October 15, 2010

Power Outage
The power will be cut off on Wednesday, October 20 from 6 AM to 10 AM.


Dates for Summer Workshops


I didn't include any Alphabet Soup.  We will let that be by request.  If a system ask for help with curriculum, AMSTI materials and COS.   InService Days for schools systems will be by request.  


Please check the email sent on Thursday for compressed training.  I will submit the schedule to the InService Center next week.  

The days I have listed are days we will need rooms at the InService Center. 


I changed the name of Oreos and MIlk to Math and Science, making the pieces fit together. 


GLOBE new hire needs to be in July in order to take care of new hires from 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.  The dates do not have to be consecutive so I need 2 days from Polly and 2 from Carol and I'll fill in 2 days for new specialist.


I need dates from K-5 Math for Special topics for new hires.  Those days also need to be in July.




7-Jun-11 Tuesday Formative Assessment JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-12
14-Jun-11 Tuesday Differentiate Instruction - Strategies that work in EVERY classrom JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-12
16-Jun-11 Tuesday Math, and Science, making the pieces fit together. JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30-11:30 K-8 math and science
21-Jun-11 Tuesday "E's" on Down the Road, Inquiry in Math and Science JSU InService Center - McClellan 8:30 - 11:30 K-8 math and science

October 8, 2010

Staff Meeting Monday, October 11
In preparation for the staff meeting on Monday, please review the reflection questions:

Please place short answers to questions 3 – 6 on sticky notes and place the sticky notes on the chart paper in the meeting room (in-service center) on Monday morning. We will begin at 9 am at the in-service center.

1. What is your current understanding of coaching and AMSTI’s expectation of you?

2. What do you think coaching should “look like” in your work?

3. How would you rate yourself in terms of coaching abilities at this time?

4. What are your strengths?

5. What are your needs?

6. What coaching skill(s) do you want to focus at this time?

7. What is your “next step”?

8. What else do you need in order to do this?

Proposed Change in scheduling:

Can we move the October 25, 2010 staff meeting to November 1^st and move the November 8^th meeting to November 15^th?  AND Delete the November 29^th?

Reminder from Steve:

Has anyone sent out any information concerning NAEP? If so, please let me know. If not, please do not do so without consulting me first. All communication concerning NAEP must be approved through the SDE beforehand.

From STEVE:

Gang,
I need for you to let us know BEFORE you send anything out regarding NAEP training. We will also give the Assessment Section at the SDE a copy so they will know what is going on.

September 22, 2010

Highlights from AMSTI Project Administrators Meeting

 ( I've lost parts of the BLOG 3 times today and half of it yesterday at 530. I apologize if the formatting is not perfect but every time I edit, parts disappear today. )

NAEP

From Steve Ricks:

Directors,

Good morning. 

I wanted to again state that Dr. Bice had indicated that AMSTI’s normal implementation appears to be effective at raising NAEP scores.  Good implementation is the “best” thing we can do to prepare students for NAEP.  The only reason we are providing you the NAEP workshop material is that several of you had asked if we had materials.  With the knowledge that “one shot” events usually have very little impact, you may find your time is better spent working with regular implementation.

I do think it important that we communicate to teachers at NAEP schools that the NAEP test is important-so they and their students take it seriously.  That said, the best way they can prepare for NAEP is to effectively implement AMSTI –not try to do something “special.”

Remember BIG ROCKS- I’d say extra NAEP workshops are pebbles. 

Steve Ricks

Director

Math and Science

The NAEP CD from the SDE is here.  NAEP is the what compares us to the rest of the nation and Dr. Morton takes it very seriously.  We want to communicate that to our schools that it should be taken seriously but that we believe that the best thing to we can do to prepare for all standardized test is full implementation of AMSTI.  We can offer assistance, provide copies of the CD, refer the teachers to the AMSTI handouts and helps for teachers.  NAEP is going to be correlated to the TIMSS study and therefore comparing the US to the World so it is important. Please see the emails I forward to math specialists from Tod and to the science specialists from Martha Ann.    

I also emailed a list of NAEP schools to everyone. Please let me know if you did not receive any of these emails. 

From Steve - Big Rocks - Pebbles

Following our statewide staff meeting and a subsequent SDE leadership retreat, it was suggested that I provide you with a summary of our discussions to provide clarity and focus to your work.  Points are summarized below in bullet format.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

·         Our #1 focus this year is working in schools providing on-site support through coaching and ASAP.  This means that the site director’s primary focus is on working with central office and local principals to pave the way for specialists to perform these functions in the schools.  While New Hire training may occur, it is secondary to on-site support.  Specialists #1 priority should be coaching, ASAP, and on-site support.

