Updates -- 12 December 2014

Hello everyone,

Happy Friday!

We'll remember this week as not only the foggiest ever at Marshall School, but also as one of the most uncommon, too.  Between rousing kindergarten dance and school band performances, a lovely holiday luncheon hosted by our cross-cat students and staff, the annual Festivus kick-off assembly, and a surprise visit from both CPS and FPD, we also investigated a stealthy, intentional floor-pooping in one of the primary-student bathrooms.  No kidding.

Never a dull moment at Marshall.  As always, thanks for hanging-in.  Sure do appreciate it.

A busy week ahead.  Much to do.  Seems we must never go gentle into a long holiday break...

Math Stuff
The folks at the district office are putting together a Math Instructional Resources Review Team that shall henceforth be referred to as the MIRRT ("Myrt").  This team will "review current mathematics materials and materials suggested for use in the district."  The team will report to the governing board in March.  It is the district's hope that the team will be comprised of two (2) teachers from grades K-5 from each school (one primary, one intermediate ideally) and the school principal.  They would also like to include SPED resource teachers and SEI teachers on the committee totaling some 45 members in all.

The K-5 MIRRT group will meet on the following dates and times:

• 08 Jan. 4:00-6:00 @ Christensen
• 29 Jan. 4:00-7:00 @ location TBA
• 12 Feb. 4:00-7:00 @ location TBA
• 05 Mar. 4:00-6:00 @ location TBA
• 10 Mar. 4:30- ??? @ FUSD district offices, Governing Board meeting

One FUSD Salary Advancement Credit (12 recertification seat hours) is available to participants.

I must submit committee members' names by 18 December, so please let me know ASAP if you're interested/willing to attend.

Click here to download

Also, the Arizona Department Of Education has released its AzMERIT Math Blueprint document.  It covers the percentage of domain/concept coverage and depth of knowledge (DOK) for the upcoming test by grade-level.  It may be helpful to you in planning your math instruction, scope, and sequence for the coming months.  You may download the document here.

Calendar

There will be no Blue Note on Friday, 19 December.

Week A

• Monday, 15 Dec.
• Magnet Monday Showcase, 2:10-3:10
• Tuesday, 16 Dec.
• Science Council, 4:00-5:00
• Thursday, 18 Dec.
• Faculty Meeting (schoolwide PBS committee), 7:45 in the Library
• Arnold class play, 9:10 in the Cafegymatorium
• PTO Cookie Walk, 5:00 in the Cafegymatorium
• Friday, 19 Dec.
• End of Grading Period 2 
• Magnet Monday Assembly, 9:00 in the Cafegymatorium
• Staff Holiday Gathering, 3:30 at Paulsen's house

• 20 December - 04 January, WINTER BREAK

Week B

• Monday, 05 Jan.
• PTO "Welcome Back" breakfast, 7:30 in the Library
• Magnet Monday, semester II electives begin
• Wednesday, 07 Jan.
• PTO meeting, 6:30 in the Library
• Friday, 09 Jan.
• Lockdown drill, 9:30
• Report Cards go home

Don't forget to remind your parents, friends, and neighbors about Tax Credit.  After the school office closes for the holiday break on 19 December, donations can still be received by the FUSD Business Office (or via the online system) on or before December 31. 


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Updates -- 05 December 2014

Hello everyone,

Happy Friday-payday!

'Tis the end of a remarkably rainy week.  Thanks, all-y'all, for hanging in there with our stir-crazy kids.

Tax Credit
The first week of December is behind us, which means we're well into the final push of our annual tax credit campaign. I'm sorry to have to report that our receipts of donations at this point this year seem to be quite a bit down from years past. This is a concerning development.  Not only do our magnet programs depend on these dollars, so do all of our field-trips, many of our extracurricular materials, and a host of other capital items that we purchase each year using tax credit contributions.

Last year we raised over $40,000 in tax credit donations to our school from several hundred donors, more dollars and donors than ever before.  It was, hands-down, our best year to-date during my time in the front office.  But the bottom line is: we need to raise a equivalent amount of money each year in order to sustain all of the aforementioned programs and activities.

