Tuesday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

I am at the Joint principals meeting this morning and will return before lunch.  The agenda is attached on the shared drive in the blog documents folder.


Tanya McKenna, a parent of a fifth grade student, has arranged for Sociale Gourmet to deliver lunch orders on Friday, Oct 4.  She will pick any completed orders / payments up from the office on Thursday afternoon.

Please look for an e-mail from Andy regarding a PBIS survey.  It is vital that we collect this data by the deadline of Friday October 11th.  I have taken the survey and spent only 15 minutes.

When was the last time you had a wonderful idea?  Did you share it?  When was the last time a student shared a wonderful idea with you?  Did you listen?  Did you respond to encourage or discourage?

If we choose to create thinkers for the 21st century we need to be intentional about our responses to the natural curiosity within our students.  Choose to encourage thinking and collaboration.  

Subs:
No sub for Dorothy
Rosemary for Demarie
Laurie for Earline
 
 

Monday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

This is an important week as we transition to October.  The academic press is critical as we have started to "settle" into some habits that need adjustment.  Push your students to think and engage them in the learning process.  

Tuesday we have our SIT meeting after-school.  The issues from TAC have been addressed and minutes from the meeting are on the Blog documents folder.  

Also on Tuesday, progress reports are due and the Parent portal will open for your grade book to be visible.  Please communicate with your parents, within the progress report this week, about what they can expect to see in the portal.  Our trained grade-book gurus, Demarie and Kim, will be available for assistance on October 9th in the computer lab.

Wednesday we will work with our K-3 teachers on  TRC/DIBELS.   As we approach the October 4th window, let's be confident in our role as diagnostician so we can use the information to engage students.

Subs Today
Meta Faulkner for Cyndy Sanders
Peggy Neal for Michelle Gray PM only
Roemary Hazy for Demarie Anderson
Laurie Steadman for Earline Richardson
No sub for Dorothy Manigault

Friday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

Linnea sent an e-mail regarding PENC.  If you are  interested in learning more, please contact her via e-mail.

Our Flex Benefits representative is back for his last day and needs you to sign up for a slot.  The next opportunity to meet with a representative will be in November at CO.

For the Certified staff, I need you to complete the evaluation documents below

• Step One, Orientation {August 21st}
• Step Two, Self Assessment

Andy or I will meet with you in October to schedule your first evaluation and work on the PDP.  If you do step three - PDP - it is OK, just not required before September 30th.  Remember that I am available to help and can walk you through step one  in less than 3 minutes once you log into power teacher.

Environmental Club will meet this afternoon.  All members should stay with the bus riders until they are called to the gym.  It should be about the 4th or 5th bus.

I am working on the duty free lunch schedule and ask that teachers begin to migrate to the teacher tables when they feel it is appropriate.  I have noticed an uptick in the volume and some of us need to turn off the lights and PRAISE our groups for Level two voices rather than tell chastise the whole lot.  Remember that modeling  expected behaiors is still the best practice to achieve consistency from our students.

I have heard lots of conversations about stuff that tangentially impacts our instruction.  I want to shift the focus and  engage in dialogue that is directly connected to learning.  Management guru Stephen Covey said it best, "Keep the main thing, the main thing."  Will you please engage me in a conversation? 

Subs:
Gwen Sloan for Demarie
Shelly Kirley for Nancy pm only
Laurie Steadman for Earline

Thursday MM - Day "E"

Good Morning!

Please sign up with Silvia to see Mr. Berman with Pierce Benefits group.  He will be in "The Lamination Spot" today and Friday.  

Please sign the cards for on Willies desk for both Earline and Edwin as they recover from medical issues.

I must implore each of you to ask about the evaluation orientation and self-assessment before the weekend.  Our orientation date was August 21st in our level meeting.  Please have this date reflected in your electronic version before you do the self-assessment.

Great "Nacho" Party last night.  Thanks to PBIS/Hospitality/First grade/JR Husmillo and all others who contributed!

Let's all pat Jenny on the back today as she did an OUTSTANDING job following the flexible benefits presentation.(tough spot)  Also continue to laud praise upon Andy as he continues to grow the WatchDOGS program to impact the climate and culture of our school.  The Pizza Night Kick-off begins at 6pm in the cafe, join us if you can!

Subs: 
Laurie Steadman for Earline
David Robinson for Demarie
No sub yet for Nancy

Wednesday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

Faculty meeting today! 

