Welcome Back!!

Coming soon to Arno…

Aug, 27

Intervention Parapro interviews

Aug 28

Journey’s Training 8:00 Bennie

DNA updates (Steve) 9:00

Aug. 29

Medical Meetings

Ad council 1:30

Aug. 30

Welcome Back Breakfast at Arno 9:00

New Family tour 1:00 (Need Volunteers)

Aug. 31

Lunch Para meeting 1:00

Sept 3

Labor Day- No School

Sept 4

First Day of School

A.M. Classes only- DISMISSAL 11:30

Teacher PD in p.m.

Agenda for September 4 2018-1ugzmqm

Sept 5

Full day of school

Sept 6

PBIS stations

PTA Meeting 6:30

Sept 7

Fire Drill 10:00

And Beyond…

Sept 10

Mr. Peace Assembly 9:00

Sept 11

No events

Sept 12

PBIS Meeting 7:45

Sept 13

Meet the Teacher 6:30

Title I Annual Meeting 6:00

Sept 14

No events

Arno Vision

Arno Elementary will provide a system of support to empower

and inspire students to become collaborative learners

that strive for academic excellence

Meet the New Folks…

Staff Changes for 2018-2019

It is my pleasure to welcome Megan Johnson and Sara Bleau to Arno Elementary.  Sara will be filling our ECP preschool program and Megan will be joining our dynamic kindergarten team this year.  These teachers come to us with multiple experiences and bring with them the skills necessary to provide Arno students with an excellent education.  Please read  and  biography below for more on our new additions.

Also in a new role this year- Kim Dowd, former Parapro working with at-risk students at Arno, is now our new student advocate, joining Cathy Anderson in the office.  we are very excited to welcome Kim to this new role at Arno and congratulate her for her new position. You can also find out a little more about Kim below.

Mrs. Sara Bleau, ECP Classroom

Hello, my name is Sara Bleau, I am the new ECP teacher this year at Arno. I recently graduated from Baker College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. In addition to being a certified K-5 teacher, I have an early childhood special education endorsement. Prior to my student teaching at Arno I was a math interventionist for a neighboring school district. When I am not teaching I am most likely enjoying the great outdoors with my family. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be part of the Arno community! I am looking forward to building lasting relationships with my students and their families throughout the year!

Ms. Megan Johnson, Kindergarten

Hello! My name is Ms. Johnson, and this is my first year teaching at Arno Elementary. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education this past spring. I have been substitute teaching, volunteering, and coaching with Allen Park Schools for the past 7 years.  I enjoy helping students become successful learners and feel proud of their accomplishments.  I am excited to teach in the elementary school that I went to as a child.

Mrs. Kim Dowd, Student Advocate

Hi, my name is Kim Dowd and I’ve worked with children for several years throughout my Allen Park Schools career.  I have been a one on one aide to several different special needs children, had experience working in the PPI classroom as a parapro.  In 2012 I was became part of the Arno family working as an instructional aide. I’ve gotten to know and love all of the teachers/staff as well as the children and their families.  I’m not completely new to the office as I’ve enjoyed filling in when needed and look forward to seeing everyone this fall!

Thank you Cathy Gorski- We will miss you!

Cathy Gorski, although not retiring will be sorely missed here at Arno as Cathy takes on a new role as Reading Coach over at Lindemann Elementary.  Cathy has served Arno with distinction in her Title I program serving our at-risk youth.  Her efforts with our kids has made such a tremendous impact on their lives, and our building and we are proud to call her an Arno cougar.  We will miss you Mrs. Gorski- Good luck in your new role!

Thank you Mrs. Desjardins- We will miss you!

Michelle Desjardins, a fixture at Arno for over three decades, made her decision to retire this summer.  Michelle’s presence in our office was a comfort to our many students who needed assistance, a band-aid, or just needed someone to talk to.  She was such an asset to our whole staff, stepping in where needed, helping out a co-worker, or going out of her way to make someone’s day.  Her relationships with our staff, students, and parents will be missed!  Congratulations Mrs. Desjardins., we will always be proud to call you a Cougar forever!

