Week at a Glance WAG April 2-6, 2018

Need a Laugh?
As much as they drive us crazy our kids can really ease the pressure even during intense moments. We need laughter, ya'll! With STAAR beginning next week, I wanted to share some funny moments that have happened with some of our kids so far this year...and a fun story from my past. :)

1. Mark was dancing and being silly in Benavides' class and one little girl put her hand on her head, closed her eyes and said "Oh my Gatos!"
2. One of our Beach themed Writing Camp groups was named the "Flip Flops"... the students changed their name in about two minutes to the "Chanclas".
3. One student that had ISS recently was pretty upset. While I was talking to him about how his actions affect everyone else  he told me "I can't believe I did this. Now I am missing math and its my fav." 
4. Ms. Chaffin's students were retelling important facts about George Washington from a book and one student told her and Mrs. Rios that he had "dirty teeth". They asked him if he was sure and with confidence he said "Yes! My fact is he had dirty teeth!" After fact checking-they had read that he had teeth made out of ivory and lead...Seems like pretty legit reasoning to me!
5. One time, when I taught fifth grade, I had just gotten on to my group for their behavior in the cafeteria. My partner teacher and I took the classes to restroom and I had to go too so I asked her to watch my kids while I ran in. As I walked back down the hallway I noticed that all the kids looked mortified and I was thinking "Man! I really reached them this time!" Finally, one of the boys (who I got to hug at graduation last year!) came up to me and said... Uh, Mrs. Sanders, your skirt is tucked in to your underwear!" Talk about MORTIFIED. (Hard to teach adaptations of crawfish after that one.)

 I hope everyone tries to breathe easy this week-try to relieve some pressure off you and the kids!

~Put in some extra laughs this week, 
Sanders

Shout out to EVERYONE for stepping up to help us handle serious situations, testing issues, awards, coverage, etc during this CRAZY busy time!
~Shout out to Rachel Lambeth, the AMAZING Schulze secretary, for coming over here to help us out with end of the year spending! She has been here multiple times and we appreciate her so much!
~Shout out to Maria Yanez for doing an exceptional job with our 4th Grade students while Mrs. Bates was out. She has been SO dedicated to their success! 
~Shout out to Mark Gorena for the coordination of STAAR benchmark testing. It's a hard job...but Mr. G HANDLED THAT!
~Some MARCH birthdays that we missed!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Lila Velasquez (March 16), Marie McDonald (March 19) and Karen Bautista (March 21)!

Reminders THIS WEEK:
>Progress Report grades due Mon
>GT Showcase at Singley on Tuesday at 5
>Faculty meeting this week

Monday April 2
>Welcome back, Valerie Bates!
> Progress Report grades due
>Writing Camp Day
>Please make sure your Sonic drink is in by the end of they day
>Language of Testing LPAC meetings throughout day
>8:30 ARD Ashley/Sanders
>10:00 SSP 3rd Grade Sanders (Andrew)
>1:00 ARD Kerans/Smith/admin TBD

Tuesday April 3
> Reading Planning Day
>Kinder Field Trip
>8:30 ARD Mier/Hernandez/Sanders
>9:30 ARD Morales/Vargas/Sanders
>10:00 SSP Nathan C. 3rd Grade/admin TBD
>10:30 SSP Isabella 3rd Grade/admin TBD
>12:30-4:00 (Sanders, Kline, Fountain) at training
>1:00 ARD Mitchell/Lucero/Gorena
>5:00 GT Showcase at Singley

Wednesday April 4
>Math Planning Day
>Class Pictures-Free Dress (nice clothes)
>Writing Camp Day
>8:00 SSP 1st Grade (Jesse) Fountain
>9:30-11:30 Sanders off campus-accountability update
>2:00 SSP 1st Grade (Alondra) Fountain
>3:30-5:00 Faculty Meeting (mandatory testing training; TOY annoucement, sweet surprise!)

Thursday April 5
> Angelica out (jury duty)
>NO 2nd grade PTA PERFORMANCE. Will be rescheduled.
>8:30 meet with Rosa
>2:00 Meet with Counselors

Friday April 6
>8:30 Admin and Kline meeting
>9:00-11:00 CORE meeting

Saturday April 7
>Irving Fun Run! 🏃

Upcoming Dates:
~April 10-5th Math STAAR; 4th Writing STAAR (Snack Day!)
~April 11-5th Reading STAAR (Snack Day!)
~April 12-2:00 PTA Chocolate Sales Kick-Off 
~April 14 Go Irving Festival 9-12
~April 19-Pizza and Picasso Night
~April 23-A surprise is coming for you!
~April 26- 7:00 PM Service Awards @ Nimitz
~April 27- OFF
~April 30-CIC Meeting

Growing Greatness in Every Student Every Day! 

