebus texts as well such as narratives or poetry.

Coming soon to Arno…

Nov. 1

SIP all day meeting

3rd Grade Metro Parks

Nov. 2

Cougar Cash Lunch

Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser Kickoff

PTA Meeting 6:30

Nov. 4 (Saturday)

PTSA Holiday Fever

Nov. 6-Nov. 10

PTA Book Fair

Nov. 6

District MTSS

Nov. 7

NO SCHOOL- Teacher PD

Communication committee meeting 8:00

Nov. 8

PBIS Meeting 8:00

Parent-Teacher Conferences (See below) 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 9

Early Release 11:30 A.M.

Parent-Teachers Conferences 12:45-3:30 p.m. and 5:00-7:30 p.m.

Nov. 14

Otis Spunkmeyer Fundraiser End 

Ad Council 9:30

Super Cougar Lunch

Nov. 15

Student Success Committee 8:00-11:00

Reading comm. meeting 8:00

SIP comm. meeting 8:00

Nov. 16

Staff Meeting 8:00

Mobile Dentist

Fall Picture Retakes

Building to Kindergarten 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Nov. 22-Nov. 24

Thanksgiving break

Nov. 29

Teacher Data Day

Nov. 30

Math Comm. meeting 8:00

3rd Grade Metro Parks Assembly

Cougar Cash Lunch

Safety Committee 9:30

Dec. 1

End of First Trimester

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

Conferences

Please let me know if you would like me to attend any conferences.  There will be pizza served in the copy room around 4:00 on the 8th.  Thanks

Conference Sign In Doc

Committee Work

We will get updates from all Committees on the Nov. 7 Full Day PD.  There will be a good chunk of time for all groups to meet and plan that day.

New Elementary Media Center Facebook Page

Check it out!

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551390500534

Data Day November

Our next teacher data dive is coming up on Nov. 29, the link to sign up is below.  At this meeting, we will also be joined by Beth Wesley, Erin Jackson, and Jen VanMaele to help support our discussions.  Our time will be spent looking at ongoing progress monitoring results.  I look forward to our conversations!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EF86hL1feH-D8-osgl3DDqYI9e4I_laGSCiCP7bmKkc/edit?usp=drive_link

REFLEX PD

If you are you interested, there is PD available through the link and Sarah Kalis is available for any question son the math program

https://www.reflexmath.com/support/professional-development

Picture Retake

Picture retake day is Nov. 16.

Cookie Dough Sale

Arno will be once again doing the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie dough fundraiser starting  Nov. 2 to help supplement the many requests we get from staff during the school year such as assessment programs, research-based activities, special project supplies, literacy materials, tech, etc.  The last fundraiser helped us purchase many extra classroom supply requests, Super Cougar pizza lunch supplies, books, and professional development for teachers.

The PTA has been a tremendous resource for our building with all they have given, however, the many teacher requests received throughout the school year to give our students the very best experiences create a need to seek additional support.  Therefore, we have partnered with this company to offer you a choice of items should you choose to purchase any, that would support providing more resources for our teachers. The large envelope coming home on Nov. 2 and will contain all of the information needed (and there is an online order method).

Fundraiser Timeline

November 2 – November 14         Fundraiser Sale

November 17 All money and orders due (online payment option available)

Game Truck Prize for qualifying sales: TBD

**Turnover time is about 2-3 weeks, we will contact everyone when the items will be in (before Christmas)

Scholastic Resources

Flexible Grouping

Flexible grouping is an essential principle of a Balanced Literacy Block. With flexible grouping, students experience reading in whole-class, small-group, paired, and independent settings. Sometimes, students may work in homogeneous or heterogeneous groups, may be paired with classmates of different reading levels, and may discover texts on their own. The variety of experiences will strengthen and broaden their foundation in reading and writing and support children’s progress in content areas as well.

Flexible and dynamic grouping and regrouping are essential ingredients for an effective classroom. To get started, organize small groups based on guided reading levels and skills-based needs assessments. Then, regroup as needed. When students in a group are not improving at the same pace, reassign students to new groups and/or reconfigure the groups.

Establishing ways for students to work together regularly will minimize self-consciousness about level differences. Students with different skills make good partners for buddy reading or for turn and talk activities.

Group together students who process texts in a similar way or use the same problem-solving strategies. Use a running record with a benchmark book, or other informal assessment tool, to determine baseline reading competencies. Notice how students problem solve as they read.

Conduct group and one-on-one reading chats. Have conversations about the books that have been read in small groups. Which character did you find most interesting? What did you like or dislike about the ending? Why? Why would you like to read more on this topic?

Model asking and answering questions, reading and rereading, and other self-monitoring skills. Exposing your own reading habits, including “not getting it and rereading,” will embolden students and promote an environment of support. All students should feel free to express themselves and ask questions.

Pair students from a small group who have different strengths and have them read aloud together to practice fluency.

Different kinds of self-evaluation sheets can be used by students to keep track of their own progress and their understanding of the books they read, the activities they do, and the discussions they have in their groups.

Scholastic Book Room Inventory:  Master-Title-List

BUILDING TO KINDERGARTEN COMING SOON!

Registration Link: Building to Kindergarten

Tech Time 

ABCya! Thanksgiving Challenge

Nov 11, 2014 – abcya.com – 894

This fun kids activity challenges players to place Thanksgiving guests around the dinner table based on their likes and dislikes.

A Simple App Smash To Create Turkey Story Problems

Nov 15, 2015 – zigzagstech.com – 804

Get your students creating by combining a few super tools to make turkey story problems this fall. They’ll love creating and acting out their own problems!

A Thanksgiving Timeline

Sep 30, 2013 – mooreti.edublogs.org – 872

A Thanksgiving Timeline Via Google Earth Author: lmoore4 | Filed under: Google Earth, Social Studies, Web 2.0 The following activity takes some VERY cool interactive websites and combines them with my absolute favorite web tool, Google Earth. At the bottom of this post is the KMZ file I created along with a printable copy of directions.

Blabberize with Albuquerque Turkey

Sep 30, 2013 – mooreti.edublogs.org – 843

Blabberize with Albuquerque Turkey Author: lmoore4 | Filed under: Tech Tips, Web 2.0 Before you play the video below, let me just apologize for my singing. You can see (or hear) why I kept my day job. Mrs. Cunningham’s class at Fox Run Elementary sang the cutest song to me this morning, Albuquerque Turkey.

Book Creator + Twitter = Students Connected Globally

Dec 15, 2013 – staartechers.wordpress.com – 818

Mrs. Moses’ 2nd Grade Class What does Thanksgiving mean to a second grader? I always ask my students each year what they are thankful for. It is a time for reflection, and the students love to listen and respond to each other. It is my favorite time of the year.

Coming soon to Arno…

Oct. 2

JR testing 2nd grade

Oct. 4

Walk (Or Bike ride) to School Day!

JR testing 1st grade

Oct. 5

Picture Day

Staff meeting 7:45

PTA Meeting 6:30

Oct. 6

Fire Drill 10:30 am

Oct. 11

PBIS Meeting 8:00

Oct. 17

Culver Scholarship Fundraising Night 5:00-8:00 pm

Oct. 18

Teacher Data Day per schedule

SIP meeting 8:00 am

Oct. 23

District MTSS meeting 9:15 am

Oct. 25

Reading Committee meeting 8:00

Oct. 26

SEL Committee meeting 8:00

Oct. 27

Math Committee meeting 8:00

October. 31

Halloween Parade 10:00 am

Early Release 11:30 am/Teacher PD pm

Looking Ahead

Nov. 2

Cougar Cash Lunch

Cookie Dough Fundraiser Kickoff

PTA Meeting 6:30 pm

Nov. 4

Holiday Fever

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

ARNO COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS

• ACADEMICS ARE STUDENT-CENTERED, WHICH ALLOW FOR VARIOUS LEARNING STYLES TO SHOWCASE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

• WE WILL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A POSITIVE, RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH STUDENT BY USING FLEXIBILITY AND ADAPTABILITY TO MEET INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

• WE WILL FOSTER SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ALLOW STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH A GROWTH MINDSET

• WE WILL SUPPORT EACH OTHER AS COLLEAGUES BY COLLABORATING AS A TEAM USING A RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE WHEN ANALYZING DATA TO POSITIVELY IMPACT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT.

DATA DIVE

Our first teacher data dive is coming up the link to sign up is below for October 18.  At our first meeting, we will also be joined by Beth and Erin Jackson to help support our discussions.  Our time will be spent looking at the NWEA results, quadrant charts, FAST, and BAS/JR.  I look forward to our initial conversations!

Sign Up October 18

COMMITTEE WORK

PBIS

At this month’s meeting, we organized the monthly rewards, subcommittees, holiday cash, Smencils, and Super Cougars.  We discussed Tier 2, mentors and RESA training availability.  The November meeting was canceled due to scheduling conflicts.

MATH

• A video demonstration of Number Talks was shared with the group and discussed
• A resource book on Number Talks was also shared with examples of how to use it in lessons

READING

• Present: Beth, Renee, Rachel, Nina, Nicole, Megan J*Discuss the strategies we used last year for M-STEP prep – we decided to continue all*Discuss possible focus for this year    -grammar

      -writing

      -stamina

  *Discuss problems with Edmentum

   -doesn’t sink with new scores throughout the year

   -so far this year it is not individualized, just grade level content

   -can’t start the trophies because the content is not correct – waiting for it to be fixed

  *Chair meeting October 17 to review MSTEP and NWEA data from last year

SEL

• Monthly newsletter and resources will continue

HTTPS://TINYURL.COM/SELCHOOSE

SIP

At this month’s meeting, we discussed different ways to highlight areas of our improvement plan. Mr. Zielinski and co-chairs will meet to discuss this further in October. We want to continue our great increase of scores. We are glad that the magnets and flags around the building were well received by parents. We also would like to build camaraderie by continuing with our monthly gatherings. Please sign up for those you are able to plan or attend. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EAAAC2EA4F94-third1#/

Communication/Attendance

• Team had initial meeting
• A survey was created to gauge the communication to home in order to make future recommendations

REFLEX PD

If you are you interested, there is PD available through the link and Sarah Kalis is available for any question son the math program

https://www.reflexmath.com/support/professional-development

Scholastic Small Group

The resource page for the new digital platform connected to our Scholastic Book room has a lot of great articles when thinking about small group instruction.  I will include some of these in future blogs, as the link will be here if you want to see a full list of titles in the new bookroom.  Please remember that this was a sizeable investment for the district in small group reading, and the expectation is that teachers will use the books that are directly correlated to their reading testing for best practice results.

