#wischat Archive
#wischat is a great way for Wisconsin educators to share teaching strategies, educational resources, and more.
Sunday May 15, 2016
8:00 PM EDT
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Welcome to the Breaking The Tape edition of Tonight we will be talking about finishing the school year out strong.
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We will be following a Q1, Q2 ... A1, A2 format. Remember to include in your tweets.
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Please begin by introducing yourself and let us know where you are joining us from tonight.
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John Gunnell, middle school Principal from Baraboo, Wisconsin.
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Brett, music/band from sunny Wisconsin!
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Hey John! Rachel, MSArt, Omro, long time no tweet! I hope you are doing well!
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Jay Posick, proud principal of Merton Intermediate School in Merton, WI.
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- Welcome back for .The warmer weather may reduce participation here on tonight.
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- Welcome back for .The warmer weather may reduce participation here on tonight.
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- Great to see that you are back with us on tonight.
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- Welcome back Jay. Thanks for being a part of tonight.
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Hello, ! I'm Heidi, from Merton, WI. I teach 5th grade & am looking forward to finishing the year strong, in more ways than one!
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Q1: As we approach the home stretch of the school year, what are your main areas of focus at the moment?
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A1: Building upon relationships already in place & keeping an eye on the kids who don't want school to end!
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Danny Steele ... principal in B'ham, AL.
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- Hi Heidi, it's always a pleasure to learn with you on . Thanks for joining in once again.
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A1: I also want to make memories for the kids. Provide experiences that they will continue to talk about well into the summer.
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A1, honestly, survival! Lots of cuts in the arts. Trying to get S's to finish work, and Standards Based Grading rubrics
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- Welcome to ... I am glad that you are joining us tonight.
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A1: Trying to identify my loose ends ... so I can then figure out how to tie them up.
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A1: band=Memorial Day parade; music=final composition; in general=keeping Ss focus on lrning
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John, the pleasure is all mine! Love how you frequently include me in your . Thank you!
So glad we met F2F this yr!
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A1 Main focus is being visible in all areas of the school, interacting with students & staff, and smiling. https://t.co/HKmsMpBGIN
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Q1: As we approach the home stretch of the school year, what are your main areas of focus at the moment?
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A1: My main areas of focus are completing EE tasks for my summary year teachers and keeping students and staff focused on łearning.
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A1 end of year focus - FUN + content + celebration ex: fables in third grade - they write/make own "sour grapes" story/book
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A1- At this point in the year, it's about keeping Ss engaged & keeping learning fun. More Social Studies now than before.
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A1: Have an idea for adding value to our Awards Assembly next week. Just not sure if I can pull it off.
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A1 (pt 2) 4thgrade - using many lib skills 2 improve catalog by emailing photo of book from ipad to lib aide for upload
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A1: Right now I am focused on ensuring that the end of the school year is a positive experience for all of our students and staff.
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- Thank you for joining us tonight on
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- Thank you for joining us tonight on
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Do tell, Danny. I could use a little extra value for our Awards Assembly, too.
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- What is your idea? Please share.
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A1: We recently administered surveys to all our kids, and I'm anxious to analyze the feedback!
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Q2: What successes are you celebrating in your school /district at this point in the school year?
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Have students nominate their parents for awards and present to parents at the assembly. https://t.co/geDxsBg89h
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- What is your idea? Please share.
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A1 gr5 - papertweeting book recs. lotta skills, lotta fun = end of year
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A2: I'm proud of how helpful my 6th/8th grade general music classes have been in helping each other learn guitar, compose, etc.
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A-1: Evaluation of administrative staff and important recognition of employees leaving or retiring.
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A2: Right now we are celebrating success in regard to academic growth + student achievement and the outstanding work of our staff.
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- Love it. great way to build strong connections with families.
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A2: I don't know about you, but I'm celebrating the fact that MAP testing is now done in 5th grade! F&P testing this week.
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Jen, LMS from West De Pere!
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- Ah yes, testing season.
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A1 Encourage and excite kids about our summer reading opportunities.
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A-2: End of year student data; final concerts and award programs; Commencement for the Class of 2016!
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- Welcome. Thanks for being a part of
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A2 We celebrated Staff Appreciation Week last week. We celebrated individual growth in F&P and MAPs. https://t.co/7cj8Rcqczw
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Q2: What successes are you celebrating in your school /district at this point in the school year?
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- Superintendents are busy all year, but this must be a particularly crazy time for you.
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ters: if you're in an elementary setting K-5 or 3-5, do you have award ceremonies?
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A2- My class is celebrating student achievement at this point. Trying to build confidence & make Ss feel good about themselves.
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Q3: Looking back on the goals that you set at the beginning of the year, were you able to achieve them? How did they stretch you?
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A2 Our PTO gave each staff member one of these for Staff Appreciation Week. Smiles everywhere! https://t.co/luISgeHtx9
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A3) my goals are long term; I don't just look at ten months; I see things year wise. It keeps my passion and drive alive.
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A3 Still working on my goals. I need to provide more consistent feedback. I am in classrooms more often. https://t.co/h7JiemYWJU
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Q3: Looking back on the goals that you set at the beginning of the year, were you able to achieve them? How did they stretch you?
