Pre-observation form submission
Please watch the video linked in the title for help in getting your pre-observation meeting information into the MLP system. Any questions? Call me or Missy.
Bells will be off on December 5 for the assembly.
Testing Week in January
Please let me know if you would like to have a midterm exam in January. We are currently planning the week. Cathy gave me a tally of students that are taking Regents, which isn't a big list. The amount of midterms will help me to determine the final schedule and class days. Thanks.
Corrective Action Plans:
The plan along with questions/answers
I've been struggling to find a way to make the board policy of corrective action plans a realizable goal. Please check the latest list along with a new column and a link to a file that describes the plans. I am currently meeting with kids failing 2 or more courses who are currently involved in extracurricular activities. I have put some questions and my answers into this file. Feel free to send me any other questions. This will evolve as we go, but I believe we're on the right track. Thanks.
MLP notes - From Missy Butler:
The observation function of My Learning Plan requires that all the components be scheduled/in progress before anyone can upload materials for those parts if needed/desired. It is simpler to open them now rather than waiting for each individual observation. This gives access to everyone at the same time allowing each person to work in that program without waiting on us. I will finish opening the components today for any staff who didn't already get the scheduling email. These are not the real pre, post or observation dates. The dates you set with Karen or Kim are the ones you should adhere to. If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know.
TED Talk from Sal Khan
Would you build a house on an unfinished foundation? Of course not. So why do we often push students through their classes before they’ve grasped the foundational concepts? In my latest TED talk, I discuss why we should emphasize mastery to help students realize their full potential.
Watch my TED talk
In my latest TED talk, I discuss why we should emphasize mastery to help students realize their full potential.
Onward,
Sal, Founder & CEO, Khan Academy
State memos:
Changes in Allowable Testing Accommodations on the Grades 3-8 New York State English Language Arts Assessments
Summary: Beginning with the 2017 administration of the Grades 3-8 English Language Arts (ELA) Assessments, students with disabilities whose Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or Section 504 Accommodations Plans (504 Plans) document that tests be read aloud (by way of human reader or technology) must be provided this testing accommodation in accordance with the specifications in the IEP/504 Plan. In previous years, only directions were to be read to students on the Grades 3-8 ELA Assessments; no other portion of the test was to be read aloud regardless of the circumstances. Additionally, this testing accommodation will be provided to students upon declassification with documentation indicating the accommodation will continue.
Computer based testing is coming. Check this out if you'd like to:
CBT: Updated Computer-Based Question Sampler
·
This communication provides information about the release of the
NYS 3-8 ELA and MA CBT Question Sampler for 2016-17 school year.
· The updated Question Sampler can be accessed at https://ny-practice.nextera.questarai.com/.
·
School participation in operational computer-based testing and
stand-alone field testing on computers will be voluntary for spring 2017
and can be selected through the NYSED’s online examination request
system.
· Details about “tech readiness” as well as other CBT
resources are available under “Resources” on the CBT Support website: http://bit.ly/2fdm1dX.
· See attached document titled Updated Question Sampler Memo.
· Please send any questions or comments about the updated Question Sampler to cbtsupport@nysed.gov<mailto:cbtsupport@nysed.gov>.
Articles
AMLE Magazine - Nov/Dec From the Association of Middle Level Education
A national push for well-rounded students
New grant will reward schools that improve access to music, social studies, environmental education and computer science. As I get time (that's a good one!), I'll take a look at the grant requirements to see if we could qualify. If anyone else would like to look, there are links in the article.
Here's a good one for discussion in science or social studies:
Bill Gates - Why I'm helping develop a fragrance to block toilet odors
Making STEM learning fun in the classroom
UBTECH Robotics, the company that created the cutting-edge Alpha Series of humanoid robots, today announced three California schools have integrated UBTECH robots into their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum.
