The Knight Times

Thomas Dale Faculty and Staff,

It appears as though each week presents a new challenge. Each week, you display your resolve, patience, flexibility, and resilience. You inspire me to be the absolute best version of myself! Thank you for making my job easier than it could be.

What happens in the classroom is a direct reflection of instructional design. How you think about your students and your content, how you will engage and assess, and how you ensure EACH student succeeds is ultimately decided before the bell rings. Your capacity with Instructional Planning (non-negotiable: Purposeful and Collaborative Planning) is a critical component to your success as an effective teacher.

To assist your mastery of our three non-negotiables, developed by our Instructional Leadership Team (Relationships, Purposeful and Collaborative Planning, and Ongoing Assessment/Feeedback), there should be four questions rolling around in your head when you plan each lesson:

• What do I want students to learn in this lesson (non-negotiable: Purposeful and Collaborative Planning)?
• Knowing what I know about my students (non-negotiables: Relationships, Ongoing Assessment/Feedback), what is the best way to engage them in the learning target (non-negotiable: Purposeful and Collaborative Planning)?
• How will I assess them so I know who is progressing toward the target and who is not (non-negotiables: Purposeful and Collaborative Planning, Ongoing Assessment/Feedback)?
• How will I respond when students "get it" or when students do not (non-negotiable: Purposeful and Collaborative Planning)?

When we enter a room to observe, there are two questions rolling around in our heads:

• Can we tell what the lesson was designed to achieve?
• Can we tell for whom it is working and for whom it is not?

Our post-observation conversations are intended to cause reflection, so that we are thinking about how the design was either effective when put in front of kids or not. Our intention is not to improve that lesson 365 days from now, but to improve your design over the next 365 lessons.

The observation/feedback cycle and our coaching conversations are 100% centered on continuous improvement. How we cause thinking and reflection is the key component of our instructional leadership.

Next week, I will share the four questions rolling around in students' heads when they are in your class.

Up-Front Summary (by day):

Monday

• Spirit Day Schedule: Pep Rally and Senior parade-walk

Tuesday

• A normal day. Whatever that means anymore :).

Wednesday

• Homeroom Teachers: Take the Teacher surveys and Administer surveys to students (Technology Email from me on 10/8 - TEACHERS and STUDENTS and the Sociology Class Survey below: TEACHERS, 9th GRADERS, ALL OTHER STUDENTS)
• Open House (6-7:30pm); Dinner will be served at 4:30pm in the Main Commons

Thursday

• If you did not finish on Wednesday, Homeroom Teachers: Take the Teacher surveys and Administer surveys to students (Technology Email from me on 10/8 - TEACHERS and STUDENTS and the Sociology Class Survey below: TEACHERS, 9th GRADERS, ALL OTHER STUDENTS)

Friday

• Student Advisory Council Meeting from 9:45-11am in the Main Campus Library. HERE is the roster.

Links shared in this issue:

• KUDOS
• Parent-Teacher Conference Day Input
• Tech Integrator - Janice Skipwith
• Genius Hour Input
  
• Dog Treat Order Form
  
• Knight's Cafe Order 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 Clay Bennett:

The 10th recipient of the I Make A Difference Award is Mark Fowler. Mark has been the Math Department’s administrator for several years and it is through his leadership that we have been able to meet our goals and have success. If our department has questions or needs something and I don’t know what to do, I just go ask Mark. He seems to always know the answer and can get the job done. This year our focus has been on building relationships. If you need to know how to build relationships with students and teachers, just watch Mark. As I read the bible this morning, these verses reminded me of Mark. “Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you are content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.” (The Message, Matthew 23: 11-12) Mark leads by example and has put in countless hours serving Thomas Dale and the Chester Community. Thank you Mark for simply being yourself, your life counts for plenty.

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 teacher as the Teacher of the Month and one staff member as the Staff Member of the Month. We were so excited to celebrate Jamie Barrack as our Teacher of the Month and Michelle Kimenhour of our Staff Member or the Month!

Submit your nomination for October's Teacher and Staff Member of the Month 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 October's Student of the Month and submit that student's name HERE.

