The fifth week of school starts now.  Hopefully all of your bodies have gotten used to the new school year.  It’s so important to try and use some of your weekend to get some rest.  We are officially in full swing.

I was talking to a student that is new to Naaman from Arlington ISD the other day about his experience so far at our school.  His responses were what I usually hear when I ask students this.  It was real simple “I’m loving it.”  I then asked what do you love most about it.  He then responded “My teachers.”  He then went on to say that “They are so nice, and they really make me feel welcome here.”  He went further and said “It seems like they care that I actually learn things.”  Your care and compassion is a continuous theme that I hear from students and parents, and it’s a true gift to our community of learners.  Thank you!

How do you destroy an effective intervention program?  It’s simple!  Have strong Tier 1 instruction throughout the building.  When Tier 1 instruction is strong there is not much need for Tier 1 instruction.  Of course we will always intervene for students who benefit from extra instruction.  Especially our students with the most need.  One way to improve your results and to ensure that all that you do match the standards set out by the state is to have effective questioning in the classroom.  Sometimes we do a good job asking questions, but we miss the mark with the appropriate level of questioning needed.  Remember, we must make our students think.  They think when you stretch them.  A great strategy for ensuring you have great questioning is to script your questions prior to answering them.  Please click on the following link that addresses higher order thinking question stems. https://www.grinnell-k12.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/56117b0592c1e/Blooms%20Question%20Stems.pdf Use these stems to ensure your questioning is appropriate.  Also Schoolnet has great resources and essential questions built in.  I can’t wait to see the great questioning in your classroom.

Don’t forget to wear your favorite college shirt with jeans Tuesday for Garland ISD College Day.  Take plenty of pics and tweet out using the hashtag #NFHSCollegeDay.

Show your face and support Tennis against Sachse Tuesday as well as Volleyball vs Lakeview.  Football will have Freshman/JV action against Rowlett on Thursday and Varsity will play Rowlett Thursday at HBJ.

Have a great week!

Go Rangers!