WTFD WEEKLY
March 2, 2018
MISSION
Vision
DLI Kindergarten students showing off their "stuff" at the Board Meeting on Monday
DLI Parent Informational Meeting
Note to self: Just need to add a couple clips from the DLI program to share with parents as well so that they can "see it action."
IREAD Testing Schedule
Monday, March 12th Practice Test 9:00 starting time
Monday, March 12th Section 1; 15 minutes after completion of practice
Tuesday, March 13th Section 2; 9:00 starting time
Wed., March 14th Section 3; 9:00 starting time
Make – Up tests on Thursday, March 15th and Friday, March 16th
Report Cards
Paraprofessional Meeting on Monday
Related Arts Night is Tuesday, March 6th from 6-8 p.m.
3rd grade music program: 6:00
4th grade music program: 7:00
Art show throughout the building during the entire event; cookies and lemonade served in cafeteria beginning around 6:30pm
ILT Update
The ILT worked on Inter-Rater Reliability in the areas of Assessment and Expectations on the rubric. We viewed a lesson and scored/discussed to ensure that we are all on the same page. Next week we will begin our Unit of Study on Data Analysis Conversations.
Staffing Updates
Next Week and Beyond
Monday 3/5: Delay Day: First Grade/Related Arts will meet in the Library to begin (continuing) sketching for Window F and K/2nd Grade will finish up their Success Plans for Math. (Library too!) Grades 3-5: Will meet in the TAP room to continue their work on their 20 day plan or to identify gaps based on the critical content standards. EL/Special Ed./IDEA - please go with whatever grade level cluster you are in. See Julea if any questions. Please bring all of your materials so that you are ready to go during your collaboration time.
ALT 10:30-11:30
Tuesday 3/6:
IDEA Room Meeting: 12:30-1:30
Related Arts Night - Music and Art Showcase: 6-8 p.m.
Wed,3/7:
ALT 8-11: Katrina, Julie, and Julea
Thurs. 3/8:
4th Grade to GHS musical "Tarzan"; 9-11
ILT 3:30-4:45
Fri. 3/9:
5th Grade to GMS
Upcoming Events:
March 12: UVA Meeting with Warsaw all Day (Katrina, Joel, Julea, and Julie out);
6:00 - School Board Meeting
IREAD Testing: March 12- March 16
March 16: 8:45-11:00 - Principal Meeting (Katrina out)
March 28-April 8: Spring Break - no school
News from Central Office
1. Metrics for Calculating Educator Effectiveness for our EL teachers this year (2017-18) – In the Teacher Evaluation Handbook for this school year, it was planned that our EL teachers would use the WIDA growth data as a measure of student results. However, we recently learned that the IDOE will not begin to calibrate the WIDA results to determine growth targets for our English Language Learners until this year’s testing has been completed. It is highly unlikely that the statistical analysis will be completed in time for our use. The EL subcommittee of the Teacher Evaluation Committee met two weeks ago and determined the following:
a. For the 2017-18 school year, we will once again use the 70/30 model for calculating the educator effectiveness for EL teachers; 70% SKR/30% School-wide Value added score. Dolores and Tammy will explain this to EL teachers at their next EL teacher meeting.
b. The technology and EL departments will work together to figure out how to best track students receiving direct services and other pertinent data related to growth, achievement, and teacher connections, so we are in a strong position for using the WIDA data next school year.
c. This summer, we will gather, study and analyze the NWEA growth data for our EL students and make recommendations for the future.
d. As soon as we receive the IDOE recommended growth targets for WIDA we will establish a study committee to see how that information can inform our metrics moving forward.
3. Personal days adjacent to Spring Break – According to the Master Contract (pp. 1-2),
a. “The GEA and GCS recognize that educational goals are jeopardized when personal leave is used to extend regular school vacations, and they encourage all employees to gauge personal leave requests accordingly. Therefore, GEA and GCS discourage the use of personal leave days prior to or after the Thanksgiving Holiday or Spring Break. If personal leave days are used immediately before or after these two events a written description of the reason and necessity of the absence is required. In addition, each day of such absences used will count as two days used. Using more than three consecutive days for leaves requires written description of the reason and necessity of the absence. Unused days will be added to the next year’s personal leave days for accumulative to a total of six (6). Any additional unused days will transfer to sick leave. For the 2017-18 school year, the two for one penalty shall not apply to Thanksgiving or Spring Break if the school calendar is changed in a manner that affects the dates of Thanksgiving or Spring Break due to any emergency closure of school.”
b. Due to the recent school cancellations, we will be in session on the day before Spring Break. The exception in the contract language above applies. Once again, with our shortage of substitutes it would be helpful if Principals can have conversations with staff reminding them about needing to be in attendance on Wednesday the 28th if possible. We do understand that some have irreversible plans, but for those who can make changes to their plans, it would greatly help our students and their fellow educators.
c. Per the contract language, we will still need a written description of the reason and necessity of the absence. Please have teachers use the Personal Leave form and put their absence request in willSub as soon as possible!
4. English Learner Licensure Program and Financial Support - Hyperlinked in this paragraph are the resources for the Goshen College English Learners Licensure program and the Jane Fryer McConaughy Scholarship through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County. The Goshen College program costs are approximately $4000 and the scholarship, if awarded, amounts to $3000. This is a great local opportunity for teachers to have ¾ of the program costs paid. Please share this with your staff!
5. Celebrate National Reading Month! Shirley’s Popcorn is sponsoring a reading contest during the month of March. Attached is the pdf announcing the contest and it includes the forms for students to log their reading time. Information is provided in English and Spanish. Please share this with interested teachers and students.