Week of 10/10/23

Something Personal

Last week, we were prompted to contemplate the concepts of dignity and belonging, which deeply resonated with me. There is nothing more crucial than ensuring that each of you feels a profound sense of belonging and, subsequently, fosters that feeling within our students and among each other.

I would argue that we excel in this goal, but in true QUEST fashion, we refuse to become complacent. Our school is indeed thriving, but we continue to evolve and enhance our approach, all thanks to your collective efforts. Thank you!

In our pursuit of establishing a culture of belonging, let's assess our progress in upholding our welcoming and affirming commitments. Take a moment to reflect on what you're excelling at and identify areas where there is room for growth.

As always, your dedication is greatly appreciated. Wishing the team a fantastic week ahead.

Something Professional 

Safety Q and A & Reflection

We have concluded our evacuation drills for this fall. If you'd like to provide feedback, or you have some ideas that can enhance our safety practices around evacuation, please use the form below (please note this is optional and it is not anonymous so that there can be follow up with your ideas if needed). 

Evacuation Drill Feedback Form

Reminders

• For those that are required to provide conferences, please remember to share your conference schedule with Derek. I've received a good handful so far! 
• If you are hosting an event at the school, feel free to reach out to Derek and Dave I. to request someone at the front door. If Mr. Inzana knows a couple weeks in advance he is always happy to have someone join.
• Student Council applications are available in the office!
• Musical applications will be ready on Monday! 
• You matter. Remember that.
• Picture day is next week! Lead learners should all go down for a photo as well--this goes in the yearbook! There will be no school-wide meeting Wednesday as a result. 

MTSS Update 

Last Friday you were able to enjoy five afternoon stations on MTSS. This input was important, but I wanted to add another layer of review for the MTSS Problem Solving process. Please check out the video below, which reviews the flow chart pictured below. 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO!

Weekly Update for 10.2.23

 Team, 

Something Personal

We all bring our unique communication styles, needs, and approaches to our jobs. However, beneath these differences, we share a common human need for love and belonging. Despite this universal need, we often receive affirmation in different ways, similar to the concept of love languages. It is this diversity that makes us uniquely human.

As we enter October, we find ourselves a month into the school year, with nine months still ahead. Have you taken the time to reach out to families, regardless of your role, and celebrate their children? Have you considered how many colleagues you have affirmed in some way, contributing to a sense of belonging that they, and you, inherently desire? In a world where we are go-go-go, how easy it is to overlook the power of our support.

Education is a field that undergoes constant change, constantly evolving. No two years are the same, and this is both the challenge and the beauty of our work. However, the power of relationships remains constant. The need to feel affirmed and validated never shifts.

As we transition into October, I encourage all of us to express the uplifting thoughts we have about others. Don't just keep those thoughts to yourself, but find a way to share them! You never know the impact your positive feedback can have.

Something Professional

DEI Staff Meeting for 10/24: 

On 10/24 we will have a district organized staff meeting around DEI. Last year we did community circles, and this year we are doing breakout sessions based on an instructional strategy (that supports DEI). We need you to express your interest in breakout sessions. Please fill out the survey below so we can get it organized! 

FILL OUT THIS SURVEY ASAP!

Pledge and Student/Staff Rights

This was shared last year, but as a general reminder, a person has a right to not stand or remove their hat for the pledge. 

Vertical Team Meeting (staff meeting) Reminder: 

When: Tuesday, 10/10 at 8 am.

Where: QUEST Cafe

What: Meet with the vertical team you signed up for and then share out at the end

Tech Incentives!

Field Trips

If you are going on a field trip, including a walking field trip, please be sure to fill out the form two weeks prior (or earlier). There are stages of approval that can be missed if not submitted well in advance. 

If you needed something last minute please come chat and we will see what we can do, but please try to get it in early! 

Conferences: Goal Setting

As a reminder, QUEST does goal setting at our three-way conferences. Students set goals based on the Approaches to Learning, and this is documented. Please review this at level meetings, and you can find the actual documents on the Hub. See the picture to the right for what the link looks like on the Hub. 

Why do we do it this way?

Our school is a PYP school, and part of that is the idea that students are the agents of their own learning. Meaning, they should be part of the process. This looks different by level, but the documents we used were created to keep us all aligned.

