Great First Few Days!

What a great first two days of school!  It is always great to see the building come to life with student laughter, smiles and questions.  Thanks to all of you for making it such a welcoming atmosphere - one that earns the description of Commodore Family.

What We Need From YOU this Year: 

• Utilize Brain-Aligned/Trauma Informed  Strategies - Relationships First

• Be Consistent with PBIS Areas of Emphasis

• Update your gradebooks weekly 

• Utilize your classroom time wisely.  

• Communication: Check your email 2-3 times a day/Read Monday Moment 

• Be Respectful & Professional Always

• Let someone know you are struggling.  

• Come to us when we make mistakes (We will make them.)

• Work Hard - Everyday, Every Period

• Share your passion and love of learning with your students daily.

Inspiration and Resources: 

Focus Tip of the week for ENGAGEMENT:  In Marzano's Elements, he reminds us that getting up and moving in the classroom is a great way to engage students - take that worksheet and put it on feet! Also, academic conversations among students increases memory, deeper learning and can reveal misunderstandings!  Here is an activity that is SUPER easy, gets students moving and talking!

Corners Activity

 PBL Focus of the Week:  Cell Phones shouldn't be used in the classroom - out of sight and out of mind!  If you would like a cell phone wall pocket chart to set a protocol in your room for this, please let the office know!  Together we can transform our culture!  (By the way, if students are engaged, they don't have time to even be on their phones!)  

This Week's Info: 

HOUSE Choosing Ceremony - 7th and 8th grade students will have their HOUSE Choosing Ceremony on Wednesday afternoon in the high school gym and we will start releasing students the last few minutes of 6th period.  The theme for this is the BEACH!  Junior High Teachers, please see Lauren Blake's email she sent on Friday and a formal schedule will be coming soon!  Let us know if you need coverage.  

HOUSE teachers met before the beginning of the school year to determine our purpose for our  HOUSE system - what do we want students to get out of this?  After going through the affinity mapping protocol, here is what they determined:  Students in our HOUSES will learn how to operate in a community, both large and small, by providing opportunities to grow in skills such as collaboration, kindness and acceptance by taking chances and being vulnerable among their peers; all while having fun!   

PBIS Celebration:  Our PBIS Celebration for high school students will be part of 6th and 7th periods on Friday!  Clubs will have booths so they can gain more members and students will enjoy ice cream, games and maybe even a little surprise concert!  We will send more details this week.  Club leaders, thanks for pulling together some fun activities!

Engaging Start:  Don't forget to turn in your project/surprise and delights this week!  We will need pictures and a short description of your activity by August 21st - for a chance to win a prize!  I already got a few in - and one teacher told me, "My project idea is going to rock everyone's boat!" - the competition is on!    (Remember - we are going for the 10% Disney affect, if we can make our classroom fun and memorable 10% of the time, the kids will want to come back, just like Disney World!) 

PLC Meetings - Core Content groups will meet this week during their PLC assigned dates.  PLC leaders have been working hard to develop agendas for the meetings!  We look forward to kicking off another great year of growing together.  Remember, someone should be there to cover your WIN.  I have attached the list HERE.  If you need help with this, please let me know!