The Knight Times

Thomas Dale Faculty and Staff,

I am humbled and deeply honored to call myself your colleague. I still do not have the words to express how awesome our response to the weather event was. I can only say that I am so proud to be a Knight and member of this family. Thank you for being exactly who you are on that day. I am forever grateful!

Our approach to professional development takes on a personalized approach this year. During in-service week, you were asked to think about your growth for the year and how a pathway in 1 of 12 areas of high-quality instruction could best meet those needs. Because our first Personalized Professional Development Pathways meeting is Monday, September 24, right after school in the Main Commons, we wanted to take time to remind you of your selection and to also provide a short description of each in the event you wanted to change your pathway going into our first meeting.

The purpose of the meeting on September 24 is to identify your group's learning goals and intended outcomes (which will also serve as your PGPP-T professional goal), and then to decide the best way to get there (e.g. book study, learning walks, peer observation, in-house monthly workshop, etc.). As a reminder, HERE are the meeting dates shared earlier. There will be a mid-way whole group check-in (January 14), and then an end-of-year exhibition of learning (June 10).

Please click HERE to view the spreadsheet indicating where you selected. There is a full staff roster tab, and then a tab for each pathway.

Here are the pathways with a short description:

Instructional Non-Negotiables.

• Relationships. The key to a healthy learning environment in which students and teachers feel safe (physically, emotionally, psychologically, and socially) is with strong relationships. Relationships are the foundation to a healthy school culture, positive learning experiences, and challenging coursework.
• Purposeful and Collaborative Planning. Everything that happens in a classroom is by design. Engaging (or not engaging), measuring progress (or not measuring), providing feedback (or not providing), differentiating (or not differentiating) all happen as a result of intentional and purposeful planning. The importance of collaboration allows us to be even better with our intentions and contributes to a collegial work environment.
• Ongoing Assessment and Feedback. Constantly checking where students are in relation to the intended outcomes is paramount. Knowing who needs what will allow you to make skillful decisions about adjusting instruction based on student understanding and performance. The role of feedback is to do that very same thing for the students. In a "no secrets" classroom, the student knows what they are learning, how they are measured, and how they are doing in relation to the intended outcome.

Cause Learning.

• Activate Prior Knowledge. Activating prior knowledge is about making what is in the students' minds on their minds. It is not about assessing who knows what, it is about setting one half of the velcro that will later be attached during instruction. This is tapping into the knowledge that ALL the students are coming to the table with; not just some of them.
• Academic Rigor and Deeper Learning. This pathway is intended to dig deeper into your content areas so that students are experiencing trans-disciplinary learning - learning that integrates your content with other contents by using the 5 Cs (Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Communication, Citizenship). With academic rigor and deeper learning, students will be able to perform the skills in any given context. Students will be able to use multiple skills to access the curricular objectives and to make connections across multiple disciplines.
• Authentic and Contextual Experiences. Learning that takes place within the context allows students to access curriculum in authentic situations. Objectives in an authentic and contextual experience are not learned in isolation, devoid of where they are used in the universe. In this pathway, you will explore how to use the context and authentic experiences to engage students in learning the curriculum.
• Project-Based Learning. With a product or design outcome in mind, students will explore and learn the content driving toward some type of exhibition as the outcome. Much like authentic experiences, PBL pulls in multiple objectives and/or disciplines to focus the students on a product, so that learning the skills/objectives occurs as a result of doing, rather than in isolated silos.

See Learning.

• Intentional and Purposeful Checking for Understanding. Measuring wether or not students are working toward proficiency or mastery of your daily target is critical to informing your understanding of how students are performing during the lesson. Checking for understanding occurs throughout the entire lesson, and it happens intentionally and purposefully. To begin, these moments in a lesson are carefully crafted when designing the lesson during planning. Carried out in a lesson, you will measure student progress at strategic moments and make adjustments accordingly. Within-the-lesson and lesson-to-lesson data are collected as you intentionally and purposefully check for understanding. Knowing who got it and who did not is a question the skillful teacher can always answer.
• Data and Evidence Collection and Analysis. Decisions about future lessons (near- and long-term) will be made with student work in hand. Whether you use data or student evidence that you collect, you are selecting future targets, strategies, and assessments based on the students' work. A skillful teacher and a high-functioning PLC will always use student evidence to evaluate and reflect on their teaching and make adjustments and subsequent plans according to the "hard evidence" they bring to the table.
• Strategic Monitoring. Monitoring how students perform in relation to the course objectives is important for knowing your students' performance levels and, more specifically, their needs. Being able to track student progress by objective over the course of the year will allow you to make decisions that are personalized for each student. Strategic monitoring to collect mastery longitudinally begins with tightly-aligned assessments that allow teachers and students to quickly measure, assess, and reflect on a student's performance by objective (as opposed to unit, assessment, or even time).

