Weekly Update for week of 1/23/23

 Team,

Keep Growing You! 

Our personal journey always intersects our professional journey. Keep being your best self--our school is filled with amazing humans, and that is why QUEST is what it is. WE are QUEST, not the brick and mortar. 

Summer Day...Now a Supt. Conference Day 

Summer Day is now a Supt. Conference Day. This day will be the same across all schools, but we will do our work within QUEST. Here are the details: 

What: 

Summer Day...now a Supt. Conference Day

When: 

Wednesday, August 23rd . 8-3 pm 

Where: 

QUEST

Staff Meeting on 1/31 at 7:50 am

We will be doing round two of our DEI community circles next Tuesday. Just a reminder to go to your specific assigned group. Please reach out if you do not see your name! 

31-Jan	Group 1	Group 2	Group 3	Group 4
	Facilitator	Facilitator	Facilitator	Facilitator
	Derek	Liz Thornton	Julie Forgione	Kristy Shafer
	Location	Location	Location	Location
	Cafe	Library	Aud.	Gym
	Staff Members	Staff Members	Staff Members	Staff Members
	Julie Blandford;	Bre Stanford;	Nicole DiBattisto	Alicia Francesca
	Annie Yensan	Kelsey Rising	Ashley Pierri	Amy Firkins
	Emily Tracey	Katie PJ	Karen Velyk	LaDonna Howell
	Paige Langswager	Carol Jones	Barb Jones	Mary Elias
	Kennedy Johannes	Emma Monfiletto	Danielle Duffy	Dave Moore
	Loni Butlin	Brenda Carpenter	Nate Gibbs	Brenna Healey
	John Weingart	Anna Kingdollar	Heidi Lancia	Shalyn Pestilli
	Jessica Pignato	Jim DePrez	Jacob Farrell	Shana Kohler
	Cathy Lippincott	Judy Fuller	Greg Booth	Rebecca Bauman
	Elizabeth Hardie	Valerie McCormick	Lance Trott	Sayra Ford
	Ashley Slaby	Jennifer Donovan	Candace Henry	Sarah Butler

Playground Equipment When Wet

 Please continue to take kids outside to play through the winter, however, some of the equipment needs great caution when wet. If it is wet out, please have students play in the snow versus on the playground.  This poses injury risk, and we have had a couple recent injuries due to the playground being wet. 

 

Culture Day

Please mark your calendars as another amazing QUEST tradition will be returning this spring!

Culture Day will take place on Friday, May 26^th, 2023. It is a half day for students and our schedule will look a tad bit different this year.

More details will follow as the date grows closer.

From the Office of Instruction

NYS is requiring students to have four common, hands-on learning experiences prior to the NYS Science Grade 5 and 8 exams called investigations. The Office of Instruction and the science content leaders have been working together to unpack them, determine what teachers will need to know and be able to do, and develop an implementation and training plan to accomplish this.  Below is a BRIEF introduction to the investigations. 

1. What an investigation is.... Each investigation is a 45-60 minute learning experience teachers facilitate with students.  It is mandatory and meant to be completed in the years leading up to NYS Science Gr. 5 exam. 15% of the exam is derived from these investigations.  
2. What it is not....It is NOT a state assessment administered to achieve a particular benchmark or score.   It is not something we send home, put in a report card or opt out of.  The state provides the teacher and student directions, the student response packet and rubric; we are to use these as intended as part of classroom instruction.
3. Who it will impact...During this school year, this will only impact grade 4, as they will implement two investigations (in May and June).  Next school year and beyond, Grade 3 will implement one investigation, grade 4 will implement one investigation, and Grade 5 will implement two investigations. 

 

We know you will have many questions about this- training, materials, timelines, responsibilities, etc.  No need to worry right now.  We will share more details next month with a more in-depth look at the science investigations.   Additionally,  Kristen and/or Karen will walk you through the Investigation and your role in March, and ensure you have access to any training that you need.

Best Buddies

 

Hi everyone! 

