February 4, 2019

By Allan  

 

Hi-diddly-ho, Roadrunner-eenos,

This week is National School Counseling Week, so please take a moment to show Mr. Matt your appreciation for all he does for Howard students, staff, and families. We’re all very lucky to have such a talented and personable counselor at our school. You rock, Mr. Matt!

Seventeen items of note for this week:

• Skillful Teaching Module PD Offering – Teachers, I put this PD opportunity at the top of my announcements because it’s one that I’ll personally vouch for. As one of the eight schools 4J is working with on ESSA improvement, Howard’s been given sub days for interested teachers to attend the linked Skillful Teaching Modules (AKA RBT and Jon Saphier) at the LaneESD. Some sessions start as soon as next week and other don’t start until May. Please take a look at the offerings and let me know if you’re interested in any of modules or if you have any questions.

• Annual Safety Inspection, Tuesday at 10:00 – This Tuesday will be Howard’s annual safety inspection. The inspection will be on Tuesday around 10:00. Please check your areas for the most common safety violations (there are some new ones):

• Unlabeled spray bottles.
• 3-foot pathway to your exit doors.
• Cord covers for all power cords in walk ways.
• Power strips plugged into another power strip.
• Use of any extension cords (long power strips are okay)
• Items hanging from lights or the ceiling.
• Cloth displays that have not been fire proofed.
• Artwork hung too close to fire sprinklers.
• Lava Lamps or Salt Lamps or Essential Oils
• Student access to hand sanitizer (it has to be disseminated by teachers)

Makes sure these things are gone on Tuesday and let me or Crystal know if you have any questions.

• Hazardous Weather Conditions Reminder & Change – Downtown already sent everyone the updated 2018–19 Hazardous Weather Conditions Information, but I wanted to make sure everyone noted this information since SNOW! is in the forecast. Also note a change from last year, that if there is a 2-hour delay it will not alter dismissal times, even if it happens on an early release Friday.

• Friday Early Release PD – For classroom teachers, this Friday is designated for Math PLC. I’ll do a quick review of the process and the Google Doc for teams to record their work, but a majority of the time will be dedicated for teams to work together. For licensed interventionists (Title and SPED), this is a virtual PLC meeting date, so watch for details that should come from Marlee Litten.

• Second Step Check-In – Downtown asked principals to check in with teachers if you have any needs regarding Second Step posters or materials. Also remember that videos, picture cards (the images, not the lessons) are availing on the Second Step Teacher Dashboard. Let me know if you need any additional materials or if you’d like me to scan your grade level materials (see the Team Drive > Curriculum/Instruction > Social Emotional Learning (SEL) > Second Step if you want to see some sample scans for 3rd and 5th grade).

• Report Card Reminders – Hopefully teachers are liking the New Shorter Report Card. Three report card notes:

• No Report Cards Needed for CUM files – If teachers were wondering, you DO NOT need to print a copy of winter report cards to go into CUM files. Lori will do this for any students who move, but a copy will need to go into CUM files at the end of the school year.

• Report Cards Send Home Friday – All of 4J is sending report cards home this Friday (or Monday for school with Monday folders), so make sure they are ready to go home in Friday Folders this week.

• Comment Translations Due Monday – If you have comments that need translated into Spanish, all comments are due to Elizabeth by Monday.

• Library News and Dates to Remember – FROM JULIE: February is going to be a crazy month in the library. Please, please could you help me to remind students to keep track of their library books. ;) Thank you. I will be out of the building February 8th. Taking a personal day for family. If you would like to reschedule your library class please stop by and see me.

Book fair is coming this month. Yay!! Theme will be Dinosaurs! They are also including a new kindness and friendship table. I ordered an extra picture book case and deleted a higher middle school case. I scored a set of teacher donation baskets, so cute. Your wish list books may be placed in the baskets for parents to choose from. I am hoping this will really increase classroom donations. We will continue using book fair hall passes during the school day. This way I know the kiddos are suppose to be here. If students miss the preview they may come individually with a hall pass the following week. The preview sheet will be by the mail boxes next week, so be sure to sign up for a time. Our Friday’s are shorter. If you are unable to able to sign up for a time please come see me. We can work out something for Monday.. more book fair news to come.

Library Dates:
Feb. 4 (M) – OBOB games 12:20 – 2:00 / Story Cove – Thank you Mrs. Ing & Mrs. Connor for volunteering your time.

12:25 Literal Diamon Readers vs. Nook Nook Girls/boy
12:45 Totally Tropical Turtles vs. The Spikes
1:10 Reading Pandacorns vs. Rocket Readers
1:40 Gucci Seldons/Wise Wolves vs. TBA (lowest scoring team will play again)

Feb. 8 (F) – Julie out of the building
Feb. 11 (M) – OBOB games 12:20 – 2:00 / Story Cove game schedule will be announced after our first round :)
Feb. 12 (T) – semi finals probably at 1:30 – Story Cove
Feb. 14 (H) – OBOB final assembly 8:10 – cafeteria
Feb. 18 (M) – No School Presidents’ Day
Feb 21 (H) – Book Fair set up
Feb. 22 (F) – Student preview
Feb. 25 (M) – Teacher preview and book pull
Feb. 25 (M) – 28th Book Fair March 1st – tear down/close out
March 9 (SA) – OBOB regional competition Thurston High School
March 1 – 31 – PTO Read-a-Thon

• Lost Elevator Badge – Room 19, Rhonda and Stephanie’s Room, has lost their elevator badge if anyone has spotted this anywhere. This badge is not as critical to deactivate immediately as would a staff badge, which unlocks door, but let me know if you’ve seen this stray badge.

