Literacy Walkthrough

Linda Flores came yesterday, as you all know, to conduct a walkthrough on your physical environments.  You passed with flying colors!  She was very impressed by the great teaching she saw.  Linda mentioned that the fact that students stayed engaged during the interruptions spoke volumes about the quality and focus of instruction.  She saw evidence of the SE's in EVERY room she walked into.  A few of her specific comments were:

• "This room is one of the best that I've seen with organization." - Maria Izaguirre's room
• "Second grade is very tight!"
• "I can tell that a teacher has been in here because there is so much evidence of the SE's." - Peña's room - Lozano has been teaching in there
• "This is a great library.  I can see wanting to spend a lot of time over here." - Villarreal's room
• "The labeling of the leveling on these books is impeccable." - Sulewski's room

These are just a few of the comments.  She said she didn't walk into one classroom where she didn't see the district curriculum being implemented and being implented well.  I was once again proud to be the leader at Morales, a school that puts kids and learning first!

Texas Public School Nutrition Policy

I know this isn't the most glamorous of topics, but it is definitely something that we all need to know.  Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV's) are banned in public schools. One healthy snack is allowed per day, and it can not be from the following categories:

• cookies
• cakes
• cupcakes
• pudding
• ice cream
• frozen desserts
• candy

We have three FMNV exception days.  They are going to be October 31, December 19, and February 14.  The other exception are "elementary classroom birthday parties".  This is when a parent brings cupcakes for the class on their child's birthday.  This is absolutely allowed.  The only requirement is that they are not served before lunch so as not to spoil the child's appetite for a nutritious meal.  We usually like to serve them at the end of the lunch period so a mess isn't made in the classroom.  That is not, however, a hard and fast rule.

When you're planning classroom reward days make sure you don't plan to serve any FMNV's.  A lot is at stake.  A school not in compliance can be severely fined.  Further information on this topic is available at www.squaremeals.org. 

Happy Tuesday!  Our Literacy Cohort walkthrough is scheduled from 12-2 on Tuesday, September 25.  I am going to attempt to attach the rubric/checklists we were given.  As I've walked through I've seen some excellent things... in fact, Maria Salas has a word center that is dynamite!

I saw lots of different word walls today. Some people haven't put theirs up yet, and I encourage you to do so at this time.  Joel made excellent use of space with his:

As you can see, the paper strips are hanging from above the sliding door/partition.  I have seen them across disciplines which is encouraging!

The anchor charts are looking really good.  Some of you are artists!

We've enjoyed attending your planning meetings.  It's interesting how unified the different grade levels are.  They've done a good job with the curriculum because you're all on the same page... at least in the same chapter.  :)

Some things to note this week are:

• We are planning our Conscious Discipline workshop for September 28th.
• Fall pictures are this Friday, September 21.
• Don't forget to schedule your wellness check for the $25 credit!
• UH students will be coming on Wednesdays to observe your teaching.  Don't be surprised if you have a few in your classroom.  These are Quest I students and are not to be alone with any students.  They are here strictly to observe.

Have a great day!!! 

Blogging Debut

Hello!  This is my very first attempt ever at a blog.  Please be kind as you peruse my words.

Some quick details:

• Our faculty meeting/insurance meeting is this Thursday, September 13.  There are going to be several changes in our benefits program.
• I am putting together the package for the teachers in Afghanistan.  Some ideas of what to bring are at Ideas for Afghanistan Care Packages.  The box is on the counter in the office.
• Don't forget about the $35 refrigerator licenses.  Give your money to Rosa, and she will give you a receipt.
• Our staff development on September 28 will focus on Conscious Discipline and a model to gradually implement it at Morales.

Morales has had a smooth start this year.  I've been especially excited by the literacy friendly environments you've created in your classrooms.  Today I'm going to focus on the cool anchor charts I've seen in your classrooms.

This isn't all of the charts I've seen.  I tried to give you a variety.  Please take a gallery walk around the building to look at your colleagues' charts.  I've seen some excellent ones, and I know you rotate them in your classrooms.