11.30

     

Hi All, 

I hope that your travels, stays or miniations allowed you to reset and feel ready to tackle the next three weeks! As a reminder, Rowan is having her tonsils and adenoids taken out tomorrow so I will be out of the building and largely offline tomorrow. I will be available via phone and email Tuesday and Thursday. I know the timing is terrible, I appreciate your understanding. 

Observations from the Field 

• I saw positive recognitions and classes celebrating in style around the building 
• I heard productive problem solving and student focused thinking 
• I saw engaged colleagues working together 
• I felt a deep level of care and support for all of our families in supporting Turkey Boxes and their delivery 
• I saw and heard laughter and care amongst colleagues 

News and Announcements 

• This Wednesday we will host a WCUUSD Board Meeting at BES. The board has asked the Administrative team to show a budget in which we meet the financial goals of the district and remain in our 5 school model. This looks like over 2 million in cuts district wide. I've been working on what that would look like for our school, we can talk more about this at staff meeting on Wednesday. 
• Here is the Agenda for the Board Meeting 
• Community Connections will be running afterschool activities M, T, Th. They are "ramping up" to 5 days a week in the new year. They will be utilizing a "club model" that was successful for us during the beginning of the school year. 
• Kevin Marlier (kmarlier@u32.org) will be running afterschool. Please make sure to say hi if you haven't already. 
• Book Club: Due to the staff holiday breakfast, Berlin Book Club for staff will be on Tuesday, December 16th from 8:15 am to 8:45 am in the library! We are reading a book with a yellow cover to share with colleagues. I hope to see you there and happy reading!
• Lunch Bunch: From 11:40-12:40 on Thursday 
• New playground equipment: 10 Spin 
• Here's the link to the webpagehttps://www.miracle-recreation.com/product/ten-spin-2/ 
• 10 students are allowed on it at once. 5 standing, 5 sitting. 
• Winter Recess:
• Winter Recess Rules
• I have also attached a visual for winter gear. This appears to be something that you all have used in the past and is inline with what I remember our agreements to be from last year. If I'm wrong, please let me know! 
• Essentially boots and coats are required from here on out. If kids want to play in the snow (sled, forts, use equipment) they need ski pants, hats and gloves. 
• 

• Here is the plan for the week regarding our professional meetings

Week of December 1st-5th 2025 Staff Meeting----3:15-4:45 Nuts and Bolts Games and Connection (Math Night) Budget  Gifts for Giving   Required December Comprehensive Assessments:	K-6: UDL 3
	Allied Arts: No Meeting

• Here is this week's Marshall Memo. I found an interesting read that relates to our learning around Writing: 4. Using Student Talk to Scaffold Student Writing

•             In this article in English Journal, Meghan Dougherty Kuehnle (University of Notre Dame), Amanda White (a high-school ELA teacher in Columbus, Ohio), and George Newell (Ohio State University) describe how White shifted from the formulaic five-paragraph essay and began to use student talk to stimulate and support argumentative writing. Here’s how she orchestrated that in one writing unit:

              • Speed debate – In small groups, students quickly debate and reach consensus on a series of questions:

  -   “Bests” – Fruit, type of food, pet, social media platform, actor/actress, musician, season);

  -   “This or that” – Country or city? Early or late bedtime? Drive or fly? Time travel to the future or the past? Texting or calling? Online or in-person school?

  -   “Would you rather…?” Go viral for something embarrassing or stay unknown for something you’re proud of? Be really rich but hate your job or have an average salary and love your job? Lie to protect someone you love or tell the truth and risk hurting them? 

  -   “Big questions” – Should schools eliminate standardized tests? Should the driving age be raised to 18? Is it acceptable to use social media to publicly shame someone for their behavior? Should we eliminate censorship in books, movies, and other media?

