Month: March 2023

😋 TAKEOUT FRIDAY 🌮

Camilo Machado Uncategorized

It’s TAKEOUT FRIDAY!

Come join the Soko Happy Hour and grab some authentic Mexican food to go on your way out.

Because of all the positive feedback from last time, we will be meeting around 3:30pm at Los Agaves Restaurant – located just a few blocks away on Broadway.

Los Agaves was previously highlighted in October so this is the perfect opportunity for those who have not had a chance to check them out. Check out their menu HERE and choose the take-out dinner that matches your Friday night mood.

 

📕Literacy Look Ahead (3/30/23)📕

katiebordelon Uncategorized

RESOURCE ALERT

April is Poetry Month. The books in the library display case are some of my favorite poetry anthologies. Feel free to borrow!

The grade level bins outside of the library door have been updated with potential resources for the current Fishtank units.

 

DATA

This is a progress monitoring week. Please try to have data in the Literacy Data Sheet by next Wednesday April 4th. This is our last progress monitoring before the break. The reading team will be meeting to see what adjustments might need to be made to groups moving forward. Please reach out with any ideas or concerns.

Tomorrow is the hard deadline for all From Phonics to Reading Benchmark data. Data needs to be put into the spreadsheet by the end of the day on Friday.

 

PLT

PLTs will continue to have a literacy focus until the break. Here is what to expect next week:

Monday: Grade 1 Fishtank Unit Prep/Work Time (Amazing Animals)

Tuesday: Grade 4 Data Analysis (Energy)- Please bring your content assessments

Wednesday: Grade 2 Fishtank Unit Prep/Work Time (Stories of Immigration)

April is National Autism Awareness Month! 🧩

Camilo Machado Uncategorized

Since the 1970s, the Autism Society has been celebrating National Autism Awareness Month (NAAM) to highlight the growing need for concern and awareness about autism. The United States recognizes April as a special opportunity to educate the public about autism and issues within the autism community.

People all over the globe wear blue and light up their communities for World Autism Awareness Day, observed on April 2. Since school is closed on that day, we invite you to show your support by wearing blue on Monday, April 3.

This is also a great opportunity to help students learn about Autism and discuss the importance of inclusion & kindness. Here are some resources you can use to talk to kids about it before Monday.

Educational Video about Autism for Kids:
English:
Amazing Things Happen – Autism Short Film
Autism Explained for Kids
Spanish:
Entendiendo el Autismo
El AUTISMO explicado para NIÑOS
Cortometraje sobre el Trastorno del Espectro Autista
Portuguese:
Autismo – Entenda de forma simples
Vídeo educativo – Autismo
TEA – Autismo explicado pra crianças
Russian:
Аутизм может делать удивительные вещи!
French:
En savoir plus sur l’autisme pour les enfants

Classroom Learning Ideas
1) Teach a lesson on tips for being a friend to someone with autism
2) Choose books or stories for students to read that have individuals with autism as characters
3) Have students decorate autism ribbons or puzzle pieces and decorate the classroom or door with the creations
4) Have students make a pocket-sized booklet about Autism to spread awareness
5) Encourage students to write letters to legislators about the needs of students with disabilities, including autism. Students will need to think critically about this issue and learn how to constructively write and advocate for this cause.
6) Create a pen pal system where students write letters, draw pictures, or cards to students with special needs, particularly autism, fostering friendship and connection as well as reading and writing skills.

Elementary Books about Autism:
Andy and His Yellow Frisbee by Mary Thompson
Russell is Extra Special by Charles Amenta, III
Captain Tommy by Abby Ward Messner
My Best Friend Will by Jamie Lowell and Tara Tuchel
Ian’s Walk-A Story about Autism by Laurie Lears and Karen Ritz
The Autism Acceptance Book by Ellen Sabin
Tobin Learns to Make Friends by Diane Murrell
Taco’s Anyone by Marvie Ellis and Jenny Loehr
Keisha’s Doors by Marvie Ellis
Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story about Bullying by Becky McCain
A is for Autism by Jennifer Bloink

Lastly, you can also support businesses that celebrate neurodiverse entrepreneurs, such as One For All Gifts. Founded by Theresa DeMarco and her autistic son, Sean, this unique retailer features gifts crafted by artisans with different abilities.

Posters:

  

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 3/27/23)

Nate Meyers Uncategorized

Here are some announcements to help you start your week.

