8/28/15

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

HONORING THE PAST

Thank You's, Kudos, and Recognitions

• Congratulations to everyone for a supporting such a smooth opening to the 2015-16 School Year! What a great beginning to the new school year!  It was great to get out to the different schools and see all of the smiling faces!  (staff and students)  
• Thank you to the Tech Dept. for providing a School Wires Training!
• Speaking of our Tech Dept...Can you believe that our kids have iPads in their classrooms and ready to go during the first week of school!  Really?! WOW!
• Hugs and support to Matt and the Solana Highlands staff as they navigate their facility challenge!
•  Kudos to the many staff members who signed up for the Lucy Calkins writing days-Such a motivated group!
• And Thank You to Monica Smith for getting all of these dates organized and on the calendar-not an easy task!

TREASURING THE PRESENT

What's Happening-Things You Need to Know

• 8/31-Leadership @ 1:00
• 8/31- New Principal Meeting @ 4:00
• 9/1-  Grades 5/6 Writing 
• 9/1-  Red Ribbon Chair Meeting 
• 9/4- District TOSA Collaboration Mtg
• Discovery Lab Start dates-I am "cut and pasting" our notes from the 9/8/14 Leadership meeting to remind us of what we agreed to last year...
• Essentially, we agreed that all "pull-outs" would begin in Week 2 except for Media Center-which could be Week 2 or 3 as a site decision.  Do we need to revisit this??
  
  • Next year for trainings it may be better to use afternoons in the 1st week and pay them
  • Music - Start in week 2, no last week or 2 weeks if promotions
  • Media Center - Start in week 2 or 3 as a site decision, no last 2 weeks
  • Computer - Start week 2, no classes last week
  • Other Labs (Sci, PE, Art) - Start week 2 and no classes last week
    
    
     

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Our Very Own PLN

• Leadership
• #PBL for Principals-Find out what the Buck Institute recommends to Principals wanting to know more about Project Based Learning!
• Do you ask your staff what they want from a principal?  Great article on  2 Top Things Teachers Want from their Principal
• WOW!  A must share video on Growth Mindset and effects of Praise on students!
• If I Knew Then:  A letter to Me on My First Year Teaching...Watch Veteral teachers write a letter to their first-year selves
• Curriculum 
• 10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Give an Assessment
• 53 Ways to Check for Understanding
• Teaching & Learning 
• Redesigning the Classroom Environment (btw...Caroline and I are going to meet and discuss options for "district approved" purchases for flexible learning spaces!  Thank you to Caroline for always being open to our latest "needs!"
• 10 Unique and Creative Classroom Designs
• Does your Classroom Tell a Story?  How to create a learning space that evokes curiousity
• 3 Ways to Make Meaningful Connections with Your Students
• How to Motivate the Most Unmotivated Students

• Tweets...
• "This makes me sad...'What is expected of me in this class to receive a passing grade?"  First day student comment" @alicekeeler
•  "Do the grades in your gradebook reflect what a student actual knows, or do they reflect compliance & one's ability to play 'school' well?" @justintarte
•  "Your gradebook does not assess your students. YOU do!  Look at the student, does the grade reflect what the student knows?  No...THEN CHANGE IT."  :) @alicekeeler 

What if we modeled this...and we tweeted one thing a day about our school, dept, district??  Just sayin'...  #sbsdedu

FINAL THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Hmmm....Somethin' to think about...

8/21/15

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

HONORING THE PAST

Thank You's, Kudos, and Recognitions

• Welcome back to Terry Decker-Glad to see you upright!
  Kudos to Sabrina for stepping in and filling in for Terry and "leading" our Leadership meeting on Monday!
• Congratulations to all of the Principals!  It sounds like your staff meetings were a huge success!  Inspiring and Informative!!  Yahoo!  We are off to a GREAT start to the 15-16 School Year!
• A BIG Thank You to Caroline for organizing and presenting 7 informative Tech meetings-one at each site-And for inviting Instructional Services to attend!  Love having the sites see the two departments supporting each other!  And a special thank you to the TOSAs for being a part of the Road Show!  GO TEAM!
• WOW!!! Another AMAZING Health and Lifestyle Expo!  I know it is a lot of work coordinating this event!  We appreciate YOU, Susan Jensen!!
•  And how 'bout that YUMMY BBQ!!  Kudos to Carlos and the Nutritional Services Team!  It's so nice to have everyone come together and celebrate the new school year!  I must admit...there's a part (ok, a small part) of me that misses flipping pancakes and burgers!!
• A "personal" thank you to Kristie for indulging my calendar obsessiveness!  Some people are givers, and some people are takers...YOU were definitely the giver!

