Here Comes December in Hawk-ville!

I am respectful, honest, responsible.
I am a Hawk!

"How beautiful a day can be when kindness touches it!"  ~George Elliston 

Thank you...
...to some of you for submitting your completed United Way donation forms. Your names have been entered for a drawing for your team. Some of you have asked the name of the fund that supports a lot of our needy families' needs: Puyallup Children's Emergency Fund

...Dan for adding such a priceless community-building component in "The Grove" in the form of our Singing Hawks. Your selection of songs to teach the students definitely support our "Hawk Way of Living---through our Hawk Creed." We can't wait to hear the Pan Hawks in the near future.

...Romy for stepping up to the role of joining Melanie and Bobbi as building leads in the new math materials implementation for our K-2 staff.

...Sara M. for stepping up to the role of being our building lead as our district rolls-out Qwizdom.

Reminders of the Week:
Remember to go over the "new recess dismissal" every day until its launch day on Thursday this week. Email Lisa any concern or idea you may have as we all witness its implementation.

Remember to provide Melanie Martin with your feedback that she can bring to the District Math Cadre as they plan the January 27th required training for teachers.

This week:
United Way Campaign ends this week. So far, we've collected 38% of our goal.
11/28 Mon. - Report cards and Special Ed progress reports due to Lisa or Almai
- Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: Bring your own topic
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/29 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
11/30 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/1 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at PSD Annual Administrators' Waffle Breakfast with School Board, 7:30-9:30, downtown
- First Day of our new recess dismissal procedures
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Hidden Glen Family Outreach Night, 5:30-7:30 PM, Focus: Organizational Skills (see agenda in the staff room posted on the soda machine)
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/2 Fri. - Report cards sent home with students
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym

Coming up:
12/5 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/6 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- PSD Staff Forum Opportunity for the Superintendent Search, 4-5 pm, Ferrucci JH
- Puyallup Community Forum Opportunity for the Superintendent Search, 7:00 pm, Ferrucci JH
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/7 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
- PSD Staff Forum Opportunity for the Superintendent Search, 4-5 pm, Aylen JH
12/8 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at Puyallup Elementary Principals' Meeting then to Region II Meeting, 8:30-11:30, ESC
- CSIP, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/9 Fri. - Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
- Survey for Superintendent Search closes tomorrow--Click here to take the survey:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CPWTAGWT5
12/12 Mon. - Dental Van at Firgrove
- Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/13 Tues. - Safety Meeting, 7:40-8:10, Conference Room
- Staff Meeting, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Grades K-2 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/14 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC
- Grades 3-5 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/15 Thurs. - Winter Community Sing-along - 6:00-7:00, Firgrove Plaground
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/16 Fri. - Living the Creed Awards Assembly; 9:00 Intermediate, 10:00 Primary
- Winter Sing-along Assembly, 2:15-2:45, Gym
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/19-30 - Winter Break; school resumes January 2nd

Other BIG Events to Note in Calendar/Planbook:
1/18 Wed. - CT LIC: SMART Board Training with Sandra Jacobson at Firgrove
1/27 - Elementary Math Supplemental Day/Required Math Training
2/10 Fri. - Grandparent's Day Lunch
2/21 - Math and Science Night - stay tuned for more information from our Science Coordinator, Karen Gonderman, and the Math/Science Learning Team

REPOSTS:
From Student Learning - January 27 Math Supplemental Day
Our distict is working collaboratively with the Math Cadre to bring an effective and meaningful professional development to all teachers on January 27th. This day-long event will be held on the campuses of Glacier View JH and Emerald Ridge HS. Teachers will be working together in K-2, 3-5 or Title/LAP/Resource groups. Keynotes and break-out sessions are being planned. This is a required training for elementary teachers. Specialists work time are still pending and details will be communicated out to specialists by Rick Wells, Brian Fox and Vince Pecchia.

Hawks Show their Gratitude BOTH in their Words and their Actions!

I am respectful, honest, responsible.
I am a Hawk!

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  ~John F. Kennedy 

Thank you...
...Dorothy for your keen observation of our students' basic needs including their footwear and even more importantly for obtaining so many pairs of shoes for our Hawks who were in dire need of them.

...Sunshine Team, especially Angie, for coordinating "breaking-bread" type of community-building activities for our Hawk Team.

...third grade team and academic support team (Title I, Resource, ELL) for stepping up to the plate to field test common reading assessments and working to create an exemplar process and protocol for RTI-driven dialogue and collaboration.

Reminders of the Week:
Let's all be mindful and proactive about some of our students who may be concern about the upcoming long weekend due to Thanksgiving Break.

