Nightly News for January 23rd

My apologies for the tardiness of the Nightly News. I didn't send it before I left at 5:00. My family was headed to the Blazer game and I needed to feed them before they left. I planned on getting to work again after they took off and dozed off for a bit...I am sure you can all relate. 

It was a busy day and kids were definitely in their feelings. I felt a general sense of emotion in the halls and saw plenty of kids out and about. There are a few items below to address this, but we do need to get a handle on the number of kids in the hall. As the year progresses this will become a larger issue and we need to nip it in the bud now. 

 I know many of our students had full weekends celebrating Lunar New Year and several reported situations to trusted adults.  Please continue to hold to your classroom norms and revisit expectations regularly. This is especially true coming back from the weekends. 

• I am supposed to attend Instructional Rounds tomorrow morning and plan to return to the building by 12:30. I will check the sub list in the morning and determine if I can attend based on staffing. 

• A reminder that PAT members have staff meeting tomorrow. We will begin with PAT announcements at 3:30 and admin will join at 3:45. Please be sure to bring your device. 

• K/1 teachers tomorrow you are invited to watch the dress rehearsal arts performance at 12:15. The band will not be playing tomorrow. Please remind students of assembly expectations if you plan on attending. Middle School teachers please note ALL band students should be in class tomorrow during 4th period. A list of students who should be in the dress rehearsal will go out in by 11:30. NO OTHER STUDENTS should be out of class during 4th period. Please note this is the ONLY period students should be out of class tomorrow. We are making an effort to honor "dead week" as the term winds down. 

• We are seeing an uptick in MS (and some upper elementary) students saying they have permission to be out of class for various reasons, "Mr.DeLeon told me I could go to his class to makeup a French test this period." In reality no permission was given and no such request was made. If a student requests to attend another teacher's class during the day it is up to the teacher making the request to contact the teacher whose class will be missed and make this arrangement in advance.

• In the same vein students requesting to see Chukwu, counselors, Danelle, Natalie, etc. should be given a pass. Some students have standing breaks/check ins, and if this is the case they should still have a pass. We realize at times there may be an urgent need to check in etc. If this is the case then the we ask a call is made to their office to ensure they are available. If there is no answer the student should remain in the classroom. If it is a safety issue or very pressing need please call the office and they will assist in tracking the person down. 

• While we mention this, if you are requesting students join your room/space during lunches please ensure they have a pass. We have found MANY kids eating lunch unsupervised throughout the building in the last few days. 

• I failed to share in the Weekly Forecast that Daisy Ibarra-Hernandez has taken a new position in the district. Her last day at Harrison Park was Friday. We appreciate her work with our students in room 136.

• An update on room 136. We currently have two guest teachers, Kathie Collins and Stephanie Jones. We are down to one para educator, Mikailia Morgan. Jill and I are working hard to support our staff and students as much as possible. If you have any questions please defer to either of us. 

• PFSP staff I sent information to you directly in regards to Friday. Please be sure to let me know of your plans by Thursday.