Updates - 28 October 2016

Hello everyone,

Happy Friday!  Happy payday!  Happy Halloween weekend eve!

Hope you have fun doing whatever you've got planned.

Halloween stuff
Angelo's already forwarded to you our long-standing Halloween "policies" such as they are.  But, just for the record, here they are again:

If you are planning to incorporate Halloween into your teaching next week, please ensure that you recognize and honor each individual's position on this issue and their right to hold it.

You may not exclude from instruction any students who choose not to recognize Halloween.

Classroom-teachers who choose to allow their students to wear costumes at school on Monday may do so provided costumes meet the following criteria:

• Costumes deemed unsafe for any reason will be required to removed. It is advisable that students wear school-appropriate attire beneath their costume. If students do not have a change of clothing, they will be required to stay in the office until parents arrive.
• No costume may be worn which would in any way impede the student from moving safely and quickly out of the building in the event of an alarm. 
• Costumes must not obstruct vision or movement or in any way present a hazard to the student or other classmates. Masks covering any part of the face may not be worn.
• Fake knives, swords, or guns may not be used as a part of any costume. Such items will be confiscated and may result in disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension from school.
• Costumes must not be overly gruesome and overtly violent.

If you do choose to recognize Halloween on Monday next week, your students must abide by all of these policies. It is the classroom-teacher's responsibility to communicate the school's policies and expectations to students and their parents and to provide acceptable accommodations to all who choose to abstain.

If you choose to allow your students to wear costumes on Halloween, you must be diligent about doing the work of ensuring that each child's costume is safe and compliant with all school policies.

Thanks.

Grading & Assessment Follow-up
I'd like us to meet together as a faculty on 10 November at 7:45 in the morning to follow-up on how the first iteration of our new Standards-Based Grade Reports rolled out to parents during conferences.

I will provide donuts for you that morning because, well, just because.  Let's call it a "working" breakfast, akin to the "working" lunch we took together a few weeks back.  And also because I'd really like you to arrive on time because we probably want to have as much time to talk as possible.

Anyway, as you prepare for this time of reflection and dialog, I'd like you to focus your remarks and insights in the follow categories:

• What positives can you relate regarding your experiences with the new standards-based grading system?
• What should be changed to improve the standards-based grading system?
• What positive feedback did you receive from parents regarding the new grade reports?
• What did parents seem to misunderstand about the standards-based grades?

Calendar

• Tuesday 01 Nov
• Picture retake day in Fit Kids room, all day
• Wednesday 02 Nov
• Coe @ Edupoint conference
• PTO in the Library, 6:30
• Thursday 03 Nov
• Coe @ Edupoint conference
• Faculty meeting RESCHEDULED to 10 Nov, 7:45
• Taiko performance in the gym, 5:30
• Friday 04 Nov
• Coe @ Edupoint conference
• Taiko assembly in the gym, 9:15

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Updates - 21 October 2016

Hello everyone,

Looks like our first real cold front of the season arrives on Sunday and will likely persist with rainy conditions through Monday.  Snowlevels will be quite high, but it's not unreasonable to expect a good  honest dusting above treeline Monday morning.

Always exciting whenever the snow starts to fall.

Boss's Day
Thanks, all y'all, for the lovely surprise and bag of clever Star-gifts for Boss's Day earlier this week.  I don't often think of myself as your boss.  But I guess I am.  It's was nice to read that most of you are okay with that arrangement.  You're all pretty darn awesome.  And I certainly wouldn't want to be the boss of any other group of people.

Lanyards
I think most of us have been gifted with a new Marshall-blue lanyard from the PTO.  I think they're very cool and a fun way to show off our school spirit.

But someone pointed out to me, if you lose your badge and it's attached to a Marshall lanyard, it will be super simple for a potentially malevolent finder to come here and wand themselves into our building and then have the run of the place.  That might not be such a good thing, ya know.

I'm not going to tell you to not use your Marshall lanyard, but if you're an individual who is at times inclined to misplace or lose your keys and/or badge (you know who you are), perhaps you might want to reconsider attaching it to your new Marshall lanyard.

United Way
Please consider making a contribution to our annual United Way campaign.  Thanks.

Search And Rescue
Coconino County Search And Rescue would love to have a special speaker visit your classroom to discuss/review the Hug-a-Tree concept with your students.  Please contact Robert Braudy at 201-665-0168 to schedule a time.

Parent University
Please take one last opportunity today or on Monday to remind your families about Parent University on Tuesday.

FOSS Forum
Don't forget to contribute your experiences and insights to the FOSS NG Science forum that we established a few weeks ago.  You may access the forum via the Blue Note sidebar or this link.

Calendar

• Tuesday 25 Oct
• Bus Evacuation Drills, probably in the AM at drop-off
• Parent University, 5:00-7:15
• Wednesday 26 Oct
• FOSS coaching, all day
• FOSS study session, 4:00
• Thursday 27 Oct
• FOSS coaching, all day
• Friday 28 Oct
• Payday
• B-GDM in the music room, 7:45
• Lockdown drill, 9:15

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Updates - 12 October 2016

Hello everyone,

Happy payday!  Happy long weekend!  Happy end of Parent-Teacher Conferences Week.  Hope it all went well and that you've got plans to spend your next four days off doing what you love in the company of those you love.