New Sharks

I want to welcome two new Sharks to the family starting Monday, 3/27.

Welcome, Victoria Padova! Victoria is familiar with Chelsea as she has worked at Kelly and Hooks School. We look forward to her jumping right in and helping us out! If Victoria is supporting your classroom, I have sent you an email. 

Welcome, Ian Wendel! He is making the transition into the education field. He will start with a flexible schedule until we determine the best long-term plan.

Thank you for making them feel part of the team!

Morning Duty- Drop-Off Line

We need two people for the drop-off line in the morning. If you want the job, the working time is 7:50-8:20. It is a paid position at the contractual rate. Please check in with Nate or Cam if you would like the job!

PLTs

This week’s grade-level PLTs will be Fishtank focused.

Coverage 

Monday- Accomodators PLT

Tuesday- 4th Grade 

Wednesday- 2nd Grade

Thursday- 3rd Grade 

Friday- 1st Grade

Instructional Rounds

  • A team of CPS coordinators, administrators, and central office staff will visit the Sokolowski School on Wednesday, March 29, to participate in Instructional Rounds. These Instructional Rounds are designed to help leadership teams at each CPS school look closely at what is happening in classrooms in a systematic, purposeful, and focused way.  
  • Any classroom could receive a 15-minute visit from a group of 3-4 CPS colleagues between 9:00-10:00. They will be looking for evidence of: a) objectives posted and communicated to kids, b) higher-order thinking, and c) ALL students having access to the curriculum.
  • If you have any questions, please reach out to Nate or Cam.

Faculty Meeting- Tuesday, 3/28 (3:00-5:00)

Tuesday, March 28, is a two-hour faculty meeting. We will meet in the cafeteria.

Here is the agenda for the Dialogical Reasoning session 2.
Here are the slides for the session.

The focus from 3:00-4:00 is on Dialogic Reasoning Part II.

From 4:00-5:00, we will have time for school updates and other school needs.

Ethics Training

The law department has set a deadline of Wednesday, March 29th, to complete this training. Here is the link to the Conflict of Interest Law training information and the link to complete your training. If you have any problems logging on contact, personnel@chelseaschools.com. Thank you

Parent Conferences

Parent conferences are on Thursday, March 30th, from 3:00-5:00. Please give parents report cards and other reports. 

This past week, I was asked about conferences for families that you did not prioritize but still want a conference. If they ask because they want to meet, then accommodate. If they’re asking because they heard there were conferences, reassure them they will get an update on their child’s progress through their report card coming, and if they have any specific questions afterward, they can reach out.

Please send home report cards Friday, March 31st.

Save the Date: SEL Happy Hour

We would like to invite you to our upcoming SEL Happy Hour on Friday, March 31st. This is a great opportunity to connect and socialize with each other. The location is still to be determined, but we will update you soon. We hope to see you there!

When: Friday 3/31 at 3:30pm 

Where: TBD

 

😋 TAKEOUT FRIDAY 🇭🇳

Camilo Machado Uncategorized

Today we are highlighting a place that is also known as “The house of the Baleada”. Catrachos Restaurant is the place to go for authentic Honduran food. In addition to being rich in flavor, their comida catracha is made up of a mixture of native culinary elements. Check out their website to learn more. They have an extensive menu serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Need some inspiration? Check out their creations on Facebook and Instagram.

Monday was the first day of Spring aka outdoor seating season. Are you ready to check out their patio?

Pro tip: Order the baleadas! The beans are perfectly refried and the tortillas are delicious.

📕Literacy Look Ahead (3/23/23)📕

katiebordelon Uncategorized

Happy Spring!

The next several weeks of PLT will be Fishtank focused. Here is what to expect for next week:

Tuesday: Grade 4- Unit Prep for Greek Myths

Wednesday: Grade 2- Unit Planning for Immigration

Thursday: Grade 3- Data Analysis **Please being your content assessments from Rediscovering Thanksgiving.**

Friday: Grade 1- Data Analysis **Please bring your content assessments from Folktales Around the World.**

 

PROGRESS MONITORING

Next week (3/27-3/31) is a progress monitoring week. Please have data in by Monday 4/3.

FROM PHONICS TO READING BENCHMARK DATA (Grades 1-3)

Data is due next Friday 3/31. You can find the spreadsheet here.