 Conferences from last week

Conferences are officially allowed to begin after 10/10/23. With that being said, please be aware that security will be available at the school from 4-8 pm on 10/26 and 11/14 (these are the district scheduled nights that are on the school calendar). In addition, these are the two nights Derek will be in the building if you need additional support with your conference (although I can make time on other nights if you need me).  

If you decide to do conferences outside of these nights, 5 3/4 hours (revised from last week per union meeting) of available times outside of the school day, at various hours in order to be a convenience to families, should be scheduled. 

Please provide Derek with your conference schedule once you have it complete!

Weekly update for 9/25/23

 Something Personal

Who will you become in the next five years? Even more significant, what choices do you make each day that propel you in a positive direction?

I came across this thought-provoking challenge, or rather, these questions, in a recent podcast. It squarely focuses on how every daily decision we make carries a compounding impact, ultimately shaping the trajectory of our lives. Our daily choices—our routines, habits, and the daily grind—determine what we manifest and who we evolve into. This notion is undeniably powerful but can also be intimidating when we consider its application to every facet of our personal and professional lives.

This concept is reminiscent of the idea of compounding interest. Think of the moments when we warmly greet children at the door each day or send those uplifting notes and make celebratory phone calls to families. These are emotional deposits. When we encourage a child or colleague, affirming their potential, we make yet another emotional deposit. These emotional deposits accumulate and form strong relationships that significantly enhance learning for our children.

As I stroll through the halls of QUEST, I witness these daily emotional deposits in action all the time. It's genuinely one of the most gratifying aspects of my job. However, let us all bear in mind that as we continue making these daily choices, we are actively shaping the future of our school and, on a personal level, determining who we become. We are the driving force behind the success of QUEST, and together, we will keep the momentum going!

Something Professional

Halloween 2024

• The 31st will be our parade. This is a half day of school.
• We will parade around the bus loop (remaining on the sidewalk so we don't all collapse on one another like last year). 
• The parade will begin at 9:30. Parents will be told about this in the blog for October. 
• If it rains, we will walk the halls one pole at a time. 
• Costumes should be appropriate for school. No weapons, no masks that are going to completely frighten our youngest kids, and nothing that is offensive as outlined by the code of conduct. 

SIT Decision: Adjust Family Pickup Time

SIT functions like management team and SIT combined. Recently, someone requested that we look at moving our parent pickup back five minutes to 3:25. After talking with Tara and SIT members, all felt like this would be helpful and doable. 

Starting October 16th, the parent pickup announcement will go off at 3:25. Please make sure students are ready and head right down. This will be communicated to parents via the blog ahead of time. 

We met our goal: Save the Date! 

Way to go, QUEST, and thank you for your hard work in promoting our Fundraiser. In celebration, the principal, and hopefully a few others, will take some pies to the face in a quick assembly on October 27th from 2:30-3. Please save the date!

MTSS Update: RtI Problem Solving Meetings

Next week at our Superintendent's Conference Day, MTSS coaches and the Office of Instruction will review the MTSS problem solving process (think RtI meetings). Our goal is to make these meetings proactive and highly responsive for our students. 

As a school, you can expect that we will begin to consult with staff members prior to any meetings to ensure you have all the supports that are needed within a classroom. When you express the need, we would look at these at CAP and someone would 

More to come, but we have officially started our problem solving meetings where we are focused on revisits. 

Google Meet? 

Did you know that we no longer have all of our Zoom licenses? Google Meet is the perfect replacement! If a parent says they can only meet virtually, this would be the option to use.

Need support with it? Check out below: 

Watch Google Meet Quick Start for Parent Teacher Conferences Video for visual guidance to

1. Create the Meeting Link - Select New Meeting - Create a Meeting for Later
2. Copy that link and send to parents. Be sure use the same link you sent out to parents to start your meeting the night of conferences.
3. Admit parents to the meeting.
4. Enjoy! 