Differentiate Learning.

• Small Group Instruction. Understanding where each student is in relation to proficiency/mastery of the intended outcomes will allow you to group students by readiness levels to differentiate the level of instruction they receive based on needs. In any given classroom, there are students who are academically not ready for the day's lesson, ready to learn the objective, or have already mastered the objective. If you have only planned a one-sized lesson, you will inevitably miss two of the groups. Instead, the differentiated classroom has a strategic plan to meet the needs of kids who are not ready, ready, and moving on.

Customize Learning.

• Personalized Learning. This is our North Star. In a personalized learning environment, students are agents of their learning. Students are self-directed learners who engage in topics that interest them in order to learn the content. Students are guided by their passions, gifts, and goals to set context for their learning. In a personalized learning environment, students have choice in how they will engage in their learning and how they will demonstrate mastery. Some of the time, they may not have choice of content, but their pathway will be self-selected, based on goal setting, progress monitoring, and reflection. As an example, the Personalized Professional Development Pathways that we are currently engaged in is Personalized Learning.

Please direct any clarifying questions or concerns to any administrator.

Up-Front Link Summary:

• Meeting Dates Calendar
• Personalized Professional Development Pathways Spreadsheet
• KUDOS
• 1st Period Teachers: Student Transportation Survey
• Tech Integrator - Janice Skipwith
• SOL/SAT/ACT/W!SE Academy Calendar
• Career and Resource Fair
• SCA Corner
• Knight's Cafe Order Form
• Club and Activities Check-In Form

#EveryKnightEveryDay

The I Make A Difference award is a weekly recognition for a staff member going above and beyond the requirements of the job. Each week, the previous I Make A Difference award winner will select one member of the faculty/staff who displays excellence, goes the extra mile, and makes a difference and "pass" it on.

From Jill Seal:

The seventh recipient of the I Make a Difference award is Dave Duncan. Dave possesses the gift of gab, as do all great historians. He's a story teller, and a very good one. His students are able to remember facts and events, causes and effects, due to the masterful way in which he weaves amazingly interesting tales. Dave also has a heart the size of The Grinch, post Christmas morning, three times the normal size! I have witnessed him coach students prior to an SOL with a pep talk that rivals Matthew McConaughey in We Are Marshall. He makes phone calls and house calls and classroom calls. Dave goes the extra mile to see that our kids graduate. Speaking of graduation...if you're new to Thomas Dale, you're in for a real treat at graduation, as Dave reads 500+ names flawlessly and with a measured cadence that rivals military precision. If you're at the football games on Friday night, it's his voice you hear serving as the voice of the Knights. He is truly an amazing individual who makes Thomas Dale shine. If you're not sure who Dave is, look for the sweater vest. He wears it like no one else. Thank you, Dave, for being an awesome Knight!

The purpose of our weekly KUDOS is to give public affirmation to a faculty/staff member for a job well done. Anytime you witness something that you think deserves KUDOS, you are invited to fill out THIS FORM with the staff member's name and a little about why he/she deserves KUDOS. You will notice a difference in the form. We have added a layer that will send each individual recipient an email with attachment shortly after the KUDOS has been submitted! The list of teacher names and valiant acts will be published in The Knight Times. At each faculty meeting, those nominated for KUDOS will be entered into a drawing for a special prize! Be alert to the wonderful actions of your colleagues and give a shout out when you see something awesome!

Please enjoy this week's KUDOS by clicking HERE!

Each month, we will celebrate and recognize one student from each grade level as the Student of the Month. This student will be publicly recognized in front of classmates and on social media. Additionally, we will place a yard sign at each student's place of residency indicating that they are a Student of the Month for the appropriate grade level. Each student will be able to keep the yard sign. Each student who is nominated but not selected will also be recognized publicly.

Please think of a student you feel is deserving of September's Student of the Month and submit that student's name HERE. Nominations are due by 4pm on September 24. As a note, there have been 10 nominations (3 Freshment, 0 Sophomores, 1 Junior, and 6 Seniors).

• Date Change. Because of the weather event, we needed to reschedule our Back-to-School Night. After consideration and a request to open up other dates, the best date available is October 17. We will host an Open House instead of a Back-to-School Night. In an Open House format, we will open our doors from 6:00-7:30pm and folks will come and go as they please. The evening will not be structured with bells or following a set schedule.
• Faculty Meeting Update. Faculty meeting will now be in conjunction with the Pathways meeting. September 24, as scheduled in the Main commons - purpose will be to combine faculty meeting with pathways meeting. The impromptu celebration on Friday afternoon was actually the first 15 minutes of the faculty meeting agenda.
• 1st Period Teachers. Please give students THIS FORM to complete in your 1st period class by next Thursday. It will take students 2-3 minutes to complete. Please have them select how they get to school each day. If they have/will ride the bus at least once, they will need to include their route number. I cannot explain how much you are helping us by carving out a short period of time for the students to complete this form. The bit.ly is http://bit.ly/2MPgwiQ (please remember it is case sensitive).
• Payroll. All Absence Leave forms now need to have an Administrator's signature (even Sick leave) per HR and Payroll. Please make sure when submitting any leave slips that both your signature AND your departmental administrator's signature are on the form before submitting to the Payroll box in the mailrooom.
  
