1.26

 

Hi All, 

I hope that you're out enjoying the sunshine and warmer temps today! Rowan and I had a great morning at Cochrans and I found myself feeling extra thankful for the place we live. This weekend I have been reflecting on the language that we use with each other and the language that we use with students. I'm sharing the graphic above as a thought provoking piece to think about how we connect with students on a regular basis. 

What's one phrase you can commit to utilizing this week? 

Shoutout

• Lisa Wilson for her support in ODR's in 1st grade 
• Addie Wheeler for offering to sub for P.E. 
• Megan Keys thank you for your positive attitude and honesty. 
• Robin Gannon thank you for continuing to find ways to support all learners. Your expertise and collaboration are noticed and appreciated. 
• Becky Sue and Amber B for staying with the late U2 riders
• Rick thanks for stopping by and sharing your "Witness to the good" moment of the week on Friday.   

**Don't forget to shoutout your colleagues!*** Drop me a note 

News and Announcements

• If you have a moment take a peek back at this document Supporting Students document from Joelle. It's got a wealth of simple resources to think about how to support students who are experiencing anxiety. As we think about the screening last week the anxiety that students may be dealing with could very well be beyond their control.   
  
• Similarly to the graphic above I wanted to share this other graphic with you all from Center for Creative Leadership about engaging in more challenging conversations with colleagues. We are bound to have challenging topics come up and we need to treat each other with the same curiosity and calm that we do with students. We always assume best intentions and get curious about someone else's persepctive.    
• Staff Meeting this week
• 20-30 Minutes with Union Representation 
• Act 139 Information Sharing/Group Data Work 
• PBIS---If we have time 

• Options Based Drill will happen Thursday---we will determine time on Wednesday.

• Options Based Drill #2: Lockdown Drill (year 2)

  Vermont schools are required to practice our Options-Based Response procedures once per semester.  Our second drill will occur on January and this protocol was developed after reviewing feedback from each building about Drill #1. We will let everybody know the exact day and approximate time with at least two days notice.  Please see below for the details about this drill.  We believe that the next natural step for students is still a lockdown drill, but with less discussion at the time of the drill.

  
  

  Drill Outline and procedure:

  • An administrator will make an announcement to school, 

  • “Hello, this is _______.  Earlier this year we discussed what to do if you hear the word “Lockdown” over the intercom. Practicing this helps us all stay safe if something unexpected is happening at the school. We are going to practice that again now. In a moment you will hear the lockdown command and then you will practice doing it. Then, I will get on the intercom to let everybody know that the practice is over, using the words, “This is (admin name), ALL CLEAR”. 

  • This letter will be sent home to families prior to the drill (the law requires notice at least one day in advance, but schools may choose to send it earlier): Parent Letter: Options Based Drill #2 year 2.

  • After the practice, a feedback document will be shared with staff.

  • The District Safety Team is working on a protocol for the remaining drills and will share in advance.

  
  

  Thank you for your participation in this important practice. Please contact your principal or a member of your local safety team with any questions / concerns.

  	Teacher Talking Points:
  PreK-6	“Remember, our first job is to get quiet and keep voices off” (voice level zero) “The second part of your job is to look at me and listen carefully for my directions.” “Remember, sometimes we will go to a special place in the classroom, shut the door and turn off the lights” “Other times, I might tell you that we are leaving the classroom.” Now we will practice going to our indoor location and staying there with our voices off for a few minutes, until we hear _______ tell us that the practice is over by saying, ALL CLEAR”
  7-12	“Remember, when we hear “Lockdown” our first job is to get and stay quiet including making sure that all cell phones are off or silenced. In an emergency, a ringing cellphone could put us all at risk.” “The second part of your job is to listen carefully and follow my directions.” “Who can remind us what your next step is when we hear “Lockdown”? - answer should include moving quickly and quietly to a space in the classroom that is less visible from the hallway door. “There may be a time where I might tell you that we are leaving the classroom/space.  If that happens, we need to do it quickly and quietly.  You would also leave everything behind so that you are not slowed down by carrying anything.” Teacher should then lead a short discussion on how they would leave the classroom/space/building in the fastest/shortest way.  This is just a discussion and does not need to include going to see that route. Group should be able to identify at least 1 way to get out of the building WITHOUT going through the atrium.  Our next drills will include more discussion and graduated practice regarding how to ‘run’, go to a rally point (similar to our fire drill locations), and how to ‘reunify’ with your TA once out of the building. “For today, when we hear the “Lockdown” call over the PA, we will practice making sure that cellphones are silenced, quickly and quietly finding a less visible space in the room and staying there silently for a few minutes, until we hear Becca tell us that the practice is over by saying, ALL CLEAR”

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday	Staff Meeting
Thursday	January Safety Drill
Friday	Data Meetings: K, 1, 3

Where is Celia?