 

 

Ramadan 2023 🛐

Camilo Machado Uncategorized

Hello Sokolowski educators,

March 23rd is the first day of the Month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. 
Ramadan is a holy month of worship and Muslim students in our classrooms might be fasting from sunrise to sunset (about 5:40 am-7:00 pm depending on the region they reside in). Additionally, if the students are fasting, they might need a different location during their lunch. Also, even if they don’t fast, students may be spending a lot more time in mosques performing extra prayers.
 
Laura is making a display in the library of books about Ramadan. Please check it out.
Here are some additional books 
 
Additional Resources:

Sokolowski Weekly Updates (for 3/20/23)

Nate Meyers Uncategorized

Here are some announcements to help you start your week.

PLTs

This week’s grade-level PLTs will be focused on MCAS training.

Coverage 

Monday- SpEd PLT & MLE PLT

Tuesday- 4th Grade and accommodators

Wednesday- NO PLT

Thursday- 3rd Grade and accommodators

Friday- Para PLT

Early Release Day Logistics

Early release day logistic document

Room for Small Groups

In order to maximize spaces in our school and support small group testing during MCAS, we are opening room S210. The room will be available on a request/first-come first-serve basis. If you have a specific need to use the room, please send Cam an email. 

At this time, the room is not available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 11:25 am and 1:35 pm. The room will also not be available during MCAS days. 

The Lactation Room has officially moved to SK213A (inside the vestibule by the music room).

Report Card and Conference Information

  • Report cards are due in X2 on March 24
  • If teachers have questions Katie and Laura will be available during the 30 minutes of PLT Time on the 3/22 Early Release Day (12:30-1:00 and 2:20-2:50)  
  • Since the standards reflect end-of-year expectations, there most likely should not be many M-Blue  for “Meeting the Standard given for Trimester 2, with the exception of Science and HSS standards that are only assessed in T2, and some math standards that will not be assessed in T3 — For T2, students should be given O-Green for “on track”,” T-Yellow for “working towards the standard,” or B-Red for “working below the standard.”
    • Note: for the Reading Foundational Standards teachers should be using DIBELS 8 Benchmark and Progress Monitoring Data, iReady Diagnostic Data, as well as formative assessments from From Phonics to Reading to determine students’ mastery level.  
  • When planning for conferences, prioritize students you have concerns about and/or families you have not met yet this year. I suggest reaching out to schedule those for Thursday, 3/30. If you are having trouble connecting with a family or getting them to call you back, reach out to the SST and include Ginelie.

Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School

Enough! Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in My School is a highly engaging and interactive, one-hour online course. Enough! conveys information through two teacher avatars based on real teachers. Two cases of child sexual abuse are highlighted to address the gaps that school personnel report in their knowledge of the issue. The course includes the latest research on the impact of child sexual abuse on learning difficulties, memory deficits, social/emotional learning, academic failure, and long-term physical and mental health.

Chelsea Public Schools employees can register and take the course individually at any time from a computer using this link: https://elearning.enoughabuse.org/products/enough-preventing-child-sexual-abuse-in-my-school-chelsea-public-schools

For more information, see the attached course flyer and step-by-step course registration instructions. If anyone has technical difficulties or questions, they can contact Lindsay, MassKids Communications Coordinator, at lindsay@masskids.org or (617) 971 – 8369.

 

😋 TAKEOUT FRIDAY 🧆

Camilo Machado Uncategorized

Today we are highlighting another local Latino-owned business. Located just a few blocks from Chelsea City Hall, Delicias Salvadoreñas have been exploring traditional culinary delights for more than 20 years with the goal to deliver a unique Salvadoran gastronomic experience in Chelsea.

Check out their website to order online. You can also find them on Grubhub and Doordash. Need some inspiration? Check out their creations on Instagram.

Pro tip: Do not miss out on their patio seating once the weather gets nice. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a cold malteada.  

📕 Literacy Look Ahead (3/16/23) 📕

katiebordelon Uncategorized

PROGRESS MONITORING

If you still need to input any progress monitoring data, please do so as soon as possible.  Please remember that ALL students in the school need an instructional focus selected for Read to Grow.

We are moving our next PM week to the week of 3/27.

 

FROM PHONICS TO READING BENCHMARK DATA (GRADES 1-3)

FPTR benchmark data is due by 3/31. Please use this spreadsheet. Reach out if you need any help administering or scoring these assessments.

 

GRADES 1 AND 3

As you finish the assessments for your first Fishtank unit, please keep all student work. We will be using this at a future Data Analysis PLT.