• February PBIS Focus: Cooperation – The February PBIS monthly focus is “Cooperation.” The PBIS team created a PBIS/CSC Cheat Sheet that matches our monthly PBIS themes with corresponding Caring School Community class meeting lessons, which is a nice way to tie the two activities together.

• REPEAT: 2019-2020 Staff Survey, Due Feb. 15 – To help me in planning staffing scenarios for next year, I’d like staff to complete the linked 2019-2020 Staff Survey or on the linked Survey Word File. I’d like to know staff members’ individual plans and preferences for the future as well as your thoughts on next year’s staffing plan and master schedule. Please complete the survey by Friday, February 15th. All answers will be kept confidential and please let me know if you have any questions.

• Radon Testing Week of Feb. 11 – If you didn’t already know, 4J is conducting Radon Testing in all Eugene schools and our turn will be next week. See the linked email or the 4J Radon Testing in Schools website for details, but the short version is testing will consist of placing a cardboard packet (see image below) for a few days in rooms that are in contact with the ground. It is very important to not tamper with or move these test kits, and to keep exterior windows and doors closed (except for normal entry/exit) during the testing period. Let me know if you have any questions.

• NAEP Testing – 4th grade teachers already know about this, but as an FYI for others, Howard was randomly selected to take part in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) this year, the largest continuing and nationally representative assessment of U.S. students. Select 4th graders will take the test in Rooms 16 and 17 on Tuesday, February 12th, with one group 8:00-10:00 and a second group 10:45-12:45, which means that second group may be end up joining 5th grade lunch and/or Kindergarten on their afternoon recess this day. Let me know if you have any questions.

• Eugene Youth Math Festival 2019 – The University of Oregon is inviting all students K-5, who like math and share a passion for games, problem solving, and hands-on math activities, to come to the second Eugene Youth Math Festival 10 am – 1 pm on Saturday, February 23rd. Admission is free. See the linked Event Flyer for details and feel free to share with students.

• OSAS Science Resources – Heidi Rebar, our district science TOSA, shared this OSAS Science Google Drive that has some OSAS Science Scavenger Hunt resources for teachers. Anyone with the link should be able to view.

• February is Black History Month – We know that black history didn’t begin or end with slavery. Yet the arrival of the first Africans in the colonies is the first most students learn of black history. Teach the full range of black humanity and experiences year-round. Look for opportunities across all areas of curricula, including math, science, social studies and English language arts. Follow these links to Teaching Tolerance, Readworks, WeAreTeachers, and NEA to learn more about how you can take a comprehensive approach to history.

• Tips for boosting curiosity, engagement – There are several ways teachers can boost student curiosity and engagement, writes Cheryl Abla, an education consultant, in this Edutopia Article. Abla suggests using mysteries and puzzles, asking deeper-level questions, and introducing debate topics, among other methods.v

• Schedule of Upcoming Events – See the Google Calendar for future events, but here are the events of note for the rest of the year:

February 4 (M)
National School Counseling Week
Artist in Residence – Nicole Hummel – Functional Pottery Continues
Report Card Comment Translations Due to Elizabeth
Second Semester Begins

February 5 (T)
Matt at MANDT Training
8:00-11:30, Allan to TalentEd Committee Meeting, Travis Sheaffer subbing (Cal Young)

February 6 (W)
Monthly Walk & Roll to School Day
2:30-4:30, Allan to Pay Grade Eval Committee Meeting (Ed Center)
4:00-5:00, Allan to North Region Administrator Meeting (NEHS)

February 7 (H)
8:10-8:40, 3rd Grade Delgani String Quartet Assembly (Gym)
10:00-11:30, School Garden Project Work Party (Howard Garden)
5:30-7:00, Early Childhood Open House (Cafeteria & SPED Rooms)

February 8 (F)
Report Cards Sent Home
Title 1 Progress Monitoring Day – No Groups
8:00, Allan to Truancy Hearing (Office)
1:25, EA Supervisors Meeting (Title 1 Room, RM26)
1:30, Glucagon Certification Training (Library or Community Room)
2:30-3:30, Early Release PD – Math PLC (Library)
2:30-3:30, Licensed Interventionists PLC – Virtual Meeting

February 11 (M)
Regular Day

February 12 (T)
8:00-10:00, 4th Grade NAEP Testing (STEAM Room & ELL Room)
10:45-12:45, 4th Grade NAEP Testing (STEAM Room & ELL Room)
2:45-3:30, IPBS Meeting (Erin’s Room, RM22)
4:30-8:30, 4J First Aid Class (Library)

February 13 (W)
Wacky Wednesday – Superhero Day
2:45-4:45, ESSA Meeting #1 (potential)

February 14 (H)
Valentine’s Day
8:10-8:40, OBOB Final Battle & Awards Assembly (Gym)
2:45-4:45, ESSA Meeting #1 (Conference Room)

February 15 (F)
8:45-9:10, K-2 Roadrunner Award/Jump Rope for Heart Assembly (Gym)
9:20-9:45, 3-5 Roadrunner Award/Jump Rope for Heart Assembly (Gym)
1:30, PBIS Meeting (Rae’s Room, RM1)
2:30-3:30, Early Release PD – CANCELLED, Make-Up for Feb. 1st Missed Hour of Prep

February 16 (SA)
5:00, Howard Ukulele Ensemble Performance at Asian Celebration

Have a good week, everyone, and think snow!

Allan

Map: ‘How Much Snow It Typically Takes to Cancel School in the U.S.’