August 31st- September 4th

Construction begins tomorrow!

This week we'll begin planning for our new differentiation block that will provide struggling students with an additional layer of support and will help provide a time for every student to get just what they need. This week, we'll take a look at our student data and begin to dive into these questions:

What do we want our students to learn?

How do we know if each student is learning?

How do we respond when students are struggling?

How can we enrich and extend learning for students who are proficient?

Every classroom has students with unique abilities, strengths and areas for growth. There are also may structures already in place at Star that help students feel challenged, engaged, and supported. We are ready to take it to the next level!

Dates and Details
September 2 Star staff meeting in Susie's room 8 am - please bring laptops
September 2 Love & Logic 6-8 (first session) click here for info
September 7 No School - Labor Day
September 8 NCS PD Day. 8 AM main campus, 10-4 Star for La Cucina Matematica!
September 9 grade level meeting
September 14-17 upper grade GLAD demo in Jenny's room
September 18 picture day
September 16 K-12 cadre
September 23 PIP - on your own
September 25 Minimum Day (planning)
September 26th Cap Cue Tech Fest at the Main Campus
September 30 prep
October 3 Area 3 Writing Project Super Saturday
October 5-9 Fall Break!
October 14 Star staff meeting in Amy's room 8 am
October 21 Star cadre
October 28 no mtg / min day

Mindful Minute

August 24-28 Positive Power!

The Power of Positivity

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This past week, I read a post on Edutopia- The Power of the Positive Phone Call Home, and literally when I got home I happened to read a post from one of our parents on her Facebook page about just that! That Facebook post was the first of many happy and positive notes I read about our school and staff this week, and one of our first grade students even emailed her teacher! Thank you for all you do to create such a happy and positive environment at Star! If you've received some love this week, please share in the comments at the end of the post. It's been a fabulous first two weeks!

Dates and Details

August 25th SST Torres in conference room 3:30-4:00
August 26th Star staff meeting- PIPs - we'll meet in the staff lounge to chat briefly and brainstorm topics
August 27th Jennifer off campus all day (after 9:30), Joe Wood in charge. 
August 27th STEAM Team parent meeting 5:30-7 
August 27th  Dive in to Learning 3:15-4:15 Add some notes to the board ;)
August 28 Minimum Day and Project Lead the Way Training! 1:30-3:30 led by Carly and Susie location TBA
September 2 Star staff meeting in Susie's room 8 am - please bring laptops
September 2 Love & Logic 6-8 (first session) click here for info
September 7 No School - Labor Day
September 8 NCS PD Day. 8 AM main campus, 10-4 Star for La Cucina Matematica!
September 9 grade level meeting
September 14-17 upper grade GLAD demo in Jenny's room
September 18 picture day
September 16 K-12 cadre
September 23 PIP
September 25 Minimum Day (planning)
September 30 prep
October 14 Star staff meeting in Amy's room 8 am
October 21 Star cadre
October 28 no mtg / min day

No Office Day starts in September! This year I'm looking forward to being out of my office most of the time! If you are new to Star, you've probably noticed me out and about and in your rooms. I love to be out of my office and with kids, teachers, and staff! Last year, I was able to be out on Mondays, and this year I'm hoping to be out on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays each week. Tuesday will be my official "office day" (ish) where I'll catch up on paperwork as needed. Starting in September, I'll have a No Office Day doc where you can sign up to have me co-teach, assist, or I can teach your class so you can get out and see your colleagues in action! Otherwise, just plan on seeing me around campus. I'll bring my notebook and my book and I will just join in on whatever is happening! This week, I'll be out as much as possible and am just wrapping up the beginning of the year setup of enrichment, POs, etc that take a bit more office time. 

Have a great week!
Jennifer

Back to School August 17-21

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Diving in... the first week of school! Congratulations on a fabulous first week back! It was so fun to be out and about in classrooms, at drop off and pickup, and at our first Workout Wednesday walk! Students are excited to be back and your hard work and preparation are evident everywhere! Students and teachers were diving in to many things this week and teachers tackling content engaging way starting the first week of school! Here are some of the things I loved this week:

choice time in kinder

dress up!

building in k

5th grade Go Noodle

2nd grade Star in Motion

1st grade Star in Motion

1st grade Go Noodle!

Growth Mindset in 5th grade!

Building community in 3rd grade

Two truths and a lie

First selfie stick shot

Working out!

Health and happiness!

Thanks for a great week!

Dates and Details!
August 18 BTSN TK, K, 4th, 5th (5:30 in the gym, 6:15 present in rooms)
August 19 BTSN 1st, 2nd, 3rd (5:30 in the gym, 6:15 present in rooms)
August 19 grade level
August 26 PIP - we'll meet in the staff lounge to chat briefly and brainstorm topics
August 28 Minimum Day and Project Lead the Way Training! 1:30-3:30 led by Carly and Susie location TBA
September 2 Star staff meeting in Susie's room 8 am
September 2 Love & Logic 6-8 (first session) click here for info
September 7 No School - Labor Day
September 8 NCS PD Day. 8 AM main campus, 10-4 Star for La Cucina Matematica!
September 9 grade level
September 14-17 upper grade GLAD demo in Jenny's room
September 18 picture day
September 16 K-12 cadre
September 23 PIP
September 25 Minimum Day (planning)
September 30 prep
October 14 Star staff meeting in Amy's room 8 am
October 21 Star cadre
October 28 no mtg / min day


Mindful Minute
Did you know coloring can be as relaxing as meditation? Try this free app recommended by Caroline: Colorfy! A coloring book app for adults!

Tammy also shared the adult coloring books last year - there are a bunch on Amazon! Click here to check them out.

Here are some other mindfulness apps you might enjoy: http://www.mindful.org/free-mindfulness-apps-worthy-of-your-attention/     My favorite is Calm.