• Open House. As a gentle reminder, our Open House will be on Wednesday, October 17, from 6-7:30pm. You are invited to eat with your colleagues; dinner will be served at 4:30pm in the Main Commons.
• Parent-Teacher Conference Day (Action). November 6 is designated as our Parent Teacher Conference Day, following our Staff Day on November 5. We have a choice to make abot our hours: either 10-6 or 11-7. Please cast your vote HERE.
• Teacher of the Year Gala (Information). On October 18, we have another chance to honor German Garavito as our Teacher of the Year. When you see him this week, give him a shout out!
• Spirit Swag (Information/Action). From Laurie Gholson: Do you need new Thomas Dale spirit wear? The Life Skills program has the 2018-2019 school year spirit wear you need. This year we have short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, sling bags and sweatpants. Please complete the link below to pre-order what you want. I will stop taking orders on November 9th. I will send an e-mail to let you know when the orders are in. Money will be collected once the orders are filled. Thanks for your support. Click HERE to submit your order.
• (Re-Print) Textbooks (Information). This is a reminder that no textbooks or textbook materials can be thrown out in the trash. There is a county policy for how textbooks must be discarded. Please send an email to clinton_patterson@ccpsnet.net if you have any textbooks or related materials you are looking to discard.
  
• Tech Integrator (Information). Janice Skipwith is a wonderful resource for high-quality instruction. Please see her weekly newsletter HERE.
  
• (Re-Print) Senior Class Picture on the Field (Information/Action). On October 22nd, Seniors will be take their class photo during first period. Teachers, please dismiss your Senior students at 8:45 to travel to the football field. We will do our best to return them to you by the end of first period. Thank you for your cooperation! - The Reflector Staff.

On Monday, we will operate on an adjusted schedule to facilitate a pep rally and senior parade-walk. We would like to give the student body the homecoming spirit day they deserve, and we would like to make sure that Monday feels like Friday!

Feel free to wear JEANS with your SPIRIT WEAR! Remember, it is class colors, so rep it out!

We will begin the day by welcoming our students off the buses and out of their cars by lining the sidewalk along the student parking lot. We will cheer for them as they come to school, and usher them to the stadium. The pep rally will be the first thing we do on Monday! Because we will not start school with a 1st block, I'm asking that you report to the sidewalk no later than 8:10am. If you are there earlier...all the better!

Following the Pep Rally, seniors will stay in the stadium as the remainder of the student body reports to their Homeroom for Morning Meeting. Once students report to Morning Meeting, we will have the drumline lead the seniors through the halls of each building for a senior parade-walk. Students in their homerooms are invited to line the halls outside of the classroom to celebrate the seniors as they walk past, and then return to the room after they pass.

HERE is the schedule for the day.

If you or a student would like to host a Genius Hour, please make sure you/they fill out the Google Form by the end of the day on Monday. Please mention it in Monday's Morning Meeting. They can get the link in the Google Classroom for their grade level.

bit.ly/TDGeniusHour

We are so excited to grow our Knights In Need program this year! We will have a club so as to involve more students, and we are hopeful to reach even more people who need it! For those new to TDHS, our Knights in Need program started about 8 years ago when our families found themselves in great need when the economy fell. We have had an active food pantry and other resources since then for our students and their families. Please keep a look out for a Fill-The-Pantry drive in the very near future.

If you know of a student who is in need, please reach out to their school counselor and Heather Walker (heather_walker@ccpsnet.net) so that we can do what we can to support them!

Thank you for all you do to support the various needs of our kids!!

Student safety continues to be our #1 concern. To that end, we are glad to share that the first week of SOS (Signs-of-Suicide) Presentations has been a success. We are proud of our students who have listened attentively and contributed to thoughtful discussions. We would like to sincerely thank Mr. Blanchard and the entire H/PE team for allowing us the time to present during their class period and for them having such excellent classroom management which has truly assisted in delivering this very intense subject matter. Team work is always the key! Every Knight, Every Day!!

Our Honors Sociology students are working to analyze school culture as it relates to the change process. The students need your input and have created survey instruments to gather data from different groups in our schools.

• Teachers: Click HERE.
• 9th Grade Homeroom Teachers: Please administer THIS SURVEY to students in your homeroom.
• 10th, 11th, and 12th Grade Homeroom Teachers: Please administer THIS SURVEY to students in your homeroom.

