August 13, 2021

 

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR MAYA, chris AND DYLAN ON AUGUST 12TH. MAYA IS NOW A sophmore AND DYLAN IS an 8TH GRADER. I AM STARTING MY 11TH YEAR AT SUISUN VALLEY AND CHRIS IS STARTING HIS 24th year in teaching and his 8TH YEAR AT VHS.

Are. You. Ready? 

Wow! And just like that: School is returning to our new 'normal". I am so excited to see everyone back on campus.

Are You Ready?

For 180 days of awesomeness, fun, and laughter.

Are You Ready?

For ALL kids to be included, loved, cared for and noticed.

Are You Ready?

To be visible, honest, intentional and kind.

Are You Ready?

To make a difference. For. Every. Child. No. Matter. What.

Are You Ready?

To have a Student Lead classroom?

Are You Ready?

For failure, re-learning, unlearning and growth?

Are You Ready?

To connect with peers, admin, friends and family.

Are You Ready?

To Show Up. Every Day.

Are You Ready?

To Empower, Advocate, Play and Inspire?

Are You Ready?

To reflect every day so that kids run back to school not away?

Are You Ready?

For changes in behavior that you don’t understand, but to connect, accept, love and support?

Are You Ready?

To be all in, no excuses, every child, end of story?

Tell me.

Are. You. Ready?

I am!

Our first day will be our first collaborative day. 

The practice of common planning time (CPT) is more than scheduling a common time for a group of teachers to meet. The purpose of CPT needs to be specific, clear, and supported as an autonomous (or at least semi-autonomous) practice where teachers personalize their professional responsibilities and learning. Together, teachers use common planning time to strengthen their practice, learn new practices, share what they've learned, and divide or share the day-to-day planning of lessons and activities. This strategy provides an overview of how to set CPT expectations and routines and identifies ways to support CPT so that it is effective, relevant, and productive.

The goal is to create a balance between ensuring the time is well spent and providing teachers with autonomy. Some examples:

• Collaborative lesson planning
• Planning for peer observations or observing other colleagues 
• Writing common assessments
• Studying curriculum
• Planning small group intervention time during the day K-8 
  • new curriculum
  • equity
• Implementing student-centered instructional strategies and models
• Identifying and intervening with students at risk 

On Monday morning August 16th we will have our first staff meeting from 8:30-12:00pm in the staff room- wear your mask. I WOULD LIKE ALL STAFF TO ATTEND FOR THE FIRST 30 minutes. Wear comfy clothes we will be playing games in teams.  I will be providing lunch for you from Napa Deli on August 16th. If you are a new teacher or a Prob 1 0r 2 teacher on campus you will meet with me in my office at 1:00pm on August 16th. The meeting will last about an hour. On August 20th at 5:00pm we will be having our staff social at my home at 137 Auburn Way Vacaville, 95688. Please bring your family and your swim stuff. We hope to see everyone there :)