#memspachat Archive
A chat for Principals, Administrators & Lead Educators. Come join the Collaboration and Learning THURSDAY'S at 8pm ET.
Thursday February 25, 2016
8:27 PM EST
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right fricking on!!!!! You go girl!
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Okay friends, time for a marbles game with the family before bed. Thanks 4 inspiration to make SI come alive and be meaningful!
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Q3: When do you start preparing to March is Reading Month, and how do you arrive at your school theme / activities / events?
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A2) District PD days when staff has minds on vacations!
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A2b Refuse to make yearly overhauls of your plan, use time in successive years to deepen and analyze...not create anew
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A3 Not soon enough this year! Usually in January I send out a contest to students. Anyone who wants to participate can...
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A2b.365 school calendar?
Trying to use every moment of time we can to get Ts together to talk and plan. Make meetings meaningful
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A3 cont they write a persuasive essay (or sentence or two) on what I should do or there reward should be. Best one wins!
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A3- 100% by committee - not involved except for the "special rewards" that come my way and I do anything but ice cream on head
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A3: I love March is reading month, but I want EVERY month to be reading month at Carleton.
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A3: I ask Teacher's to volunteer and meet before school a couple times. They do 99%. Parents help a bunch with event help!
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A3: We start in the fall choosing a theme. This year is Pirate Theme (Surprise Surprise!) "Treasure a good book"
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A3: We've downplayed MisRM. Instilling reading takes place all year. Limits time needed on artificial activities.
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A3 I have an amazing Reading Intervention teacher that works daily at making it come alive as she says
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A3: student council plans the whole thing. We usually have it locked in before Christmas break.
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A3: We are rocking a March Madness PBIS and reading challenge! Started planning in January!
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I can't keep up tonight!!
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A3. We start about a month ahead and combine Reading Month traditions and add somenew things every year!
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best advice I ever got...It gives new meaning to brain freeze - everything else - in - I've camped on building roof
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A3b: I think March is Reading Month is my favorite time of the year!!
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This year's theme was based of an assembly that was booked in Sep."Wild About Reading"!
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Same at Harvest. Focus on an author visit and weekly mystery books but rest happens throughout the year.
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A3 We start in January b/c its book month. Perforate classroom doors for past 2 yrs w/ book/rdg theme. Rdg comm plans for March.
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A3: Brainstormed ideas in August. Committee of interested staff finalized plans in Jan. One School, One Book title drives theme.
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A3: A group of teacher leaders gather, share, plan and implement.
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A3 at the beginning of the year, but final details came together at the end of Jan and a few weeks ago! We are WILD ABOUT BOOKS!
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A3:Beg. of Feb! Aligned with March Book Fair theme.It's going to be a blast! Door dec.contest, monthly school goals,family night
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Yes you are getting called out. Tweet with the hash tag. On Q3
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Good stuff here! sorry it took me so long to join in.
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A3 does anyone do anything that has some 'meat' to it that helps/engages kids in reading?
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A3 I'm arriving at the assembly dressed up as one of our teachers (6'5 and bald) and ending March by cutting 8in of my hair offπ
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A3: This year we opted to do small reading events all year- rather than one BIG month- nice to change it up.
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A3 We start in January b/c its book month. Decorate classroom doors for past 2 yrs w/ book/rdg theme. Rdg comm plans for March.
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A3 We start in January b/c its book month. Perforate classroom doors for past 2 yrs w/ book/rdg theme. Rdg comm plans for March.
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A3: This is an area that our librarian shows her leadership. Lots of good things that include Ss, Ps and Ts!
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A3: Our PTA &media spec. plan centered around a theme. My favorite is our "Grand" event where grandparents come in to read.
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πI make my pro wrestling debut this Sunday come check us out. Great school assembly too. π https://t.co/fy1I18pgIb
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We are going to be looking at a Math month for next year. why should reading be the only subject to get attention?
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We are going to be looking at a Math month for next year. why should reading be the only subject to get attention?
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A3. Not just in March, classroom libraries and student choice about reading. Utilize high interest YA fiction in older grades
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our Math Night (yes, just a night) is my favorite night of the year!
