January 12, 2020
Faculty Mtg, 1/13
On Monday, we will have our faculty meeting off campus. Attendance is expected and we will begin at
3:45pm to give time for travel. Our meeting will take place at Helen
Fitzgerald’s on S. Lindbergh (https://helenfitzgeralds.com/) from
3:45-4:30pm. Please bring something to
write (pen or pencil) with and money to purchase an adult beverage(s), if you
wish. Munchies will be provided.
If you are not familiar with Jimmy Kinnel’s Mean Tweets,
please watch the links below. Disclaimer
that there is some strong adult language/topics and apologies in advance if
offended.
Afterschool
Activities 1/14
Activities start up again next Tuesday. Please remember to contact Maddie if you need
to cancel or for morning/afternoon announcements.
CLT Meeting
Observer, 1/16
On Thursday, 1/16, Bryan Dunn from EdPlus will be visiting
CLT meetings and observing. Bryan is a
part of the team supporting Webster Groves on a district level.
SAM Stuff
Before Winter Break, I had a time tracker from SAM shadow me
for two days. Sarah Magruder is my
building SAM and she will work with me to improve my time management. We will begin using some language from the
training we attended on Friday. It will
seem odd at first but please stick with us as we utilize the tools we are being
given. Sarah is my SAM which means she
will be telling/reminding me to use my time better. I appreciate your patience as I learn to
manage my time better so I can serve each of you more effectively! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any
questions.
Some answer to some questions I’ve received:
What is SAM?
SAM is a professional development process using a unique set of tools to change
a principal’s focus from school management tasks to instructional leadership—activities
directly connected to improving teaching and learning. Over 1,200 school
leaders in twenty-three states contract for SAM services.
What is a SAM?
A SAM is a person or team of staff members who meet with the principal each day
to schedule instructional leadership time, reflect on impact and develop a
First Responder structure in the school. Some schools elect to hire a new staff
member for this role. Many use existing staff, usually a secretary, principal
or teacher leader. Most schools use a team approach, for example: a secretary
and assistant principal. SAM: School Administration Manager
Who and what are
First Responders? The life of most school leaders is interrupt driven.
The SAM process identifies staff members who should be the first to try to deal
with management issues instead of immediately pulling the principal from
instructional work. The SAM team works to create management systems within the
school to manage the management so the principal can stay engaged in activities
designed to improve teaching and learning. NSIP surveys of parents, students
and staff at SAM schools reveal that the management is better accomplished when
the First Responders system is in place and the principal increases
instructional engagement.
You keep referring
to TimeTrack. What is TimeTrack? TimeTrack is a cloud based calendar
that the principal uses like a lesson plan every day. The calendar tracks the
time the principal spends with individual and groups of teachers and provides
specific detail of the interactions. TimeTrack records and charts are used in a
daily meeting with the principal and SAM team to determine next steps and track
time use.
Have a great week!
With gratitude,
Grace
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