Our Teachers Advisory committee (TAC) has been embedded into SIT.  The shift will be in the manner that we address issues.  All faculty members should report concerns to their SIT rep or TAC chairs (Kathy and Lara) by the last Wednesday of the month.  This coincides with our monthly faculty meeting.  Kathy and Lara will present ALL concerns to the administration before the SIT meeting on the first Tuesday of the following month.  That list will be annotated and presented to SIT for actions.

All certified teachers must complete their Orientation and Self-Assessment before September 30th.  I worked with Paige and Debbie yesterday afternoon and we did the orientation in less than 3 minutes.  I have made copies of the training guide that will walk you through each process step-by-step and am also available for planning period sessions to give you individual or grade level assistance.

Dorothy Campbell for Kyrie Gough
No sub yet for Earline

 

Tuesday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

Today we are fortunate to have the PTA Birthday Bash for both August and September.  We will not read all the student names today but will begin October 1st with the birthday listing on the morning announcements.

Our 4th and 5th grade HAG teachers will train for CPR/AED today from 12-4 in the LTM.  their classes will be covered by; Mrs. Manigault, Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Antonosanti, Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Davis & Mrs. Robinson.

Continue to support each other as we work to get our kids to Think. 

Meta Faulkner for Tonya Grisette
Antoinette Miller for Earline Richardson
No sub for Edwin Guerra
No sub for Kathy Wilheit 

Monday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

Please welcome Tracy Benson to our campus today as she supports our Systems Thinking cohort.  

Mr. Dorsett and his Music class will be traveling to your room until we get the capital funds released to enclose the stage for classroom space.

The Lasagna dinner for new staff and their buddies has grown to include year two staff.  We are ready for 30 folks to descend upon the Faullin household Tuesday @ 6:30.  Buddies please bring a salad, bread or dessert to share.  I have drinks, tableware and 4 pans of Lasagna ready to serve.  

Wednesday is our Staff meeting with a presentation from the colonial life representative.  We will start 5 minutes after the last bus.

Thursday is our WatchDOGS pizza night kick-off @ 6pm

My "relaxation" for the weekend was to wash my car?  

Subs:
No sub for Mr. Guerra
Shari Sawyer for Earline

Friday Mid Morning Memo - Day "A"

Sorry for the delay.  I was unable to write last night as I attended the Harvest Moon festival @ Reynolda house.  Joe and I sat in the lawn and enjoyed a set of great music from local legend Jeffrey Dean Foster followed by Dom Flemons of the Carolina Chocolate Drops.  We ate amazing burgers from the Camel City Grill food truck and just relaxed!  I strongly encourage each of you to find space in your days to slow down and enjoy the moment.  As educators we choose to accept the responsibility heaped upon our shoulders.  We THRIVE as we make decisions and take action to better the lives of others.  So for that two hour stretch on the lawn at Reynolda house where my only job was to watch, listen and reflect, I was out of my element. Sometimes that is uncomfortable and I struggle to "relax."  Yesterday there was no struggle and that has refreshed my soul.

Enjoy the coffee, donuts and Day 19.  See you Monday as we begin Day "B" with a new fourth grade section.  The adjusted schedule is on the board and on the staff shared drive.  Each specialist has picked up additional classes and Mrs. Anderson had a slight adjustment in her schedule.  We will run with this plan until the 2nd quarter when I will make some wholesale changes to provide equity in common planning.

The weekend awaits - Will you "relax" and refresh your soul?

Thursday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

I am at the Elementary Principals meeting this morning and will return after lunch.  The agenda is posted in the Blog documents folder on the staff shared drive.

Today is our Lock Down Drill @ 2pm.  Please be in your classroom and work with your students in the area that they spend the majority of their day.  Throughout the next rotation (Sept. 20-27)our Specialists will be instructing students on the protocols for their particular classrooms. 

The Link to the Critical incident video was distributed in our level meetings on the 21st of August and can also be accessed HERE.

FRIDAY morning we celebrate our 19th day of school with Krispy Kreme Donuts and Krankies Coffee in the ....... I would like to find a new name for the room with our Fridge, Microwave, Keurig, Pepsi machine, etc....Please use the space provided in the old "bomb shelter" to brainstorm.  We will come to a consensus at our next faculty meeting.

