Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Region IV Principal and Assistant Principal of the Year Awards

This last weekend the Region IV Administrator Board announced the recipients of the Region IV Middle School Principal and Assistant Principal of the year. Please join me in congratulating our own GIPS Administrators for this wonderful recognition!

Brad Wolfe-Westridge Middle School 

and   

Assistant Principal Tim Hekrdle-Barr Middle School


So proud of our administrators!  We are "Better Together"!


Wednesday Walks

Every Wednesday, members from the Executive Cabinet, Board of Education and Central Office engage in building walks. The purpose is to observe teaching and learning, be present in the buildings to engage with staff in an informal way and learn about celebrations and challenges from the building leaders.  It has been a pleasure to be in buildings and see the amazing things happening for our students everyday! I'm including a few photos of our most recent visits.  Shout outs happen each week, just follow me on Twitter!

Students standing when answering a question, the other students know how to track the speaker!  


Students grouped to review key skills prior to an assessment.  A great strategy to help with grouping is to predict "how many of my students will do well on this assessment?"  If you can identify students that you predict won't do well...group students in a way that allows extended practice for those that know it and spend intentional review and reteach time with those that need it!  

 T--"Ding, Ding, Ding", Students "We have a winner"!  Engagement strategy that works!So fun watching kindergartners get it and celebrating their learning together!

Our principals are asking students questions about their learning!  Who better to answer than the students themselves!!
I'm looking forward to sharing more information and learning gained from our walk in future posts! 


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

WE ARE GIPS-Expectations of Students at School Events

Greetings All,

The following message was shared with principals to send out to students/families.  Just want you to be aware of the communication and request your support as well. 

WE ARE GIPS means that we encourage and appreciate attendance of students at all activities and events in the district. Growing our student attendance at after school events is a goal and a great way to build community!  It is fall sports season and an opportunity for students to represent themselves and their school respectfully, responsibly, and safely when attending school sponsored games/events.  

Football games are especially popular.  As you know there are many challenges with supervision due to the number of students that attend, the limited lighting outside of the football field,  and the amount of space to cover.  We want all that attend to have an enjoyable experience, feel safe and a part of the Islander family. Below are expectations for students to help us accomplish this: 
  • First and foremost we want all in attendance to have fun and cheer on the Islanders and/or your school sports team!
  • Students are expected to remain in the stands watching the game with family or friends unless they are using the restroom or visiting the concession stand.  (For safety and supervision reasons, it is not acceptable to be hanging out behind the bleachers, playing football behind the stands, or riding scooters)
  • Be respectful of the facilities, those attending the event, and adults supervising the event (demonstrating good sportsmanship has a positive reflection on your character and your school)
  • Enter and exit the facilities safely and responsibly
  • Once students leave the game, there is a no re-entry rule
  • Students not adhering to the rules/expectations may be asked to leave the event.  
If you are attending events and see students you know engaging in behavior that is unacceptable, please help us out and redirect as appropriate. Always an opportunity to teach :). 

Thank you so much for your support, we are "Better Together"!

Toni

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Smartfind Reminders

Reminder about Smartfind documentation
  • Professional Leaves-In and out of District--
    • For approval staff need to indicate what they are attending and where
  • Family illness
    • For approval staff must include the reason for leave and the relationship of the family member  (not anything specific- Ex. daughter ill, mom to doctor, etc.)
  • Bereavement Immediate and Extended Family for Certified or Bereavement for Classified  
    • For approval-Must include the relationship of deceased to employee  (One day out of the three days  for certified (Extended) and classified staff can be used for close friend or non-defined family member.
  • Sports-Fine Arts-
    • For approval, staff must include what they are attending and where

Leadership-Difined by a 5th Grader

An elementary principal recently shared the insights to leadership from the lens of a 5th-grade student. This was the outcome of a writing...