Week of Nov 28 to Dec 2 - INSPIRING A Culture of Responsibility and Ownership

Welcome Back Highlander Staff!  Thanksgiving Break always goes by so quick, huh?  I hope you were able to enjoy some much needed rest and family time.  As we enter the 'holiday' season, let's remember to slow down, enjoy each other's company, and celebrate the ways that make our community diverse.  Have you decided what to bake for the staff cookie exchange on December 8th, yet?

Word on the Street
Teach, Model, Practice, Praise, Reteach (TMPPR) - Want to stay sane and manage your 'temper' (and that of your students) in the coming weeks?  Make TMPPR (Teach, Model, Practice, Praise, Reteach) your mantra as we step into December.  Behavior and Expectations are fast friends or mortal enemies...what are you doing to TMPPR what you want to see?

United Way Campaign - please return your UW forms to Lisa.  Stay tuned for an update on the participation rate.  Remember, you don't have to give a lot to make a difference.

Class Counts - December 2
A new trimester means new overload counts.  Any changes to para support will be based on these counts.  Please refer to the CBA (Section 24.3)for the allocation chart and timeline.  Thanks in advance for your patience as we adjust schedule and meet your needs.

Pawsitive Character Assemblies - Dec 16 @ 9:15am & 10:00am
Get it?  We're the Highlanders...dogs with paws, and kids with 'Paw'sitive character.  See the email sent last before Thanksgiving Break - and be sure to do 2 things:
1.  email 2 names per trait with a brief reason to Colleen by Nov 30
2.  call the parents to 'secretly' invite the to the assembly by Dec 9

New Copier - Winter Break
The lease for the copier has been renegotiated by the business department.  Over the Winter Break a new copier will be installed that is similar to our current model.  It will save us about $60 per month, and we'll be charged less per 'click'.  No changes will be made to your classroom budgets - but you'll get a better bang for your buck on the copier.  Nonetheless, use Printshop when you can - it's definitely a savings to you.

January Shoe Drive - Jan 2 to Jan 13 "Stepping Into A New Year"
The November Food Drive was a HUGE success, thanks to you and your students!  Sue and Marjie have volunteered to partner with a global organization for another drive called Soles4Souls - it's linked here.  Stay tuned for more details.


Guests In the House

• Region 1 Principals - Wednesday, Nov 30 Classroom Rounds from 9:30-11:00
• Lynne Rosellini - Thursday, Dec 1 Monthly School Visit

Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

…describe the knowledge and skills in English language arts and mathematics that students will need when they graduate, whatever their choice of college or career.

Upcoming ProDev
Dec 7 LIC: PR Day Committee Teams and CSIP Meeting
Agendas: coming soon

Dec 13 Staff Meeting @ 7:45am
Agenda:  Motivating the Unmotivated
**be thinking about the 3-5 kids in your class who might need a word of special word of encouragement from you over Winter Break**

Every Monday Matters
Your chief duty is great and noble - teaching kids to read, think, and solve problems.  Highlander teachers and staff turn the small tasks of learning into goals achieved.  What greater accomplishment is that?  Thank you for all you do!