July Update

{July Update ~ July 27th}

{...from the DUGOUT}

• I'm not quite ready to mail out your 'back to school letters' (might be due to no printing and internet at school yet), nor release our new blog (or theme) so figured I'd share some basics here as some of you are thinking about school...  You should have a letter in the mail by August 10th.
• Taste of McCall is coming up, August 6th from 12-3:00 PM. It is a fundraiser for MDEF who give our kids amazing education and enrichment opportunities.  I bought my ticket and hope to see some teachers there too!  There will be vendor samplings of food, wine, beer, cider and of course a silent auction and music too!  Buy your tickets at:  tasteofmccall.com ($50.00)
• Rafting Trip (note the date change to Monday, August 15th): Ryan Aronson set up a great Facebook group to communicate details  so check that out or get in touch with Ryan for more information.
• Office Closed through August 15th (although Jodi will be working August 8 & 9)
• Cleaning:  All classrooms are fully cleaned and ready to decorate/move into.  If you are waiting for keys, email Jeff Tangen and me and we'll see if we can figure out how to get keys to you.
• NEW Math Curriculum, Your materials have been delivered to your rooms and can be unpacked and organized.
• Staffing Update:  Congrats to Karen Lannom who was hired to replace Victoria Pyle. Karen also committed to be our PTA President this year so she will be super busy but great to have her on our team.  The district hired an OT (Occupational Therapist) as well, and we'll get to welcome Steven Keaveny to our staff.  We are still looking for two part time para's to help with small group interventions Mondays-Thursdays. Please have any interested folks email me.
• Internet/Printing/Phones:  These are all still not up and running yet at school.  The new copies machines are in but are only set up for copying at this time (no codes needed).  We will teach you how to use the copiers for printing from your computer, scanning, and more at back to school time.  There is only a small amount of paper left from year end until we return on August 15th so if it can wait, save it.  Same for lamination.  We will order more and have it by the 15th.
• Custodians:  The district team is still working together on projects and not on a regular schedule yet.  I will share schedules of when we will have regular custodians back in the building as soon as I know and who will be where.

{Last Posting of 2015-16}

{June 17 ~ Last Update}

{Last NOTES from the DUGOUT}

• Office Closed:  I'm heading out of the office today but will bounce in and out all summer long. If you need me, text or email is probably best.  Hope everyone is enjoying a great summer. 
• Working this Summer? If you come in during the summer to work in your room, just know that things left unmarked in the hallway are up for grabs and to leave notes on things you need help with or email me/custodians.  I will notify you as soon as I get word that your room has been cleaned.
• NEW Math Curriculum, "Everyday Math" has been ordered and should be in by mid July. If you're ansy for your first teachers manual, email David Pickard and me and we'll see what we can do.
• Reimbursement for Classroom Purchases:  Jodi asked me to remind you all that we can reimburse you for budgeted ($200 per teacher?) classroom purchases IF made after July 1.  Bottom line, don't shop until July 1.  Then save receipts and turn them in after August 10th (until next March 2017) and we'll get you reimbursed.
• Staffing:  Ernest Sandeen and Victoria Pyle resigned from their positions.  At this time, we are watching numbers in 5th grade and aren't hiring yet.  Victoria's job we are interviewing for this week. 

Here are some documents you may find useful for the fall.  The Spanish times did change so be sure you take note of that.

• Class Lists: Thank you to all who helped finalize them.  You will get them on your work day.
• Specials Schedule 16-17:  Click here for Specials.
• Master Schedule 16-17: Click here for Master Schedule (Spanish Times changed)
• Building Map 16-17: First Floor Click here.  Second Floor Click here.
• Our Staff 16-17: Click here for it.
• Supply List 16-17:  Click here for it.

Back to School Dates:

• August 15:  Staff Raft Day (Date change due to conflict on 16th)
• August 16:  NEW HIRES training day with Mentors
• August 17:  Back to Work "Teacher Training Day" ~ Our Building Meetings Day (Certified, Classified)
• August 18:  "Teacher Training Day" - Everyday Math Training (Certified Only)
• August 19:  "Teacher Training Day" - District Level Training (Certified Only)
• August 22:  "Work Day" Contract Time 10:00-5:45 (Certified/some Classified)/ 8:00-3:00 (Special Ed Paras)
• August 22:  "Meet and Greet" 4:00-5:30 (Certified, Classified)
• August 23:  1st Day of School (K-5)
• Sept. 8:  Open House 4:00-5:30 (with a dessert or something simpler)

• Batter of the Week is ALL OF YOU for an amazing 2015-16 year!
• Much appreciation to our Custodians, Maintenance Team, and Tech. Team for helping us with all the movements!
• Anne for working so hard on math for our kids
• Sean for his continued tech. support
• Felicity for assisting with the hallway craziness
• Kathy for her kid caring attitude!
• THE END.  See you in the fall! 

{Staff Newsletter #38 ~ Last Week}

{Week of June 6-9}

Monday, June 6:  Corn Dog Bites

• Happy Birthday Dan Petty!
• 4th Grade Activity outside on the grass field (AM)
• 2nd Grade Field Trip to Ponderosa (9:30-2:00)
• Eagle Eye Reward Day:  (do as you wish....) This will be our last one. I will announce that each class can draw 10 winners and/or do board games on your room in the afternoon.  I also have 'Playlive and cards for all kids that I will give out at the assembly. Everyone is a winner!

