Week of December 18th-20th

Each one of our students needs a champion. You are making more of an impact on our children than you might ever possibly know! You are a champion for..... 

Academic Language

Explicitly teaching academic language is so important! These words are present in our Curriculum, the Common Core State Standards and on the CAASPP. Our students need to be prepared to understand these words used in academia. Try teaching our students Tier 2 words using any of the strategies mentioned in this article!  

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/8-strategies-teaching-academic-language-todd-finley?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-strategies-academic-language-finley-image-list-november-repost2

Why Teaching Kindness in Schools Is Essential to Reduce Bullying

Read this article on the benefits of teaching #kindness at school!

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-kindness-essential-reduce-bullying-lisa-currie

Chromebook/iPad Inventory

Before leaving for break on Thursday, please complete this device inventory spreadsheet (even if you don't have student devices in your classroom) to let us know how many devices are located in your room. If you need to put in any FMX tickets to have devices repaired, please do so sooner rather than later. Please see Mrs. Guernsey with any questions!

First Semester Grades

Grades should be completed and submitted by 3:00 PM on Thursday 12/21. Thank you for all your efforts this semester! 

Power Down - Energy Conservation over Winter Break 

Please help us conserve energy!  The following should be done prior to leaving for Winter Break:

·    Unplug ALL personal appliances and equipment, such as fans, microwaves, coffee pots, radios, refrigerators, etc.  

·    Turn off and unplug TV's, DVD's, fax machines, projectors, smart boards, and any other non-essential classroom/office electronic equipment.

·    Turn off all computers and monitors.

·    Turn off all interior lighting and exterior lighting.

·    Turn off and unplug all unnecessary kitchen equipment. 

·    Set thermostats to the off position (if applicable), especially in portables. 

Teach Like A Pirate Book Study

"I Like To Move It, Move It"

Pages 87-93

Hooks containing an element of movement can be extremely effective.  The brain and body work best when receiving the flow of oxygen and blood; that doesn't happen when students spend their days sitting at a desk.  If your class is stagnant and energy has reached a low point, it may be time to incorporate more kinesthetic activities.  There are many great kinesthetic activities in this section.  Look on pages 87-88 for kinesthetic hook to use in your lesson.  Look on page 92 for the people prop hook and the safari hook.

Teach Like A Pirate Teams Flipgrid

https://flipgrid.com/968ad6

Please complete this flipgrid before our February Staff Meeting.  Please post individually. Reflect on our book study, Teach Like A Pirate.  How are you going to teach like a pirate?  What is one take away from this book?  

No Excuses University

Assessment

Read this article on How Classroom Assessments Improve Learning 

Click on the link below

 http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb03/vol60/num05/How-Classroom-Assessments-Improve-Learning.aspx

No Excuses Symbolism on Campus

NEU Connect

What is NEU Connect? 

https://vimeo.com/102805892

After you have created an account, click this link to access NEU Connect: http://acceleronlearning.com/go/neu-connect/. After logging in, click on "Resource Categories" in the left column, then access the 6 exceptional systems categories to locate lessons and ideas for your classroom.

NEU Connect should have sent you a welcome email with log-in information this week. Please use these to access all that NEU Connect has to offer. If you did not receive an email and have not had an account in the past, please contact Mrs. Guernsey. 


 #FSUSDEdChat

Please join us at the next #FSUSDEdChat with Principal of Suisun Valley, Jas Bains Wright.  She will be moderating a discussion on Data Driven Instruction.  

Smiles for Greg

Let’s work together to put a smile on Greg’s face and keep his spirits up! The goal is to have something to deliver to Greg by Friday each week. Click on the LINK to sign up!

Fhttps://docs.google.com/a/fsusd.org/spreadsheets/d/1v63issgn9PRPXoLWY78KXeXUXUXh_k4YN14PPuPQK_k/edit?usp=sharing

Maggie Halls
6th Grade Teacher

Go and #observe Mrs. Halls on her Math Instruction and accommodation, engaging lessons, weaving interdisciplinary concepts through out the curriculum, and her HIGH expectations for ALL students!!! 

Terry Murray

Math Teacher

Nickname: Terry or Tessy Bell

High school:   Napa high School

Career if not a Educator: Engineer, photographer.  SCUBA diver

Would like to be on this game show:  Jeopardy or  $100,000  pyramid.

Passion:  Travel, photography, music. SCUBA dive

Fun Facts: I have been to every continent except Antarctica

Heather Scicluna

PE Teacher

Nickname: Ms. S

High school: Armijo High School

Career if not a Educator: Nurse

Would like to be on this game show: Wheel of Fortune

Passion: Yoga/Fitness Instructor

Fun Facts: She has a 2 year old daughter

• Thank you to all the staff who attended the staff holiday and retirement party! A great time was had by ALL!!! 
• Whoa! Special Education Case Managers have been SUPER busy getting caught up on IEPs, thanks for all your hard work! Those keyboards must be on fire!!! 
• Thanks to all the staff who participated in the Secret Santa! It was great fun! 
• Wow! What an amazing and supportive staff we have! As we approached the end of the year, we've held multiple IEPs per day! Thank you for communicating with the Case Managers and Marielle (or Psychologist) in order to accomplish so much in such a short and busy time of the year! 
• Thank you Tara for setting up Smiles For Greg!
• Campus Monitors, Noon Supervisors and PE Teachers: Thank you for surviving the elements on a daily basis to teach and manage our kids! We appreciate you!
• Thank you Donna for hosting our Staff Holiday Party! It was fun!!!

• December 1 - 20 -  Toys for Tots
• December 19 - Department Meeting
• December 21 - Teacher Work Day 
• December 22 - January 5 - Winter Break

• Sorensen 1
• Abbott-Grotrian 6
• Mikkola 6
• Morales 19
• Mulvihill 29
• Lewis 30
• Balthazor 31

Fun With the APs