NEW FAMILY OPEN HOUSE

Thursday, August 30, is our New Family Open House at 1:00 p.m.  At this time, our new Cougar families will be coming to check out our wonderful school.  If you are around and are able to help guide our new families as they check out our building, I would really appreciate it.  In the past, families have loved spending a little time with our great staff and learning all about Arno!  Please let me know if you think you’ll be able to help out so I can plan accordingly!

Journey’s Training

Please make every effort to attend the Journey’s training next week.  Although things may seem very scripted- learning how to join everything together as a cohesive program may need the expertise of those who know it best.  Even many of our pilot teachers are attending as they have important questions you may want to hear about implementation.  The training will take place at Bennie, 8:00-3:00 that day.  Let me know of any questions you have.

New Flex Assessment Creation in DNA

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gSx3Wza2JRIq7OImONtp5VWKlUXjK2Qe/view

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

NEW FOR THE 2018-19 SCHOOL YEAR

UPDATE MiSTAR PARENT CONNECTION – CONTACT INFORMATION

As our district continues to build towards more and more digital communications in the future, it is important that you take a moment to update your contact information in MiStar.  Under the “My Information” tab at the top right, you will now be able to update:

• Email address for parents/guardians
• Phone contacts for parents/guardians
• Primary phone number – “Under Student Demographics”

o   This is the phone number used for automated phone notifications. 

• Add Text Messaging

o   If you wish to receive text messages from the district, please select “SMS Cellular” as the “Telephone Type” for your primary phone number or other parent/guardian phone contacts.

• Emergency Contact Updates (Authorizing release of your student)

Info on Parent Connect from the district website:

You must have a PIN and Password to log into ParentConnection. ParentConnection is a web program that allows parents to view information about their child.
To receive a PIN and passwords for ParentConnection contact your child’s school.
If you have more than one account to view your children, please contact the school office.
Make sure to insert your email after logging into ParentConnection.  Inserting your email will allow you to access the automated password reminder system.

PBIS Beginning of the Year Stations and Follow-Up Activities

Thursday, September 6, 2018

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 Station

8:45a–Trionfi (1), Smalley (2), Kalis (3), Pushman (4), Watson (5)

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

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

11:50a–Haskin (1), Johnson (2), DiCarlo (3), Stanley (4), no station 5

1.Office Expectations

Staff: Cathy Anderson

Location: office

2. Assembly Expectations

Staff: Sandy Bennett

Location:  Gym

3. Bus Expectations

Staff: Steve Zielinski

Location: bus located in parking area

4. Cafeteria Expectations

Staff: Kristin Melidosian or Heather Manson

Location: Cafeteria

5. Hallway Expectations

Staff: Michele Sbonek

Location: hallway outside of Media Center/Computer Lab

**Not part of the last rotation.  This station is completed at 11:15a.**

Follow-Up Activities

~Posters for the hallway

~Individual positive messages

~Write about it in your journal

~Review classroom matrix and expectations

~Watch a PBIS video clip 

Remind

Please be sure that you have been added to my Remind account for any emergency contact needed.  Please enter 81010 and text this message @arnostaff to join our Remind group

Groupme

Please remember to make sure I either have your cell phone number, or an updated cell phone number to enter you into Groupme.  This is the service I can use in an emergency that will allow staff to communicate back and forth should it be necessary (different capabilities than Remind)

Flipped Staff Meeting

Please be sure that you view the flipped staff meeting so you are prepared with any question during the F2F staff meeting on Sept. 4.

by Kimberly Tyson, Ph. D.

Vocabulary and its strong relationship to comprehension has been verified over and over again. Vocabulary plays an important part in learning to read as well as reading to learn. We also know that increasing vocabulary knowledge plays a large part in overall school success and has a direct impact on comprehension.

Effective vocabulary instruction is a key foundation to helping students acquire a wide and diverse vocabulary. Students need both direct and indirect instruction in vocabulary and word meanings as well as multiple exposures to words. It is through multiple exposures and repetition that students begin to understand the nuances of words and how to use them when speaking and writing.

Additionally, active engagement helps students take part in the learning process and begin to “own” the words and understand word meaning in multiple contexts. Independent reading, intentional read alouds, and wide reading all encourage students long-term vocabulary development and growth.