Guided Reading & Leveled Texts

Scholastic Book Room Inventory:  Master-Title-List

Building to Kindergarten Coming Soon!

Registration Link: Building to Kindergarten

Halloween Parade

I know you have counted down the days-  Oct. 31 at 10:00 for our annual Halloween Parade.  Our route will take us out of the 5th grade doors that morning, making a loop on the inside perimeter of the playground.  Parents may join us around the outside perimeter of the playground to watch.  It is a district PD day with an 11:30 dismissal that morning.

Tech Time

Sometimes it is easier to reply to an email with a video than it is to write out a reply. For example, when a colleague asks me for help with Google Classroom I could write step-by-step directions or I could record a short screencast that would accomplish the same thing. Loom’s Chrome extension makes it easy to do that.

With Loom’s Chrome extension Gmail users can reply to email by simply clicking the Loom icon and recording a video. The video is then instantly uploaded to your Loom account and inserted into the body of your email. In this short video I demonstrate how to record a video right from your Gmail inbox.

Yes, there are other tools for making screencast videos. And you could use one of those to make a screencast for a colleague, but I think Loom’s Chrome extension streamlines the process better than other screen recording tools.

 

Applications for Education

Besides being helpful when answering help requests from students or colleagues, Loom’s Chrome extension could be useful in having students explain exactly what they need help with when they send you an email. Sometimes students don’t know exactly how to phrase their requests in writing so giving them the Loom option could be a good way to get a better understanding of what they’re asking.

Five Tools for Creating Automatically Scored Formative Assessments

• Richard Byrne
• August 1, 2023

This morning I answered an email from a reader who was asked to teach additional classes this fall. She reached out to me for suggestions on tools to create self-grading formative assessments to save her time this fall. I’d bet that there are many other teachers in the same situation and wondering the same thing. Here are some of my suggestions for creating automatically scored formative assessments.

Formative
Formative, which was recently acquired by Newsela, is a great tool for creating formative assessments that can be automatically scored. I’ve been using it for the last half-dozen years to create formative assessments that include labeling diagrams, handwriting and drawing, and multiple choice questions. Formative recently added an AI component that can be helpful in creating assessments. You can see a demo of that feature here and a demo of some of Formative’s other great features here.

Plickers

Plickers is another formative assessment platform that I’ve been using for years. It’s a great option for conducting formative assessment activities when not all of your students have laptops or you would simply prefer an assessment activity that doesn’t require them to use their laptops, tablets, or phones. My most recent blog post about using Plickers can be read here. A demo of how to get started using the Plickers platform is included in the video that is embedded below.

TeacherMade

TeacherMade is a tool that you can use to turn your existing documents (Word, PDF, or Google Doc) into online, self-grading assignments. You can also create activities from scratch in TeacherMade. But perhaps my favorite way to use TeacherMade is to grab a Canva template and turn that into an online, self-grading assignment. How to use Canva templates in TeacherMade is demonstrated in this short video.

Google Forms

Google Forms is the tool that I’ve used for more years than anything else to create self-grading assessments. In fact, I was using it for that purpose back when you had to write a spreadsheet script to have Forms responses automatically graded. Fortunately, today it is is very easy to use Google Forms to create automatically graded assessments. Watch this video to learn how to get started and then head here for dozens of more Google Forms tutorials.

Microsoft Forms

Microsoft Forms is every bit as good as Google Forms is for creating self-grading assessments. In fact, there are some features of Microsoft Forms that I wish Google Forms had. One of those is the new live presentation mode in Microsoft Forms. Learn more about that feature in this video and then head here for a dozen more Microsoft Forms tutorials.

 

Welcome Back Arno Staff!  

“You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so … get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss

Coming soon to Arno…

August 30

Medical Plan Meetings 

Lunch Staff Meeting 9:00

August 31

Teacher Welcome Back

First Staff Meeting

Meet the Teacher 

Meet the Teacher (Schedule below)

• • Meet the Teacher Night will be an Open House on August 31 from 6:30-7:30pm.

  • Students are encouraged to attend Meet the Teacher Night with their family.

  • Meet the Teacher attendance will be staggered to help with parking  Please arrive and depart promptly according to the schedule below.

• Families will be divided into two groups by alphabet with 20 minute sessions (6:30-6:50 and 7:00-7:20)

• Last Names A-M — 6:30-6:50pm
• Last Names N-Z — 7:00-7:20pm
• If your family has multiple last names, please follow the schedule for your oldest child’s last name

Sept. 5

First Day of School

Sept. 7

First PTA Meeting 6:30

Sept. 8

Fire Drill 2:00

Sept. 14

ALICE Drill 10:00- Full Evac

Sept. 20

JR 5th Grade testing

Sept. 21

Tornado Drill 10:00

Sept. 22

PTA Fun Run!!

Sept. 27

JR 4th Grade testing

Fire Drill 12:50

Sept. 28 

JR 3rd Grade testing

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

ARNO COLLECTIVE COMMITMENTS

• Academics are student-centered, which allow for various learning styles to showcase student achievement.

• We will develop and maintain a positive, respectful relationship with each student by using flexibility and adaptability to meet individual needs

• We will foster safe learning environments that allow students the opportunity to establish a growth mindset

• We will support each other as colleagues by collaborating as a team using a respectful dialogue when analyzing data to positively impact student achievement.

Welcome Back Arno Staff!!

Arno Staff 2023-2024

New Lunch Schedule

This year we are pleased to welcome Deak Swearingen to Life Skills, and Sarah Kaminski to our ECP program!  Welcome to Arno Deak and Sarah!

Deak Swearingen

Hello to all my new colleagues, I am excited to be joining Allen Park Public Schools! I am a downriver rink rat, who now enjoys sand volleyball and fishing in the summer, and hunting in the fall and winter. I have been in the adapted physical education field for more than 13 years at both the Elementary, Secondary, and Collegiate level. I enjoy immensely watching my daughter develop in Preschool here in Allen Park, and my wife is a former Jag alumni. I will be at multiple schools this year, but hope to meet and learn from everyone in Allen Park!

Sarah Kaminski

Hello, my name is Sarah Kaminski and I have worked in the Allen Park School District for 6 years. The majority of this time has been as a reading aide at Bennie Elementary. Currently, I live in Belleville with my fiancé, Dennis and our dog, Pecan. In my free time I enjoy doing puzzles and crafting. I am excited to start the fall as the new ECP teacher and work with the little ones! Can’t wait to make new friends and connections! Go Cougars!

New Committee

I have created a new committee that will have a lot of importance.  The committee will be a combo of communication and dealing with the absent/tardy problem that is plaguing schools.  The communication is resulting to not only the building surveys that show inconsistent home communication from teacher to teacher, but also at the district level as it will also be part of the new strategic plan this year.  I would encourage anyone who would like to pioneer this new group, to sign up.  In the meantime, this article came out recently on a national level for your reference:

A Stanford study reveals record-high chronic absenteeism after COVID lockdowns with over 25% of students missing 10% of their classes during the 2021-22 school year.

https://www.foxnews.com/us/6-5-million-students-chronically-absent-after-pandemic-new-study-shows

From the Parent Blog:

Important Attendance Information

Please read the attitude article on the importance of student attendance, which is mandatory by the laws of the State of Michigan.  Please be aware that we are required to follow up with families either verbally, in writing, or both when absences reach the 10 full day mark.

The attendance/tardy process:

• Ten full day absences- 1st attendance letter sent home

• 5 additional absences- 2nd attendance letter sent home

• Ongoing after 15 absences- referral to our liaison officer for truancy

TARDIES

• Students are considered tardy after 8:40am

• After 8:40 am, Parents will be required to walk their student into the office to sign them into the building

• If a student has accumulated 5 tardies in a row, the parent will need to sign an acknowledgement letter of the tardies

• After 15 tardies, a meeting will take place with the principal to discuss possible solutions.

Excessive tardy arrival/very early dismissal

• Student arrival after 9:30am will equal a half-day AM absence

• Student dismissal that takes place prior to 2:30pm with count for a half-day PM absence

• Picking up your student between 2:30 and 3:30 does not count for anything

RtP_Attendance

From the PTA

Hello Cougar Families! 

Your new 2023/2024 school year PTA Board is as follows:

President: Xina Bagger

Vice President: Meaghan Bachman

Treasurer: Kristy Varkoly

Secretary: Sarah Wald

The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an all-volunteer, parent-run, non-profit organization that works cooperatively with school administration and educators to provide opportunities for our students and families to socialize by providing fun family events and in-school opportunities. We have provided our students and families with school assemblies, Field Day, Family Fun Nights, the Daddy Daughter Dance, the Mother Son Night, Christmas events, playground and gym equipment, student technology, Staff Appreciation Week, Spirit Wear and so much more!

Meet the Teacher Night is Thursday August 31^st at 6:30pm. Please stop by our table by the main doors to meet your board members, learn about the PTA, how to become a member, and get a chance to win Detroit Tigers tickets!

Our 1st PTA Meeting will be held on Thursday September 7^th at 6:30 pm in the Arno Media Center (and every FIRST Thursday of the month thereafter). Childcare is always available, thanks to our National Junior Honor Society volunteers!  We might just have some cool giveaways, like Detroit Tiger Tickets!

A Membership Drive will run from September 6^th through October 7^th and our theme this year is “Membership is Sweet”.  The class that receives the most memberships will win an Ice Cream Social!  Forms will be sent home on the first week of school and a link will be posted on our Facebook page. You can find us on Facebook by searching @arnoelementarypta – be sure to like our page, we occasionally give away cool stuff like Detroit Tigers tickets – a member only perk! Check out the flyer below for more details on the PTA and scan the QR Code to link you directly to our Arno PTA membership page! Please consider joining – the cost is $7 for staff and your membership helps support so much.

We have a lot planned for the upcoming school year and are very excited to kick off the season with our annual Arno Fun Run, which will be held on Friday September 22^nd. This is our biggest and most important fundraiser of the year. More details to follow.

