Martin Memo

Perkins Staff Communication March 9, 2014

The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart. Helen Keller

Wonderfully Made

throes of poverty, addictions, and dysfunction while empowering and elevating them to dreams actualized by the ancestors through a sound education. This week, I felt compelled to start our Girls Group, Wonderfully Made because some of our girls are lost and in search of a powerfully consistent message of:

When was the last time someone told you that you were beautiful or handsome? Made to Perfection? Designed to do great things? Well, if it has been a moment, let me be one of the first this week(end) to share that you truly are Wonderfully Made. We live in a societal gumbo of multiple messages with multiple meanings filtered by multiple media, lens, perspectives, and upbringings. Many of us look to our families and loved ones to provide that formation of values, beliefs, and experiences that shape who we are. In contrast, our children come to schools where those messages collide with a set of community values and systems that can either build them up as new masters of the world or set them on the path to much darker experience. Ironic, huh? To our children and their families, we (the school community) reflect and represent one of the last institutions where a free and public education can unshackle them from the

We cannot afford to ignore their cries. It shows up in their appearance, their work, their language, and in their eyes. And I also know that our boys also need that same formidable encouragement and support. There are so many messages that are permeating their existence and they are expected to Wear a Mask and figure it out at a time where they still need direction. We need not ignore the tiny signals that come through misbehavior or a seemingly defiant shrug or no. In my opinion, they are a resounding message from the child(ren) to us

Martin Memo by Craig Martin, Principal

that I am here! I need love I need help! I want to be successful but I dont know how to make that happen. In our final months this year and in preparation, I found a great text, Hanging In: Strategies for Teaching the Students Who Challenge Us Most by Jeffrey Benson. This text is potent and rich and has me refocusing my lens on those of us who are Wonderfully Made and may have a hard time seeing it.

MJP Science Survey from Ms. Daniels

Dear Perkins Teachers & Families, Please check out our new science website for Outstanding World Learners and Leaders in Science!

Michael J. Perkins School:

A Hidden Gem (Video)

http://www.owlis .weebly.com

There is a short survey on the first page to complete after you explore the website.

The Michael J. Perkins School is being featured in BPS media as a Hidden Gem in the district. Please enjoy the YouTube Video Clip that illustrates that our school is Powerful Beyond Measure. Kudos to each member of the MJP X-Factors in Education as we continue to persevere, sacrifice, and push our students to their greatest potential. Thanks to Thelma DaSilva and Mark Pijanowski from OIIT who found a way to paint our school so exquisitely!

With your feedback I can adapt the site to better meet the needs of our community. I am looking forward to your feedback! Thank you!

Martin Memo by Craig Martin, Principal

Are we making progress?

According to the BPS Office of Data & Accountability, here is how students are predicted to perform on 2014 MCAS tests (based upon the grades 3-5 Paced Interim and Predictives assessments): 2013 2014 2014 Prediction Actual Goal ELA 67.9 71.1 80.7 MATH 70.0 73.4 81.5 SCIENCE 47.5 n/a 68.7 Here is our DIBELS Data:

Some may look at this data and be dismayed. But keep this in mind: Growth is Good! We are projected to MOVE FORWARD! We ARE THE X-FACTOR in our childrens education and we must continue to hone in on key skills, affirm our students when they are making good decisions in their thinking and strategy, and help our children focus on the STARs ABOVE! We CAN achieve our goals if we work hard. Lets continue to educate, elevate, and empower our children to their greatest potential!

Educator Effectiveness: Monitoring Practice and Progress

Artifacts After completing 100% of our evaluations, I have had a moment of reflection and I am requiring all staff members to upload their artifacts onto the EDFS system. It is your responsibility as professionals to ensure that you have clear evidence that supports your effectiveness as an educator in each of the Teacher Rubric Domains. Artifacts may include (but are not limited to): teacher developed data monitoring and analysis tools and reports, assessment samples with teacher feedback, agendas and notes from professional development and common planning meetings, family newsletters, reflections on practice, and more. In uploading your artifacts, your important work comes with also providing a rationale and description of the artifact to illustrate how this meets the proficient and/or exemplary expectation of the evaluation tool.

DIBELS/TRC Legend: Well Below Benchmark Below Benchmark Benchmark Proficient & Above

Martin Memo by Craig Martin, Principal

Summative Assessments (from OEE) A summative evaluation occurs at the end of an evaluation cycle and provides feedback that informs an educators practice, showing where s/he stands relative to standards and goals, and what s/he can work on next. The formative assessment and the summative evaluation use the same format in the Educator Development and Feedback System, however, a summative evaluation has implications for an educators next evaluation cycle. Summative meetings will take place during the first three weeks in May. Non Compliance If a teacher does not meet the deadlines and/or expectations of a directive, it will be noted on EDFS. It is your responsibility as a professional to meet the expectation or speak with your evaluator in a timely manner to discuss an issue and/or concern. Please see the communication I provided to you on December 16, 2013 for specifics on expected artifacts. If you need assistance, please see Ms. Daniels and/or Ms. Bishop or go to: Office of Educator Effectiveness http://boston.schoolwires.net/oee

also inviting community organizations to join us for a Resource Fair to support parents signing up for summer programs.

Save the Dates

You may also go to the MJP website to see all the school wide dates/event between now and the End of the School Year. 3/3 3/5 3/6 3/10 MJP Instructional Walkthrough Click on link for 3/3/14 report MJP Mock ELA Test Day MJP Awards Orders Turned into Ms. Thomas MJP PD: Health & Wellness, Data Diving, 3:00 5:00 p.m. Science Room 3/11 3/14 MJP MCAS Test Administration Training MJP Community Day of Scholars Report Card Grades Close 3/17-31 MCAS Testing (ELA) Click on Link for Revised Testing Dates 3/27 ILT Meeting, 3 4:15p.m. Focus: Integrative Science & Math

Spring Open House

During our Spring Open House on April 10 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., we are showcasing activities that parents can do at home to strengthen their childrens mathematical ability. Classroom Teachers will be expected to provide supports and resources that can be extended beyond the school day. This may include First in Math, math games, Family Guides to Learning by the OFSE, etc. We are
th

3/31-4/4 4/1 4/4 4/10

Report Cards Go Home Paced Interim Tests#4ELA & Math MJP Spring Open House, 4 6 pm, FOCUS: Math, Science & Technology, Arts Showcase, and Summer Program Resource Fair

Martin Memo by Craig Martin, Principal

Deadlines/Deliverables:
MJP Classroom Teachers should

check in with specialists for their grades to enter on SIS and for award recognition opportunities by 3/10/2014 Any student who has more than 12 unexcused absences for the year will receive a score of NC on their report cards in each subject. According to page 14 of the BPS Guide for Families and Students, it is the parents responsibility to provide documentation in a timely fashion. You can direct parents to schedule an attendance hearing meeting with me if they have questions and/or concerns about the attendance policy. Paced Interims #3 (April 4th). Grades 3-5 Teachers must 1. Turn in their Paced Interim Student Answer sheets to Mr. Martin by noon on April 4th. 2. Enter their students graded open responses onto www.ationline.com by 11:59 p.m. on April 6th, 2014. Educator Effectiveness Artifacts due on EDFS by May 1st 2014.

Martin Memo by Craig Martin, Principal