Monday	Student Meeting 9:15  Celia leaves at 2:45---CO Meeting  Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday	WCLT---Celia Out until 1:45
Wednesday	Meeting 9:15  Meeting 10:15  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday	Student Meeting 11:00-11:30  Steven at School 11:15-1:15  District Safety Meeting 3:00-4:00**Celia out at 2:40
Friday	Data Meetings at Berlin 12:00-3:00

1.20

Hi All,

I hope that this blogpost finds you warm and cozy. These temperatures are no fun! I'm looking forward to our morning work tomorrow at U-32. I will see you all starting promptly at 8:00am. Here are the materials for your day tomorrow. 

Inservice: 

Graphic Organizer

Slides

Room Assignments

Lori graciously offered to make us all lunch again. We changed from pizza to macaroni and cheese, please see Lori's email for other details. Unfortunately, the stomach bug hit Rowan early this morning. I will be at U-32 to facilitate and then will switch with Christian mid-day, he has a staff meeting that he has to go to tomorrow. That means that I won't be back at school in the afternoon but will have my phone on and will try to answer emails as I can. 

Shoutouts 

• Lori and Lucia thank you for the great idea of the Food Drive! What a wonderful way to bring our community out to support each other. 
• Colby and Christine thank you for the support in meeting coverage in 5/6
• Betsy thanks for pitching in with a particular kiddo 
• Teachers--thanks for finding creative ways to get Acadience done and for coming to the table to have good conversations that are focused on data, teaching and student progress

News and Announcements

• Classroom Teachers---please respond to this survey about the Intervention Presentation. The options are during our team meetings or 8:15-8:45 on Friday 1/31.
• Please remember to fill out ODR's for students when their are behaviors. Tyler is working hard to keep up on the data input. It also allows us to be clear about what's happening and where so we can respond appropriately. 
• Report Card info
• 1/2 grading day will be on the 21st of January 
• Report cards are due by the 28th so that I can review them and have them ready to send home on the 31st 
• Special Educators will be including progress reports to be added to the RC envelope 
• Interventionist will be sending classroom teacher electronic progress notes to be added to the corresponding section of the child's Report Card. There will be a hard copy in your mailbox for your records. The shift to adding this to the digital report card is to ensure that each child that has gotten intervention has a record of it. Interventionists will have their comments to you by the 22nd of January.
• Intervention--Start of Quarter 3 
• Quarter 3 for Intervention will start the week of the 27th. 
• Services for intervention will stop on the 17th. 
• Interventionists will meet with Ellen Dorsey to review data, make plans about intensified interventions and re-think groupings to support Q3 work. 
• There will be no intervention services the 22, 23 or 24th of January. 
• Staff Meeting Agenda
• Behavioral Data Review 
• PBIS Check-In

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday	No School
Tuesday	U-32 Inservice Day
Wednesday	Staff Meeting
Thursday
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday	Celia Off
Tuesday	12:30-1:30 Principal's Meeting
Wednesday	Student Meeting 8:00  Berlin IIW 8:45-10:45 Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Board Meeting 6:15-???
Thursday	Student Meeting 8:00-9:00 Meeting 1:40-2:10
Friday

1.12

 

Hi All,

I hope that you are enjoying the glorious sunshine today! There's something magical about a non-frigid sunny day in the winter in Vermont. May whatever you do today bring you joy into the new week.

Shoutouts

So many people stepped up to pitch in and help out this week! 

Colby--Thank you for stepping in to support a kiddo on Friday

Christine--Thanks for shifting around to provide coverage 

Addie/Michelle--Thank you for coming with a solution to coverage! 

