Teamwork

Thank you, Willow River Team, 

for your collaborative spirit and passionate teamwork.

T aking care of business - whatever it takes, it gets done 

E xtreme love for students, past and present

A nticipating the needs of staff and students, and stepping in to help when and where needed

M aking everyone - staff, students, and families - feel loved and accepted

I am reminded of this every single day.  Thanks for being there for each other, and for taking your job to heart. 

With appreciation -

Sue

 

Be a Champion!

 

Every child deserves a champion - and that's what I challenge you to do for these last few weeks.  We know the power of relationships, and you've all worked so hard to build connections.  We know we have students who are struggling with academics, behaviors, home life, and/or worries.  Continue to reassure them that you love them, and that they belong here.  Willow always has been, and will continue to be, the love and family that so many of our students need.

I encourage you to watch (or rewatch) this if you haven't in awhile!

Have a great week!

Sue

Behavior, Engagement, and Motivation

Behavior Management. Engagement. Motivation. These were things that came up at both the Leadership and Special Ed meetings this week when talking about what to focus on for the remaining weeks of school.  For whatever reason (full moon?!), it was a tough week, and staff shared their thoughts (and concerns) about the remainder of the year. One of the things that came up in both groups was the monotony at this point in the year, and how much of our classroom curriculum follows the same routines every day.  At our next staff meeting (April 19), I'm going to ask staff to share ideas for engagement, management, and tricks to get us to the end of the year.  I'm giving you a heads up because I think it will be helpful to hear some suggestions and do some brainstorming with your colleagues.

You also have permission to change thing up if you need to - add a game, special project, brain break, etc. if you sense that your students need something different.  While we still have an eye on our end of year goals, you also need to "read the room" and determine what's best for your students.  See How to Keep Kids Engaged for some ideas.

I also want to thank the entire Willow River Staff for your continuous focus on All Means All.  It is apparent in everything you do, what you say, and how you respond.  I am reminded every day that our staff advocates and works hard for what they know is best for their students, so that all students can be successful.  Thank you.

Have a great week!  Here's celebrating that Safety Week is over, and hoping the sun stays out!
Sue

 

This Week!

  

There seems to be a lot going on this week, so I thought it would be easiest to have it all in one place!  I'm sure there's something I'm missing, but this is a start!  I'm predicting more to come in the Daily =)

Monday, April 4th

• April is Autism Acceptance and Awareness Month - WEAR RED!

We have several things planned throughout the month but we want to kick it off on Monday by wearing an Autism Awareness or Autism Acceptance shirt.  We are really pushing to listen to the voices of the autism community and so will be wearing red.  If you don't have a specific autism shirt, we invite you to wear red!!  

• Forward Exam begins (April 4-14)

Please remind students to be quiet in the halls this week when near 3rd-5th grade classrooms, special education rooms, and the conference room.  Thank you!

• Playground Cool Tool

Please share this sometime next week with your students.  It is linked to Monday on the Raider Report calendar: Playground Cool Tool (use sometime next week) - 2:30

• Welcome, Baby Albarado!  Kelsey's shower at 4:00

Wednesday, April 6th

• Environmental/Earth Day Committee meeting at 8:00

This is open to anyone (thank you to Heather and Amy B. for volunteering to be on the committee already!); we will be looking at coordinating an Earth Day event for later this month.

• Rigor, Teamwork and Inclusion Committee Meeting #3 - 4:30-7:00 at HHS (reminder to members)

Thursday, April 7th

• WR Leadership Team meeting at 8:00

We will be discussing upcoming staff meetings/professional learning, including Support Team Time, Learning Targets, or other ideas teams may have.  We will also talk through the details of end of year writing samples and the last day of school schedule.  Please let your Leadership rep know if you have any ideas/opinions!

• Safety Drills

At 1:45, we will have the statewide Tornado Drill (you will hear the siren!).  Please bring your class to their designated spot.  There will be an announcement for a Tornado Watch, and then a Tornado Warning. If in specials, specialists will bring their students to the designated spot, and teachers join them (since it's K).  In addition, please share the Safety Drill video sometime on Thursday (or another day if that works better).

• Boot Camp (5:00-6:00)

Join us for the last one of the year - roller skating for everyone!

Friday, April 8th

• Special Ed Team Meeting at 8:00

Please let a sped teacher know if you have a question/concern that we can address and discuss at Friday's meeting.

• Fire Drill

I'm looking to possibly do a fire drill on Friday.  While Monday looks like the nicest day of the week, there's enough going on with Forward starting on Monday, so I'll keep an eye on the weather and aim for SOMETIME this week (Friday looks like the next best weather day!).  I'll give a heads up so you can address it with those students that need a warning.

Have a great week - hang in there!
Sue