Week Three Update

[To read this information in blog format and to access the calendar of important events, click the link at the bottom of this message]

Hi Everyone,

I want to begin by acknowledging that my focus has been somewhat scattered in these first few weeks of school, and for that I apologize.  As a principal, there are many things pulling at your attention at all times, just like a teacher really.  My promise to you from this point forward is to retrain my primary focus to be supporting your work as teachers and support staff.

I continue to be amazed at your hard work and dedication to this school, its students, their families, and to each other--your colleagues.  Change is hard, it's complex, and it's never perfect.  We have experienced a few hurdles to overcome early on in our restructuring efforts, particularly in the intermediate grades.  When times get tough, remember to reflect on what attracted you to this profession.  For me, it was a chance to make an impact on the world, fight injustice, and have an exciting, challenging career.

I am inspired at how you have supported each other, particularly those supporting our new teachers.  I am also inspired at how you have approached difficulties as they present themselves from a problem-solving, solutions-oriented perspective as opposed to mere complaining or venting.

Remember, it is important for me not to become one of those principals who is disconnected from the classroom.  I want to hear what your concerns are either directly or through your SBLT representative.

Thanks,
Josh

Kudos!

• To Valerie Klessig for being so driven and taking on challenges with grace and kindness. 
• To Anamaria for her speedy work with translations and all the behind the scenes work she does for our school. 
• Rainbow Rickey for tolerating Friday night Liderazgo/PTO meetings.

Important Reminders

• Please turn in all Parent Notification Forms (see email from Jane D.) to Jane as you receive them.  This is a state regulation that we now must comply with.  These must go to OMGE by the end of the week.
• Remember to dial always 0 for support. On call schedule differs for support staff and we want to honor the time they are off call for other important work. 
• Please complete your binder for substitute teachers and place them in your mailbox. The binder should "live" in your mailbox so Subs can pick it up when they sign in. These should be done by Oct. 1st.
• Feedback from several teachers that it is really nice when their class gets tickets from someone other than themselves. Let's celebrate each other and make an effort to give one puma ticket daily to another class. 
• There will be a Book Room "Open House" on Friday, Oct. 3rd during lunch.  Come learn how to properly use the book room resources to support your guided instruction.  This is a voluntary learning opportunity, but all are encouraged to stop by.  Snacks will be available!
• The NAMI (Nat'l Alliance for the Mentally Ill) walk to raise awareness and eliminate the stigma around mental illness is Sunday, Oct. 5th.  See Josh or Emily if you would like to join our group--The Super Pumas.
• Our school will take part in a school fundraiser on Saturday Oct. 11th, at the Doyle Admin Building parking lot.  We will take donations for Badger football fans to park.  Last year we made about $1,000 for about 4 hours of work.  If you show up, you get to decide how to spend the money!  Game time is still listed a TBD.  Please let Josh know if you can help out.
• Get your daily schedule to Cecilia by Sep. 15th (Cecilia should be able to find your class during the day Monday-Friday by consulting this schedule)
• Complete the Tech Survey and Legal/Social Tech Guidelines webinar by Sep. 30 (Make sure to notify Josh when you are done)
• All volunteers (even parents) who have direct contact with students should complete a background check form to be sent to Human Resources.  These forms can be found in the office.

Important Information

• The PD calendar and structured planning time has been altered to make things more predictable for teachers.  Now it will look like this:
• 1st Week of Month: Grade level consultation (w/ Stephanie and Kristi)
• 2nd Week of Month: All staff PD on Monday afternoon
• 3rd Week of Month: Extending the learning and planning with Emily
• 4th Week of Month: Extending the learning and planning with Emily
• To avoid putting one more thing on teachers' plates, the Homework Policy will not go into effect this fall.  The policy was shared with all staff via Google docs.  Please provide input by October 17th.  The plan is to launch the policy through the Spring Parent/Teacher conferences.
• Nuestro Mundo has $833.00 available from the Foundation for Madison Public Schools Endowment Fund.  Look for an email later with directions on how to request a grant.  Grant applications due on October 15th.  Grant ideas should be "creative and innovative projects that are not funded within the core school budget."  
• There are also funds available through NMI, roughly $14,000.  Please contact Libbey Meister (libbey05@gmail.com) for more information .

This Week's Quote:

• The measure of success isn’t whether you have a tough problem, but whether it’s the same problem you had last year.
  -John Foster Dulles