If any individual need further assistance, see your friendly instructional tech.  For additional resources be sure to check out our comprehensive Google Meet Tutorial Library Located on our Instructional Tech Hub

Conferences

Conferences are officially allowed to begin after 10/10/23. With that being said, please be aware that security will be available at the school from 4-8 pm on 10/26 and 11/14 (these are the district scheduled nights that are on the school calendar). In addition, these are the two nights Derek will be in the building if you need additional support with your conference (although I can make time on other nights if you need me).  

If you decide to do conferences outside of these nights, 5 1/2 hours of available times outside of the school day, at various hours in order to be a convenience to families, should be scheduled. 

Please provide Derek with your conference schedule once you have it complete!

Back-to-School Night Feedback

Thank you for those that took the time to share your thoughts with me. Long story short, I learned: 

• Back-to-school night worked for us structure wise.
• It worked for us time-wise.
• It mostly aligns with our school values. 

The data is below for those interested. You can expect next year to be planned in a similar way (date, time, structure), with small tweaks here and there based on the anecdotal responses that made sense and are feasible.

From the Data Office

We have created a video to share with your teachers about the new Classroom Attendance function (that causes an error for us).  The video includes a one-step workaround.  

 

IC Tips and Trick Page: HCSD Reporting and Compliance Support - Infinite Campus Tips & Tricks (google.com)

 

 

Thank you!

Week of 9/18/23

 Something Personal 

The dinner table conversation this week led to a great conversation about the Zones of Regulation as both girls shared how they learned about them in class. With my dad hat on, this was exciting to hear as there is nothing better than knowing that they are developing an emotional vocabulary, ultimately increasing their emotional intelligence. Thank you, QUEST! 

As you know, we have a large chunk of staff starting the Zones this year as a pilot, but the end vision would be that hopefully we can move this to a school-wide approach in years to come. 

What are the Zones? 

The Zones of Regulation is a widely recognized framework designed to help children and individuals of all ages develop self-regulation skills and emotional awareness. It categorizes emotions and states of alertness into different zones(not good nor bad, just emotions to label and work through), each represented by a specific color. From there, strategies are taught to help children, and adults, navigate each zone effectively and in a healthy way. 

Why should the Zones become part of a classroom wide management plan: 

-Emotional Awareness: The Zones help students identify and label emotions. This ultimately supports the management of emotions. 

-Self-Regulation: Learning the Zones provides students with tools and strategies to regulate different emotional responses (and we don't have control over the emotions we feel, only how we respond!). 

-Social Skills: Knowing their own emotional state ultimately helps them to learn about the emotion of others--teaching them empathy. This can improve social interactions and help them to develop better communication skills. 

-Problem-Solving: The framework pushes students to think critically about why they might be in a Zone and then what to do to shift their emotion. This encourages proactive responses to challenges. 

-Academic Success: Students learn better when they are emotionally regulated. This is paramount. 

Why does this fit at QUEST? 

-IB: This aligns with the profiles of being balanced, reflective, a thinker, and caring. In addition, the self-management side of it aligns beautifully with ATL's. 

-Whole child: As highlighted above, we teach the whole child. It is as simple as that. Always have. Always will. 

-SEL: This aligns well with the SEL work that has taken place in Hilton. 

-We know that behaviors are a response to emotions. A child feels an emotion and reacts. Doesn't it make sense to increase their emotional vocabulary and related strategies? 

Although we are piloting this year, all are welcome to give the Zones a try!

Something Professional 

From the Director of Tech., Kristy Shafer

The District Technology Committee is looking for more staff members to join the group for the 2023-2024 school year. We meet four times a year (dates and times below), from 3:45 to 5 in the Board of Education Room at Quest Elementary. Attendance at all meetings isn't required to be part of the committee. We focus on topics related to technology implementation and integration throughout the district. If you are interested in participating, please contact Kristy Shafer at kshafer@hilton.k12.ny.us.

• October 24, 2023
• December 5, 2023
• February 6, 2024
• April 23, 2024

 Hallway Etiquette Reminders

Our classrooms that are located near the exits to the playground (north pole and south pole) often have interruptions when students are running outside for recess. 

As a general reminder for all of us, please be sure that our students are leaving the building quietly so that those students in those classrooms are able to remain engaged in their learning.

Thanks for your continued help with this.

