February: Black History Month and Firgrove Loves to Read Campaign

THIS WEEK:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/31-2/4): Melanie M, Sara M, Stephanie
1/31 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Jackie, Marlene, Angelo, Stacy, Kim M.
1/31 Mon. - DIBELS testing (also on Tuesday and Thursday)
1/31 Mon. - Safety Team Meeting, 7:30-8:10 AM; Room 26
2/1 Tues. - Dental Van, 8:30-2:30, South Parking Lot
2/1 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 18 @ 12:30; 21 @ 1:30
2/2 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC, 1:30-2:15 Library, 2:15-3:00 Learning Teams; Walking School Bus; Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 16 @ 8:30; 35 @ 9:45
2/3 Thurs. - PSD Diversity, 3:30-5:00 PM, ESC Pioneer
2/3 Thurs. - Stahl's 6th Grade Parent Night at Stahl Commons, 5:00-6:30 PM
2/3 Thurs. - District Diversity, 3:30-5:00, ESC Pioneer
2/4 Fri. - Co-op Family Game Night, 6-8 PM, gym
2/4 Fri. - PTA Hawk Shop is open today, 11-12:30; Given the limited space and time, please send only students who will be purchasing items.
2/4 Fri. - Character Trait Assembly: Fairness, 9-9:30 Intermediate, 10-10:30 Primary; Remember to bring your character mind map


McTeacher Night Update:
Thank you to PTA and staff members for helping make McTeacher Night a success. The event brought in $777. It was fun to see the families there. On a similar note, be on the look-out for a Firgrove Ram Night fairly soon.

Revisiting the "11 Days in The Life of Dr. King" Assembly and Moving Forward to February, Black History Month
The Broadway Center for the Performing Arts definitely did a fabulous job with their performance and our kids were captivated. One of the things that we can all take away from that is the key message: "Every day is the 11th Day"---Dr. King lives on through us each time we choose to live the essence of his "dream." Our Character Traits education definitely supports our efforts to teach our students that "every day is the 11th day." Thank you for the work that you do in implementing our school-wide characer trait education progam. Also, thank you to the Arts Team for scheduling the assembly.

February is Black History Month. Here are little known facts about Black History Week (later turned into Month):
- originated from the work of Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950), the second African American who earned a doctorate from Harvard, with W.E.B. Du Bois being the first
- in 1915, Woodson and four others created an organization called Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) which published the "Journal of Negro History"
- Woodson realized that most textbooks ignored the history and achievements of blacks, so in addition to the journal, he promoted the idea of "Negro History Week" which was held during the second week of February in 1926. He chose that week because it included the birthdays of two important men: President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.
- in 1976, the Negro History Week expanded to the entire month of February

Here are a few links as resources for Black History Month:
- Video and photo gallery resource http://www.history.com/topics/black-history-month
- PBS resources on history and profiles http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/


COMING-UP:
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/7-11): Marlene, Angelo, Jane
2/7 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Christina, Kim F, Joy, Missy
2/8 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 18 @ 12:30 and Room 21 @1:30
2/8 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4, Library (this is moved from Feb. 15th due to time-sensitive information)
2/9 Wed. - Collaboration and Teaming LIC; Walking School Bus
2/9 Wed. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 16 @ 8:30 and Room 35 @ 9:45
2/9 Wed. - Region 2 Orchestra Concert, 7 PM, RHS
2/10 Thurs. - Char and Almai at Elementary Admin Mtg then to Region 2 Admin Nuts and Bolts, 8-12, ESC Pioneer
2/10 - Thurs. - Science Fair, 5-6:30, Gym and classrooms
2/10 Thurs. - Ballou's 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:30-7:30 PM, Ballou Commons
2/11 - Fri. - PTA Valentine Dance, 6-9 PM, Gym
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/14-18): Jim, Kim M, Teena
2/14 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: LouAnn, Michelle, Renae, Sara D
2/14 Mon. - CSIP Meeting, 3-4 pm, Library
2/14 Mon. - PSD School Board, 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons
2/16 Wed. - Evaluation and Conference LIC; Walking School Bus
2/16 Wed. - District Reading Cadre, 4-5:30, Shaw Road Library
2/17 Thurs. - Grandparents' Day Luncheon - more information to come soon
2/18 Fri and 2/21 Mon. - No School; Presidents' Day Weekend/Mid-winter Break
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/22-25): Kimberly R, Sheri P, Jane
2/22 Tues. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Terry, Melanie W, Kay, Jennifer A, Wes
2/22 Tues. - Parent Phonics Training and Dinner - dinner begins at 6 PM in the gym and training begins at 6:30 PM in the Library
2/22 Tues. - Arts and Culture PSD-sponsored Professional Development, 4:30-7:30 PM, Room 15
2/23 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC; Walking School Bus; Char and Almai at K-12 Prof. Dev and then to PSD Administrative Meeting, 1:30-5, Mt. View Community Center
2/23 Wed. - Pierce County Science Speaker in Rm. 16 at 8:30, in Rm. 35 at 9:45
2/24 Thurs. - Pierce County Science Speaker in Rm. 18 at 12:30, in Rm. 21 at 1:30
2/25 Fri. - Group Class Pictures and Staff Group Picture
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/28-3/4): LouAnn, Melissa S
2/28 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Char, Angie, Megan, Wendy J, Claire
2/28 Mon. - Safety Team meeting, 7:40, Room 24
2/28 Mon. - WICOR Training for 5th and 6th Grade Teachers (rescheduled from Feb. 15), 4:00 PM, Kalles JH (Room 201)