Monday, November 21
Corrective Action Plans and the Academic Warning List
Please watch this video linked here. This video will describe our noble attempt to implement an efficient and effective process for corrective action plans. This process is required by Board policy, and it has been next to non-existent. Please help me to implement this. What I'm describing in the video should really help if we all pitch in. This includes students.
With the help of BOCES and one other district, we've been able to get Matt Bellace here on December 5th. Matt's presentation in Ithaca was very well received by a few of our folks, so we decided to try and get him for our students.
Matt will do 2 assemblies in the morning.
To make this run as smoothly as possible, Cathy and I worked on a new schedule for morning assemblies.
Observation Notes
A teacher had some concerns about domains 1 and 4, so I'm making some clarifications. Here is the overall plan:
Community Garden:
Building Day a Success
On Saturday, we had a small but great group help to get the garden off to a great start. I hope that our kids can get involved in several ways by next spring. Thanks to John Barkee for prepping boards for the boxes.
Melody Lateer showed up and worked as hard as anyone. She's a great kid.
Sometime in December, John Wagner from Wagner Vineyards will donate his time and install fence posts. We appreciate his willingness to do so.
Tom Scolaro Seeing Progress with Khan Academy
Tom has started using Khan Academy with his 7th and 8th grade students. He's seeing some really good results, with some students already at 50% of Khan's 8th grade skill set.
I decided to sign up for his 8th grade class. So far in a couple days, I've mastered 6% of the 8th grade skills! Don't worry, I'll be up to 10% in a couple days. It's a cool way to brush up on some skills, and as I progress, I'll challenge his students to see how many can beat me to 100%.
State Education Commissioner Elia and A.G. Schneiderman Offer Guidance to Help Ensure Schools are Safe Havens for Learning
Articles
Regionalization of school districts must be considered
Opinion: Teaching Life Skills through Arts Education
Please watch this video linked here. This video will describe our noble attempt to implement an efficient and effective process for corrective action plans. This process is required by Board policy, and it has been next to non-existent. Please help me to implement this. What I'm describing in the video should really help if we all pitch in. This includes students.
Matt Bellace - December 5th Assemblies for MS - HS
 |
| You can click on the picture to enlarge if needed. |
To make this run as smoothly as possible, Cathy and I worked on a new schedule for morning assemblies.
Observation Notes
A teacher had some concerns about domains 1 and 4, so I'm making some clarifications. Here is the overall plan:
- 2 observations - 1 announced, 1 unannounced
- Domains 2 and 3 are covered during the actual observations. No artifacts are necessary.
- Domain 1 - evaluated via the pre-conference form, lesson plan, artifacts and pre-conference meeting.
- Domain 4 - we evaluate based on what the individual teacher does professionally. No artifacts are required. However, if a teacher feels they should receive a high score in a category, they can provide the necessary artifact(s) to prove the desire for a higher score.
Community Garden:Building Day a Success
On Saturday, we had a small but great group help to get the garden off to a great start. I hope that our kids can get involved in several ways by next spring. Thanks to John Barkee for prepping boards for the boxes.
Sometime in December, John Wagner from Wagner Vineyards will donate his time and install fence posts. We appreciate his willingness to do so.
Tom Scolaro Seeing Progress with Khan AcademyTom has started using Khan Academy with his 7th and 8th grade students. He's seeing some really good results, with some students already at 50% of Khan's 8th grade skill set.
I decided to sign up for his 8th grade class. So far in a couple days, I've mastered 6% of the 8th grade skills! Don't worry, I'll be up to 10% in a couple days. It's a cool way to brush up on some skills, and as I progress, I'll challenge his students to see how many can beat me to 100%.
State Education Commissioner Elia and A.G. Schneiderman Offer Guidance to Help Ensure Schools are Safe Havens for Learning
A short while ago, a news release was jointly issued by Commissioner MaryEllen Elia and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. At the end of the news release is a three-page letter intended
to provide school leaders with resources for complying with the Dignity
for All Students Act and for addressing hate-based actions.
