Week of 4/15/24

 Something Personal 

The school has been buzzing with students taking action through Exhibition. No matter how big or small the action is, the idea is all about agency. But agency itself is not limited to the big, grand moments of action tied to a particular planner at the end of intermediate. Rather, agency can, and should, be part of each classroom, each day. 

Agency is about ownership, empowerment...keepin the student in the driver seat. I often tell parents that it is our job to help the student know who they are and what they need as a learner...that level of agency will transcend the walls of QUEST and provide each child with the tools to be successful for years to come. In my day-to-day travels, this has looked like: 

• Students having a choice in how they will show their learning. 
• Students working toward learning or AtL goals.
• A teacher providing clarity around what success will look like but the student determining whether or not they've arrived and can demonstrate the learning goal. 
• Students sharing their ideas in class through routines like accountability talk (math talk). 
• Students using modifications and accomodations that help THEM as a learner...and initiating that. 
• Students taking action as a result of a planner. 
• Students determining what Zone they are in emotionally and what strategies they could use. 
• Students banging down my door to share, yet another, idea for the building.

Check out the two visuals below, and hats off to agency! 

Something Professional

PTSO Surplus

As you've likely heard, almost all surplus projects were approved by the PTSO. We are at the end of their surplus funds, meaning that the PTSO will have to be extra cautious when approving anything extra. This does not include any allocated budget line, but just be aware that any extra funding that moves beyond your allocation is at risk for a potential no vote. If you read this entire paragraph, please pat yourself on the back! Proud of you.

Kudos for all of the thoughtful funding requests--they were great. We are extremely lucky as a small school to have such an incredibly hard working PTSO that supports our goals. 

Vertical Teams Update!

Placement (repost from last week)

We are starting placement next week. The process has been revised this year, specifically what needs to be done by classroom teachers. Our goal is to align it with MTSS systems and make it fact based, while removing subjectivity. See the timeline below and check out the quick video to review how the process is different. Please note that each week you will get instructions as we move through this timeline, however, it is good to be on top of it and aware of the shifts. 

PLACEMENT VIDEO!

Safety Reminder

In the event of a lockdown drill, or real lockdown, please remember:

•  to sign-in to navigate;
• quickly look in the hall for any kid passing by...pull them into your room for safety;
• keep kids and yourself out of the line of sight from the door;
• lock your door; 
• stay in a lockdown until all is cleared.