No one Keeps the Hopes and "Dreams" of Students Alive Better than Firgrove Staff!

THIS WEEK:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/24-28): Deb L, Nina, Cynthia I
1/24 Mon. - Salad Club Day; Thank you, Salad Hosts: Almai, Stephanie, Teena, Jim
1/24 Mon. - School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons
1/24 Mon. - Grades 3-6 Teams' Release Day - see schedule and information provided by LouAnn and Char
1/25 Tues. - Char and Almai hosting Region 2 Administrators Nuts and Bolts at Firgrove, 7-8:30 AM, Library
1/25 Tues. - 11 Days in the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Assembly, all school (no chairs for 6th graders), 1:30-2:30 PM, gym - Teacher Guide emailed to you and hard copy available in the staff room. See below for more information about this great assembly.
1/25 Tues. - Firgrove Blood Drive, 12-4 PM, Firgrove South Parking Lot (Blood Drive Van)
1/26 Wed. - Individual LIC; Walking School Bus
1/26 Wed. - ELL Parent Information Meeting, 11:15-11:51, Library
1/26 Wed. - Char and Almai at K-12 Principal Prof Dev and then to District Adminitrative Meeting, 1:30 - 5, Mt. View Community Center
1/27 Thurs. - Grade 6 Field Trip to University of Puget Sound
1/27 Thurs. - McTeacher Night, Shift 1 is 5-6:30 PM, Shift 2 is 6:30-8:00 PM, McDonald's on 176th/Meridian - It's not too late to sign-up in the staff room; we need more helpers for the later shift.
1/28 Fri. - Hawk Shop Open for students who have won gift certificates and have money, 10:30-12. PTA is requesting for the students to be informed.
1/28 Fri. - Grades 3-6 Student Surveys regarding PSD Counseling Program due to Almai
1/28 Fri. - "Tardy Party" at 2:25 in the black top area; Congratulations to the following classes for having "zero tardy for two consecutive Wednesdays:" Ms. Allison, Mrs. W Johnson, Mrs. Martin, Mrs. Deaver, Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. McCormick, Mrs. Larson

11 Days in the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (Assembly on Tuesday) - This brings about an important question in which each of us can reflect: "If you could save up eleven of your days, which ones would you keep?"

Below is the description of the assembly per Broadway Performing Arts Center. The teacher guide has been emailed to teachers and a hard copy available in the staff room.
Eleven Days is a spoken word meditation on Dr. King and his relationship with bold, organized communities, and homage to the collective courage that led to sweeping changes in our nation.

“If you could save up eleven of your days which ones would you keep?” What were the most important days in Dr. Martin Luther King’s life and how did those days change our nation forever? Eleven Days is a celebration in theater, original poetry, music and dance that tells Dr. King’s story in eleven parts and includes major events from his life including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Dr. King’s speech at the Lincoln Memorial and more personal events including his loving upbringing.