  • Silent debate – Students pair up on a question (for example, Is it okay for social media platforms to ban people?), sit back-to-back, write claims and counterclaims on a piece of paper and pass it back and forth without speaking. “Silent debate,” say Kuehnle, White, and Newall, “asks students to progress from engaging in argumentative moves through talk to doing so in writing, a barrier that is often difficult for students to cross.” 

  • Student-teacher conferences – As students start writing their argumentative essays, White circulates and checks in with students individually, affirming, encouraging, questioning, and making suggestions for revision. 

  “By explicitly framing writing as social,” conclude the authors, “teachers can make otherwise daunting genres more accessible and relevant to students, reducing the barrier to engagement and making writing more meaningful to students inside and outside the classroom.” 

   

  “From Talk to Text: Leveraging Dialogue to Cultivate Argumentation” by Meghan Dougherty Kuehnle, Amanda White, and George Newell in English Journal, September 2025 (Vol. 115, #1, pp. 62-70); the authors are at mdoughe4@nd.edu, awhite1@columbus.k12.oh.us, and newell.george4@gmail.com. 

•                          

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 12/1
Tuesday 12/2
Wednesday 12/3	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20   Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  12/4	All School Meeting 2:55-3:25 **Students will sit in the bleachers
Friday 12/5	Team Meetings  3-6 Behavior/Attendance K-2 Academic

Where is Celia?

Monday 12/1	**Celia Out
Tuesday 12/2	**Celia Out
Wednesday 12/3	Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  WCLT: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Staff Meeting: 3:10-4:45  Board Meeting 6:15
Thursday  12/4	**Celia Out  PTNA Meeting 6:00-7:30 at BES
Friday 12/5	Team Meetings

 

11.16

 

Hi All,

I hope that you all had a good weekend and that you'll give yourself a little extra time to get to work tomorrow morning! It looks like it might be a little slippery. This past week was trying in a lot of ways. Please remind yourself of the bright spots in our work and lean on each other. We're in this work together and in service to young people, assume best intentions and be a witness to the joy! 

I loved passing out cookies on Friday afternoon. Kate Rob, thank you for playing along and being so silly with me and the kids. It was truly the highlight of my Friday. 

Highlights from the field   

• I noticed adults eating lunch with new students and interacting with families
• I noticed extra adults pitching in to make sure what all the K-2 students got dressed and outside on the first snow pants day! Say it with me: 
• Ski pants, boots, jacket, hat and mittens! 
• Many staff engaging in positive and productive conversations surrounding approaches to behavior
• I saw adults supporting each other by checking in, offering a hand asking "how can I help?"
• I was witness to a deep level of care and support for all of the students in our care from many staff members 

News and Announcements

• We've had a really strong response to the support from our partnership with Just Basics. Please remember that this flyer was sent from Bec Dezan. I will also link it as a PDF to the blogpost email. I also know the Bec is working with a small group of you to talk more about food security and what additional support could look like in our building.                  
•                                     
• Den Groups-- We will meet on Thursday from 2:55-3:25. This
• Staff Meeting-- We will meet in the Library. We will talk a 50,000 foot view of our Gifts for Giving day and we'll look at the second Universal Design for Learning session. 
• Communication-- Please remember that all staff communication via e-mail is public record. We also need to uphold our norm of professionalism in all of our conversations.
• Book Club: Due to the staff holiday breakfast, Berlin Book Club for staff will be on Tuesday, December 16th from 8:15 am to 8:45 am in the library! We are reading a book with a yellow cover to share with colleagues. I hope to see you there and happy reading!
• Lunch Bunch: From 11:40-12:40 on Thursday 
• New playground equipment: 10 Spin 
• Here's the link to the webpagehttps://www.miracle-recreation.com/product/ten-spin-2/ 
• 10 students are allowed on it at once. 5 standing, 5 sitting. 
• Bec's Schedule: I know people are getting to know and collaborate with Bec in different ways. As she's in our building I want to share her schedule with you.This week she will be in: 
• Monday morning---on a conference call
  
• Wednesday Afternoon 
• Thursday All Day 
• Friday All Day 

                         

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 11/16	HJC---8:15 Steven in Building 10:00-12:00 **We will be around and visiting classrooms
Tuesday 11/17
Wednesday 11/18	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20   Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  11/19	Den Groups 2:55-3:25
Friday 11/20	Team Meetings  3-6 Academic K-2 Behavior/Attendance

Where is Celia?

