Rocket Weekly for Staff
March 2nd - March 6th
A Week
Character Education and Mindset
Character Trait for March: Respect
March Mindset Focus: Mistakes Are Opportunities For Learning
Having respect for someone means you think good things
about who a person is or how he/she acts.
You can have respect for others and you can have respect for yourself.
Showing respect to someone means
you act in a way that shows you care
about their feelings and well-being.
Showing respect for others include things like
not calling people mean names, treating people with courtesy,
caring enough about yourself that you don't do things you know can hurt you.
In our RES School Family we all work together to help our students be respectful
through daily instruction and mindset/counseling lessons.
We are also teaching our students that mistakes are an opportunity to learn,
how to make a different choice, and to "recover."
Being respectful takes work, especially when we're not happy or something is hard;
together we can work to turn an academic or behavioral mistake into a opportunity to learn!
Week at a glance
Please click here for one list of all after school club teams and students.
- (Last edited 02/02/20 - Wellness Mindset Club students added)
- Please Note: List will be updated by 8am on Tuesday (03/03) with the students participating in Destination Imagination Club.
Monday, March 2nd
Read Across America Week: Sleepy Monday!
- Wear your PJs!
9:45am - 10:15am Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: 1st Grade Classes
10:45am - 11:15am Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: Mrs. Cendana's AM Class
12:30pm - 1:00pm Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: 2nd Grade Classes
2:45pm - 3:30pm MTSS/PBIS Rocking Rockets Celebration
- Start time is early due to the Dr. Seuss story; announcement will be made
3:50pm - Stand-Up Staff Meeting: DEAR Dr. Seuss - Plan and Logistics
4:15pm - 5:30pm MTSS Tier 2 Student Data Team Meeting
Agenda will be posted by the meeting time.
Tuesday, March 3rd
Interim Distribution (Elementary Grade 5/Middle/High)
Read Across America Week: Oh, The Places You'll Go!
- Wear clothes from your favorite college or dress up as what you want to do when you grow up!
9:15am - 9:30am Recycling Bin Collection
9:45am - 10:15am Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: Mrs. Miller's Class
3:50pm Media PD: Google Classroom Setup/Informaiton
Click here if you are interested in setting up a Google Classroom or learning more about Google Classroom.
4:00pm - 5:15pm Spark (FLOW Club)
4:00pm - 5:30pm Competitive DI Teams (Mr. Cross' and Mrs. Haney's Team)
Wednesday, March 4th
Work-Out Wednesday: Students and staff are encouraged to wear school appropriate athletic gear as we focus on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle while also taking a mid-week motor break to focus!
Read Across America Week: Wacky Wednesday!
- Wear your clothes inside/out or backwards and/or don't match!
8:15am - 9:00am Creative Writing Club
2:00pm - 2:20pm Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: Mrs. Cendana's PM Class
3:45pm - 5:15pm 4th Grade Math Team
4:00pm - 5:00pm Destination Imagination Club Team
Thursday, March 5th
PST Meetings
Read Across America Week: Thing Thursday!
- Find a friend and be twins like Thing 1 and Thing 2!
9:15am - 9:30am Recycling Bin Collection
11:50am - 12:20pm Maker-Space Club (2nd/3rd Grades)
12:40pm - 1:10pm Maker-Space Club (1st Grade)
1:20pm - 1:50pm Maker-Space Club (4th/5th Grades)
3:50pm - 4:15pm Primary Team Meeting
3:45pm - 5:15pm Wellness Mindset Club
Friday, March 6th
Rocket Store Open!!!!
Wear RED to Show Your Ridge Pride!
Read Across America Week: Fox in Socks Friday!
- Wear your wacky/crazy socks!
10:45am - 11:15am Character Ed/Mindset Lesson: Ms. Erdman's Class
3:00pm - 3:30pm DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) Dr. Seuss Activity
- Click here for the general overview for DEAR Dr. Seuss!
- Click here to sign up students for a reading location. Please note: classroom teachers will sign up students under a specific location. If possible, please have all students signed up by 4pm on Thursday (03/06).
4:00pm - 5:00pm Competitive DI Team (Mrs. Haney's Team)
4:00pm - 5:15pm Robotics Club
4:00pm Relay for Life Drawing
4:15pm Staff Member of the Week Lottery Wheel!!!!
upcoming events for next week
DUE DATES
Social Committee updates and celebrations!
Dues: $20 may be turned into Ms. Steiger or Mrs. Goddard.
Sunshine Breakfast/Lunch/Snacks Potluck! Each team will determine what type of snacks to provide.