Something to Consider:
The story of Thanksgiving has long been taught in schools from a specific perspective. Teaching about the history of Thanksgiving from multiple perspective can be a challenge and may even feel uncomfortable, but it is hard to dispute that it will be worthwhile as we refine our skills in cultural competency. One wonderful resource for this is a book called Rethinking Columbus.

This week:
While report cards are not due to Lisa or Almai until the 28th, feel free to let them know if yours are done before the 28th.
11/21 Mon. Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/22 Tues. - Individual Student Picture Retake
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- PTA Fundraiser Pick-up, 3-6 PM, Gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
11/23 Wed. - Planning Time Make-up LIC
- Zumba, 12:15-1:15, gym
11/24 Thurs. - No School/Thanksgiving Break; Happy birthday, Nancy W!
11/25 Fri. - No School/Thanksgiving Break

Coming up:
11/28 Mon. - Report cards due to Lisa or Almai
- Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/29 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
11/30 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/1 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at PSD Annual Administrators' Waffle Breakfast with School Board, 7:30-9:30, downtown
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Hidden Glen Family Outreach Night, 5:30-7:30 PM, Focus: Organizational Skills (see agenda in the staff room posted on the soda machine)
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/2 Fri. - Report cards sent home with students
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
12/5 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/6 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/7 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/8 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at Puyallup Elementary Principals' Meeting then to Region II Meeting, 8:30-11:30, ESC
- CSIP, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/9 Fri. - Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
12/12 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/13 Tues. - Safety Meeting, 7:40-8:10, Conference Room
- Staff Meeting, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Grades K-2 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/14 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC
- Grades 3-5 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/15 Thurs. - Winter Community Sing-along - 6:00-7:00, Firgrove Plaground
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/16 Fri. - Living the Creed Awards Assembly; 9:00 Intermediate, 10:00 Primary
- Winter Sing-along Assembly, 2:15-2:45, Gym
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym

Other BIG Events to Note in Calendar/Planbook:
12/19-30 - Winter Break
1/18 Wed. - CT LIC: SMART Board Training with Sandra Jacobson at Firgrove
1/27 - Elementary Math Supplemental Day/Required Math Training
2/10 Fri. - Grandparent's Day Lunch
2/21 - Math and Science Night - stay tuned for more information from our Science Coordinator, Karen Gonderman, and the Math/Science Learning Team

REPOSTS:
From Student Learning - January 27 Math Supplemental Day
Our distict is working collaboratively with the Math Cadre to bring an effective and meaningful professional development to all teachers on January 27th. This day-long event will be held on the campuses of Glacier View JH and Emerald Ridge HS. Teachers will be working together in K-2, 3-5 or Title/LAP/Resource groups. Keynotes and break-out sessions are being planned. This is a required training for elementary teachers. Specialists work time are still pending and details will be communicated out to specialists by Rick Wells, Brian Fox and Vince Pecchia.

From District Communications - Take the Opportunity to have an input for the Superintendent Search by Completing a Survey:
The community is invited to complete an online survey that will be used to help develop a leadership profile to guide the school board in its search for a new superintendent.

The deadline for completing the Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Survey is Saturday, December 10. Click here to take the survey:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CPWTAGWT5

The leadership profile and selection criteria developed at the outset of the search become the guiding documents in evaluating candidates and making the final selection.

The survey asks participants to respond to questions using a rating system, with 1 being "Not Important" and 4 being "Extremely Important," as well as by providing extended responses to questions.

The survey is one of several ways the community will be involved in providing input in the selection for a new superintendent. Tony Apostle, who was hired as superintendent in 2004, has announced he will retire in June 2012.

A Cast/Kettle of Hawks Express Gratitude by...

I am respectful, honest, responsible.
I am a Hawk!

We are a Kettle of Grateful Hawks!

Thank you...
...the leadership of the Literacy Team for such a successful Reading Night last Thursday. That was definitely one of the highest attended events we have had outside of open house.

...some of you who have followed through with entering progress monitoring data in the DIBELS Data Management System. Let Almai know if you run into challenges or if you have any questions about reports that can be used with students and parents.

...some of the grades 3 through 6 teachers who have started and continue to provide math practice opportunities through IXL Math.

Reminders of the Week:
Remember to consult the Grades K-5 support email and attached document that John Parker sent last Thursday regarding standards that need to be reported to parents in the report card.

As we come to another long break, please be proactive in behavior management both before and after each break. Some of our students who may be worried about not being in the only secure, consistent place for them may exhibit their stress by acting out.

Remember that Living the Creed Awards Assembly is this Friday. Please make sure certificates are ready and parents of the awardees are notified. Review assembly behavior expectations with students.

