News for the Week of April 16, 2018
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It's that time of year...please be sure to review the indoor recess expectations, as well as a list of approved activities in the event of indoor recess. As a reminder, students should not use devices during recess.
This Week at Brown School
5th grade M-STEP continues in the computer lab this week
4/16 Tech Festival entries due!
Lockdown drill 2:30pm - external threat
4/17 Second grade release day
Principal's Breakfast # 12
Kent's last day before surgery
Third grade boys meet with Kristen @ 2:30 -Media Center
Board of Education meeting @ Central office 6pm
Skate Night 6-8 pm
4/18 Late start day
Kent's surgery- Welcome, Kim Kuriata!
4/19 3rd grade release day
Lignell to planetarium 1:30-2:45pm
New teacher Kagan training 4:15pm - Brown M.C.
Creating a Safer School Environment through Prevention, Intervention and Response - led by Brian Uridge, SJPD at SJHS 6-7:30pm
4/20 Popcorn day!
Kindergarten classes to Sarett 9:00-11:30 am
Coming Up...
4/23 PTO meeting - 12:00pm in M.C. Barron, Danapilis
4/24 Staff/SI meeting 4-4:30pm - process chapters 6 & 9
4/25 Administrative Professionals' Day
Late start day
Tornado drill 11:30am
4/26 Parents as Teachers playgroup 9:30-10:30am in gym
Danapilis to Calling All Colors 9:05-11:15am
4/30 Mileage Club begins at lunch recess today!
3rd and 4th grade M-STEP testing begins
NWEA spring testing begins
5/1 Third grades to Charlton Park 7:45am-3:00pm
5/3 Schueneman to the planetarium 1:30-2:45pm
5/9 Late start day
5th grade program - time TBD
5/10 Barron to Calling All Colors 9:05-11:15am
5/11 Track meet day for 3rd-5th graders
Ren Baldwin Technology Showcase SJHS 6pm
5/14 Board of Education meeting at Central Office 6pm
2nd graders to the Heritage Center and historical walk 9am-1:30pm
4th graders to Lansing
5/15 Muffins with Moms!
Hearing and Vision Screening - Young 5s only
5/16 Late start day
5/17 5th grade visit to Upton
Girls on the Run 5K in Berrien Springs
5/21-5/25 Third grade swimming week
5/21 Track meet rain date
PTO meeting in the Media Center 7pm
5/22 First graders to Sarett 9-11:30am
5/23 Late start day
Young 5s to Sarett 12:30-2:30pm
5/24 Danapilis to Calling All Colors 9:05am-11:15am
5/25 Fifth graders to the Air Zoo 8:45am-2:25 pm
5/28 No school - Memorial Day
5/29 Fifth graders to Health Works 10:30am-1:00pm
5/30 Health Works coming for fourth grade session
6/1 Flip Flop Friday - Student Council Fun Friday
6/6 School Picnic! (more information to come soon)
6/7 1/2 of school - dismissal at 12:05 pm - teacher workday pm
6/8 Last day of school! 1/2 day - dismissal at 12:05 pm
Kagan Corner
Spring fever leaving your groups a bit edgy with each other? Remember that Dr. Kagan suggests teambuilding activities at least twice per week and new seats every six weeks or so. In addition, try sharing Kagan's "Ten Tips to Be a Good Teammate" with your class (found below and on page 11.8 in the big book).
1. Be a team player.
2. Ask for help.
3. Be a good helper.
4. Keep the team on task.
5. Compliment teammates.
6. Have a positive attitude.
7. Watch teammates.
8. Listen to teammates.
9. Piggyback on each other.
10. Apologize.
TECH FEST DEADLINE is MONDAY!
Next, the deadline for tech fest entries is Monday, April 16th. Please encourage your students to submit something to the festival this year. Remember, any student who submits a project is entered in a drawing to win an iPad or Chromebook. Details and information for entering can be found HERE.
We will also be looking for teachers and students who are interested in participating/helping the night of the festival, which is May 11th. Let Connie or Amy know if you and a couple of your students would be interested in helping out the night of the festival. We have grade level tables for students to share all the cool techy things they’ve been doing this year!
Helpful Tips and Reminders:
• The entry form is located on the media center page, right under the Symbaloo. Click on the form that pertains to your correct grade level.
• It will be helpful for you to take a look at the entry form so you know what information your students will need. They will need to type a brief explanation, provide a learning goal or standard, and choose how they will submit.
• Most students will likely submit through Google Drive. Please make sure that they choose to share their project with anyone with the link.
• Remember only FIVE projects of the same assignment may be submitted for judging with the same teacher sponsor. Unlimited entries may be showcased.
• Students may submit up to three projects, but they must be in different categories.
PLACEMENT REQUESTS
This is the time of year teachers may start getting requests or concerns from parents over next year's placement. As a reminder. . .we never discuss class placement or our teaching colleagues' classrooms in terms of 'best fit' with parents.
Sometimes we do need to inform parents of our process for class placement to put their concerns to rest. A simple "I'll be working with the other teachers at our grade level to make recommendations for next year. Our goal is balanced classes." is enough for most parents.
If parents persist, feel free to forward them our handbook language (below) or direct them to the principal. All placement requests must be submitted in writing to Kristen.
The following information regarding placement will be included in next week's family blog:
STUDENT PLACEMENT
We try to use our best professional judgment to create balanced classes. We consider the following factors when making class lists:
- An even distribution of students according to ability;
- A fair balance of boys and girls in a classroom;
- A fair distribution of students who demand more care and attention from teacher; and,
- The mixture of students’ personalities and probable “fit” as a class.
Parents may submit written information for staff to consider for student placement. Specific requests for teachers are not accepted. All placement requests must be filed with Kristen.
M-STEP Scheduling
Please be advised that this will cause substantial disruption to our computer lab schedule. All test sessions will be entered on the master google calendar we share to ensure everyone can see them. Classroom projects should be scheduled for the cart instead of the lab whenever possible.
SJPS Foundation Teacher Grants
Happy Spring! Teacher Grant applications are due May 7, 2018 by email. Click here to access the grant application. For more information and to view previous grant recipients, visit the website http://www.sjpsfoundation.org/Grants.html.
Grant recipients will be announced at the opening breakfast at the beginning of the school year and funds must be used within the 2018-19 academic year. Applications will be accepted via email only to sjpsfoundation@sjschools.org on or before May 7th.
Happy Spring! Teacher Grant applications are due May 7, 2018 by email. Click here to access the grant application. For more information and to view previous grant recipients, visit the website http://www.sjpsfoundation.org/Grants.html.
Grant recipients will be announced at the opening breakfast at the beginning of the school year and funds must be used within the 2018-19 academic year. Applications will be accepted via email only to sjpsfoundation@sjschools.org on or before May 7th.
Kudos and Thank You to...
