What’s New?

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed my visits with you during my Title travels in January. These visits provide me with an opportunity to connect with each of you, learn more about your successes, provide guidance, and offer my support/”pats on the back”. Keep up the terrific work you are doing to serve our most needy students; thank you!

Basal Alignment Project: Twenty-six new lessons have been added to the Basal Alignment Project library. The updated folders include HMH Collections, HMH Medallion/Reading, HMH Nation’s Choice, HMH StoryTown, HMH Trophies, MH Open Court, MH Treasures, and MH (CA) Treasures. More to come! As a reminder, you can locate the Basal Alignment Project by logging in to Edmodo. If you haven’t joined the BAP group, click on “join group” on the left side of the home page. A box will appear asking for a code. The code is: etuyrm

OAKS Information:
The testing window will open after spring break and will remain open until May 22.

Following the first administration of the test:

• Students who MEET will not be tested again unless parents have requested it (written request)
• Students who DO NOT MEET will be able to attempt the test again without parent permission

Growth Scores:

• For students who MEET on the first attempt, the growth score will be calculated from the 1st score & date
• If students DO NOT MEET on the first attempt and DO MEET on the second attempt, the growth score will be banked from the score that meets (and date)

Program Review Document: While work on this document may be a month away, I thought you would appreciate receiving the document sooner rather than later. This document can also be found on the 4j website. Completion of this document has been broken down into two parts in an attempt to make the work a bit more manageable. Be sure and include your Site Council in this process; you will want to speak to your administrator about getting on the SC agenda in the months ahead. Due to the enormity of the document, you may want to consider dividing the work over two SC meetings. Please find the documents below:

Annual Title I Schoolwide Program Review 2013
Annual Title I Targeted Program Review 2013

Agendas for Upcoming Meetings:
Title I Principal/Coordinator Meeting on 2/4 (2:00-3:30 in the auditorium):
Princ_Title Coord Mtg 020413A

The topic for the principal/coordinator’s meeting will be “Understanding Poverty and People Living in Poverty”. The presentation is based on the work of Dr. Donna Beegle, a national expert on poverty. The presentation will focus on the role of educators in addressing the poverty related issues that affect students and families. The presentation will be facilitated by Mary Walston, a certified poverty coach of the Communication Across Barriers organization. Attached is a video clip of an interview with Donna on Face to Face public television. The clip is 60 minutes, but even viewing a portion of the clip is very eye-opening. Face to Face with Donna Beegle

Extended Learning with Technology/Title I Coordinators Meeting on 2/12 (8:00 am in the auditorium): Ext. Learning_Title Coord PD 021213A

Websites for Instructional Resources Pertaining to Literacy and Math:
What Works Clearinghouse (click on practice guides). This site will provide valuable information on instructional strategies ~ don’t be overwhelmed at the size of the document; scroll down until you find the pages related to instructional strategies.

Florida Center for Reading Research (go to the instructional materials link on the right hand side). This site has lots of literacy lesson plans, including directions and worksheets.

A Marilyn Burns recommended read…I was at a recent conference at which Marilyn Burns was a keynote speaker. During her presentation she recommended the book, Classroom Discussions: Using Math Talk to Help Students Learn by Suzanne H. Chaplin. Here is an excerpt, from goodreads.com, describing the book:

“This exciting resource provides a unique look into the significant role of classroom discussions in mathematics teaching in grades 1 through 6. Five discussion strategies are introduced to help teachers strengthen students’ thinking and learning and help them build connections among mathematical ideas. A valuable outline is provided to help teachers get started using talk in the classroom, plan lessons, and deal with challenges. Two case studies are also included for further insight into how teachers can use talk effectively.”

LearnZillion: This site has online lessons for the CCSS in ELA and math. It can serve as a resource to help teachers better understand the standards: LearnZillion

Attached, please find a document containing LOTS of resources for Comprehension and Vocabulary!! Comprehension_Vocab Resource Sites

A Nugget: Adults can hold 5-9 “chunks” of information in our working memory before we are on overload. Students can hold 3-7 chunks and very young students can hold 1-3 chunks. Consider this when planning lessons and/or adult presentation!

FRIENDLY REMINDERS

All electronic student profiles should be current and up-to-date by the close of the month. As a reminder, Matt will be running a summary report that will allow us to review progress toward completion of the profiles, along with specifics regarding the type of information that is included in the profiles. I have complete confidence that each of you will have your profiles complete. Remember, we are experimenting with NOT printing profiles mid-year! We will assess the effectiveness of this new system to determine its continuation in the future.

Fraction Nation, FASTT Math, and Go Solve: If you need/want support with the networking or technical end of these programs, please contact Monica Thompson; thompson_mo@4j.lane.edu. Monica provides Title I TSS support on Tuesday and Thursday.

Deadlines on the Horizon for Compliance Documents:
NOTE ~ deadlines are aligned with Principal/Coordinator meetings

2/4:      Semi-annual certification and attestations
3/11:    Budget allocation for the 2013-2014 school year (this may change, depending on when budget allocations are distributed)
4/15:    Program Review, sections A, B, C and D
4/15:    Budget allocations for the 2012-2013 school year
5/13:    Professional Development Questions for the 2012-2013 school year
5/13:    Professional Development School and Title I Plan for the 2012-2013 school year
5/13:    Summer school registrations
5/13:    Summer school data forms
6/13:    Program Review, sections E-P Inventory Sheets

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:
2/4:    Principal/Coordinators meeting; 2:00-3:30
2/12:  Extended Learning w/Technology PD; 8:15-11:15 for everyone; 8:15-1:00 for Coordinators NOTE DATE CHANGE FROM 2/28. Please remind your teacher partners of this change!
3/11:   Principal/Coordinator CANCELLED
4/15: Principal/Coordinators meeting; 2:00-3:30
5/7:  Extended Learning w/Technology PD; 8:00-11:15 for everyone; 8:00-1:00 for Coordinators. PLEASE INVITE YOUR ADMINISTRATOR TO JOIN US!
5/13: District CIP; 12:00-1:00 in auditorium
5/13: Principal/Coordinators meeting; 1:00-2:30 NOTE TIME DIFFERENCE from other meetings