TREASURING THE PRESENT

What's Happening-Things You Need to Know

• 8/24  September Board Topics Due
• 8/24  SchoolWires Training @ CC
• 8/25 Happy First Day of School!!

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Our Very Own PLN

• Leadership
• 15 Apps to Keep You Organized
• Growth Mindset Kit- Resources for Educators
• 10 Questions to Help Start the Grading Conversation at Your School
• Google Classroom-8 Essential Tips Infographic
• Curriculum 
• 250 Things to do "instead" of Homework
• Talk about putting things in "Kid Friendly" Language...

• Teaching & Learning
• 4 Cues to Remember on the First Day of School
• Don't Waste the First Day!
• How to Create Productive Partnerships with Parents
• 8 Tips for Reaching Out to Parents
• Teachers-5Ways to Ease Back into School
 
 

 

Tweets...
"Remember that Classbuilding &Teambuilding should be done throughout the school year not just the first few weeks!" @BillAtKagan
"If we discourage them in order to get them ready for college so they never go to college..."@Alicekeeler
"How many times have you intended to ..."grade, lesson plan, make parent phone calls" but were too tire?"  Do we allow students this luxury?" @Alicekeeler 
"Real leadership is about letting individuals be individuals while at the same time getting them to accomplish a common goal!"  @ BBDaneDell 
"Discussing mindfulness in the classroom.  It's not just about academics...we need to develop the whole child!" @kelseyholo
A Great handle for Teacher to follow @realscientists 

FINAL THOUGHTS TO PONDER

HAVE A GREAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!  #WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

8/14/15

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

HONORING THE PAST

Thank You's, Kudos, and Recognitions

• Congratulations to Sal for hosting another great New Teacher Orientation!  Boy, these employees hit the Jack-Pot!  SBSD is an EduAwesome district to work!
•  Thank you to Jerry for organizing a second meeting for the principals to finalize your Strategic Planning agendas!
• Yahoo Eric, STREAM TOSA at SP for creating an EduAwesome STREAM Lab in time for ALL of us to see while attending the PD days!  How inspiring!! Welcome to the District and the TEAM!
• Kudos to Sabrina for stepping in at the last minute and welcoming our Teachers!
• OMG!!! Two AMAZING Professional Development Days!  Kudos to so many people! 
• Our terrific TOSAs and Presenters
• Melani and Monica for all of their "behind the scenes" work organizing the experience
• The SP Staff for welcoming us and letting us use their school/classrooms-special thank to Eleazar, Debi and Nancy!
•  The Tech Staff for working so hard to get everything ready for us...and for patiently trouble shooting any issues over the two days...AND always with a smile!

TREASURING THE PRESENT

What's Happening-Things You Need to Know

• 8/17  Leadership-Don't forget your Red Binders
• 8/18  Teachers Return-Good Luck at your first staff meetings!  Have Fun!
• 8/20  Instructional Assistants return
• 8/21  Mini Open Houses & Back To School BBQ 

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Our Very Own PLN

• Leadership
• How Twitter Can Power Your Professional Learning
• 7 Videos that show small classroom adjustments that make difference!
• Curriculum
• Padlet now offers an iPad App-5 Ways You Can Use it With Students
• 10 Google Slides activities to add awesome to classes
• Teaching & Learning 
• What Do Students Learn by Being Perfect-Valuable Failure
• The Ultimate Guide to Using iPads in your Classroom
• The Epic Tool Chest of Tools that You Can Use Right Now!
• 20 Tips for Creating a Safe and Open Learning Environment
• Does Your Classroom Tell a Story? Does the Space Evoke Curiosity? 