       

       Project Administrators identified Big Rocks

v     New Hire

v     Coaching

v     ACHE 

v     MSP

v     Compressed Training

v     Statewide Staff meeting

         New Hire Training

      New Hire Training is completed.  I will meet with K-5 Math and K-5 Science to plan follow up visits with the teachers who attended New Hire Training.  Please review the New Hire Plan.  I am available October 7 and October 12, 13 and 14.  Please let me know what day works for K-5 math (Sandra, Kay and Donna) and what day works for K-5 science. (Polly and Carol). THANKS

         GLOBE

v     The K-5 Science teachers who completed New Hire Training need one day of GLOBE Training.  I have asked Lynn Vaughn to provide this training in the Summer.  Robin has given it her blessing with the understanding that the specialists serving that grade level will be with Lynn for the day of the GLOBE training.  

v     We will offer K-5 GLOBE training this summer.  Polly and Carol, please let me know 3 days  you will be available in July for GLOBE training.The days can't overlap but they do not have to be 6 consecutive days.  We need to "schedule" Lynn and also reserve rooms at the InService Center.   These are 6 hour days.  

        SPECIAL TOPICS for K-5 MATH

v     The special topics for K-5  Math New Hires will need to be a one day training as well.  Sandra, Kay and Donna, please let me know a day in July you will be available to offer this training.  Grade levels can't over lap with math because the same teacher who needs 2nd grade GLOBE will need 2nd grade special topics.  

        Math Journaling and Science Notebooks 

v     Online training for Journaling and Notebooks should be ready by January so the teachers attending New Hire should be able to complete those modules on line and not need an extra day in the summer for that training.

        6-12 NEW HIRE

v     Auburn, Athens and  UAH is offering a few sessions.  Barry and I need to evaluate our kit situation and refurb situation before we send anyone to those sessions.  I'm hesitant to ask a teacher to miss 4 days of class and drive 3 hours each way to Athens or UAH and each day is an 8 hour training. Also, extensive embedded training is needed for 6-12 new hires so that may be BIG ROCK for the next school year.  Maybe offer some kit training in the summer. Maybe we can plan to offer new hire GLOBE in July for 6-8 in preparation for offering new hire kit training.  Please review the new hire plan. GLOBE for 6-8 is an 8 hour day.

        There is a lot more to consider with 6-12 new hire than K-5. 

        STATEWIDE STAFF MEETING DATE

v     November 2—Dec. 2 (Mobile) drive in on Monday morning early

v     January 31 – Feb 3 –(Tuscaloosa) drive in on Monday moning

v     March 28-31 (possibly UNA ??) drive in on Monday morning

v     June 27 - July 1, 2011 is 5 full days of training  - leave on Sunday [K-12  math will participate in  3 days of OGAP training]

v     Math will meet in October 2011 (not science)

v     Spring 2012 math and science will participate in a statewide staff meeting

COMMON CORE  STANDARDS

      November is the earliest we will know if the Common Core Standards are adopted.  Pearson has developed some handouts and helps and are posted  on the AMSTI staff pages.  Do not duplicate or give out electronically.  

Pearson has a book (for sale) with their curriculum that matches up the COS with the Investigations.  Specialists will have access to this but can't share the book with teachers.  Several PDFs on the handout and helps will address standards not addressed by the Investigation units.  According to the SDE- specialists have been trained on the material and can use the resources with teachers just don't distribute copies. 

      SDE wants to collect resources or trainings developed so that can be shared among the sites.  On line resources will help us help all teachers even when we aren't able to be at their school. 

        According to the SDE, there is a  CD that will be or has been given to the specialists about pacing training and all the resources from the last statewide staff meeting.

         SITE REPORT and MSP CONTACT HOURS

      The AMSTI assistant directors are working on creating a form to collect contact hours and other data needed for reports and by the SDE.  Therefore, please keep your contact hours on your personal calendar or how ever you choose until this new form is developed.  I had said that I would have the MSP contact hour form up on Google by Sept 15 but since this was a topic for the Project Administrators Meeting with Steve, I didn't proceed with that plan.  SOOOO GLAD!   Also, the Assistant Directors are working with the SDE to revise the site report form to collect the info the SDE needs for reports. AMSTI has changed a lot since 2002 when the site report was developed so there will be some significant revisions. But until the new forms are in place, please continue to use the current forms. 

       MSP

       We will partner with Eric to again offer some technology training to our teachers.  

      October 27, January 19 and January 26.  By January 26, all JSU AMSTI schools will have had the opportunity to attend The "T" in AMSTI and Telling it Digitally.  

