Week 22: 01/28/19 – 02/01/19

Posted on January 28, 2019 by kennedyelementary

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 28th
ACCESS Testing Continues (RR Remains Closed)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Tuesday, January 29th
Paraprofessional Meeting @ 2:50pm (Conference Room)
*3rd Grade Family Sports Night = RESCHEDULED to February 5th!

Wednesday, January 30th
1/2 Day of School (Agenda will be emailed)
100th Day of School!

Thursday, January 31st

Friday, February 1st
5 by Friday! 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Reading
Four Ways to Support Colleagues Who are Supporting Students in Crisis – via Allyson Apsey

How to Keep Overbearing, Micromanaging Parents from Stressing You Out as a Teacher – via Angela Watson

Marie Kondo in the Classroom: How Teachers Are Tidying Up via EdWeek

12 Google Calendar Tricks You’re Probably Not Using via PCMag.com

Google Slides & PearDeck via Alice Keeler

Week 21: 01/21/19 – 01/25/19

Posted on January 22, 2019 by kennedyelementary

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Today we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr…..let’s honor Dr. King’s memory as we begin our work week. The following Dr. King quote can help us reflect on the work we are doing at Kennedy School.

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“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character, that is the goal of education.”

Do we hold high expectations for all of our learners?
Is critical thinking reinforced for all of our learners?
Is character education a focus in our classrooms everyday?
Are we serving others in our school community?

As you begin your week, keep the above quote in mind as you reflect on your practice.
Let’s have a great 4-day week!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 21st
NO SCHOOL: MLK Day

Tuesday, January 22nd
Happy Birthday Michelle Morgan 🙂
ACCESS Testing Begins (RR & Bilingual Closed all week)
PATS Field Trip to DuPage Children’s Museum
Faculty Meeting CANCELLED

Wednesday, January 23rd
Common Plan
SLT Meeting (Rescheduled from last week) @ 2:50pm

Thursday, January 24th
Happy Birthday Ofelia Golden 🙂
Charity Committee Meeting @ 7:35am
Technology Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm (1st Grade Project Space)

Friday, January 25th
Spirit Assembly!
SLBC Swimming @ YMCA
5 by Friday!

(01/26) Happy Birthday Brian Key! 🙂

Blog Posts Worth Checking Out:
30 Day Challenge for a Happier Teacher You – via Pernille Ripp

Just One Teacher Can Completely Alter the Trajectory of a Child – via Baruti Kafele

4 Skills and Traits Great Schools Teach That Will Always Be Essential – via George Couros

Week 20: 01/14/19 – 01/18/19

Posted on January 14, 2019 by kennedyelementary

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 14th
Yearbook Club @ 2:35pm
2nd Grade Data Review with RR

Tuesday, January 15th
Happy Birthday Ami Freeman 🙂
2nd Grade Field Trip to Adler Planetarium (8:45am-1:00pm)
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:35pm
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm (B102)

Wednesday, January 16th
Board Meeting @ 7pm

Thursday, January 17th
Happy Birthday Cheri Grimaldi 🙂
SLT Meeting @ 2:45pm (Conference Room)
Mentor/Mentee Meeting @ 3:45pm

Friday, January 18th
5 by Friday! Make 5 Positive Connections or send 5 Positive Postcards by Friday!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

Restorative Practices: Set Expectations and Hold Students Accountable via George Couros

Week 19: 01/07/19 – 01/11/19

Posted on January 6, 2019 by kennedyelementary

Happy New Year and Welcome Back! I hope you enjoyed a restful, relaxing break–time to disconnect from work thoughts, time to enjoy family and friends and to just enjoy time to relax. It is amazing how refreshing the holiday break can be to come back to start an amazing 2019! I know our students will be SO EXCITED to see you all on Monday morning!

If you’re feeling any trepidation about getting up early for the first day in quite some time, I completely understand! It’s hard for adults and kids to get back into the swing of things after such a long break. This is a great time to re-connect with students and let them do so with their classmates by giving them time to talk about what they did over break! Keep in mind, it’s a great time to review classroom management basics as we embark upon a new calendar year at Kennedy, where our students are blessed to receive quality instruction on a daily basis in safe and orderly classrooms. I appreciate your efforts with reinforcing behavior expectations. Here’s a great post on this topic: Ideas for Working with the January Slump.

Much like last year…… Jon Gordon’s “One Word” asks you to think of one word that gives meaning & focus to your life. Jon suggests coming up with one word instead of list of resolutions.

“A single word can be a powerful thing. It can be a ripple in the pond that changes everything. It can be sharp or biting or rich and soft and slow. A single word can be a catalyst for enriching your life!”

I challenge you to choose one word this January–a word to focus on, reflect upon as one goes about daily life. Can you identify a single word that sums up what you want for yourself in 2019? It can be something tangible or intangible…it could be a thought or a feeling or an emotion. The key is to find something that has personal meaning for you. Donna, Sara and I look forward to re-connecting with you all, hearing all about your Winter Breaks, and reflecting at our faculty meeting on Tuesday afternoon! Be prepared with your “ONE WORD”.

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, January 7th
Welcome Back!
Keep in mind…..Some students will be BURSTING to share their breaks with you! Some kids will be DYING for a HUG! Some kids will need to shake off the cobwebs! Allow for it all! Connection over curriculum on Monday! Let’s reignite our passion and remember to bring the awesome this week!

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*Welcome Back to Mayra Tellez, paraprofessional in SLC, who is returning from maternity leave!
*Welcome to Jessica Rock, student teacher working with Becky Zora

Tuesday, January 8th
Faculty Meeting @ 2:45pm

Wednesday, January 9th
Common Plan Time

Thursday, January 10th

Friday, January 11th
PreK Screening
5 by Friday! Keep those positive connections with families going strong!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:

6 EdTech Tools to Try in 2019 by Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

9 Tech Resolutions for Teachers to Make in the New Year via Erintegration