Coming soon to Arno…
December 7
IEP’s Sbonek
Steve out
December 8
Smalley X-Mas 10:30
MTSS Site visit to Livonia- Lisa, Jennifer, Steve 12:00
December 9
Guyot X-Mas 10:00
Schultz X-Mas 12:15
PBIS meeting 3:45
December 10
Kiwanis Dictionary visit to all 3rd grade rooms 9:00 start
District Safety committee 10:00
Staff Christmas Luncheon from Liberatis (Gym) 11:00 (special lunch schedule for the day)
5th Grade Band Concert 7:00
December 11
3rd Grade Metro Parks in Media Center
PTA Family Caring Night 6:00
Data Day Take Aways
I want to thank everyone for their rich dialogue on our data day this week. Some take-aways for me:
- I was very impressed with the data charts that were being used. It was very clear to me that you created the means to identify strengths and weaknesses of all students in your classroom, as well as your grade level.
- There was a need to ensure we use review questions (Q1 questions) along with the Q 2 test- that could be done on a separate day and cold use recycled questions. The important idea there is that we need to make sure the students are able to retain the skills throughout the whole year, and we must assess that to know.
- Some of our dialogue also pointed to the necessity to include higher level questioning into our practice. There was an indication that students were able to grasp a simple concept, but may not be able to take it to the next higher level of application. All Questioning flip books were passed out, use those as a quick guide for lit discussion, math, science, ss- infuse them where you can but be consistent in getting our kids use to higher level thinking.
- We had a lot of great thoughts on “What’s next” in terms of intervention. Beyond the thought of what we are doing or planning- we simply must be sure we are taking the data and making changes/interventions because of the story it tells us. Remember- if the students must know these standards to be successful next school year, then we must use the data to help us intervene with those who are struggling in those standard areas. Let me know how I can be of assistance
Arno Christmas Sing-A-Long
Get ready to fa la la la this December as Jeff Skebo has put together a wonderful Christmas sing-a-long down in the gym on December 18th . We are going to pack the whole building in to have some yuletide fun!
December 18 @9:30 in the gym
Math Mania
Thank to Sarah for providing staff the information on getting started with Math Mania, a connected strategy to the SIP. From Sarah:
The goal for this school improvement effort is simple: math fact fluency.
Holiday Giving
December brings around a wonderful time of year. Unfortunately, many people do not have the ability to enjoy the season as much as others.
To make things a little bit easier for some families, we will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Christine Food Bank/Soup Kitchen. The food bank provides non-perishable goods to families to help stretch their grocery budget. The soup kitchen provides hot meals to school children that might not get one during the week. The kid favorite…Spaghetti-o’s
Arno school families have always been generous in the past. We are asking for donations of food to help brighten the holiday season for others.
In the spirit of sharing holiday warmth, we will also be collecting new, warm outerwear like hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves to share.
We will begin our collection on Monday, Nov. 30 through Wed. December 15. Your donation can be put in boxes that will be available aess.
We hope that you can join us in this holiday tradition!
Coffee Break Reminder
Just a reminder, if you have yet signed up for your free 30 minute prep so I can come in and read Christmas stories, please contact me and let me know what works.
Christmas Luncheon
Please remember to come hungry on Thursday this week. We will be having our holiday lunch in the gym starting at 11:00 for some, 11:10 for the rest. Schedule for lunch that day is below:
11:00-11:30 K-1 Eat first
11:30-12:00 K-1 Recess
11:00-11:30 2-3 Recess
11:30-12:00 2-3 Eat in classrooms
11:10-11:40 4-5 Recess
11:40-12:10 4-5 Eat
** Only second and third grade are eating in the classroom
Snow Policy (As shared in the parent blog)
As we have already been hit with one snowstorm, more is always on its way. As far as snow goes at Arno, please read the following:
1. As long as our play areas have been treated, we will continue to go out throughout the winter (as long as the wind chill/temp isn’t too low).
2. Students who wish to be in the snow should at a minimum be in boots and protective leg wear to keep them dry. This prevents large amounts of students from needing a clothing change, and missing class time. Students who are not wearing protective covering for the snow will be required to stay out of the snow for recess.
3. Snow stays on the ground. Please talk with your child about the dangers of throwing snowballs, which can sometimes contain ice. Students are free to build a snowman or snow fort, etc., things that keep the snow on the ground.
All of these rules apply before/after school, bus stop to walking home, and recess.
Third Grade Fur Trading
Just in time to help keep warm, our adventurous third graders wrote on fur traders, complete with their own creative version of a fur trader.
Kindergarten Thanksgiving Community Project
Thanks to all of our Pilgrims, Turkeys, Indians, and Parents for making the Thanksgiving placemat project a big success!
DOK
Please take a look at the document that shows how Depth of Knowledge and it compares/line-up to Bloom’s Taxonomy. This is the critical thinking that has to prepare students for future college and career, as well as state testing on the CORE. The Cognitive Questioning flip books are in and I will get something together soon so that we can start using more higher level questioning in the classroom. If you would like your flip book early, just let me know. Here is the link to the chart: http://www.missionliteracy.com/uploads/3/1/5/8/3158234/dok_ocean_ela_copy.pdf
PTA Reflections Tea
What an awesome evening we spent with some of Arno’s talented students honoring their entries into the PTA Reflections contest on Monday. This year’s theme was “Let Your Imagination Fly” and as you can from some of that night’s pictures, our students reached for the stars. The next step is to give awards to some of the entries, which will then go on to a state competition,. Congratulations to all of our Arno students who entered- you’re all superstars!
Anna Watson, Ava Berkebile, Ben Klos, Gerry Klos, Cooper Obrycki, Elizabeth Lesatz, Ella Elliott, Gracyn Gartside, Hailey Rose, Isabella Garrison, Jeran Moody, Juan Vega, Julia Schroeder, Madeline Every, Meadow Stewart, Peter Lenart, Phoebe Elliott, Selena Swidan, and Victoria Koziel. Special thanks to Mrs. Emilia Vega and Mrs. Dawn Watson for organizing the our Reflection Tea!
PBIS Rewards Pay Off
Monday marked another PBIS rewards day for the month of November, awarding those who displayed good behavior and good work habits with a dance party down in the cafeteria. The students had a great time and we are all looking forward to December’s reward!
Consumers Energy Grant for Kindergarten
A huge thank you to Mrs. Julie Hegedus for securing a $250 grant from Consumers Energy which will be going to our Kindergarten to use on technology for the classroom. On behalf of Arno, thank you Mrs. Hegedus for your donation to our kindergarten program.