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.