• Chromebook Service Desk. As a reminder, Chromebook Service Desk hours are 12:50-1:50pm at Main and 2:00-2:45pm at West.
• Tech Integrator. Janice Skipwith is a wonderful resource for high-quality instruction. Please see her weekly newsletter HERE.
• Junior Class. Carrie Weese is our Junior Class sponsor. If you teach Juniors, please share this meesage: Juniors, please join Remind in order to receive information and updates about important Class of 2020 events. Text @TD2020 to 81010

  If you would like to get involved, join us for our first meeting in room 207 after school Tues, Sept 25th. We'll have cookies!

• SOL/SAT/ACT/W!SE Academy. Please see the Academy schedule from Rebecca Fox HERE.

• Career and Resource Fair for Students. Please click HERE for information regarding the First Choice Community Employment Center's 2nd Annual Career and Resource Fair. Please share with your students as appropriate.

• Morning Announcements. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, we will try something different. The Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence will be broadcast live over the school's intercom, and then teachers will be asked to play the day's video announcement immediately following. We will get your feedback at the end of the week as to which way you prefer it.

Passes:

1. Students that have Blue Passes will be going to Main Campus for their meetings (Room # is on the Pass).

2. Students that have Yellow Passes will be going to West Campus for their meetings (Room # is on the Pass).

3. SCA General Assembly--a White Pass was placed in your mailbox on Friday. Write in your representative's name and have that student go to the Main Campus Small Auditorium (only send 1 student).

Students need to check in with their Homeroom teachers first and then report to their meeting. Any students not participating will either stay with their Homeroom teacher or teachers will use the Buddy System. The Buddy System will be important for teachers who are hosting a Club/Activity Meeting.

If you are hosting a meeting, please have your students sign in when they arrive via this form: http://bit.ly/2pqWYYE. Whether they type it in, or you post in your Google Classroom or Canvas, we would like to have a layer of accountability for where are students are during this Enrichment period.

Please let Beth Clark know any other questions that you have about Clubs/Activities Mondays.

Thanks!

Got ideas? Bring 'em!!!

One of the many aspects that will continue to make Thomas Dale unique is the diversity of our instructional program. I am always interested in bringing new, relevant, exciting, and meaningful courses to the program for our students.

Procedures for New Course Proposals:

• The form used to propose a new course is ready to receive proposals. Link to form
• Each proposal must have principal approval prior to submission.
• As in previous years, curriculum specialists will approve proposals prior to final approval by the instructional leadership team.
• Additions cost considerations for new course proposals must be noted in each proposal.
• All new courses must have the proper sequencing, state code, and properly endorsed staff to support the request. Any conflict with VDOE requirements will lead to a denial of the proposed course.
• Any honors level course proposals must include an articulation of the rigor that would qualify the course for the honors designation.

Timeline for New Course Proposals:

September 21: New course proposal window opens

October 12: Proposal window closes, evaluation process begins

October 22: Memorandum of approved courses shared with principals

Homecoming Voting is upon us!

• Please post Theme and Spirit Days links and the right Court Nominations for your homerooms.

• Please only post PowderPuff Signups to Junior or Senior Homerooms.

• Even though Monday is club day, please post.

• If with a club Monday, remind them to check their Homeroom Google classroom (or other method).

• Voting/Nominations/Signup window ends Wednesday 9/26.

Links Below (Click on the word)

Theme

Spirit Days

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors

Junior PowderPuff

Senior PowderPuff

Thank you.

Faculty there are opportunities to pick up extra monies. Thus far we have had a few teachers who have completed TWAs and are up and running earning the big bucks, but we are in need in other areas. If you are interested in earning a little extra cash and helping the school please see Mr. Fowler on Monday

Positions available

Saturday Detention

After School Detention

Safety and Security (roam building after school)

After School Supervision (SC, CBG etc)

Alternative Attendance program (seat time)

United Way

Faculty we need a volunteer to coordinate our United Way giving program. Every year we contribute as a faculty to the United Way and this year as a motivated, energized faculty, sans bullhorn I expect to be beating away the volunteers. This position does not involve a lot of work and is very rewarding. A big shout-out for MaryBeth Johnson who did it for many years, but alas she has retired. If you are interested in picking up the mantle please contact Mr. Fowler on Monday. This is a one time deal and is over within a month.