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A3: Theme planned year before by staff vote. Ts sign up for MRM "jobs". PTAC helps 2! School looks GREAT for K registration
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Love the idea! Be sure to share out when you do, would love to get some ideas for our school!
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Couldn't agree more https://t.co/WSL1cdRwGg
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A3: I love March is reading month, but I want EVERY month to be reading month at Carleton.
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We started making AR a bigger emphasis with weekly winners and some other small things and the kids are reading like crazy!
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A3b I π reading month- not just for reading, but staff can have fun w Ss; it builds culture/community
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6th graders have teams in their ELA classes & do "Battle of the Books" to create competition and sense of team.
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Q3: We are doing "Camp Read-A-Lot" Tents, fake fires for reading, smores, and camp sites with reading / camp activities
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Will do. Still early in the process.
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QUESTION 4 is creeping up on you... Here it comes on ...
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Q4: What tech tool would you like to plan to implement more in your building? Why, and whatβs your plan for implementation?
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A4 I really love and would love to have it school-wide. Right now it's mostly my MS ELA, but would love K-8.
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Why stop there pick science too! Cranbrook has awesome science on the go & RESA has a kit too!@BillK76
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I do my best to work "what are you reading" into every conversation with a student.
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A4. Not more, but better.. MobyMax has lots of potential just need to develop how we want to use it.
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A4: We do our phonics on iBooks we created. I would love to see this for all curriculum. The kids growth & love is amazing.
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A4: Trying to reach 100+ intervention families w/ Remind w/ my blog link. My goal is to reach out more w/how to help at home
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A4: SeeSaw. Some of my teachers use it now. One shared how a principal uses it building wide. Need to work on how to implement.
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A4: Twitter. Collaboration, Learning, and Celebrating what we do. Plan...I want it to be more organic with staff. TBD
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A4: Chromebooks. Ss in grades 3-5 using Google accounts and Ts in grades 4/5 using Google Classroom. Grant, crowd funding, PTO?
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Pluckers, Kahoot, Clickers - any formative assessment tool that can get students involved and inform instruction.
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A4 computer adaptive programs that S's use and intervention T's use data to organize very fluid skill based groups
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You r exactly right! As a 2nd year principal, I found great value in T Whitaker's recent article from MEMSPA.
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A4: not so much a tech tool, but I want our kids coding. My son does w/ and it's awesome!
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Yes...my Ts want more of them as they are always checked out!
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A4: Apple TVs in every classroom. Doc cameras not meeting our needs but a good start! Need Ss interaction anywhere in the room
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We show these tools in our staff meetings, encourage their use.
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A4 - I want to have staff PD one evening in a twitter chat on school hashtag - still some resisters though
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Looking to start a school twitter, for students, staff and parents.
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Hey - has great tech ideas. Follow him and connect! Also, check in with
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Start with what you've got...
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we run book studies with Twitter to get more teachers to read
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A4: Would love to see Twitter used by staff as a collaboration tool. They are rocking it with Class Dojo for P communication
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A4: Anything...our district is so behind getting tech into our classrooms.
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A4: District PD on Twitter w/ ! Getting everyone on board!! Spread the joy and positivity about what's happening!
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For sure - working with tech teacher and ISD tech to build effective plan - sometimes rocks need water -
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ePortfolio of S work. I have K-2 Ts & Ss use it. One K T used today to interact with Ss on snowday.
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A4: Google Classroom. Planning after-school sessions to staff to learn more. Want to use it for PD & staff mtgs.
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A4. just starting 2 have students video tape steps to math lessons & add to the newsletters for parents
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Amazing flowers can grow in the cracks -
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Yes...I so want to do this to!! Trying to get it going!
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We are looking at more tech/software for our MTSS interventions
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For a look at what an organic T/P twitter chat looks like, check out at 9pm with their Ts
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Q5: When you start planning scheduling / classes for next school year and who is involved in this process?
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We have a science night each year. PTO organizes & brings in various presentations & activities.
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got one but not for student devices. Ugh!
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They can...fertilize and water the flowers around them and they will spread seed that grow out of the rocks
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A5 We start planning in January. Business manager, priest, office manager, School Advisory all involved in the process.