FROM NCDPI; Dear NC Educator, 

The  North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has partnered with UNC-TV to produce an hour-long program, North Carolina Schools and You: What Changes in Our Schools Mean for Parents and Students. 

This program will be broadcast twice on UNC-TV:

• Thursday, September 19, at 10 p.m.
• Friday, September 27, at 4:30 p.m. 

Featured in the program are segments taped in local public and public charter schools and questions from a studio audience to State Superintendent June Atkinson, Chief Academic Officer Rebecca Garland and Deputy Academic Officer Angela Quick.

North Carolina Schools and You offers information and discussion around recent important changes in public schools and how parents can be more productively engaged in their children’s success.  Specific topics include:

• Teaching and Learning:  What Students Are Learning and How
• Measuring Performance:  New Assessments and Accountability Model
• Parent Engagement:  How Parents Can Support Learning
  

To enrich viewer's understanding about these topics, NCDPI has prepared a Viewer's Guide (in the blog documents folder) with additional background information and helpful links to supplement the program. We hope these materials are helpful to you and your team as you work with parents and community members to support student learning. 

A Note from Jenny

Hello Brunson Family!  

Just a heads up that I will be at the Education Building for workshops today (Wed. 9/18) from 11:45 a.m. through the end of the day, and tomorrow morning (Thurs. 9/19) until 11:30 a.m.  If anything comes up, please don't hesitate to email me and I will be sure to check in with you first thing when I return tomorrow.  

I will also keep Counselor Mail on my door while I'm gone!  If you have a student who is looking for me, remind them that they can write me a note and I will get it tomorrow morning.

Thanks! :)

Wednesday MM - Day "E"

GOOD MORNING!

Please welcome Tiffany Ray to our school family.  She is a graduate of Salem college and will begin Monday as a 4th grade teacher working out of Mobile #36.  Mr. Dorsett has graciously agreed to shift his music classes to multiple locations until we can prepare the stage for a permanent solution.

Learning Focused professional development today at 3:20.  ALL certified staff are expected to be in attendance and engaged.

Code YELLOW is our page color in the Emergency manual for a Lock-Down.  Recently there were two lock-downs in our district, both of which were requested by the police department as they dealt with criminal/violent behaviors in the general vicinity of the schools affected.  Our responsibility is to watch the video "A Critical Response" and be prepared for the drill we will execute on Thursday at 2:00.

Tuesday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

STEM team this afternoon.  Location - TBD

Just a refresher on Learning Focused in preparation for Wednesday's meeting.

• When do we want our students to use graphic organizers?  Whenever you want them to learn something!
• EATS is an acronym that stands for
• Essential Question
• Activating Strategy
• Teaching Strategy
• Summarizing Strategy

A few more reminders for Wednesday 

1. Bring a growth mindset to the meeting
2. Be a student and search for meaning
3. Turn your cellular device OFF and put it away
• Silvia and Willie will be in the office to receive phone calls and get you if case of an emergency

K-3 teachers!!!  Do NOT update the operating system on your i-pad .  If you choose to accept the update, the DIBELS and TRC will cease to be accessible.

Subs:
Rosemary for Michelle

Monday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

So how did the challenge go?  Are you surprised that some of our colleagues do not read the Blog.  Communication is critical for our work and I will continue to need your help in getting us all connected.

Ident-A-Kid will be on the stage this afternoon and there will be an Odyssey of the Mind meeting in the media center after-school

Our STEM team meets this Tuesday after-school to work on our STEM night for October and science fair protocols.  

Wednesday all certified staff will meet in the media center for Learning Focused professional development.  We will begin at 3:25 and shoot for an hour of amazing learning.

The marriage of Michelle and JR was wonderful.  Welcome Mrs. Husmillo back to school on Wednesday.  Her sub the next couple of days is Rosemary Hazy.  Proud Mom Deb is also out today with no sub.

Friday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

For your information, Ident-A-Kid pictures will be Monday afternoon. 

A Challenge for today 

Ask your peers if they thought the cartoon in the blog was funny.  You see there is no cartoon, so if they try to fake that they have read the blog, you can ENCOURAGE them to be on our team.  Communication Breakdown is not just a Led Zepplin song, it is a barrier to our growth as a school community.  Be a part of the solution and MOTIVATE your peers to connect with the blog.

STEM INFORMATION!