The next Living the Creed Awards Assembly is December 16, so plan parent notification accordingly.

This week:
11/14 Mon. Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Singing Hawks and Pan Hawks Concert, 6:30-8:30, Gym
11/15 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4, Library
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/16 Wed. - Evaluation/Conference LIC
- TAC ready for teachers to input report card information
- Thanksgiving-Themed Staff Luncheon, 12:00, Staff Room
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
11/17 Thurs. - Almai at Required Student Services Meeting, 8-10, ESC
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/18 Fri. - Living the Creed Awards Assembly; 9:00 Intermediate, 10:00 Primary
- CAO Amy Evesckige and Deputy Supt. Debra Aungst visiting
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
- Pizza with Pop, 6:00-7:00, Gym
11/19 Sat. - Happy birthday, Karen!

From Student Learning - January 27 Math Supplemental Day
Our distict is working collaboratively with the Math Cadre to bring an effective and meaningful professional development to all teachers on January 27th. This day-long event will be held on the campuses of Glacier View JH and Emerald Ridge HS. Teachers will be working together in K-2, 3-5 or Title/LAP/Resource groups. Keynotes and break-out sessions are being planned. This is a required training for elementary teachers. Specialists work time are still pending and details will be communicated out to specialists by Rick Wells, Brian Fox and Vince Pecchia.

From District Communications - Take the Opportunity to have an input for the Superintendent Search by Completing a Survey:
The community is invited to complete an online survey that will be used to help develop a leadership profile to guide the school board in its search for a new superintendent.

The deadline for completing the Superintendent Search Leadership Profile Survey is Saturday, December 10. Click here to take the survey:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22CPWTAGWT5

The leadership profile and selection criteria developed at the outset of the search become the guiding documents in evaluating candidates and making the final selection.

The survey asks participants to respond to questions using a rating system, with 1 being "Not Important" and 4 being "Extremely Important," as well as by providing extended responses to questions.

The survey is one of several ways the community will be involved in providing input in the selection for a new superintendent. Tony Apostle, who was hired as superintendent in 2004, has announced he will retire in June 2012.

Coming up:
While report cards are not due to Lisa or Almai until the 28th, feel free to let them know if yours are done before the 28th.
11/21 Mon. Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/22 Tues. - Individual Student Picture Retake
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
11/23 Wed. - Planning Time Make-up LIC
- Zumba, 12:15-1:15, gym
11/24 Thurs. - No School/Thanksgiving Break; Happy birthday, Nancy W!
11/25 Fri. - No School/Thanksgiving Break
11/28 Mon. - Report cards due to Lisa or Almai
- Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/29 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
11/30 Wed. - Individual Planning LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/1 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at PSD Annual Administrators' Waffle Breakfast with School Board, 7:30-9:30, downtown
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/2 Fri. - Report cards sent home with students
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
12/5 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/6 Tues. - Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/7 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/8 Thurs. - Lisa and Almai at Puyallup Elementary Principals' Meeting then to Region II Meeting, 8:30-11:30, ESC
- CSIP, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/9 Fri. - Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym
12/12 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
12/13 Tues. - Safety Meeting, 7:40-8:10, Conference Room
- Staff Meeting, 3:00-4:00, Library
- Grades K-2 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/14 Wed. - Principal-Directed LIC
- Grades 3-5 Bridges Collaboration, 4-7, Firgrove
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
12/15 Thurs. - Winter Sing-along - more information to come from Mr. Miller
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P32
12/16 Fri. - Living the Creed Awards Assembly; 9:00 Intermediate, 10:00 Primary
- Winter Sing-along Assembly, 2:15, Gym
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym

Other BIG Events to Note in Calendar/Planbook:
12/19-30 - Winter Break
1/18 Wed. - CT LIC: SMART Board Training with Sandra Jacobson at Firgrove
1/27 - Elementary Math Supplemental Day/Required Math Training
2/10 Fri. - Grandparent's Day Lunch
2/21 - Math and Science Night - stay tuned for more information from our Science Coordinator, Karen Gonderman, and the Math/Science Learning Team

REPOST:
Report Cards:
TAC will open for report card processing/teacher input time on November 16th
Report cards will be sent home with students on December 2nd
To accommodate the printing, previewing, and stuffing (in envelopes) processes prior to the day report cards are sent home, Lisa and Almai are asking teachers to notify LouAnn of their report cards being preview/print-ready on or before November 28th, the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Message from Student Learning Regarding Qwizdom (via Nov. 7 email from John Parker, Director of Instructional Leadership, Region II):
Last spring, the district adopted the ReadySet curriculum within the Quizdom software program as a supplemental, standards-based curriculum. This curricula includes Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies instructional materials among others. In our effort to bring this curricula to you, we are in the process of setting up a district install of the Qwizdom Connect software so teachers can access these instructional materials. This process has proved to be challenging as each teacher computer requires updates in order to install Qwizdom Connect and run the program successfully.

