Viking Cheers!! Focus on the Fabulous!!
The middle school Student Council, under the leadership of Lisa Renner and Rosa Ramos, purchased recreational equipment for middle school students to use during their lunch recess. This was a great use of funds and the kids are having some different options during their lunch break. Thanks for thinking of a creative way to support our kids. This is a great demonstration of positive leadership in our school!
Katrina Ruggles organized and ran the middle school Spelling Bee in the auditorium this past Wednesday. As a result of our school contest, we will have several students competing in the regional competition at ASC on Wednesday, February 8th. Carmen Ruggles will be representing our school as the first place finisher and Manuel Moreno took 2nd place. In addition, congratulations to Angel Villagomez, Nehemiah Villagomez, Camille Ruggles, Jerry Gonzalez, Karla Quintero-Mora, and Julianna Villanueva for placing in the top eight.
Katrina Ruggles organized and ran the middle school Spelling Bee in the auditorium this past Wednesday. As a result of our school contest, we will have several students competing in the regional competition at ASC on Wednesday, February 8th. Carmen Ruggles will be representing our school as the first place finisher and Manuel Moreno took 2nd place. In addition, congratulations to Angel Villagomez, Nehemiah Villagomez, Camille Ruggles, Jerry Gonzalez, Karla Quintero-Mora, and Julianna Villanueva for placing in the top eight.
Quality planning, instruction and assessments lead to high student achievement.
Having had the chance to look over our NWEA results, review the TCAP frameworks, and compare the curriculum calendars for language arts, I have been extremely impressed with the work our middle school language arts and TI teachers have been doing in regards to focused and purposeful instruction. This past week I had the chance to see Mrs. Atencio working with her students on propaganda and analyzing messages used in media. I observed Mrs. Martinez as she was working with her kids on reading through high interest material to determine whether information provided in text was relevant to support the author’s claims. On several different occasions I have seen Mrs. Banning and Mrs. Rounds engaging students in authentic literacy. This includes reading texts critically, weighing evidence, and forming individual opinions which create habits of the mind. These classroom activities also focus on making connections with the written word and academic vocabulary. The energy and effort these teachers are putting into their planning and instruction are ensuring that our students are being provided with the best educational experiences possible and this in turn will lead to increased student achievement.
Rewind
Monday I spent time announcing our first round of Skoglund Spotlight Students, taking pictures, and getting articles out to the local papers. As Spotlight Students the kids were given a lunch line pass for the month, a recognition certificate, pictures in the paper, and lunch from Dairy Queen! Congratulations again to our Spotlight Students and thanks to all the teachers who submitted nominations. We will have our next selections at the end of the month.
I was able to get into classrooms and watch instruction throughout the week. I also spent some time this week working on the middle/high data board that Lori Cooper is organizing. I had a productive meeting with the LA team and my monthly AD meeting in Alamosa. We hosted our last two regular season home games for girls’ basketball. Tuesday night our girls played against Sierra Grande and Thursday we hosted Alamosa. Friday, my main focus was on getting together the classroom furniture sheets based on the conversations I had with staff throughout the last two weeks. I also toured the building on Friday to check various class sizes and set ups and make sure that the classrooms assigned are the most appropriate for the intended purposes.
I was able to get into classrooms and watch instruction throughout the week. I also spent some time this week working on the middle/high data board that Lori Cooper is organizing. I had a productive meeting with the LA team and my monthly AD meeting in Alamosa. We hosted our last two regular season home games for girls’ basketball. Tuesday night our girls played against Sierra Grande and Thursday we hosted Alamosa. Friday, my main focus was on getting together the classroom furniture sheets based on the conversations I had with staff throughout the last two weeks. I also toured the building on Friday to check various class sizes and set ups and make sure that the classrooms assigned are the most appropriate for the intended purposes.
Forward Focus
Monday, I will be meeting with the administrative team to use the Focal Point mid-year report to identify key areas for leadership and instructional improvement in the coming year. That afternoon the DLT will meet to continue that conversation, identify key points to focus on, and create action plans that will bring about leadership and instructional improvement for the future.
Tuesday afternoon we will host the first round of the girls’ basketball tournaments in the elementary gym. Our 7th and 8th graders will be playing Monte Vista. The final games of the tournament will be held on Thursday- Saturday in Sanford. Wednesday I will be meeting with the Wendy O’Rourke, Del Norte Middle School Principal, to discuss our progress on use of the Focal Point curriculum and plan future collaboration dates for staff. Wednesday and Thursday we will release students at 2:00 pm and Parent/Teacher conferences will be held from 3:30- 7:00 pm both nights. Thursday afternoon we will have an Upward Bound presentation in the library for 8th grade students. Friday evening I will be helping with the high school Last Hurrah activities.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!
Tuesday afternoon we will host the first round of the girls’ basketball tournaments in the elementary gym. Our 7th and 8th graders will be playing Monte Vista. The final games of the tournament will be held on Thursday- Saturday in Sanford. Wednesday I will be meeting with the Wendy O’Rourke, Del Norte Middle School Principal, to discuss our progress on use of the Focal Point curriculum and plan future collaboration dates for staff. Wednesday and Thursday we will release students at 2:00 pm and Parent/Teacher conferences will be held from 3:30- 7:00 pm both nights. Thursday afternoon we will have an Upward Bound presentation in the library for 8th grade students. Friday evening I will be helping with the high school Last Hurrah activities.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!