I've got nothing but good news for you today.

Walk To School Results
We won (if such a thing can be won)!  Seventy-six percent of our students walked to school last Wednesday morning, 120 more kids than the second-place school (Kinsey).  I guess that's pretty cool.

Best part of the event for me?  The amazing turn out by faculty and staff!  Thanks to all who participated.

Fire Safety Assembly
The Flagstaff Fire Department has been very eager to get into our school to conduct a Fire Safety Assembly of our primary grade students.  They weren't able to find a date on a Friday to come, so I gave them the only other time during the week when most of our primary classes have some time to come to an assembly, Monday from 1:00-2:00.

We've put in a request with Pinnacle to send over a couple extra folks to help us get the cafeteria turned around ASAP at 1:00 and hopefully the firefighters will be ready to go shortly thereafter.  We'll call our kinder, (firsts have specials), second, and third grade classes down by intercom probably around 1:10-1:15.  The program will be about 30-40 minutes in duration, so we should be able to get everyone out with some time left to let Sergio get set-up for Magnet Monday before 2:10.

Not an ideal situation, I know, but I think it will work, and it made the folks at FFD super happy to know they would be able to run through this program with our kids.  Thanks for enduring this disruption.  I trust it will be good stuff for our littles to learn.

Plus, I've never heard any of you complain whenever the firefighters show up...

Annual Parent Survey Results
More families than ever before (137) completed our annual Parent Satisfaction Survey back in May.  And they gave us great marks in every area.  Better still, their written comments were amazing and so full of praise for you and all that you're able to do for their kids.

Just listen to this stuff:

• [Our daughter] feels comfortable in school... she likes school and her teacher
• The magnet programs are WONDERFUL!!!
• I can email the teacher with questions.
• Keep up the good work!
• The front office staff is friendly and helpful. The teachers do their best with what they have.
• There are quite a few activities the students can participate in.
• The school is doing a great job... The school is awesome!
• We appreciate...all the extra activities such as violin that Marshall offers.
• I love that I get a recorded phone call to let me know about important events coming up.
• Never stop Suzuki violin!
• I appreciate Marshall's commitment to the arts and sciences... The opportunities are pretty amazing.  
• I appreciate the kindness and care shown to my child.  She feels wanted and accepted here.
• Marshall exceed expectations. Thank you.
• I appreciate the Suzuki program.
• I appreciated the magnet programs.
• My kids are challenged on a daily basis.  The school has good safety measures to keep them safe.
• My child is learning and making great progress.
• [My child's class] is an amazing classroom.
• Diversity and an accepting environment.
• I transferred my child from a charter school... his reading level [has] increased 2.5 grade levels with the guidance, wisdom, intelligence and patience of the very capable [teaching team] at Marshall.
• I appreciate the environment and the teachers.  I would not suggest any changes because everything is good.  I am really happy that my kids go to Marshall.
• Marshall teachers, admins, student teachers, and all other staff rock! Thank you!
• My son's teacher is amazing!
• The school is safe from bad guys.
• [The] magnet programs are excellent and much valued.
• The teachers and administrators challenge my kids to learn in different ways.  The school has great safety measures.
• The support and encouragement of my child's learning by all her teachers is most outstanding.
• I appreciate that Marshall is a magnet school.
• I chose Marshall because of the additional programs it offers.  I appreciate the time and effort it takes to run these programs.
• I like the Suzuki music program.
• Marshall is innovative and provides fresh opportunities.
• The family-oriented environment at Marshall is exceptional.  It truly feels like a community and that my child is being supported. Thank you.
• I appreciate everything Marshall School has done for my child.  My child has grown in so many ways thanks to the school and his teachers.
• Couldn't be more impressed with a public school.  Our experience at Marshall and with [our child's teacher] has been amazing.
• How they take their time to teach everyone single one, the patience and dedication the teacher has for my child.  I am satisfied with everything.
• Yo oprecio todo y a todas las maestras y maestros que trabajan en ella y tamien al director en jeneral a todas las personas que trabajan en la escuela.
• Our daughter's teacher was amazing. We wish we could take her to every grade.
• [My child's teacher] is vastly knowledgeable.  She is AMAZING! She has a wonderful manner with her students and my child absolutely adores her and loves coming to school... because of her wonderful teacher.
• I appreciated the consistency they provide about policies and discipline.  I appreciate that his teacher makes him accountable not only for his work but also his behavior.
• [Our child's teacher] was nice and easy to communicate with.
• [Our child's teacher] provides a nurturing and enriched program that has been of great benefit to my child.  Our family is so appreciative of the diverse student body at Marshall... we value the community Marshall encourages and are so happy to be a part of it.
• I appreciate the teachers... the school is good now [as] it is.
• The exposure to the magnet programs... the multi-cultural exposure.  The teachers are fantastic.
• Teachers are welcoming.
• I appreciate the time the teachers have to make sure they understand the material that they are trying to teach... that he was taught violin has really helped develop a love for music.
• I most appreciate all the different learning activities my child's class offers.
• At this time there isn't anything I would suggest to improve the school.  Marshall School itself, and staff, teachers, etc. are all doing a great job!
• Everything is great! 
• The teachers are incredible.  I have no suggestions.  Marshall is wonderful!
• I feel we have a great relationship with our student's teacher. Teachers and staff really care and it shows.
• We love Marshall!  We can't wait to send our other kids here.
• I like the variety of additional specials my student receives at Marshall.
• I appreciate the welcoming environment at Marshall.  I love the music, dance, art and science programs and that the students are recognized and rewarded with special privileges, like the Blue Ticket lunch, for demonstrating good character and leadership.
• I appreciate the extra magnet offerings that expose my child to activities outside the regular classroom.
• I like the variety of programs available.
• [Marshall is a] fun, interactive learning environment. Faculty and staff are friendly.
• Marshall has been a great school.

