Week of June 11th, 2018

It’s hard to believe! We are entering our last full week of school. Students are tired; we are tired; and all of us, parents included, will be feeling either excited or anxious, or perhaps a combination of the two, about the year coming to an end. Let’s remember, as I know we always do, to help others ease their anxiety, settle their excitement, and reflect upon a great year of hard work, friendship, and growing and learning together.Please remember your EOY conference meeting with me this week and remember to complete your EOY reflection before the meeting. Mary will come to your room to cover when I’m ready to say, “NEXT!”.

Tomorrow, the SRBI Leadership Committee will be meeting to review our school-wide data and begin to set School Improvement Goals for next year. Please let me know first thing tomorrow morning if you have any suggestions regarding this so we can take this into consideration as we begin to plan.

Friday, at 10:15 a.m., 5th graders will have their graduation ceremony. Teachers are welcome to attend. Please arrange with one of the grade level paras for coverage. Fourth grade will attend the ceremony this year.

The PTO has agreed to purchase Team T-shirts for all students for next year. Liz and I will be ordering those soon so we can have them available for students at our Meet the Teacher event just prior to school beginning. Teachers will be able to purchase “referee t-shirts” to go along with our theme. Also, the PTO has agreed to pitch in to help us purchase IXL Reading and Math for all students!!

Upcoming Events

Mon June 11th: EOY School Improvement/SRBI Leadership Committee Meeting 9:30-3:00

Tue June 11th – Thu June 13th: Teacher EOY SLO Conferences

Tue June 11th: 3rd Grade to Town Beach

Wed June 13th: 4th Grade to Town Beach

Thu June 14th: 5th Grade to Town Beach

Fri June 15th: Kindergarten lunch in the classrooms

Fri June 15th: 5th Grade Graduation 10:15-11:15

Fri June 15th: 1st Grade Family Picnic 11:15-12:15; Early Release Day for Students 1:00

Mon June 18th: Last Day of School and Early Release Day 1:00; End of Year Party for Faculty and Staff at Dockside Restaurant, Branford, 1:30-?

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Week of June 4th, 2018

We are so fortunate to have such amazing specialists in our building! Thank you, Liz and Denise, for two wonderful events last week!!! These both showcased our positive school culture and climate and made us all #momauguinproud !! Thank you, teachers, paras and all staff, for assisting with field day. Liz said she couldn’t do it without your dedication and support and expressed how pleased she was with students’ behaviors.

Paras – I will be meeting with teachers this week and will be preparing your end of year evaluations. I’ll set up meetings with you once these are completed.

Teachers – Remember to complete your Domain 4 responses this week in the shared Google Form. Also, you can submit your EOY reflections in Frontline whenever they are completed. Mary is blocked to cover classrooms during your EOY meetings. Let me know when report cards are done so we can print – hopefully without problems this time! And…remember to check your student supply lists, add headphones, and reshare with me if you have not done so already.

At PD tomorrow, PIZZA will be served courtesy of East Haven Education Association and we will continue work on our units for the beginning of next school year (from 1:15-2:45) and then spend the last hour working on class lists.

On Tuesday’s last afterschool meeting, we will celebrate successes and discuss next steps for next year. Aren’t you glad it’s almost summer???

Upcoming Events

Mon June 4th: Early Dismissal 1:00 (PD in the afternoon until 3:40)

Mon June 4th: Last PTO meeting this school year 5:00-6:00 pm in the library

Tue June 5th: End of year faculty meeting 3:25-4:25

Wed June 6th: 5th Grade Visit to JMMS 9:45-11:45

Thu June 7th: 1st Grade to Beach 10:00-2:30 (Rain date is Fri June 8th)

Thu June 7th: 5th Grade to Mystic Aquarium

Fri June 8th: Momauguin PTO Luau and Kick off to Summer Dance! 6-8 pm at EHHS

Mon June 11th: EOY School Improvement/SRBI Leadership Committee Meeting 9:30-3:00

Tue June 11th – Thu June 13th: Teacher EOY SLO Conferences

Wed June 13th: 4th Grade to Town Beach

Thu June 14th: 5th Grade to Town Beach

Fri June 15th: 5th Grade Graduation 10:15-11:15

Fri June 15th: 1st Grade Family Picnic 11:15-12:15; Early Release Day for Students 1:00

Mon June 18th: Last Day of School and Early Release Day 1:00

Week of May 29th, 2018

The weather didn’t cooperate completely but I hope you all enjoyed the weekend with family and friends!