  

 SUSTAINABILITY PLAN

      AMSTI administrators will be visiting with you in the near future to discuss and help capture your ASAP plan on paper or to help you develop a plan.  Our AMSTI Administrator Liason is Tod Beers. -- GLAD we are already addressing this.  We are definitely in Quad 2 

   PHONES

      Once you have made a decision on a phone and have a phone number (whether it is a new number or  one you had (personally or through JSU) please share that with me.  I will make a chart with  new contact information for everyone.  I will make copies for everyone, and share it with Vicky, Dr. Carr and the SDE.  I have already sent my information to Vicky, Dr. Carr principals, administrators, and the SDE.  

        School Improvement Coach.

      I am still waiting to hear from the SI coach serving Handley and Sardis.I will make contact again next week. Sometimes they are on the road all week without Internet access.  

        TRAVEL

       Please see Lynn to make sure you are following JSU's instructions for submitting travel reimbursement concerning the end of the fiscal year 2010 and beginning the fiscal year 2011

       WHEW, I think that is all.  Have a great weekend.  

September 3, 2010

Reminder:  Up date your resume  and submit to Tanya by email by: September 15.   This is an earlier date but in re-reading his email, he must turn them in Sept. 17 so I want to get them to him earlier than Sept. 17.  THANKS

Hokes Bluff Principal  Marguerite Early is not the Principal at Southside High School.   Dena Cook is the new principal at Hokes Bluff Middle School.

811 videos are in Barry's office.  Remember to let us know if you have an idea of how to get those to schools.  Otherwise we will send them with the next rotation.

Advisory group will meet at 10 AM at the Inservice Center.  Please remember we are discussing Friday visits and protocal for beginning sustainability.  THANKS.

August 27, 2010

Compressed training:
Sign in sheets go in a folder on the desk in Lynn's office.
Everyone enter their own date for compressed training for the MSP contact hours.

MSP funds:
We should in the near future hire a science specialists as well as material workers.  For the K-5 science specialists position, please send Tanya names of anyone you think will be interested in applying.  The position may be "on loan" from their system if they system will agree to it.  There will be interviews at some time.  Position is not even posted yet.  But they will be posted soon.  The posting has been submitted to JSU (HR, VP, and Pres) for approval.

Updated Teacher Information: 
Please remember to complete an orange form for any teacher who has changed schools, grade levels, systems, etc...   The orange form is needed to keep accurate records in the material database, the teacher PD database and the permanent file we keep on each teacher.

October Statewide Staff Meeting  October 4 - 7
October 4 the meeting begins at 3 PM so we will have to leave EARLY.  Make plans now to leave EARLY. :)

Proactive: 
It has been requested that we supply dates that we will need rooms at the inserivice center for any trainings we will sponsor during the Summer of 2011.  Titles are not needed but for example,  will we need three rooms on June 14 for half day or three rooms on June 14 for  a  whole day? So, if we base it on what we did this summer, I think we can come up with some good estimates.  If it's ok with everyone, I will use the same compressed training schedule but change the dates so the dates fall on the same day.  Example... Tuesday August 24, 2010 will become Tuesday, August 23, 2011.  The dates for June and July must be set by you.  Please submit by our staff meeting on September 13th. Remember, not specific tittles but give thought to how many rooms will be needed each day.

AYP
A weakness is showing state wide, AMSTI and non AMSTI schools is  in the areas of special ed reading and special ed math.  For the workshops you will develop this year, one of the focus should be strategies to help special ed math students, by teaching all teachers strategies to address special ed math.  I know you all have a differentiated instruction PD and I'm sure parts of that can be used but we need a specific K-5 and a specific 6-12 PD that the focus is teaching teachers to address special ed math scores.

Sardis HS, Handley Middle and Sansom Middle did not make AYP because of Math proficiency Special ed.  I will contact both principals to schedule a visit so we can make some plans to help them. I will offer sustainability cycle to them in math.   Anniston Middle didn't make it because of math participation.  According to:

AMSTI Plan for Addressing AYP in AMSTI Schools

Revised on 8/23/2010

If Math:

Directors will increase specialists’ visits to school to provide on-site support.

Specialists will work with teachers to ensure that AMSTI math is being fully implemented, including, coaching, modeling and team teaching.

Alexandria HS, Ohatchee HS,  and Cherokee County HS because of Graduation Rate.  The plan doesn't address grad rate.

Ashville Middle, CE Hanna, Centre Middle, Gadsden Middle, Moody HS,  Moody Middle, Pell City HS, and Rainbow Middle did make it because of reading proficiency in at least one subgroup.

AMSTI Plan for Addressing AYP in AMSTI Schools

Revised on 8/23/2010

If Reading:

Specialists will encourage and promote use of science notebooks, math journaling, and use of trade books.

