Week of 2/26/24

Something Personal  

Something professional 

From the Library

Let the library support your research units! We can provide books, movies, database suggestions, or other resources that can help your students succeed. We can also borrow from other schools through an Interlibrary loan. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need materials- we can help! Michelle can also use library class time to collaborate with you on research- want students to work on a research packet during library? How about choosing a topic? How about writing sources?  We can help in many ways!

No meeting weeks

The next two weeks we have no meeting weeks. The purpose of this is to afford extra time for portfolios, report cards, you name it. We do still have an evening PTSO on 3/13, but no level meetings or building staff meetings during the next two weeks. 

Testing schedule...wowzers!

We have the ELA and Math (CBT) coming up after our next break. For those that like to plan ahead, please use the link below to view the schedule for those days! Please note that this can also be found in the Hub! 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MODIFIED SCHEDULE

Week of 2/12/24

Something Personal 

Having posters on the wall and bringing the learner profiles to life within a classroom are two different things. As a school, it is our charge to model and to relentlessly pursue the learner profiles through our daily life at QUEST. I've often viewed the profiles and AtL's as our invisible backpack. Different moments call for different sides of us in order to be successful, and this invisible backpack contains all we--and our students--need to thrive. 

Through my last round of walkthroughs, I have been most impressed with the language of the IB Profiles that I have heard woven into instructional experiences for students. Here are some of the ways I have heard/witnessed the profiles being used: 

• Included in a learning target: I witnessed a profile being added into the learning target. Instead of "I can demonstrate my understanding by solving a two digit by two digit multiplication problem two different ways," it was "I can be open minded by solving a two digit by two digit multiplication problem two different ways." The behavior was attached to the action! 
• Used to provide feedback. Instead of telling a student they are doing a great job at something, point out how they are using a profile to be successful with the given task. Or, better yet, ask them what profile they just used to be successful with the problem they are facing.
• Noticing it in a text. Characters change, grow, and always face problems. But identifying how characters use a profile to overcome obstacles can be quite fruitful. This can also be woven into informational text as you look at biographies, and our everyday heroes!
  
• Framing a task with the profiles when you give directions. Instead of "today you will be working on.." I noticed someone remind the students that they would need to be a risk-taker as they approached a new task that required them to strength their thinking. After a mini-lesson and before the learning is handed over to students, reaching into that backpack and reminding them what they will use to be successful can help them internalize and apply the profiles. 
• Students pointing out and celebrating examples of the learner profiles in one another! Shout out boards? Caught-ya time?? 
• Added into daily/weekly reflections. Chomping on some popcorn on a Friday, or writing a weekly reflection to share with home, I have witnessed the profiles infused into those discussions as well. 

As you do the day-to-day, and as we continue to highlight a profile each month, really dig deep and consider how you use them, and how you help our students use them, in a way that is organic and meaningful. 

Keep up the great work, Q-town! 

Something Professional

Lockdown Unannounced

Our next unannounced lockdown will occur in mid-March. As always, please ensure you are always prepared. Reach out with questions. 

Support for Exams

Those interested in having students become familiarized with the CBT testing approach, you can find practice exams using this link. 

 

CLICK HERE

CIA:BREAKOUT SESSIONS FOR DEI

Please reach out if you do not see your name. 

WHEN: 2/27

WHERE: See chart below for your assignment 

CBT Staff Meeting

On 3/26, we have a staff meeting where all of us will review proctoring for the CBT.  Any aide or TA that support students with testing, we'd love for you to join this staff meeting at 7:50 am. Please fill out a claim form for your time. If you are unable to attend, please let Derek and Amanda know so we can find a different time for you.

Week of 2/5

 Something Personal 

The Power of Moments

Chip and Dan Heath (yes, I am a fan as they also wrote about sticky teaching!) have a great book on the power of moments. Based on behavioral research, they suggest that not all moments are created equal, and that some moments are more powerful because of certain elements. These powerful moments typically occur during life milestones, or transitions, but the one thing that all memorable--or powerful--moments include is a connection to strong human emotions.

