CSHS Weekly Bulletin
April 16-21, 2018
Modeling Lifelong Learning
Dear Cougar Family,
The phrase "lifelong learning" is used so often that I think many educators have ceased to really think about what that phrase really means. It has become trite, overused even. For me, though, it is a commitment to reflecting on current practice, seeking outside sources for alternative methods, and then determining how to best refine a process and continue professional growth. If we are to truly believe in educating our students, we must be willing to seek learning for ourselves and model the value of learning something new for our students.
During early May, we will begin to meet with you all for summative conferences (both educators on T-TESS and ATR), and a large part of those conversations will center on your professional instructional goal and your own professional growth this school year. No matter the number of years in education, there is always an opportunity to learn, try something new, and grow. We as the admin team are so excited to hear about the professional learning and progress you have made this year!
In the spirit of lifelong learning and continuous growth, I am sharing a variety of articles to foster your own professional learning this week from Edutopia:
Social Emotional Learning
- Supporting Students With Chronic Trauma
- Helping High Schoolers Manage Emotions
- 7 Strategies to Make Grading Easier (Yes, SEL is for educators, too!)
Student Engagement
- Designing Engaging Assignments
- Promoting Productive Struggle in Math
- Introvert Friendly Collaborative Learning
Please take a moment this week to read one of the articles above (or find one tied directly to your goal from another source), and to reflect on your own growth this year.
Don't forget to mark your calendar to attend either the afternoon or morning faculty meeting this week! See Week in Review below!
May you all have a terrific week!
As always, COUGAR PRIDE!
Tiffany
Update Grades Regularly
I am adding a reminder on Wednesday in the Week in Review to help everyone remember this important step.
Parent Contact Reminders
- At least every two weeks, send an informational email home to all parents/guardians. Include items such as upcoming projects/assignments, due dates, resources they can use to help their students, links to web pages, etc.
- When a student is struggling, be proactive in communicating with parents/guardians BEFORE the grade is finalized. Let parents be your partners in helping our students achieve. Make sure they understand the process of retesting/reassessing for your subject area.
- If a student fails for the six weeks, a parent should have been well aware of the student's struggles before the report card comes out. Call the parent/guardian and invite them to be part of helping their student succeed. Email if you are not able to reach them on the phone, but make sure they reply to you, so you know they received the email.
Spring Final Exam Schedule
Spring is in the Air!
Please remember that our common expectations are the key part of creating an environment at CSHS in which students can strive for success. Take a moment to make sure you are helping communicate these common expectations to our students (and to your sub via your sub notes):
1) IDs: Students must wear them from when they enter the building to when they exit after school.
2) Tardies: Please do not let students in without a pass after the tardy bell.
3) Hall Passes: When a student leaves your classroom, he/she needs either a bathroom pass that clearly indicates the student is from your classroom and has permission to use the restroom nearest your room OR a blue hall pass that is completely filled out. More hall passes are available in the attendance office.
4) Hall Duty: Students should be met by lots of smiling faces as they make their way to the next class.
5) Dress Code: Holes in jeans (above the fingertips for both boys and girls), short shorts, leggings without a fingertip-length shirt, and hats are the most consistent dress code violations that administrators are seeing. Please check students as they enter your classroom. Often, we do not see a student out of dress code until lunch, which means they've gone by at least 4 teachers before we see them.
Duty Schedule
Check the full schedule here and mark the dates in your calendar.
Please be sure to see the full duty schedule on the Teacher Resource Guide. Direct any questions regarding duty to Mr. Davis.
Morning Duty
Afternoon Duty
Upcoming Events
4/23-27 School's Out Food Drive
4/24-25 AP Exam Pre-administration Sessions
4/30 Strutter Banquet
5/1 CSISD Hall of Fame Banquet
5/3-5 UIL State Academic Meet
5/8 Biology EOC
5/9 Algebra I & US History EOCs
5/10: Morning Activity Schedule for Cougar Awards Practice
5/10 FFA Banquet
5/14 Cougar Awards
5/21-22 UIL State Academic Meet
5.21-25 Exemption Cards Available in the Cafeteria
5/23 Morning Activity Schedule for Senior Celebration Practice
5/23 Senior Celebration
5/28 School Holiday
5/31 Early Release for Students/Graduation Practice/Senior Sunset Supper
6/1 Staff Development Day/Graduation