While we are establishing this install process, I would ask that teachers refrain from installing the program on their own and attempting to register through Qwizdom. ITC and the Student Learning department are working hard to get this to each teacher as soon as we can.

Once the process is identified, additional communications via email will be sent to teachers.

It may be "Fall Back," but the Hawks are "Charging Forward"

I am respectful, honest, responsible.
I am a Hawk!

Hawks are BANANAS for BOOKS!

Thank you...
...to some of you who have already begun implementing the recommendations during your own Advisory session. If you haven't started yet and you need a little reminder on what may have been recommended, see last week's blog's Reminder of the Week section. Let us know too if we can support you in implementing the recommendations.

...teachers for consistently posting your Reading and Math learning targets

Reminders of the Week:
Remember to turn in the completed "Firgrove Thanks and Celebrates our Veterans" sheets as students give them to you.

Please go over assembly behavior expectations to prepare for the all-school Veteran's Day Assembly on the 8th (no chairs for 6th graders).

Remember that the next Living the Creed Awards Assembly is next Friday, so plan your parent notification accordingly.

This week:
11/7 Mon. - Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD great on-line resource for decoding (reading) and math activities
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/8 Tues. - Safety Team Meeting, 7:40-8:10, Conference Room
- Veteran's Day Assembly, 9-9:45, Gym
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/9 Wed. - Evaluation/Conference LIC
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
11/10 Thurs. - CSIP, 3-4, Library
- Lisa and Almai at PEP and then to Region 2 Meeting, 8:30-11:30, ESC
- Firgrove Literacy Night "Bananas for Books" Theme
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/11 Fri. - No School/Veteran's Day

Report Cards:
TAC will open for report card processing/teacher input time on November 16th
Report cards will be sent home with students on December 2nd
To accommodate the printing, previewing, and stuffing (in envelopes) processes prior to the day report cards are sent home, Lisa and Almai are asking teachers to notify LouAnn of their report cards being preview/print-ready on or before November 28th, the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Message from Student Learning Regarding Quizdom (via Nov. 7 email from John Parker, Director of Instructional Leadership, Region II):
Last spring, the district adopted the ReadySet curriculum within the Quizdom software program as a supplemental, standards-based curriculum. This curricula includes Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies instructional materials among others. In our effort to bring this curricula to you, we are in the process of setting up a district install of the Quizdom Connect software so teachers can access these instructional materials. This process has proved to be challenging as each teacher computer requires updates in order to install Quizdom Connect and run the program successfully.

While we are establishing this install process, I would ask that teachers refrain from installing the program on their own and attempting to register through Quizdom. ITC and the Student Learning department are working hard to get this to each teacher as soon as we can.

Once the process is identified, additional communications via email will be sent to teachers.


Coming up:
11/14 Mon. Monday Tech Madness, 3-3:20, Library; Focus: SMARTBOARD features
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
11/15 Tues. - Staff Meeting, 3-4, Library
- Zumba, 4:00-5:00, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/16 Wed. - Evaluation/Conference LIC
- Thanksgiving-Themed Staff Luncheon, 12:00, Staff Room
- Zumba, 3:00-4:00, gym
11/17 Thurs. - Almai at Required Student Services Meeting, 8-10, ESC
- Zumba, 3:30-4:30, gym
- Adult ELL Classes, 6-7:30, P38
11/18 Fri. - Living the Creed Awards Assembly; 9:00 Intermediate, 10:00 Primary
- Zumba, 3:15-4:15, gym

Other BIG Events to Note in Calendar/Planbook:
11/22 Tues. - Individual Student Picture Retake
11/23-24 - Thanksgiving Break
12/19-30 - Winter Break
2/10 Fri. - Grandparent's Day Lunch

REPOST:
From District Communications Regarding 2011-2012 Winter Break
Winter break is scheduled for Monday, December 19, 2011- Friday, December 30, 2011. December 23, 26, 29 and 30 are designated holidays for full year employees.

To accommodate the plans of many employees, the District central offices will be closed to the public from December 26-30.

To account for hours on regular work days during this time (December 27 and 28), District central office full year employees may choose from the following:
- use vacation hours for work time they choose not to work, or
- use pre-approved, accumulated compensatory hours for work time they choose not to work, or
- work their normal hours on items not related to dealing with "customers." While the building will be "closed", individual employees may elect to report to work during normal work hours.