Good 'Week Before Christmas' Break! I shared the following poem with the middle school students in a memo last week and found some good truths to it! Enjoy.
As we go through this week, there will be lots of excitement and activities. Please protect your instructional time and ensure you are working towards the identified targets. Many of our students will need a little extra support and comfort…please pause and give them some one-on-one time. This could be a quick check-in at their desk, a breakfast break, or a playground walk during your recess supervision.
I am sorry to be out this week, but trust that Mr. McLain will do a fantastic job supporting you and our students in the building. I am looking forward to our Christmas Carol Sing-along and a visit by Santa on Thursday!
Have an excellent start to your week.
T'was the Week Before Winter Break
I hope you enjoy this fun holiday parody of Clement Clarke Moore's classic poem: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas – with a teacher's twist!
'Twas the week leading up to winter vacation
And the students were buzzing with anticipation.
They swung from the ceilings and bounced off the walls
And merrily scampered throughout the school halls.
The exhausted teachers pushed on with their lessons
But it seemed impossible to make any progression…
The kids couldn't focus on reading and writing
When presents and parties seemed much more exciting.
At least there was solace in the teachers' lounge
Where coffee and pastries could always be found.
But just when the teachers had some peace and quiet
The recess bell rang and it brought on the riot.
"Walk Kenny, walk Ronnie, walk Micah and Tyler!
Walk Becky, walk Sydne, walk Connor and Tristan!
Slow down – and that goes for everyone here!
You sound like a wild stampede of reindeer!"
At last the kids made it back to their room
Where holiday madness was in full bloom.
Haphazardly littered with glitter and paint,
When the janitor sees this, he's going to faint!
Teachers had to admit, although they were reckless,
The students' excitement was becoming infectious!
And a recurring thought helped ease any frustration:
"At least there's only three days 'til vacation!"
And on the last day, when the final bell rang,
The students packed up as they chattered and sang.
The teachers exclaimed as kids flocked out of sight,
"HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL… But we're going to bed… good night!"
Winter Break Support
Our winter break this year is 18 days. This is a long break for many of our students. Please be mindful that not all students are looking forward to the break.
Additionally, some of our students who are behind could use this time to get caught up with work. Please use this week to help your students identify the work they need to complete over the break.
Lock-Down Drill
We are expected to complete monthly safety drills. December is always a busy month and a quick one to do a drill. On Tuesday at 2:20 PM we will be hosting a Lockdown Drill.
K-12 Christmas Bingo
This Wednesday is our Christmas Bingo. Please encourage students to participate. A backpack flier will be sent home today.
K5 Christmas Sing-Along Concert
Please review the songs that you have linked to the concert song sign-up to make sure they are not interrupted by ads.
The concert will be hosted in the gym. We will have the screen on the sound end of the gym, and the floor will be taped out to have seating areas for each class. A detailed email will be sent to the k5 teachers.
K-5 Christmas Parties
Our Christmas Sign-along concert has been moved up 30 minutes from last year to make sure all classes have enough time for their party and cocoa and cookies with parents. Please limit your celebrations to only Thursday after the concert. On a four-day school week, we need to be exceptionally thoughtful in our teaching and learning time.
K-5 Cookies and Cocoa Setup
The office will be providing cups for the cocoa in your room. Please be sure to warm your crockpot with water before the concert. Also, you will need a ladle to serve your cocoa. Mandi and Dani will be delivering the cocoa and cookies during the concert.
After School Detention
We will be hosting our first after-school detention on Tuesday of this week. Three parents are very supportive. It is our goal to deter disruptive behaviors that tend to impede learning. We want to be cautious using the afterschool detention and, truthfully, lunch detention. If these do not modify a student's behavior, then we need to look more closely at the student's situation and behaviors.
MTSS Updates
If you have any schedule changes next week that impact groups, please let us know so we can plan accordingly!
Thanks to my committee for some great questions, ideas, and conversations.
If we need to adjust interventions, please let me know so we can look at progress monitoring data and make a plan together.
Next FastBridge benchmark assessment week begins Jan 8. Our data review day is tentatively scheduled for the 23rd.
Monday, 12.11
Office Standup Meeting @ 9 AM
Student Support Team @ 10:00 AM
Office Meeting @ 1 PM
MS Wrestling @ Chewelah, Office Release around 1:30
MS After School Leadership Club
Dec 11, After School Holiday Craft Workshop, 3-5 Grade
Tuesday - 12.12
Lock Down Drill (2:20 PM)
MW Westling @ HOME, Start at 3 PM, Office release around 2:30
Wednesday - 12.13
Dec. 13th, School Board Meeting
Dec 13th, Community in School's Christmas BINGO
Thursday - 12.14
Blood Drive
K-5 Christmas Carol Sing Along @ 1 PM
Friday - 12.15
Friday School
UP and Coming Events:
Winter Break December 18-January 1st