Teachers we will be starting the Knight’s Cafe this week!!!!! This week’s treats are blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins and cinnamon rolls.

For those of you who don't know the Knight's Cafe is run by my (Laurie Gholson) first period Life Skills Class, which is comprised of Exceptional Education students. The students handle almost every part of running their own business. They take the orders, process them, fill them, make the food and deliver. Below is the link to order food for the week. Once you fill it out the fun starts!

There are a few changes this year. The order form will now close on Tuesday night. Food will be delivered on Thursday during homeroom. If you would like to pay in advance (cash or check) I will take it and keep track of what you spend in the cafe. Your remaining balance will be noted on the cafe receipts.

If you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me laurie_gholson@ccpsnet.net .

Please access the order form by clicking HERE.

The PSAT test administration is quickly approaching.....Wednesday, October 10th. All 10th and 11th graders will participate (1170+ students testing in 57 rooms) in this test administration and everyone will be asked to help in some way. The bell schedule will be shared as soon as it has been finalized and it may be different than what has been used in the previous years. During this testing block, plans are being finalized for the 9th and 12th graders that will not be testing. PSAT mandatory training will be offered on Monday, October 1st, Wednesday, October 3rd or Thursday, October 4th, beginning at 3:05 in RM 201 on the Main Campus. The PSAT Duty Roster will be shared next week.

Teachers,

Beginning Monday, Sept 17 we will begin tracking tardies to class. Because we have pulled back on Teacher Duties, it is not feasible to run a Tardy Table. A handful of teachers assisted with developing the system we will use, explained below.

Who: Any student that isn’t in your classroom by the time the bell rings

When: Track tardies every day, every period

Why: To minimize the number of students floating in the halls without a pass once the bell has rung

How: Directions for tracking tardies can be found here - Tardy Spreadsheet

If you have any questions, please see your administrator.

I will be offering mass field trip medication training in the Main small auditorium on Wednesday, 9/26 at 3pm and Thursday, 9/27 at 7am.

If you plan to take a field trip this year, make every effort to attend one of the trainings. The checklists will be valid through Summer School 2019. You will be signed off on general medication administration, all epinephrine auto-injectors, and inhaler administration.

To allow me to prepare (and save paper)...please sign up for one session on the Google form below. Each session should take approximately 45 minutes. It is an expectation that you complete the online Life Threatening Allergy Awareness & Epinephrine Training SY2019 prior to the trainings.

Access the Sign Up Form by clicking HERE.

For staff awareness- Candy Mason has been reassigned to Elizabeth Davis Middle School as the full time interim RN due to a resignation. We are hoping for an RN to be hired ASAP, and are doing our best in the meantime. Please make sure all students sent to the clinic have a pass and that you are reading your Emergency Action Plans.

Be well! ~Meg & Carla

As part of our intentionality to strengthen trust, communication, and relationships, we will include agendas and minutes from our meetings in this section of the newsletter.

• Admin Team: September 11
  
• ILT: September 7
  
• Instructional Admin: September 21
  
• Community Partners Meeting: September 11
• Principal's Advisory Council: September 19
• English: September 19

Erin White - September 24

Ilona Foraste - September 26

Jen Ray - September 27

Tanya Dorman, Luke Petrey, and Karen Lee - September 28

Shelley Armstrong - September 29

Cori Jackson - September 30

Enjoy your day!!!

Stay connected to OUR CALENDAR and mark yours!

Click HERE for our 2018-2019 meeting dates.

September 24 - Club/Activity Meetings during Enrichment

September 24 - Combination Faculty and Pathways Meeting (Main Commons)

September 26 - Field Trip Training with Nurse (3-4pm)

September 27 - Field Trip Training with Nurse (7-8am)

September 29 - TDHS School Cleanup Day (Community Service Opportunity)

October 10 - PSAT Testing

October 17 - Open House (6-7:30pm)

Click below to access previous issues of The Knight Times, our weekly staff newsletter:

• Week of August 13
• Week of August 20
• Week of August 27
• Week of September 3
• Week of September 10
• Week of September 17

Click below to access previous issues of From the Castle, our monthly parent and community newsletter:

• August 2018
• September 2018

If you have information you need to share, input you seek, or dates you need to communicate, please send it to me. As we improve our communication structure, The Knight Times will become an increasingly collaborative document.

Please email me what you'd like to share - just ensure you have The Knight Times as part of your subject line. I will just need a title, body of text to include, and a picture attachment (if you have one to add to your piece).

Email: christopherm_jones@ccpsnet.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/ccpsnet.net/tdhs/
Location: 3626 W. Hundred Rd. Chester, VA 23831
Phone: (804) 768-6245
Facebook: facebook.com/ThomasDale
Twitter: @GoTDKnights