Teachers need a variety of instructional strategies for teaching vocabulary. Unfortunately, there remains a gap between what we know are effective strategies and what often takes place in the classroom. In Building Background Knowledge, Bob Marzano laid out a six-step process for building academic vocabulary. It includes direct instruction, linguistic and nonlinguistic definitions, recording word learning in a notebook or journal, talking about words, and playing with words. Multiple exposures are at the heart of the process.

Vocabulary Instructional Strategies: Marzano’s 6-Step Process

The six-step process includes the following steps:

1. The teacher provides a description, explanation, or example of the term.
2. Linguistic definition – students restate the description, explanation, or example in their own words.
3. Nonlinguistic definition – students construct a picture, pictograph, symbolic representation, or act out the term.
4. The teacher extends and refines understanding of the word by engaging students in activities that help them add to their  knowledge of the terms in vocabulary notebooks.
5. Periodically ask students to discuss the terms with one another.
6. Involve students in games that enable them to play with the terms and reinforce word knowledge.

Add a Tech Twist to Marzano Six
Knowing that vocabulary provides essential background knowledge and connections to comprehension, one cannot overstate its importance. Dr. Robert Marzano’s research stresses that direct vocabulary instruction follow a six-step process. The technology tools mentioned below provide students opportunities to work with a word in each of the six, researched steps.

STEP 1: Explain
Provide students with a description, explanation, or example of the new term.

• Reveal photos and videos to introduce a new term. Search the site Pixabay for copyright friendly images and video clips.
• Convey kid-friendly definitions with stunning photographs from Inside Story Flashcards.
• Using QR Codes, create an audio clip of you pronouncing and defining a new term.

STEP 2: Restate
Ask students to restate the description, explanation, or example in their own words.

• Consider using free audio capture tools like AudioBoom and Quick Voice  when having students restate.
• Have students demonstrate their understanding of a term by adding meaning to music with the app Songify.

STEP 3: Show
Ask students to construct a visual representation of the term.

• The SketchpartyTV app is a Pictionary style game with the ability to create custom word banks for students to work on representations of terms.
• Give students a digital sketchpad to construct appealing visual representations. (Web Whiteboard works with computers and Paper 53 or Draw and Tell are apps for smart devices.)
• Faces I Make is an app that enables students to create visuals with real life objects similar to illustrations in the book My Dog is as Smelly as Dirty Socks.
• Students can snap photos of visual representations and create a virtual picture collage using Pic Collage (app) or Canva (computer).

STEP 4: Develop
Engage students in independent activities that help them add to their knowledge of the terms.

• Consider having a digital vocabulary notebook for students to compile vocabulary knowledge throughout the year.
• Breakdown parts of words with the Roots to Words app.

STEP 5: Refine
Ask students to discuss the terms with one another, further deepening their understanding.

• Today’s Meet, Padlet and Google Docs provide opportunities for peers to engage in online discussions about vocabulary. These may include brainstorming new examples or applications of the word, noting similarities or differences to other terms, and sharing tips and tricks to avoid common confusions.
• Teachers can moderate ensuring the discussions go beyond the surface to truly deepen meaning. Incorporating a rubric is another way to let students know upfront expectations of online discussions.

STEP 6: Play
Involve students periodically in games that enable them to play with terms.

• Quizizz and Kahoot are effective tools to integrate for whole class vocabulary practice. Teachers can start by creating one , then kick it up a notch by having students create the reviews for the class. Check out these vocabulary examples of Kahoot and Quizizz to generate ideas for your classroom.

Room Configuration

In order to address the need for student collaboration as part of best practice/turn and talk- please make sure you have students set up in table groups as opposed to rows.  This will continually give you the ability to facilitate collaboration within your room.

MATERIALS

All material orders have arrived and have been delivered to your grade level.  If you feel as though you are missing something that was ordered, please let Cathy know.

Teacher Professional Development Dates

This year, the district calendar reflects 7 half-days of teacher PD plus 1 Full day that is required by the state.  Those half-day PD dates feature no school in the afternoon, 11:40 dismissal.  The dates for this school year are as follows:

10/5, 10/31, 11/20, 12/14, 1/21 (FULL DAY), 2/15, 3/08, and 3/29

Tech Time