The first Week Ahead

The first Week Ahead!  So glad that I am feeling so much better and can actually write one!  One thing though … I tried the email thing for a year for faculty information.  So not me … I’m moving back to my much preferred format – the blog.  I’ll be helping those that are email deprived for a bit, but I’ll slowing move you all to find information here rather than email.

We have a big week ahead of us.  Welcoming students and families is such an exciting time.  All of us are ready for the new start!

Here are a few really big things that need to be at the front of your mind:

1.  Stop by the office and pick up your packet from Mai Anh (before 9:00).  This packet includes locks and materials for orientation as well as other “business-y” type stuff.

2.  At 8:30, I’ll be in the library to go over the advisory presentation (and entire orientation schedule as needed) for those that want to go through it.

3.  Bring your yellow name sign to the auditorium at 10:00 (in your packet).  You’ll be using this to help herd parents and students to your classroom.

4.  Be at the auditorium by 9:55 so that you can help greet, seat, and shuffle people as we are going in right after the ECES 2nd session.

5.  Take a quick glance around your room … this is the students and parents first view.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should look neat.

6.  Please ensure that both doors to your classroom are unlocked.  It’s just fine if you want kids and parents to just use one door; but for safety in an emergency, the school-wide policy is to have both doors unlocked (I know this is new.  We’ll talk about it at our divisional meeting on Wednesday).

7.  We will have a short wrap up meeting at 3:00 in the Library.  This will be our last chance to review things before the kiddos show up in force.  It will only last 15 min if all are on time.

Okay – here is more information for you to go through later:

Monday, Aug. 11

8:30  Review of Advisory presentation (optional)

9:00  All should have picked up packets from Mai Anh by now

9:55  All teachers in Auditorium

10-12  Orientation for all students and parents

3:00-3:15  Wrap Up in Library

Tuesday, Aug. 12

Special Schedule (be sure to check this as there is much more detail there, also posted in MS Boot Camp folder, google doc)

8:00-8:50 Advisory

8:50-9:00 Move to Auditorium (bathroom if needed)

9:00-9:35 Assembly in Auditorium

9:40-9:50 Advisory

9:50 -10:10 Break

10:15 – 10:40 Block A

10:45 – 11:10 Block B

11:15 – 11:40 Block C

11:45 – 12:15 Block D

12:15 – 12:55 Lunch

1:00 – 1:25 Block E

1:30 – 1:55 Block F

2:00 – 2:25 Block G

2:30 – 3:00 Block H

Wednesday, Aug. 13

Day 1 ABCD

1-3:30 Admin Mtg (Molly)

3:15-4:30 Divisional Mtg, Library

Thursday, Aug. 14

Day 2 EFGH

Grade 7 and 8 Laptop distribution

9:30-11 Admin Mtg (Molly)

Friday, Aug. 15

Day 3 BCDA

Grade 6 Laptop distribution

7:30-8:30 Welcome snacks for teachers by PTA (in Plaza)

My Recommendations for a Great Start to the Year:

1.  Get them thinking, talking, and enjoying something related to curriculum or each other … helps build the idea that learning is fun; this course is fun; this teacher is the bomb.

2.  Ask yourself what will student’s answer might be when their parents ask “what did you do today?”  Will they say “nothing,” “got told the rules,” or “OMG, we did the coolest thing in ….”

3.  Greet them at the door and make it easy for them to find a seat.  While choice is a great thing, finding a seat is STRESSFUL on the first day.  (But by all means, don’t have them get seated and then spend the whole time reseating them the way you wanted in the first place.)

4.  Set the tone in a positive, but firm, manner.  If a student really does a behavioral boo-boo, take a deep breath and address the behavior in a way that maintains everyone’s dignity and clearly explains what you DO expect to happen in the future.  One thing that’s worked for me:  “Oh my … (cue big smile) … let’s try that again.  In this class, we are going to … “  Then let the child have the do-over.  You might be tempted to simply ignore (and that may be the best option), but sometimes, you just have to correct the behavior so you set the right path for all.

5. Relax and have a great time.  When you are enjoying things; they are enjoying things!