Please remember that your input/suggestions/concerns are both encouraged and appreciated so that we know how to better our events. So please reach out via email (arnopta@gmail.com) or attend our meetings! And remember, PTA members get early access to info, first dibs on volunteer events, a chance at our raffles, and can vote on events/funding/student advocacies! Please consider becoming a member this school year!  As always, we appreciate your support! Please consider volunteering or serving as a chairperson at one of our events. If we do not have a chairperson for an event, it is at risk of being cancelled. For more information or if you would like to volunteer, please email the PTA at arnopta@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for more exciting news/events/announcements/reminders from your PTA via email, memberhub and/or our Facebook page! We are so excited for the 2023/2024 school year and can’t wait to share these great experiences with our Caring Cougars!

Classroom assessment thoughts

As we head into the new school year- to some degree, this can be done at all levels…

As you're thinking about classroom assessments next year, remember that we grade against criteria for standards, outcomes, learning goals, i.e., evidence of learning, NOT the vehicle used to deliver that evidence. So, unless we're teaching the assessment format itself, whether or…

— Rick Wormeli (@rickwormeli2) July 5, 2023

Vocab Tool from Sarah

Pear Deck has a Flashcard Factory component that allows you to create flashcards with your students for vocab words! Then it will take the flashcards and turn them into a quizlet. Thought many of you may find this helpful to use, so take a look at the video below to learn more.

https://youtu.be/wlVKjTuoXko

Door Assignments 2023-24

*Please note we can also arrange for siblings to go to the same doors

Door Assignments

TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DATES

This year, the district calendar reflects 7 days of teacher PD.  Those half-day PD dates feature no school in the afternoon, 11:30 dismissal.  The dates for this school year are as follows:

8/31, 10/31 (ER), 11/7, 1/19, 2/9, 3/15, & 5/3 (ER)

REQUIRED PLC meetings (45 Minutes on September, October, December, April). Please remember to list your dates, and share agendas in the folder. 

PBIS BEGINNING OF THE YEAR STATIONS AND FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES

Thursday, September 7, 2023

There will be 10 minutes spent at each station which includes the discussion and travel time between stations.  You will rotate in sequential order.

Start Times and Stations

8:45a–Huntington (1), Talamonti (2), Johnson (3), Pushman (4), Watson (5)

9:35a–Warneck (1), Guyot (2), Kalis (3), Schultz (4), Martinchick (5)

10:25a–Garza (1), Zuke (2), Higgins (3), Cervantes (4), Amonette (5)

11:55a–Haskin (2), Harrison (3), Mercer (4), Roller (5)

**Presenters, please note that the 11:55a rotation are all littles.  Please shorten your presentation to short attention spans, highlighting the big ideas.  Thank you for making this accommodation!**

               1. Office Expectations

                Staff: Kim Dowd or Cathy Anderson

                Location: outside of office for space

2. Assembly and Bullying Expectations

               Staff: Andrea Alvarez

               Location:  gym or outside

3. Bus Expectations

               Staff: Steve Zielinski

               Location: bus located in parking area

4. Cafeteria Expectations

               Staff: ????

               Location: Cafeteria

5. Hallway Expectations

               Staff: Aly Kubik

               Location: hallway outside of Media Center/Computer Lab

Follow-Up Activities

~Posters for the hallway

~Individual positive messages

~Write about it in your journal

~Review classroom matrix and expectations

~Draw a picture of when you were kind/somebody was kind to you

~Allen Park Elementary PBIS website (brand new from Kendra Payette-Linn!)

~Watch a PBIS video clip

RESA PBIS website–“Videos” dropdown on the page

http://apps.mi.safeschools.com/login

Tech Time

Ten Tools for Gathering Real-time Feedback From Students

I’m taking the week off to do a bunch of fun things with my kids. While I’m away the most popular posts of the year so far will reappear.

Chat tools and polling services provide good ways to hear from all of the students in a classroom. These kinds of tools, often referred to as backchannel tools, allow shy students to ask questions and share comments. For your more outspoken students who want to comment on everything, a feedback mechanism provides a good outlet for them too. Over the years I’ve used a variety of feedback tools in my classroom. This is my updated list of backchannel and informal assessment tools for gathering real-time feedback from students.

Classroomscreen is a service that lets you create a homescreen on which you can place reusable countdown timers, stopwatches, polls, noise meters, random name selectors, and more helpful classroom management tools. With the polling tool in Classroomscreen you can display a question for your students and have them respond with a multiple choice selection or by choosing a smiley face. See my screenshot below for more details.

Yo Teach! lets you create online backchannel spaces to facilitate discussions. To get started on Yo Teach! simply go to the site and name your room. You can get started by just doing those two steps, but I would recommend taking a another minute to scroll down the Yo Teach! site to activate the admin function, the password function, and to select “avoid search.”  The “avoid search” option will hide your room from search results so that people cannot find it without being given its direct URL. The password function lets you set a password that must be entered before students can participate in the chat. The admin features of Yo Teach! let you mute or remove students from a discussion, delete your room, and view statistic about the usage of your room. The admin function that reveals statistics will show the names of participants and how active they have been in your Yo Teach! room. Here’s a video overview of Yo Teach!

ClassPoint. It’s a great little tool that you can use to build interactive quizzes and polls into your PowerPoint presentations. You can also use it to annotate slides, create whiteboards on the fly, and share your annotations with students. In this short video I provide a demonstration of how ClassPoint works. The video shows a teacher’s perspective and a student’s perspective of how ClassPoint can be used in your classroom.

Ziplet is a service for gathering feedback from your students in a variety of ways. The simplest way is to create an exit ticket by using one of the dozens of pre-written questions provided by Ziplet. Ziplet does not require students to have accounts to respond to exit ticket questions. Students can simply enter an exit ticket code that you give to them before they answer the question. What Ziplet offers that is somewhat unique is the option to respond directly to individual students even when they are responding to a group survey. The purpose of that feature is to make it easy to ask follow-up questions or to give encouragement to students based on their responses to a question posed to the whole group. Here’s a short video about how to use Ziplet.

Plickers is a great student response system for classrooms that aren’t 1:1 or for anyone who would rather not have to go through the trouble of trying to get all students onto the same webpage or chatroom at the beginning of a lesson. Plickers uses a teacher’s iPad or Android tablet in conjunction with a series of QR codes to create a student response system. Students are given a set of QR codes on large index cards. The codes are assigned to students. Each code card can be turned in four orientations. Each orientation provides a different answer. When the teacher is ready to collect data, he or she uses the Plickers mobile app to scan the cards to see a bar graph of responses. Click here for three ideas for using Plickers in your classroom.

Mentimeter is an audience response tool lets you create polls and quizzes for your audience to respond to during your presentations. Responses to open-ended poll questions can be displayed as a word cloud, but there isn’t a true chat function in Mentimeter. You can create and display polls and quizzes from the Mentimeter website or you can use their PowerPoint Add-in to display your polls and quizzes from your slideshow. Your audience members can respond from their phones, tablets, or laptops.

The Q&A function built into the presentation mode of Google Slides is a good option for gathering questions from students when they are viewing slides that you or their classmates present. Likewise, posting a simple question in Google Classroom is a good way to quickly get a sense of what your students know about a topic before you begin a lesson or what they think was important in a lesson that you just taught.

Poll Everywhere is a service that allows you to collect responses from an audience via text messaging. The free plan for K-12 educators provides selection of features and quantity of responses that is adequate for almost any classroom. One of the neat ways to display feedback gathered through Poll Everywhere is in word clouds.

I’ve been using Padlet since it was called WallWisher back in 2009. Padlet enables me to have students not only share exit responses as text, but to also share exit responses as hyperlinks. For example, if my students have been working on research projects I will ask them to share a link to something they found that day along with an explanation of how it is relevant to their research.

Formative provides you with a place to create online assignments that your students can respond to in class or out of class. Assignments can be as simple as one question exit tickets like “what did you learn today?” to complex quizzes that use a combination of multiple choice, short answer, and true/false questions. You can assign point values to questions or leave them as ungraded questions. The best feature of Formative is the option to create “show your work” questions. “Show your work” questions enables students to draw responses and or upload pictures as responses to your questions. When you use this question type students will see a blank canvas directly below the question. On that canvas they can draw and or type responses.

Lego Time 

Need LEGO Ideas? Take a Look at This!

Making things with LEGOs is one of my favorite indoor activities to do with my daughters. We’ve spent many rainy days building all kinds of things LEGOs. Often we follow the directions from a guidebook and sometimes we just make our own things. Every once in a while they ask for another LEGO guidebook.

 

I’m been happy to buy my daughters LEGO guidebooks even if they aren’t always patient as they wait for the Amazon delivery of those books. I recently, through Open Culture, learned of a remedy to that problem. Recently, I learned that the Internet Archive hosts more than 6,800 LEGO guidebooks.

In the Internet Archive’s collection of LEGO instruction books you’ll find directions for building everything from a birdhouse to an airplane to a tiger and much, much more.  The directions can be viewed online and or downloaded as colorful PDFs to print. The PDF of directions for building a tiger was an exact copy of what I would have found had I purchased the LEGO kit for building a tiger.

Applications for Education
If you have a big box of LEGOs in your classroom, bookmark this collection of LEGO instructions and perhaps print a few to place in that box.

Coming soon to Arno…

June 1

Special Education Students to APMS tour

Arno Planting Day 3:30

June 2

Cougar Cash Lunch

PTA Field Day

June 5

Mentor Celebration 1:15

June 6

5th Grade Graduation 9:15 AP Center for the Arts

Super Cougar Lunch

June 7

3rd Grade to Greenfield Village

June 8

5th Grade Picnic

2nd Grade to Barney Park 12:15

District Strategic Planning Committee 6:00

June 9

Kindergarten to the Zoo

June 12

4th grade to Boccabella Park 1:00

5th grade to Pretty Park 1:00

3rd grade to Barney Park 1:20

June 13

Early Release 11:30

3rd grade to Boccabella 8:45

4th grade to Pretty 8:45

CI to Barney 8:45

June 14

Early Release 11:30

3rd grade to Pretty 8:45

Kindergarten Picnic to Barney 8:45

June 15

Early Release 11:30

LAST DAY of School!