Repeated Reminder:
6th Grade Staff - Please continue to advertise the following 6th Grade Parents Night in your newsletter.
Stahl's 6th Grade Parent Night, Feb. 3rd, Thursday, 5-6:30 PM at Stahl
Ballou's 6th Grade Parent Night, Feb. 10th, Thursday, 6:30-7:30 PM at Ballou


Daily Guest Staff List - Christina and LouAnn faithfully emails Guest Staff List daily along with the weekly blog link. While the purpose of emailing you the weekly blog link may be obvious (to make it easily accessible to you if you haven't bookmarked it), the purpose of sending you the Guest Staff list may not be as obvious. The information in the Guest Staff List serves this purpose:
1. It gives teachers who may work with classified staff a heads-up, especially in Walk to Read and ELO, if they're absent. I have heard from some of you that this is good information to have so you can make the adjustment if needed in Walk to Read or ELO. This is especially critical during those times when those teachers may not have gotten that early heads-up that our classified staff normally give them. We are fortunate to work with such highly professional Classified Team!
2. During any form of emergency, it is good to know which of our students are with substitute teachers, especially within your own grade level. This is not to underestimate the skills of our guest teachers; rather, it is to be able to anticipate where help may be needed since each building's safety/emergency protocol is different enough.

Excellent New Links Added in the Staff Resource Links section of the blog:
Visual Thinking Strategies - the site provided in the training with Lynda Belt to continue our work with Culture and Arts Integration.
http://www.vtshome.org/

Ray Beaudoin's "Can Do Helper Page" Site - Beaudoin is a former primary teacher and Title I Educational Technician. The site is for students, parents and teachers looking for content and practice activities. http://candohelperpage.com/

Within Ray Beaudoin's site is an excellent resource for Fry Words activities. http://candohelperpage.com/sightvocab_1.html#anchor_374

COMING-UP:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/31-2/4): Melanie M, Sara M, Stephanie
1/31 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Jackie, Marlene, Angelo, Stacy, Kim M.
1/31 Mon. - Safety Team Meeting, 7:30-8:10 AM; Room 26
2/1 Tues. - Dental Van, 8:30-2:30, South Parking Lot
2/1 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 18 @ 12:30; 21 @ 1:30
2/2 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC; Walking School Bus; Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 16 @ 8:30; 35 @ 9:45
2/3 Thurs. - PSD Diversity, 3:30-5:00 PM, ESC Pioneer
2/3 Thurs. - Stahl's 6th Grade Parent Night at Stahl Commons, 5:00-6:30 PM
2/3 Thurs. - District Diversity, 3:30-5:00, ESC Pioneer
2/4 Fri. - Character Trait Assembly: Fairness, 9-9:30 Intermediate, 10-10:30 Primary; Remember to bring your character mind map
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/7-11): Marlene, Angelo, Jane
2/7 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Christina, Kim F, Joy, Missy
2/8 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 18 @ 12:30 and Room 21 @1:30
2/8 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4, Library (this is moved from Feb. 15th due to time-sensitive information)
2/9 Wed. - Collaboration and Teaming LIC; Walking School Bus
2/9 Wed. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 16 @ 8:30 and Room 35 @ 9:45
2/9 Wed. - Region 2 Orchestra Concert, 7 PM, RHS
2/10 Thurs. - Char and Almai at Elementary Admin Mtg then to Region 2 Admin Nuts and Bolts, 8-12, ESC Pioneer
2/10 - Thurs. - Science Fair, 5-6:30, Gym and classrooms
2/10 Thurs. - Ballou's 6th Grade Parent Night, 6:30-7:30 PM, Ballou Commons
2/11 - Fri. - PTA Valentine Dance, 6-9 PM, Gym
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/14-18): Jim, Kim M, Teena
2/14 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: LouAnn, Michelle, Renae, Sara D
2/14 Mon. - CSIP Meeting, 3-4 pm, Library
2/14 Mon. - PSD School Board, 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons
2/16 Wed. - Evaluation and Conference LIC; Walking School Bus
2/16 Wed. - District Reading Cadre, 4-5:30, Shaw Road Library
2/17 Thurs. - Grandparents' Day Luncheon - more information to come soon
2/18 Fri and 2/21 Mon. - No School; Presidents' Day Weekend/Mid-winter Break
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/22-25): Kimberly R, Sheri P, Jane
2/22 Tues. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Terry, Melanie W, Kay, Jennifer A, Wes
2/22 Tues. - Parent Phonics Training and Dinner - dinner begins at 6 PM in the gym and training begins at 6:30 PM in the Library
2/22 Tues. - Arts and Culture PSD-sponsored Professional Development, 4:30-7:30 PM, Room 15
2/23 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC; Walking School Bus; Char and Almai at K-12 Prof. Dev and then to PSD Administrative Meeting, 1:30-5, Mt. View Community Center
2/23 - Wed. - Pierce County Science Speaker in Rm. 16 at 8:30, in Rm. 35 at 9:45
2/24 - Thurs. - Pierce County Science Speaker in Rm. 18 at 12:30, in Rm. 21 at 1:30
2/25 - Fri. -
2/28 Mon. - WICOR Training for 5th and 6th Grade Teachers (rescheduled from Feb. 15), 4:00 PM, Kalles JH (Room 201)

