2016-2017 Summer Update

Our Mission:  “Educate students for lifelong learning and responsible living.”
Our Vision:  “Provide a learning environment that promotes and develops academic and
social growth.”

Happy Summer!

If you are reading this blog (and email), you are dedicated!  You are enjoying a well-deserved break from the rigors of the classroom and even so, I know many of you are chomping at the bit to start preparing for next year!  This is how I know the team we have assembled this year is like none other…thank you for being on the Coolidge Team!!!  

Allow me to introduce the newest team members:

Carrie Skaggs - Instructional Coach
Ashleigh Helmick - Instructional Coach

Wauneka Leeson - Kindergarten

Chelsie Johnson - Kindergarten
Wendy Boring - First Grade
Lindsay Saxon - Second Grade
Kristi Vandevier - Third Grade
Dakota Jackson - Third Grade
Padilla Navarro - Fourth Grade
Hannah Russell - Fourth Grade
Sherri Hickman - Fifth Grade
Laurie Herbers - Fifth Grade
LaNita Hobza - Fifth Grade
Sandra Duty - Sixth Grade
Kayleigh Metz - Sixth Grade
Vassileva Briggs - ELD
Sam Natarajan - Computer Assistant
Martha Gillin - Part Time Clerk

I am still interviewing for a Prekindergarten and a first grade position.

Some important things to note, particularly for teachers of grades 1-6 are that we are changing literacy in a very big way!!!  This is not to say that early childhood will not be impacted, because it will, but you already work with standards-based grading and are likely already using the method that the entire district is taking which is…

BALANCED LITERACY

If you are not familiar with this approach, I have several links and information below for you to investigate.  Bottom line is, the district has modified the state standards so that they are more rigorous and detailed, and we will be teaching to those standards which is in NO WAY teaching to the test except that hopefully the test will cover the standards we teach.  However, to do this well, I believe it is in your best interest to begin preparations now.

I would suggest that you begin your “discovery learning” in sequence as I have listed the links below and realize I am chunking information here; more will come later:

OKCPS Literacy Standards

          1^st Grade

          2^nd Grade

          3^rd Grade

          4^th Grade

          5^th Grade

          6^th Grade

OKCPS Math Standards

          Pre-K

          Kindergarten

          1^st Grade

          2^nd Grade

          3^rd Grade

          4^th Grade

          5^th Grade

          6^th Grade

What is Balanced Literacy?  (Click on each element Balanced Literacy on the left in the navigation bar to get a better idea of what each element includes.)

Guided Reading Resources-Daily Five

The Great Destination Training-District Links from training the last two weeks (must be signed into Google Drive to access!!)

Now, after you have digested all of that, the thing you will want to try to get accomplished ASAP is creating your literacy stations/centers so that you can TEACH the procedures for those centers right away.  This will be essential to your success!  Fear not, for if you google Literacy Centers, Literacy stations, or Literacy Work Stations, you will get several sites that will give you ideas on centers!  Just be sure they are addressing the STANDARDS I shared with you as a guide.  I will be posting on Google Drive sample lesson plans.  

Realize that we are all climbing the same mountain and we promise to leave NO ONE behind, but the view will be AMAZING when we reach the top!  Good things are happening!  Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have ANY questions or concerns!

To Develop Every Child Into a Reader:

• Everyday a child reads something they choose to read.
• Every child reads accurately
• Every child reads something they understand.
• Every child writes something that is personal and meaningful daily.
• Every child talks with peers about reading and writing.
• Every child hears an adult reader read fluently.

Coolidge Elementary Academic Goals for 2016-2017

• All Students WILL achieve academically.
• Reading:  Increase reading proficiency by at least one grade level.
• Math:  Increase math achievement by 10% with 80% mastery of math facts on grade level.  
• Writing:  Increase writing proficiency by 15%
• Student Attendance:  Increase student attendance to 98%.
• Increase Faculty Attendance to 98%

STAR:  https://hosted58.renlearn.com/217454/

Oklahoma State Blueprints:

http://ok.gov/sde/oklahoma-academic-standards

Melissa Brett | Principal

Coolidge Elementary School | Oklahoma City Public Schools

5212 S. Villa, Oklahoma City, OK 73119

(405) 587-2800