June 19-July 20 

Summer School Begins

June 23

Arno Office closes (Regular School Year)

Coming in the future…

August 21

Office Opens

August 31

Teacher 1st Day

Meet the Teacher

September 5

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

From the PTA

FIELD DAY IS HERE JUNE 2! 

All grades will enjoy a day full of fun & exciting activities to kick off the summer followed by ice cream! Tshirts will be provided to all students to wear that day. Please review the reminders indicated below:

The PTA will end the school year with an ice cream truck for all grades to enjoy on the last day of school 

The PTA proudly funded & honored the following with some of our excess funds:

-Picnic tables

-Recess equipment

-A sensory wall

-A stem wall

-Critter bots

-Volleyball equipment

-Field trips for grades 3-5

-Science lab presentations for all grades

-End of year assemblies including Metro Parks and Animals and the Environment

-We also helped CI open it’s coffee cart for their life skills program

Your new 2023/2024 school year PTA Board is as follows:

President: Xina Bagger

Vice President: Meaghan Bachman

Treasurer: Kristy Varkoly

Secretary: Sarah Wald

Please remember that your input/suggestions/concerns are both encouraged and appreciated so that we know how to better our events. So please reach out via email (arnopta@gmail.com) or attend our meetings! And remember, PTA members get early access to info, first dibs on volunteer events, and can vote on events/funding/student advocacies! Please consider becoming a member next school year!  As always, we appreciate your support! 

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 7, at 6:00pm in Arno’s Media Center.

Stay tuned for more exciting news/events/announcements/reminders from your PTA via email, memberhub and/or our Facebook page!

ENJOY YOUR SUMMER

CLASSLISTS

Criteria to reflect on:

– One room in the grade for ESL, as feasible

– One SPED room in the grade, as feasible

– Balance Boys/Girls

– Balance behavior

– Balance High/Medium/Low (use Educlimber)

– Kids to be separated

We will meet in the conference room on June 13 with Beth, SPED team, and Erin per the schedule

12:30-12:45 Eskew

12:45-1:05 Kindergarten

1:10-1:30 1st grade

1:35-1:55 2nd grade

2:00-2:20 3rd grade

2:25-2:45 4th grade

Park Field Trips for Spring 2023

Thursday June 8, 2023

• 5th Grade: Bocabella 12:00-3:00 (Fifth grade Picnic)

• 2nd grade: Barney Park 12:15-2:15

Monday, June 12th, 2023

• Third Grade: Barney Park from 1:20-3pm

• Fourth Grade Bocabella: 1-3:00pm

• 5th Grade: Pretty Family Park 1-3:00 pm

Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 (½ Day, K-2 Prep)

• Third Grade: Boccabella Park from 8:45-11:15am

• Fourth Grade: Pretty Family Park from 8:45-11:15pm

• CI Classroom: Barney Park from 8:45-11:00 (Class Picnic)

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 (½ Day, 3-5 Prep)

• Kindergarten: Barney Park from 8:45-11:00

• Third Grade: Pretty Family Park from 8:45-10:15am

Thursday, June 15th, 2023 (½ Day, K-2 Prep)

Some New Beginnings

Some people would say that change is good.  In some cases they would be right,, but not when we say goodbye to some amazing teachers.  This year we must say goodbye to two of our MVP’s of Arno- Jeanine Haskin and Stella Boyer.   The mark they have left on us, and the tremendous impact on kids that they have had is immeasurable.  We wish them well in their retirement as they begin anew, waiting for their next big adventure.  They will always be an Arno Cougar– We will miss you!!!

Jeanine Haskin

Mrs. Haskin’s expertise in early childhood will certainly be felt in our building.  Mrs. Haskin has been our Young 5’s teacher and former kindergarten teacher for many years.  Her insight into how best to help our youngest learners has been invaluable, her mentorship of staff and many student teachers has been priceless. We wish Mrs. Haskin Congratulations and  the very best in retirement, but her presence will be missed by all of our students, staff, and parents.

Stella Boyer

Mrs. Boyer has also been a fixture here at Arno in the special education department.  Mrs. Boyer spent many years as our phenomenal speech teacher, helping so many of our students, as well as her current role in life skills our categorical special ed program.  Recently, Mrs. Boyer also started a Unified League, which is sports league for Allen Park Schools secondary special education students. This accomplishment brought joy to her students and a sense of accomplishment and was a tremendous hit our parents in Allen Park.  Mrs. Boyer’s mission to help her students will be missed at Arno, as well as other buildings in our district, and we wish her Congratulations and the very best in retirement.

Additional changes for 2023-24

Ms. Johnson, our current 4th grade teacher, will be moving into Kindergarten for the fall.

Mrs. Harrison, our current kindergarten teacher, will become our new Young 5s teacher.

Mrs. Bleau, our current ECP teacher, will be moving into the 4th grade teaching role.

Welcome to Mr. Deak Swearinger! He will teaching Adaptive PE for Jessica’s Eskew’s class this upcoming year!

Summer School Rooms Usage

Teacher Appreciation Week Begins May 8!!

Coming soon to Arno…

May 1

SIP Team Meeting Full Day

Kindergarten Roundup 6:30

May 2

MSTEP- 3rd MAth/4th ELA

May 4

Super Cougar Lunch

Reading/Math Committee meetings 8:00

5th grade meet with APMS Counselors 10:30

PTA Meeting 6:00

May 5

Early Release 11:30

Daddy/Daughter Dance

May 8-12

Teacher Appreciation Week!!

May 9

Ad Council 9:30

May 10

PBIS 8:00

May 11

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Lunch 11:00

ALICE Drill 1:30

May 12

Kinder field trip

May 15

Mobile Dentist- gym

May 16

Kindergarten Screening

May 17

SIP 8:00

3rd grade field trip

May 18

Staff Meeting 7:45

Safety Committee meeting 9:30

Kindergarten Screening

May 19

4th grade field trip

May 22

Mobile Ed Animal Assembly 12:20

May 23

5th Grade Video

May 25

PBIS Rewards

Teacher Data Day

NWEA Assembly 9:30

May 26/29

No School

May 31 

NWEA Picnic 11:30

June 1

District MTSS 9:00

SPED to APMS

Arno Planting Day 3:30

June 2

Cougar Cash Lunch

Field Day

Report Card Window Opens

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

Thank you Arno staff for everything you do everyday to make our school the best place for kids to learn!  Your tireless efforts are appreciated more than you know and reflect the kind, caring people that make up our staff.  Thank you again for making a difference, and I hope you enjoy your special Appreciation week May 8-12!!

May 11 Hour Lunch Schedule:

Lunch Schedule for Thursday, May 1, 2023                     

All recess is outside unless inclement weather

11am – 11:30am

K, Young 5s, Eskew, and 1st grades eating in Cafeteria

2nd grade eat in classrooms

11am -11:30am

3rd grade recess

4th grade recess

5th grade recess 

11:30-12pm

K recess- Y5 recess

1st grade recess 

2nd grade recess, Eskew recess

11:30 am -12pm

5th grade eating in their classrooms

3rd and 4th eating in cafeteria

ALICE Drill

The Crisis team recently met to discuss our final drill and evacuation plan.  We will conduct the regular drill using the smart boot system and go into lockdown mode- fully taking cover.  At some point, I will clear the system and you will know it’s time to replace the boot and exit the building for the walk to the church.  We will NOT be going into the church this time.  Instead, please make your way to the church, and fully turn around upon arrival and come back to the building (You certainly can stop and discuss where you are at, and what would happen if it were real).  You do not need to stop and look at the yards across the street or bring your kids around to your window once the lockdown is cleared.

To the Parks…

Park Field Trips for Spring 2023

Thursday June 8, 2023

• 5th Grade: Bocabella 12:00-3:00 (Fifth grade Picnic)

• 2nd grade: Barney Park 12:15-2:15

Monday, June 12th, 2023

• Third Grade: Barney Park from 1:20-3pm

• Fourth Grade Bocabella: 1-3:00pm

• 5th Grade: Pretty Family Park 1-3:00 pm

Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 (½ Day, K-2 Prep)

• Third Grade: Boccabella Park from 8:45-11:15am

• Fourth Grade: Pretty Family Park from 8:45-11:15pm

• CI Classroom: Barney Park from 8:45-11:00 (Class Picnic)

Wednesday, June 14th, 2023 (½ Day, 3-5 Prep)

• Kindergarten: Barney Park from 8:45-11:00

• Third Grade: Pretty Family Park from 8:45-10:15am

Thursday, June 15th, 2023 (½ Day, K-2 Prep)

Your 23/24 school year PTA board is as follows:

PRESIDENT: Xina Bagger

                        VICE PRESIDENT: Meaghan Bachman

     TREASURER: Kristy Varkoly

SECRETARY: Sarah Wald

From the PTA

Animals and the Environment Assembly Coming in May to Arno Elementary funded by ARNO PTA! 

We also have 5 metro park assemblies coming in May also funded by ARNO PTA

Shirt colors for Field Day:

C1/Y5/K – Blue

1st Grade –Purple

2nd Grade – Yellow

3rd Grade – Green

4th Grade – Orange

5th Grade – Red

We encourage everyone to attend our PTA meeting on Thursday May 4th @ 6pm in the media center, this is our last PTA meeting of the year and also a pretty important one as we are voting on our excess funds we have to spend.

Hello Arno Families,

The Green Team is actively working to ensure Arno Elementary remains an Evergreen Designated School, which is the highest honor among Michigan Green School recipients. Each year, we provide students with the knowledge necessary to become environmental experts. Continue to stay up to date with our latest tips to recycling responsibility as Earth Day is approaching.

Final Data Day

We will have our final Data Day on May 25, with the final district MTSS day on June 1.  Please remember that all testing and JR score input into Educlimber would need to happen by the MTSS meeting at the latest. As of May 1, the NWEA window is open, let Beth know if you need any aide assistance.  Beth and Erin will let you know dates for the final FAST dates.

May Data Sign Up

Jan Richardson Reading Assessment Dates

– May 9-  Higgins, Zuke

– May 10- Talamonti, Johnson, Huntington

– May 16- Kalis, Guyot, Warneck

– May 18- Schultz, Amonette

– May  23- Mercer, Harrison, Rennals

– May 25- Pushman, Watson, Martinchick

Mobile Ed 

The PTA has one more assembly lined up on May 22:

• Y5, CI, K-2 12:20

• 3-5 1:20

NWEA Assembly

We will be having our final NWEA assembly on May 25, followed by the picnic for the top 10, and one student per room most improved on May 31 at the park again.  More details will follow from the Reading Committee.