Tuesday, June 7:  Lunch: Hamburgers/Fries

• 9:30-10:30: Awards Assembly with Slideshow (Grades 1-5), Kinder is welcome to attend but it might be long, maybe come for slideshow...your call
• 1:30:  Samson Trail Run/Walk with PLMS

Wednesday, June 8:   Lunch: Sack Lunch

• LAST DAY of SCHOOL!
• 8:20:  5th Grade Awards in cafeteria 
• 5th Grade Field Trip to Ponderosa
• 3rd Grade Biking Field to Fairway Park (leave around 9;45)
• 10:15: Kindergarten Parent Programs in their classrooms
• Lunch time: 1st grade picnic
• 2nd Grade Swimming Field Trip (11:00-1:00)
• 1:10:  Announcements on Dismissal Process....and 'Blast Off'...
• 1:15:  Dismissal
• 2:00:  Retirement Open House in honor of Mrs. Truxel and Mrs. Crawford Outside in the back or inside if need be (I'd love any and all help setting up around 12:30 and any desserts are welcome to serve with cake). 
• DEADLINE: Report Card comments due to Val for editing
• DEADLINE: Classified Staff Check Out by 1:30

Thursday, June 9:  Enjoy a lunch outing on your own!

• Work Day for all certified staff ~ Please help all those moving rooms shift whatever you can and clearly mark things.  Bring your own boxes as we are out or if you are moving rooms let me know when you are working your hours
• Check Out forms due to Val by Noon, as I have to leave school by 1:30

{Other NOTES from the DUGOUT}

• Class Lists: Due back to Val by June 8.
• Back to School Dates:  Thanks for the feedback.  August 22 Work Day - Certified staff adjust contract hours to include 'Meet and Greet' students from 4:00-5:30 (Class lists posted at 4:00 and students invited to bring in supplies and meet teachers).  We will determine when teacher lists are ready for your viewing and will do an Open House without a dinner on Sept. 8. Classified staff have a normal work day/hours with their own meeting this day.
• Specials Schedule 16-17:  It is DONE and here!
• Master Schedule 16-17: I have included Math Groups, Reading Groups, Reading Intervention, Lunch, Spanish, and Positive Action times into the schedule for each team. I tried to use the feedback received and adjust the best I could. Spanish and Positive Action may not start until after Labor Day as I need to wait for the exact budgets to ensure we follow what was granted and not over spend; but it seemed best to plan them into the schedules up front, for now.  The schedule will be in your mailbox soon.  Please let me know any hiccups as soon as possible.  I'm pretty excited about math groups and hope we can hire some part time math supports once we know more about our Title budget.
• Non Special Education Classified Staff:  I have a draft schedule of what your days could look like next fall too.  Stop by if you'd like to see it and I'll try to get copies ready for you before you leave next week.
• Building Map 16-17: Our building map of classrooms has been set.  We are still planning on three of every classroom.  A few edits involve: Sara Anderegg will move into the two downstairs reading rooms, Yuri Davydov will move into Annika Olson's room, Andy Cochrane will move into Sara Anderegg's room and I think we'll use Andy's GT small office in the back of the library for both Michelle Smith in the afternoons and in the mornings for Stacey Barcas as a quiet office.  The preschool will be in the afternoons in the new Kindergarten classroom.  The upstairs 'science room' will turn into a quiet student lounge/social room for small groups.

Back to School Dates to take note on:

• August 17:  Back to Work "Teacher Training Day" ~ Our Building Meetings Day (Certified, Classified)
• August 18:  "Teacher Training Day" - Everyday Math Training (Certified Only)
• August 19:  "Teacher Training Day" - District Level Training (Certified Only)
• August 22:  "Work Day" Contract Time 10:00-5:45 (Certified/some Classified)/ 8:00-3:00 (Special Ed Paras)
• August 22:  "Meet and Greet" 4:00-5:30 (Certified, Classified)
• August 23:  1st Day of School (K-5)
• Sept. 8:  Open House 4:00-5:30 (with a dessert or something simpler)

Report Card Comments:  So far I have just seen one class set of report card comments. Please have them to me by June 8th to edit and give you time for final edits.

Check Out: Please add these items to your check out list:

• (Classroom teachers): One 'Student Piece of Work':  Please bring ONE piece of paper per student to add to their high school keepsake file with first & last name and data included.
• iPad carts (and all iPads) need to be returned to the west computer lab by check out.  Please be sure your name is on the cart.

**Complete your check out form accurately and timely, please**  No need for me to 'see' anything as long as you complete your list.

Summer Staff Birthdays:  Peggy (June 11), Cynthia (June 12), Anne (June 20), Andy (June 21), Evonne (June 22), Annika (June 29), Ali (July 21), Felicity (July 22), Carrie (July 24), Alice (July 26), Lindsey (July 29) and Janna (Aug. 15).

Volunteer Cards:  Sign the card(s), circulate them and get them back to Donna by June 6.

• Batter of the Week is ................. Where is that bat?
• Nobody turned in any 'compliments' this week which tells me how hard you are all working.  It also allows me to 'compliment' all of you.  Each of you.  Every, single member of our staff. The work we do each and everyday is not all done by any one person.  It is done by everyone. You have all shown me what a tremendous team you are and can be.  I believe we have grown together so much this year.  I am reminded daily of the greatness of BRMES.  You all have a beautiful school.  A supportive community and parents.  Volunteers daily.  A staff that amazes me! And kids that simply make me smile.  I am so thankful I was chosen to be on this team. OUR 2015-16 Baseball TEAM was quite a wonderful 'HOME RUN' kind of year!  You blew all of my expectations out of the ball park.  Thank you for being your best!  I hope you will celebrate and enjoy your last week of school and cherish a great year! {And don't you just wonder what my 2016-17 theme will be???? he he}