 

Best Buddies is once again facilitating an Equity and Inclusion Shirt sale 🙂  This year we also are featuring a special Autism Acceptance shirt as well (April is Autism Awareness Month).

 

Please share out this link with all of your buildings so everyone in the district is  INCLUDED (central office too)!  If you could share it with staff/ parents via your principal blog/ newsletter/ Twitter feed that would be amazing! This sale will run through 2/8.

 

For those of you who don't know, Best Buddies is a high school club with a mission centered around inclusion.  We pair students with developmental disabilities with their non-disabled peers to foster friendships. It is a wonderful club with an amazing spirit!  Thank you for your support!

 

 

https://hiltoncadetsbestbuddies.itemorder.com/shop/home/

 

Hilton Best Buddies Spirit Wear 2023 Online ordering for Hilton Best Buddies Spirit Wear 2023 ends on Wed, Feb 8, 2023 (11:59 PM EST) hiltoncadetsbestbuddies.itemorder.com

Child Safety Lessons

 

Healthy QUEST Spirit Week

 

Weekly Update for Week of 1/16/23

 Team,

Great Cultures=Great Teams

Ring the Bell

A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that it is important to bring student goals back to life. Do students remember their goals? Setting goals is not just a November thing, rather, the process of meeting the goal is something we have to intentionally keep alive in our classrooms. 

Continue to push goal setting with students. And, do not forget, have them ring the bell if a goal is achieved! 

Portfolio Share Review

This was shared the last two years, and in upcoming level meetings many will be discussing portfolio share in preparation for the coming months. You can also find this information on the Hub, beneath the reports/assessment column. 

Purpose: The purpose of portfolio share is to collaborate with the family and student to demonstrate evidence of growth based on pre-determined goals (goals that are set at the three-way conference). It is part of our reporting system at QUEST Elementary. This should give parents clarity regarding current performance as compared to what was demonstrated at the three-way conference.

 

Methods: Mutually agreed upon time between teacher/home. This can be done during the school day, after school, before school, or at the teacher/families choosing. Some may also opt. to do them electronically where the student takes it home and the parent views and signs off on it with the student.

 

Please be sure that: We provide flexibility if a parent can’t make it. If we do them where the student shares at home, there should be a platform for parents to ask questions and communicate with the teacher. 

 

Remember that: it is okay to differentiate our methods. If our colleague chooses one method and we choose another, that is okay as long as the purpose is met. Parents also prefer differentiated approaches, as long as it is clearly communicated to them and they  have options. If a parent does not want to come in despite you attempting, please be sure to send it home to the parent so we have done our part to share evidence of learning with them.

Auditorium Sound System and Organization

Our sound system is finished! I was able to sneak in on my way out Wednesday and sing a Michael Buble song, and I can confirm that it works! 

The next step is we will have a training with point people--sound producers--should your class have tech. needs in the aud. 

Sound Producers: Shalyn (lead producer), Val, Booth, Shana, Derek, Heidi, Paula, Lyza, Lance

Black History Month--February! 

I recently heard someone express how we should not only celebrate black history, but we should also use this month—and any other history month (women’s history, etc)--as an audit for what we do all the other months of the year.

• Do the stories we put in front of students represent all? Do they serve as both mirrors and windows?
• Do we dig deep into the history, or do we only focus on prominent, black scholars that we all grew up learning about (MLK, Rosa Parks, etc)?

 

As we celebrate Black History Month, I challenge you to consider your own practices that you use throughout the year and, in doing so, find natural entryways to deliver learning that serves as both windows and mirrors.

Some questions to chew on: 

• How can black history be infused into hallway and school-wide meetings?
• What percentage of literature that you put in front of students highlights black history? 
• Do you only highlight the popularized names in black history, or do you also dig deep into local heroes? 

Class of 2023 Fundraiser

 

Click here to order.

Weekly Update for week of 1/10

 Team, 

The sun will be back before we know it! Keep plugging along! 

Tours Coming Up! 

On 1/11/23 we held our Parent Information Night and officially opened up tours. You can expect random tours for the next two weeks. Lyza will be emailing out a schedule. 