AP Immunization 

Immunizations

Tech Time

Four Easy Ways to Make End-of-Year Slideshow Videos

Even though the cold and rainy weather we’re experiencing here in Maine makes it feel like summer is a long way off, it’s not. I was reminded of this yesterday afternoon when I got my first email of the spring in which someone asked for advice about making an end-of-year video for her grade six class.

I get emails about this topic every spring and I’m always happy to help because it’s fun to summarize and celebrate the school year in a short audio slideshow video. These are the tools that I’m recommending for that purpose this spring.

 

Adobe Express Video
Adobe Express was previously known as Adobe Spark. I’ve been using it since its launch seven or eight years ago. Adobe Creative Cloud Express makes it easy for students to create succinct audio slideshow videos. It includes a library of background music that you can insert into your videos. Finally, Adobe Creative Cloud Express is a collaborative tool so you can invite a colleague to work on developing an end-of-year slideshow video with you. Watch this video to learn how to make a video with Adobe Creative Cloud Express.

Canva
Canva offers two ways to create audio slideshow videos. The first way is to simply put together a series of slides and then select a soundtrack to play in the background. That process is demonstrated here. The other method is to use Canva’s full video editor to add narration and custom timings to an audio slideshow video. That process is demonstrated in this video.

Microsoft Photos
Microsoft Photos includes a video creation tool for making short audio slideshow-style videos. You’ll find this by just opening the native photos app in Windows 10. Within the editor there are tools for adding animated effects to still images, insert your existing video clips into a video project, and tools for adding audio to your video. There’s also a great option to search for Creative Commons licensed images and insert them directly into your video project. The best part of that feature is that attribution information is automatically added onto the images you choose through the built-in search tool. In the following video I provide a demonstration of how to create a video in Microsoft Photos in Windows 10.

Google Photos

In Google Photos there is a section called “utilities.” It is in the utilities section that you’ll find the video creation tool. To use it all you need to do is select up to 50 pictures and or videos that you have stored in your Google Photos account. Google Photos will then automatically select display length for each image or video and automatically add background music to your video. If you don’t like what was automatically selected for your video, you can manually adjust display length and choose different background music.

Watch this short video to learn how to make an audio slideshow video with Google Photos.

The video creation tool in Google Photos does limit you to 50 images per video. If you need to make a longer video, you could make two or three videos in Google Photos then download them and combine them in iMovie or WeVideo.

AI Tools

This AI Tool Generates Reading Comprehension Questions for Any Article

 

QuestionWell is a new AI tool that will generate reading comprehension and guiding questions for just about any article that you specify. Questions created by QuestionWell can be saved in a document or exported to a handful of popular quiz apps including Kahoot and Quizziz.

There are two ways that you can use QuestionWell to generate questions. One option is to copy and paste a block of text (up to 1,000 words) into the QuestionWell question generator. The other option is to paste the URL of an online article into the QuestionWell question generator. Whichever method you choose, the next steps are all the same.

QuestionWell takes the article that you’ve entered and generates a set of questions based on it. You can view all of the questions and select the ones that you like. The questions can be exported to a Word document and or exported to a quiz app. All of the question sets that you create are also saved in your QuestionWell account so that you can revisit them and edit them whenever you need to. Watch my video below for a short overview of how QuestionWell works.

Video – How Use QuestionWell

 

Coming soon to Arno…

April 4

Safety committee 9:30

April 6

Staff Meeting 7:45

1st grade to Henry Ford PA

Super Cougar Lunch

PTA Meeting 6:00pm

April 7

No School- Good Friday

April 9

Hoppy Easter!

April 10

District MTSS meeting 8 week check in

April 11

5th Grade MSTEP starts- SS

Ad Council 9:30

April 12

Rev’d Up Family Night

PBIS 8:00

April 13

5ht Grade MSTEP-Science

Reading/Math committee meeting 8:00

Fire Drill 2:00

April 14

Dental presentations – Martinchick and Johnson

April 19

SIP 8:00

April 20

SEL 8:00

Fire Drill 1:30

April 25

Teacher Data Day

April 28

Cougar Cash Lunch

PBIS Rewards

May 1

Kindergarten Roundup 6:30

ARNO MISSION

ARNO ELEMENTARY…INSPIRING STUDENTS TOWARD ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE.

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE HIGH QUALITY ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE TO INSPIRE ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE THEIR PERSONAL BEST.

DATA MEETINGS

We have 2 data meetings this month, the first will the district MTSS 8 week check in where the team will dive into all of the progress monitoring data, followed by the teacher data day on April 25, where we will get updates and look at the progress monitoring as well.

Key elements that I feel are continuing us on a path to success continue to be:

• Small group reading- really getting down to the heart of what every student needs

• Brain friendly- when needed based on each student individually

• High expectations in the classroom for academics and behavior

• Excellent overall teaching

Be sure to meet with Beth and Erin as or coaches have a lot to provide to move forward in reading and math!

Staff Appreciation Week

This year, the official Staff Appreciation Week will be the week of May 8, with our special lunch on May 11.  Lunch will be the hour long format from 11:00-12:00, and I will get you a schedule when we get closer.

M-STEP IS COMING…

Please mark your calendars, the M-Step window opens up for 5th grade immediately following Spring Break, then runs through early May.  **Don’t forget to wear your MSTEP shirt on testing days!  The schedules is as follows:

April 11- 5th grade Social Studies test (2 parts)

April 13- 5th grade Science

April 18/19- 5th grade ELA

April 25/26- 4th and 5th grade Math

April 25/26- 3rd grade ELA

May 2/3- 4th grade ELA

May 2/3- 3rd grade Math

From the PTA

Hello Arno Cougar Families,

We are now accepting PTA Board nominations for the 2023/2024 school year due by April 6. Voting will take place at April’s  meeting.  Please submit nominations ASAP to arnopta@gmail.com. Without a PTA board we will not have a PTA and the school will NOT be able to have the Free events,assemblies,Mother-Son/Daddy Daughter Dance etc

Tickets are now on sale for our upcoming Family Fun Night @ Rev’d Up on Wednesday April 12 from 5:30pm to 9pm. Doors open at 4.30pm. Tickets are $10 per person. Spectators do not need a ticket. Tickets get you into every activity minus the VR and ax throwing. Play cards are available for $10 as well. You can also add on a food package for $6. Please note that parents must stay with their child/children.This is NOT a drop off event. Please see the attached flyer and link for details! And always, we appreciate your support!

https://revdupfun.centeredgeonline.com/retail/items/d6dffc93-54a0-4fa7-a97f-3f82be00c3f7

Tickets for our upcoming Daddy Daughter Dance @ The Grecian Center Friday May 5th from 6:00pm until 9:30pm are on Sale now Until April 21st. The link & flyer are below!

THIS IS FOR CURRENT ARNO STUDENTS ONLY!!!!

**Flyers will be coming home soon for this event in the students folder**

 https://arnopta.memberhub.com/store

Upcoming events:

*Staff Appreciation Week*

We will be celebrating our wonderful staff at Arno the week of May 8th – May 12th we are asking for some donations to help us keep the cost down to be able to do everything we want to do for the entire week **See link below for the sign up genius for donations**

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4CA4AA2AA4FE3-staff3

*Field day*

Friday June 2nd

Look for more information closer to the event. This will be an all day event and we will be looking for many volunteers as this is our first hosted field day. 

We encourage you to attend our next PTA meeting on Thursday April 6th @ 6pm in the media center, ChildCare will be provided for ARNO students. 

Schools of Choice 2023-2024

AP SOC 23_24 ad

KINDERGARTEN ROUNDUP

We are pleased to be having our kindergarten round up this spring for all incoming kindergarteners. This year’s event will be on May 1 starting at 6:30 p.m. Parents will attend in the gym, all future Cougars will attend within the 3 different classrooms.  Remember that Kindergarten registration is now open at Riley.

Tech Time

An Overview of Using and Detecting Artificial Intelligence

This week’s news that Google Workspace will have new artificial intelligence tools added to it throughout the year was not unexpected. It was another sign that if you haven’t being paying attention to the development of AI tools this year, you should start paying attention to them. Even if your school tries to ban or block AI tools, students will figure out a way to use them outside of school if not in your school. With that out of the way, here’s a round-up of some the AI tools that I’ve written and or made videos about in recent months.

A Short Overview of ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence tool that will create documents for you based on some minimal input from you. For example, I simply typed into ChatGPT “Ten Canva Features for Students” and got this article. ChatGPT can also be used to create poems like this one about the sunglasses worn by Geraint Thomas.

With a little tweaking of what you put into ChatGPT you can create longer articles than the one that I mentioned above. A simple, “tell me more” or “what about X” can generate more material from ChatGPT.

Video – A Short Overview of ChatGPT

Magic Write

Magic Write is the artificial intelligence tool built into Canva Docs. Magic Write works in a manner that is quite similar to ChatGPT. To use Magic Write you simply select it from the insert menu in Canva Docs. Once Magic Write is opened you then enter a short prompt like “green screen video tips” and Magic Write generates a short list or paragraph for you (formatting depends on the prompt). You can then insert that writing into your document as it was written or you can edit it before including it in your document. Watch this short video to see how Magic Write in Canva works.

Video – How to Use Artificial Intelligence in Canva Documents

Turn Writing Into Videos

ChatGPT might be the first thing you think of when you read AI today, but there have been plenty of other AI tools before it. One such tool is Lumen5. Lumen5 is a tool that will produce a video for you based upon your written work.

To create a video with Lumen5 you can enter the URL of your published work or submit the text of an article you’ve written. Lumen5 will then select highlights from your writing to feature in a video. The video will always begin with the title of your article. From there it will use any subheadings or section headings that you have in your article to create sections of your video. If you don’t have subheadings or section headings in your article, Lumen5 will attempt to pull the keywords or phrases from each paragraph. Watch my demo below to see how easy it is to use Lumen5.

Short Lessons and Activities for the Start of Spring

The snow in our yard is at least two feet deep right now. This was concerning to my youngest daughter who asked me on the way to school, “can we have spring if it’s still snowy?” My answer, of course, was that spring will still start even if our yard is buried in snow. That then led to a brief explanation about seasons.

