Friday, March 25, 2011

Staff News Letter March 28-Apr.1


I would like to thank all those who came to our PTA/Science Fir/Art Show last night.  It was wonderful to see you there.  I especially want to pass on a special thanks to all those who helped put on the science fair.  I think it has become a wonderful thing for our school and students.  Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Carpenter, and Mrs. Stokes – thank you so much for all of your time and effort in organizing such a wonderful Science Fair.  The artwork looked wonderful.  Thank you for taking time to have your students do the artwork.

Please continue to take a look at your scope and sequence within your grade and class to see where you are at in your curriculum.  For the grades taking the CRTs, it would be good to check your scope and sequence against the CRT blueprint I gave you last faculty meeting to make sure those items have been covered.  By looking at the computer lab schedule, it looks like you are doing a great job practicing and reviewing for CRTs. 

Reminder:  I will need the math scores from the 3rd quarter common assessment when you finish them.  I have provided a copy of the test to 1st and 2nd grades.  Grades 3-5, I have checked each grade and they are now all on UTIPS.  Here is the link if you need it UTIPS.

I know how busy the month of March is, so thank you for all of your hard work.  If the emotional toll becomes too much, Mr. Greenhalgh will provide counseling for you when he gets here each morning at 6:00 AM.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thought: Blessed is the person who is too busy to worry in the daytime and too sleepy to worry at night.  Unknown Author  (Sounds like us!)
 

Friday, March 18, 2011

Staff News Letter March 21-25


I hope everyone had a fantastic week.  It was nice to have it be relatively normal after a week of SEPs.

 Just a reminder, the School Science Fair will be next week.  I know we have a lot of students who are excited about their science projects.  Thanks for being so supportive and encouraging your students to participate.  A science fair project will be one of those memories that our students will carry with them as they look back on their educational experience.  If you will be available, I would love to see you Thursday night at the festivities.

Just another reminder to remind your students that they will no longer have bathroom breaks in PE.  This would help Mrs. Robinson so she wouldn’t have to spend as much time training her students.

As we gear up for CRTs, please notice that the computer lab schedule is on our school web site and is separated into room #11 and the new wing.  You may want to double check to see that you are not scheduled for both labs at the same time.  If you can’t make your times, please go back in and delete your name so others can use the lab at that time.

Now would be a good time to review your scope and sequence to see where you are in relation to where you need to be by the end of the year.  Grade Level Chair: If you would please take time to discuss this in your next PLC.

I thought the Superintendent’s message was very good this week.  Some of you may have had a chance to read it.  If not, I have pasted it below.

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Great Teachers!
In his book, What Great Teachers Do Differently, Todd Whitaker suggests the following as it relates to the responsibility of educators.  He states that clearly the best teachers accept responsibility for their classrooms and the worst teachers do not.   
He goes on to identify all levels of the school system in accepting responsibility.  That some superintendents blame the school board for their woes; others work to educate its members.  Some teachers lament, "This is the worst group of students I've had!"  Others rise to the challenge of making every class their best.  He goes on to say that experienced educators have had the feeling at one time or another, that they are the bull's-eye of the community's concerns.  The great teachers place themselves in the bull's-eye.     
Good food for thought....  This week marks the end of the third term.          
Carry on…with excellence....
Superintendent Johnson

*Upcoming Schedule

Friday, March 11, 2011

Staff News Letter March 14-18


Thank you so much for all of your hard work with SEP week.  It would be hard to imagine that we could fit more into a week than we did this week.  In the way of positive feedback, the vast majority of parents are extremely appreciative of what you do.  We have a tendency to focus on issues and problems that arise, but as I talk to parents each year during SEPs they are extremely happy with what you do in your classrooms and the progress their students make.  So thank you once again for the wonderful work that you do.

You may have noticed on the calendar that we will have a lockdown drill on the 17th.  If you are wondering what to do during the drill, I will be discussing the lockdown procedures with your grade level.

Science Fair:  Thank you so much to Jennifer and her crew for putting together the science fair.  I know that it is one more thing in an already busy month, so I want to express my appreciation for the extra effort.  If you would all make sure that your students and their parents are very aware of the science fair and encourage your students to participate.

On the 23rd, we will have the sales rep. for our clickers here to train us at 2:00.  Please plan on attending.  If you have specific questions, he should be able to answer them.

Please mention to your students that we continue to have problems in the 4th/5th grade bathrooms.  The stall doors are being locked and the bathrooms are being left very messy.  Any help would be appreciated.  You might mention to the students about having pride in how our building looks and how we can work together to take care of it.  I personally think it is Jeanette Blackner messing around in the bathrooms.

Reminder:  Computer lab schedules are now posted through Google Docs using the link on our school web page.  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thought: "Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."  John Wooden

Friday, March 4, 2011

Staff News Letter March 7-11


Thank you once again to all those who helped at McDonalds.  It turned out to be a great fundraiser for our school.  It was wonderful to see everyone their doing the McDonalds thing.  Our students love seeing us in a different setting.  It has always been interesting to me that our students are shocked to see us outside of our teaching role.

Thank you for gearing up for SEPs this next week.  I know it takes a lot of extra time and effort to prepare for SEPs.  If you need a translator, please make arrangements with Robert Christian or myself.  We now have SEP notices in Spanish.  You can get it from our school web site through the teacher information.  click on this link Spanish SEP Notice.

Just a reminder that we will be reversing the schedules for Grandparent’s lunch next week.  3-5 on Tuesday and K-2 on Wednesday.  We will begin serving at 11:30.

If you would please continue announcing K registration on the 15th from 11:00-3:00. 

Grade Level Chairs:  Because of SEP week, we will have grade level meeting on the 15th instead of the 8th.  We need to go over Science/Art Fair info.  If you would please bring a copy of your scope and sequence to the meeting.

Thank you so much for all you do.

Thought: Love the moment, and the energy of that moment will spread beyond all boundaries.  Corita Kent 
Have a fantastic weekend!
*Upcoming Schedule