Choosing Happiness

This weekend, my  mom and aunt took their 91 year old mother (my grandma) to the Carolina's to see her long lost friend, Bill.  My grandma has been a widow for over 30 years as my grandpa died at a fairly early age.  She and Bill (we have lovingly nicknamed him"grandma's boyfriend") have spoken on the phone for many years, remembering the days they worked together at the Perry County Extension Office. 

It has been such a joy to see grandma so excited about this trip!  Every time anyone would mentioned his name, she would giggle.  My very conservative grandmother even decided on her own to get a manicure for the visit!!  It is cracking us all up!

All of us have people in our lives that are extra special to us, and my grandma is one of those people.  I have learned many things from her, like:  how to throw a ball, make really good chocolate pie, understand the importance of "being there" for others, and the importance of a smile.  My grandma lived (like many of yours) through the depression (she still uses bread sacks as zip lock bags), raised four children, ran her own business, was a farmer's wife,  lost her husband at an early age and has lived alone for 30 plus years.  She is living proof that we can all persevere and still live life to its fullest.   

Happiness is a choice.  I feel blessed to have such a good role model.  I hope I can touch half as many lives as she has!

This week, I encourage all of you to think about the people in your life that really make you happy and find a way to pass their influence on to others. 


Important Information:

PLC Meetings:  We would like to meet with all PLC teams this week. I will get with each of your teams to verify a time. Please make arrangements to attend the meeting.  Looking forward to working with everyone!

Observations:  Mr. Zellers and I have been working hard to get into your classrooms.  I think he is ahead of me. .  he has already set up some times with some of you.  I plan to do the same this week.  We will do our very best to make our set appointments!  We always enjoy getting into your classrooms!

PSAT - A reminder that the PSAT will be given on October 30th during periods 1-4.  Dana has communicated the list of students that will be participating. Please let us know if you have any questions!

House Team Meeting - Junior High teachers who are leading houses, just a reminder we will meet this Tuesday at 7:20 in the high school library to look at curriculum for the next few weeks.

RTI Meeting - RTI team will meet Wednesday, November 6th at 7:25 in the high school library. 

Accountability Model - Last week, I attended our last accountability model meeting at the state house.  It has been an interesting experience.  Our charge was to submit an accountability model that aligned to the new graduation pathways.  We worked to align the federal requirements (ESSA) and state requirements so that we would only have one letter grade in the future. 

Below you will find a link to the document that will be submitted.  State Board of Education has the power to change any part of the model they choose (so who knows where it will go from here.) I have bullet points to offer some clarity.  If you have any questions - I would be happy to share what I know and understand (it is very complicated.)

Accountability Model Link

* Box 1 - Measures "College and Career Readiness" - Basically, this is talking about the High School Exam that we must give to juniors (It will start with this year's freshmen).  In two years, the former ISTEP 10 exam will move to a SAT/ACT model.  All students within the grade will have to take the test.  Federal law requires a high school exam and state law says that we will utilize a college entrance test.  Only 15% of our overall letter grade will be based on this exam AND our success will be based on the average of the state.  Right now, there will be zero growth scores as their goal is to eliminate unnecessary retesting and remediation. 
* Box 2 - Basically, this is our graduation rate based on the grad pathways.  Students who earn a waiver from grad pathways will count against us (by then, we shouldn't need any waivers.)  This is also recommended to be 15%
* Box 3 - We will be measured by the number of students who complete one of the outcomes listed.  You will notice there are several options for students (not just one ISTEP test.) 

We are in a good place to be ready for an accountability model like this, but there will be some work to do.  The goal of this panel is to now continue to work on a middle school and elementary model that is not tied directly to the ILEARN but will have multiple measures.

I am excited about what is taking place in the state of Indiana.  I think it is going to be a welcomed change for our students.  We will see what Indiana does with it!  :-) 

Congratulations to our football team for hanging in there and pulling out a win last Friday night for first round of sectional play!  The boys will play this Friday in Farmersburg (just a few minutes south of Terre Haute).  The team may need to leave early on this date - we will keep you posted. 

Fall Fest - This Tuesday evening the elementary will host the Fall Fest.  We have many junior high/high school students participating - including a concert from the band starting at 5:30 p.m.  Hope to see you there!

Have a Great, Spooky Week!