Tomorrow is Field Day!

Remember to wear your #momauguinproud t- shirts! Looks like you will also need sunscreen!

Please take a quick attendance and AT 9:15 TOMORROW MORNING, bring your students to the gym. Gina will unveil the One School, One Read book and show a brief intro video. (Thanks, Gina!!) Then, Liz will review rules and schedule for field day. Thanks, Liz, for all your pre-work to prepare for this fun day!! Enjoy the sun, the smiles, and the students’ excitement and stay hydrated!

Upcoming Events

Tue May 29th: Salad Bar back at Momauguin (through June 8th)

Tue May 29th: Field Day

Wed May 30th: Full Band rehearsal 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Spring Band Concert 2:00-3:00 pm

Thu May 31st: Kindergarten Authors’ Tea 2:30-3:15 (in K classrooms)

Mon June 4th: Early Dismissal 1:00 (PD in the afternoon until 3:40)

Mon June 4th: Last PTO meeting this school year 5:00-6:00 pm in the library

Tue June 5th: End of year faculty meeting 3:25-4:25

Wed June 6th: 5th Grade Visit to JMMS 9:45-11:45

Thu June 7th: 1st Grade to Beach 10:00-2:30 (Rain date is Fri June 8th)

Thu June 7th: 5th Grade to Mystic Aquarium

Fri June 8th: Momauguin PTO Luau and Kick off to Summer Dance! 6-8 pm at EHHS

Mon June 11th: EOY School Improvement/SRBI Leadership Committee Meeting 9:30-3:00

Tue June 11th – Thu June 13th: Teacher EOY SLO Conferences

Wed June 13th: 4th Grade to Town Beach

Thu June 14th: 5th Grade to Town Beach

Fri June 15th: 5th Grade Graduation 10:15-11:15

Fri June 15th: 1st Grade Family Picnic 11:15-12:15; Early Release Day for Students 1:00

Mon June 18th: Last Day of School and Early Release Day 1:00

 

 

Week of May 21st, 2018

A special thanks to Randi and Gina for preparing for and overseeing all SBAC testing! Thanks, also, to everyone that proctored. The best feedback I heard over and over again from teachers was how much effort the students appeared to be putting into taking the assessments. No matter the results, we can say they persevered and seemed to really put in their best effort and THAT is truly all we can ask of them.

It looks like the 2nd graders had a great field trip on Friday and the Kindergarteners had fun with the Curious Creatures. I was sorry to miss that but had a great weekend visiting cousins in NJ and PA with David, my mom, and dad. I think it was the most fun we’ve had as a family in the past year. As always, I appreciate Sharon, Julie, and everyone else’s assistance, support, and flexibility that allowed me to spend some important family time while confidently knowing you all had it handled!

Please remember to keep plugging along at TRC testing in grades K-2 and in grades 3-5 to allow yourself time to retest one-to-one, if needed, after completing the online assessments. PLEASE remind students that we can tell if they do not READ the text and they will need to retake the assessment. (Their words read per minute might by 248, for example, if they do this. 😜 ) Also, DIBELS testing should be really moving along now that SBAC is completed.

A reminder to complete the staff survey as soon as possible. If you need a laptop, you can sign in and use my Chromebook in the conference room.

Upcoming Events

Post to Twitter and use the hashtag above as well as #momauguinproud and #WeAreEHPS (If you need help, ask one of our top tweeters: Julie G., Stephanie, Heather, Denise, Liz)

Tue May 22nd: JMMS Visit to 5th Grade 1:30-2:30 (changed from Mon 5/21)

Tue May 22nd: Grade Level/Dept Meetings 3:25-4:25 (to review and record last data cycle)

Thu May 24th: District Math Bowl 5th Grade at EHHS 9:45-12:00

Fri May 25th: Student of the Month 8:00 a.m. at EHHS Rm S106

Fri May 25th: Governor’s Reading Challenge visits 2nd grade 10:00-10:30

Mon May 28th: Memorial Day – No School

Tue May 29th: Salad Bar back at Momauguin (through June 8th)

Tue May 29th: Field Day (rain date is June 5th)

Wed May 30th: Full Band rehearsal 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Spring Band Concert 2:00-3:00 pm

Thu May 31st: Kindergarten Authors’ Tea 2:30-3:15 (in K classrooms)

