Solution Tree

Global PD

Global PD provides you access to the largest library of PLC videos in the world. Videos are less than 20 minutes to accommodate your team’s busy schedules. Take time and refresh your knowledge of PLC's from experts like Richard DuFour, Rebecca DuFour, Robert Eaker, Mike Mattos, Ken Williams, and others.

Each team leader has been provided with a password for access into this PLC library, you can search by topic or presenter. Global PD is continually updated with new videos. Please take time during one of your team meetings, embed time into the days you take for ELO's, or take a half day for the purpose of watching, reflecting, and discussing sound educational research as a team. Enjoy and thanks for all you do! Terry

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!

The Science of a Smile

Want people around you to be more positive? Check your face first.

Shawn Achor - November 2, 2015

When people complain, their facial expressions become scrunched and anxious. When we feel threatened by a negative family member or co-worker, our faces usually reflect exactly what we are trying to reject.

Want people around you to be more positive? Check your face first.

Emotions are highly contagious; they spread through our nonverbal cues. When we interact with people who are in a good mood, we subconsciously begin to copy their body language, tone of voice and facial expressions. Once we mimic these physical behaviors, research shows we actually begin to feel the emotion ourselves. When we smile, our mood elevates. Scientists refer to this as the “facial feedback hypothesis.”

To test this theory, then-Yale psychologist Sigal Barsade, Ph.D., conducted a study in which she assigned a group of volunteers to a task and privately instructed one group member to act overtly positive. Barsade recorded her subjects and tracked the emotions of each individual before and after the session. She found that when the positive person entered the room, his jovial mood was picked up by the rest of the group almost instantly. Incredibly, the performance of each individual increased, and the group’s ability to achieve its goal improved.

Want a more successful team? The next time you walk into a meeting, check your face. Something as simple as smiling could transform your business and your life.

SMILE and have a Wonderful Thanksgiving! Terry

Our Culture!

Does our current school culture support or hinder our ability to collectively embrace our "Fundamental Purpose"? 

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!

Our culture is defined by the worst behavior WE are willing to tolerate!

As the week comes to a close, please take a few minutes and ask yourself, am I a part of the solution - an influencer, one willing to walk with others through this shift  in becoming a more positive and collaborative culture?

We all have the ability to lead, it requires no title!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving! Terry

DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Frazee-Vergas Public School District is to provide quality education by promoting a safe and respectful environment which encourages the development of individual potential for lifelong learning in a diversified society.

School Board Meeting 11/9/15 Snapshot

• Recognition: A special thank you was given to Scott Hilde along with the Baseball Booster Club for their diligence in the installation of improvements to our baseball facility!!

• Technology Update:  The District Technology Committee did a nice job presenting  on what they have done, are looking to do, and thoughts on the future. Thanks Committee!

• Building Goals Reviewed: Both principals presented their building goals for the year, the school board has asked for periodic updates on progress towards these goals.

• Fall Activities Report: Mr. Courneya gave a season wrap up on our fall activities, congratulations to all and thank you for your commitment!

• Band Uniforms: Approval to Authorize Superintendent to Seek Bids for New Marching Band Uniforms.

• Approval: 2015-2017 Frazee Education Association / School Board Collective Bargaining Agreement.

• Approval: Memorandum of Understanding for Advisory Time.

• Approval: Purchase Agreement for the Mark Kelly Property.

•  "Clean"Audit Opinion: Presentation by Eide Bailly provided the District with a "Clean" audit opinion, good news!

For a full report and minutes please go to the school web page www.frazee.k12.mn.us > District > Boardbook.

Also please follow us on Facebook and Twitter @FVhornets

Next School Board Meeting is scheduled for: 12/14/15

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!

Why a Fundamental Purpose!

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!

The first stage of authentic alignment is exploring the (Why).  

• Why does our school exist?
• Why do we go to school each day?
• What do we believe?
• What do we want to achieve?

Why... Why is a School's Fundamental Purpose Important?

