Focusing Four ES Programmatic Planning 2016-17

Thanks and congratulations to Dan and Kelly for their successful facilitation of the Focusing Four activity at our last staff meeting.  My only regret from the activity was that I didn't take a moment to take any action shots.  Next time. 

The process allowed the different items to rise to the surface for the whole staff to see in a respectful, non-confrontational way.  I look forward to reviewing the data and starting to plan for the possibilities next year.  In the coming week I'll also work to communicate some thoughts on the results to the staff overall. 

What Rises to the Surface?
Revisiting Our Class Placement Model 20
Steps for Challenging Behaviors 18
Classroom Management Study 17
Social Emotional Learning Curriculum 17
Report Card 16
PD on ELL and Student Support Students 16
Alignment of Science Standards and Looking at NGSS 14
Mentor Program 14
PD on Emotional Needs 13
Scheduling 12

Teacher input w/ Assistants' PD  10

Building capacity for Adaptive Schools work  10

How we report on literacy  8

Teacher sharing @ staff meeting  8

Scheduling Concerns - Mind the gaps  8

Opportunities to involve parents effectively  8

Consistent ELL/SS aides in a particular class 7

Opportunities for Professional Dialogue  7

Teacher input on duty schedule  6

Analyze us of assistants' time  6

Purpose and function of Parent Teacher Conf.  6

Adding staff in upper ES/ELL/SS  5

Professional Book Clubs  5

Health Curriculum  5

Gifted Program  3

Managing PE between ES/MS/HS 2

Field use after school 1

Two Resources if you are interested.  Found the blog by accident, but some good stuff on it.

Blog

Focusing Four Process Notecards in pdf


Thanks as always for all the collaborative work.

LGF Meeting - May 1, 2016

Great conversation today regarding the demographics of who are staff are next year in relation to their tenure in the TAISM ES along with the implications of that information.

Agenda for May 15

• Library Conversation - Brooke
• Discussion or Dialogue re: Library - Function, purpose and usage - how’d it go this year?  What might you like to see next year?  Possibly a Google Form?
• Group Activity - Hmmm- Data for next year’s staff- Implications for support, planning and professional development
• Staffing Data 2016-17 - Dan and?
• 2016-17 Program and Work Priorities - Dan E and Kelly - Focusing Four
• What topics, work, or program components do we see as priorities to focus on in 2016-17?

Focusing Four - Professional Development or Organizational Development Next Year

• Start with the understanding that we will identify a myriad of things to consider and what will be areas of focus can’t be everything.  Some things will need to rise to the surface, either because of need, interest, passion or requirement.
• What is a priority for you?
• What is a priority for us?
• What is a priority for our students?

Agenda for May 29

Celebratory Reflections

Evidencing Who We Are.  An Opportunity to step back and celebrate our work and reflect on our work to come.

What are the things we do on a daily basis to :

Realize our Essential Agreements

• TAISM  Elementary students, parents and staff comprise a learning community which is characterized by collaboration, participation and meaningful communication.
• TAISM is a physically and emotionally safe environment where everyone can experience personal success and be a contributing member of our positive and respectful community.
• TAISM’s elementary program strives to balance the physical, emotional, social and academic well-being of each student, encouraging them to  explore their individual passions.
• TAISM staff guide students toward success by engaging them in the learning process, characterized by learning experiences appropriate for each child.
• TAISM elementary staff incorporates best practices to provide quality instruction by working collaboratively and pursuing opportunities for reflection and professional development.

What do you specifically see others doing consistently for every child and every parent to model or realize this expectation?