In
the letter, school districts are encouraged to review their respective
systems in relation to Codes of Conduct, DASA, and Violent and
Disruptive Incident Reporting (VADIR). The letter also includes numerous
links to informational resources to help school staff, students,
parents, and communities. In the concluding paragraph of the letter,
those wishing to discuss local issues, topics, or materials are advised
to contact the State Education Department's Office of Student Support
Services by telephoning (518) 486-6090 or by emailing StudentSupportServices@nysed.gov.
Click here to view the news release.
Click here to view the letter.
Articles
Regionalization of school districts must be considered
Opinion: Teaching Life Skills through Arts Education
Monday, November 14
Grades due by Wednesday at 8 am; corrections by 2:30.
Some adjustments and one new term for grading
Some adjustments and one new term for grading
- INC - Use this for an incomplete grade at the end of the quarter. INC has no numeric value, which is a change from one of my last messages. I decided not to give this a value since it could negatively affect a student's overall average, which wouldn't be good when a student's work is incomplete for a completely valid reason.
- *55 - If a student has less than a calculated average of 55, use this term. The grade will calculate to a 55 in their overall average. I'm hoping the * in front will grab some attention, and I will explain it to parents.
Community Garden Building Day this Saturday
We would love to have a few volunteers this Saturday morning at 9 for our Community Garden project. We will be staking off the boundaries for the fence and raised beds. Please let me know if you're interested. I'm confident that this will be a great collaboration for our kids and the community. Thanks.
Update on Lions Leos Club
You probably realize that I've been trying to get the Leos Club up and running. A local business man and Lions Member, Jeff Williams, has bee speaking with me about. Jeff and I asked several students if they would like to attend a Lions meeting this week, and the students accepted. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a great partnership and a new Leos chapter.
For advisers or trip planners - Tour Companies
I received some info from the EFT Tours rep and one other company, so I put it in a file for your review. It's in staff share / adviser info.
Articles
On The Lesson Plan: Make Stuff. Fail. Learn While You're At It
TST BOCES News
We would love to have a few volunteers this Saturday morning at 9 for our Community Garden project. We will be staking off the boundaries for the fence and raised beds. Please let me know if you're interested. I'm confident that this will be a great collaboration for our kids and the community. Thanks.
Update on Lions Leos Club
You probably realize that I've been trying to get the Leos Club up and running. A local business man and Lions Member, Jeff Williams, has bee speaking with me about. Jeff and I asked several students if they would like to attend a Lions meeting this week, and the students accepted. I'm hoping that this is the beginning of a great partnership and a new Leos chapter.
For advisers or trip planners - Tour Companies
I received some info from the EFT Tours rep and one other company, so I put it in a file for your review. It's in staff share / adviser info.
Articles
On The Lesson Plan: Make Stuff. Fail. Learn While You're At It
TST BOCES News
Thursday, November 10
Have a great long weekend.
Thank a vet!
We spent some time on the MS schedule to improve flow, and we've achieved that lofty goal. These changes really help the flow of the schedule for 7th and 8th grade core subjects. The new sem 2 and MS groups sheets are now on the master. Please take a look since most changes are complete. I wish that I could make similar changes for the second quarter, but that won't be possible. We're making the schedule great again! OK, we're making it a bit better.
Observation notes
FYI - I just scheduled an observation using MLP. I used the correct date for the observation, but I used today's date and time for the pre and post meetings. This allows you access to the forms right away. If we use the actual times for the pre and post meetings, it limits access to those times, which is kind of strange in my opinion. If we can fix this little snafu, we will, but it's not a huge deal.
Kahn Academy Works!
Check out my short little video linked in the title. For those using it, thanks for your work with this great tool. There's more than math to Kahn Academy, so check it out.
