Gator Run Friday Focus - August 29, 2014

We are working on a plan to provide you with additional Team Collaboration time with your grade level teams.  We believe that we can give you over two hours of uninterrupted planning time with support and guidance from administration and support staff a few times during the year.  Please expect a schedule for the first days soon. 

• No school on Monday.  Enjoy your holiday weekend!
• Open House for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades is next Wednesday at 6:30 PM.
• Team Collaboration is scheduled for next Wednesday at 2:15.  
• Our first Team Leader Day is next Friday.  We will be trained on the new iReady computer program that the ESOL Department purchased for us.  We will also be delving further into Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) and how to create learning experiences at higher levels for our students. 

Quote of the Week - During dismissal last Friday I asked several students how their first week was.  One student answered like this - "It was OK I guess, nothing bad happened."  I was a little bit disappointed in the response, but then I thought that I would pass it along as a challenge.  I told her that was fine but we would be working on making things exciting for her.  So come on everyone - let's make each day memorable for our students!  I know that you can do it. 

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 22, 2014

I'm sure that you all know by now that I am a big believer in collaboration.  It is a must for educators so that we can learn and share with each other as we implement the new standards and flesh out our thematic units.  It is also vital for our students as we create learning experiences for them at each of the levels of Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK).  Collaboration is actually in the language of the levels.  To this end it is crucial that our learning spaces reflect our belief that students should be working in groups.  As I walk around the school I hope to see every classroom be set up to allow for collaboration amongst students by the third week of school.  My communication with parents and the community will be that collaboration is evident in all of our classrooms.  

• Our first PTA General Meeting is next Tuesday at 8:30 AM.  If you have done so yet, please join our amazing PTA.  They do so much for our school.
• We will have a Gator Club Meeting at 2:20 next Tuesday in the Media Center.
• There will be a Faculty Collaboration next Wednesday at 2:15 in the Media Center.  Mrs. Knapik has already sent you an email about what she will be presenting on.  We will also review some sample problems from the new Florida end of year assessment.  In addition we will briefly review your responsibilities regarding the RtI process.
• Please check your email at least twice each day and check your mailbox twice a day.  
• Ms. Felton and I will begin conducting Snapshot observations the week of September 2.  You need to know the elements that are on the Marzano tool.  When we come in please make every attempt to implement as many of the elements into your teaching as you can.  This is to your benefit.  

Quote of the Week - "I love coming to this school.  Everyone is always so happy." - one of our new students this week. 

Gator Run Friday Focus - August 15, 2014

Well, the big day is finally here - the first day of school!  The day that brings so much promise for each of our students.  The day where they bring their hope that you will help them find their passion, that you will light the spark to lifelong learning, that you will love them and believe that they can reach the highest levels.  We are blessed to work in the greatest profession there is.  Let's go out there and change the world each and every day this year!  Enjoy the journey.

• This year we are placing scheduled Collaborations on the CAB Calendar for Wednesdays.  Obviously additional team planning and collaborating is welcome and encouraged.  The expectation of Team Collaborations for this year is that they turn into true PLCs.  We will work with our Team Leaders this year to learn what PLCs should be and how we can begin the process at our school.  This week you should begin plotting out the standards you plan to teach in the first quarter utilizing CPALMS. 
• Lice checks for all students will be next Thursday and Friday.  Ms. Felton will be sending out a schedule at the beginning of the week.  
• I encourage each of you to join our PTA.  They do so much for our school and for each of us.  Let's show our support for them by signing up!

Quote of the Week - "So often you will find that the students you're trying to inspire are the ones that end up inspiring you." - Sean Junkins.  Get ready to be inspired!

Article of the Week - The First Days of School by Doug Reeves - http://poofnstoof.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-first-days-of-school-by-doug-reeves.html

Gator Run Friday Focus - May 30, 2014

Well, here we are, the last Friday of the school year and the last Friday Focus until we return in August.  It has been an amazing year and I am looking forward to many more with all of you.  Let's really bear down these remaining days and provide our students the types of memories that they will remember forever.  I truly appreciate all that you do for our students.  They deserve the best and they get it here at Gator Run thanks to the individual passion and care from our wonderful staff. 

• Report cards are due to Ms. Felton on Monday.
• There is a lot happening for 5th grade next week as we prepare to say goodbye to a wonderful group of students.  They will be enjoying their autograph breakfast, Gator Games, Promotion Ceremonies, Movies, Parties, and their Celebration on the last day of school.
• The last day of school is Thursday.  This is also an Early Release Day.
• Friday is a Planning Day.  I hope to see you at the end of the year luncheon. 

 Quote of the Week - "My heart is singing this morning.  A miracle has happened!  The light of understanding has shone upon my little pupil's mind, and behold, all things have changed!" - Anne Sullivan.  Thank you to each of you that has helped the light of understanding shine on our students this year. 