I was reminded of this book this week when I observed a classroom where a student who, to be honest, has had quite a bit stacked against them, became an actual station in the workshop. Their brilliant ideas became a game for all the other students to use and follow. And just like that, I saw a student experience what will be a moment that they will not forget. 

Every single day, we have a chance to create moments for our students and for one another. I'll never forget some of the harder moments(the valleys!) that we as a staff have shared, but I also will never lose the memory of the peaks we have shared as well. The same is true for all of us, and for our students. 

I challenge all of us to find ways to create positive moments for our students. Each student, and each colleague, has seeds of greatness in them, and we get the privilege of creating moments for our larger community. 

Go QUEST! 

Something Professional

Task: Have students write a thank you note for their bus driver! 

Why? See below!

Portfolio Share: Found on the Hub

QUEST Portfolio Share

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.

Many staff also share academic improvement, and sometimes district benchmarks.

 

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.

***If you and your team are doing an after school time, please let Derek know so he can have security attend!

 

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.

And of course, the dates:

Fire Inspection Checklist : Fire Inspection set for March 4th and 5th

 

Week of 1/29/24

 Something Personal 

We are deep into the year at this point, and our goal is to continue to push our students as learners, thinkers, and people (through our use of the learner profiles). For a moment of self-reflection, consider a recent lesson you taught, or a recent bit of feedback that you provided to a child. Does the feedback you provided check all the boxes?

(see below the picture for the effect size of feedback...effective feedback to be specific!)

Something Professional 

IB Profile of the Month: Principled 

The IB Learner Profile for the month of February is Principled. Doing the right thing when nobody is looking……

 

See below for our kid friendly definitions of Principled.

 

Principled – I know the difference between right and wrong and act honestly and responsibly.

 

February--Black History Month

Happy Black History Month! https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

 I recently heard someone express how we should all celebrate Black History Month, but more than that, we should 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.

Black History Month update

 

Black History Month Resources

https://libguides.monroe2boces.org/blackhistorymonth

 

February is Black History Month. Visit the library's biography section for a display of books to support your teaching. You can also visit the link for digital resources, including direct links to library databases, e-books, video, and more.

 

Love the Bus Month...February

Action: 

Please have your students make cards for their bus driver and hand them to them one day in February. 

To do: 

February is Love the Bus Month, and we are encouraging all schools to find meaningful ways to pay tribute to our hard-working bus drivers.

Context: 

 This event is to raise awareness and show our appreciation to school bus drivers across our district who safely transport and ensure the best start and finish to each student's day.

 It's a great time to let them know just how much they mean to our students and families.

 During this annual event, bus drivers are celebrated with cards and sign or any ideas your schools or students should have. 

 Love the Bus is a great opportunity to thank the people that protect our most precious cargo – our children – and who serve as role models to the Hilton students who ride to and from school each day,

 The Love the Bus program was founded in 2007 by the American School Bus Council. It is an ongoing campaign celebrated on Valentine’s day and throughout the month of February in school districts across the country to recognize hundreds of thousands of school bus drivers who safely transport children to and from school.

 Thank you for your support, 

 Kristen 

 

https://nationaltoday.com/love-the-bus-month/

Love the Bus Month Love The Bus Month is a month-long celebration to highlight the importance of school buses and the experiences of students in the United States. nationaltoday.com

From the Technology Office 

In the 2023-2024 school year, the district purchased and implemented RemindHub as a method of staff communication with families and students in addition to classroom phones and district email in order to meet our goal of streamlining communication methods to families district wide.  

 As a result, Bloomz, ClassDojo, and Seesaw use by staff in Hilton Central School District will be discontinued on June 30, 2024.  

