Gator Run Friday Focus - August 16, 2013

I am hoping that each of you will put aside a moment sometime this weekend and reflect on what drew you to work with children.  We are doing the most amazing work there could possibly be - helping to create the future.  Please know that I respect each and every one of you for your hard work and effort.  What a tremendous opportunity we have to guide our students to a better life.  You decide how great your students' year will be.  

I’ve come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  It’s my daily mood that makes the weather.  As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous.  I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.  In all situations, it is my response that decides whether crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.  ~ Haim Ginot


With great power comes great responsibility. - Ben Parker (Spider Man's uncle)

You have power in your hands to change the world.  Let's do it this year.  Please be the best teacher your students have ever had.  They deserve it.

          Don't be boring; Be Awesome!

• I was asked about my expectation for what should be on your front board regarding essential questions.  You can use something like these "I can" statements - I Can Standards (Thank you Ms. Davis).  Basically all I want is for students see what you want them to do (standards) and how you are going to gauge their progress towards mastering that standard (scale or rubric).
• Please remember to turn in your policy checklists and updated personal records to Mrs. Toth by next Friday, August 23.
• Data chats - We will be holding quarterly data chats again with individual teachers.  Please be prepared to discuss your at-risk students.  There should be no surprises regarding students' deficiencies at the end of the school year. 
• We will be conducting a fire drill next Wednesday at 8:40 and a tornado drill next Friday at 8:40.
• I am going to attempt something new for me this year and read a book to every class during the first two weeks of school.  I will announce when I will be visiting each floor of the school (I will probably start on Tuesday).   I hope to only take about 15 - 20 minutes of your class time.  
• Please make sure to complete the Dismissal Concern Form each morning by 8:30 through next Wednesday and then post outside your door (box or magnet).  Complete this even if there are no concerns.  
• We have Team Work scheduled for next Tuesday afternoon.  Remember that this is planned time for grade level teams to work collaboratively to discuss CCSS implementation. 

Quote of the Week -