Monday 11/16	HJC Meeting 8:15-8:45 Meeting with Ellen 1:30  Student Meeting 3:45
Tuesday 11/17	WCLT 8:30-10:30  Meeting 10:30-11:30  **Celia out until 11:40 Student Meeting 11:40-12:40
Wednesday 11/18	Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  WCLT: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Board Meeting 6:15
Thursday  11/19	Student Meeting 8:00-9:00 Attendance Meeting 9:00-9:45
Friday 11/20	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Academic K-2 Behavior/Attendance

11.10

Hi All, 

I hope that caregiver conferences went well and that you are feeling more connected to our families and also feeling a sense of relief for getting back to a normal schedule! 

Please take a moment to celebrate the moment of community in the library on Wednesday evening last week! Our library was busy with families and U-32 students and it was a moment to highlight.

I also wanted to share that I am going to be adding a new section to our weekly blog called "Observations from the Field." I will seek to highlight (without names) observations of adult behaviors that are in line with our mission and practices. 

Observations from the field:  

• The sharing of beautiful student artwork. It's lovely to see the student work displayed
• I noticed adults getting on eye level with students to problem solve 
• Respectful conversations with families 
• Staff greet students and welcome them with a smile 
• Staff were adaptable, asked for resources and tapped out when they needed a break   

News and Announcements: 

• When you can please take a moment to fill out this Budget Survey. 
• The playground is finally finished, hooray! 
• School Reminders:
• We've noticed a change in behaviors in the hallways. There have been a lot more students roaming and we've had some reports of students helping themselves to other's bags.
•  Hallway expectations:
• Adults should have eyes on students 
• Students must check in with adults before they leave the room (signal, sign out, verbal contract, visual)
• One student should leave the room at the time unless an emergency or part of a project, service, etc.
• Student's should be able to identify the "what they are doing" if asked by an adult
• Lunchroom reminder: Walk-Around/Check-In with students/Proximity is your biggest tool to ensuring that the lunchroom is more manageble. Please fill out ODR's at lunch/recess if needed.
• Whole School Meeting Structure
• We are looking for ways to make All School Meeting more successful. Moving forward we are going to ask: 
• Classes sit on the bleachers 
• Adults join all students on the bleachers 
• The PBIS team will support in providing more structure to the start and end of the meeting so that classes can focus on what they are presenting. 
• We also ask that classroom teachers review expectations with classes prior to entering the gym
• General Reminders: 
• Please make sure that phones are away
• We're spreading out to greet students in all areas of the building 
• Contracted times: 
• Classroom teachers: 8:15-3:45 
• Paras 8:40-3:40 
• If you are not in school during these times you MUST utilize leave in Frontline. 
• Communication with families should be through school email unless you have gotten permission from me to communicate using a different form. 

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 11/10	No School--Conference Day
Tuesday 11/11	Veteran's Day
Wednesday 11/12	K-6 Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  Harvest Luncheon  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  11/13	District HJC Meeting 12:30-1:55
Friday 11/14	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Acadience K-2 Behavior

Where is Celia?

Monday 11/10	Student Meeting 8:00-9:00  Meeting w/Tyler and Jess 9:15-10:00 Budget Meeting 12:00-3:30 Curriculum Council 4:00-5:30
Tuesday 11/11	Student Meeting 8:15-8:45  Meeting 11:00-11:30  PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Steering Committee Meeting 4:00-5:30
Wednesday 11/12	Teacher PD 8:20-9:20  WCLT: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Student Meeting 2:00-3:30  Staff Meeting 3:10-4:45 Art Room
Thursday  11/13	Planning Meeting 8:15-9:00 SST 10:00-11:30
Friday 11/14	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Academic K-2 Behavior  Student Meeting 3:45

November 2

             

Hi All, 

I hope that your weekend went well. I know everyone earned some much needed rest after a Halloween Friday with indoor recess...I am sorry. But, you made it! We're onto a new week. Remember, consistency and positive recognition for expected behaviors goes a long way.