Mon June 4th: Early Dismissal 1:00 (PD in the afternoon until 3:40)

Mon June 4th: Last PTO meeting this school year 5:00-6:00 pm in the library

Tue June 5th: End of year faculty meeting 3:25-4:25

Wed June 6th: 5th Grade Visit to JMMS 9:45-11:45

Thu June 7th: 1st Grade to Beach 10:00-2:30 (Rain date is Fri June 8th)

Fri June 8th: 5th Grade to Mystic Aquarium

Fri June 8th: Momauguin PTO Luau and Kick off to Summer Dance! 6-8 pm at EHHS

 

 

Week of May 14th, 2018

Thank you for being the sunshine and the North Star for so many of our students! I hope everyone enjoyed the weekend and found some time to relax.

I don’t know about you but I always have so much trouble sleeping on Sunday nights! Here’s some advice from We Are Teachers: How Other Teachers Cope With Anxiety

 

A reminder that students who are taking SBAC this week will receive breakfast the morning of the assessment.

A special thank you to Randi for organizing an amazing and engaging math bowl, Michael for being a very entertaining emcee, Theresa for working the technology, and Kristine, Dale, Deb, Sharon, and Gina for proctoring. Check out these faces – and this is the audience! They were captivated and you could see them calculating along with the very well-prepared mathematician competitors. Great stuff!

Upcoming Events

 

Mon May 14th: 5th Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00; 3rd Grade Math Performance Task 11:00-12:00

Tue May 15th: 4th Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00

Tue May 15th: Committee Meetings 3:25-4:25

Wed May 16th: 3rd and 5th GRADE SWITCH PREP PERIODS

Wed May 16th: 3rd Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00

Thu May 17th: 5th Grade Math Performance Task 9:30-10:30

Thu May 17th: 4th Grade Math Performance Task 11:00-12:00

Fri May 18th: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Peabody Museum 9:30-12:45 (lunch in classrooms)

Mon May 21st: JMMS Visit to 5th Grade 1:30-2:30

Tue May 22nd: Grade Level/Dept Meetings 3:25-4:25 (to review and record last data cycle)

Thu May 24th: District Math Bowl 5th Grade at EHHS 9:45-12:00

Fri May 25th: Student of the Month 8:00 a.m. at EHHS Rm S106

Mon May 28th: Memorial Day – No School

Tue May 29th: Salad Bar back at Momauguin (two weeks)

Tue May 29th: Field Day

Wed May 30th: Full Band rehearsal 10:00-11:00 a.m.; Spring Band Concert 2:00-3:00 pm

 

 

Week of May 7th, 2018

And…SBAC testing begins this week! We still need some more post it notes for our students in grades 3 and 4 taking math assessments this week. I’m finishing up the 5th graders notes tonight and then I will put the post it notes and student lists back in the teachers’ lounge. Please give us a hand so we can be sure each student has a note for both ELA and Math in grades 3-5. Thanks for your help!

I will be playing ONE motivational song each morning prior to 9:30 for test prep Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday this week and next. A reminder that all students taking SBAC will receive breakfast the day of the test. (5th grade – Monday 5/7 and 5/14; 4th grade – Tuesday 5/8 and 5/15; 3rd grade 5/9 and 5/16). Please have students stay in the gym. They will be served after the other students leave.

Enjoy Teacher Appreciation Week! You all deserve it. You are the STARS that work day in and day out to make the magic of learning happen. You dedicate your time and abundance of energy to make a real difference for our kids. I appreciate everything all of you do and thank you for helping our students be the very best they can be academically, behaviorally, socially, emotionally, physically, musically, and artistically!

Monday: Croissants and “Bubbly” (Dress Code Optional – Think Audrey Hepburn/George Peppard)

Tuesday: Massages (Dress Code – sneakers, sweats, be comfy!)

