Mixing It Up

On Tuesday, October 29^th we participated in Mix It Up Day.  Mix It Up Day is a national campaign launched by Teaching Tolerance a decade ago.  It encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries.  You can learn more about Mix It Up Day at http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/map.

We decided to mix our students up by the color of their clothes.  Staff members from all areas volunteered to eat with groups of students during normal lunch times.  While enjoying each other’s company we also focused on three questions. 

      ·      What is a hidden talent of yours?
      ·      Do you have any pets?  If so, what and how many?
      ·      What do you want to be when you grow up?

Ask your child what he/she learned.

Has Your Child Mentioned that He or She has a New Family?

This year we are building upon initiatives (such as STARR Teams, Panther PRIDE, etc.) and implementing another structure called “Reed Families” to teach Character Education, to give students a voice, and to ensure all students feel a part of Reed. Most Reed Families consist of two students from each grade level and one full time staff member who is regarded as the “Parent.”  Our goal is to have families stay together until students leave to go to the Fifth Grade Center.  Each year new Kindergarteners will join the families.  As a result, all students will experience being a mentee and mentor during their time at Reed.     

On October 11^th, we met as families for the first time.  Our first meeting focused on team building.  We created Family Flags that told about each person.  Our goal this year is to meet approximately 7 – 10 times and focus on Panther PRIDE (Patience, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence). 

Reed Named a Missouri Exemplary PLC School!!!

I want to alert you to some very exiting news.  The Missouri Professional Learning Communities (MO PLC) State Management Team named Reed as a 2014 Missouri Exemplary Professional Learning Communities School.  We will be presented this award at the Powerful Learning Conference being held in Tan-Tar-A in January.   

As many of you are aware, anytime I have a chance to speak to a large group I mention the acronym PLC.  PLCs are Professional Learning Communities.  In a nutshell, PLCs are teachers who work together and truly collaborate to meet the needs of all students.  Teachers research and share best teaching strategies and use data to make decisions.  You could say that PLCs are action research teams focused on student learning. 

Therefore, the Exemplary PLC School nomination is based on exceptional scores on the MO PLC Implementation Rubric and our dedication to school improvement as evidenced during a recent On-site Review.  Additionally, to receive this award, a school must meet appropriate and specific accountability measures of student achievement over the past three years.

Hence the name Professional Learning “Community,” this recognition is the result of the greater Reed Community working together.  This would include current and past Reed employees, parents, and especially students.  Congratulations!