Staff+Notes+12-8-11

=**Staff Notes**= =**December 8, 2011**=

I will be out of the building on Friday morning (December 9) for a medical appt.
 * Out of Building**

I am scheduling a brief Staff Meeting on Monday, Dec. 9 at 3:30, in the Elementary Library. It should go from 3:30 - 4:00.
 * Staff Meeting**

Please remind your VMEPC room representatives and parents that our next VMEPC is Thursday, December 15, at 7:00 in the cafeteria.
 * VMEPC Meeting**

It is **very** important that teachers be in the hallway/doorway to meet students after lunch. We had a great start to the year and a DRAMATIC difference in student behavior when teachers were in the hallway in the am, at noon lunch and afternoon recess. I was in the hallway today as several groups of students came in after the noon recess and did not see teachers. The noise in the hallway was much louder and the associates said that they are not seeing teachers. Associates should be able to leave the hallway to teachers and go monitor the bathrooms after lunch.
 * Teachers in the Hallway after Lunch**

Report Cards will go out after Winter Break. Teachers will have some time during the afternoon of January 3 to complete report cards. I anticipate that report cards will go home on January 6.
 * Report Cards**

Teachers should give the Organization Writing Assessment before Winter Break. Teachers are encouraged to begin assessing them using the Organization Rubric, but could use time on January 3 and on January 4 to evaluate and discuss with colleagues.
 * Writing**

There will be a building level inservice on the morning of January 4. The focus will be on writing. Teachers are asked to bring their iPad, computer, organization rubric, writing samples and Trait Crate. More information and an agenda for the building level inservice on January 4 will be sent out before Winter Break.
 * January 4**

We have 5 new students starting after Winter Break. They are in Kindergarten, first, second, and two in third grade. I will be contacting teachers next week.
 * New Students**

Make sure that students arriving late have a blue slip. If they are leaving, remind them to sign out through the office.
 * Students Arriving or Leaving**

I will be sending feedback to teachers through BlueHarvest. Please let me know if you can’t get in or can’t respond.
 * BlueHarvest**

I received a message that one of the Mid-American poles by the playground is not good. It will be replaced, but students should not be playing in the area behind the playground where the poles are located. They should also not be on the hill.
 * Mid-American Pole**