2020. . . . not only do we get to begin the year with a New Year's Resolution, we also get to begin a new decade! As we begin 2020, I think it is important to think about what mindset we are bringing to the table. In Eric Jensen's book, Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind, he mentions mind-set as his 4th factor of engagement, noting that lower socioeconomic status often correlates with a negative view of the future and developing a culture of positive attitudes towards their own learning capacity can lead to an increase in student engagement. Likewise, as adults, when we take on an attitude of growth mindset for ourselves, many great things can come our way.
1. Embrace Failure - When we think about a failure as a positive way to learn and make better decisions in the future, we are affecting our mindset. Most people fail their way to success!
2. Become a Lifelong Learner - Be curious about everything!
3. Seek out a Challenge - C.S. Lewis says that "Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny!" Magic will happen outside of your comfort zone.
4. Go Beyond your Limits - When you push yourself, you can surpass even your own expectations.
5. Ask for Feedback - People who want to grow personally and professionally ask for feedback and grow from it!
Research shows that your mindset predicts achievement - whether that is our own student achievement or personal goals. It is my hope for you in 2020 that you can find ways to achieve a growth mindset - it is not how good your are but more importantly, how good you want to be that matters!
Important Information:
New Semester Reminders - As we begin a new semester, I think it is always important to be reminded of our goals and beliefs we shared at the beginning of the school year! Here are a few reminders:
Our Three Areas of Focus for the 2019-2020 School Year:
* Brain Aligned Strategies/Trauma Informed Care
- Restorative Practices
- Brain Smart Starts/Junior High Houses
* Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
- English & Social Studies - Read FOCUS by Mike Schmoker last summer/working on their curriculum
- Math - IReady Curriculum
- Science & Math will be reading Mike's book soon!
* Formative Assessment Practices/Writing Clear Learning Objectives
* Please read your email at least once a day (more if possible)
* Make sure to keep grade books updated at least weekly (daily if possible) - I have had parents asking why they are not sure about their child's grade until the end of the 9 weeks. It is important that we are clearly communicating grades
* Remember to dress for success! (On jean day or other days, please refrain from wearing hoodies, etc. that may not give off a level of professionalism.)
Semester Grades - Please remember that grades are due by midnight on Tuesday, January 7th. It is important to look down your grade book and make sure the semester grades looks accurate to you. We had some issues before break, but thanks to Phil those have been fixed! Also, please make sure you do not have any incomplete grades as well. Those will need to be fixed through the office. Thank you!
New Students - New Year! - We are expecting a small influx of new students the first day back. Students should be reflected in your roster on Skyward. We will do our best to communicate with everyone and make sure new students get their Chromebooks, etc. in a timely fashion. We appreciate your flexibility. If you have questions about any of the new students, please do not hesitate to ask. Thanks for helping them feel welcome!
Important Testing Windows - State Testing is around the corner!!
* ISTEP 10 1st Round - Feb. 24 - March 20/ 2nd Round - April 16-May 1
* ILEARN - April 20 - May 15
* ILEARN Biology - April 20 - May 22
* AP Exams: May 5 - Calculus/ May 6 - English Lit/ May 11 - Biology/ May 13 - AP Language
Career Day - Our Annual Career Day will be January 24th during 3rd & 4th periods. More details will be shared soon!
Teacher PD Day - January 20th will be utilized as a snow make up day. Students will have a virtual day and teachers will come in for professional development! Looking forward to a great day!
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