Happy 2026!

It was a smooth start to 2026!  Thank you for your hard work preparing for the start of new instructional units, analyzing mid-year data to make plans for continued growth, and launching new reading/math small groups.  You fit a lot into a 4-day week!

Across all grade levels and content areas we saw fantastic MAP Growth from Fall to Winter, meeting/exceeding our high goals - way to go!  Keep

  • SIX grade levels EXCEEDED growth goals in Math
  • FIVE grade level MET/EXCEEDED growth goals in Reading
Let's continue intentional planning to keep progress moving forward the second half of the school year.  There is still so much content to cover, skills to master, and success to be celebrated!

On this day, 5 years ago...
This Sunday, Brody turns 5!  My heart and mind simply cannot believe it.  On this day, 5 years ago... desks sat 6 feet apart, plexiglass partitions decorated desks, masks were worn, temp checks to walk into the building, close contacting was my full-time job, you taught students in-person AND on zoom - AT THE SAME TIME, students went home on quarantine, 4 day school weeks (Fridays were for planning), 60 minutes made a visit to West Side to see how Marietta was opening schools, Hannah Balko's mom (Dr. Frost) was my supply principal, & I didn't hate being on leave during the final days of social distancing and masks (ha!).  Five years later and beyond proud of the growth our sweet school has made - from surviving the strangest times to thriving as the very best school in the state!  The last Wagoner will walk into Kindergarten in August... on my!


STINGER STORIES
Read the latest edition of Stinger Stories at the link below!
https://app.smore.com/n/5chef?ref=email

UPCOMING PLCs
  • 1/13 - Q2 Math Benchmark Data Review & Q3 Math Preview
  • 1/21 - No PLCs (4 day week with MTSS on Thursday)
  • 1/23 - MTSS Grade Level Meetings
GOL W&W WALKS, 1/14
Sara Kany and a trainer from W&W will be on campus Wednesday, 1/14 conducting observations.  Teachers included in the observation schedule have received the detailed schedule and information for the visit.

PTA MEETING & 2ND GRADE PLAY, 1/15
We are excited to celebrate our 2nd grade stars in the production of Penguinaut!  All certified staff should attend.  The program begins at 6:00 PM at Marietta Middle School Auditorium.

MOY LDAs
Student Reading Profiles and Family Guides will go home on Wednesday in Beelines.  Look for these things to be in your box by Tuesday afternoon.

SOR CYCLE RESOURCE REVIEW!
As you launch reading small groups, use the resource document HERE to support fluency, text comprehension & vocabulary.  Page 2 includes MANY text ready to use aligned to your grade level content standards!

STEPS Lessons - Every STEP, Every DAY!  Beginning new reading small groups with strong routines will help your groups get off to a great start!  One routine to prioritize this semester is P = PRACTICE.  
  • The PRACTICE phase of the lesson is the largest bulk of instruction during STEPS (10-12 minutes during a 30 minute reading small group)
  • During PRACTICE, the STUDENTS are doing the reading work.  This is when the teacher turns the text over to the students with a clear purpose for reading to do the heavy lift.  Everyone does everything - every student reads independently or with a partner during the practice phase.  
ACCESS TESTING
ACCESS testing for ESOL students will begin next week.  If you see "TESTING" signs in the hallway, please be quiet during transitions.

TKES MID-YEAR CONFERENCE PREPARATION
In preparation for TKES mid-year conferences, please complete the following:
  • BY 1/15 - Sign-up for a conference date/time HERE
  • BY 1/20 - Complete your TKES mid-year conference form (found on Schoology --> TKES Folder)
  • 1/20-1/26 - TKES Mid-year conferences
UPCOMING MLT & LLT
Please be mindful we will have several subs in the building on 1/28 (MLT) and 1/30 (LLT) for district MLT/LLT meetings.

UPCOMING GIFTED DATES
  • 1/12 - MILE Begins
  • 1/12 - TD Session 2 Begins
  • 1/31 - Parent/teacher referrals for gifted testing DUE
  • 2/23-3/19 - Spring Gifted Testing (MILE paused due to testing)
  • 2/27 - TD Session 2 Ends
  • 3/23 - TD Session 3 Begins (K-2nd ONLY)

REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK ARE BELOW!

WSSN!  HOW CAN I ACCESS THE WSSN EACH WEEK?
We have created a show page for teachers to easily access WSSN each week from your ViewBoard.  Follow these steps to create a shortcut to keep the show page one click away:
  1. Open the WSSN Show Page
  2. Click 3 dots on Google Toolbar
  3. Choose Cast, Save and Share
  4. Create Shortcut (It will appear on the Desktop)
  5. When you open the Shortcut, click on the Monday morning date to access WSSN for that week!
  6. Watch with your class. :)
STAFF ABSENCE REMINDERS!
There are THREE steps to follow, if you are going to out unexpectedly.
  1. Text both Carla and Lindsay.
  2. Fill out Employee Leave Yellow form (DIGITAL FORM HERE).
  3. Complete absence in Kelly/Frontline.

UPCOMING DATES (Dates added since last week)
  • 1/12 - 4th Grade FT
  • 1/13 - PLCs
  • 1/14 - Leadership Meeting
  • 1/15 - 2nd Grade Play & PTA Meeting 6PM @ MMS Auditorium 
  • 1/16 - 1st Grade FT
  • 1/19 - MLK, Jr. Day - NO School
  • 1/21 - PLCs
  • 1/21 - Vertical Teams
  • 1/22 - MTSS Meeting
  • 1/23 - Kinder FT
  • 1/23 - District Reading Bowl
  • 1/26-1/30 - College & Career Week
  • 1/26-1/28 - SOR Facilitator on Campus
  • 1/27 - PLCs
  • 1/28 - Faculty Meeting
  • 1/29 - Dress Down Day
  • 1/30 - Career Day (3rd-5th Grade)
  • 2/2-2/5 - SOR Coaching Cycle
  • 2/2 - 5th Grade FT
  • 2/3, 2/5, 2/6 - DIY Maker Night
  • 2/4 - Vertical Teams
  • 2/10 - PLCs
  • 2/11 - School-wide FT (Peter Pan Jr.)
  • 2/11 - Leadership Team
  • 2/11-2/12 - Peter Pan Jr. Community Performances
  • 2/13 - Q3 Progress Reports DUE
  • 2/13 - PTA Valentines Day Treat
  • 2/16-2/20 - Mid-winter Break!

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