Tweets...
"There's no such thing as I'm just a __________' in education. Regardless of your role, you are hugely important!: Via Sheldon Smith @Justintarte

"FAIL-First Attempt In Learning. A great saying for all learners!" @jerryJonesRanch

"Don't look for ideas to confirm your thinking rather look for trends that will disrupt your thinking. @ DCulberhouse

"Learning can happen without schools, but schools do not exist with without students.  Learners should always be the prime focus of education!" @gcouros 

FINAL THOUGHTS TO PONDER

8/7/15

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

HONORING THE PAST

Thank You's, Kudos, and Recognitions

•  A behind the scenes thank you to Kristie for working with the staff at The Green Dragon to ensure that our retreat day ran smoothly and that the facility met our needs!
• Kudos to Terry Decker and Sabrina for all of the work and thought that went into developing our Leadership Retreat!  What a great way to set the tone for the year!
• Congratulations to Joel and Lisa R. for making it though the first official week back!  Great to have you at the helm of two of our Primary schools!
• Welcome to Curt!  I know he has been out making the rounds at our schools-Thanks for taking the time to get to know our sites!
• Thank you to our TOSA's who were able to join us at our Strategic Planning "planning" day!  So may ideas flying around the room.  We can't wait to tap into your energy, once everyone has their agenda set and focus areas identified.
•  Kudos to Caroline and her team for facilitating a wonderful Secretary/Clerk Task Force AND the information meeting once all of the office staffs were back!
• A BIG Shout out to Susan Jensen and Sal Gumina for getting all of our new staff hired and processed this summer! (over 30 and counting since July1!)
• Thank You, Thank You, Thank You to Melani and Monica for keeping our office so organized all summer and supporting Summer Enrichment and ALL of the Task Force work!
• Welcome Back to our Principals!  I am so inspired by your dedication to the students of Solana Beach School District!  I wish you all the very best year!

TREASURING THE PRESENT

What's Happening-Things You Need to Know

• 8/10  Leadership 
• 8/11  Strategic Planning "Planning" meeting Part 2 (Thank You Jerry!)
• 8/11  New Teacher Orientation
• 8/12  First Aid/CPR Training
• 8/13 & 8/14  Professional Development Symposium
• 8/13  Board Meeting (Principals do NOT have to attend)

SHAPING THE FUTURE

Our Very Own PLN

• Leadership
• Using Technology to Work Smarter, not Harder: Integrate Technology as a School Leader
• The Power of Gratitude-Who's Packing Your Parachute?
• 10 Things I'd Like to See More of in Our Schools
• Curriculum 
• Google Classroom-Student (and Teacher) Quick Sheet Guide
• Travel the World, Without Leaving Your Classroom-Free Virtual Field Trips
• Back to School-Pinterest Style! A Pinterest Board filled with ideas...
• Fostering a Growth Mindset is Key to Teaching STEM

• Teaching & Learning
• Flexible Learning Environments-Providing Kids What They Need
• 6 Things New Teachers Remind Me to Do Every Year
• 10 Easy Things to Try in Your Classroom in 2015
  

 

Twitter is Your Friend-Do you Follow these people?

• And don't forget to follow people from our very own district...more to come next week...Are you on twitter?
• @julienorby
• @terrydckr
• @julieunion
• @ajtremble

FINAL THOUGHTS TO PONDER

Click Here for Some Great Back to School Questions for You to Ask Yourself

 

"We can not always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future!" 

Franklin D. Roosevelt 

5/1/15

THINK WIN-WIN

PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST 

5/4  Principal Interviews
5/4  May Board Topics and Updates due
5/6  STREAM Site TOSA Interviews
5/7  Teacher Interviews
5/7  USD Spotlight Speaker Series (dinner afterwards)

SYNERGIZE 

*Kudos to Caroline and her team for a wonderful Facilities Master Plan Committee meeting!
*A big Shout Out to Jerry, Ellen and the entire Solana Ranch team for a FANTASTIC School Spotlight at the Board Meeting!
*Thank you to Nancy, Sal and Terry for spending so much up-front time Screening the Principal Candidates! Now the Big Question:  "WHO" is going to be selected?
*Congratulations to Nancy on her new adventure-We will miss you! You were exactly what this district needed!
*Hooray for Stephanie and Gina who will be presenting at the NSTA Conference in the Fall.
*Yahoo for Solana Ranch and Skyline who celebrated the year with amazing Open Houses!

