About ME!
I am originally from Canby, MN. I went to college at SMSU in Marshall, MN. This will be my third year teaching. My Wife Mallary and I live in Morris and she teaches Special Education at Morris!
I am the youngest of three, my sister is a pharmacist in Fairmont, MN and my brother is Nurse Practitioner at Sanford in Clear Lake, SD. My parents both work for Helena Agri in Canby!
I am so excited for year three here at HES! One fun thing I did this summer was go to Alaska with my family! We spent 7 days on a cruise and 2 days in Denali National Park. It truly is a wonderful and beautiful place!
In my spare time I enjoy fishing, hunting, and spending time with family and friends!
I look forward to starting the year and seeing all the students again!
Class Mission
*Our main goal in sixth grade is to become prepared for junior high and high school.
*Study habits and responsibility are very important skills to establish or maintain.
*It is also important to have respect for oneself and others.
*My job, as a teacher, is to guide students to become creative and independent learners.
Strategic Plan
Hancock ISD #768 ~ District Strategic Plan:
Mission: Hancock Public School exists to develop in all students the skills, knowledge and passion to become life long learners.
Vision
Our vision is to see...
*students committed to the learning process through engaged teachers, parents, staff and community.
*students who learn and demonstrate 21st Century skills and knowledge.
*students who identify and apply their individual strengths.
Values
We value...
*Effective and innovative instruction
*Developing and teaching healthy relationships
*Parent and community involvement
*Personal responsibility and accountability
*Honesty and hard work
*Giving back to our community
Strategies
*Create an environment for students to be committed to the learning process
*Incorporate 21st Century skills and knowledge into the curriculum
*Create an environment that identifies individual strengths and applications
Teacher Goals
*Recognize student accomplishments
*Have high expectations for student performance
*Incorporate technology in all areas of instruction
*Effectively evaluate student performance and use evaluation data to drive instruction and improve curriculum
*Provide individual assistance that is targeted to improve student performance
*Engage parents, teachers, staff and the community in school activities and learning opportunities
*Provide opportunities for students to learn and develop their individual strengths.
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Mr. Bursack's Strategic Action Plan for 6th Grade
Recognizing student accomplishments:
*I award Character Awards at the end of each quarter for the following
>>Character Traits: Responsibility, Respect, Caring, Choices, Honesty, Effort, top AR readers.
*I use an economic payment plan for classroom/school jobs with opportunity to earn classroom rewards.
*I send pictures of recognition to Stevens County Times.
*I recognize the top reader during February's I Love to Read month.
*Students compete in the Spelling Bee & Geography Bee.
*Students compete in Elementary Track & Field Day.
Have high expectations for student performance:
*I have a discipline policy that encourages positive behavior.
*I reward students who complete assignments on time weekly.
*I send mid-terms grade reports to all parents.
*I teach to Minnesota State Academic Standards.
*I use a rigorous 6th grade curriculum.
*I confer regularly with students about academic progress.
*I review NWEA test results with each student.
Incorporate technology in all areas of instruction:
*We use a Smartboard daily in my classroom.
*I keep my Webpage current.
*I use JMC online grading system & parents are encouraged to access grades via Parent Portal.
*Students use Chromebook laptop computer daily for various academics.
*Students use Microsoft Word or Google Docs for typed documents.
*Students take online NWEA test 3 times/year to help specialize their academic needs.
*Students learn from educational websites & online games.
Effectively evaluate student performance and use evaluation data to drive instruction and improve curriculum:
*Students take online NWEA test 3 times/year.
*Students' fluency is assessed w/ FastBridge Fluency.
*Students' comprehension is measured with Accelerated Reader Tests.
*Students take MCA State Math & Reading Assessments.
*I review test data as a part of Curriculum Review.
*I assess students performance with traditional tests, computer projects, oral presentations, written & typed projects, group projects and science labs.
Provide individual assistance that is targeted to improve student performance:
*I am available for individual assistance before school, at recess and after school.
*I am available via e-mail at school and at home.
*I provide a Homeroom period at the end of the day to help organize students.
*I post & review daily assignments on classroom wall chart.
*I sign each student's Homework Assignment Planner on a daily basis.
*I post spelling words on the 6th grade Webpage.
*I provide small group support in reading and math.
*I support students according to their IEPs.
Engage parents, teachers, staff and the community in school activities and learning opportunities:
*Sixth grade jobs: ("Paid" positions) Announcements, Playground aides, Newsletter, classroom maintenance.
*Parents are invited to Parent Information Meeting prior to school starting.
*Parent chaperones accompany sixth graders on our History trip to MN Historic Sites in St. Paul
*Hancock Firefighters teach students about fire safety.
*Parent volunteers help yearly with 5/6th Christmas Crafts.
*Student Council recognizes Educators & organizes Dr. Seuss Week.
*Earth Day Clean-Up around the community.
*Local field trips to: Water Fest, UMM play, Andes Tower Hills.
*Parent volunteers chaperone ski trip to Andes Tower Hills.
*Continual communication with parents.
*Presidential Election Years: Students operate an Exit Poll for community members, Student Council simulates the election process in the elementary.
Provide opportunities for students to learn and develop their individual strengths:
*Students study various topics of their choosing.
*Sixth graders apply for classroom jobs they are interested in.
*Students can participate in Prairie Fire Theater, funded in whole, by Hancock School Foundation every 3 years.