News and Announcements: 

• Thank you for your patience as we are getting Afterschool kinks ironed out. Kids are excited and we're trying out best to get the 10 minute gap figured out. If you can remind them to get a snack and sit quietly that would be extremely helpful. 
• Reminder: Students must be signed up through the afterschool sign-up in order to attend a club.
• Afterschool Update: I believe that CC is moving forward with the hiring of a site director for our program. This is VERY exciting, it means we will continue to off club model after school programming for students at BES. If you are currently running a club and are interested in continuing for one day, two days or more through CC please let me know ASAP.  
• Please see Tyler's email regarding Bus Rider assembly:

I need all students who ride the bus in the gym at 9:15 on Monday.  I fully recognize that first thing on Monday morning is a less than ideal start of the week, and appreciate your future flexibility!

• We will make a call over the intercom at 9:15 for students who ride the bus to come down.  
• We will go over bus expectations, and explain how write ups from the bus will be handled (differently) starting on Monday (when I send you all the letter this step will make more sense).
• After going over expectations U1 and U2 students will return to class.  U3 riders will stay to practice expectations on Bus U3 (which will stay after dropoff and is why it needs to happen first thing).
• Once U3 riders have finished practicing, they will return to class.

• Please review bus expectations in class at least once next week to help reinforce!

• Here is the document for all of the Bobcat 3 if you're in need of refreshers or want a digital copy. Bobcat 3
• Reminder: There will be NO Staff Meeting or K-6 PLC/PD this week. This is time in lieu for conferences. 
• Caregiver Conferences: You all will have the 10th of November as a day to hold conferences or a "day in lieu" for conferences. Conferences should be held the week before of the week after if you are not using the day of the 10th. 
• Expectations: 
• Conferences are around 20 minutes each. 
• Classroom teachers offer ways for families to sign up (digital, email, in person) 
• Classroom teachers take attendance and ask for additional support at conferences if needed. I'm happy to join to any conference if needed/wanted.
• Caregiver Conferences for non-classroom teacher. Please utilize the time to connect with families in a positive way. Please share the comments in a google doc or bcc me  on the emails. If you are interested in swapping 2 hours for supporting the community library night or helping with childcare please let me know.  

• Upcoming Dates: 

  • November 12— Fall Harvest Meal 

  • Potential GFG—December 15th

• Community Listening Night
• Invitation: Community Invite
• Configuration Information from the Board: 
• 
  
  
  
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• Here our our updates BES Staff Agreements. These are the revised agreements we worked on at inservice:

What's Happening at BES? 

Monday 11/3	HJC 8:15-8:45
Tuesday 11/4
Wednesday 11/5	No Staff Meeting  Para and Celia Check in 3:10-3:40
Thursday  11/6	All School Meeting 2:55-3:25-- (3rd Grade)
Friday 11/7	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Acadience K-2 Behavior

Where is Celia?

Monday 11/3	Student Meeting 8:15  Meeting 12:30-1:00  Student Meeting 3:45
Tuesday 11/4	PK Meeting 11:30-12:30  Student Meeting 2:15
Wednesday 11/5	Admin Team Meeting: Nuts and Bolts 1:00-2:00  Para and Celia Check In 3:10-3:40
Thursday  11/6	Meeting 8:15-8:45  Safety Team 9:00-10:00  Meeting with Susanne 10:00  SST--Attendance 10:45--11:45 All School Meeting 2:55-3:25
Friday 11/7	8:20 Allied Arts PD  Team Meetings  3-6 Academic  K-2 Behavior Student Meeting 3:45