- 3/23: Intermediate
- 4/29: Primary (Breakfast)
- 6/15: Office Staff
Staff Member of the Week
- We're celebrating one another and selecting a staff member of the week every Friday at 4:10pm for the following week!
- If you have not completed the survey, and wish to participate in the selection process please click here.
- Only staff who have completed the survey will be included in the Lottery Wheel.
Required/Recommended Assessments
Below is a chart, developed by Mrs. Batelka, based upon the available information regarding county-based assessments. End of Unit optional assessments, highly recommended by supervisors, are also being included.
Please Note: The Quarter 3 Chart is now available from Central Office. It is linked below in the Required and Recommended Assessments by Grade Level Section.
RES Informational Items
Read Across America Week - March 2nd - 6th
Build Safety Reminders
A sign has been posted on a gym door to the exterior to not use the door at this time. A work order has been entered to have it repaired as it is not automatically locking when closed.
Smart TV's - Updates and Professional Development
Three additional Smart TVs are being purchased at the Central Office Level and will be placed in the following classrooms: Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. Pierce, and Ms. Rye.
The date of installation is unknown at this time. Outside contractors will be installing them and we will be informed of the date/times of installation. There is a chance that the installation will occur during instructional time. Notice will be provided and in advance, thank you everyone for being flexible as the dates and times are not negotiable due to a system-level schedule.
An EXCITING new set of webinars are about to launch with SMART Technologies for EDUCATORS by EDUCATORS.
- Click here link to register and learn more
- March 4th - Hands On, Minds On Digital Manipulatives with SMART Learning Suite: Explore the power of using SMART notebook to create digital manipulatives to support student learning. Discover the power of sharing digital manipulatives to student devices through SMART Learning Suite Online.
- March 10th - Fostering Classroom Talk and Inquiry with SMART: In this webinar, we will discuss how to create a question-friendly classroom with SMART Learning Suite. Share how to actively engage students in the process.
- March 11th - Notebook & SLS Online Go Together like Peanut Butter & Jelly: Join us to learn how to build engaging interactive lessons in SMART Notebook and then seamlessly deliver this content to students using SMART Learning Suite Online. See how this process supports student inquiry by leveraging student devices as well as flexible grouping to personalize learning.
Staff may also watch previous webinars
Classroom Teachers may earn acquired hours (45 minutes) for watching the 30 minute webinars and writing a brief reflection on how to apply the webinar in their instructional plan. To earn the acquired hours staff must submit a brief paragraph about what they learned and how they plan on using (or will use) the information in a future lesson.
MTSS/PBIS UPDATES
Rocking Rockets' Celebration: Monthly Celebration for students achieving a specific positive percentage on ClassDoJo.
- March Celebration will be Dr. Seuss Themed! All stations will have a Dr. Seuss Theme and a Dr. Seuss book will be read to begin each station. The celebration will be begin at 2:45pm (to allow for a reading of the book) and end at 3:30pm (normal time).
Rocket Store:
- Next Rocket Store: Friday, March 6th
Tier 2 Check-In/Out:
- Additional students, based upon the criteria set by the MTSS Tier 2 Team will be considered during the 03/02/2020 Meeting.
- Any teacher referrals to Check In Check Out, for consideration in the March Meeting, were due by 2/27/2020.
Outdoor Recess
- All students need to wear a winter/thicker coat when the feels like temperature is 50 degrees or below.
- Any students wearing only a light jacket or sweatshirt will remain inside for indoor recess.
Recess Teams need to work together to identify a plan of who/where to take students who are not allowed to go out because they do not have the appropriate coats.
Please Note: Students may not be sent to ISIC or the Main Office as there is no guarantee that a staff member is available to supervise students. If needed, the Gift of Time may be reallocated to cover indoor recess when there is outdoor recess should alternative coverage be unable to be made.
Ridge Elementary School Relay for Life Team
Fundraiser: Autism Awareness Shirts/Sweatshirts
The Relay for Life Team is sponsoring a T-Shirt Fundraiser in support of Autism Awareness.
National Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2020.
Click here to buy a shirt/sweatshirt to support Autism Awareness and our Relay for Life Team!
Relay for Life - Next Meeting is March 11th, at 4:30pm
We are very excited to announce that the Ridge Rocking Rockets Relay for Life Team is up and running!
Click here for the Relay for Life Staff Folder.
Ridge Elementary School will have a Relay for Life Team this school year to support and honor our School Family Members affected by cancer.
Please click here to donate or join our team!!!!!
Our last Relay for Life meeting was held on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
- The meeting notes will be posted here next week.
Weekly Raffle Fundraiser
- Each Friday a raffle will be held for a special item or basket of goodies.