Articles
How arts education teaches kids to learn from failure
AMLE Magazine Nov/Dec
Latest BOCES School Improvement News
Monday, November 7
Planner for this week:
-->
| Event | Monday, November 7, 2016 | JV and Varsity Winter Sports Begin | |
| School board | Wednesday, November 9, 2016 | 7:00 PM | Board Meeting - Interlaken |
| Marking periods | Thursday, November 10, 2016 | End of 1st Quarter (22 days) |
Check the duty sheet in the master
We did some rearranging of names and places, so please check.
Student Access to the Portal
Student access to the portal is now possible! I just posted this file: portal passwords as of Nov 4
Only teachers have access to this file if you're logged in. You can select your grade level and have students sign in to the portal using the temporary password. Students can either sign in with their user ID number or their email. Here is the link for the portal.
Please coordinate this process in team meetings. These temporary passwords will expire in 7 days. After that, I'll have to redo them. Any questions, let me know.
Lunch duty reminder
If you have lunch duty, please make sure the students pick up their trash and take their tray to the dishwasher before they are dismissed. Let's all be consistent on this. If a student gives you a problem with a directive, you should contact Cathy Flanders, Melissa Butler, or me. Thanks.
Additionally, if you have duty in the upper cafe, please take attendance. It happens in the lower cafe, but not consistently in the upper cafe. This was an area of concern mentioned by staff during our drill.
Shared Decision Making Team
Our next meeting is 11/14. We meet in the MS/HS Library at 5:30 and would love to see some new teacher faces. This year we are delving into work around communication.
Coming Soon
Look for Mrs. Butler's PD Blog to be posted bi-weekly.
This file was shared once before, but here it is again for your reading pleasure.
Let's Start a Leos Club
While in Olean, I was a member of the Olean Lions Club. The Allegany Limestone had a local Leos club, a youth community service organization affiliated with our Lions club. I would love to get one started here, possibly by partnering with class advisers, NHS, JNHS, etc.
Please take a look at this link: http://members.lionsclubs.org/EN/leos/index.php
I spoke with Scott Hawley about this, and he is eager to help get it off the ground. This organization would allow a good number of our kids to interact with leaders in the community. Please let me know if you'd be interested in talking with me about it. Thanks.
Clarinet Rectal - What's That???
Make sure to proofread your assignments and announcements!
Articles
Middle school suicides reach an all-time high
This is pretty scary. If you ever notice something, please make sure you speak with Brooke or Jackie. Thanks.
Teach Peace
The ignored science that could help close the achievement gap
Webinars
District Administration Web Seminars This includes previously recorded seminars.
Friday, November 4
Self Reflection Committee - Classroom visits
Please read this letter from Janie Nusser, our former superintendent. I will let you all know the day that we'll visit your room for 15 minutes or so. No worries, it will be fun!
A committee of grade 6-12 teachers and administrators has been working this year to assess where we are as a school in relation to characteristics deemed important by the State Education Department.
This is the same process the State will use if the school should become a Focus School. The process includes self-reflection activities; interviews with teachers, parents, and students; and an examination of several school-based documents. Another element consists of fifteen to twenty-minute visits to classrooms.
These visits are NOT observations. These visits are NOT evaluations of individual teachers. Data gathered during these visits will NOT be linked to any individual teacher. Viewed in aggregate ONLY, data will be utilized as only one tool among six.
Teachers will be told the dates on which visits will take place. Visitors will include one or more of the following: Janie Nusser, Tim, Melissa, and Steve.
Teachers are encouraged to let their students know about these visits and that the visits are NOT tied to teacher evaluation.
It would be most helpful for teachers to have some kind of lesson plan to give to visitors to provide some context for the visits.
If you have further questions, please contact one of these committee members: Tim Houseknecht, Missy Butler, Stacey Clark, Becky Crane, Brad Cartwright, Chad Eastman, Cindy Brewer, Felicia Woodard, Fran Copp, Heather Mott, Jackie Bateman, Marie Scoles, Nina Redmond, and Tina Bauder.
