Sunday, February 25

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Happy Sunday! Any Ted Lasso fans out there? The other day, a list of lessons we can learn from Ted Lasso crossed my path, or infiltrated my feed, however you want to look at it. So of course, I went down a Ted Lasso rabbit hole. I have zero regrets! I found lessons for leaders, teachers and students and I love them so much! On our first installment of lessons from Ted Lasso, I share 8 lessons for teachers. I do want you all to know that my vision for Westbrook was in no way influenced or inspired by Ted Lasso. However, reading through his lessons, I was both surprised and delighted by the similarities. I think you are all very good in these areas but I have a challenge for you. Read through them and find one you have some room for growth or find the most difficult. Write that lesson on a piece of paper and put it somewhere you will see it often. As you go through the next few weeks, find ways to practice that lesson. See if by making an effort to make yourself uncomfortable, or try something new, you gain confidence in that area. Please share which on of these you choose and share your celebrations with me. 


Staff Meeting Notes: We had an impromptu staff meeting location change this week. I hope you were able to enjoy some time together. I am sorry if I missed you, I was definitely late. I wanted to share some of the things we would have covered:

1) Report Cards: Report cards need to be updated by Thursday, 2/29. Luisa will email them the afternoon of Friday, 3/1. Let me know if you have questions. 

2) Overflow students: Any students that were overflowed to Westbrook this year will automatically be moved back to their home school. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. We will definitely have upset families, but it is not in our control. If a parent asks you to write a letter on their behalf, or to explain why they should stay at Westbrook, politely decline. We cannot get involved in this process. It is the same as if you were asked to write a letter for a divorce, or something like that. It is in your best interest to stay out of it. 

3) Next Year's Schedule: It is already time to think about next year! Eek. I would like to start talking about our schedule, mainly lunch. Talk in your PLC's and discuss whether a different lunch time might benefit your students. This does not mean your time will change, I just want to start looking at all the pieces. 

4) Enrollment: Speaking of lunches, our enrollment next year will definitely be different. That being said, I have no idea what it will be. They have started to look at the numbers but we there are still a lot of people who have not enrolled. It might be worth sending an email to your families making sure they have enrolled for next year. 

5) Volunteer Appreciation: I would love to have some sort of Volunteer Appreciation event. I got some ideas from other principals, but would like to make it our own. If you have ideas, please share. If you would like to help organize it, I will be so appreciative. Right now, this is just food for thought. Volunteer appreciation week is the 3rd week in April, in case we would like to align with that. 

6) Musical: I don't know that it can happen this year, but are any of your interested in leading a musical? I have a friend who runs it at another school and is a wealth of information. She shared a lot of info with me and would love to help anyone who wants to take it on. 

7) Run Club: We are going to do a general run club for any interested students. Several of you have expressed interest. I am thinking the more the merrier because it takes the pressure off. At our last brainstorm, we got hung up at finding a time. I think Monday afternoons would be best. Let me know if you would like to help and let's get started!


TOSA Tidbit

I found this blog post on the PBS Kids site about helping children manage disappointment. It's worth a quick read and aligns beautifully with our Resiliency personal standard!


EL Update

23/24 Spring Summative ELPAC Schedule WE-revised 2/15

  • This is the document Chris and I will provide for our ELPAC examiners.

  • Teachers: please update the highlighted sections as it pertains to you or your grade level no later than March 22

2024 Parent and Guardian Notification Letter

  • This letter was sent by the district to all parents of active EL students via swift

  • A version in home language was also sent if available

  • If the parents inquire about the Summative ELPAC, you can share this with them.

  • Ltr has the handy links for parents to familiarize themselves with the test

Summative ELPAC Practice Links

  • During designated EL instruction time, familiarize your students with the test and talk with them about working with a teacher they may not be familiar with.
Upcoming Dates: 
March 6: Skate Night 6-8pm
March 14: Spring Picture Day
March 21: Open House
March 25-April 1: Spring Break
April 12: Move-A-Thon

Parent Blog: Here is the link to the Parent Blog
* There is a lot of info in this blog including the QR code to sign up to volunteer for our Move-A-Thon. Feel free to take things to add to you parent communication. 

Coming Up This Week:
Monday, 2/26~ 
Tuesday, 2/27~ 
Wednesday, 2/28~ Rori Off Site PM; SSP meetings by invitation only
Thursday, 2/29~ Brooks Off Site at PD; PBIS Tier 1 @ 2:20pm
Friday, 3/1~ Flag Salute @ 7:50am

Happy Birthday 🎉

3/2: Chris Lemos

And I leave you with this.....


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