- Staff may purchase raffles tickets on Thursdays/Fridays prior to the raffle immediately following bus dismissal.
- Raffle tickets will be $1/ticket or $5/6 tickets.
- We are looking for donations for the weekly raffle. Please click here to donate an item.
- If you're aware of an organization or group able to donate an item please let Mrs. Batelka know and she will follow-up with the organization/group.
Friday, March 6th Goodies: Spa Basket!
Relay for Life Event - June 6th
- Click here to sign up for the Dunk Booth!
Stay tuned for upcoming fundraisers and activities sponsored by our Relay for Life Team!
Central Office Updates and Informational Items
- The next SMCPS Town Hall Meeting will be on Monday, March 16, at 6 p.m. at the Dr. J. A. Forrest Career & Technology Center. This town hall will be a join effort with the St. Mary's County Health Department, with a focus on reviewing key findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
- SMCPS Mental & Behavioral Health Fair will be held on May 9, 11 am-2 pm, at the Dr. J. A. Forrest Career and Technology Center. This is an opportunity for families to meet local providers and learn more about local services that address mental and behavioral health needs such as anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse and more. Short presentations will be available for parents on supporting the mental and behavioral health needs of youth ages 5-21.
Information Technology Services:
- On Thursday, March 5th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, our Internet Firewall Vendor will be working with our staff on scheduled maintenance. During the maintenance window, access to the SMCPS websites, including School sites, Moodle, and HAC may be intermittent.
Instructional Updates
- MCAP Practice Tests- On March 6th, the non-secure Practice Tests will be available on the MCAP Portal (md.mypearsonsupport.com) under Test Preparation and the secure Practice Tests will be in the Training Center of Pearson Accessnext. Within a few days of March 6th, you will also see the non-secure Practice Tests on the TestNav app. This is the most popular way of accessing the Practice Tests in schools. While there are multiple ways to access a Practice Test, these three sites all present the exact same test in each of our formats (Online, Text-to-Speech (TTS), American Sign Language (ASL), Spanish, etc). Please remember that the main purpose of the tests is to provide an introduction to platform (TestNav) functionality so students are familiar with the tools and navigation of TestNav. Some of our tests will also give students an opportunity to engage with items that represent the operational assessments.
- Fundations Support: Lynn Trehern is available to offer Fundations support for any school that is interested. This could include whole-class modeling of Fundations lessons (grades K-2) followed by a time to debrief with classroom teachers. Please notify Mrs. Gay if you're interested in this opportunity and she will follow-up on scheduling time for Mrs. Trehern to be on site.
- 2020 Instructional Conference “Best Practices for Student Success” - This year’s Conference will be held on Monday, August 10 at LMS. Principals will select school team members to attend the conference. Ten-month school team members will receive a stipend for 4 hours of instructional planning on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Call for Proposals will go out in Mid March. We have not been notified the number of team members each school may send. In the interim, please email Mrs. Batelka if you are interested in attending. Once the number of teams members is provided, Mrs. Batelka will follow-up with interested staff
- SMCPS will be holding a STEM Playdate on April 16th, 4:30-6:30. Activities include Sphero, Bee Bots, Digital BreakOut Boxes, and Botball. If any staff members are interested in running a session, they can fill out this form. Any staff interested in attending can add their name to this Google Sheet. Staff will be paid for their time. Questions can be directed to Heather Wysokinski at hmwysokinski@smcps.org.
- The Department of Assessment & Accountability is offering stipend compensated training opportunities available to SMCPS staff on a number of software applications. All training will be first come first serve and will be limited to a set number of attendees. Please click here to see the Training Opportunities portion of the Department of Assessment & Accountability’s Google Site.
Student Services:
- SAVE THE DATE- Mental Health First Aid Training open to all staff, March 30th or May 22nd, registration information coming soon- 20 slots will be available on each date, 8 am-4 pm. Please email Mrs. Batelka if you're interested in attending this training. At this time, schools have not been informed of the number of staff members permitted or the sign-up process.
Human Resources
- SMCPS will hold a Job Fair on Saturday, March 28, 2020, from 9 a.m. to noon. at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career & Technology Center. Please share widely!
- The Online Transfer Request will be open Monday, January 6, 2020, through March 6, 2020. Certificated staff who wish to be considered for a transfer to another school location should complete the online transfer request. Staff may request up to a maximum of 5 sites to be considered for a transfer to. Requests to change grade levels or subjects within your current school only should be communicated in writing to your building principal.
