November+Afton+Wiki

Happy November!

Short month, short Wiki...

Here are some salient points I would like you to be aware of:


 * __**Reflections of November 2nd workshop**__. Like you, I found Dr. Taschner's presentation to be timely with respects to our own inclusion iniative; however, I wished she had gone into DI on a deeper level. Through rose colored glasses, I took away from the presentation a reassurance that we are doing is exactly what we should be doing, according to the experts. I commend all of you for adhering to the Madeline Hunter EEI model for lesson design and applaud all of you for creating your own "dynamic responsive classrooms."
 * This is a nice way to segue into a reminder that there will be an **Afton Inclusion Team meeting** taking place __Thursday, November 4th at 8:15 AM__ in the conference room. The purpose of this meeting will be to celebrate first marking period successes and to align our focus on to those issues that require revisions. Please bring your concerns. I would also like to table the possibility of moving towards natural proportions for 2011/12 school year.
 * __**Special area schedule for conference days**__. I have surveyed several staff members and will be changing the format to the special area schedule on conference days. This year we will run a REGULAR special area schedule until 11:40. Those grade levels that do not have specials in the fall will have specials in the spring. Please be aware that I will not be here Wednesday evening due to my class at Lehigh. If you need me to attend any report card conference please let me know a.s.a.p.
 * __**Quite Riot Assembly (November 22)**__. This enviroment-centered assembly will take place 9:15 AM (primary) and 10:15 AM (intermediate).
 * __**Pennsbury Recycles**__. I did not have enough time at the last faculty meeting to discuss the agenda-item of recycling. Please know that principals, as well as head custodians, have received an update on how Pennsbury recycles cardboard, paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum. It is my understanding that further //emphasis on// and //practice of// recycling will continue to unfold. Stay tune for more details.
 * __**RELA renewal update**__. The RELA Committee will be scheduling two afternoon school presentations - one with //HM Harcourt Journeys// and the other with //Macmillan McGraw Hill Treasures//. In addition, materials from both companies will be sent to the building in December. Mary Ellen Lane is hoping to move grade level meetings to February so that cross district conversations may take place before teachers complete their rubrics and cast their vote for which program is best for Pennsbury students.
 * Before the holiday season comes into full play, I am going to once again request that you think of others before thinking of me and apply your generousity to the Afton Giving Tree or the Pennsbury Scholarship Foundation. Your gift to me is the 110 percent that you give to our students on a daily basis. Because of this I am already blessed and do not need anything more.

See you on the playing field for the Turkey Bowl! Best wishes for a relaxing Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Joe

ps - with the close of the first marking period, I am requesting that you review your student tracker cards and update any information and/or change card colors. I will be using these cards for December/January grade level meetings.