Hawk Staff Fosters Students' Hopes and "Dreams"

THIS WEEK:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/17-21): Char, Wendy L, Keri
1/17 Mon. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No school
1/18 Tues. - Salad Club Day; Thank you, Salad Hosts: Char, Angie, Megan, Claire, Wendy J
1/18 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4 PM, Library (Guest Speaker: Lynn Mock, Anti-bullying Expert) 1/19 Wed. - Collaboration Teaming/Spec. Services LIC; Walking School Bus
1/19 Wed. - Watch DOGS Sponsored Doughnuts with Dads,8:00 - 8:25 AM, gym
1/19 Wed. - District Writing Cadre, 4-5:30 PM, Woodland Library
1/21 FRI - Anti-bullying Assembly with Lynn Mock, 4th, 5th and 6th grade (no 6th grade chairs), 9-10, gym

Thank you...
- for the grace and kindness you extend each other as we get back into the groove of things while also gearing up for the spring including MSP testing for grades 3-6.
- for helping our families, especially our students, get back into the "school routine."
- for supporting colleagues whose health or the health of their loved-ones may not be well yet honoring their preference to keep it private.

Heads-up:
K-5 Teachers - In your box by Tuesday afternoon will be a one-item survey that will allow you to have your input on preferred dates for training to implement the use of the new math curriculum. Please complete the survey by Friday, Jan. 21st, and put it in Melanie Martin's box.

6th Grade Teachers: Please advertise Stahl's and Ballou's 6th Grade Parent Night in your newsletters. Stahl's is Feb. 3rd, 5:00-6:30 PM. Ballou's is Feb. 10th, 6:30-7:30PM.

5th Grade Teachers, Music and PE Specialists: Please keep your eyes open for information and timeline/deadline for Washington CBAs and CBPAs that you need to administer to your students.

COMING-UP:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/24-28): Deb L, Nina, Cynthia I
1/24 Mon. - Salad Club Day; Thank you, Salad Hosts: Almai, Stephanie, Teena, Jim, Chrystie 1/24 Mon. - School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons
1/25 Tues. - Char and Almai hosting Region 2 Administrators Nuts and Bolts at Firgrove, 7-8:30 AM, Library
1/25 Tues. - MLK Assembly, all school (no chairs for 6th graders), 1:30-2:30 PM, gym
1/26 Wed. - Individual LIC; Walking School Bus
1/27 Thurs. - Grade 6 Field Trip to University of Puget Sound
1/27 Thurs. - McTeacher Night, Shift 1 is 5-6:30 PM, Shift 2 is 6:30-8:00 PM, McDonald's on 176th/Meridian
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/31-2/4): Melanie M, Sara M, Stephanie
1/31 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Jackie, Marlene, Angelo, Stacy, Kim M.
1/31 Mon. - Safety Team Meeting, 7:30-8:10 AM; Room 26
2/1 Tues. - Dental Van, 8:30-2:30, South Parking Lot
2/1 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 18 @ 12:30; 21 @ 1:30
2/2 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC; Walking School Bus; Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 16 @ 8:30; 35 @ 9:45
2/3 Thurs. - PSD Diversity, 3:30-5:00 PM, ESC Pioneer
2/3 Thurs. - Stahl's 6th Grade Parent Night at Stahl Commons, 5:00-6:30 PM
2/4 Fri. - Character Trait Assembly: Fairness, 9-9:30 Intermediate, 10-10:30 Primary; Remember to bring your character mind map
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/7-11): Marlene, Angelo, Jane
2/7 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Christina, Kim F, Joy, Missy
2/8 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 18 @ 12:30 & Room 21 @1:30

We are the Hawks...Mighty, Mighty Hawks...