A clear and compelling purpose is the glue that binds together a group of individuals. It is the foundation on which the collective “we” of a real team is built. A school's "Fundamental Purpose" needs to be an energy-infused phrase, easy to remember and embed in daily work, which expresses the spirit of the mission statement.

DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Frazee-Vergas Public School District is to provide quality education by promoting a safe and respectful environment which encourages the development of individual potential for lifelong learning in a diversified society.

Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween!

Learning Targets - The Most Important Part of a Lesson!

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!

The first thing students need to learn is what they’re supposed to be learning - A Learning Target. This learning target needs to be written up on the board in student-friendly language - daily...

Why...

Establishes a Smarter Focus

A learning target puts the focus of the day’s activity on an achievement. Without a learning target, the class’s focus is on the teacher, blindly following and (hopefully) adhering to instructions. Learning targets change this classic dynamic in a subtle but powerful way. Knowing the target allows activities to be placed in context. Prior knowledge is activated and predictions of the new content are made automatically as students interpret the goal.

Conveys Ownership - I Can Statements

By writing it in the first person, as an “I can…” statement, it conveys the ownership students must assume over the content. After discussing the meaning of the learning target with students, pick a random student and ask, “What will you be able to say with pride before you leave today’s lesson?”

Essential Learner Outcomes are about instruction, derived from content standards, written in teacher language, and used to guide teaching during a lesson or across a series of lessons. They are not designed for students but for the teacher. A shared learning target, on the other hand, frames the lesson from the students’ point of view.

Helps Define Competencies

Learning targets do more than give students a smarter focus in class and clarify the planning process for teachers. Because a teacher has to unpack broader standards or unit goals into incremental skills, a map of sorts is created. The big concepts are broken into smaller chunks. This can lead to a powerful practice called competency-based learning.

To be clear, competency-based learning has many implications about self-directed learning that go beyond the practice of learning targets. Chunking, or the practice of unpacking standards into incremental steps, ties the two topics together. All the same, competencies pair beautifully with formative assessments. If teachers collect data on which skills students are mastering and what skills need remediation, classroom decisions are made all the more effective.

Thanks for all you do, you are appreciated by many! Terry

School Board Meeting 9/14/15 Snapshot

• Welcome: We started the meeting by introducing and welcoming our newest staff  members: Elementary - First Grade Mr. Hackle, Second Grade Ms. Schwan, and our new Administrative Assistant Ms. Nunn; High School welcomes - English  Ms. Brekken, English Ms. Safar, Art Ms. Reiffenberger, and Choir Ms. Morben; Special Education - EBD Ms. Schwendeman and Due Process / Behavioral Interventionist Ms. Wothe. Welcome everyone!
• Activities Director Update:  Mr. Courneya introduced our fall athletic captains / senior leaders, thanked them for their attendance, and congratulated them on stepping forward as leaders, and wished everyone a great fall season.
• Elementary School Update: Elementary Principal, Mr. Nagel, gave his back to school update to the board of education - Enrollment is currently at 470 students K-6, we ended the year at 475; Mr. Nagel also complimented the tremendous work being done at the Elementary School - in particular the work and efforts with the PBIS initiative and the continuation of the PLC journey. Mr. Nagel thanked the board for their support in allowing a number of staff to attend the PLC Institute this past summer.
• High School Update: attendance was presented - currently at 427, we ended the year at 414.
• Superintendent Update: 1. Our continued efforts in establishing a plan to present to Mr. Scheels in regards to the Scheels grant. 2. Work on the Elementary boiler is on track and moving along well. 3. AMI funds and plan has been submitted to MDE for review. 
• Welcome New Staff: The following were approved for hire - Sandra Muchow (Part time Latch Key Aide), Brandi Latham (Special Education Paraprofessional), and Heather Perrine (Title I Paraprofessional).
• Construction Trades Project - Approved for the 2015-2016, our construction trades class will demolish the existing summer recreation building and  construct a new one. 

For a full report and minutes please go to the school web page ww.frazee.k12.mn.us > District > Boardbook.

Also please follow us on Facebook and Twitter @FVhornets

Next School Board Meeting is scheduled for: 10/12/15

Fundamental Purpose: High levels of learning for ALL!