Calendar

• Monday 17 Oct
• Fire Safety Assembly (K, 2, 3), 1:15
• Tuesday 18 Oct
• Site Council in the Library (PBIS, RTI reports), 4:00
• Wednesday 19 Oct
• Coe at Elementary Admin, 9:30-11:30
• Science Council in the Lab, 3:45

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Updates - 07 October 2016

Hello everyone,

I cannot deny it, I love the change of the seasons. Lots of folks get pretty amped up when the aspens turn yellow; they are undeniably pretty. But I'm more inclined to feel like it's really starting to be fall when the oaks begin to turn, which they are beginning to do this week. Gambel oaks are too oft' overlooked, in my opinion, and are equally underrated for their beauty and as harbingers of the change of the season.

Glad to finally get that off my chest...

New State Science Standards
Got this email this week: "The ADE is pleased to announce that effective October 4, 2016, the 60 day window for public comment on existing Science Standard (2004) and Social Studies Standard (2005) has been opened. The public survey to provide feedback on existing standards will be available through December 3, 2016.

The ADE is also accepting applications for educators (K-12 and higher education) to serve on the revision committees for each of the content areas. The application for committee members will remain open for the duration of the revision process.

To provide feedback or to apply to serve on a review committee, please visit the Science and Social Studies Standards - Public Feedback page. Buttons to apply to serve on the review committee are at the bottom of the page."

Hope you'll take a few minutes to chime in with your opinion, or perhaps apply to serve on the revision committee, particularly in view of your recent experiences with the FOSS Next Generation Science kits.

United Way

No one's stepped up to coordinate our school's annual United Way campaign this year, so it falls to me to promote it, I guess.  Information about United Way should be forthcoming to your mailboxes soon.  Please consider donating to this worthy cause.  I will continue to remind you about this throughout the month of October.

Register To Vote!

Don't know about you, but my voter registration is current and up-to-date and I have every intention of voting early in the upcoming general election.  If you're not registered, you have until Monday 10 Oct. at midnight to do so.  I think you should.  It's pretty easy to do it online at www.servicearizona.com.

Conference Week Stuff

Pat in the cafeteria says they're doing sack lunches all week.  But kids will be eating in the cafeteria and going to the playground as usual each day because the Clothing Exchange will be in the Science Lab this year.  That's great!

Don't forget Wednesday's lunch schedule is super wonky:

• 9:35-9:55 -- K-1 eat lunch 
• 9:55-10:15 -- K-1 on playground 
• 10:00-10:20 -- 2-3 eat lunch 
• 10:20-10:40 -- 2-3 on playground 
• 10:25-10:45 -- 4-5 eat lunch 
• 10:45-11:05 -- 4-5 on playground  

During your Parent-Teacher Conferences, in addition to distributing Report Cards and talking with parents about student achievement and assessment, please also do the following three things (if they apply to any of your students), too:

• Distribute Arizona Residency letters to parents who have not completed their residency affidavit this year.  Please encourage parents who get this letter to come to the office after their conference to complete this mandatory form.  We're happy to make free copies of their documentation!
• Have parents who have not signed the Technology End User Agreement complete it at the time of their conference.  Please keep these and return any signed forms to the office at the end of each day.
• Inform parents for whom you have Move On When Reading letters that their child could be retained at the end of third grade if their reading scores do not improve.  Ensure they get the letter to this effect which has been distributed to the teachers of all children to whom this applies.

Also, if you could do your level-best to "sell" Parent University to your parents during Conferences, that would be swell, too!

Calendar

• Monday 10 Oct
• Coe at Superintendent's annual evaluation, 11:00
• Early release for Conference, 12:25
• Tuesday 11 Oct
• Coe at Transgender Students legal seminar, 10:00
• Early release for Conferences, 12:25
• Wednesday 12 Oct
• Payday!
• Early release for Conferences, 11:10
• Thursday 13 Oct
• NO SCHOOL - Fall Holiday
• Friday 14 Oct
• NO SCHOOL - Fall Holiday
• Monday 17 Oct
• Taiko Drumming Artist-in-Residency begins

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