If you find yourself teaching some lessons about the start of spring, here are some resources that you might find helpful.

Why do birds sing? And how do they learn the songs that they sing? The answers to those questions and more are revealed in a TED-Ed Lesson titled How Do Birds Learn to Sing?

After learning how birds learn to sing, have your students explore The Wall of Birds interactive mural produced by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. The mural features a variety of birds that when clicked on reveal information about that bird, audio of that bird’s call, and a map of that bird’s natural range.

Why do we have seasons? What causes the changes in weather patterns throughout the seasons? The answers to those questions and more are found in the following SciShow Kids video and Crash Course Kids video.

All of these videos are great candidates for use in an EDPuzzle lesson. Here’s an overview of how to use EDpuzzle to turn existing videos into lessons of your own.

PBS Learning Media’s Classroom Posters collection contains more than a dozen colorful PDFs featuring the letters of the alphabet with representative icons, numbers, shapes, and short words. In the posters collection you’ll also find seasons of the year, months of the year, and weather.

And if you’d like to take your kids outside to learn about the arrival of spring, consider creating some outdoor bingo activities for them.

Coming soon to Arno…

March 2

PTA Meeting 6:00

Cougar Cash Lunch

Report Card window

March 3

2nd grade to DNR

March 4

PTA Spring Fever

March 7 

Steve Conf.

March 8

PBIS 8:00

Huntington Obs. 1:00

March 9

Staff Meeting 7:45

Spring Picture Day

Super Cougar Lunch

Bingo for Books 6:00

March 10

End of Second Trimester

March 14

Ad Council 9:30

March 15

SIP 8:00

March 16

Reading/Math/SEL 8:00

Report Card window closes

Safety Committee 9:30

PBIS Assembly 9:45

March 17

No School- Teacher PD

Report Cards Released

March 21

Teacher Data Day

March 22

Severe Weather Drill (Statewide) 1:00

March 23

PBIS Rewards

March 24

Cougar Cash lunch

March 25-April 2

SPRING BREAK

Arno Mission

Arno Elementary…inspiring students toward academic excellence.

ARNO VISION

Arno Elementary provides a supportive high quality academic experience to inspire all learners to achieve their personal best.

March is Reading Month

Get ready for Battle of the Authors!!

March is Reading month MIRM Calendar 2023

March is Reading Month MIRM 2023 Teachers

Data Meetings

Thank you to everyone for a successful round of data meetings again in February.  Our building data is overall looking like we are making great progress, and I cannot wait to see our M-SEP results this year!  Dr. Tafelski presented every buildings data at the Feb. Board meeting, this is a snapshot of Arno’s.  The black line on each color graph represents last year’s winter data on where the green proficient color was- so if your grade’s “green” color extends to the left of that mark, you have achieved higher than last year’s winter overall.  Arno’s data is looking great!

Winter-23–98b-Presentation-5525-1676396815-3903

Key elements that I feel are continuing us on that path include:

• Small group reading- really getting down to the heart of what every student needs

• Brain friendly- when needed based on each student individually

• High expectations in the classroom for academics and behavior

• Excellent overall teaching

Be sure to meet with Beth and Erin as or coaches have a lot to provide to move forward in reading and math!

From the PTA

Hello Cougar Families!

The PTA would like to thank all of our volunteers for your help at Glow Dance! We would also like to thank all those who donated to the event as well! Please know that all of your support does not go unnoticed and is an important factor in sponsoring our events. A special thanks to Little Caesar’s and Bella’s Pizza! We would also like to send a shout out to Amy Muse for graciously taking the extra pizza to both the AP Fire Department and AP Police Department!

Please remember that your input/suggestions/concerns are both encouraged and appreciated so that we know how to better our events. So please reach out via email (arnopta@gmail.com) or attend our meetings!  Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday March 2 at 6:00pm in Arno’s Media Center.

PTA Board nominations for the 2023/2024 school year are due by April 6. Voting will take place at May’s meeting. So please submit nominations ASAP. Thank you!

Our Spring SPIRIT WEAR sale will run from February 27 to March 10. The link is below:

https://brandstand.shop/

March 4 is the annual PTA/PTSA Spring Fever at the AP High School.  Arno is running the Bake Sale this year. We’re looking for bakers and volunteers:

Bakers – here’s your link to donate something yummy!  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094FABA723ABF85-20231

If you would like to volunteer to help sell baked goods with us, please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B094FABA723ABF85-2023

THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE TEACHERS/STUDENTS/FAMILIES WHO DONATED TO AND/OR MADE BASKETS FOR THE 2023 SPRING FEVER SILENT AUCTION!

March 16 we are sponsoring a Super U Assembly! This will take place in school for all grades!

Please note that game night scheduled for March 16 has been cancelled.

Our Rev’d Up all school event is scheduled for April 12!  Details to come in March.

*Reminder Daddy/Daughter Dance has been changed to May 5*

Stay tuned for more exciting news/events/reminders from your PTA, and remember to check your emails and our Facebook page for information as well!

Thank you for your support! 

Committee Updates

SIP

1. New Statements: 
   1. Mission: Arno Elementary.. inspiring students toward academic excellence.
   2. Arno’s Vision: Arno Elementary provides a supportive high quality academic experience to inspire all learners to achieve their personal best.
2. Promote our new vision and mission statements- fridge magnets, arno business cards, feather flags for out front that have our mission on it, etc
   1. https://www.vistaprint.com/
   2. https://www.buildasign.com/feather-flags
   3. Advertising attendance- Attendance Counts!
   4. Feather flag- Welcome to Arno… inspiring students towards academic excellence.
      1. Used for start of school year, Kindergarten roundup, can stand in lobby 
      2. $58 for 1- double sided
         1. Need 4 sets for all doors?
3. Attendance Reward for next year?
   1. https://www.attendanceworks.org/
   2. Trimester Reward (extra recess) & end of the year reward (game truck)
      1. Ideas- Rewarding 5 or less absences & rewarding the absentees who have decreased their absences (Tier 2)
4. Check on surveys if time- did not have time
   1. All surveys complete
      1. 30 staff, 101 parents

PBIS

January PBIS Data

1. Data
2. February Reward
   1. Reward: School Wide Bingo (via Zoom with Steve)
   2. Organizer: Emilie
   3. Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
   4. Flips: 5
   5. Reminders: 

1. March Reward
   1. Reward: March Madness
   2. Organizer: Lisa
   3. Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
   4. Flips: 4

1. Budget
   1. PD deducted from grant 
   2. About $2,000 balance in Smencils account
      1. More robust monthly rewards 
      2. Clubs supplies

1. Flip Charts 
   1. Steve is seeing Tier 2/3 students are sometimes being triggered by flips/clips
   2. 1st grade piloting private clips/flips
      1. Pause before addressing behavior
      2. Sign-ins after private conference with teachers
         1. X amount of sign-ins = loss of rewards
   3. 2023/2024 school year
      1. options available
         1. flip/clip chart
         2. Private conferences
         3. Sign-ins
   4. LP
      1. student advocates 
         1. Meet with high flyers
         2. Check in with students
         3. Handle behavior/mental health

Reading:

Did not meet- next meeting will focus on M-STEP and new NWEA reward criteria

Math:

Committee continues to search for staff who would like to tutor math kids that fall in the bubble range

SEL:

Distributed the Black History Month information for staff

Spring Fever

M-Step is coming…

Please mark your calendars, the M-Step window opens up for 5th grade immediately following Spring Break, then runs through early May.  The schedules is as follows:

April 11- 5th grade Social Studies test (2 parts)

April 13- 5th grade Science

April 18/19- 5th grade ELA

April 25/26- 4th and 5th grade Math

April 25/26- 3rd grade ELA

May 2/3- 4th grade ELA

May 2/3- 3rd grade Math

Please make every effort to be sure your child is here on the testing dates. An informational letter will be coming home as well with additional details.

Tech Time 

25 YouTube Tips for Teachers

A couple of weeks ago I shared directions on how to start a YouTube channel. Yesterday, I published directions on how to add end screens to your videos. Those are just two of twenty-five YouTube tutorial videos that I’ve published over the last few years. All of my YouTube tips for teachers are now arranged in one convenient playlist. You can find the whole playlist of 25 YouTube tips for teachers right here on my YouTube channel. Some highlights from the playlist are embedded below.

How to Create a YouTube Channel

How to Clip Sections of Your YouTube Videos

How to Find and Use the Embed Code for YouTube Videos

How to Timestamp Your YouTube Videos

How to Blur Faces and Objects in Your YouTube Videos

Three Things You Should Know How to Do With TinyURL

I’m not 100% certain of this, but I’d make a substantial wager that TinyURL was the first URL shortener I ever used. I know I was using it before I started this blog and that’s going on 16 years this year. The point being that TinyURL has been around a long time. It’s that longevity that contributes to it often being the first tool people think of when they need to shorten URLs.

Like all web tools that have been around for a long time, there are features of TinyURL that people overlook or simply forget about. Two of those features are the ability to create custom URLs that people can actually spell and the ability to generate QR codes for your URLs. Both of those things are demonstrated in the short video that is embedded below.

Video – How to Use TinyURL

Whether you use TinyURL to shorten links or you’re just clicking a TinyURL link, you should know how to preview where it’s directing you to without actually clicking on the link. Here’s a video overview of how to see what’s behind a TinyURL without actually clicking on the link.

Coming soon to Arno…

Feb. 1

Kinder JR

Golden Tray Award Recess 1:20

Parent Survey Opens

Feb. 2

Baby Garza shower 8:00

1st Grade JR

Garza Obs. 1:20

NWEA Rewards Assembly

PTA Meeting 6:00

Feb. 3

Safety Committee 9:30

Feb. 6

NWEA Goal Meetings per schedule below

Feb. 7

Teacher Data Day

Feb. 8

PBIS 8:00

NWEA Reward Recess

Feb. 9

Super Cougar Lunch 11:00

NWEA Reward Movie- Top 10

Feb. 13

District MTSS Meeting

Feb. 14

Happy Valentines Day

Ad Council 9:30

Parent/Staff Survey closes

Feb. 15

SIP meeting 8:00

Founders Day Dinner 6:00

Feb. 16

SEL, Reading, Math committee meetings 8:00

PTA Glow Dance at Arno

Feb. 17

NO School- Teacher PD

Feb. 20 and 21

No School- Winter Break

Feb. 23 

Report Card Committee

Feb. 24

Kinder to Ann Arbor Museum

PBIS Rewards

Feb. 27

5th grade departs for camp

Feb. 28

Kalis to U of M Dearborn

March 1

5th grade returns from camp

1st Grade to Henry Ford

New Mission/Vision

The Arno staff has created a new Mission (Why we are here) and Vision (where we want to be in 3 years) to set forth our path towards further academic excellence.  The Mission/Vision will be shared with all stakeholders in various ways so that everyone has a shared understanding of Arno’s future.