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A4: just remember tech is only as good as the individuals using it. Build in training for staff or it fails
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Exactly Molly - those are the ones we need to get watered!
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A5 Tomorrow and all administration and central office
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A4 I'm Hesitant on more tech- I've seen expensive things turn into electronic dittos w no impact on learning-open 2 suggestions!
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Q5: Schedules come from top down but I include everyone once I know what our restrictions are for the next year.
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A5. Very soon and all district admin.
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A5: Solidifying our master schedule now with counselors. New classes or options will include conversations with Ts.
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Q5: Classes and class lists...every one collaborates to make the best mesh of kids we can get for success.
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A5: Start now. First admin # of sections. Seek parent info in March, teacher input in April. Build May/June & final in July
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A5: Again...look at your schedule, it will tell you what you value. Stuff you can't work around but plan for what you want
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A4b I did just learn about Google classroom though- that is something I can't WAIT for my teachers to see!
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Can't wait for wireless upgrades!Coming soon!
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A5: SIT and input from all staff.
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Teachers help create classes for next year by sorting students. Thats a team process!
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Just started and everyone is involved. T's are looking to innovate and do something new. Hard 2 explain in 1 tweet.
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A5 - parent requests written by spring break. I do initial list then hand it to grade-levels to make them best they can be
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Our schedule starts with a lot of conversations. I hear from as many people as I can.
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A5:I can only speak to student placement.Done at end of May.Grade levels place above and below and have time to meet together
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A5: April. Grade levels meet w/ me, Dean of Students & counselor to make lists for following grade/year.
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Q5: Being told to make a master schedule overhaul next year - could get interesting! Making lemonade outta lemons!
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A5 central office gives the allocation, teachers submit requests and teachers help with placement
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A5: We have a team that represents primary and upper Elem, special area and special ed. Ts share their input throughout.
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QUESTION 6 coming up on ... Great job everyone!
Just 2 questions left "The 'Principals' of Planning"
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Grades/Behaviors/Parent Request/Gender
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Q6: Whatβs the biggest βhurdleβ of the school year in which you plan for, & how do you plan accordingly to jump this hurdle?
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A5: Decide whats important. 90 min ELA/60 min Math/55 min prep/ 30 min WIN. Sit with T from each GL. Project on wall. Adjust.
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Q5: Class lists are made at grade levels - look at all data - Ss names' on magnets and let the sorting begin!
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, We have teachers create class groupings- no perfect system- but shared ownership helps.
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It's been a slow process...I have a couple of Ts on board, but hoping for more. Admin have been joining in!
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A6: One early mentor of mine told me to plan for 3 moments each year that could derail or propel. Let no crisis go to waste.
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Agree, although sometimes even with all the planning elem class lists are never balanced
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A6: Now! Need changes to day schedule to give back time to Ts. Do we need to change some services?
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A5 transparent w/All staff involved;Few parent requests- try to honor if for the right reasons; we work on it closer to May
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A6 Insureing Ts have as much uninterrupted time with Ss yet still devote time for Ss to work 1-on-1 with intervention Ts
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A6 cont: Meet w/ T teams & seek feedback on how we ensure success if we change. Exciting work we taking on to be "Future Ready"
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A6:Drop in student reading levels bc summer loss.Keep educating families,summer rdg program,rdg to kids this summer is our goal
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In middle schools the various transitions in and out. And March the discipline spike!
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A6 - behavior post spring break - I teach ss behavior every Tuesday -they mess up, learning happens.
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A6: Getting info to teachers on how to work interventions. Working with students who "just aren't getting it"
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A6: Teacher obs & walk-throughs spaced out so it's somewhat evenly spaced for true ongoing feedback. Sometimes, hurdle trips me!
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A6: Schedules and class lists ready to start the year. We start in the spring and set early deadlines for all involved.
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Q6: The amount of Ss that move in and out. We work together to make sure the move ins feel extremely comfortable for success.
