TEACHERS LEARN TOO!!! On Ja nua ry 30 , 2 0 1 7 , th e teac h ers o f Th e O’Fa rre ll Ch a r ter Sc ho o ls en g ag ed in p ro fess io n a l lea rn in g w ith f a ci l i ta to rs J i l l An d ersen (M id d le Sc ho o l Pr i n ci pa l ) an d Lau ren Ra mers ( Ac ad emi c Co ac h ). Th ey lea rn ed s t ra teg i es to p rom ote the cr i t ic a l rea d ing of no n -f i ct i on texts a nd c ol la b ora t io n tec h niq ues suc h a s Soc rat i c Semi nar a nd Ph i lo sop h i ca l Ch a irs . Th ese h i gh- en g ag emen t s t ra teg ies a re u sed to p rom ote d isc uss io n a nd c r it i ca l th inki ng in th e c la ssroo m a n d c an b e u sed i n a l l c ontent a rea s . W e a re pro ud th a t 1 0 0 % o f our teac h ers a re no w t rai ned in AV ID Cr i t ic a l R ea di ng s t ra teg ies a nd w il l be imp l ement ing th o se s t ra teg i es th is co mi ng semester .

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 7

Teacher Feature

The O’Farrell Charter School

Mr. Brian Schmidt is a 7th grade History and AVID teacher at the middle school. Originally from Los Angeles, Mr. Schmidt is an avid Lakers, USC, Dodgers, and Raiders fan. In 2003, he graduated from SDSU with a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences. After completing his credential program in 2004, he began his teaching career at O’Farrell as a student teacher. Mr. Schmidt has been an intricate part of the O’Farrell family over the past thirteen years serving in various roles. He has taught Physical Education, History, and AVID; supported O’Farrell staff and families as one of our team leaders; served as the History Dept. Chair; and engaged countless students with a dynamic classroom style that incorporates gentle humor, positive energy, and an infectious smile. Mr. Schmidt lives in San Diego with his wife and children. We are truly lucky to have Mr. Schmidt as part of our O’Farrell team.

FALCON

DAY

FEBRUARY

22, 2017

WRITE THEM A LETTER Write your children a letter telling them how much you love them. It will

probably mean more to them than you think.

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THEM It really doesn't really matter the activity as long as you are present.

BE THEIR SECRET ADMIRER A few days before Valentine's Day, hide little notes, put a treat under

their pillow, make homemade coupons, and just have fun with the Valentine’s Day holiday.

Valentine's Day is a day where we get to show love for our loved ones. Here are a few Valentine's Day ideas that are simple and will

make your kids feel extra special.

************SAVE THE DATE*********

PRESIDENT’S

DAY WEEKEND

NO SCHOOL

FEBRUARY 17-

20, 2017

Semester

Dean’s List/

Honor Roll

Assembly

February 23,

2017

1:45 p.m.

College

Shirt Day

February

24, 2017

6TH GRADE

CAMP

FEBRUARY

27 –

MARCH 3,

2017

End of next

progress

period

MARCH 10,

2017

WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK Visit ofarrellschool.org, choose the Contact Us tab and select the LCAP survey.

Your thoughts and opinions are valuable to use as we continue to plan for the next school year.

2

THE LOREM IPSUMS SUMMER 2016

CITIZENSHIP AT O’FARRELL Our O’Farrell students earn both academic and citizenship grades on their progress reports. Beginning

second semester, January 31, 2017, our students will see some changes with regard to how their citizenship grade is earned. Each student has received a copy of our new citizenship guidelines for their

binders. We are excited to have a unified set of behavior guidelines that each student can use as a guide. All students will begin each semester with a “Satisfactory” (S) citizenship grade and will have the

opportunity to earn a higher or lower grade based on the descriptors below.

2

Citizenship Grade

Descriptor

E

Helpful without

direction

● All of the below G behaviors, plus… ● I consistently act as a role model for others ● I respectfully help other students without being asked ● I encourage others to have positive behavior ● I do not receive warnings for my behavior ● I clean up after myself and others

G

Helpful with direction

● All of the below S behaviors, plus… ● I follow through with what I say I am going to do ● I advocate for myself by asking how I can improve my grade and keep updated on

my progress in class ● I ask questions for clarification and volunteer to answer questions ● I receive no more than one warning per week and redirect my behavior ● I clean up after myself every time

S

Help myself

● I bring required materials ● I enter class quietly, prepared to learn ● I takes responsibility for own actions ● I participate when asked, but I do not volunteer ● I take less than a minute to get on task ● I follow directions ● I keep my hands to myself at all times ● I receive no more than 2 warnings per week ● I make an effort to clean up after myself

N

Hinder myself

● I do not always bring materials to class ● I take two or more minutes to become prepared for class or get on task ● I try to get out of taking responsibility by blaming others ● I do not redirect my behavior when I am given warnings

U

Hinder myself and others

● I am argumentative when I am given warnings ● I am frequently unprepared for class ● I disrupt others in class with sounds and actions ● I call out in class ● I do not listen to adults ● I do not clean up after myself ● I refuse to do work, or do nothing when I am supposed to be working

1

CITIZENSHIP DESCRIPTOR GRADE