Arno Mission

Arno Elementary…inspiring students toward academic excellence.

ARNO VISION

Arno Elementary provides a supportive high quality academic experience to inspire all learners to achieve their personal best.

STAFF SURVEY

It is that time again, our annual staff survey will be active from Feb. 1-Feb 14 for staff, students, and parents.  We primarily use our survey results to inform the school improvement plan and take a careful look at things we may need to change.

We will once again only survey students in grades 3-5, and Carrie will help us out with that during their tech time.   Please see your staff link below, I would love to see lots of staff completing it, it should not take you long.

https://bit.ly/Arnostaffsurvey

Book Drive

The Olympics were awesome!

Thank you to Nicole Amonette and all of our volunteers-Sarah Kalis, Rachel Warneck, Ciera Zuke, Lindsay Garza, and Emilie Talamonti for organizing another awesome Olympics, back after the pandemic years.  Lots of family fun, ribbons and medals!

From the PTA

 Hello Cougar Families! Below are some upcoming events/reminders/news from your PTA:

February 2 is our next PTA meeting held in the Arno Media Center at 6pm.

February 15 is our Founder’s Day Awards Ceremony at Arnaldo’s in Riverview.

February 16 is our first ever GLOW DANCE! Flyer attached.

We are having another SPIRIT WEAR sale at the end of February! Keep your eyes out for the dates and link!

March 4 is the annual PTA/PTSA Spring Fever at the AP High School.

We are hosting a Game Night on March 16 and a Super U Assembly for all grades! Details to follow.

We had such awesome feedback regarding mother/son night that we are planning another night out at Rev’d Up Fun in Woodhaven in April! This time for the whole family! Details to follow.

REMINDER:  Daddy Daughter Dance has been scheduled for May 5 at the Grecian Center in Southgate. Details will be announced beginning of April.

Stay tuned for more exciting news/events/reminders from your PTA, and remember to check your emails and our Facebook page for information as well!

Thank you for your support! 

STUDENT GOALS

3-5- please remember to review and revise student goals with them to set their path for the next next trimester.  Ongoing feedback,in addition to a high effect size, is a critical part of maintaining and reaching their goal.  I will be once again sitting down with all partially proficient students, as well as those who were ID as rushing,  and checking in throughout as part of the process.

The dates are below, please send any student with their goals who landed in the partially proficient zone (NWEA predictor), and/or rushed through their test as indicated by NWEA.  Please start the time frame with sending 2 students down- then as one comes back, send the next.  The goal is to have another sit down, other than their teacher, to help them focus more on the importance of making their goals and how they can attain them.  

3rd grade- Feb. 1  9:-10:00

4th Grade- Feb. 1 10:15-11:15

5th Grade- Feb. 1  1:00-2:00

NWEA ASSEMBLY INFO

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

• NWEA Goal Assembly

• 1 grade level at a time in the gym.

• Location: Gym

• Time:

  • 3rd Grade: 9:30-10:00 pm

  • 4th Grade: 10:00-10:30pm

  • 5th Grade: 10:30-11:00pm

• Reward is given to students who reach their individual growth goal or the 50th percentile rit score for the Winter using the NWEA 2020 Norms. The reward is a certificate, charm, and an extra recess with Mr. Zielinski.

  • 3rd graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 194 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 200 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • 4th graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 203 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 207 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • 5th graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 209 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 212 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • Top Ten in each grade level. The ten highest scoring students in each grade level will earn the Top Ten reward. The reward is a movie with Mr. Zielinski.

• Teachers-Don’t forget to bring your certificates (Steve will give them to us to fill out) and charms.

• Students should wear their M-STEP necklaces to the assembly.

Founder’s Day Celebration

The annual Founder’s Day awards celebration takes place on Feb. 15 as our amazing winners get to shine!  Congratulations to all of our award winners this year- you represent the very best of our Arno Cougars!!

2022-23 PTA Founders Day Winners

Committee Updates

PBIS

1. Matrix
   1. Include digital citizenship?

1. Tier 2 interventions
   1. Identifying students (30)
   2. Recommendations to staff (re-send email to staff)

1. January Reward
2. Reward: directed drawing
3. Organizer: Emilie
4. Date: Friday, January 27, 2023
5. Flips: 6
6. Reminders:
7. February Reward
   1. Reward: School Wide Bingo (via Zoom with Steve)
   2. Organizer: Emilie
   3. Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
   4. Flips: 5
   5. Reminders: 

1. March Reward
   1. Reward: March Madness
   2. Organizer: Lisa
   3. Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
   4. Flips: 4

Smencil Update

1. 1. Sold $1300
   2. Thank you to Meaghan Bachman for selling on Wednesday afternoon!!
      1. Possibly ask Dena to take over selling

1. Clip/Flip Chart Alternative
   1. 1st grade is going to pilot a “behavior sign-in system”. 
      1. Using a teacher planner to document
      2. Will update on how it’s going

SIP

• Staff worked on Mission/Vision creation

• Team discussed physical movements initiative Inpact

• Team discussed attendance and ways we can reach families to raise our rate

Reading

-NWEA Slide to Megan

• K-2: All students
• 3-5: Students who reached their personal growth goal or the 50th percentile on the 2020 Norms for both Math and Reading.

-Cut Scores

• Use the NWEA 2020 Norms (50th Percentile) per Steve

-Tutoring?

• Yes. If possible, target third grade due to the Third Grade Reading Law.

-Review Monthly Edmentum Reading Challenge:

• 3rd grade won the October Challenge
  • 3rd Grade Reward: PJ Day
• 3rd grade won the November Challenge
  • 3rd Grade Reward: Extra Recess
• We added a new reward in November… 500 trophies. 5th grade had more than 500 trophies and received a reward.
• 5th grade won the December Challenge

-Study Island (continue?)

• Yes. We plan on inviting students who scored in the Partially Proficient range on the Winter Reading NWEA.
• Warneck-Third Graders

-MSTEP schedule came out

     Clap? Walk of Fame before the first day of ELA for 3rd, 4th, and 5th

     Shirts? Emailed Steve for a new possibility

     Snacks? Yes. If possible, all days of testing. 

MSTEP practice on .gov site:

https://www.michigan.gov/mde/services/student-assessment/m-step/parentstudent-information/online-practice-for-m-step-ela-math-science-and-social-studies

-Kindergarten has begun the Reading Eggs program. Steve used school funds to purchase.

Math

• The team discussed NWEA cut scores, math tutoring for bubble kiddos, and MStep prep
• Discussed math tutoring
• We also discussed Big Idea online platform and the musicals that go with some of the lessons
• The NWEA event slideshow was also a topic

SEL

Black History Month
● Continue the pacing calendar
● Continue the newsletter
● Continue the books to read, if you need books, ask Katie, she has moved them.
● Bulletin board near the cafeteria to be updated for BHM
NEW this month!
● New Broadcast Videos
● School wide scavenger hunt
○ Every class will receive a list of the historical figures that will be posted around
the building.
○ The goal is to find all historical figures and continue to talk about them as you find
them throughout the day. This could be waiting in line for music, etc.

Data Day

On Feb. 7 we will have our next Data Day.  We will be discussing the universal assessment round that was just given and any specific students we are very concerned with.  Please be sure that you JR/BAS scores are entered into Educlimber before this day.

The district MTSS meeting will follow on Feb. 13.  I am unsure if the team will want to walk around and observe again.

KINDERGARTEN 2023-2024 INFORMATION

SEL FEBRUARY FOCUS:

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. It is also the best opportunity for Arno Elementary students to have a more diverse look at the world and the history of our country, and confront important issues.

How to complete your SEL responsibilities:

• Review this month’s SEL newsletter on Black History.
• Incorporate learning about 1 famous African American in history/important vocabulary word DAILY (see included slides – copy and paste into your own documents) by playing video
• Looking for more information/details about historic African Americans? (Perhaps grades 3-5?) Check out the Slides Black History Person-a-Day – attached below!
• Review the important vocabulary included in the BHM slides, be thoughtful about classroom discussion, see included resources for help
• Choose books from the booklist to use in your daily or weekly instruction – check out the Black History Book Bin in the library!

GREAT RESOURCES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The following link will take you to a list of classroom and instructional resources relevant for MLK Jr and Black History Month.

https://www.resa.net/mlk

MLK Day and Black History Month

Tech Time

Physical Phonics Games

Create a Snowman Word Game

Earlier today when I picked up my daughter from preschool she proudly showed me the snowman artwork that she had made during art class. A picture of her artwork is the featured image of this blog post.

Seeing my daughter’s snowman art reminded me of the snowman word game template offered by Flippity. Flippity’s Snowman word game is a game in which students have to correctly guess the letters of a word in order to prevent their snowmen from melting. The template lets you make your own variation on the game with words and hints of your choosing. Your game can be shared with students via its assigned URL. Students don’t need accounts in order to play the games that you create. Here’s an overview of how to create your own online word games by using Flippity’s Snowman template.

ARNO FACEBOOK

“LIKE” us to see lots of great updates and photos from school!  Thank you for promoting this social media platform as a positive way to share the good news and great things happening at Arno!

