Week 36

Great Things We Noticed: 

• Raquel and Doree attending Hour of Code Training - I cannot wait to see what your students create!
• Breakout EDU - Congratulations to TEAM 3 - you win Breakfast on Friday and a day of your copies being done for you! (Barnett, Ebie, Wakefield, Forsythe, OK, Wilbur, Montgomery, Esquivel, Wible, Pudey, Armentrout)
• An awesome welcome to our new staff members Longi, Tina and Rhonda - Welcome to Hawthorne! 
• Digging for fossils in Ebie's class
• The last SOM assembly - I love seeing those students that have had some "ups and downs" be recognized for improvement - GROWTH MINDSET! 
• If you didn't know, we have an AWESOME preschool program - Kudos to Suzanne Armas and her team! 

 

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Nuts and Bolts:

• Checkout paperwork will be in your boxes soon - Here are some items to work on and complete before the end of the school year:
• Classrooms:  Please make sure that you properly store all materials to avoid any damage during deep cleaning.  Boxes and personal items must be properly stored in your storage closets or rolling cabinets.  Take home anything you did not use this school year.  This is the perfect time to clear all clutter, if you have any.  Remember - some of our classrooms will be used for summer school (more information coming).  
•  Cums: Please feel free to begin to work on cums- they are time consuming.  To give our office staff enough time to check all cums, you must complete them by June 12^th.  Let Paulina (New Irene)  know when your cums are done.  
•   Moving:   There are only a few clearing out classrooms.   If you are moving, start packing now, but please leave your boards for last.  If you are not moving, do not clear your bulletin boards before June 4^th.  Students will disengage and discipline issues will rise if your room is cleared too soon.  All electronic hardware changes must go through Lisa.  You may take your computer laptop because this item has been assigned to you, not your classroom. 
•  Report Cards:  Report cards are due for review on Friday, June 1^st.  Let me know if you need more time. 
• EUREKA:
• Eureka Math Manipulatives were delivered to pods/classrooms yesterday. Boxes are labeled with your names.  (6^th grade, I still have yours in the library).  TE’s and student books should be here next week.

• ENVISION:  DO NOT KEEP ANY ENVISION MATERIALS! 
• You may start sending up your enVision teacher boxes/materials next week. Pleeeeaaase make sure you send up everything.  The list of teacher materials is below.  Student books will not come up to me until the week of June 4^th. I will send an email when I am ready for them.  Consumables can be tossed or given to students.

• Please let me know if you are interested in attending the Excellence through Equity Conference  - If you went last year, give someone else a turn ;) The conference is September 20-21, 2018

• I have noticed teachers making copies for next year.... Please do not do this.  We are running low on both funds and paper and need to wait until next years budget hits in July before we can start using supplies for next year.  If you have any questions let me know. 

• Lot's of teachers will be out for SLT and AVID next week - let's work together and support our substitutes with student behavior.  

• Be visible as much as possible over the next weeks - this helps support student behavior

• Everyone should be current through 5/15 with your PE monitoring forms... the last two are due 5/30 and 6/13 - see Debbie if you have any questions.

• I appreciate your desire to complete your checkout in a timely manner, but please don't take everything off the walls.  The students need routine and consistency all the way through... and we have a visit on Friday from a board member and Asst. Superintendent.  

• STAFF MEETING ON JUNE 6th - EOY Pot Luck - Sign ups will be in lounge!  

Focus: 

This might seem like a crazy idea, but why not try something new at the end of the year? 

We all have that one thing (or many things) we’ve been wanting to try, but just haven’t gotten around to. So this is your chance — give it a whirl! The excitement and energy of trying something new (and letting your students know you’re trying something new — they love that), is a feeling that’s hard to replicate and one that can help you stay excited till the end of the year.

Short on ideas? Here are 12 great Teaching Channel resources to get the ideas flowing.

• Critical Creativity in the Classroom
• Spoken Word Poetry
• Inviting Curiosity and Socratic Questioning in the Classroom
• Writing Commentaries
• Conver-Stations
• Life-Size Graphic Organizers
• Analyzing Texts with Storyboards
• Pinwheel Discussions
• Comic Book Templates
• Creating Found Poems
• Infographics for Change
• Teaching and Learning with Minecraft

Here are some ideas for Memorial Day Activities: 

   

Upcoming Events:

