August 19-23, 2013

Celebrating Success
Thank you everyone for all your efforts to help to make the first week go smoothly and for setting a positive tone for a successful school year. It sure feels like we are off to a great start.  A special thank you to Krista, Gaby, Theresa and students for creating the catchy CHS Expectation videos.

Reminders
Please don't forget to sign up for your pre-observation conference. A quick clarification about what this is. This is a brief meeting with Cris, Steve or myself, to talk about your professional learning goals for the year and to prepare for your observation/evaluation. We need about 15 to 20 minutes for this conference and Becky has the sign up sheet.

CHS 
You may have noticed numerous bulletin boards around school. If you or your students wish to post information, flyers, posters etc, please use the bulletin boards. And, if anyone would like to claim a board to create a special display, you are welcome to do so, just let me know which board you would like. Also there are two window displays in the south commons, next to the cafeteria doors, that have some very old CHS memorabilia and could use some updating. We have so many great things to show off.  Any ideas for these display windows are welcomed.

Thursday 
This Thursday, August 22 during Study Hall period 1:15-2:20pm we will be preparing for Rachel's Challenge assembly scheduled for Tuesday, August 27. You will receive a copy of the FUSD Anti-Bullying Policy, a student questionnaire with five questions relating to bullying, assembly behavior expectations and suggested guidelines for discussion and completion of the questionnaire,  early this week. If you would like more information or have questions regarding Rachel's Challenge, please come to the optional Rachel's Challenge meeting this Tuesday, August 20 in the mini-theater at 2:45pm.
Study Hall and Interventions will begin Thursday, September 5.

Curriculum Maps
I put the instructions to access our district curriculum maps in your boxes.  I have also added a digital version of this document to the Frequently used Forms section of the Panther Report. (Upper right hand corner of the blog).

 The Common Assessments are ready to be picked up. They are in the back conference room. Department Chairs please come to the office to pick up the materials.  In accordance with the district plan, the common assessments must be given the 2nd or 3rd week of school.

Teach Like a Champion
Cris Holmes and I will be facilitating a  book study, Professional Growth Academy (PGA) class using the book Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov. The book describes a repertoire of 49 techniques and skills that teachers can use to promote high level learning, student engagement and increased student motivation in the classroom. We would love to fill the class with Coconino Teachers. Please keep and eye out for an email from Gretchen Markiewicz with instructions about how to sign up for the class. The first 15 people to sign up get a free copy of the book. The class will be held at CHS on Thursday evenings from 4:00-7:00pm beginning Thursday, September 5.

Keep up the great work and have a wonderful week!