Our students give the tours because, well, it is their school to show. Please join me in welcoming our guests in true QUEST fashion. 

Budget Frozen

The budget originally froze as of 1/1/23. With that, it has become clear that this was not communicated well enough. As the building leader, I am sorry.

Because of this, the budget will now freeze on 1/20/23. If you have any final purchases, please submit any last minute spending of your budget by 1/20/23. 

Picking Students Up On Time

Unfortunately, the lunch room is experiencing many poor behavioral choices by students while waiting in line. Please be sure to pick your class up on time to help circumvent potential issues. The lunch team greatly appreciates your support with this! 

AED Machine at QUEST

We had two recent questions in regards to the location of the QUEST AED machine. The QUEST AED machine is located in the hallway across from the BOE room. 

Sled Race 

The Sled Race will likely not occur on 1/20 due to the lack of snow. Please stay tuned for updates. 

Weekly update for week of 1/3/23

 Team,

What are your goals for 2023?

80% of New Year's Resolutions fail by February! Yikes. Is the problem the person or the understanding of how we can set effective goals? Instead of using negative self-talk and putting yourself down if you fall short on a 2023 goal, consider the process of goal setting. Below is a Podcast from Longevity expert Peter Attia. Enjoy! 

click here!

Walkthroughs 

Unannounced walkthroughs begin next week! Although you will not know when I am coming in, please know that the goal is to watch a typical lesson on a typical day. Do your thing!

As always, please reach out if you have any questions. 

Information Night

A good survey typically has a 10% response rate. Our Information Night survey had a bit over that with 89 families participating. Based on the results, 70% of parents are interested in an Open House style approach where students get to come in. See the survey results below. 

Next steps: 

• Review with Management Team
• Make final decision with Management Team (please feel free to share thoughts with your Management Team Rep.)
• Provide supports with potential shift, as needed

Because this night is intended to serve parents, we surveyed them. With that being said, your feedback is also welcomed. If you would like to provide feedback, please reach out to Derek on this topic. 

Student Goals

As we enter the month of January, how are we ensuring that student goals remain in the forefront of their routines? Something to chew on! 

Erin's Law Lessons

Starting in the month of January, K-6 students in the Hilton School District will participate in Child Safety Matters Lessons, delivered by facilitators from the Bivona Child Advocacy Center. Below is some information for you regarding the lessons and activities. More about the Child Safety Matters curriculum can be found on the Monique Burr Foundation's website: https://www.mbfpreventioneducation.org/why-use-our-programs/mbf-child-safety-matters/

• Lessons must be delivered by individuals who have been specifically trained in the Monique Burr Foundation's Child Safety Matters curriculum.
• During lessons, at least one mental health provider and one teacher from the building are in the classroom with the students. 
• Lessons focus on similar topics for all grades K-6 but are delivered in developmentally appropriate ways for each age group.
• Typically, the information is shared with students in two lessons, but will sometimes be split into shorter lessons based on time constraints. 
•  

Lesson 1 Topics	Lesson 2 Topics
o    Safety Awareness o    Shared responsibility for safety o    Safe Adults o    Types of Abuse o    Red Flags o    Safety Rules	o    Bullying o    Cyberbullying o    Digital Abuse o    Digital Safety Tips o    Digital Citizenship o    Safety Rules

• A key concept throughout the lessons includes the Five Safety Rules:
• Know What's Up
• Spot Red Flags
• Make a Move
• Talk It Up*
• No Blame, No Shame
• *In the "Talk It Up" rule, students are taught to share information with a trusted adult if they are feeling unsafe. Students are provided with bookmarks to share with an adult they identify as one of their "trusted adults". If a student presents you with this bookmark, know that they see you as an adult who they trust to get the student any help they may need. 

I hope you find this information helpful in understanding the learning experiences students will have over the next few months in each of our elementary buildings.  

 

Kristen Paolini

Sled Race 

The Sled Race is scheduled for 1/20 at 9:30 am. Parents are welcome to join. please be on the lookout for a change in date should we end up with no snow! 

Great work, Mr. Booth!