"INC" calculates as zero
In SIS, if you put in INC for a grade, it now calculates as a zero. This will show the student what the average will be if the assignments don't get completed.
8 Examples of Transforming Lessons Through the SAMR Cycle
While at the Middle School conference, I attended a workshop using the SAMR Cycle, which is a process for using technology in your classroom. Check out the link above for some good information.
AIS Procedures
Our procedures for AIS have been posted to both the middle and high school home pages. This is required by NYS.
New and Notable Case Studies
From District Administration Magazine
Closeup.org
This site looks interesting. Here's a screen shot:
Mathcon.org
An exciting online math competition for 5th through 12th graders.
Articles
Prohibiting insults of school workers is unconstitutional, ruling says Wow.
Buffalo Public Schools approve new policy for transgender students
If you've been involved in our transgender discussions, you might want to take a look at this and other district policies you find.
Please read this letter from Janie Nusser, our former superintendent. I will let you all know the day that we'll visit your room for 15 minutes or so. No worries, it will be fun!
A committee of grade 6-12 teachers and administrators has been working this year to assess where we are as a school in relation to characteristics deemed important by the State Education Department.
This is the same process the State will use if the school should become a Focus School. The process includes self-reflection activities; interviews with teachers, parents, and students; and an examination of several school-based documents. Another element consists of fifteen to twenty-minute visits to classrooms.
These visits are NOT observations. These visits are NOT evaluations of individual teachers. Data gathered during these visits will NOT be linked to any individual teacher. Viewed in aggregate ONLY, data will be utilized as only one tool among six.
Teachers will be told the dates on which visits will take place. Visitors will include one or more of the following: Janie Nusser, Tim, Melissa, and Steve.
Teachers are encouraged to let their students know about these visits and that the visits are NOT tied to teacher evaluation.
It would be most helpful for teachers to have some kind of lesson plan to give to visitors to provide some context for the visits.
If you have further questions, please contact one of these committee members: Tim Houseknecht, Missy Butler, Stacey Clark, Becky Crane, Brad Cartwright, Chad Eastman, Cindy Brewer, Felicia Woodard, Fran Copp, Heather Mott, Jackie Bateman, Marie Scoles, Nina Redmond, and Tina Bauder.
Quarter End memo from Guidance:
IMPORTANT DATES
- November 10th -End of the first marking period
- November 16th –First quarter grades/comments are due in SIS. Note- there will be NO MARK VERIFICATION SHEETS. Please check your grades and comment codes in SIS and make any necessary changes before the end of the day.
- November 18th –Reports are printed
REMINDERS
- Students should receive numerical grades and comments for all courses.
- All incompletes must be made up by November 30th or they will automatically be changed to a 55.
- High School- to place a student on the restricted list, use comment codes 114-122 in any comment column. Students with two or more failing classes will be put on the Academic Warning List.
- Comment code lists are the Grading folder in Staff Share on google. Please use comment code #235 “see enclosed report for details” if you are adding a report to be mailed with the student’s report card.
- If you want to include any information or additional reports, we must receive it by Tuesday, November 15.
"INC" calculates as zero
In SIS, if you put in INC for a grade, it now calculates as a zero. This will show the student what the average will be if the assignments don't get completed.
8 Examples of Transforming Lessons Through the SAMR CycleWhile at the Middle School conference, I attended a workshop using the SAMR Cycle, which is a process for using technology in your classroom. Check out the link above for some good information.
AIS Procedures
Our procedures for AIS have been posted to both the middle and high school home pages. This is required by NYS.
New and Notable Case Studies
From District Administration Magazine
Closeup.org
This site looks interesting. Here's a screen shot:
Mathcon.org
An exciting online math competition for 5th through 12th graders.
Articles
Prohibiting insults of school workers is unconstitutional, ruling says Wow.
Buffalo Public Schools approve new policy for transgender students
If you've been involved in our transgender discussions, you might want to take a look at this and other district policies you find.
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