10/1/2018

Our Student of the Month program was one of many exciting, engaging functions that took place this past week! I thank all of you for making Renaissance a place where the noteworthy is commonplace. Because of you, amazing things happen each day at our school.

Big shout out to Mrs. Henry and the literacy festival committee! This event truly brought the staff and school community together. The smiles on students' faces were priceless. Thanks to Mrs. Henry for her vision for this event.

Teachers, please continue to visit the bookroom for small group instructional materials. These books are not to be placed into your classroom libraries. It is very important that we love and hug these materials, and keep them in shape for all staff members to use. Continue to incorporate GHGR into your literacy blocks.

• Shout out to Ms. Favors in kindergarten for a job well done in phonics instruction using IDI.
  
• Due to the number of students that scored below grade level on the benchmark BAS, we will focus on teaching Phonics for Reading daily with fidelity.
  
• Kindergarten teachers are using IDI and grades 1-3 will continue Phonics for Reading.

:

1. All phonics scope and sequence should be followed weekly/monthly

2. No other phonics resources outside of IDI and Phonics for Reading should be used during the phonics block without prior approval…i.e. worksheets, cut and paste, videos, etc.…

3. 1st grade students should work from their own workbooks daily.

4. Teachers should follow all scripts for phonics (IDI or phonics for reading)

5. Phonics is always teacher led, and Sections: New Sound, Sound Drill, Blending Sounds, and Word Practice should be displayed on the board or chart paper.

6. Phonics blocks are 10 to 15 min.

• Teachers in grades 1-5 can begin entering PSCs in Illuminate on Monday, October 1.
  
• Grade Level Chairs should meet with team members on Monday, October 1.

The order of the Interim Assessment test administration for grades 3-5 is as follows:

(dates indicate testing window)

Math: Oct. 1-4, 2018

ELA: Oct 9-19, 2018

*Social Studies: Oct. 15-19, 2018

*assessment for grade 5 only

What is RTI:

• RTI is a multi-level, instructional framework aimed at improving outcomes for ALL students.

• RTI is a preventative framework and provides immediate support to students who are at risk for poor learning outcomes.

• RTI may be a component of a comprehensive evaluation for students with learning disabilities, depending on your state and school district policies.

• RTI occurs at Renaissance ES from 7:40-8:10 am daily.

Teachers, if you start to see any new concerns (academic and/or behavior) regarding your students please email me, and we can possibly start the RTI process on those students; with the proper data. If you currently have students in Tier 2 and Tier 3 please remember to progress monitor.

• Tier 2: Bi-Weekly

• Tier 3: Weekly

• Adhere to RES School Culture Systems and sign-in and out on the computer daily. ( arrival 7:10am- departure 3:10pm)
• Ensure you take attendance daily in TAC no later than 8:30am.
• Be sure to text or call Mrs. Porter at 404-493-2315 if you will be tardy, absent, or need to leave early from work. All absences must be entered in to the CASE platform.
  
• You're a Royal Rock-star! Use the yellow stars in the Teacher's Cafeteria to highlight how your fellow Renaissance Royals add value to the school and community.
• Consider joining the RES Sunshine Committee.
• Grade level laptop carts will be used for FCS Interim Assessments beginning 10-1-18.
• Complete the linked form to provide notification of professional development you will attend this school year. https://goo.gl/forms/cUhqXYNzqLRQ1q9a2

Caring for yourself so you can care for others is important when being an educator. You became a teacher because you want to make a difference, you love children, and you enjoy seeing the expression on a child’s face when he or she finally understands a new concept. It is that passion that makes you a great teacher—the same passion that can also lead to burn-out. Avoiding burn-out is one reason self-care is important. You cannot care for others if you do not take care of yourself. Another reason self-care is important is to enable you to be an effective teacher. If you are tired, either emotionally or physically, you cannot do your job well. Most importantly, self-care is significant so you can model good balance and healthy boundaries to your students, and co-workers. Following are several strategies to help you care for yourself more effectively:

• Start your day on a positive note- Begin your day by doing something that lifts you up and makes you feel good. It may be enjoying quiet time in meditation or prayer, thinking about the positive things that are in store for you that day, taking a walk or conversing with your spouse about positive things.
  

• Exercise- Research shows that exercise can help increase energy, improve concentration, and decrease stress and depression. It also allows you to focus on yourself and take care of your body. Both are important for reducing burn-out.
  

• Find at least three activities that relieves stress for you- Do these things consistently. planning ahead of time to prevent stress or becoming aware of what you can do when you become stressed will help decrease burn-out.