Thing is, I can't raise these dollars alone.  I can do robo-calls, and make Facebook posts, and create flyers to have you send home with your students.  But without you repeatedly reminding your students' parents, friends, neighbors, church-members, workout partners, etc. about this opportunity, we're sure to fall short.

Click to download

I've put more copies of our brochure and half-page tax credit flyer in the workroom, and I am hopeful that you will take a few of these with you over the weekend to pass along to folks you know.  Please remind them: this program works to the advantage of almost every tax-payer in the state and to the the advantage of all our students, too.

Likewise, many of us have used this letter to great advantage when reminding our family members and friends who are somewhat further afield throughout Arizona of the state's public school tax credit program.  Please feel free to download and revise/adapt the letter to your purposes.

Finally, during the last week of the semester, 15-19 December, I will be handing out brochures and flyers to parents during our morning intake time along with members of the Site Council.  It would be great to have a few of you out there to assist in this process, too.  Parents seem to appreciate this direct, face-to-face reminder to make their tax credit contribution to the school before the 31 December deadline.  Last year we saw a marked increase in the number of donations on the days when several of us were in front of the school in the morning distributing flyers.  If you'd like to brush up on your tax-credit spiel ahead of time, there's lots of good information to be found on the Marshall School Blog.

PBS

Click to download

Your Positive Behavior Support Committee has been hard at work since August to refine a few aspects of our current Tier 1 school-wide program, with an emphasis on revising our discipline referral processes and correspondent paperwork.  I am pleased with what they have developed.

We will meet together as a faculty on Thursday morning, 18 December, from 7:45 to 8:15 to roll-out and review the committee's new Discipline Data Form which we will use going-forward in place of the Incident Referral Form.

The committee will also hope to review with you components of Polk USD's excellent PBS intervention flowchart at their upcoming faculty meeting.  You're encouraged to have a look at it in advance of 18 December. It is my hope that we will all be able to use many aspects of this site as a resource from now on.

Workplace Injuries
It's tempting, sometimes, when you get hurt at work, to hope your injury isn't that bad.  Fortunately, sometimes your assessment is correct.  Unfortunately, sometimes it isn't.

Regardless of how, where, or when you were injured at work, it's absolutely essential that you follow the protocols below to report your injury if you are hurt on the job during school hours:

• Let the front office staff know you were hurt on the job.  
• Get Workers Compensation paperwork from Malinda.
• Have school nurse Gilmore assess your injury to determine if you require immediate medical attention.
• Call the Alliance "triage nurse" to report your injury (1-888-252-4689)
• Complete the Workers Compensation paperwork.
• Return the paperwork to Malinda when completed.
• Set up an appointment to visit the Alliance medical facility to receive care.

If your injury occurs at work "after hours" when office and nursing staff are unavailable:

• Seek appropriate medical attention immediately.
• When you are able, report the injury to me via email or telephone.
• When you are able, contact the Alliance "triage nurse" and report your injury (1-888-252-4689).
• On your next work-day, get Workers Compensation paperwork from Malinda.
• On your next work-day, complete the Workers Compensation paperwork.
• Return the paperwork to Malinda when completed.

New TPEC Committee
Human Resources Director, Herr Sauer, writes:

Hello everyone, the TPEC (Teacher Performance Evaluation Committee) is looking to schedule a meeting this February and is in need of location representatives.  The current TPEC members are welcome to return, however this is also a chance for those folks to tap someone else on the shoulder to participate.  The standard representation for the committee is one teacher and one administrator from each school.  In the case where the administrator is not available, that school is able to send two teachers.   I have asked school Principals to reach out to their staff to find volunteers to join the committee.  I encourage you to consider attending as we will review our current TPEC system and then look to the committee to identify potential future enhancements.  The expectations would be to attend a February and March meeting, with the possibility of an April or May meeting depending upon needs.   The meetings are typically in the late afternoon in the Admin building and last 60-90 minutes.  If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly, and if you are interested, please reach out to your Principal.  

It is my hope to be able to attend these meetings.  Please let me know if you are interested in (re)joining this important committee.

Calendar
Week B

• Tuesday, 09 Dec.
• Marshall Band Concert at MEMS, 6:00
• Wednesday, 10 Dec.
• Coe @ Elementary Admin, 7:30-10:30
• Friday, 12 Dec.
• Lockdown Drill: CANCELED

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