December 5 - December 9, 2016

A Look Ahead

12-5 IREADY PD 3-5 PM
12-7 - Staff Meeting
12-14  Watch Dog Information Night
12-19 -Awards Assembly Grades 3-5 9:00 am
12-20 - Awards Assembly Grades K-2 9:00 am

12-20 - Winter Caroling Concert
12-21 - Holiday Read Around- More details to come!

12-21 - Staff Party

Principal's Message

Candy Canes, Christmas Eves, Snow Men and Santa have marked our local store shelves since October and how that the holiday buzz is now here it is important that we still embrace RIGOR and the STANDARDS

Lots of holiday action out there in the stores and on TV.  How much should be here at our school?

Remember that every activity we do at school needs to be tried to the standards. 

If you are making a gingerbread house with candy and frosting; How can you incorporate Math or Writing in to the project and how does this activity reflect grade level standards? 

If you are writing a letter to Santa.. Have you incorporated a mini lesson about voice, persuasion or opinion writing into the lesson? 

If you are reading a Christmas story...Have you asked yourself; what literary devices or reading behaviors can you explore in the text.

I am not the Grinch.... nor am I a Humbug.... I am the principal of our school where all students are not proficient...YET...

My question to you all is....HOW CAN WE INFUSE FUN INTO OUR RIGOROUS INSTRUCTION? I know that caroling and crafts are a part of the holiday season and by no means am I saying that we need to get rid of tradition, I am humbly asking that we all keep rigor in mind.

-  Kirsten

Classroom Events

If there are classroom events such as feasts, sing a longs, or craft projects that are involving grade level as a whole or are special to the students; please send me calendar invite, in hopes that I can attend.

iReady Professional Development Reminder

Monday, December 5, 2016, we will be hosting our first of two iReady Professional Development sessions, right here at Thomas Jefferson!   I am excited to announce that we will be able to test and use Instruction K-5 starting in January!  Please join us in the staff room at 2:00pm with your electronic device and notebook.

Holiday Read Around 

We will be hosting a Holiday Read Around on the Wednesday before winter break.  The read around will begin at 9:30 and will last about an hour and half.  There will be three reading sessions (lasting 20 minutes) and our school wide recess.  Grades 1-5 will sign up to listen to three stories of their choice in the assigned classroom of a teacher or other places such as the office, MPR, library etc. All staff are encouraged to sign up with a story to share.  Kindergarten students will be partnered with fourth and fifth grade students listen to stories with them.  Sign-ups will begin Monday December 12 in the MPR.  A schedule for sign ups will be forwarded to you.  Please submit your name, the author and title of the book to Kirsten’s box. – by the end of the week. Thank you!!!!

Watch DOG Information Night

WATCH D.O.G.S., is a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one full day at their child’s/student’s school during the school year. Individuals sign up at a ‘Launch Event’ such as a “Dads and Kids Pizza Night” or “Donuts with Dad” or in the office at any time throughout the school year. The program is overseen by a “Top Dog” volunteer who partners with the school administrator to coordinate scheduling and identify opportunities for WatchDOGS to provide assistance at the school. WatchDOGS volunteers perform a variety of tasks during their volunteer day including monitoring the school entrance, assisting with unloading and loading of buses and cars, monitoring the lunch room, or helping in the classroom with a teacher’s guidance by working with small groups of students on homework, flashcards, or spelling.

Our Top Dog is Grant McClain our Co PTC president.  We look forward to seeing Dad's and their kiddos at an information Pizza night on Wednesday, November  14 at 6:00 PM in the MPR.