When my kids were small, their grandparents lived in St. Louis, MO and we would load up the ole' minivan and head south to visit them more times than I can count. It was about a ten hour drive from here. Around Kankakee, IL, my kids would start asking that age-old question that's probably been asked by every kid who's ever been in a car: "Are we there yet?" Okay, I'll admit that I didn't always appreciate the repetitive questioning ("Are we there yet?") about our location relative to the goal of our travel (Nana & Papa's house), but with the help of an atlas, Google Maps, and a bunch of Disney movies I've never seen, but can recite every line from listening to them in the back of the van while I was driving, we all made it through.
While we as a school district aren't on our way to Nana's house and we're not cruising down I-57 through Kankakee, we do have a goal and we do want to know if we're there yet. We want and need to know our progress relative to our goal - to make sure every student in TCAPS receives an amazing education that positions them for success in the next stage of their lives. We want to know where we're going, where we're at, and how long it's going to take us to get there.
The Blueprint provides us with a valuable tool - think Google Maps and Disney movies - that helps us measure our progress toward our goals. The District Problem Solving Protocol "...provides a specific process for facilitating effective data conversations that establishes a spirit of inquiry and positions the analysis of multiple measures of data at the heart of the exploration and action plan development." (Chandler, Frank, Brophy, 2015).
The DAN recently reviewed and is in the process of updating The Problem Solving Driver. We are utilizing this as an important tool to discuss where we are, where we're going, and to determine progress thus far. So, to answer the question "Are we there yet?", let's just say we're getting closer and closer every day, and we're almost there. (That's a lyric I remember from the movie The Princess and the Frog for anyone who hasn't listened to it repeatedly for ten hours.) We will update you once the DAN finalizes the Problem Solver Driver review.
Deep Thoughts: "To Infinity and Beyond" - Buzz Lightyear
Articles of the Week:
We Shouldn't Always Feel Comfortable: Why 'To Kill a Mockingbird' Matters
Charter Schools target regional enhancement millages in Senate
Educators push for bills to ease substitute teacher shortage
Educators push for bills to ease substitute teacher shortage
Thanks & Appreciation:
- Thank you to all of our teachers for courageously diving in with new programs, new curriculum, and new assessments. Your efforts will make a big difference in the lives of our students and I greatly appreciate it!
- Thank you again to RaeAnn Fiebing and John Ratcliffe for your tireless work in the warehouse. Stopped by again today and am totally impressed with the work they've put in there! We are learning a lot and promise a smoother delivery next year!! Nice work you two!!!
- Thank you to the business office for all you do to keep the lights on!
Announcements & Reminders:
- Stipends of approximately $200 will be issued to BAN members as a lump sum at the end of the year. Thank you for your service and leadership with Blueprint implementation at the building level.
- We know that there are some sites still missing ELA materials and are feverishly working to locate them. Expect more information next week after we meet with HMH representatives and go over the inventory list more thoroughly.
- We have started to receive questions from our elementary friends about report card completion. Our curriculum leaders are developing some Frequently Asked Questions documents which they will share with you by the end of October.
- Elementary colleagues: Need some extra time to finish up iRIPs? Talk with your principal about PLC time as a possible option.
- HQV observations are beginning with principals. These are non-evaluative. Fear not if you get an email stating that your admin. didn't see HQ instruction, it's just a great opportunity to have a conversation about teaching and learning. The more of those we have, the better we can develop a shared understanding of our HQ visions and the more we can help each other help our students.
- 2017/2018 Elementary Report Card Dates:T1T2T3Trimester Ends11/21/20173/2/20186/12/2018Specials K-512/5/20173/13/20186/6/2018Report Cards Sent Home12/8/20173/16/20186/12/2018
This Week in the Blueprint: Problem Solving Driver - for more information, check out the "all staff" tab on the district website!
Parker's Calendar
This Week:
Monday
- ET
- Greenspire
Tuesday
- Elementary Principals Agenda Review
- MI-Excel Leadership Meeting - Wacker
- VPAA Bond Planning
Wednesday
- Huddle
Thursday
- Board Curriculum Committee Meeting
- Huddle
- Parker/Chandler
- Curriculum Technology
- Secondary Principals Meeting @Sabin Cafe
- Elementary Concerns
Friday
- DAN
- Elementary Principals Meeting
- Material relocation / search & rescue / delivery
- Football conversation with mail guy Mike
Next Week:
Monday
- Huddle
- Partnership TCHS/CHS/EMS at CHS
- Board Study Session
- ET Retreat - Data Center
- CHS Academic Awards
- Partnership CK/EA/CO
- Huddle
- Soma/Parker Bi-Weekly
- ISSN Meeting
- Administrative Intern Meeting
- Huddle
- STEM
- Parker/Chandler
- Partnership WMS/WSH at WMS
- HR Policy Committee Meeting
- DAN Meeting
- ASCD Board Meeting (zoom)
 |
| #thisiswhytheydon'tletmehelp #oops #heyparkerheresyourbooks |
 |
| #amazongentlyused |