Wednesday: Chocolates (Dress Code Optional: Hippie Style)

Thursday: Pizza Lunch (Dress Code Optional: momauguinproud t-shirts and jeans)

Upcoming Events

Mon May 7th: Nurse’s Appreciation Day

Mon May 7th – Fri May 11th: Teacher Appreciation Week

Mon May 7th: 5th Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; DIBELS Gr 1 (Gina)

Mon May 7th: PTO 5:00-6:00 pm in the Library

Tue May 8th: 4th Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; (5th Gr Day 2 1:30-2:30)

Tue May 8th: Wendy North – Grades K-3

Tue May 8th: Faculty Meeting 3:25-4:25

Wed May 9th: 3rd and 5th GRADE SWITCH PREP PERIODS

Wed May 9th: 3rd Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; (4th Gr Day 2 11:00-12:00); DIBELS Gr 1 (Gina)

Wed May 9th: Pre-K Visit to Momauguin 9:30-10:30

Wed May 9th: Monthly Attendance Meeting

Thu May 10th: 4th Grade Math SBAC Day 2 9:30-11:00; 3rd Grade Math SBAC Day 2 11:00-12:00

Thu May 10th: School Math Bowl – Grades 2-5 1:30-3:00 in the gym

Fri May 11th: No School for Students – Professional Development 8:30-3:00

Mon May 14th: 5th Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00; 3rd Grade Math Performance Task 11:00-12:00

Tue May 15th: 4th Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00

Wed May 16th: 3rd and 5th GRADE SWITCH PREP PERIODS

Wed May 16th: 3rd Grade ELA SBAC 9:30-11:00

Thu May 17th: 5th Grade Math Performance Task 9:30-10:30

Thu May 17th: 4th Grade Math Performance Task 11:00-12:00

Fri May 18th: 2nd Grade Field Trip to Peabody Museum 9:30-12:45 (lunch in classrooms)

 

Week of April 30th, 2018

Last week was a #momauguinproud kind of week! Thanks to Liz for organizing an amazing walkathon and for everyone who pitched in to make it a fun, safe, and profitable event. Also, our students’ artistic talents were very evident last week under the amazing tutelage of Gina R and Denise. What a wonderful display of creativity both artistically and musically! Also, thanks to Nadine for organizing the interactive theater presentations.

On Wednesday, we have a school-directed PD day and early dismissal at 1:00. Teachers – please bring your I Can statements and chromebooks to the library for PD.

Have a Great Week, Everyone!!

Upcoming Events

Mon April 30th: DIBELS/TRC testing window opens. ***PLEASE COMPLETE TRC TESTING 1st ****  before doing the DIBELS/DORF testing. REMINDER: 3rd-5th grade students may ALL take the TRC test online.

Mon April 30th: 5th Grade NGSS Assessment

Mon April 30th: Wendy North follow-up with K-3 L.A. teachers

Tue May 1st: Kindergarten Early Literacy Testing in small groups – all day

Wed May 2nd: Kids Deserve It book study (final meeting in the LIBRARY)

Wed May 2nd: STAR Testing – 1st grade 9:30-10:30; 2nd Grade 10:40-11:40

Wed May 2nd: Early Dismissal 1:00 pm for PD – School-directed day 1:15-4:25

Thu May 3rd: STAR Testing – 1st grade 9:30-10:30; 2nd Grade 10:40-11:40

Fri May 4th: STAR Testing – K-2 Makeups

Fri May 4th: 5th Grade DARE Graduation 2:00-3:00 pm

Mon May 7th: Nurse’s Appreciation Day

Mon May 7th – Fri May 11th: Teacher Appreciation Week

Mon May 7th: 5th Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; DIBELS Gr 1 (Gina)

Mon May 7th: PTO 5:00-6:00 pm in the Library

Tue May 8th: 4th Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; (5th Gr Day 2 1:30-2:30)

Tue May 8th: Faculty Meeting 3:25-4:25

Wed May 9th: 3rd Grade Math SBAC 9:30-11:00; (4th Gr Day 2 11:00-12:00); DIBELS Gr 1 (Gina)

Wed May 9th: Pre-K Visit to Momauguin 9:30-10:30

Thu May 10th: 4th Grade Math SBAC Day 2 9:30-11:00; 3rd Grade Math SBAC Day 2 11:00-12:00

Thu May 10th: School Math Bowl – Grades 2-5 1:30-3:00 in the gym

Fri May 11th: No School for Students – Professional Development 8:30-3:00

 

 

 

Week of April 23rd, 2018

“Given the stressors of modern American education, it is crucial that we, especially as educators, have a place to retreat to where we access and develop that sense of calm and equanimity that allows us to regroup and come back to our work-a-day lives refreshed and ready for another round with the challenges life throws at us.” – “The Importance of Sanctuaries” blog post by Dan Tricarico, author of The Zen Teacher.

I hope you all found your “place to retreat to” over our Spring break! We headed to Houston where I attended an inspiring educational conference, “What Great Educators Do Differently”, and then moved on to visit my step-son in Austin. Just settling in back at home now, so this will be a short newsletter!