NAPE
While at the Calhoun County Roundtable, ARI reported that they knew which schools were "NAPE" schools and they would hold training and asked that Calhoun County provide subs for the teachers to attend the training.   At the Key Leader Network meeting, I asked Tod about it.  Tod said they knew the NAPE schools and would send us the info soon.   We will need to conduct NAPE workshops for those schools.  The InService Center/SDE sponsored them last time.  I think it will be on us to sponsor them.  So, please review the NAPE workshop stuff and we will discuss this at the Sept. 27 staff meeting and make plans for a workshop in Nov/Dec/Jan for the schools involved in NAPE.  

August 5th, 2010

State Wide Staff Meeting: 

There have been several emails concerning the meeting so I"m going to try to summarize and simplify.  If I have misinterpreted, please let me know.  Remember you can always post comments to the blog.

Email from Joanne Cain:  Everyone needs to read the first four chapters of Instructional Coaching, by Jim Knight (pp. 1-79). Have everyone bring the book to the meeting as well.

Tanya will meet at UAB on Monday, August 16 at 10 AM to work with Cathy Jones and other directors on MSP.

Steve Ricks' email forward to you on June 3rd..  Also, thanks to Karen for helping arrange for most of our August staff meeting to be held at the McWane Center in Birmingham.  We will begin at 12 Noon on August 16 at the Lane Teacher Center.  Note: Directors will need to meet at AMSTI-UAB site for internet availability as you work on the MSP grant.  Then, directors and specialists will be at McWane from Aug 17-19.  We will finish at McWane on August 19 at mid afternoon (3 blocks that day).

Sandy Ledwell's email  which may have only been sent to Science specialists but according to Steve's email and confirmed by Pam Williams -- this is the plan for the math specialists too.   Math and Science Specialist will be at Lane Teacher Center on Monday, August 16th at noon.

Tuesday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 18th (Lunch) : all specialists will participate in some training on the "ins and outs" of coaching.  That must be when you need the Instructional Coaching book.

Wednesday, August 18th (after lunch)  all specialists : Educate Alabama

Thursday, August 19th: Science specialists only - From Sandy: On Thursday, we will spend some time in reflection and application of what we have learned and  in attempting to incorporate what we have learned into AMSTI Science.  Additionally, we will look at teacher’s instruction and making a determination…”Now what!?”  For the last day, I would love for you to bring any instruments you have used and/or created to help you formatively assess your teachers.   There will be some time dedicated for you to learn from each other about how you formatively assess your teachers at the beginning of your coaching cycle and how you individualize your coaching to meet the specific needs of each teacher.  This session will be science only!

Math specialists plan for Thursday has not been sent out at this time.  From Pam Williams:  As stated in Mr. Rick's email below, yes, the math staff will meet on Monday August 16 at 12:00 at Lane Teacher Center.    An agenda for the math sessions will be sent out soon. 

Snacks- we are responsible for Tortilla Chips and salsa  (UAB will have bowls for the salsa and the chips).  Everyone is responsible for their own drinks. 

October's statewide staff meeting is in Mobile.  


UA has volunteered  to host January's staff meeting but I have not received confirmation on that. 


Staff PD
I have asked Eric to provide PD on the "Clickers" so you can use them in your lessons at schools.  We have three sets so you can check one out when needed to use in your classes.  Schools have them too and I'm sure if a teacher has them you would be able to use the ones in their class.  He has agreed. In looking at the Google Calendar, it would appear that August 27 is free for everyone and for Eric.  A minor miracle. Please hold that date for PD with Eric. It will be only 2 hr.  This is completely voluntary, so if you are not interested in using the clickers then you are not obligated to attend the training.   Talk among yourselves and someone please let me know if this is something that some  will attend so that I may confirm the date with Eric.  THANKS!  August 27


If there is something else that you desire in staff PD that we can provide, please make me aware of that as well. 

July Updates

School Updates
Greg Foster, formerly of Handley Middle School, is now the principal at Handley High School.
The new principal at Handley Middle School is Linda Crim.

A reminder concerning compressed training has been sent to the schools.

An announcement concerning K-5 new hire training has been sent to every school containing grades K-5.  Joyce Waid and Karen Wood have created a google document for new hires.  Once I add our new hires to the that document, I will share it with you. My goal is to complete that task by Friday, August 6th.

