Week of April 27

And just like that, April comes to a close and we welcome in the month of May. I've never done an official poll, but I think it's safe to say May is one of the busiest months of the school year. Over the course of the next few weeks we'll be busy going on field trips, wrapping up state testing, attending a spring dance, eating PTO carnitas, and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Here's what's coming up this week:







Monday, April 27
Mr. Payne on campus subbing for Mrs. Wright while she attends an ELD training
9:30 - Workability on campus with PG&E guest speaker (in cafeteria)
10:00 - SPARK meeting (office)

Tuesday, April 28
CAASPP testing - math for 3rd and 4th, ELA for 5th and 6th
1:30 - 2nd and 3rd grade to Orland library
3:00 - IEP meeting - Learning Center

Wednesday, April 29
Minimum day - 12:50 dismissal
CAASPP testing - 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
8:15 - SELPA meeting - Willows
10:30 - Sup's meeting - Willows
2:30 - Teacher meeting (or Everyday Math meeting)
3:45 - Summer SPARK meeting (office)

Thursday, April 30
CAASPP testing - 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th
10:00 - Webinar - Toolkit for Foster Youth Success
1:00 - Kinder volunteer
5:30 - Softball practice - east field
6:30 - 4-H Rabbit meeting

Friday, May 1
8:45 - All-school assembly
9:30 - 1st and 2nd grade field trip - Schager Dairy
12:45 - Softball at Plaza

Week of April 20

Last week's Math and Science Night may well have been my most favorite event to date at Lake. I'm not sure how other principals communicate with their staff regarding events like this, but I have to be bluntly honest, the only thing I tell the teachers to do is make sure they are there from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. :) While I trust each and every one of them and know they'll make the school proud, it's events like this that solidify the notion that this truly is a special staff. I happen to be fortunate enough to have a kindergartener at Lake right now. On the way home from the night I asked her what her favorite classroom activity was, thinking I might get an idea of what was "cool" from her perspective. Without hesitation, she said, "All of them!" And if you ask most of the kids in attendance - and the parents for that matter - I'm guessing they would agree. Students and parents scurried from one classroom to another, in great anticipation of what awesome science or math activity awaited them. Thanks to the Lake Community for this well-attended event, as well as to all the staff that made this night a great success!

And without further ado, here's what this coming week looks like.

Monday, April 20
8:30 - 11:30 - Nora off-campus attending ELD Para Workshop in Oroville
9:00 - I'm off-campus until mid-morning
3:00 - TOMS update - meeting with Christine - my office
3:30 - Yearbook all-call with Alison

Tuesday, April 21
CAASPP Testing - 3rd and 4th grade
Yearbook orders and money due today
3:00 - School Board Meeting, 7th grade classroom

Wednesday, April 22
CAASPP Testing - 3rd and 4th grade
8:30 - 11:30 - LCAP Meeting - GCOE, Orland (I'll be off-campus)
3:00 - Teacher meeting, 7th grade classroom

Thursday, April 23
Happy Birthday, Mrs. J!
CAASPP Testing - 3rd and 4th grade
8:00 - 504 meeting
1:00 - Kinder volunteer
5:30 - Little League softball practice, east field

Friday, April 24
12:45 - Softball vs. Capay at Lake

Last full week of April - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT??

Week of April 13

Our last long break of 2014-15. The next time we'll have a day off is for Memorial Day and then a few weeks we'll bring this school year to a close. And while I think it's been a great year to date, there's a lot of wonderful stuff left to do! We've got Math and Science Night this week, CAASPP testing over the next several weeks; many of our students are involved in 4-H, which reminds me fair is just one month away! But before we get caught up in the things yet to come, let's take a look at this week.

Monday, April 13
I will be off campus most of the day speaking at CSU regarding the education profession.

Tuesday, April 14
8:00 - Meeting at Learning Center
2:30 - Meeting with Mrs. Taylor
4:00 - IEP meeting

Wednesday, April 15
Tax returns due. We're celebrating with a minimum day! :)
No teacher meeting as we prepare for Math and Science Night
6:30 p.m. - Math and Science Night, PTO selling pizza and drinks

Thursday, April 16
8:30 or so - Graduation Pictures in cafeteria - Grades K and 8
8:30 - Christine will be using the staff building for the CAA practice test (formerly known as CAPA); if there is a "Shhh..testing" sign on the door, please plan to do copies in the main building as well as have lunch elsewhere. We're not sure how long the practice test will take.

1:00 - Kinder volunteer
5:30 - Little League Softball using east field for practice

Friday, April 17
3rd and 4th Grade will be taking CAASPP practice tests during the day
Christine will still be utilizing the staff building for CAA practice test - watch for sign on door
12:30 - Softball games vs. Vina at Lake; amended lunch schedule - I'll send an email with the times
4:00 - CUE Meeting via Google Hangout

I'll close this weekly update with a quote by famed Chinese philosopher, Confucius, and our word of the month, diligence: " The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools." And I'll add we're sharpening the tools of knowledge every day at Lake Elementary. Have a great week.