Kim, Megan, Betsy and Marc--thank you for supporting dismissal on Friday 

Becky P-- An enormous thank you to you for answering my nth hour plea for a bus rider. You made my Friday. 

Thanks to all staff for engaging in class reflection tool on Wednesday. Remember to check in and ask some of the kiddos on your "5" list questions this week. 

News and Announcements

Friendly Reminders: 

• Please refrain from using your personal device during class time when students are present. 
• Please make sure that your door is always locked--it can be 'propped' open with a magnet so that when it's shut it stays locked
• Please remember that a clear the halls is used to preserve the dignity and privacy of a student who is having a hard time. If you have questions about a student or their needs please check in with myself or the behavior team. We will try to finish a clear the halls as soon as possible.
• Report Card info
• 1/2 grading day will be on the 21st of January 
• Report cards are due by the 28th so that I can review them and have them ready to send home on the 31st 
• Special Educators will be including progress reports to be added to the RC envelope 
• Interventionist will be sending classroom teacher electronic progress notes to be added to the corresponding section of the child's Report Card. There will be a hard copy in your mailbox for your records. The shift to adding this to the digital report card is to ensure that each child that has gotten intervention has a record of it. Interventionists will have their comments to you by the 22nd of January.
• Inservice
• We set up for inservice on the 21st this week at Staff Meeting. 
• Paraeducators will have inservice all day at U-32 please see email from Julia and Cat. 
• Teachers will starts at U-32 and end at BES
• Intervention--Start of Quarter 3 
• Quarter 3 for Intervention will start the week of the 27th. 
• Services for intervention will stop on the 17th. 
• Interventionists will meet with Ellen Dorsey to review data, make plans about intensified interventions and re-think groupings to support Q3 work. 
• There will be no intervention services the 22, 23 or 24th of January. 
• If you're looking for tips or suggestions for acadience administration please reach out and I can connect you with the right person.
• Staff Meeting 
• Setup for Inservice 

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday	PBIS Team Meeting 8:30-9:30  Staff Meeting 3:10- 4:45
Thursday
Friday

Where is Celia?

Monday	Student Meeting 9:15-10:15  Meeting 2:00-2:30  3:00-3:45 Meeting with Steven  4:00-5:30 Curriculum Council
Tuesday	12:30-1:30 Principal's Meeting  3:45-4:45 Student Meeting
Wednesday	PBIS Team Meeting 8:30-9:30  Student Meeting 9:15-9:45  Meeting 10:30-11:00 Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45
Thursday	Student Meeting 9:15-10:45
Friday	GOTR Meeting 11:00-11:30

1.5

 Hi All,

Thank you all for your understanding as we navigated Row’s illness last week. She’s on the mend and I am ever grateful for antibiotics, healthcare and a supportive work environment. Here’s to health in the new year!

May you find moments to marvel at ordinary life with your students this week. 

Shoutouts

Kim, MaryBeth and Kate for stepping up and filling in last week. The kids had a ball!

Lori—-thank you for your help with the doors over break

News and Announcements

•  Please take a moment to review the LCAP for the upcoming assessment windows. The semester closes on the 17th. Inservice will be the 21st, the morning will be at U-32 and the afternoon will be a half day for grading. Paraprofessionals will continue training with Cat and U-32 staff in the afternoon at U-32. Report cards are due on the 29th and will go home on the 31st. 
• Looking Ahead: Curriculum and Associates will be hosting a PD day on the 12th of February. Please see the schedule below:

8:15-10:15 Grades K-3, Pacing 

10:30-11:30 Principals, Instructional Leadership 

12:00-2:00 Grades 4-6, Pacing 

2:15-3:15 Grades 7-10, Leveraging i-Ready Data 

2:15-3:15 Grades 4-6 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data 

3:30-4:30 Grades K-3 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data

• Staff Meeting
• Nuts and Bolts 
• Data Review 
• Inservice Prep  
• Here is the overview of the iReady Math data for the last month. As a reminder we are aiming for 30 minutes a week per student. The passage rate for students should be around 80%. Let's see if we can have our best week yet this week! 

What's Happening at Berlin?

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday	Staff Meeting 3:10- 4:45 Board Meeting--Rumney Memorial School
Thursday
Friday	PLC Meetings: 5/6, 2, 4  **reminder: 2nd meets at 8:15

Where is Celia?