MTSS Update

We have changed our family letter to communicate when a child is receiving MTSS services. Both reading and math center are sending home the same letters, which indicate the service (subject and tier 2 or 3) as well as who is providing the service. This may change again in the future as we tighten systems further, however, this is our starting point. See the letter below for your reference. 

NWEA

The window closes on October 16th. Please ensure we do not need to request any extensions! :) 

Video Coaching PD

Good afternoon,

Our Video Coaching Series for 2023-24 has been added to Frontline.

ALL COACHING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND NON-EVALUATIVE

You can sign-up by clicking on the links below…

 

This course is offered to all Teachers in the District.

 

New Teachers:

Video Coaching 100 is one component of the Induction Plan for Teachers New to the District.

(Click here for more info: Essential PDs for Probationary Teachers)

 

Video Coaching 100

SIGN UP DEADLINE

OCT 6, 2023

BEGINNERS ONLY

An introduction to how video helps you reflect and improve your instruction. This course takes the "Scary" out of undertaking a video for reflection and growth. Video 100 participants will partner with a Video 400 coach or Video Coaching Facilitator to help them reflect on their practice and impact student learning. Using Harvard's "Best Foot Forward” research you will be invited to video some of your teaching ("A Selfie”) reflect on it, identify a goal important to you and one which would advance student learning and then dialogue with your Video 400 coach or Video Coaching Facilitator to advance learning. Video 100 participants will meet with Jim Thompson (Coordinator of Hilton's Video Instructional Coaching Program) in-person on 11/7 at 3:45 and then connect with him on zoom 1/16, 3/19, and 5/7. Most participants say that this professional learning journey was ‘transformational”. ALL COACHING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND NON-EVALUATIVE.

 

Video Coaching 200

SIGN UP DEADLINE

OCT 6, 2023

PRE REQ Video 100

!! PRE-REQ is VIDEO COACHING 100 !! Building on Video Coaching 100 you will develop understanding of philosophy and practices of coaching; apply new learning to oneself or collaborative partners. Those who have attended Video 100 are invited to participate in Video 200. Jim Knight's newest book ‘The Definitive Guide to Instructional Coaching' will surface key chapters including "The Partnership Principles, Communication Skills, Coaches as Leaders, and The Impact Cycle”. Video 200 folks will engage with an individual or group video project mentored by member(s) of Video 400 or Video Coaching Facilitator(s). This project might be another "Selfie”, a group project involving video reflection and sharing, etc. Video 200 members will meet with Jim Thompson on Zoom 10/24, 11/21, 1/31, 12/19, 3/5, and 4/16 at 3:45 PM. Past participants have said this was very meaningful professional learning that very positively impacted their teaching. ALL COACHING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND NON-EVALUATIVE.

 

Video Coaching 300

SIGN UP DEADLINE

OCT 6, 2023

PRE REQ Video 100 And 200

!! PRE-REQs are VIDEO COACHING 100 AND 200 !! Building on Video Coaching 100 and 200 you will develop your Coaching Capacity while continuing self-reflection.. Those who have attended Video 200 are invited to participate in Video 300. "The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever" by Michael Bungay Stanier will be used. An individual or group video project mentored by member(s) of Video 400 or Video Coaching Facilitator(s) will also be part of Video 300. Some folks look to videoing a real or mock coaching conference for their project. Video 300 members will meet with Jim Thompson on Zoom 10/31, 11/28, 1/9, 3/12, and 4/23 at 3:45 pm. ALL COACHING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND NON-EVALUATIVE.

 

SIT

Our school improvement team is serving as a management team and a team that leads school goal efforts. 

If you have a concern that impacts the entire school, and that is non contractual, please communicate with a SIT rep. and we will include it on our agenda. SIT members are: 

Cathy Lippincott: Facilitator 

Derek Warren: Admin.qwr+

Amanda Wilson: SRP

Nicole DiBattisto, Katie PJ, John W, Brenda Carpenter: Teacher reps 

Walkthroughs and Observations

Walkthroughs and observations are starting to be planned. If Derek is your supervisor, you will receive a calendar invite next week for your first one (announced for those that only get walkthroughs).  