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A6. Meeting needs of every child! Getting to know students& continually reviewing data & tweaking plan
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A6: Curriculum Night, Kindergarten/Y5 Open House, Summer Carnival and Fifth Grade Promotion
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A6: Evaluation Time is challenging for me. Not crazy about Eval Process. Prep with lots of room visits & relationship building
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Fourth grade is our oldest - great group, so I've got my fingers xed - They've had respect circles for two year
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LAST ONE!
Q7: Letβs plan aheadβ¦ Where do you plan to see yourself, or your building, in 5 years into the future?
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A6: M-STEP testing. Prep Ts, Ss, and Ps beginning in March. Finish teacher evals. and SI plan before then. Be ready to support.
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A6: Continue to feed, develop, challenge, & support teachers in their craft.
Be the lead learner-share.
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We've seen huge decrease too.
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A6:Getting past the feeling that decisons from above are all re-active and not pro-active
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A7. Being the best we can be! Great school culture that helps everyone succeed. And we have some fun!
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Thank you for calling it 5th grade promotion!
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A6 MTSS! Plan calendar of data/interv. meetings @ beginning of yr, clear protocol, process & system, and non-stop PDSA
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A7: regardless of where I am, always plan to make a positive impact on all I come in contact with!
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A7: Truth. Future Ready, not assessment driven (still data driven). Learning deeply driven by S interests.
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A7 Myself: Hopefully w/an advanced degree; Building: Increased level of S proficiency that is maintained
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A7 - Thrilled my daughter will be my last child in my building in her last year in my building in 6 years. I'll be there rockin!
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A7: I hope to be doing the job of love the most (Elem Principal) and ALL my students being successful!
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Which program is right for YOU at Oakland University School of Ed?
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A7. Making a difference!!!!!πππ
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No better committment to me than being principal at my children's building!
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A7: My dream in 5 years (a big one) would be to rid the grade level system...but I will stay positive & do what's best for kids.
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A7: Best Middle School in America---Relationships, T&L, Behavior, Middle School Experience. Leader in learning spaces.
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A7:Hoping I'm Blessed to be in admin.making an AMAZING difference for Ts, and Ss by bldg a culture of empowerment and success
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Those were the BEST years when my kids were down the hall from me...what a gift! https://t.co/kF44yAZ8Jo
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A7 - Thrilled my daughter will be my last child in my building in her last year in my building in 6 years. I'll be there rockin!
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Thanks for leading a very informative chat! I enjoyed this very much. Hope to see you all next week.
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A7: Hoping I continue to be blessed to support building the capacity of amazing leaders like all of you!
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Great job by everyone on tonight!
Thanks for joining.
Don't forget to join us next week, Thursday at 8pm. -- Tell a friend
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A7: I hope to still be at it with permission to individualize for student needs not state demands.
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Another one in the books Great job as always!
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Two down one to go! Wouldn't change it for anything!
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This is a great "thought-provoking question for all of our staff members"!
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This is a great "thought-provoking question for all of our staff members"!
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Looking for a multiplayer way to teach and practice basic addition skills? Download Snowman Bump! https://t.co/8ArDF84K5e
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Thanks
Job well done once again!
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A7: Making a difference β€οΈ
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Enjoy the weekend!!! πππ
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Thanks to the MEMSPA-Squad and for another high-quality chat.
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So happy to be back...mad love for these chats. I will reflect tomorrow as we have another snow day.
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Rocking Mike D! Thanks for a great end to a snow day!
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Thank you everyone for a great chat.
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Thanks for mentioning tweetdeck, it was fun to try!
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Couldn't imagine without it! :)
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A7: Empowering teachers and students!
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A7? Working and learning w kids, teachers and other principals- I LOVE what I do- I just want to do it better!
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Great job tonight and Thank for your leadership!
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A7: I see us as an innovative, collaborative learning powerhouse who develops leaders and learners. Kids and adults.
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Stay safe out there everyone. For those who have one, enjoy tomorrow's snow day. Thanks for moderating !
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Again, thanks to everyone for building this
We couldn't do ti without you!
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Thanks for the invite & a great chat and for your inspiration. . Now back to hockey!
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Another great chat! Happy to be back! Thanks and my MEMSPA peeps!
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love the convo and sharing of ideas- great ending to a fabulous snow day!
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Thanks for reminding me how much I missed these chats.
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