 Throughout the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year, it will be important to transition to other approved digital tools for any features of Bloomz, Class Dojo, and Seesaw that staff members may still be utilizing. The instructional techs will be available to help with this as needed. It is suggested during the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year staff begin to trial the replacements with students in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year. 

 Thank you for understanding the importance of adhering to safety guidelines with our staff and students' personally identifiable information. 

One School One Book

We are excited for this year’s “One School, One Book” with Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library by Chris Grabenstein. Here is the approximate timeline (subject to change)Kickoff Wednesday, April 17 (morning meeting)
First reading day is Thursday, April 18
Last reading day is Friday, May 17

As in years past, we will ask faculty and staff to sign copies of the books for families when they arrive. We will also be asking for volunteers to record themselves reading a chapter of the book so we can have an audio version available. We will also have a reading calendar for students to stay on track, as well as other fun surprises! Please stay tuned for more details. Any questions, feel free to reach out to Michelle or Beth.

 

https://watchkin.com/61e7fa1bfb

Best Buddies!

Best Buddies is once again facilitating an Equity and Inclusion and Autism Awareness Shirt Sale! We did update the design a bit this year and have more color choices as well 🙂

 

Please share out this link with all of your buildings so everyone in the district is INCLUDED (central office too)!  If you could spread the word with staff/ students/ parents via your principal blog/ newsletter/ Twitter feed that would be amazing! This sale is active now and will run through 2/14.

 

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://bestbuddies2024.itemorder.com/shop/home/?success=true

Hilton Best Buddies Spirit Wear 2024 Online ordering for Hilton Best Buddies Spirit Wear 2024 ends on Wed, Feb 14, 2024 (11:59 PM EST) bestbuddies2024.itemorder.com

 

 

 

Empty Bowls

 Empty Bowls is coming up! Any staff that would like to volunteer should talk to Sam Powley.

Week of 1/29/24

 Something Personal 

Each January, I feel like all I do is talk about QUEST--I wouldn't change it for the world, however, it quickly becomes time consuming. We've had quite a few tours already, with more to come, and we also held a parent information night. So far, we've received just shy of 90 applications (just for K)--which "might" be the record for applications--with a week to go!

 Out of all levels and applications we have received, below is the data as to why they decided to apply. 

And below is what helped them decide! Almost 50% are from word of mouth! 

Why does this matter?

We are a public school of choice, and to be honest, the reputation of the school matters--if people do not want to choose us, that would get tricky. But as I have said before, the walls don't make QUEST, the people do. The daily interactions matter. The way we make kids feel matter. The above and beyond to help students see--through their learning--that their actions matter. The extra steps to be welcoming and affirming. The extra work to have beautiful and meaningful traditions. It all matters. 

I hope we always take time to see all the good we do for kids. There will always be plenty of areas to grow in, and we will forever be evolving as a team, but the impact we can have, and do have, for a community in Monroe County is real. People see this. I see this, and I hear about it when we give tours and answer questions. And I hope you see it. Keep doing good work for kids! 

Something Professional 

Restart Chromebooks on Paydays

Each payday, I would encourage you to restart your Chromebook and, if able, have students restart theirs as well. The purpose of having it on a payday is just to have a cue to remember, however, restarting keeps the machine updated and more efficient to use. 

As a general practice, I'd encourage you to do even more than once every other week, however, as a baseline please do at least twice a month.

Half or Full Day Absence Request

This reminder is being placed on the blog to ensure we are aligned with procedures from each building.

As a staff member at QUEST, when you are out of the building for any reason (sick, work-related, personal, etc) for at least a .5 day, please follow these procedures:

1. Submit a Time-Off Request through Frontline Education.

2. When you submit time-off, you will have the chance to request a substitute (if required for your position).

3. Email the QUEST Main Office staff to notify them of your absence prior to your start time (Derek and Paula).

District Values

Thanks to those of you who gave input. The following district values were approved by the BOE.