Feb. 22

 Coming up at Arno…

Feb. 22

Jensen mid-year 9:30

SIP chair meeting full p.m. (Sarah, Carrie, Steve)

Feb. 23

Data Day per schedule

SIP meeting 3:45-4:45

Feb.24

Illuminate training Riley 9:30

Founders Day Banquet 6:00

Feb. 25

Principal’s Meeting 9:00

Sbonek mid-year 3:00

K registration @Riley 4-7

Skating Party 6:00

Feb. 26

Yeah mid-year 12:50

1st grade mid-year 1:45

 

Is that Pie in your face??

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 M-STEP Prep and Discussion 

On March 2, I will be hosting an M-STEP review of what will be required and latest updates from the state.  We will take the practice test, talk about the tools the kids need to know, and the content.  We will also take a look at some of the other resources that need to be practiced weekly at this point.  I am offering a session from 7:30-8:30 OR 3:30-4:00.  If you are in grades 3-5, please try and attend- all our welcome as we all have a hand in the M-STEP.

 

 

 

February 23 is our upcoming data day.  We will follow the same schedule and cover your 2nd common assessment, talk M-STEP, and look at reading.

8:45-9:30 Grade 3

9:-35-10:15 Grade 5

10:20-11:05 Grade 2

11:10-11:55 Grade 4

12:45-1:30 Grade 1

1:45-2:30 Grade K

Retention

Now that we are heading towards the end of the year, the issue of possible retention for some students has surfaced.  As many of you may have heard, research indicates that retention is not a viable strategy.  Meeting to put in place a structured intervention plan for the following school year, in the next grade level, aligns more with our MTSS plans and helping students succeed, not to mention the social-emotional benefits of remains with your classmates.  That said, I will certainly sit with all of you and review your thoughts on students that may be on the bubble, but there will need to be enough data evidence and lack of progress to show that retention would be of benefit, beyond an intense intervention plan.   Please see me as we go through the next few months to review any students you strongly feel should be retained.

Some research:

http://educationbythenumbers.org/content/new-research-failing-students_2034/

http://intranet.niacc.edu/pres_copy(1)/ILC/The_Retention_Debate.pdf

http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_199005_shepard.pdf

 

Mid-Year Review

As we make our way into February, I will need everyone to set up a time with me to go over the mid-year review in relation to your goals you wrote in the fall.  Please review the docs below and arrange a time to meet me with Feb 29 being the end date for all to be complete.

MidTerm Evaluation Checklist 2014-15

Mid-Year Evaluation Reflection 2014-15-2

Walkthrough obs will resume in March with full completion of the cycle by May

 

March is Reading Month 2016 Teacher Information

THEME: “Star Wars… In A Galaxy Far Far Away… We Read!”

February 29-March 21

Listed below are numerous activities that we are incorporating to encourage students to read during the month of March. This year, we are not “bribing” students with an over-the-top prize. We are simply encouraging the love of reading!

 The activities will run from Feb. 29-March 21 due to 5th grade camp and Spring Break.

 Weekly Time Sheets/Reading Activities– Each student will be given a Star Wars cut-out to be posted outside each classroom. Each week, time sheets will be sent home to record their reading. Recommended reading time per grades:  

Grades K-2 – 80 minutes per week

Grades 3-5 – 100 minutes per week

 Time sheets must be returned on Monday, March 7th, 14th, and 21st. Once the student hands in their time sheets with the recommended reading time, they will get a sticker on their cut-out, as well as:

Week 1:  (March 7th) Sticker and Star Wars Pencil

Week 2: (March 14th) Sticker and a Star Wars Book Mark

Week 3: (March 21st) Sticker and a Flying Saucer (Krispy Kreme donut)

 Wednesday, February 24th – An informational letter will be sent home to families explaining activities for March is Reading Month.

KICK OFF ACTIVITIES:  February 29th – Star Wars Theme Music on Broadcast, Book Raffles, Door Decorating Contest, and Class Poster Contest  

Decorate Classroom Door – Please have your students decorate your classroom door to represent Star Wars or a Space theme. The door judging will take place on Wednesday, March 2nd.

Class Poster Contest – Each class will create 2 informational posters to display around the school. The posters can be based on a Star Wars/Space theme or an informational poster your class created. Please include your class name on the front of the poster.