JHE Week at a Glance March 26-March 30, 2018

Stealin' Time
Every minute counts during the school day to make a difference in our kiddos! We have noticed some really great examples of teachers "stealin' time" during transitions.  We lose a lot of time during class transitions, beginning of the day, and dismissal. We wanted to share some of these ideas and encourage you to try one out! 

Lucero and Mitchell- kids take books with them in the AM while they take their bathroom break

Ojeda- class takes books to lunch

Balmaceda- Math wars in cafeteria

A few third grade classes- students are reading books in the morning before the bell 

Do you do these types of activities with your classes? Share your ideas by Tweeting your class "stealin' time" using #bulldogsstealtime next week for a chance to win a pizza lunch for you and your team! 

Have a great week, ya bandits!

Shout out to Sandra Plascensia for posting her AWESOME book talks/recommendations over spring break! They have been a huge hit! If you haven't seen them-go check them out and find a good book to read to your kids! SO AWESOME!!!
~Shout out to Norma Anderson for holding down the 5th grade reading front while a teammate is out! She has been making sure our long term sub Ms. King has everything she needs and is ready to go in class each day!
~Shout out to FaLessha Esslinger and her classes for all the hard work on the garden! 

Reminders THIS WEEK:
>Benchmark testing this week-quiet halls please

Monday March 26
> Sanders and Arevalo out in AM for budget meeting
>Counselors at meeting (AM)
>3rd and 4th Math STAAR benchmark 
>3:30 Painting with Ms. Gray in the art room
>3:45 CIC Meeting (will be quick)

Tuesday March 27
> Sanders out for principal meeting
>3rd and 4th Reading Benchmark

Wednesday March 28
>5th Grade Science Benchmark 
>4th Grade Writing Camp 
>3rd Grade at Casa Manana! 

Thursday March 29
> Student Awards during specials
>Writing Camp Day
>CORE meeting (School Data, Accountability, Goals)
>TELPAS ratings DUE!
>Rangers' Opening Day! Wear jeans and Rangers gear or colors!

Friday March 30
>Good Friday Holiday!

Upcoming Dates:
~April 3-District GT Showcase @ Singley
~April 4-Class Pictures 
~April  5- 2nd Grade PTA Night
~April 7-Irving ISD Fun Run
~April 10-5th Math STAAR; 4th Writing STAAR
~April 11-5th Reading STAAR
~April 12-2:00 PTA Chocolate Sales Kick-Off 
~April 14 Go Irving Festival 8-12
~April 19-Pizza and Picasso Night
~April 26- 7:00 PM Service Awards @ Nimitz
~April 27- OFF
~April 30-CIC Meeting

Growing Greatness in Every Student Every Day! 

Week at a Glance March 20-23, 2018

Welcome Back! 
Hope you were able to rest and recover this week. Back in the up-swing! :)

All STAFF- Please take a second and fill out this IISD Staff Climate Survey  by Friday! ( It is pretty quick-It's the yearly district survey.)  Thank you so much!  ~ Lindsey

 THANK YOU Jeri Bailey for the awesome,encouraging notes you have been sending home to students AND for putting together an awesome Jump Rope for Heart Cooler Challenge Event!
~Shout out to Felix Gonzales for being such a positive person on our campus! He loves our students...even during the worst times! (LOL)  He also started giving out yellow tickets! (He is a lucky double ticket giver!

Reminders THIS WEEK:
>TELPAS Testing continued-see schedule!

Tuesday March 20
> Free Dress, prize drawings on annoucements (kids AND teachers), and Hour of Games! (any hour you choose in class)
>Contract Recommendations will be signed today-will send a runner 
>TELPAS testing (see schedule)
>ELAR Content Planning
>8:00 Writing Camp Kick-Off in Cafe A-4th grade (don't forget Hawaiian wear!)
>8:30 ARD Ojeda/Pinto/Admin
>8:45 Writing Camp 4th Grade
>1:00 ARD Lucero/Mitchell/Admin
>1:30 Writing Camp 4th Grade

Wednesday March 21
>TELPAS  (see schedule)
>Math Content Planning
> 10:00 Carrie P. & Admin meet

Thursday March 22
>TELPAS Testing (see schedule)
>8:00 ARD Cortez/Chaffin/Admin
>8:30 Rosa F. & Admin meeting
>9:00 ARD Ojeda/Pinto/Admin
>2:00 Counselors & Admin meet
>4:00-5:30 Sanders @ Admin building

