I am so excited about the work we are doing to push ourselves to be ELITE in all we do. I challenge each of you to reflect on your own journey and be honest about where you are on a personal and professional level. Are you embracing productive discomfort? Are you demonstrating a Passion for Growth or are you just going through the motions? Do you see opportunities in the Power of the Team? I ask that each of you do a "gut check". Are you ALL IN? Where do you see yourself in our organization? Are you owning and EARNING your 20 sq. ft each day?

In Urban Meyer's book, Above the Line, Chapter Eight outlines the 10-80-10 Principle. It states that every team, every organization has 3 groups: The top 10 percent: disciplined, driven, self-motivated, wants to be great and works relentlessly. The 80 percent: the majority-those who do a good job and are relatively reliable. The bottom 10 percent: disinterested and defiant (BCDers). Which group do you fall in? Which group would those you work with say you fall in?

To be ELITE you have to do the work. To compete at an ELITE level, you need to train at an ELITE level. Do you train at an ELITE level? Do you give 100% for the team in each meeting, learning opportunity or conversation? Do you do the "reps" necessary to be ELITE and make responding consistently above the line a skill? Only you can answer those questions. Remember if it is not happening IN YOU, it will never happen THROUGH YOU.

Parent Teacher Conferences - Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016. Please be sure you have initiated contact and invited parents in to discuss ways to partner with us to increase growth with their child.

• Feb. 9 - PT Conferences
• Feb. 12 - No School
• Feb. 15 - No School
• Feb. 16 - (current 7th grade) 2016 Washington DC Trip Info Meeting 6pm followed by 2016-17 scheduling meeting.
• Feb. 19 - Winter Social 6-8pm
• Feb. 22 - BOE meeting at HMS
• Feb. 25 - (current 6th grade) parent scheduling meeting for 16-17 - 7pm.
• Feb. 26 and 27 - School Play 7pm
• Mar. 3 - Winter Choir Concert 7pm
• Mar. 7 - Orchestra Concert 7pm
• Mar. 10 - Band Concert 6:30pm
• Mar. 15 - PD Day - No School for students
• Mar. 18 - No School
• Mar. 21-25 Spring Break

Our first R Factor "Rep Session" will be postponed to March 9, 2016 rather than Feb. 10, 2016. If you are interested in participating please sign-up in PD Express.

Please enjoy your long weekend with family and friends. We are looking forward to our upcoming parent meetings and scheduling for the 2016-17 school year. Your participation in these evening events are so important and I "THANK YOU" for making arrangements to be here on your respective grade level night.

District News

• In January the World Economic Forum issued a report about the future of jobs and growth opportunities. In this week’s Get Connected Blog, Superintendent John Marschhausen discusses how this impacts education and how we must adapt in order to prepare our students to be Ready for Tomorrow. You can read his blog here.
• The Quality Profile Video Series
• We have a strong strategic foundation in the Hilliard School District. We know our community makes a strong financial commitment to our schools and our students. In this video series we will explore in depth the different ways we invest in more than 16,000 students every day. You can watch the first video here, with a new one to come each Tuesday for the next several weeks.
• School Start Time Task Force
• The district is in the process of accepting applications for people wanting to be a part of a task force to look at school start times. We need representation from all areas of our district. We’d like parents from each school, a wide arranges of students’ ages and both working and stay at home parents. If you are interested in working on this task force pleaseapply here.
• Kindergarten Registration Open
• Kindergarten registration is now underway. If your child will be five years of age on or before September 30, 2016, he/she is eligible to start kindergarten in the 2016-17 school year. You can click here to begin the process.
• No School February 12 and 15
• Remember, due to the parent/teacher conference day and President’s Day there is no school on February 12 and 15. School will be in session on February 16.

Spring Testing 2016

• Spring Testing will be April 11-April 15, 2016
• All students will take these test on their iPad Mini
• A secure browser will be used, essentially "locking" the iPad from going to any other sites during testing window.
• A parent letter will be sent out Friday, Feb. 5, 2016
• A detailed schedule will be coming soon from Daubs.
• PLEASE begin to work with students on test taking strategies and navigation through the test on the iPad. Practice test are available via ODE website. See link below.