Weekly Bulletin for February 4, 2019

It is hard to believe that winter sports senior nights
are already here.  Be sure to congratulate Lindsey
and Fiona on a great swimming experience
at West Geauga High School. 

"We learn in a state of positive emotion much more effectively than in a state of negative emotion.  That has huge implications for what we do in schools."
-Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond

Important Dates

February 4 - 5A and 5B - Junior Class ACT Meeting (rescheduled from 1/31)

February 4 - Department Chair Meeting

February 6 - Gifted Training during PLCs

February 8 - PD Day - no students

February 11 - Senior Class Meeting

February 12 - Staff Meeting

February 13 - 5A and 5B - Junior Class ACT Meeting

February 19 - ELA Data Team

February 20 - ACT administered to all juniors

Important Information

Advanced Placement - College Board is rolling out big changes for the 2019-2020 school year.  These changes include new AP resources and processes.  Teachers will have access to new tools that include Unit Guides, Personal Progress Checks, Progress Dashboard, and AP Question Bank.  Teachers will also be a part of the registration process.  On February 13th, AP teachers should receive an email asking you to order your course binder.  This is a free resource and all of you need to follow the steps (hopefully not many) to get one.  Please let me know if you do not get an email.  Click here for additional information regarding the AP changes.

PD Day Schedule - PD Day is Friday at 8:00 A.M. Click here for the schedule.

Monitor Halls - Please stand at your door between periods. Not only does this help curb any negative behavior, but it is also a nice gesture to greet the students as they enter your room.

Differentiated Instruction - How do you use teaching strategies that connect with all the students in your classroom?  How do you maximize learning for all types of students?  Differentiation is based on a set of beliefs (from ASCD):

• Students who are the same age differ in their readiness to learn, their interests, their styles of learning, their experiences, and their life circumstances.
• The differences in students are significant enough to make a major impact on what students need to learn, the pace at which they need to learn it, and the support they need from teachers and others to learn it well.
• Students will learn best when supportive adults push them slightly beyond where they can work without assistance.
• Students will learn best when they can make a connection between the curriculum and their interests and life experiences.
• Students will learn best when learning opportunities are natural.
• Students are more effective learners when classrooms and schools create a sense of community in which students feel significant and respected.
• The central job of schools is to maximize the capacity of each student. 

How do you reach each child?  What research-based strategies do you use?  What data information do you use to inform your instruction?  How often do you use it?  Have you researched your students to determine ability levels?

Academic Support Forms - Please remember to complete Academic Support Forms for any student struggling in your classroom. Procedures and instructions can be found by clicking here or on the Academic Support Form tab at the top of this page.

Good Professional Reading (or Watching)

Making Connections With Greetings at the Door

Hands-On Learning in ELA

Every Ohio school district ranked from 1 to 608, with Solon, Ottawa Hills, Indian Hill at top