• 5/28 - NO SCHOOL!  
• 5/29 - Shared Leadership Team - Bourns Technology Center - 8:00
• 5/29 - PIQE 8:30am and 6:30pm
• 5/30 - Lunch on the Lawn
• 5/30 - Leadership Team - 2:55
• 6/1 - Visit by Dr. Farooq (School Board Member) and Dr. Lewis (Asst. Supt. Instruction) 
• 6/1 - Minimum Day - Students dismissed at 12:05
• 6/4 - RUSD Volunteer of the Year recognition (Delnita Brown is Hawthorne's VOY) CMS
• 6/5 - PIQE Graduation 
• 6/6 - 4th grade recorder performance - 9:00 MPR
• 6/7 - PL Team PD Day - 8:00 in Library
• 6/8 - Skills Day - 9-11
• 6/12 - Eureka PD - 5th Grade
• 6/12 - Kinder EOY Performance - 9:30 MPR
• 6/13 - 6th Grade Promotion - Arlington High School - 9:30
• 6/13 - 6th Grade Family Reception - MPR 
• 6/14 - Awards Assembly - Grades 3,4,5 - MPR 
• 6/14 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!  Students dismissed at 12:05!!

 

Week 34 - Classified Employee Appreciation Week!

Great Things We Noticed:

• Smooth sailing and hard work on the CAASPP assessment!  Thank you 3,4,5 and 6 grade teachers and your students for all of your hard work!  
• Mrs. Lantz's window that honors her 6th graders - stop by and see it!   
• Honoring our "Portrait of a Graduate Award of Excellence" recipient Dayanara Montoya from Mr. Carrasco's class!
• 1st Grade Mother's Day Tea - What a joy to have all those family members come to celebrate with our 1st graders!
• Ms. Tavaglione staying on as our 2nd grade teacher!  
• Hiring Rhonda Tilton for our 4th grade position - she is currently the Hearts Coordinator at Monroe!
• 59 parents participating in our PIQE classes!
• A great lunch and breakfast prepared for our AWESOME staff!
• You made Irene feel so special on Friday!  Thank you for your kindness and support! 

 

 

 

Nuts and Bolts:

• Clarissa shared a set of Kindness Lessons at the last Leadership Meeting - this is the perfect time of year to implement some of these lessons.  See your team leader or Clarissa for more information. 
• Please be out to your lines in the morning, recess and lunch as soon as possible.  Reinforce and reteach how to line up and why it is important - even to our upper grades.  
• When out at recess practice ACTIVE supervision - move and interrupt large group of students.
• For attendance parties watch for emails from Clarissa - Keep up the promotion of great attendance!
• CAASPP:  
• Math starts on Tuesday at 9:00 (CAT one day one, PT on day two)
• Let's push attendance hard on Monday - We need all the students here!  
• Leadership Team:  Dave Horton will be here on MONDAY at 3:00 in the library to discuss next steps.  This information will inform our goals for next year and our focus for Shared Leadership.  Please come if you are able! 
• Wednesday is at Team Meeting - (staff meeting is the 23rd)  - you should be analyzing your common assessments and continuing you PLC work.  
• RUSD Opportunities from our Arts Partners Newsletter This is a new newsletter created to share the many offerings from our Arts Partners available to RUSD teachers and students. Check out the May edition here. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please subscribe here.
• Message for our 1st grade team: 
• Thank you staff for opening your first grade classes to our Riverside Fire Department so students could learn about water safety through the entertaining Stewie the Duck book. This is an important project and we are fortunate that it was implemented in RUSD, to help keep our children safe. All sites have been visited and if classrooms were missed, they will be rescheduled. In addition, Riverside Fire Department is sending a Stewie the Duck book to every elementary campus library and every first grade teacher for the classroom library. Thank you Dave Hernandez, Riverside Firefighter!
• Advanced Phonics: Instructional Services will provide a review course in the Advanced Phonics Intervention for any teachers who have been previously trained. 
•  The course will be held on Tuesday, June 19 from 8:00am-3:00pm at University Heights Middle School in Room 410. Teachers should bring their Green Linguistics Guide to the training. Participants will review and practice the following: · All Instructional Routines · Placement Criteria · Progress Monitoring Guidelines · Lesson design/pacing suggestions 
• This voluntary training will be on a timecard at the staff development rate. Interested teachers must enroll on the PD hub under the Intervention tab as enrollment is limited. For further information, teachers may contact Andy Stetkevich, Staff Development Specialist
• Clarissa and I will both be out on Friday, May 18th - Carol will be Admin Designee - PLEASE only send emergencies and serious behavior to the office.  Everything else can wait until Monday.  

FOCUS:

The end of the school year is here!  The next 5 weeks will be exciting and stressful, they will test our paitence and attitudes, there is so much to do and to get accomplished before our students leave us!  I understand the stress and Clarissa and I are here to help and support you through the next weeks. If something is bothering you or your workload becomes overwhelming - come and see us, we are here to support you!  

