Week of January 29th

 

4th grade learned that 1 meter = 100 centimeters! We also measured items around our classroom and found that Willie and Wendy are 1 meter long! 

ACES bringing animal defense mechanisms to life!

Thank you all for your extra work this week during ACCESS testing; from testing students to making sure tech worked to having your students for an extra forty minutes each day, I know it's a big lift. It's a really important way of making sure that we are best serving our language learners at all levels. Thanks also to BLT members for their thoughtful input on our culture plan, and how to continue to revise our behavior response. 

Weekend
Monday 1/29	Evac drill, after nap time
Tuesday 1/30	Powers and Ellen snowshoeing at Sunlight
Wednesday 1/31	SST: First grader CN K/1 Learning Wednesday ERW: Zones, Tools for Students
Thursday 2/1	Kendall and Aimee out of building in AM Laman and Casey snowshoeing at Sunlight
Friday 2/2	First I Love to Read All School Crew- meet link below Spirit Day
Weekend

Wednesday, January 31	2 absences
Thursday, February 1	2 absences
Friday, February 2	3 absences
Monday, February 5	2 absences
Wednesday, February 7	2 absences
Thursday, February 8	2 absences
Friday, February 16	3 absences
Tuesday-Thursday February 20-22	2 absences each day
Friday, February 23rd	3 absences
Monday, February 26th	2 absences
Wednesday, March 20th	2 absences
Thursday, March 21st	2 absences
Friday, March 22nd	4 absences

guest teachers: We have a LOT of upcoming absences. It's going to be hard for me to fill all of these absences, particularly if you are the third or fourth person out on a particular day. Thanks for continuing to let me know in advance. Also, if you have used your ten days of PTO, you then need to let me know if it it is sick leave or personal leave after that.

conferences: This was part of last week's ERW, but BLT went with the "all in" approach for conferences. They will be:

Wednesday, March 13, 2:20-6:05

Thursday, March 14, 3:35-6:50

Friday, March 15, 8:30-12:55

Remember, we have a work day on March 1st to write report cards.

Lit Bit: This week we will be progress monitoring students in Round 1 and homeroom students that need to be completed.  In kinder it will be the week for Rubi and Elliott's classes.  

Intent to return: It's that time of year. Please take a moment to fill out this survey about your current thoughts for next year. It's not binding, but helps us start planning!

Sign Language graphics from Holly and Kristin B (en espanol) have been added to the staff handbook. Take a look!

I Love to Read Month: next month is February already! Like last year, we will have an all school crew (held via google meet) each Friday. We will have ambassadors help and be in a first grade classroom, where our mystery reader will read a book. The meet link is here: I Love to Read Crew, and also on the staff calendar!

Shoutouts and Fun!

I want to thank all of you for your support during my absence. It was lovely to return home to thoughtful gifts and this beautiful banner! I am more grateful than ever for our community. 

Kid 1: What’s snowshoeing?

Kid 2: It’s when you walk on snow like god walked on water. 

I have a shout out for the second grade team. Kyle Leigh stepped up and facilitated our double planning meeting and it was time well spent, Heidi has been working hard making our ELA copies and Jess can find an assessment when we need it. Thanks for being a solid team, pooling our resources during this past week when we needed to pull out all the stops to keep kids engaged during the extra time we had students!

Mary

First grader: "Who do I need to call in the state of Colorado? I don't want to do this reading test!" 

Shout out to every human that has helped / been patient since I have returned from maternity leave. I appreciate all of you! :) - Kayelynn

I have a shout out for Tamara for stepping into any situation on a moment's notice. She knows all of our students inside and out and offers a consistent, loving presence wherever she goes. She always has a smile on her face and takes on any challenge with a positive attitude. We are so lucky to have you Tamara!

Mary

Shout out to Tamara and Jeane for supporting me when I didn’t have a voice. -Sue

Brief recap of the best parts of a conversation with a student in STEM:

First grader: Are you mean Mrs. Lakin?

Mrs. Lakin: *thinks about it* Sometimes, yeah. I don't want to be mean, but sometimes I am. We are all good people. And we all make mistakes or have big feelings sometimes. 

First grader: What do you do when you are mad?

Mrs. Lakin: Sometimes I need to go for a walk or have a sip of water. I usually need to move my body. 

First grader: *thinks for a bit*... What does your tattoo say?

Mrs. Lakin: You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore to decide to be happy.

First grader: What does that mean?

(Unfortunately the conversation was interrupted here, but this was an amazing conversation to have, even more so with this student.)

I heard Anthony thought I was dead when I had the baby! - Kathryn (ps Hi Kathryn! Stop checking your email. love, CRES)

Shoutout to Coreen for going to a student's home this week to show them so much compassion and care- right after leading a parent coffee chat!

I have a shout out for Megan for always repairing the copiers without blame and being efficient in her quick, clear communication about finances. You are an integral part of CRES and I appreciate you always being timely and such a pleasure to work with at CRES!

Mary