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A-3: Very pleased with the transitions as a result of restructuring plan in the district; some goals on-going in nature!
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These were so awesome! I can't wait to hang mine up in our classroom!
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A3: My goals this year revolved around implementing 1:1, increasing personalized learning opportunities for students and staff.
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A3 Set a goal of 100 since mid October - will achieve in the next wk or so
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A3: My other goal was to begin laying the foundation for restorative practices, which we plan to roll out fully next fall.
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A3:Two months ago, I set a goal of using social media in my profession. I am now tweeting, but I am still trying to start a blog.
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A3: Overall, I feel that we have made a lot of progress, but I am never fully satisfied with where we are. I need to get better.
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- Hi Jay, thanks for jumping in tonight on
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A3, continued Goal of 100 is abt 1/3 of my Ss, hoping to increase to 2/3+ for next year
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Q4: Looking ahead, what do you see as the greatest challenges ahead of you heading into the 2016 - 2017 school year?
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A4: Empowering our staff to capitalize on the value of social media. Pushing gently with out creating too much stress.
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A4: I always view my greatest challenge as creating & maintaining a positive building climate/culture. Everything is based on that.
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A4, new staff, challenging curriculum standards, rewriting curriculum....keeping it all student centered!!!
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Word https://t.co/D8tMV98s1i
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A4: I always view my greatest challenge as creating & maintaining a positive building climate/culture. Everything is based on that.
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A4 New superintendent, new principal=lots of unknowns; starting first yr as internal PBIS coach & hoping 2 start yr off right!
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A-4: Determining direction with statewide assessment - Iowa in limbo right now thanks to legislative decisions!
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A4 Self improvement is always at the top of my challenge list. I need to learn more, I need to stay positive. I need to get better.
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A4 Continuing to foster our Merton family, more shared leadership opportunities and celebrations. https://t.co/5yHnQ1zcrG
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Q4: Looking ahead, what do you see as the greatest challenges ahead of you heading into the 2016 - 2017 school year?
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- Wisconsin in really struggling with that as well.
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A4: I love the beginning of the year! I always want to make sure I connect w/ each Ss & their families.
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Q5 - How do you plan to recharge your battery during the upcoming months?
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It's about hopes and dreams and making it the best school year ever.
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A5 Family vacation to Niagara Falls and Sandusky, OH. in Sun Praiire July 11th. https://t.co/08XGPoTFAO
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Q5 - How do you plan to recharge your battery during the upcoming months?
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A5 Time w/family, bike/run/swim, home improvements, teaching summer school classes that are very diff than schl yr classes
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I'm working on a survey 4 my Ss 2 give feedback about me & their 5th gr experience. Does anyone have a gr8 ? I should for sure ask?
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A5 sorry late ..... Reading a lot, spending time with fam summer school
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A5: Family, friends, fishing, baseball, reading, wine, music, cookouts, sleep, a couple of conferences.
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Awesome response and speaks well of you as a school leader!
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hey Heidi nice 2 see u hope u have a nice last few weeks of school
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A5 Two words: Summer Spark! https://t.co/0bHMo9Um0Y
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Q5 - How do you plan to recharge your battery during the upcoming months?
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Hanging out on Twitter keeps me engaged with colleagues who are passionate! That keeps me fired up! https://t.co/pbmIuMCgvc
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Q5 - How do you plan to recharge your battery during the upcoming months?
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Thanks, Aggie! I just saw you on here as well! Happy end of school year to you too!
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A5 family vacation to Daytona Beach, a week long Summer TAB Institute in Boston, excitedly redesigning curriculum and assessment...
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A5: Connecting with people. That's what I enjoy the most. Coffee with colleagues, cocktails with friends, continuing to learn.
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amen!!!! A5 definitely Twitter! Kenosha
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Q6: What advice do you have for colleagues in regard to finishing the school year out strong?
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yay I will b there 2!!!!! So excited!
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Double yeah! Twice in one year, Aggie! !
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A6 Learn with the kids, talk with the kids, play with the kids, support your colleagues! https://t.co/Szjy7z7ukm
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Q6: What advice do you have for colleagues in regard to finishing the school year out strong?
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A-5: plenty of HS softball and baseball and spending time being Dad and Grandpa!
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a6 reflect! Yourself & with ur SS create fun celebration video or project
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A6: JUST DO IT! Your students deserve same energy as day 1! You have made yr awesome! Make it all the way
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Can't wait to see you there!
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A6: Take care of yourself. Take care of each other. Take care of kids.
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A5 family, dog, a lot of time on the diamond, hopefully reading, a little summer school, and
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A6 Every minute we have is valuable; finish strong and keep learning until the end.
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A6: Work hard ... Have fun ... Stay positive ... Be nice
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A6: We remind ourselves why we come to work every day. We're here to make a difference for students and teachers!
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A6 remember - for most Ts, it's the last time you can make a daily difference for this group of Ss - so close with a bang!
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A-6: Take time to reflect on all the good and positive in our classrooms, buildings, and districts. Celebrate and rejoice!
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And now you've given me my last line for announcements the rest of the year.
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A6: Reflect on the fact that while things are tough in WI, you are the light in your Ss lives-You are the best of us-You inspire us