From Food Service

From Scott Z, Food Service Director: In the past, I have gone to classes on all levels to talk about food service, assist teachers with current curriculum (logistics, supply and demand, food insecurity, healthy options, etc), and answer questions about the program and regulations, etc. if you could reach out to your staff and let them know I would be happy to come in and assist with topics and answer questions,

Week of 9/11 Principal Update

 

Something Personal: 

This week I enjoyed the documentary on Jason Kelce (Eagle's center) and I stumbled upon a new song titled The Cape. Those poor Warren children must have heard it around twenty times by now!

Music hits people differently, so pardon me if this song doesn't make your top ten--or top 100--list, but it reminded me of sticking to my why; staying rooted in what really matters personally and professionally. But more than that, it is about trusting yourself when you are out living this thing they call life. 

You have a cape that you wear, and it is my hope that you come to work each day, and return home each day, still wearing your cape. You deserve it and our world needs what you have to offer. 

Enjoy the tune! 

Something Professional: 

Back-to-School Night

When: September 20th from 6-7. 

Who Attends: All lead learners under the HCSTA contract should join us! 

This is new, what will this be like? Students will come around with their parents to say hi. 

• A scavenger hunt will be provided to classroom teachers to have outside of their rooms! 
• We will have ice cream in the café! 
• Students will introduce mom and dad to their teachers! 
• With ten minutes left (6:50), a ten minute warning announcement will be made. At 7 parents will be thanked over the PA for joining us and reminded that the Book Fair is still open but teachers need to scoot. At that point I would encourage you to wrap up your conversations and slip out! 
• This is not a conference with parents. It's to say hi and to allow the student to share their room. Please do not feel obligated to over-do it in your classroom. Your warmth and welcome to families is the goal.

Looking Ahead (building meetings): 

MTSS Update: 

RtI Problem Solving--We will start RtI problem solving meetings on 9/21 for follow up kids and non-academic needs (executive functioning). If you have academic concerns about a kid, please go see John, our MTSS coach, to determine if we need an RtI meeting. The sign up will be added to the Hub, as normal. Meetings will be bi-weekly on Thursdays or Fridays every two weeks.

Sign-ups will be located on the Hub under the MTSS section!

Optional Book Study: Last Call (sign-up by Monday!)

From Frontline: QUEST teachers will engage in 15-hours of book groups around the topic of inquiry, concept-based instruction, or technology integration. Three books will be utilized: The Curious Classroom (Harvey Daniels); Concept-based Inquiry in Action - Rachel French's, and Don't Ditch that Tech, Differentiated Instruction in a Digital World. As part of the study, participants will engage in small groups to read, reflect, try strategies, and report back to their book group. Times listed are tentative and each book group will adjust the times, and format of meeting (Zoom or in-person), to meet their group needs while getting in the correct number of meetings.

Order which book you'd like to be part of here: click here to select your text if you are joining a book study!

Monday, 9/18: Executive Cabinet Listening Tour

Feel free to stop in and say hi to Casey, Ned, Kristen and Adam on 9/18 from 8-8:30 in the café. They are doing a listening tour, and Q-town is the first stop. 

Why are they doing this? 

As a result of the strategic plan feedback, they will be vising each department and building to learn about what is working and what they can do to strengthen organizational culture! 

This is an optional, stop and chat listening tour. They'd love to see you and hear your voice! 

Vertical Teams next Tuesday (was previously scheduled for 9/12, but moved to 9/19)! 

Next Tuesday, we will have vertical teams at 8 am. This counts as a staff meeting so a sign-in sheet will be available for those tracking their hours. 

If you have not signed up for one yet, please do so prior. There are four teams: IB, SEL, Health, and Sunshine (let's have some fun!). 

click here to sign up!

Attn: Salaried Employees

Tech Update

Google Meet: Beginning this year, Google Meet is the recommended video conferencing platform for staff hosting online meetings instead of Zoom. Instructional techs will offer an overview of this tool. If you need to utilize Google Meet sooner, please review the resources provided by Google or reach out to an instructional tech for support.

 Although Pro Zoom accounts are no longer available, you can attend Zoom meetings using your district Google account with a free Zoom license. 