HERE IS THE LINK!  

https://www.facebook.com/arnoelementary/

Coming soon to Arno…

January 9

Welcome Back! classes Resume

January 10

Ad council 9:30

January 12

PBIS Stations

Staff Meeting 7:45

Super Cougar Lunch

January 16

MLK Observed- No School

January 17

5th Grade BAS/JR

District CNA Meeting 9:00

January 18

SIP 8:00

District Reflections Celebration

Arno Reflections Celebration Ice Cream party

January 19

SEL 8:00

Reading/Math Comm. 8:00

4th and 5th grade to Center for the Arts 9:15

ALICE inside drill

PTA Mother/Son night 5:00-9:00

January 20

No School- Teacher PD

January 24

4th Grade BAS/JR

Steve @RESA

January 26

3rd Grade BAS

Cougar Cash Lunch  11:00

Arno Olympics 6:00

January 27

PBIS Rewards

January 30

2nd Grade JR

Feb. 1

Kinder JR

Feb. 2

1st Grade JR

NWEA Assembly grades 3-5 9:30

Garza Obs. 1:20

ARNO VISION

ARNO ELEMENTARY WILL PROVIDE A SYSTEM OF SUPPORT TO EMPOWER

AND INSPIRE STUDENTS TO BECOME COLLABORATIVE LEARNERS

THAT STRIVE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

MTSS

During our MTSS data meeting time, JT, Matt Sokol, and myself walked around observing small group work around the building, including reading paras.  We were all so impressed at the great things going on in Arno’s classrooms!  Our teaching staff was providing best practice strategies in small group from word work to vocab, to non-fiction reading!  Kudos to all of you on your in the area this year!

Assessments in January

January will be a busy month at Arno in the testing department.  Below are some dates to consider for testing.

JR/BAS testing subs/dates are set. This round of assessment would include only those students who are below grade level. 

Jan 17- Erin Higgins, Ciara Zuke, Lindsay Garza

Jan 24- Aaron Huntington, Emilie Talamonti, Megan Johnson

Jan 26- Rachel Warneck, Sarah Kalis, Renee Guyot

Jan 30- Megan Schultz, Nicole Amonette, Alex Cervantes

Feb 1- Tess Rennals (sub), Alyssa G(sub), Cassie Harrison

Feb 2- Barb Pushman, Dawn Watson, Julie Martinchick

NWEA– Jan 10-Jan. 27 Reading and Math

FAST- 

Reading: Jan. 12-25 (Beth will get a schedule to you)

Math: Post NWEA for the Bottom 30% in each grade

STUDENT GOALS

3-5- please remember to review and revise student goals with them to set their path for the next next trimester.  Ongoing feedback,in addition to a high effect size, is a critical part of maintaining and reaching their goal.  I will be once again sitting down with all partially proficient students, as well as those who were ID as rushing,  and checking in throughout as part of the process.

The dates are below, please send any student with their goals who landed in the partially proficient zone (NWEA predictor), and/or rushed through their test as indicated by NWEA.  Please start the time frame with sending 2 students down- then as one comes back, send the next.  The goal is to have another sit down, other than their teacher, to help them focus more on the importance of making their goals and how they can attain them.  

3rd grade- Feb. 1  9:-10:00

4th Grade- Feb. 1 10:15-11:15

5th Grade- Feb. 1  1:00-2:00

NWEA ASSEMBLY INFO

Thursday, February 2nd, 2023

• NWEA Goal Assembly

• 1 grade level at a time in the gym.

• Location: Gym

• Time:

  • 3rd Grade: 9:30-10:00 pm

  • 4th Grade: 10:00-10:30pm

  • 5th Grade: 10:30-11:00pm

• Reward is given to students who reach their individual growth goal or the 50th percentile rit score for the Winter using the NWEA 2020 Norms. The reward is a certificate, charm, and an extra recess with Mr. Zielinski.

  • 3rd graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 194 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 200 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • 4th graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 203 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 207 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • 5th graders who met their individual growth goal OR scored a 209 or higher on the Reading NWEA. (Winter Score of 212 or higher projects a passing MSTEP score)

  • Top Ten in each grade level. The ten highest scoring students in each grade level will earn the Top Ten reward. The reward is a movie with Mr. Zielinski.

• Teachers-Don’t forget to bring your certificates (Steve will give them to us to fill out) and charms.

• Students should wear their M-STEP necklaces to the assembly.

From the PTA

Happy New Year Cougar Families! And welcome back!  Below are some upcoming events/reminders from your PTA:

The PTA/PTSA will be hosting their annual Reflections Art Show January 18 at the AP Center of the Arts.  All those who entered the contest should be receiving an invitation from the council with further details.

We are proud to present to you Mother Son Night January 19 at Rev’d Up in Woodhaven! Please view the attached flyer for details and ticket info. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event AND for each person participating in the event!

February 2 is our next PTA meeting held in the Arno Media Center at 6pm.

February 15 is our Founder’s Day Awards Ceremony at Arnaldo’s in Riverview.

February 16 is our first ever GLOW DANCE! Details TBA later

**FYI – Daddy Daughter Dance has been moved to May 5 at the Grecian Center in Southgate. More details will be announced at a later date. But mark your calendars!**

Stay tuned for more exciting news/events from your PTA like Spring Fever Craft Show, Game Night, and another Spirit Wear sale!

Reflections Celebration

For those student that participated, the district celebration will be on Jan. 18, and we are doing our own sponsored by PTA (ice cream party) on Jan. 18

Building to Kindergarten Part 2

If you or someone you know has a child entering kindergarten in the fall of 2023, this would be a great event to come and learn how to prepare for kindergarten.  The event information is below:

Building Up to Kindergarten Part 2 (2)

ALICE DRILL

This month, on Jan. 19,  we will be conducting our second ALICE drill of the year.  During this drill, classes will be practicing HIDE OUT/KEEP OUT where students will find numerous places in the room to hide (not in one big group) and you will assist in showing the class how the Boot would be used if there was an intruder if needed.  This May we will be practicing GET OUT where the whole school will mock evacuate to our rendezvous point at the Presbyterian church on Park- which will just be a walk by. Some of these plans may need to be changed based on any new information or procedures that come out of

BOARD APPRECIATION

A big THANK YOU to our Allen Park Board of Education members during School Board Appreciation Month.  We are honored to have such a supportive Board of Education who keep the arts and education alive in Allen Park!

MLK RESOURCES

THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. FLIPHUNT

A fliphunt is a type of activity, designed by Kathi Kersznowski, that creates a scavenger hunt using the Flipgrid app. It is a fun way of having your students get out of their seats, participate in the learning, and demonstrate their understanding and application.

Use this fliphunt to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate what he stood for. For each response, use the Task Title hashtag as the title of your video. For each task, students have up to 90 seconds to share your response.

Exploring Civil Rights Online

• The Library of Congress shares a number of themed resources, including digital lesson plans for grades 6–12, links just for students, online exhibitions, and more.
• The U.S. National Archives offers a variety of primary sources, along with public-domain teaching activities. What’s more, the page and its resources are available in Spanish.
• iCivics organizes a number of digital lesson plans and drafting board activities in one place.
• Civil Rights Teaching includes a thematic presentation and lesson plans meant to help teachers conceptualize new ways of teaching about the impacts of the civil rights movement.
• Looking for a one-stop shop? Teaching American History has a complete toolkit to help you teach this important topic.

Additional Resources

Check out the educator resources page from the National Civil Rights Museum or scroll through Education World‘s list of essential civil rights videos. You can even see what other teachers are doing at Share My Lesson Plan.

 

AN ENGAGING DIGITAL BREAKOUT

Digital breakouts are an interactive way for students to explore any number of topics. The process involves using knowledge and reasoning to solve a series of clues that “unlock” digital locks, just as you might with a physical breakout box.

With this MLK-themed breakout, students can learn about Dr. King’s family and early life, his influences, and the achievements he gained over the course of his celebrated career. Give it a try yourself. You can find ourMLK Breakout here.

PRIMARY LESSON PLANS FROM SCHOLASTIC

Explore Scholastic’s How Do You Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This page has several real teachers sharing their favorite ways to honor the life and legacy of the civil rights leader. Geared for first, second, and third-grade students, the page includes craft projects, reading suggestions, posters and printables, and suggestions from other educators.

FREE PRINTABLE RESOURCES

Old-school printables are still valuable, and the internet provides endless opportunities to develop, share, and find handouts, worksheets, and other printables you may find useful in the classroom. Check out studenthandouts.com for free printable activities: biographic outline, crossword puzzle, geography map, word search, and more for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MLK VIDEOS

Looking for videos to show to your class? Check out these listed below.

The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by 88 brains

Martin Luther King Jr. by BrainPOP

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Biography for Kids by Educational Videos for Students

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Check out our list digital resources for teaching and learning about the U.S. civil rights movement here.

Tech Time

How to Create an Image Revealing Effect in Google Slides

About a week ago a reader reached to me to ask for a suggestion on how to create an image revealing effect without the use of proprietary interactive whiteboard software. My first thought was to give TinyTap a try because that platform does include a feature called “Houdini Mode” that can be used to hide or reveal things with just one tap. A tutorial on how that works can be seen here.

After giving it more thought, I realized that you can create image revealing effects by using the transition and animation settings in Google Slides. Basically, you layer one image over another and then arrange the transitions and animations so that the top image disappears when you click on your slides. I recorded a short video about how to do that. The video is embedded below.

Video – How to Create an Image Revealing Effect in Google Slides

Applications for Education
As I mentioned in the video, using the image revealing effect could be a good way to create a series of quiz game slides. On each slide you can have a question for which the answer is hidden until you click on the slide to reveal the answer. That could be a fun way to host to an in-classroom review game that is kind of like Jeopardy.

A Few New Search Tools from Google

Those of you who use Chrome as your primary web browser on your computer or phone, that’s 75% of all readers of FreeTech4Teachers.com according to my Google Analytics account, may notice a few new search tools the next time you update your browser.

Yesterday afternoon Google announced new search shortcuts for the Chrome address bar. These new shortcuts let you quickly search your tabs, bookmarks, and history. To do this you simply type “@tabs” or “@bookmarks” or “@history” followed by your search term to search within your tabs, bookmarks, or Chrome browser history.

The other new search feature that Google unveiled yesterday was an update to mobile search. Now when you conduct a search you’ll see some suggested search filters and topics based on your original search. This update is rolling out now to the Google Search Android and iOS apps as well as the mobile browser.

Applications for Education
The new shortcuts to search within your browser bookmarks and history could be helpful to students who have been conducting some long-term research and need to review or revisit some of their findings that they forgot to note earlier on. The new suggestions in mobile search could be helpful to students who need some assistance narrowing the scope of a priliminary search.