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.

Week of March 30

For those who follow or faithfully read this blog, you noticed I missed last week. Keeping my excuses to a minimum, I think it's indicative of this time of year. Springtime seems to be a busy time for schools, and my office is no exception. And while we are just a few weeks into the final trimester of the year, conversations are already taking place for end-of-school activities. That's a scary thought as we all know there is still so much left to do!


Because I didn't get a chance to blog about last week, be sure to check out our Facebook page...a lot of fun and exciting things have been posted there.

For parents who read this blog, I wanted to let you know some things we've been working on that are coming your way.

• At the March 17 School Board Meeting, the Board approved Version 2 for the 2015-16 School Calendar. It is posted on the school's website and can be accessed by clicking here. Thank you for those who submitted preferences. 
• Lake Elementary is in the process of adopting two math curricula for 2015-16. Grades K-5 are looking at Everyday Math; grades 6-8 are considering CPM (College Preparatory Math). Each teacher has a sample of the curriculum in their classrooms for those of you who want to look at the materials. Links have also been provided for you to click on to find out more information. The curriculum will be on display during Math and Science Night on Wednesday, April 15. 
• I've received questions regarding SPARK for next year. A letter will be going home to all parents in late April regarding both Summer SPARK and SPARK for 2015-16. (Summer SPARK is tentatively planned for July 13 - 31.)  Stay tuned for more information regarding both programs. 
• I'm also working with Plaza and Capay to begin the process of advertising for a music position. If you know of someone who qualifies (a credentialed music teacher), please encourage them to apply. I'll update the school's website with application information as soon as it's ready. 
• We'll soon be starting CAASPP testing (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress). Specific information will be coming home the week of April 13. In the meantime, check out this link for more information. 

And now onto this week:

Monday, March 30
I will be off campus all day as I have been summoned for jury service in Butte County.
All day - Kindergarten Registration
9:30 - 10:30 - Workability Guest Speaker - Military
3:15 - School Site Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 31
7:45 - IEP - Learning Center
9:00 - IEP - Plaza
10:15 - Providence HS - 8th Grade
11:00 - Smarter Balanced Webinar
1:30 - Grades 2 and 3 to Orland Library
3:30 - IEP - Learning Center

Wednesday, April 1
9:00 - Grades 4 and 5 to Orland Library
3:00 - All Staff Meeting (for those who can attend) - SMART Presentation - 7th grade classroom

Thursday, April 2
12:45 - Softball vs. Plaza at Plaza
1:00 - Kinder volunteer
3:15 - Edivate Overview (Dennis) - Alison, Chelsea

Friday, April 3
Minimum Day - 12:50 dismissal
8:45 - April Assembly
Easter Egg Hunt to follow the assembly
5:30 - Little League Softball practice

Week of April 6-10
Easter Break - have a safe and happy vacation

Week of March 16

Spring is in the air. Softball season has begun...off to a great start as both teams won their opening games against Plaza last Friday. Last week's Book Fair was another great PTO-sponsored event with both students and classroom teachers getting books. Another great week ahead of us as we continue to "march" forward through this incredibly fast-paced school year. Meetings and state reports have kept me busy, state testing is right around the corner next month, and then before you know it, it will be fair, Memorial Day, and the last day of school. Holy cow! For parents reading this, be on the lookout for news regarding next year's math curriculum adoption. There will be opportunities for parents to review the material, ask questions, and provide feedback. In the meantime, here's what my week of March 16 looks like:

Monday, March 16
10:00 - 12:00 CTC Induction Task Force Conference Call

Tuesday, March 17
Happy St. Patrick's Day
3:00 - School Board Meeting - 7th grade classroom

Wednesday, March 18
9-12 SELPA Boot Camp - Willows - Cheri and I will be off-campus all day
3:00 - Teacher Meeting with Dan from Odysseyware - meet in 7th grade classroom
6:00 - PTO at Round Table Pizza

Thursday, March 19
Cheri gone all day attending CASBO Workshop
1:00 - 1:30 Kinder volunteer
3:00 - 4:00 Yearbook meeting - 6th grade classroom

Friday, March 20
Softball at Vina

Week of March 9

This is the week of the Book Fair. Book Fair will be open for purchases starting on Tuesday, March 10. Students can purchase items during the 10 and 10:15 recesses, lunch recess, or after school on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.



Monday, March 9
Report Cards go home today
Workability will be on campus for grades 5-8 to discuss careers in Health
Nora off-campus attending Day 2 of ELD Para Workshop in Oroville
Book Fair preview for students

Tuesday, March 10
Science Fair deadline
Book Fair open during recess, lunch, and after school all week starting today.

7:45 IEP meeting in Learning Center
8:30 - 11:00 Co-op Meeting at GCOE in Orland - I'll be off-campus for this meeting
1:00 - Webinar: Exploring a New Vision of Excellence in Assessment
2:00 - CTC Induction Task Force Conference Call
4:00 - Meeting with board president to draft board meeting agenda
5:00 - IEP meeting in Learning Center

Wednesday, March 11

Minimum Day - Work day for staff

8:45 - Orland High School counselor on campus to talk with 8th grade class

Family Reading Night 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. Reading in Kindergarten and 2nd grade classrooms will begin at 3:30 p.m. Book Fair will be open during this time for families to purchase books.

Thursday, March 12
1:30 - Kinder volunteer
3:00 - CAASPP accommodation meeting with Christine - my office
3:00 - Yearbook meeting - 6th grade classroom

Friday, March 13
Softball season starts with the first game against Plaza at Lake

Week of March 2

As we turn a page in the calendar and move into March, we will soon bring another mild winter to a close. And similar to new beginnings that spring brings every year, there are some new things on hand at Lake Elementary. Some of you may have noticed that the traffic radar speed limit signs have been positioned along Road 9. We are waiting for some batteries to be installed. Once installed, we'll program the radar signs to work before and after school; should be up and running this week. 

We also just received the new drinking fountain that will replace the one outside the 2nd grade classroom. This new drinking fountain is a bi-level fountain that will allow our youngest, and smallest, students easy access to water. Lots of things happening this month. Here's what the first week of March looks like for me:

Monday, March 2

Sub on campus for K and 1st Grade as they work to complete assessments before the end of Trimester 2. 

8:00 - SST meeting

7:00 - Lake 4-H meeting

Tuesday, March 3

Sub on campus for K and 1st.

Gianna and I will be leaving around 8:30 for a LEC meeting in Redding. 

12:30 - Duck Stamp Education Program (3rd and 5th grades)

1:30 - 2nd and 3rd grades to Orland Library

Wednesday, March 4

9:00 - 4th and 5th grades to Orland Library

10:15 - Orland FFA meeting with 8th grade

1:00 - ETS Webcast - my office

3:00 - Teacher meeting

Thursday, March 5

8:30 - 11:30: GCOE meeting - Orland office

1:30 - Kinder volunteer

3:00 - Yearbook meeting

SST meeting

Friday, March 6

End of Trimester 2

8:45 - School Assembly