Week 18: 12/18/17 – 12/22/17

Let’s make this an amazing last 5 days before Winter Break for our KUBBIES!

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This week we have some changes to our usual routine — Operation North Pole Visits on Wednesday, Spirit Assembly, Holiday Celebrations and sharing holiday wishes. Then on Friday, we all head home for Winter Break where our celebrations continue with our family and friends.

True for some, not for all. As Winter Break draws near, along with all of the excitement, it is not uncommon to see an increase in undesired behaviors and regression to previous behaviors in our students. For many of our students, home is a place where relationships are unhealthy, meals are not prepared, and drugs/alcohol or violence are part of daily life. For these students, many of whom we may not even be aware of their circumstances, the most consistent, positive and secure part of their life is time at school. No wonder they are exhibiting some stress. When these students walk out of our doors on Friday, there may be no breakfast or lunch, no counseling services, no celebrations, no gifts, and no one to encourage and support them.

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So we support our children. We collaborate with our community to provide basic necessities (food, coats, meals). We give our kids books from our classrooms to read over the break. We express that we are thankful for each other and look forward to being together again as a school community in the new year.

And even though we are tired and looking forward to a much-needed break ourselves, we keep an eye on those who are acting out more than usual. We give them structure and routine. We give them a break. We give them encouragement. This may not be their favorite time of the year.

screen-shot-2016-12-18-at-5-15-07-pmThank you for ALL YOU DO for our kids EVERYDAY!!! 

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 18th
Happy Birthday Kim Sendelbach 🙂
Reading Room Plan with 2nd Grade @ 2:35pm
Spirit Committee Meeting @ 2:30pm (D203)
*On the 5th Day before Winter Break…my principals gave to me…..a WINTER READ ALOUD! Click here to sign up for a 30 minute extra prep today and one of the admin will come in and share a holiday story with your students!

Tuesday, December 19th
All Staff! Gift Card Exchange @ 2:50pm in the Project Space – bring a $10 gift card to play!
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Wednesday, December 20th
Operation North Pole coming to provide a brand new coat to EVERY student! (more info being sent out via email)
1st Grade – Holidays Around the World Assembly (in Presentation Space)
2nd/3rd TAPS Meeting
PreK/Kinder Articulation during CPT
Board of Education Meeting @ 7:00pm (LMS)

Thursday, December 21st
Reading Room Drop Off
SLT – ELA Committee @ 2:35pm (PD Space Upstairs)

Friday, December 22nd
Reading Room Closed
Spirit Assembly @ 9:00am
PAJAMA DAY for all!

(01/05) Happy Birthday Kathy Holguin 🙂
(01/06) Happy Birthday Callie Biasco 🙂

Photos from Santa’s Visit

Blog Posts Worth Reading:
Not All Students Look Forward to Winter Break via WeAreTeachers

10 Excellent Extensions for Chrome by Eric Curts

20 Ways to Take Care of Yourself Over the Holidays by Jennifer Hogan

Books Under the Christmas Tree by Cynthia Alaniz

The Questions to Ask When the Kids Aren’t Reading by Pernille Ripp

13 Keys to Nurturing A Readerly Life by Tony Sinanis

Week 17: 12/11/17 – 12/15/17

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December can be a crazy time in the classroom. The kids are antsy, your personal to-do list is a mile long (professional and person), and you’re still trying to cover curriculum while you can. But it’s also a time for gratitude, tradition, and reflection, which is why We As Teachers created the Random Acts of Kindness Calendar (below) for the classroom! Download it, print it, and share it with your students!

Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 11th
Winter MAP Testing
Winter Aimsweb Benchmarking
Reading Room Planning with 3rd Grade (2:35pm)

Tuesday, December 12th
Kennedy Singers to LMS for Winter Choral Concert Rehearsal (8:30am-10:00am)
Faculty Meeting @ 2:50pm
Winter Chorus Concert @ 6:30pm (LMS)

Wednesday, December 13th
PreK/PATS Tree Decorating Party (2-3pm)
TAPS (2nd & 3rd Grade)

Thursday, December 14th
December Buddy Event
Holiday Fund Gift Wrapping 2:30pm-3:05pm (Media Center)

Friday, December 15th
Santa Visits Kennedy School!
5 By Friday!
D81 Employee Holiday Party!

(12/16) Happy Birthday Sue O’Connell & Ola Heitz
(12/17) Happy Birthday Jessie Melendez (upstairs custodian)

 

Screen Shot 2017-12-10 at 12.58.55 PMClick here to download a full size version of the calendar below:

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Week 16: 12/04/17 – 12/08/17

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Here’s our week at a glance:

Monday, December 4th
Happy Birthday Michelle Miro 🙂
Kindergarten Reading Room Plan Meeting @ 2:35pm

Tuesday, December 5th
Happy Birthday Becky Zora 🙂

Wednesday, December 6th
AXA (Joseph Vance) in Faculty Lounge during Lunches
Technology Common Plan

Thursday, December 7th
Happy Birthday Dr. Boryszewski 🙂
SLT (combined) Meeting @ 2:35pm
Winter Wonderland @ LMS (6:30pm-8:30pm)

Friday, December 8th
Happy Birthday Cindy DeRose 🙂
5 Positive Connections by Friday!

Blogs Worth Reading:
You There…Filter your Gmail

How to Stop Killing the Love of Reading

8 Fantastic Ways to Find Anything in Google Drive