Finance Updates
- SMCPS is partnering with Prudential to provide FREE monthly financial wellness seminars. Click here to read about March's seminar, Teaching Your Children Good Money Habits. It’s never too early to teach children about basic money management. This session will look at some age-by-age questions and lessons to help you reinforce your family’s values about spending, giving, and saving. This one-hour seminar will be held on March 18, 2020. Please join us!
- SMCPS is pleased to offer you a financial wellness educational series through Prudential Pathways. Prudential Pathways offers practical, down-to-earth information that may help you and your family today, tomorrow and beyond. It is designed to give you an understanding of the fundamentals of financial wellness through educational seminars.The series available is Prudential Pathways: A Financial Wellness 3-part Series. To register to attend, please click HERE.
Continuing Education Opportunities
- Pittsburgh is currently offering 100% tuition assistance for both Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Orientation and Mobility programs. Programs are online and are eligible for Maryland certification. The deadline to apply is April 15. If you, or someone else you know may be interested in this, please let Mrs. Batelka know. The Department of Special Education will be able to support individuals in the process as they are in direct contact with the school.
media center resources!
Cool Camouflage
"From a fox that blends in to the snow to an insect that mimics the look of a twig, this book lets readers take a closer look at some of nature's most extraordinary camouflage artists."
Living and Nonliving
Living or Nonliving?
Simple text and photos introduce readers to the difference between living and nonliving things.
Newsletters to Read and Share
Most recent Kindergarten Memo
Most recent Math Memo
- March 2, 2020. This edition contains important information about MCAP Evidence Statements, Modeling, as well as a Modeling Checklist for Students.
Bridges Updates and Supports:
- Please click here to access the Bridges Issue
- Please click here to access help videos
Most recent English Language Arts Newsletter
- Please click here to access The Reading Corner (December 2, 2019 Edition). Please take the time to review the information as there is important information staff need to be aware of regarding upcoming standards and instructional notes for each grade level.
Most recent Health and Physical Education Update
Most recent Special Education Newsletter: The PIER
- Please click here for the February 7, 2020 Issue. This month's newsletter contains information about the following: New staff, Math Strategies vs Models, Alt Assessment Update, Two Word Challenge, Alternatives to Reading logs, Supplementary Aids Reminders, February Hot Topic, ESY Reminder, Transition Expo 2020 and some February humor!
Most recent Elementary Science Newsletter
- February 2020 Edition. This edition contains information on assessments for Kindergarten through 5th grade, MAEF's new hybrid course, Infusing Agriculture in the Elementary Classroom, and additional PD opportunities.
Science Supports and Resources
- Click here to access RES' MISA Evidence Statement Analysis with links to STEM Gauge Items for Grades 3rd through 5th.
Most recent Gifted and Talented Newsletter
Most recent Library Media Newsletter
Most recent Fine Arts Newsletter
- Please click here for the October Edition
Most recent ESOL Newsletter
- Please click here for the February Edition
- Please click here to access the ELL Site
Most recent Educational Equity Newsletter
- Please click here for the February 2020 Newsletter
Department of Assessment and Accountability (DAA)
- Please click here to access the DAA Site
SMCPS Sites and Quick Links
... You can be anything you dream to be...
As we help guide students along their paths, it's important to provide them supports to help them reach their goals. It is also essential that we show them a variety of paths in front of them. Think about how many times you may have changed your mind along the way to your current place along the journey. By giving students choices and a variety of options, we let them see that it's OK to change your mind, and it's OK to try something different. That is how you find your passion. That is how you determine your future.
Resources for Aspiring:
- How to Help Kids Find Their Aspirations - Mindshift Article
- 3 Reasons Students Procrastinate - and How to Stop Them - Edutopia Article
- Learning Conversations for PLCs - Learning Forward Article
Click here for a SMCPS developed Aspiring Video
This will be updated quarterly and as changes are made by content supervisors.
Performance Matters Assessments & Analytics
- Goalbook ELA items are available in Performance Matters for the easy constructions of self-scoring assessments to support the review of low performing standards and encourage UDL.
- Guidance on accessing and using these items to construct assessments can be seen here.
Performance Matters updates are live! Highlights include:
- Baseball Card: A reset button was added to deselect all added measures while retaining applied student filters
- Items with rubrics: Scorer permissions are now defaulted for all instruction blocks, no need to manually select ‘scorer’ when adding the rubric
- Online Scoring: displays scanned image if applicable
- MyDashboard: users with access to more than one building can filter to a specific school on the MyDashboard page
- Interventions: “RTI/MTSS” was changed to “Intervention”; new attribute INT identifies students with open interventions watch video
- More updates can be found here
Reminders for Scanning Scansheets:
- To minimize mistakes by the scanner, please remember to change the scan file type to TIFF and scan as GrayScale or Color. This will help ensure that bubbles and erasures are read correctly.