NASA Sponsors Exploration Design Challenge - In March, NASA launched an exciting new partnership with Lockheed Martin to engage students in America's next phase of human space exploration. The Exploration Design Challenge (EDC) invites K-12 students to learn more about one of the biggest challenges NASA faces before sending humans beyond low-Earth orbit: space radiation. Through a series of age-appropriate activities, participants will learn about radiation and its effects on humans and hardware destined for asteroids, Mars or other deep space locations. Orion is the vehicle for these space destinations and will make its maiden test flight in 2014.

   The youngest explorers (K-4) will complete NASA education activities related to radiation. Upon completion, a teacher or other adult may submit the students' names to be flown on the 2014 Orion flight as honorary virtual crew members.

   Those same opportunities are open to students in grades 5-8, but they also will design and develop a radiation shield prototype. Instructions, guidebooks and related content are provided on the EDC website.

   High school students have an even greater challenge – and opportunity! In addition to the activities listed above, teams of students will design a radiation shield prototype that meets established criteria and constraints. Teams will submit their designs, and the top five designs selected will be tested in a virtual radiation simulator. The winning team will travel to Florida for Orion's launch and have its design flown aboard the spacecraft. 

The deadline to register students to participate is March 14, 2014. Full Challenge details are available online at www.nasa.gov/education/edc. Students must be registered before beginning the Challenge.

Thursday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

LTM begins today with Kindergarten (10:10-11:25) and 3rd HAG (12:30-1:45)

Today our Kindergarten, First Grade and Second Grade will have their curriculum night @ 6pm

Big Effort for Thursday afternoon and Friday Morning!!! 

Our arrival and dismissal rely on EVERYBODY being in place on time and giving their full attention to KIDS.  PLEASE monitor each other this afternoon and Friday morning and give me some feedback on the areas that are to be improved (both systemically and personnel based)  I expect to hear from each of you on your thoughts based on your position in our system.  Thanks!

Subs:
No sub for Stephanie Ingram
Dorothy Campbell for Cyndy Sanders

Wednesday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

Patriots Day is in remembrance of the tragedy of September 11th.  Please watch our WSFCS presentation on Cable 2 Today at 9,10, or 11.  You may also access the video on demand here.

http://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=14

Read to Achieve BOG - 3 make-up tests will be in the Brunson Live room.  Keep that area quiet and we may proceed on a regular schedule as recess will not impede their test taking experience.

LTM Starts Thursday

Click HERE to see a see a story on the WFU Literacy lick-off

Thursday we will begin a partnership with the School Health Alliance for a monthly student delivered message.  This months message is about breakfast and a copy will be in your mailbox today.  Please post this in your classroom and listen to Xavier as he reads the announcement on Thursday.

The new staff Lasagna Dinner will be Tuesday, September 24th at 6:30 pm.  Please see the sign up sheet for buddies in the office with Silvia!  We look forward to you signing up to be a part of this supportive team.

Tuesday MM - Day "E"

Good Morning!

Read to Achieve BOG - 3 begins after announcements. 

Click the link below to see our WSFCS coverage of the WFU literacy kick-off.  
Wake Forest basketball players encourage students to read

SIT Draft Minutes are available for review on the Staff shared Drive in the SIT folder.  Thanks to Debbie for getting this done for all of us.  They remain in Draft form until approval at our next meeting.

We met Monday to finalize our LTM schedule and set goals. Each of us will be in contact with our teams to communicate  expectations for your LTM day. 

• Andy will work with 3rd, 4th & 5th grade HAG 
• Kathy will work with Kinder, 1st & 2nd
• Jeff will work with 3rd, 4th & 5th

Since progress reports are due to parents today and there is no POWER SCHOOL grade book yet, please provide a paper copy for families to get a picture of their child's first two weeks.

No subs today!

 

Monday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

5th Grade Curriculum meetings start @ 6pm tonight.

Tuesday all 3rd grade classes will be taking the Read to Achieve BOG-3 Test.  We have 6 third grade classrooms and 5 accommodations sites in all areas of our building.  This assessment has HIGH ACCOUNTABILITY and we will implement a EOG type atmosphere for the morning.

• Limited movement in the halls
• LEVEL ONE for Faculty-Staff
• LEVEL ZERO for Students
• Cone system and monitors to assist testing classrooms
• NO recess until the all clear announcement
• Room/wall checks monday 

Also on Tuesday we have the PBIS team after-school and 4th grade curriculum night @ 6pm.