InService Accreditation 


Everyone needs to submit an updated resume.  Not a one page but not 20 pages either.  Dr. Carr said 5 - 6 pages would be maximum. Please send it to me electronically by September 27 and I will send all to Dr. Carr. THANKS

DDD
Saks Elementary August 23  3:10 - 4:10
Coldwater Elementery TBA
Etowah HS  TBA
Stowers, AKA, Curtison Primary  TBA

PLT's


Weaver HS  August 4 9:30 - 11:00
Coldwater Elementary TBA

 Compressed training

I am working on completing database update forms for all compressed trainings registration  received as of August 2nd. I am attaching this form to the registration and placing them in the compressed training expandable file in Lynn's office.  As registrations are received, I will continue to complete and attach this form to the registration form.

Please remember to make a copy of the compressed training sign in sheets and place in the "sign in sheets " compresed training expandable file in Lynn's office.

Also, as a reminder, as compressed training registrations are received, I add the names of the participants to the google document PD2010.     The tab is compressed training participants.

Staff Meeting Monday August 9.
Please remember we will have a staff meeting on August 9th.  9:30 - 3:00.  We will meet at the InService Center.  I'll get the specific room number and let you know.

June 4, 2010

The MSP report is now up on Google documents.  The good thing about Google documents is that more than one person can work on it at a time.  


There are 2 files.  One for August through December and one for Jan through July.  The file was too big to upload as one file. 

Please, please, please, please ... do not sort or delete any rows or columns.  There are formulas throughout so that it will pull numbers and sum from different places.  

The schools are grouped by system and then alphabetical by school and then within the school list the teachers are alphabetical.  If a teacher is missing, send me the name and the school and I'll add them.  The list of teachers is from FileMaker pro and that may or may not be most accurate.  It was accurate as of July2009 but many changes have occurred since then.  


Please enter your time in hours.  If it is a half hour then please enter 0.5.  Round to the closest 0.25 of an hour.  You can enter hours by teacher not school as discussed before.  I have been entering the teachers.  That is why it took me a week and half to get it posted. 

Please send me or tell me where to find all pre and post test.  I will get those entered into Survey Monkey and where applicable, print if needed for the workshops.  When computer access is not available, the surveys will be on paper and the participants will answer on scan tron sheets.  Those have been ordered.  After all workshops, I will go to Wellborn and use the scan tron machine and tally the results. 

It is very important that everyone take a pretest and a post test and that they choose a 4 digit (unique) number so pre and post test can be matched to show growth.  If someone needs to leave the workshop early, be sure they take the post test.  If someone comes in late, be sure the take the pre test immediately. 

 I'm producing a blank sign in sheet that will be used at all workshops so that we will have a record of those in attendance for our MSP grant.  They will still sign in on the In-Service printed roster and then they will sign our sheet.  The sheets will be ready Tuesday by lunch. 

May 24, 2010

Please send me (by Wednesday, lunch) the dates you will be taking your vacations, aka, ncds. 

And please keep Google updated.  As soon as you know something that will take you “out of pocket”, i.e.… not at work during the school year, please place it on Google. It helps with long range planning..

Please hold February 1 – 3 for a possible statewide staff meeting. 

Sustainability:

Joanne will be working with us – coaching us – during the 2010-2010 school year.  Save these dates:

July 13^th – I know that a conflict with one vacation but it was the best we could do.  We will catch you up.

October 11, January 17, and  March 7. 

            News from SDE AMSTI

New hire plan – directors are working on implementing.

Need 10 questions for pre and post test (10 total, same test pre and post) for workshops this summer.

Nick has worked on a MSP worksheet.  Tanya will place it on Google (by Tuesday lunch) for you to add your contact hours. Please have all contacts hours for 2009-2010 entered by July 30.  Include teachers who attend the summer workshops.  Tanya will add anything that she has been involved in... data meetings, plts,  ACHE workshops, etc.   This is all AMSTI teachers. You will enter it by school and there is one column for you indicate the teacher’s names in order not to count the same person twice.

As of right now, our budget for 2011 is approximately the same as 2010.

State BOE will vote in November to adopt or reject Common Core Standards.

            Materials

Make your request to Barry and he will get it filled for you.  Request in writing..email, note, something.  He must keep track of what leaves the warehouse.

Remember… anything you need from the warehouse… ask Barry.

In preparation for warehouse system, please review the lessons you taught this year during sustainability and make a list of items/material that you used in those lesson. By June 30 to Barry.  As we discussed before, we will find an area, vault/workroom, where these commonly used items will be stored and not part of the inventory system.  

May 14, 2010

WOW, wasn't the 7 Habits Training wonderful!

Please remember to register on STI PD for the 7 Habits training.  https://pdweb.alsde.edu/pdweb/

Registration for 7 Habits on STI-PD

AMSTI-ASU-JSU-UAB-7Habits

Please remember we have the Listening Post with Steve, Robin or Sandy, Tod or Sheila on Thursday May 20 at 2 PM in the Board Room 2113 at the InService Center.