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Instructional Leaders

10 Creative Pre-Assessment Ideas You May Not Know 
The Educators Guide to Copyright, Fair Use and Creative Commons

10 Communication Secrets of Great Leaders 
Staying in the Game-Preventing Principal Burnout

SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Teachers

How to Refine Driving Questions for Effective Project-Based Learning 
12 Characteristics that make you a Teacher Leader

BE PROACTIVE

Terrific Twitter Tweets

"Passenger or a Pilot, it's your choice!" Rick Schmitt @SDUHSD

"Who are the other instructional leaders in your school?  The don't have titles, but their leadership matters" Justin Baeder @ eduleadership

"How do we take employees who are smoldering & inspire them 2 ignite their potential?  Challenge, encourage/support them 2 strive 4 greatness?" @casas_Jimmy

"Teachers will go above and beyond for students when they feel as though they are being supported tremendously by their admin @japhillips0722

"Are you a sailboat, a tugboat or an anchor? Do you embrace change or resist it?" @justintarte

"Strange as it sounds, great leaders gain authority by giving it away." James B Stockdale via @casas_Jimmy

SHARPEN THE SAW

Instead of saying this...Try saying this:

Are our students Engaged or Compliant?

LOVE THIS!! 

4/3/15

THINK WIN-WIN

I think this pretty much sums up the past couple of weeks!!

PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST 

4/6-4/10  Spring Break-Yipee!!
4/13  Leadership
4/14  Teacher Interviews
4/14  Golf Group begins!  Fore!
4/15  Kinder Math PD
4/15  Technology Replacement Plan Meeting
4/15  BTSA
4/16  1st Grade Math PD
4/16  New Principal Meeting
4/17  Grade 2 Math PD
4/17  Cara's Last day!  Wishing her all the best!!

SYNERGIZE 

*A big hug to Lisa Denham and her staff!  They have been stellar throughout the events of the past two weeks!
*And Thanks to all of the principals and staffs for their flexibility as we reviewed and revised Safety Procedures for our students!
*I think we all can agree that our Superintendent has done a terrific job navigating and leading us through the past couple of weeks!  Thank You Nancy!
*Kudos to Cara for completing the Grade 3-6 Math PD days!  She is a ROCK STAR!!
*Hooray for Solana Santa Fe and Solana Visit-both who had successful and exciting Open Houses!
*Congratulations to Solana Vista, Solana Santa Fe and Solana Pacific!  Our final walkthroughs were AMAZING! So many wonderful things happening at our schools.

MATH MANY WAYS ACROSS OUR DISTRICT!

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS-CCSS
WE ARE MAKING THE SHIFT!

Hmmm....So, these are the tools that SSF uses to keep their playgrounds safe! 

YOU have got to watch this video!! Proof that "Real Men"  do teach Kindergarten!  The Water Cycle like you have never seen it before! 
(make sure you clear your filter first...)

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Instructional Leaders

Is Your School Student Centered?
What Great Managers to do Engage Employees

Favorite Things About Being a Principal-What would you add to the list?
Rethinking Staff Meetings-I LOVE this article!!

SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Teachers
5 Ways to Use Word Clouds in the Classroom
9 Creative "Brain Break" Ideas that You Can Try Today

10 Reflective Questions to Ask at the End of Class

BE PROACTIVE

Terrific Twitter Tweets

10 Images to Share at your Next Faculty Meeting

"Management is keeping the plane in the air & on course.  Leadership is overhauling the engine  & charting the course." @eduleadership

"I never lose...either I win or I learn!" #IDedchat

"School climate is like your attitude...can change pretty quickly.  School Cutlure is like your personality...not so easily changed." @justintarte

"If you want to bust a culture, celebrate Mondays!" @ToddWhitaker

SHARPEN THE SAW

The Life of a school leader is primarily about balance.  Tend to the other parts of your life this Spring Break!  #Balance @ MarkWilsonGA

14-15 Template

THINK WIN-WIN

PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST 

9/26

SYNERGIZE 

BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Instructional Leaders

SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND

Blogs/Articles/Videos for Teachers

BE PROACTIVE

SHARPEN THE SAW