Friday March 22
>TELPAS testing (see schedule)
>8:30 Kline & Admin meet
>9:00-11:00 CORE meeting
>STAFF CLIMATE SURVEY DUE

Upcoming Dates:
~March 26 Paint with Ms. Gray after school for Pizza and Picasso!
~March 26-CIC meeting 
~March 26-3rd and 4th Math Benchmark
~March 27-3rd and 4th Reading Benchmark
~March 28 5th Science Benchmark
~March 30-Holiday (Good Friday)
~April  5- 2nd Grade PTA Night
~April 10-5th Math STAAR; 4th Writing STAAR
~April 11-5th Reading STAAR
~April 19-Pizza and Picasso Night
~April 26- 7:00 PM Service Awards @ Nimitz
~April 27- OFF
~April 30-CIC Meeting

Growing Greatness in Every Student Every Day! 

Week at a Glance March 5-9, 2018

Troy's Bucket
There is a moment in the Goonies where the group can decide to be rescued by the town jerk, Troy, or stay and finish their mission. After Mikey pleas with the group about taking the more difficult path yet more rewarding path-they all agree, go on to find the treasure, and save the day!

That is what I feel like we have to decide around this time of year. Do we coast out of the well in Troy's bucket or do we go forth on the unsteady path with booby traps, puzzles, and pirate planks? Well, I say... "Bulldogs Never Say Die!"  GO FORTH AND SAVE THE DAY!

The reading blurb that I sent out last week sparked some GREAT discussions and I think that WE (all stakeholders-including admin)  need to majorly reflect on our impact on literacy in the building. Please use the following questions as a self-reflection. If you start to feel like you are answering no too much-think about how we can help move the school in the right direction.

• Are you talking about reading with your classes? 
• Are YOU a reader? If not, why?
• Are you having meaningful conversations in the library with kids?
• Do you know what your kids are reading?
• Are your kids finding the right books?
• Are your kids getting enough independent reading time actually reading?
• Are you letting kids share what they are reading with other kids?
• Are you getting excited about children's books and sharing with kids?
• If you are a math and science teacher-are you discussing reading? 
• If you are a math and science teacher (especially during science) are you making writing important? Have you looked at their conventions? How they spell? If they are writing sentences beginning with capital letter and ending with punctuation?

Don't take the easy way out. This is the kids' time! This is your time! This is OUR time! 

Bulldogs NEVER Say Die! ~ Sanders

~Thank you to Carrie Patrick for a great Dr. Seuss Week! We had some fun guests this week! Gracias PTA for the bagels! AND THANK YOU  Rosa for the awesome backdrop at the front of the school!
~Shout out to all of you for a great Open House it was a hit with the parents and kiddos!
~Thank you to everyone that sent TWEETS this week! Twitter winners will be awarded on Monday! We LOVE the positive pictures sharing what you do with your kids at school!

Reminders THIS WEEK:
>Give out those yellow tickets!
>Twitter Winners getting prizes on Monday!
>TELPAS Testing-see schedule!

Monday March 5
>Fountain out at meeting all day
>Gorena out in AM
>12:30 Hoefert visits math classrooms
>1:00 ARD Dominguez/Gorena

Tuesday March 6
>TELPAS testing 8:00-10:00 and 1:00-3:00 (see schedule)
>Kline, Massey, and Rice out for curriculum writing
>ELAR Content Planning
>9:30 ARD Hancock/Gorena
>Orton Shower Drop-Off in Lounge all day (come in for a treat and leave Orton's baby shower gift!)

Wednesday March 7
> TELPAS Testing 8:00-10:00 and 1:00-3:00 (see schedule)
>Math Content Planning
>Kline and Rice out for curriculum writing
>3:30 Leadership Meeting

Thursday March 8
>TELPAS Testing 8:00-10:00 and 1:00-3:00 (see schedule)
>Kline and Rice out for curriculum writing
>8:30 ARD (Kerans and Sanders)
>12:10 2nd Grade Collaboration Meeting in 10B
>1:10 1st Grade Collaboration Meeting in 10B
>2:10 Kinder Collaboration Meeting in 10B
>2:30 Cooler Heads Challenge (email from Bailey)
>International Women's Day! #powertotheladies

Friday March 9
>NO SCHOOL! See you March 20!

Upcoming Dates:
~March 5-8 Contract Recommendation meetings/signing
~March 9-March 19 Spring Break
~March 26 Paint with Ms. Gray after school for Pizza and Picasso!
~March 26-CIC meeting 
~March 26-3rd and 4th Math Benchmark
~March 27-3rd and 4th Reading Benchmark
~March 28 5th Science Benchmark
~March 30-Holiday (Good Friday)

Growing Greatness in Every Student Every Day!