Sunday, January 10, 2016

Assumptions=Limitations

"Our behavior is affected by our assumptions or our perceived truths.  We make decisions based on what we think we know."  -Simon Sinek

We make a lot of assumptions in education.  We know we shouldn't and yet often our past experiences influence our thoughts and decisions.  This past week I was reminded about how important is to not make assumptions about our students or families.  Sometimes we think that parents don't want to hear about their child's academic or behavior challenges.  We surmise that difficulty in getting ahold of a parent means that they don't want to communicate with the school.  Or perhaps, we view a parents involvement in the school as evidence that they support us and think the way we think.

When we make incorrect assumptions, it hampers our effectiveness as teachers and impedes the progress of our students.  Students want to do well.  Parents want their children to be successful.  If students are struggling, let's get them the support and teach them the skills that will allow them to thrive.  Communicate early and often with parents.  Generally, the times I have failed to call parents are the times I have regretted it later.  Never let a child inform a parent of an incident that would have been preferable coming from you.

Ask yourself.  What assumptions am I making about my students' families?  What assumptions am I making about my students' values?  Their experiences?  What assumptions am I making about what my students do or do not know?  We are responsible for the success or failure of our students in our classrooms.  Let's assume best intentions.  Be brave enough to ask questions.  Don't limit yourself or your students by your perceptions.



Big Rocks:
M-Step: The M-Step Parent Reports were mailed home Friday.  The District Data Analysis session will be held January 27 from 8:00-11:00.  If you receive parent questions, it is absolutely okay to be honest that this is a new process for all of us and answer questions as best you can.  Kristi and I are happy to answer any questions as well.  Pam will be placing a letter from the State entitled "Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress-Spring 2016" in your mailbox.  Central Office would like you to send it home with report cards.
Good News-The classroom activities have been eliminated from the 2016 Performance Tasks.

I-Ready: The I-Ready testing window has been moved one week earlier-January 25-February 19.  This is to try to accommodate some Title building requests that will use Winter data for Title reports for Report Cards.  We will do our best as Report Cards go home February 5.

Iowa/CogAT: Please continue to remind your students to be quiet in the hall, as most 6th grade students are still testing.  We will continue to monitor make-ups.

Emergency Sub Plans: Please turn in a day's worth of emergency sub plans to the office.  We will keep them in folders in the office.

Learning Walks: Our next Learning Walk is scheduled for Monday, February 8th.  Unfortunately, we had to move our December date due to a last minute professional development day for principals and January is difficult with IOWA/CogAT.  We will send out more information soon.

Parent Lighthouse: The Parent Lighthouse Team met last week.  They are eager to have a family movie night that reflects the 7 Habits.  We need a license to show movies and are looking into the cost.  They are working on the first monthly newsletter. Thank you to Lynn for leading the meeting and for Shawn's support at the meeting.  There was a lot of positive energy!

Calendar for the Week of January 11, 2016:
Monday: 8:00 CCSS Planning (Ron, Wendy, Sally) 
               9:00 DSIT (Sarah)
               11:15 Student Lighthouse
               12:00 Curriculum Advisory (Sarah)
Tuesday: 3:45-5:00 Lighthouse Meeting
Wednesday: 9:10 Lockdown
                    9:30-11:00 QAR (Sarah)
                    11:15 PTA Leaders
                    1:00 New Video Camera System Meeting at Cooper (Sarah and Kristi) 
Thursday: 3:45-4:45 Extended Staff Meeting on CCSS
                  Hopefully, Kristi will be with Ian in Orlando at ESPN for a senior challenge.  Best wishe to Ian!!
Friday: 8:45 LEAD Time
            Some student leaders will be heading to Webster on Friday to speak with their students about the Leader in Me.


                    





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