THIS WEEK:
Staff Room clean-up crew (1/10-14): Jessy J, Bobbi, Renae
1/10 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Terry, Melanie W, Kay, Jennifer A, Wes
1/10 Mon. - CSIP Meeting, 3-4 pm, Library
1/10 Mon. - Coop Board @ 5 PM, Library; School Board @ 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons; PTA Board @ 7 PM, Library
1/11 Tues. - Char and LouAnn at WASBO's ASB Workshop, 8-3, Renton
1/11 Tues. - QuEST and PAGE (Highly Capable Programs for Elementary and Junior High) Open House at Zeiger, 6-7 PM - Please include in your newsletter.
1/12 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC (traded with 1/12 per agreement during Oct. 20th staff meeting and Char's Oct. 21st email resent on Dec. 16th); Walking School Bus
1/12 Wed. - PTA Box Top Breakfast in the Gym
1/13 Thurs. - Char and Almai @ Elementary Principals and then to Region 2 Elementary Nuts and Bolts, 8:00 - 12, ESC Pioneer
1/14 Fri. - Dental Van at Firgrove all day in the south parking lot

COMING-UP:
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/17-21): Char, Wendy L, Keri
1/17 Mon. - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; No school
1/18 Tues. - Salad Club Day; Thank you, Salad Hosts: Char, Angie, Megan, Claire, Wendy J
1/18 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4 PM, Library (Guest Speaker: Lynn Mock, Anti-bullying Expert) 1/19 Wed. - Collaboration Teaming/Spec. Services LIC; Walking School Bus
1/19 Wed. - Watch DOGS Activity (more to come); 7:45 - 8:25 AM, gym
1/19 Wed. - District Writing Cadre, 4-5:30 PM, Woodland Library
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/24-28): Deb L, Nina, Cynthia I
1/21 FRI - Anti-bullying Assembly with Lynn Mock, 4th, 5th and 6th grade (no 6th grade chairs), 9-10, gym
1/24 Mon. - Salad Club Day; Thank you, Salad Hosts: Almai, Stephanie, Teena, Jim, Chrystie 1/24 Mon. - School Board Meeting, 6:30 PM, Ballou Commons
1/25 Tues. - Char and Almai hosting Region 2 Administrators Nuts and Bolts at Firgrove, 7-8:30 AM, Library
1/25 Tues. - MLK Assembly, all school (no chairs for 6th graders), 1:30-2:30 PM, gym
1/26 Wed. - Individual LIC; Walking School Bus
1/27 Thurs. - Grade 6 Field Trip to University of Puget Sound
1/27 Thurs. - McTeacher Night, Shift 1 is 5-6:30 PM, Shift 2 is 6:30-8:00 PM, McDonald's on 176th/Meridian
Staff Room Clean-up Crew (1/31-2/4): Melanie M, Sara M, Stephanie
1/31 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Jackie, Marlene, Angelo, Stacy, Kim M.
1/31 Mon. - Safety Team Meeting, 7:30-8:10 AM; Room 26
2/1 Tues. - Dental Van, 8:30-2:30, South Parking Lot
2/1 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 18 @ 12:30; 21 @ 1:30
2/2 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC; Walking School Bus; Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in rooms 16 @ 8:30; 35 @ 9:45
2/3 Thurs. - PSD Diversity, 3:30-5:00 PM, ESC Pioneer
2/4 Fri. - Character Trait Assembly: Fairness, 9-9:30 Intermediate, 10-10:30 Primary; Remember to bring your character mind map
Staff Clean-up Crew (2/7-11): Marlene, Angelo, Jane
2/7 Mon. - Thank you, Salad Club Hosts: Christina, Kim F, Joy, Missy
2/8 Tues. - Pierce County Science Guest Speaker in Room 18 @ 12:30 & Room 21 @1:30