• Remember to be mindful of your own level of stress and the energy you are putting out into your classroom.  The students feed off of this energy - and they will give it right back to you.  
• Keep routines and procedures the same (as much as possible) - this will help your students maintain their focus.
• Be extra patient and extra kind to students, collegues and staff.
• Keep up on your obligations and commitments - try not to procrastinate ( I am the worst at this!)
• Here are some items to work on and complete before the end of the school year:
• Classrooms:  Please make sure that you properly store all materials to avoid any damage during deep cleaning.  Boxes and personal items must be properly stored in your storage closets or rolling cabinets.  Take home anything you did not use this school year.  This is the perfect time to clear all clutter, if you have any.  Remember - some of our classrooms will be used for summer school (more information coming).  
•  Cums: Please feel free to begin to work on cums- they are time consuming.  To give our office staff enough time to check all cums, you must complete them by June 12^th.  Let Paulina (New Irene)  know when your cums are done.  
•   Moving:   There are only a few clearing out classrooms.   If you are moving, start packing now, but please leave your boards for last.  If you are not moving, do not clear your bulletin boards before June 4^th.  Students will disengage and discipline issues will rise if your room is cleared too soon.  All electronic hardware changes must go through Lisa.  You may take your computer laptop because this item has been assigned to you, not your classroom. 
•  Report Cards:  Report cards are due for review on Friday, June 1^st.  Let me know if you need more time. 

Week 33 - Teacher Appreciation Week!!

Great Things We Noticed:

• Clarissa holding down the fort and running the Kindergarten Kickoff AND hosting Inspiring Leaders from across the district!  
• Lorenzo for working hard to get our cafeteria ready to show off to the district - it looked great!
• Office staff holding down the fort while Cindy was away - you rock!
• The Kinder Team starting a new tradition at Hawthorne - Kindergarten Kickoff!  Thank you for your ideas, participation and planning!
• The 6th grade team being open to new and exciting ways to honor our 6th graders at promotion - Arlington here we come!!
• 40 families participating in out PIQE classes!  Get ready for some engaged parents!
• AWESOME Game Truck on Friday for our top fundraising students!
• Irene Duncan and her years of support, caring, hard work and service to the staff and families of Hawthorne and Poly!  Best wishes on your new adventure Irene!! 

Nuts and Bolts:

CAASPP:

• Testing starts on TUESDAY!  Thank you for all of your prep and work with our students!  
• Grades 3-6 testing starts at 9:00 SHARP on Tuesday (ELA)
• EVERYONE were the SWAG shirt on Tuesday!
• Grades 3-6 use this form to track you students that need to make up any testing
• Read 180 schedule for our testing window:  
• Week of 5/7
  Monday—Read 180
  Tuesday-Thursday—No Read 180
  Friday—Read 180
  
  
  Week of 5/14
  Monday—Read 180
  Tuesday-Thursday—No Read 180
  Friday—Read 180
  
  
  Week of 5/21
  Monday-Wednesday—No Read 180
  Thursday-Friday—Read 180
• Clarissa and I will be walking through all 3-6 grades to check walls on Monday afternoon
• Remember that the RSP schedule and Recess duty schedule will be tweaked to accomodate our testing window - thank you in advance for being flexible! Please read the email from Natalie regarding 

 

• Coffee with the Principal is Wednesday - grades 3-6 please bring work to showcase Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning (before 8:00) 
• We have a new Assistant Principal!  Longi Summers has been the Resource/Special Projects teacher at Magnolia Elementary and will now be the new AP at Hawthorne!  She well versed in student intervention and classroom technology integration and will be  a perfect fit for Hawthorne!  She will be attending one of our final Staff meetings to introduce herself and meet all of you - 
• We have also hired a new AP Secretary and Attendance Clerk - Paulina Tang will be joining our team, coming from Arlington!  She has been working as the office assistant and filling in as AP/Guidance Secretary for our neighbors - She will start ASAP (hopefully later this week!) 
• Celebrations:

