From blogger Krissy Venosdale (this blog post is perfect…especially after engaging in thought-provoking dialogues with each of you about Winter MAP scores). 

“Take a typical lesson, on a typical day, in a typical classroom. We are constantly reaching out to the learners who have fallen behind. Tutoring. Interventions. Extra time. Small group. Individualized Instruction. Scaffolding. All of these things are so important, and we’d all agree, essential for the success of students who need the extra support.

But doesn’t every kid need support? What about the kids who already know it? Maybe they learned it on their own, got it really quickly, or read about it once before. They think differently. Should they wait to learn? What will be done differently for those kids?

We tend to say things like, “They’ll be fine.” But fine really isn’t good enough. What if we offered more for all kids. Not just on one lesson, or one day, but whenever they need it. Bringing everyone up to a level that, for them, is enough for a good healthy stretch. Reaching, struggling, extending.

Because in that stretch? There is learning….The kind every kid deserves.”

Thank you all for your dedication and passion towards doing whatever it takes to reach every single child. Thank you for always making child-centered decisions and being relentless when it comes to ensuring all of our children grow and progress in all areas of their development. Thank you for nurturing and supporting each Kubbie on their path!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, February 4th
ACCESS Testing Continues
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE during PE this week
Happy Birthday Anne Weinthaler 🙂
Room 133 Field Trip to Barnes & Noble
Charity Committee Meeting @ 2:15pm (E217)
RTI Committee Meeting @ 3:00pm (Upstairs PD Space)

Tuesday, February 5th
Reading Room Opens
2nd Grade (Miro, Christopherson & Domingo) to PF Chang’s
Dr. Seuss Committee Meeting @ 2:45pm
3rd Grade FAMILY SPORTS NIGHT 6:15pm-7:30pm

Wednesday, February 6th
Happy Birthday Heather Longo 🙂
2nd Grade (Keating & Rowland) to PF Changs
TAPS during CPT – PreK, K & 1st Grades

Thursday, February 7th
2nd Grade (Oraham & Ward) to PF Changs
Happy Birthday Alanna Mixter 🙂
Happy Birthday Izabela Rybinski 🙂

Friday, February 8th
Kindergarten Field Trip to Disney On Ice
SLBC Swimming at the YMCA
5 by Friday!

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
4 Tips for Becoming More Observant in a World Full of Noise via George Couros

Welcoming Students With a Smile via Edutopia <—research just confirming that what we already do at Kennedy reaps POSITIVE benefits for both students & teachers!

Teaming Up to Support English Language Learners via Edutopia

Let’s Give Our Teaching Language a Makeover via Jennifer Gonzalez of Cult of Pedagogy

These Candy Heart Science Experiments Will Blow Your Mind via WeAreTeachers

32 Children’s Books to Celebrate Valentine’s Day via WeAreTeachers