May 7, 2010

Oops!  In last week's BLOG, it has been brought to my attention that there was a major typo.  I wish this had spell check....

I meant to say.... Lynn has worked very hard in our VAULT to make room for the valuable equipment that should be kept behind a locked door.  Equipment purchased with MSP money: cameras and the rest of the equipment as soon as it arrives will be stored in the vault.  Teachers who attended the training by Eric can check our the equipment to use in their classroom or to train their school.  Specialists can also check out the equipment.

7 HABITS!  YEA!    See the email on snacks:  UAB will bring snacks on Monday,  Athens on Tuesday and JSU on Wednesday.  Everyone bring what you like to drink.  I'm bringing a case of water on Monday, brownies, cookies and something salty on Wednesday.  7 Habits training is listed on the InService website.  Please register:  http://inservice.jsu.edu/

April 30, 2010

Short and sweet this week --

Etowah County has accepted our offer of Alphabet Soup.  This PD will be open to more than just Etowah County.  We will include Gadsden City, and Cherokee County.  June 30 at Glencoe Middle School.

Schools have been sent flyers for Alphabet Soup.  It is on the In-Service Website.

Lynn has worked in the value to label and make room for all equipment that needs to be behind locked doors.  More equipment to come.  MSP training materials.

April 23, 2010

• Are there any workshops that we are offering this summer through the InService center that should be open to ALL teachers regardless whether or not they have had  AMSTI training or not?
• Computer Lab is reserved for June 14-16 for GLOBE training.
• Oxford City confirmed Alphabet Soup for June 29.
• PLT training for 9 "phase 1" schools has been sent to principals:  Training is May 13th - ACHE Wkshop
• Alexandria Elementary
• Duran Jr. North -- accepted
• Duran South
• Floyd
• Glencoe Middle
• Saks Elementary -- accepted
• Walnut Park 
• Wellborn Elementary - accepted
• White Plains Elementary -- accepted
• Deadline to accept May 6th
• Forms sent to principals to inquire who at their school has NOT had AMSTI training.  Few responded.

April 16th, 2010

Science Compressed Training --
Carolina will provide live animals for training.  Tanya will get with Barry and we will get an order form to you like we use for Summer Institute.   I will have it by the April 26th staff meeting. You will be responsible for completing the order form with the dates you need the animal and when you want them shipped and returning it to Tanya.  We will need to submit the form for the summer trainings after the May deadline and for the fall trainings after the August deadline.  I think Animal Studies is the first one that will need live animals so we will need to submit the form August 6th or 9th.

7 Habits training will begin at 9 am on Monday, May 10 and at 8:30 Tuesday and Wednesday.  Bring drinks and snacks to share.  What ever you like.  Training will probably last each day to 4 or 4:30.

April 9, 2010

THANKS to everyone for a GREAT statewide staff meeting.
Lynn, Barry and Jerry worked  themselves to death taking care of the refreshments.  THANKS so much.

Compressed Trainings Scheduled - Compressed Training will be added to the JSU InService Website when someone registers.

Animal Studies

4^th Science year 1

Presenter: Polly Crow

August 26, 8:30-3:30

4^th Math year 1

Presenter : Sandra Flummer

August 30, 8:30-3:30

2^nd Math , year 1

Presenter: Donna Mullinax

September 1, 8:30-3:30

Solids and Liquids

2^nd Science

Presenter: Carol McGinnis

September 14, 8:30 – 3:30

Electric Circuits

4^th Science year 1

Presenter : Polly Crow

September 14, 8:30 – 3:30

8^th grade math year 1 

Presenter – TBA

July 7 – 8, 8:30 – 3:30

Energy Machines and Motion – 8^th science year 1

Presenter-  Sue McDaniel

July 7 – 8, 8:30 – 3:30

Balancing and Weighing – 2^nd Science

Presenter – Carol McGinnis

August 31, 8:30 -3:30

2^nd Grade, Year 2 Math

Presenter – Donna Mullinax

September 2, 8:30 -3:30

Soils, 2^nd Science

Presenter – Carol McGinnis

September 28, 2010 8:30 – 3:30

Organisms, 2^nd Organisms

Presenter – Carol McGinnis

October 19, 8:30 -3:30

Organisms Macro to Micro, 7^th science year 1

Presenter – Sue McDaniel

October 20 -21, 8:30-3:30

Human Body Systems, 7^th science year 2

Presenter – Sue McDaniel

November 17-18, 8:30-3:30

Algebra I year 1 and year 2 

Presenter : Sara Little

Date : TBA

Advanced Math year 1 and year 2

Presenter Kitty Morgan

Date: TBA 

Specialist PLT Log feedback.

