Weekly Update 9.20.15-9.26.15

All-

I just wanted to thank you for all that you do each and every day at Concord. This is truly a family that helps each other out both personally and professionally. I want you to know I simply could not be more blessed to work in such an amazing environment. Each of you challenges each other and the support that you give each other on a daily basis is incredible. Take a moment to really look around this week and celebrate each other (especially on Friday!).

LindberghU courses START MONDAY!
Although the courses are not ready in mylearningplan yet, we are super excited to begin Monday with Genius Hour in the library.  There will be 5th grade leaders in Becky Joy's room who will help to watch students if you are interested in joining us.  So just show up and as soon as the course list opens in mylearningplan, you can "officially" register.

• Genius Hour  will help teachers to integrate Genius Hour into their classroom instruction and collaborate with other educators to design Genius Hour lessons for their classroom. Sarah's class will be held in the Concord library on Mondays from 3:40-5:10: on Sept. 21, Oct. 5, Oct. 12, Oct. 19.  Since this course starts soon, you will want to purchase the book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. You will be able to get reimbursement by saving your receipt once the class begins.
• Igniting a Passion for Reading will focus on providing teachers with a variety of strategies to help their students develop a passion and an internal motivation to read, especially the reluctant reader. Liz's class will be held in the Concord library on Wednesdays from 3:40-5:10 on 10/7, 10/21, 11/4, 11/18. We already have the books for this course so you will NOT need to purchase one.
• Building the Growth Mindset on Thursdays --October 15th, 22nd, 29th, and  November 5, from 3:40-5:10 @ Concord  with Doug Barton in the library.

Mid-quarter Update:  
Please be sure to contact parents if you are seeing any concerns at this time. We don't want to have any surprises at report card time. While formal midterm reports are not necessary, a phone call home to touch base with anyone you are really concerned about would go a long way.

September 25th PD Day:
We are going to have such an awesome day!  Here are some things to think about/prepare/bring for Friday.  We will send a detailed agenda early in the week.
To do before Friday:

• Read one capstone book and be able to summarize it
• Download the Story Visualizer Lego app on your iPad (see Marsha's directions)

To bring to Friday's sessions (You may want to pack a suitcase!):

• Reading Units
• Writing Units
• Mastering the Mechanics 
• iPad
• Laptop

Check it Out!

Here is just some of the awesomeness that happened this week:

• Tons of goal setting
• Buddy activities focused on reactive vs. proactive
• Video connection to character activities
• Excellent team work focused on standards and SMART goals
• Revision Lesson

Mandatory PD:

Last chance to finish your mandatory PD.  It must be completed by Thursday or grave and dire consequences will befall you (and yes, this was copied straight from Dr. Hamby's Monday Message).  

Certified Staff powerpoint and google form

Classified Staff powerpoint

Quiz for when you have finished

A huge thank you to the teachers who attended the Parent Teacher Meeting on Tuesday:  Teri K, Taylor, Kellie, Leslie, Lisa, and Peggy.  It was quite a fun meeting!  I am thrilled to announce that the PTG plans to fund the entire amount of the proposed items for the library as well as to purchase the big blue blocks from Imagination Playground.  THANK YOU PTG!



Announcements for You to add to Social Media:
Please share with your parents:
Here is the link to our Capstone eLibrary which has an awesome collection of over 1800 online, free books for our Concord students.

We want as many students as possible to take advantage of these materials.  Your teacher has the password and username.  Here is short video explaining how to log in to the website.

Tuesday, September 22:  7:45 Student Leadership Committee Meeting

Thursday, September 24: So Long Summer Lunch

Friday, September 25

• PGP to be completed by this date
• Mandatory PD due by this date
• Full Day Professional Development: No Students 

Wednesday, September 30: Picture Day

Thursday, October 1: Learning Labs during block

Friday, October 2: Custodian Day

Angie Out of the Building:

Monday, September 28: 1-3 CO

Friday, October 2: 1-4 CO

If you have actually read to the end of this blog post, comment below with one awesome thing that happened to you in the last week-personal or professional.