Monday	Meeting 10:00-10:30  Meeting 11:00-11:30
Tuesday	WCLT Meeting 8:00-12:30 **Out Principal's Meeting 12:30-1:00  **Out  Student Meeting 2:30
Wednesday	Student Meeting 9:15  Celia/Jen/Julia Meeting 2:30-3:00  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Board Meeting 6:00---???
Thursday	Special Ed Meeting  8:15 Conference Room  Meeting 9:15 Meeting 2:30-3:00 Meeting 3:00
Friday	LAU Meeting 7:30-8:30 Lori Meeting 8:30  Meeting 1:00

1.1

 

Hi All, 

I hope that you had a restful break and that it was filled with the things that bring you joy. Somehow we are entering 2025. I'm looking forward to the great work that we have ahead of us in the new year. Rowan is currently battling pneumonia in a rather unpleasant end to our vacation. 

  

I spent a lot of time reflecting on the first part of our year and I am so grateful for the hard work and dedication you show your students and colleagues everyday. We are heading in the right direction and the way that you are all showing up for kids is making a big difference.

We've got this, two days this week! 

News and Announcements 

Here's a Midweek Minute from Responsive Classroom. It's filled with some great resources for getting back into the swing post break.

Facilitating a smooth transition back into the classroom after winter break requires deliberate planning.

Returning after winter break can feel like the first day of school all over again. The routines, rules, and procedures that were once so familiar are now a distant memory, and it takes a conscious effort to get back into rhythm with them. Here are five ways teachers can help make this transition positive.

1. Review expectations and routines. After an extended absence from the classroom, students may have forgotten procedures and routines that effectively support a positive learning environment. Reestablishing expectations and reteaching routines helps anchor students as they return to school.   Typical routines and procedures to review: Morning and dismissal routines Responding to a signal Lining up Hallway expectations Restroom behaviors Small-group learning rules Lunch and recess rules

2. Provide socialization time. Set aside time for you and your students to reunite and discuss their time apart. Consider a welcome-back activity that incorporates movement and sets the tone for an awesome rest of the year. Try this whole-group activity: Play music while students mingle around the classroom. When the music stops, students pair up and share. Repeat this activity a few times so that students get to talk to numerous classmates.

3. Revisit some favorite activities. Using activities that students enjoyed and were successful with reestablishes their confidence in the classroom. Revisiting a fun activity, game, or song reminds students of enjoyable experiences in the classroom and encourages them to reengage. Start with the class’s favorite Morning Meeting and Responsive Advisory Meeting activities, energizers, and brain breaks.

4. Engage students in goal setting. We often associate the start of a new year with resolutions. Engage students in meaningful goal-setting opportunities for the second half of the school year.

5. Ease back into academic demands. Students may not be emotionally or mentally prepared for a rigorous assignment or intense new learning right away. Consider some reflection activities that can help students regroup and ease back into their learning.

Explore more tips and strategies for easing back from winter break.

“Seven Tips for the Transition Back to School From Winter Break”

“Reaffirming Community after a Vacation”

“Energizers! Using Quick Movement Breaks in the Classroom”

•  Please take a moment to review the LCAP for the upcoming assessment windows. The semester closes on the 17th. Inservice will be the 21st, the morning will be at U-32 and the afternoon will be a half day for grading. Paraprofessionals will continue training with Cat and U-32 staff in the afternoon at U-32. Report cards are due on the 29th and will go home on the 31st. 
• Looking Ahead: Curriculum and Associates will be hosting a PD day on the 12th of February. Please see the schedule below:

8:15-10:15 Grades K-3, Pacing 

10:30-11:30 Principals, Instructional Leadership 

12:00-2:00 Grades 4-6, Pacing 

2:15-3:15 Grades 7-10, Leveraging i-Ready Data 

2:15-3:15 Grades 4-6 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data 

3:30-4:30 Grades K-3 (Optional), Analyzing i-Ready Data

What's Happening at Berlin?

Thursday	Coffee and Conversations with the Superintendent 8:00-9:00
Friday

Where is Celia?

Thursday	10:00-10:45--Celia and Susanne Check In
Friday	Student Meeting 9:15  Erin Mullaney 1:00  No Team Meetings