April 6 to April 10

Learning Targets Target Learning
You're posting your Targets, right? And they are Time Bound, Personal, and Focused with an Action Word and a GLE, right?

One question I always ask kids I talk with is: What are you learning today?

How will your students answer this question this week?

WASL Best Practices
If you have not been trained to proctor the WASL, please see Jennifer right away. We need as many staff as possible trained to provide the best testing procedures as possible.

As you get your students and yourself ready for next week's WASL tests, be sure to:

• ooze confidence and professionalism with your students - they will reflect your attitude about testing. If you appear calm and together, they will be calm and together.


• use the WASL released materials to help your students become familiar with the format of the test - yes, I know this is the last year, but it's also the last year we'll have data we are already familiar with - let's make sure it's valid and reliable. Here's the link: Teacher Resource Tool


• prepare your room by Friday, April 6 for testing. Susan and/or Rebecca will be popping in to classrooms on Friday to help make sure we won't violate any protocols


• see Jennifer, Susan, or Rebecca if you have any questions or concerns.

Remember, the goal of any State Assessment Tool is to get a sense for what students know and understand. The results are also used to help us determine what we are doing well, and what we need to attend to better.

QUEST - A New Model for PSD
Student who have participated in QUEST past and present have or will receive letters regarding interest in participating in the new model. You may have some parents ask you about the new model and the acceptance of applications. Be sure to take a few minutes and read about the future of QUEST so you can be a reliable source of information to parents and guardians. Feel free to add info to your newsletters as you see fit. The website notes that testing for QUEST will begin in April.

Staffing Updates
As unsettling as change can be, it's happening. I will do my best to keep you updated and "In The Know." To this end, you might want to make note of the following dates and time lines:

March 27 – April 16
HR will prepare a listing of all involuntary transfer teachers and their associated FTE.
HR will prepare a list of all vacancies:

• Elementary: by “primary” or “intermediate” classifications
• Junior High: by subject and grade level
• Senior High: by subject

April 17 (Friday)
Involuntary transfers will receive a letter that they have been identified as such.
Involuntary transfers will receive a listing of all known vacant positions as of April 15.
Involuntary transfers will be required to attend a meeting on April 22 at TBD.
Meetings will be assigned by appointment based on district seniority.
Teachers will select a position in order of their district seniority and qualifications.

Elementary teachers who are part-time may:

1. Select their location in order of seniority or
2. Choose to “pass” and pair up with another part-time elementary teacher using the lesser senior teacher’s district seniority level.

April 22 (Wednesday)
Involuntary transfers attend the “Big Board” event to select their positions in order of district seniority and endorsements.
The selection event will take place from 1:00 to approximately 6:00 p.m. based on assigned meeting times.
Location: TBD
Involuntary transfers must be present at the assigned meeting time regardless of reason or they will be passed over and will then become part of the placement process.
It is possible that there will be fewer vacancies than there are involuntary transfers.

April 23 – May 8
Placement of remaining involuntary transfers will take place based on “categories” and “S275” state seniority.
Reduction in Force (RIF) letters will be delivered.

May 15 and beyond
First opportunities to fill any vacancies after April 15 will go to those in the RIF Pool.
Positions will be filled in accordance with S275 seniority and verified categories.

ITC Updates
Two updates are or will occur:

• Internet Explorer 7 - Hunt is scheduled to receive this update on Wednesday, April 29. The easiest thing for you to do is keep your computer at school on the evening of Wednesday, April 29. Thursday when you log onto the system, the updates should be complete.


• Kidspiration - see Brenda Ransoms's email with directions attached on updating this neat tool. Her email also has some lessons attached. Drag the to your desktop and save them.

Review Behavior Expectations - refer to your handbook for specific expectations to address

Keep On Keepin' On
Hunt Elementary School IS going to have a GREAT Spring Trimester! No matter what happens - despite the unknowns and proposed "Worst Case Scenario" cuts - commit right now to:

1. BELIEVE the best in all things and people
2. STAY FOCUSED on kids ALL THE TIME
3. BE PRESENT and THANKFUL for the opportunities we have to grow as a staff

Make the most of every day so there will be no regrets about what could have been. And when you fall short, don't worry, you're only one decision away from EXCEPTIONAL and tomorrow is a NEW DAY!