Week of November 17

It's a busy week here at Lake Elementary School. Here's how my week looks:

Monday, November 17
I'll be meeting with Bobbi and Diana today around 1:00, but other than that, I hope to get caught up on some paperwork and into classrooms.

Mrs. Schager is out today observing her participating teacher for BTSA. Mrs. Kraemer is her sub in second grade.

Tuesday, November 18
Auditors will be here all day for their bi-annual visit. They will be using the staff building, so if you're a staff member who goes there for lunch, you'll have to find an alternate place to eat. Feel free to continue to use the copier, but they'll be set up at the big table in the big room.

Great American Smoke-out Presentations will be occurring in grades 5-8 throughout the morning.

Monthly School Board Meeting in the 7th grade classroom at 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 19
First of three minimum days for Parent-Teacher Conferences, dismissal each day is 12:50 p.m.

I will be gone in the morning at the monthly SELPA and Superintendent's meetings, this time in Orland. Parent-Teacher Conferences from 1:00 - 3:45 p.m.

Thursday, November 20
I'll be eating lunch with some well-behaved third graders as they have earned "lunch with the principal". I'm looking forward to that as lunch with students is one of my favorite parts of this job.

At 1:00 I'll be participating in a webinar getting more familiar with our new statewide assessment system, CAASPP = California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress.

Second day of Parent-Teacher Conferences starting at 1:00 p.m., minimum day.

Friday, November 21
Third and final minimum day for Parent-Teacher Conferences.

And I'm excited to announce that, for the first time in six years, Lake will be hosting a junior high dance. On Friday, November 14, Student Council members presented at a special board meeting for approval of this dance. The Fall Ball will invite 7th and 8th graders from Plaza, Capay, and Lake. Pictures and refreshments will be offered. DJ-ing this great event is our own Lake Graduate, Spencer Kidder. Have a great time!

On a personal note, our favorite cook, Bobbi, will be gone this week Wednesday-Friday. We're so excited for her and her son and the rest of the family as he gets married this weekend! So if you see Bobbi and that odd, glazed look in her eye, just know that it is nothing more than wedding preparation! Fortunately, our great assistant, Diana, will be on hand to keep things going in the kitchen.

Next week we take the week off for Thanksgiving Break. May you have a relaxing, fun-filled week off.

Week of November 10

It was an exciting week for some of our students as grades 2, 3, 4, and 5 traveled to the Orland Public Library for the first time in several years. Students had the opportunity to get to know the library and learn how to check out books. This will be a monthly trip for these grades...educational and fun, too!

On Tuesday, I spoke at the Board of Supervisors meeting in Willows, along with Board Member, Yolanda Martinez, and community business owner, Pat Heitkum, regarding the flashing speed limit radar signs. While we still have some kinks to iron out, it is the expectation that the signs will be up and running by Christmas Break. Looks like 2015 will be the year of the signs!

At the weekly teacher meeting on Wednesday, teachers received a complimentary book, Essential Questions: Opening Doors to Student Understanding, authors Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins. We will be involved in a book study together learning what an essential question is and how it is different than other kinds of questions we ask in classrooms. Excited about this book study group!

On Friday, the word of the month, FAIRNESS, was introduced at the monthly assembly. Student Council members led the assembly that recognized Students of the Month, Panther Pride, as well as Lake Panthers who are participating in local football and cheer/dance teams.

Whew, what a week. Here's what next week looks like through my lens.

Monday, November 10
Jeans for Troops: Staff members can donate $5 to wear jeans; students can donate $1 to wear hats/beanies all day. Proceeds to veterans and current military personnel.

4:00  Meeting with Dr. Karle - draft board agenda

Tuesday, November 11
No school in honor of Veteran's Day

Wednesday, November 12
3:00  Teacher meeting - 6th grade classroom

Thursday, November 13
8th grade class off-campus to participate in Ropes Course - Paradise
1:30  Kinder volunteer
2:00  Everyday Math webinar

Friday, November 14
End of Trimester 1
10:00  Meeting with Jeffrey Soon
1:00  Maddee and Makenna dentist appointment (maybe dad can take this one)

As we begin to take a look at FAIRNESS for the month of November, here's a quote to live by:

Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring, and integrity, they think of you.

H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Week of November 3

Wow, last week was a crazy, fun, busy week! It was Spirit Week and Red Ribbon Week all rolled into one. We started the week off saying no to drugs and bullying and living a healthy lifestyle by wearing red, plus, the entire school walked one mile....completed with a police escort on Road N. Thanks to Deputy McDonnell for providing us with an escort.

Tuesday was was tie-dye day, a fashion statement that will NEVER go out of style. Wednesday was pink day and the first day of the football and volleyball tournament hosted at the school. Thursday was Panther blue day. Our football and volleyball teams played hard and it showed. Our football team won second while our volleyball team won first place. Way to go, Panthers!

Friday was Halloween and a minimum day. Hmm, I wonder if that was a coincidence. :) The traditional Halloween parade took place on the football field, followed by the annual staff picture, this year dressed up as the Dream Team. All this took place right before the rain began to fall. What a great morning!

And here we go into the first week of November. The following is what it looks through my lens.

We will have a rotating sub for kindergarten and first grade as the teachers pull students for Trimester 1 assessments.

Monday, November 3
Mr. Sonberg has a sub for jury duty
8:30 - Visiting classrooms with 7th grader sharing information about the new Power 30 option: the Garden Club
11:00 - Title III LEP Year 4 Planning Meeting in Willows
7:00 - Lake 4-H meeting in the cafeteria

Tuesday, November 4
Election Day
7:45 - IEP meeting - Learning Center
9:00 - Board of Supervisors meeting - Willows
1:30 - 2nd and 3rd graders to Orland Library
3:00 - IEP meeting - Learning Center

Wednesday, November 5
9:00 - 4th and 5th graders to Orland Library
3:00 - Teacher meeting - this is going to be a fun one - everyone gets a free gift!

Thursday, November 6
1:30 - Kinder volunteer

Friday, November 7
8:45 - Assembly