Also from tech: 

We have received a request to offer additional training for staff on setting up and using Remind Hub. Based on this request, Jacquie Gilmore will be offering an optional overview of the Remind platform on Friday, September 22 at 1 PM. Sign up is required by Wednesday, September 20 at 12 PM through this form. This will be held in person at one of the elementary schools, with the location determined and emailed to registrants following the sign-up deadline. 

 

Safety Reminder from Mike 

This is a friendly reminder that in the afternoon before you leave, please make sure that you have closed and locked your windows. Both handles should be down in the locked position. If you are having problems with them please let me know and I will see what we can do to fix them. Also rescue windows should not be opened except in case of Emergencies. 

 Any questions please feel free to reach out to me. 

Thank you for your help in advance. 

From the Business Office! 

 

Welcome back from the Business Office!  This is to remind you that we are available assist you with any payroll questions/issues that you may have.  We understand that things can sometimes be confusing and hope that you will not hesitate to reach out. 

 

Please contact either Jim Barrett at ext. 7097 (jbarrett@hilton.k12.ny.us) or Sherri Damore ext. 7032 (sdamore@hilton.k12.ny.us).  We would be happy to help you!

 

NWEA!

 

I have a link to the slide deck/proctor guide for testing and a screencast for setting up NWEA test sessions. Not sure where the best place to share them is? I did send both to MTSS coaches as well. Here are the links:

 

Screencast

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nPEJL5NT6Xf0n-zIwZRCX0RWIFf9n4h-/view?usp=sharing

 

Slide Deck

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1oRevMee_vGCsd1vzIwp6I_xMPMeJnLDNyW_7F0B5s0Y/edit?usp=sharing

Copy of Hilton Proctor Slide Deck NWEA MAP Growth Proctor Slide Deck 1 docs.google.com

Week 1 Principal Update

Lead Learners, 

Something Personal

A new year can present our learners, and even the adults, a large buffet of emotions. Yet under all of these emotions rests human needs: the need to cared for, and the need to feel psychologically safe. There is nothing I want more than for work to feel psychologically safe for you, and our charge is to provide that safe feeling of safety for our students and for one another! 

If our students are to learn and grow exponentially, we must prioritize creating psychologically safe classrooms. Emotional and physical safety must be established. It is crucial for children to enjoy coming to school and not fear the classroom environment. The challenge lies in understanding that what makes one student feel safe may differ from another. It is our responsibility to delve deeper and discover what it takes for each child to feel secure and connected to their classroom, enabling them to embrace risk-taking.

 I recommend reading this article from Edutopia, which highlights some simple practices educators can implement to foster a sense of safety among students. It is important to remember that safety is an ongoing process that requires continuous investment, starting from day one.

Enjoy the article on creating a safe learning environment!

OR, better yet, listen to this podcast and check out the related article: HERE!

Something Professional 

MTSS: 

As you might recall from our "playbook," this year we are focusing on using student data to respond to student needs through interventions. I was able to sit in on two meetings this week, and I am blown away at the level of readiness that I am seeing. Our school knows how to collaborate and how to find the need that students have, and it shows. 

Where are we now? 

AIS and John have started meeting. They have identified which kids fall into tier 2 and 3. From there, they will be making their schedules, with the goal of starting interventions ASAP.

In two weeks, John will be coming to review and update all teams at level meetings! 

The Ride for Missing Children 

Next Friday, we will have the Ride for Missing Children riding through QUEST at 12:31. We will bring lunch classes out to view it. You are encouraged to make signs to cheer on our riders! 

Vertical Teams next Tuesday! 

Next Tuesday, we will have vertical teams at 8 am. This counts as a staff meeting so a sign-in sheet will be available for those tracking their hours. 

If you have not signed up for one yet, please do so prior. There are four teams: IB, SEL, Health, and Sunshine (let's have some fun!). 

click here to sign up!

NWEA Window

NWEA Testing Window

 

Knowing that it's imperative to have NWEA MAP testing completed on time to include student data in the MTSS Multi-Assessment Report, the Office of Instruction will open the K-6 NWEA testing window on September 11th. This is earlier than the original testing window. Teachers can begin administering the assessment on or after September 11^th as long as all testing is complete no later than October 16, 2023. 

 

Thank you!

 

Kristen Paolini

Assistant Superintendent for Instruction

Hilton Central School District

(585) 392-1000 ext. 6062