Thanks for the Memories

What an amazing time we have had teaching, learning, and leading over the past years in Trussville City Schools.  It has truly been an honor and our pleasure.  We know that the dedicated leaders and teachers in our district will continue to grow, learn, and lead.  May God continuously guide and bless you as you shape the future for our students and our country. 

Beth and Jennifer

Scantron Analytics Training

TCS administrators and counselors learned about Scantron Analytics today.  This application that allows the user to carefully look at student and school data will be used during the 19-20 school year.  All school administrators, counselors, and central office staff will have access to the application.  Data will provide information about enrollment, attendance, grades, RtI, early warning, graduation, discipline, student watch list, and student profiles.  

Quotable Quote

“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.”

—Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
Philosopher, Physician, Nobel Peace Prize Winner

Dyslexia Training for TCS Teachers

The three elementary schools in TCS were chosen to participate in a state sponsored pilot program to train teachers to use specific materials for supporting struggling readers.  Master teacher Arlene Sonday created the Sonday System Reading Program based upon Orton-Gillingham methodology to teach reading from beginning letter and sound recognition through most phonograms. Selected teachers in grades K-6 will use the Sonday System for Tier II and Tier III intervention during the 19-20 school year.

The first day of training was facilitated by reading coaches Jenni Peters, Edra Perry, and Kelly McGough, and reading specialist Fran Box on June 11.  The day-long experience introduced teachers to the Sonday System program and materials, as well as an overview of dyslexia and Alabama law related to dyslexia.  Feedback from the teachers was exceptionally positive. 

Comments from teachers' feedback:

• Great job!  All presenters did an excellent job of teaching us!
• Today I learned that dyslexia is a challenge, not a disability.  It's an interference.
• I love having everything in one box that I can use to help students become better readers.
• Today I learned a great new program that is easy to follow, great to help Tier II intervention, and a very good resource to incorporate a multisensory approach to teaching phonics, fluency, comprehension, and spelling.  
• Today I learned so much about procedures and expectations to enhance the multisensory learning of all my students really, but especially the strugglers.  
• I feel like I have a better grasp on the program and am excited about seeing the results it will bring to our babies that need it.  
• I learned that 1 in every 5 students has dyslexia.  You need to repeat things 3 times for them to be in long term memory.  
• As a classroom teacher I am a dyslexia interventionist.  

Quotable Quote

To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity. 

Douglas Adams

Elementary Teachers Revise and Review Curriculum Guides

Elementary teachers met to work on revisions to their math curriculum guides this morning.  This work has been going on since mid May.  This afternoon, additional math teachers came in to hear and see the new revisions, giving their stamps of approval.  Math coaches who are facilitating the work are Stephanie Rosetta and Monica Bramlett.

LeadChange: Daily Gratitude

I read a timely article about gratitude this morning from LeadChange. The highlights of the article are:

• Gratitude is a conscious choice.  It doesn't just happen.
• Gratitude not only makes us feel happier, it is a significant cause of positive outcomes.
• Gratitude makes us better leaders.
• Gratitude motivates us to work harder.
• Gratitude drives your purpose.  

Gratitude is a conscious and willful action. You have to be aware of what you have in life for which you should be grateful. Once you have identified all your blessings, then remember and renew your gratitude for each one daily. Thankfulness is the sun in the morning fog—gratitude will burn away any doubts you have about your purpose in life.

To read the entire article, click here.  

Showing someone gratitude is the same as showing them respect; this is highly regarded in business and in any relationship.