But…here’s a little pep talk from me (actually Kid President) to YOU as you head back to school tomorrow morning!

Upcoming Events

Tue Apr 24th: School Walkathon 1:30-3:00 (Rain date 4/25 same time)

Tue Apr 24th: Grade Level/Department Meetings 3:25-4:25

Tue Apr 24th: District Wide Band Rehearsal at EHHS 6:00-7:30 pm

Wed Apr 25th: Kids Deserve It Book Study

Wed Apr 25th: Kindergarten Registration at Momauguin 10-12; 1-3; 4-6 pm

Wed Apr 25th: District Art Show at EHHS 6:00-8:00 pm (Band Performance at 6:30)

Thu Apr 26th: Interactive Theater Bullying Presentations: K-2 from 9:30-10:15; and 3-5 from 10:30-11:15

Fri Apr 27th: Student of the Month at EHHS Rm S106 8:00 a.m.

Fri Apr 27th: Spring Reading Challenge ends

Mon April 30th: DIBELS/TRC testing window opens. ***PLEASE COMPLETE TRC TESTING 1st **** before doing the DIBELS/DORF testing. REMINDER: 3rd-5th grade students may ALL take the TRC test online.

Wed May 2nd: Kids Deserve It book study (final meeting)

Wed May 2nd: Early Dismissal 1:00 pm for PD – School-directed day 1:15-4:25

Fri May 4th: 5th Grade DARE Graduation 2:00-3:00 pm

 

Week of April 9th, 2018

We had yet to have spring break, and the students – and probably a few teachers – were feeling the strain. They were ready for some time off, feeling stressed, and it was showing up in their behaviors.

At this point in the school year, it’s often a daily occurrence to see a student, parent, or teacher crying. It happens every year without fail because stress is ever-present in our lives. But it’s during these times of stress that we need to remember our purpose. Why are we here? Why are we in education? What are our goals? What can we do to move students forward? How can we improve our students’ learning experiences?

When those questions run through my head, I am invigorated, and I want you to know…

• It is okay to be tired.
• It is okay to be frustrated.
• It is okay to feel stressed.
• It is okay to cry.

I also want you to know it is not okay to take frustrations out on parents, co-workers, supervisors, and most importantly, kids. It is our job to show students how to be resilient even when life is not easy, even when we have bad days. It is up to us to treat each other with respect, with kindness, and with love.

I will be the first to admit that I get weary. My patience has been tested over the years. Having said this, I wake up each morning resolving to be the best I can for my students and my staff. I am here to support them inside and outside of the classroom. We must check our baggage at the door and be all in when it comes to our students.

We must Be the One to show respect, kindness, and love.

These could be my words but they are not. I read them today. They belong to author Ryan Sheehy (@sheehyrw) and are taken from Chapter 22: Be the One Who Shows Respect, Kindness, and Love in the book, Be the One for Kids.

We have one week to go before spring break. Let’s make it a great one. #youmatter

Upcoming Events

Tue Apr 10th: Committee Meetings 3:25-2:25

Wed Apr 11th: Kids Deserve It Book Study 8:15

Wed Apr 11th: 1st Grade Field Trip to Maritime Aquarium 9:15 am -2:30 pm

Thu Apr 12th: Teacher Collaboration Day

Sat Apr 14th – Sun Apr 22nd – SPRING BREAK!

Tue Apr 24th: School Walkathon 1:30-3:00 (Rain date 4/25 same time)

Tue Apr 24th: Grade Level/Department Meetings 3:25-4:25

Tue Apr 24th: District Wide Band Rehearsal at EHHS 6:00-7:30 pm

Wed Apr 25th: District Art Show at EHHS 6:00-8:00 pm (Band Performance at 6:30)

Thu Apr 26th: Interactive Theater Bullying Presentations: K-2 from 9:30-10:15; 3-5 from 10:30-11:15

Fri Apr 27th: Student of the Month at EHHS Rm S106 8:00 a.m.

Fri Apr 27th: Spring Reading Challenge ends

 

 

Week of April 2nd, 2018

Here’s hoping everyone had a great long weekend and an enjoyable holiday! For my family, today was the first holiday we’ve all been together since my brother passed. There was a lot more laughter and conversation but I know there is a lot of pain behind the smiles, including mine. Also, professionally, this is always a very stressful time of