- Please remind students to bubble dark, complete bubbles, to stay within the bubbles, to erase mistakes completely, and not to mark in or near the barcode.
- Please remember to include both the Student Name and ID Number if not using a pre-printed scan sheet. If sheets are double-sided, be sure student information is on both sides. Please be sure the last names are included.
Have a question about assessment data, building a test, or entering RTI data? Visit the SMCPS PM Google Site for all this and more! https://sites.google.com/smcps.org/unify/home The site can also be found on the SMCPS Staff page under Instructional Resources. Within PM you can also visit the News & Assignments tab or Help module ⍰ for videos and instructions. Contact Jeff Gibson jsgibson@smcps.org or Kristen Maher kmmaher@smcps.org with further questions.
SMCPS UNIFY Google Support Site:
- Reminder that the SMCPS Unify Google Site can be found on the staff page under Instructional Resources at https://www.smcps.org/staff
The SMCPS Unify Google Site includes, among other resources:
- Troubleshooting directions for student testing.
- Directions to assist teachers with online scoring.
- Steps for the creation of Answer Key Only assessments.
- Steps for using pre-made interactive test items to create online assessments.
Any questions, training or additional Unify support needs can be referred to the appropriate contact found on the Training Page.
TAC Tips of the Week
Stay tuned for the next TAC TIP!
Professional Development & Continuing Education Opportunities
Towson University will hold a Graduate School Information Session at the St. Mary's County Central Administration building -Board of Education Meeting Room on Thursday, March 26, 2020 from 4:00-6:00 pm. Information on all programs offered in Southern Maryland will be available. Towson also offers reduced tuition and direct billing to SMCPS employees. Please stop by and talk to the Towson representative about how Towson can help you reach your professional development goals.
McDaniel College is offering a 100% online cohort for its Equity & Excellence in Education certificate program. This unique, multi-county cohort is available to school system employees partners, with a $200 discount from the standard tuition rate for those who join the cohort (Official cohort code: HE5). This is a great opportunity for educators of all stripes to continue their education while networking with other educators from across the state. Please contact Adrianne Dillahunt (amdillahunt@smcps.org) if your have any questions.
Methods of Teaching Reading in the Content Areas, Part II: This course focuses on teaching secondary students to access and learn from text. Class participants are expected to apply theories, strategies, and practices in classroom lessons. The course introduces types of reading, reading skills, and instruction that integrates content with reading goals. You do not need to have completed Teaching Reading in the Content Areas Part I to register for this course. To account for all 45 hours (3 credits), participants will be required to complete work outside of class meeting times that will be applicable in their own classrooms. Scheduled classes will be held at Leonardtown Middle School from 4:00 - 8:00 PM on March 25; April 1, 15, 29; May 6, 13, 27; and June 3, 10. Visit the PMPD website for more information.
Registration is open for additional courses:
- Please log into the system for available courses
Register online: https://smcps.truenorthlogic.com
UserName: beginning of SMCPS login (without @smcps.org)
Password: normal SMCPS password
happy birthday wishes!!!!!
Stay tuned for upcoming staff members' birthdays!
Staff Member of the Week!
We will announce the staff member on morning announcements and post information about that person in the hallway for all to see.
We also will be playing 2 truths and a myth. These will be posted on the display to give staff and students a chance to try and figure out what a staff member's myth may be. It will be revealed at the end of the week.
Brooke Vanderwest
Myth: Stay tuned!!!
Jennifer Pierce
Week of February 24th
Myth: I love seafood.
Andrea Robbins
Week of February 17th
Myth: I make my bed every morning.
Maggie Koutnik
Week of February 10th
Myth: I have lived in 6 different states.
Lisa Deputy-Randolph
Myth: I don't like ice cream
CJ Crosby
Week of January 27th
Myth: I have 3 cats
Lisa Anderson
Myth: I love running.
Amanda Erdman
Myth: I collect comic books.
Chris Meyer
Myth: I like bananas.
Susan McDaniel
Myth: I love horror movies.
Penny Dennis
Myth: I have jumped out of an airplane (with a parachute, of course).
Karen Simmons
Myth: I know how to knit
Lauren Shively
Myth: I think olives are super gross!
Jessie Sohn
Myth: I have tasted crocodile before!
Terri Cox
Myth: Two of my children were born in Virginia and two born in Maryland
Heath McCracken
Myth: I was born in Canada, and my parents moved to the U.S. in 1993.
Jane Miller
Myth: I have two kids