• March 22, 2010 - I can't wait to get into the school to see the informal assessment you are using during modeling. 
• March 15, 2010 - Very exciting decision and tremendous growth is taking place.  I look forward to previewing the self assessment for the summer workshops. 
• February 22, 2010 - GREAT decision.  I look forward to seeing the site toolbox of assessment items.  That will be something you can share with other specialists. 
• February 15, 2010 - Very productive meeting.  Participating in the learning activities is an excellent idea.
• Regarding the questions, it appears from the logs that the PLT met 3 times in October, 1 time in November, 1 time in Janurary and at this point, 2 times in February.  So planning for 3 and sticking to the plan would be proactive. 
• For your consideration, please practice in your classrooms what you are studying.  It may be that you need 2 weeks to practice or incorporate what you learn into your lessons you are teaching or into a PD that you are delivering.  Learn, practice, and share how it worked.  That may not be able to be accomplished in one week so that everyone is ready to move onto something else.   
• As for the purchasing a new book, table that thought until after the next session with Ms./Dr. Chapman.  As I understand it, it may be a continuation/deepening  of the previous session or it might be on her new book.  Hold that thought until your session with her in July. Fair enough?
• February 8, 2010 - Good use of site time bu Remember, Ann Jolly,  not at this meeting.  Not a problem to use site time to plan but it should not be referred to as a PLT.
• January 25, 2010: Great selection of a video. What decisions were made?  What were the big ideas from the strategies and how will you use them?  
• December 7, 2009 - is listed on Nov 9th but there is not a log for December 7. 
• November 9, 2009:  Good discussions. What decisions were made?
• October 26, 2009: What did you do with the articles that are listed?  What was learned?
• October 19, 2009:  Very good goal. Please to list all members present.
• October 5, 2009 -Great place to start.  Good question.

I apologize that I have not commented as I should have. I have read the logs. I will use this blog post and keep adding the feedback each week to it.


It appears that you got off to a good start but have gotten side tract. Please remember....Planning sessions are not PLT sessions. PLT focus on Professional Growth of the participants. What is the date of the next meeting?

In each log, Please remember to list all members present. Please remember to include big ideas from the teams discussion, decisions made, plans for the next meeting, date, leader and recorder.

April 2, 2010

• Compressed training schedule has been emailed to the schools.  It's in the snail mail as well.  Please remember: Compressed training in ONLY for those teachers who have completed summer institute.  All other request will be denied.  It is NOT for new hires or completing of year 2 training.

• ACHE:  Only those schools which attended the spring 2009 PLT Training may attend the trainings on April 28 and May 5.  Other teachers want to attend but we have to deny them.  ACHE - federal funds- will not allow me to pay for them if their school didn't attend the PLT training AND we will have full sessions so even if their school will pay thier sub we will not have space for them or provide them with materials paid for by ACHE.  If you are asked by a teacher, "Can I come?" if they didn't recieve an invite from Tanya, then the answer is no.  We hope to duplicate this training and we will be offering PLT training again, hopefully in May.  I'm still trying to schedule that training.  PLT training is and will be a prerequisite for the content training (LTF, Pearson and Science training).

•   No Staff meeting on Monday.  We have a lot ot do to set up for the state wide meeting and the vision casting. 
• We will meet here on Monday morning and then work on setting up the InService rooms. SDE will be here to help. 
• We will check on the set up of the Civic Center, and set up the video camera around 10.  SDE will probably handle the civic center. 
• The food will be delivered to the Civic Center by 4 so please - we need several people there by 3:45
• Everyone from all sites should be there by 4:30 and the meal will be served at 5 or before if Steve gets ready to begin early. :) 
• I have a Director's meeting on Monday from 1 - 3:30
• Each morning: 

• The back door of (as if you were entering from the bottom parking lot and door by the stairs)  InService Center will open around 7:30.  We will need to be at the In-Service Center around 7:30 each morning.  
• You are free to leave each day as soon as we help Lynn get everything ready for the next morning.  I made copies of the science agenda but there is no ending time on it. 
• I have shared a calendar with you called AMSTI PD.  Lynn is placing all of our PD on the calendar so you can view it from any location.
• I have created and shared with everyone a google doc that contains our compressed training.  With Lynn's assistance we will enter participants names as they register and we will email them a confirmation.  Remember, compressed trainings will not be on the InService Website UNTIL there is at least one participant. 

Reminder About Annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

All JSU Faculty and Staff are reminded that the deadline is approaching for our annual Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.

