NPES Staff Orientation

David - tech support showed slideshow Dr. T - used postcards to drop a line to students

• introductions - culture of bldg. activities
• explained student influx from 2 closed schools
• population now 726 students, K/1 class size = 21, max 24 students class size
• staff handbook pt 1 - protocols pt 2 forms schedule
• dist handbook pocket (prelude)
• PTA - new offices Mr. James Graves-President encouraged to join PTA
• Accrediation (handbook)-schols are rated and Acc is largely dependant on these ratings. 75% = passing rate in English (grades 3-5) to pass proficiency in SOL. 70%-Math, 54%-History 50%-Science/NPES scores were 85% Reading, 78% Math, 85% Science. 4th grade took Math for first time which brought the test down. Also different test vendor.
• 4 magnet schools - we're the only Title 1 magnet school
• Roster - know different resources
• Ross Hayley-Parent resource specialist - resource for students not doing homework home/sch connection. was the ISS inst. at Huntington.
• Difference between reading specialist and coach. coach does not evaluate
• Special needs-2 pronged: 1.? 2.referred to eligibility process-social worker does social background & family interviews
• SAMS teacher - TAG teacher who pulls out TAG students, but also those whom are close computerized phoenimic awareness program
• Breakfst-not for 1st week - students have lunch #s because they're tracked except kinder or anyone new to Newport News
• students report to classrooms first & go to cafeteria after announcement
• past-4yrs getting evaluated evaluation, now-3 yrs, plan of action-do not get raise and may not get contract following year, lead teacher & coaches (different than specialist), documented walk-throughs (past just walked there but need document for central office), new leadership team-school improvement plan (not so new) but revisiting good for 3yrs., block scheduling-team worked w/it, computer instructional asst-mr. gillis new block
• New Focus areas-726 students everyone has duty area
• schoolwide discipline norms-not new-but sch dist is emphasizing this in all speaking same language
• Old language/new language at leadership retreat-qpq "questions behind questions", how can i help you? what can i do to make it better? always involve "i" & always involve an action.
• literacy-harcourt
• spending time communication protocol - cell phones & emails-observations put cell phone on vibrate-& go somewhere so children cannot see you talking, i'm not saying don't use it.
• emails-if the issue is high stress-talk in person rather than email
• safety in community - quality for 2 cafeteria monitors because of high #s.
• what's new in sch. division? Iterim school superintendant dr. kilgore asst. superintendant for inst. services - dr. jeffery smith-executive directions-keep 2 elem. ones - middle school no larger new dr. fahe, science supervisors-elem. need, testing supervisor-need, dr. westin is interim, acting TAG supervisor - patti tac, PTA Board new officers
• NEW Books - Results Now - Schmoker, Good to Great - Collins, Poverty - Payne - our demographics changed, poverty does not mean dischoveled-we have lots who look nice outside but are poor inside, Morning Meeting book-reestablish culture, Code Switching -rachel swartz

Introduce Community Norms - & also to new comm. members

• being on time & prepared
• be positive put difference outside
• be open & willing to support others, ideas
• be courteious, good listeners, & patience
• take the high road - ambitious plans but 1/2 way thru-do we give up & settle or cont. tracking?
• accept diff. options
• respect teaching practice (activity on eagles to help children soar - online, lots of talk, lots of flap, but doesn't go anywhere"
• be proactive
• be curtious we always want to know what's new continue

SOL's score are wonderful this year

Message - what is my personal challenge this year? The only way to deliver the people who are achieving is not to burden them with people.

9/9 - community parade

Coaches mtg - w/dr. t

• do you feel prepared to present?
• expectations - just wet their ears of what's coming up - commercial, and then more later at team mtgs.
• grade level council mtg-1 hr/1 day wk to discuss adm stuff, share strategies-present bulk
• distribute materials-parapros report to ms. wolfson & will dist materials.
• need to know what book w/ what grade
• anything else besides textbooks to be given out?
• tomorrow - pt of presentation - deliver part of role of specialist/coaches
• coaches-not evaluators-observe
• specialists-may be pulled in as part of a walkthough-seek help/feedback
• grade level teams will cover up staff dev plans