We will be starting the Knight's treats this month. Please make sure you sign up to get your fur-babies some treats! The dog treats are made by the MiID, MoID and ASOL Autism students at the west campus. The students make, bake and wrap the treats.

Ingredients include:

Peanut Butter, Wheat Flour, Water and Oats.

The order forms will be available on Monday, Oct, 15 and close on Monday Oct. 22. The dog treats will be delivered on Thursday Oct 25 during enrichment period.

If you have any questions, please contact me at: rachel_langston@ccpsnet.net

Click HERE to place your order.

Thanks for your support!!!

Beginning October 22, our awesome Athletic Trainer, Mike Puglia, will be on campus on Monday and Wednesday mornings for the following.

7am-8:15am - open hours for evaluations, treatment and rehabilitation.

8:30-10am - Evaluations and rehabilitation by appointment only. Rehabilitation will be for student athletes unable to participate in classes due to an Injury. This includes classss like PE or Dance or a student athlete's returning to school from a concussion.

Students can also drop off physician notes during this time.

Clinic will be ran from the field house Athletic Training Room through football season. It will be moved to the ATR in the gym after football is over. Please reach out to Mike if there are any questions.

PSAT Day....it is over!!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! We are so appreciative of everyone's help, cooperation and support in making this day happen. Whether you were monitoring seniors, helping with the 9th Grade Program, hall monitors, Room Supervisors...it took the entire village of Dale and you were there in full force. The feedback that I have received about the PSAT bell schedule has been positive so look forward to a similar testing bell schedule in May. Testing information: 60 rooms were used for testing, 1156 students should have tested, 1036 tested, 120 did not test. Thanks again!!!

This week the Knights Cafe is offering blueberry streusel muffins, chocolate chip muffins and apricot oat bars. HERE is this week's order form.

ATTENTION ALL EMPLOYEES (AND WE MEAN ALL!): Open enrollment for health and dental insurance takes place October 1 – 31, 2018. Be on the lookout for information from the Benefits Department via email on or about Monday, October 1. It is required by federal mandate that ALL employees pick up benefits materials and sign for them (even if you do not want them). This includes all employees: those who currently have benefits, those who do not currently have benefits, employees who do not want benefits and new employees who just received benefits or who just recently declined them. See Lyn Williams in the main office or Kirsten Graham in the west campus office. You can pick up and sign in either office. Our deadline for signing is October 12.

Underclassmen: School Picture Days are coming up! On October 15th and 16th, Candid Colors will be photographing underclassmen. Students will travel with their English teachers, who have already signed up for a slot for each of their classes. Main Campus pictures will be in the small auditorium and West Campus pictures will be in the West auditorium. Thank you one and all for your cooperation!

Seniors: Seniors may take makeup senior portraits on October 15th after school (3:00-4:30 in the small auditorium at Main). Please have them sign up on the sheet on Melody Vaughn's room (Main 205) so we can get a headcount.

Want to promote your department or organization to the Thomas Dale community AND support student journalism at the same time? Consider buying an ad in The Knightly News. Click HERE.

OR if you simply want to show your support for Dale student journalism, consider making a donation to The Knightly News Snap Raise campaign: The Knightly News Snap! Raise fundraiser

If you'd like, also share our fundraising link with anyone you think might be interested in helping us build the Thomas Dale student journalism program.

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 27
  
• ILT: October 5
  
• Instructional Admin: September 21
  
• Community Partners Meeting: September 11
• Principal's Advisory Council: September 19
• ACTS Notes (from Cindy Waters): October 8
• English: September 19
• Math: Minutes Folder

Carolyn LeFon - October 20

Enjoy your day!!!

Stay connected to OUR CALENDAR and mark yours!

Click HERE for our 2018-2019 meeting dates.

October 15 - Monday Spirit Day (Adjusted Schedule)

October 17 - PAC Meeting

October 17 - Back-to-School Night and Open House

October 18 - Teacher of the Year Gala

October 19 - SAC Meeting

October 24 - Junior Ring Ceremony

October 30 - Specialty Center Open House (Main Campus)

November 5 - Teacher Workday (Grades)

November 6 - PTC (10-6 or 11-7)

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
• Week of September 24
• Week of October 1
• Week October 8

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

• August 2018
• September 2018
• October 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