The online program allows you to take the training at your leisure. It may be taken all in one session or you may bookmark and return at a later time. You will need to allow up to two hours to take the training program. You may locate the training on the HR website at http://training.newmedialearning.com/psh/jacksonvillestu/. Once you enter the program, you will select a track appropriate to your position: Supervisory, Non-supervisory, Faculty, etc. You may choose the full course or the refresher course. (Note: the refresher course is condensed and requires a higher level of understanding thus a higher pass score on the exam.)

There will be a test at the end that you are required to pass. When you pass the exam, HR will be notified of the successful completion.  You will also be given the option of printing a completion certificate. Please print and retain in your files. This is required training and must be completed on an annual basis. Please complete this program by April 15, 2010. 

March 26, 2010

• Alphabet Soup -- has been offered to Gadsden City, Pell City City, and St. Clair County as an In-Service for 2010-2011. I'll keep you posted on any acceptance from those systems.
• I have asked Etowah County for the dates you have chosen.  I asked Oxford City if we can invite Handley Middle and Wedowee Middle.  I asked Etowah County if we can invite Piedmont City and Cherokee County.    I will need to fit Attalla in maybe with Etowah County.  When I hear from Etowah County, I'll ask about including Attalla City.
• We need one more Alphabet Soup for Jacksonville City (Piedmont City will be invited) 
• Oxford City has agreed to the date for Alphabet Soup.
• I think that takes care of all of the systems except Anniston and quite honestly, they do not have enough AMSTI teachers to attend.   We have the "go ahead" with Calhoun County.
• School Calendars are posted on websites.  I've saved Calhoun County and Pell City City to the G drive in a folder called School Calendars.  Who would like to volunteer to make our combined spreadsheet of calendars?
• Duran Jr. North is requestion PD's - I'll get with Ms. Davis and hopefully it will be an inservice in August - Science NB, Math journaling, math content, math and science implementation (check data and provide activities based on the lowest data) and time management which can be included in all of those.  - be thinking and planning........I'll invite them to participate in this years PLT/ACHE training to begin to implement PLTs where they can also work on these topics
• As AMSTI embarks upon our 11^th year, we have scheduled a “ Celebration and Vision Casting” for April 5 from 4:30 until….  We hope you and your specialists will begin arriving around 4:30 with the meal underway by 5. This will allow time for celebrating our successes and casting a vision following the meal.   The event will be held at the Oxford City Civic Center.  Dinner will be provided. 
• We hope the evening is a festive occasion, celebrating the excellent work that everyone  has accomplished.  More to come as we get closer to the date. Steve Ricks
• 
  
  Directors,
  
  
  
  In an attempt to operate more in the advance planning, QII mode, we have set the following dates for statewide staff meetings.
  
  
  
  August 17-19, 2010
  

  October 5-7, 2010
  

  January 11-13, 2011
  

  March 29-31, 2011

March 19, 2010

Invitations (by email) have been sent to schools to attend the ACHE training.  A prerequisite - PLT training 2009 and a follow up session.  :  Hokes Bluff Middle, Wellborn HS, Saks Middle, Ohatchee HS, Weaver HS, WE Striplin, Etowah MS, Handley MS and  CA Donehoo --  

Deadline to Register April 9

What: Computational Fluency

Who: K-5 Math Teachers

Limited to 6 math teachers per school

Where: JSU InService Center

When: April 28, 2010

8:30 -3:30

 What: Lenses on Learning The "Base"-ics:  An In-depth Look at Refraction and pH

Who: K-5 Science teachers Limited to 6 science teachers per school

Where: JSU Inservice Center

When:  May 5, 2010

8:30 – 3:30

What: Laying the Foundation

Who: 6-12 AMSTI Math teachers – limited to 5 math teachers per school

Where: JSU In-Service Center

When:  May 5, 8:30 – 3:30

• Kit rotation update:
• Calhoun County has returned 3rd rotation and has picked up 4th rotation.  (Tuesday (16th)  and Wednesday (17th))
• All other school systems have been contacted but have not given a specific date to return 3rd rotation. BUT when they return 3rd rotation, they will pick the 4th rotation.  They are suppose to return 3rd rotation March 24-27
• If you have any updates or corrections to presentation list sent by email, please send add to, correct, etc  and send to me by end of the day  Monday, March 22.  I’ll  compile the list and submit it to Dr. Carr/Vicky for the In-Service report.  
• The state department auditor is coming Wednesday morning to do his yearly scan/inventory of the laptops.  This only affects the Toshiba tablet PCs from the black cases.  If you have borrowed one of these please make sure it is back in my office by Tuesday afternoon before leaving for home.  After the scan on Wednesday you are free to borrow them again.  Thanks!  Eric