THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK:

"When working with misbehaving students, "do no harm" must be one of our guides."

Something to think about:

1. What steps must we take when we realize we have made a mistake with students?
2. What sins indicate to students that a teacher has given up on them?
3. Identify student behaviors that trigger your frustration. How can you avoid this reaction?
4. Find ways to commend students without making other students feel inferior.
5. Find ways to make it clear to students that you are committed to their success.

CONGRATULATIONS MS. LEAH STEPHENS ON BEING SELECTED HAL HENDERSON'S TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND JACKSONVILLE STATE UNIVERSITY HALL OF FAME REPRESENTATIVE! I know you will represent our school well. We are proud of you as a teacher and role model for our students. Your second graders are doing an outstanding job and I know DIBELS scores will show the progress you are making with all of your students. Keep up the great work!!!

Mrs. Barksdale and I were impressed with what we observed in classrooms during our walkthrough on the 19th. We were most impressed with Mrs. Gooden's kindergarten class. Those 26 students were actively engaged and on task. There was barely a hummm in the room as 26 students rotated from station to station. Who says one can't manage 26 five year olds? If you want to see excellent instruction and consistent classroom management, take the time to observe in Mrs. Gooden's classroom. She is doing a superb job.
First graders were also engaged and on task. Station activities in Mrs. Taylor's classroom were well prepared and students were informed of the objective as the activity was introduced. Correction procedures were used consistently during small group instruction. Keep up the great work!
We were also impressed with the organization of station activities in Ms. Stephens' 2nd grade classroom. Student instructions were posted at each station and all students were engaged and on task. All students could tell me the assignment and the activity was directly related to the objective. It is amazing to see the progress those 2nd graders are making. We are planning a second walkthrough with Amber Pressley on Thursday, October 2, 2008. I know all of you are prepared to demonstrate outstanding teaching ability, organization, and classroom management routines.

Kudos to Mrs. Clay and Mrs. Barksdale for organizing the BBQ on Friday. Everything was well organized and the kids seemed to enjoy the event. Thanks to Mrs. Darenda Stephens for supplying lemonade and Mr. Wilson for cooking the hot dogs. Congratulations to all 26 students who were recognized for scoring in the 75th percentile or higher on total battery and those improving 5 percentile points or more in reading and math. We are proud of our teachers and our students. Kep up the great work!!!

Mrs. Capers' first parent night workshop is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 29th. We are very proud of the progress those little 4 year olds are making. I know all of you can hear the wonderful sounds of learning and excitement as you pass by the door. The songs and station activities are well thought out and teach a valuable lesson. If you get a chance to observe, please do so. It is amazing! Mrs. Capers has done an outstanding job with those students. I look forward to tracking those 18 students throughout their school years. Thy have already learned so much and I know they are going to be well prepared for kindergarten. They will be at the top of their class.

Mrs. Sims has scheduled her "Parent Read Night." She will be demonstrating a reading lesson with her parents on Monday, Sept. 29 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. During this time, she will also take the opportunity to explain the new reading program. Thanks Mrs. Sims for being "on top of things!" Please plan to share the success of your "parent read night" at our next faculty meeting.

Upcoming Events and Announcements:
Fri., Oct. 3 - School Holiday
Mon., Oct. 6 - Staff Development
Tue., Oct. 7 - Monthly faculty meeting at 2:45/Good Citizes
Fri., Oct. 10 - Progress Reports go home
Mon., Oct. 13-17 - National School Lunch Week!
Please invite parents/grandparents to join you for lunch.
Fri., Oct. 24 - Fire Drill
Fri., Oct. 31 - End 2nd Six Weeks!

Staff Development Plans for Monday, October 6, 2008:

8:15-11:00 Inservice at R. L. Young. Mary Foshee from the Children's Dance Foundation in Homewood will be the guest. The topic will be movement activities that general education teachers can do with students. Wear comfortable clothes. This will be an audience participation activity!

11:00-12:30 Lunch on your own

12:30-3:00 Grade-Level Inservice. K-6 teachers will report to the same school as August 5th.

Additional information for special education teachers, counselors, and physical education teachers will be announced later.