• Teacher Appreciation Lunch - Wednesday (hosted by PTA)
• Teacher Appreciation Breakfast - Friday (hosted by Carrie and Clarissa)
• Retirement Celebration for Irene - Friday - Yard House
• The District assessment team will be here Monday to begin testing our K-1 EL students for the ELPAC.  
• Please attach the following information to your classroom newsletters (you can adjust the length as necessary - the links are what are important) - 
• Community Feedback Survey - The community feedback survey is the survey that you will use as you as you complete your needs assessment for your 18-19 school plan. Here are the direct links to the surveys (English and Spanish) that you can send to your parents. English http://bit.ly/2FuNWnp Spanish http://bit.ly/2oS05Jm 
• Art Float Art and Photography Contest 
• The concept of the contest is for you to experience ART FLOAT-Riverside and to interpret this spectacular event in your own artistic way. Take a moment to see the spheres in a truly beautiful setting, then create something special. You could win one of several wonderful prizes or awards, and see your creation hanging in the Riverside Art Museum. The contest is open to everyone! Just check the appropriate category, whether you are a student or adult. All entries must be original work. Submissions due 6/30/18. Click here for more info. 
• Personalized Learning Open House at Poly - 
• If you are on the PL Team please communicate with Kristi F. about how you can support our PL Booth at the open house May 10th.  
• All Teachers:  Please promote this event to our community members and parents

FOCUS:

 This is the week for us to show our appreciation for all you do for the students of Hawthorne Elementary School.  Although I try to say it as much as possible, WE APPRECIATE YOU!! Thank you for your passion, dedication, expertise and talent.  Thank you for your leadership, collaboration and willingness to "lead up" when necessary.  And thank you for the joy you bring to your classrooms, the relationships your have with your students, and the community you have created at Hawthorne.  

Ironically (or maybe not),  Teacher Appreciation week takes place during one of the most stressful times of the year.  Take some time over the next week and month to "Treat 'Yo Self" and show some appreciation and self care to yourself and your colleagues - you deserve it!  

Eat Lunch, For Real

Forget that soggy sandwich, or hurriedly eating a granola bar over the copy machine. This week, take a real break. You’ve earned it. Order out, go out, get delivery, or pack something special for lunch. The point is to eat a real meal, to sit down and talk with your friends, and to enjoy even just a half hour of calm in your busy day. Feel like being extra good to yourself? Plan for yummy and relaxing lunch breaks all week.

Organize a Teacher’s Night Out

Teacher fatigue is real and Netflix nights are so easy, but this week treat yourself to a proper night out. Gather your teacher friends, or your non-teacher friends, and do something fun together. Have dinner, take a walk through town, catch a movie, or just catch up and laugh. It doesn’t matter if it’s an early night or if it costs nothing at all, just get out there! You’ll be glad you did.

Plan an Evening to Truly Disconnect

Leave the grading at work, even for just one night. Give yourself a work-free, stress-free, and distraction-free night off. No housecleaning, no grading, no planning. Take a bath or a long shower. Do a face mask, have a glass of wine, read a book for fun, and turn off your phone. You’ll be amazed at just how revitalizing an unplugged night can be.

Get Outside

As teachers, we often get into a strict weekday routine to get everything done. Get out of the classroom (and out of the house) to breathe in some fresh, spring air. Instead of heading home to grade, change your routine and get a healthy dose of nature. Errands and work can wait this week. Talk a walk, hit the park, stare up at the sky, and take a big cleansing breath.  We have a great patio - eat your lunch outside this week! 

Treat Your Colleagues

This Teacher Appreciation Week, remind the educators in your life just how much they mean to you. Teaching Channel has curated a Pinterest board of affordable gifts that teachers can truly use and enjoy.

Upcoming Events:

• May 7-11  Teacher Appreciation Week
• May 8   PIQE Parent Mtg.  
• May 8  "Celebration Student Excellence" Awards Ceremony - Steve C. and Carrie
• May 8  Day 1 of CAASPP Testing
• May 9  Day 2 of CAASPP Testing
• May 9  Coffee With The Principal - 3-6 showcase/CAASPP information for parents
• May 10  Day 3 of CAASPP Testing 
• May 10  2nd Grade Eureka Testing
• May 10  PL Open House Poly (1/2 subs for teachers participating)
• May 10  SSC in library (3:10)
• May 11  Teacher Appreciation Breakfast - 8:00 in lounge
• May 11  Principals Collaborative Meeting - Carrie out 1/2 day
• May 15  1st Grade to Eureka Training
• May 15 Day 4 of CAASPP Testing
• May 15 PIQE at 8:30 and 6:30
• May 15 PTA Brunch with Principals (10:30-12:30)
• May 16 Day 5 of CAASPP Testing
• May 16  "Making a Difference for Student Future" Awards Ceremony - Carol honored!! 
• May 16 - TEAM MEETING (date change)
• May 17 - Principals Taskforce
• May 17 - District Leadership Meeting (Carrie and Clarissa)
• May 18   6th grade - Fiesta Village
• May 18   Carrie and Clarissa OUT
• May 23   STAFF MEETING (date change)