Wear It Wednesdays – Every Wednesday during March is “Wear it Wednesdays!”    Wed., March 2nd – Wear a hat with words on it

Wed., March 9th – Wear a t-shirt with words or a phrase on it

Wed., March 16th – “Be a word” day! Wear a word pinned to the front of your shirt. Pin the definition on the back.

Friday, March 4th – Student Book Exchange (See upcoming link to sign-up)

Friday, March 4th – Bingo for Books

Fun-Fridays reading activities planned

March 4 – Dress for Space/Star Wars: Wear clothing to school that depicts your favorite Star Wars Character or Space Character and bring in your favorite Star Wars/Space book. No masks please.

March 11 – Light Saber: Bring a flashlight and your favorite book to school.

Unplugged Night, Wednesday, March 9th – We are encouraging students to turn off the TV and turn on their reading.

Penny War – Tuesday – Thursday, March 7th -10th – 8:35-8:50 – All proceeds will help provide books to our classrooms. A parent in Rachel’s room will help organize this.

“I Was Caught Reading Display” There will be a display outside the media doors. If you “catch” a student reading or their parents “catch” them, snap a photo and hang it on the display outside the media doors.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:45-9:10 School-wide DEAR

(Drop Everything and Read) March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, and 17. Silent reading for all.

Guest Readers – If interested, let Colleen know, and she will try to arrange a guest reader for your room.

Teacher Reading Swap – Sign up with Renee to “swap” with a teacher and read

to another class while someone reads to your class. You can sign-up multiple times.

Monday, March 21st – Culmination-Read a Thon – Kids can wear their pajamas and bring in their favorite books/magazines. Flying Saucers (Krispy Kreme donuts) will be given out to each child.

Thursday, March 24th – Author visit from Paul Orshoski.

 Happy Reading! Thank you for helping to make this month a great success!

If you have any questions, please ask.

 

 

Texas Roadhouse Fundraiser K-4

Please review the timeline below for the fundraiser that just ended.  All forms and monies are due to the office by Feb. 19.  Checks may be made out to Arno

February 19 All money due

February 29- March 4 Come to Arno to pick up your voucher

March 7-March 18 Window to pick up rolls at the restaurant.  Your voucher will specify the date

2016-17 KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION

February is Kindergarten Registration Month in Allen Park!

Allen Park Public Schools is ready to welcome your child for Kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year! The process is easy and we’re here to help.

Please share this information with friends, neighbors and family members who may have a child ready for Kindergarten next fall. Whether this is your first child attending school, or you live in the district and already have a child attending APPS, or already have a child attending APPS through our School of Choice Program, we need you to enroll your school age/younger siblings through our registration process.

*The entry age for Kindergarten for the 2016-17 school year – child must be five years of age by September 1, 2016. NOTE: All incoming Kindergarten students will be screened after Kindergarten Round Up. Placement recommendations will be made for students with early birthdates for Young 5s Program or Kindergarten based on screening indicators.

Kindergarten enrollment takes place at the Riley Education Center, 9601 Vine, AllenPark, Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 a.m. –3:30 p.m. (Office closed February 15 & 16)

Please bring:

• Birth Certificate of Child
• Driver’s License of Parent/Legal Guardian (for ID purposes)
• Proof of residency (Warranty Deed/closing statement, tax or utility bill, homeowner’s insurance policy, rental agreement)
• Current School of Choice Families – Name/grade of student currently enrolled in Allen Park Public Schools
• Immunization Records or Wayne County Health Department Waiver (Required for enrollment)
• Health Information Form/Physical (Required for entrance, but not required at time of enrollment)
• Vision Screening Record (Required for Kindergarten enrollment)

As a convenience to our families, APPS will host evening hours for Kindergarten enrollment on Thursday, February 25 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Riley Education Center. Please bring items mentioned above.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.apps.k12.mi.us or call (313) 827-2105.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP

at Arno, Bennie and Lindemann Elementary

MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.

*Children who are five years of age by September 2 thru December 1 may only be enrolled for kindergarten at the request of the parent/guardian through a signed waiver process. Waiver form is available at the Riley Education Center.

 

 

Please be sure that I have your grade level order for scholastic by Feb. 26.  I’ll submit when I have all of them.

 

Have a spectacular weekend