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Was born in NY to Jamaican parents and raised in Miami.
• Went to school at Howard University and Nova Southeastern University.
• Loves finding/listening to music and reading.
• Was in a music video and "Jet Beauty of the Week".  

Gator Run Friday Focus - May 23, 2014

• No school on Monday!  Enjoy the holiday weekend.
• We have a Faculty Collaboration next Tuesday at 2:15
• Report cards are due to Team Leaders by next Wednesday.
• 5th Grade Talent Show - next Thursday at 8:30 AM.  All 4th and 5th grade students are invited to watch.
• AR end of the year reward parties are next week.  See the CAB Calendar for details. 

Quote of the Week - "If you want to be sad, no one in the world can make you happy.  But if you make up your mind to be happy, no one and nothing on earth can take that happiness away from you." - Paramhansa Yogananda

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Grew up in Commack, Long Island, New York.
• Attended Hofstra University.
• Is an avid collector of sports memorabilia.
• Enjoys attending sporting events, especially the Heat and Panthers,
• Passion besides teaching is finance - the stock market and investing. 

Gator Run Friday Focus - May 16, 2014

As we get closer to the end of the school year, I really want to focus on finishing strong.  Too often students and teachers take their foot off the gas pedal at the worst time, right before the end of the year.  Don't let that happen in your classroom.  Don't focus on the "end" of a school year.  Summer is not an end its a time to rest along the journey.  Here are a few links to articles with ideas to implement these last few weeks:

10 Lesson Ideas

Final Weeks Motivation

And here is one that Ms. Genovese shared with me:

  

I have seen some exciting new ventures these past few weeks.  Thanks to Mrs. Crowther and Mrs. Rush for inviting Ms. Felton and I to see their students' milk carton creations.  The creativity and imagination of the students was awesome.  Another big thank you to Mrs. Bryce and Mrs. Mitchel for sharing their students' blogs.  It is amazing to see what the students are writing about and, even better, how they are responding to each other via the comments section.  What is something new that you are attempting these last few weeks?

• AR Party for 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders will be on Monday.  See the CAB Calendar for details.
• Our last NESS meeting of the year will be on Monday afternoon at 2:15 in Mrs. Heyman's room.
• The last SAC meeting of the year will be Wednesday at 2:15 in the Media Center.
• The Spring Festival will be next Wednesday evening at 6:30.
• Next Friday is a Planning Day.  Specials Grades are due to be in Pinnacle on that day.
  

Quote of the Week - "You can't use up creativity.  The more you use, the more you have." - Maya Angelou

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Is from Cleveland, Ohio.
• Went to St. Thomas Aquinas High School and Barry University.
• Loves the beach, her boys, dancing, and scrapbooking.
• Danced in the half-time show at Super Bowl 29 and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Gator Run Friday Focus - May 9, 2014

     I'm going to go ahead and admit it - it's hard to be the person in charge sometimes.  I have to make decisions that I feel are in the best interest of an entire school.  A lot of times I receive credit and praise for those decisions.  Other times those decisions are derided and people criticize me.  Those are the tough times.  When I make decisions that will impact many people, I try to take every available moment that I have to analyze all scenarios.  My hope is to make change where I feel it is necessary and where it will impact the least amount of people.
     Often the people who criticize are those who the decision affects personally.  And I totally understand being disappointed, frustrated, and even a bit angry.  But what I cannot understand is when people do not act professional in the face of decisions that they do not agree with.  This week I have been exposed to staff members who have handled change with grace and class.  Please know that my heart is always in whatever is in the best interest of the entire school culture.  I figured out during my first year as Principal that I will never make everyone happy.  It's just not possible and is not even a goal of mine anymore.  What I have learned is to lead with my heart, make changes that I feel will improve our school and trust that everyone will act professionally even if they don't agree with me.

• Primary Reading and Math EOY testing is next week.  Let's all be supportive of our 1st and 2nd grade classes and send our love and support to them.
• PTA General Meeting next Tuesday.
• Collaborative Learning is scheduled for next Tuesday.  Please use this time with your teams to determine any resources that you might need as we move forward with our thematic units next year.
• AR Parties for those students who met their 3rd quarter goals start on Thursday.  Please refer to the email that Ms. Felton sent or check out our CAB Calendar for each grade level's day.

Quote of the Week - Not a quote, but a video that one of our parents wanted me to share with everyone.  This is from Google regarding Teacher Appreciation Week.  This is from YouTube so you will have to make sure you have the correct parameters on your computer -  To the Moon

Think Like a Detective - Can you determine the Gator Run teacher based on the following clues?

• Is from Rochester, NY.
• Went to school at State University College at Buffalo and Nova Southeastern University.
• Loves traveling, reading, movies, cats, the beach, learning about different cultures, and volunteering in Spain in an immersion program.
• Her minor in college was French.