Wednesday we have TRC and DIBELS training after-school.

Thursday the K-1st-2nd grade curriculum night  is @ 6pm.

Look for an e-mail with the Evaluation schedule attached.  We need you to think about your PDP goals and be prepared to complete the self-evaluation and PDP soon after Power School is available to us.

LTM begins on Thursday, Day A.   Kathy, Andy and I are meeting this week and will send the final schedule of assistant coverage on Tuesday.

Friday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

Communication issues are responsible for many of our frustrations and limits our growth as a school.  I want to be clear with a few of my expectations.

• Always read the Blog in the morning!  I write it daily with each of you as my intended audience and expect that you will absorb the messages
• Always read e-mail in the morning and again before you leave at night. 
• Adopt a 24 hour window that you will return communications to colleagues and parents

Today to test our communication system here is a Riddle that I will ask;

Q - What is at the end of a Rainbow?
A - the letter w

Hopefully you all will be able to answer and impress your students by not saying, "a pot of gold."  

Remember there is no shame if you do not catch on this first time.  I am just trying to account for those who need a refresher in reading the blog/email and intervene on all our behalf. 

Step Up Forsyth

Kathy has taken the first step and reactivated the Brunson Burners!  Our team had 12 total members and averaged 929 minutes over the entirety of the program for a grand total of 11156 minutes overall in 2012.

Please consider joining Step Up Forsyth as a Team member in 2013 as we "Go Out & Play"! Just a reminder, Step Up Forsyth is a FREE community-wide physical activity program, and this year’s program will begin on Sunday, September 15, 2013.

As a participant in Step Up Forsyth, you will:

Be eligible for great prizes (weekly and grand)

Receive a weekly e-newsletter

Have the opportunity to participate in free community exercise and cooking classes

Program Details:

• Step Up Forsyth is an 8-week program (September 15 - November 10)
• The goal is to be physically active 5 days a week for 30 minutes each day
• Log your physical activity minutes online

To join Step Up Forsyth, go to the Step Up Forsyth site and set up your account. Once on the website, you will have the opportunity to re-activate your membership from last year, or you can create a new one. 

Subs today

no sub for Silvia - Brandon is off to college!

FRANCE, ANNETTE for Jessie

Thursday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!


Thanks to the folks who have volunteered to be assist our school nurse on the health teams for 2013-2014

• Lice  - Brenda Coles & ? (who else volunteered?) 
• First aid - Andy Lester-Niles & Silvia Correa 
• CPR responders - Andy Lester-Niles & Michelle Gray
• Diabetes - Karon Kiger & Natalie Newman

We also have many district teams that require leadership.  At our next meeting we will vote to approve the following slate .  If you are interested in serving in any of these roles, PLEASE let me know as the TEAM approach allows for a greater impact to our community.

• TAC - Kathy and Lara 
• UNCF - ???? 
• UNITED WAY - Olga and Lisa 
• ARTS COUNCIL - Cyndy and James 
• CAC - Dr. Stevens 
• RACHELS/CHARACTER - Jenny

 

 

Find time to join with teachers across the country on Friday, September 6th, at 8 p.m. to watch the film "Teach" on CBS. This documentary from Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim follows four teachers to answer the question, "What does it take to be a teacher?"
 

In the next decade, more than half of U.S. teachers will retire. We'll need a new generation of teachers prepared to inspire, engage, and challenge America's students. Who will they be?
 

The National Board is proud to be a member of the TEACH Coalition, one of the nation's largest public-private partnerships, working in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education to recruit the next generation of great teachers.
 

Watch the trailer: http://takepart.com/teach

 

Wednesday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

I am at the ED building this morning for the Joint Principals/Management Team meeting.  I have posted the agenda in the Blog Document folder on the staff shared drive. 

SIT was kicking into high gear last evening and we are looking good.  We will share parts of our plan through the blog and at our next staff meeting on the 25th of September.

As I was walking the classrooms with Stacy to ascertain the computer and power flow in our building, I left my silver coffee cup somewhere.  If you find it in your room, please return it to the office. Thanks!

Tuesday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

I trust you all were able to rest and enjoy the three day weekend without the rain putting a damper on your events.

We are implementing the State mandate to educate children on Bus Safety in a unique manner beginning this afternoon.  Andy will call for the Yellow bus to be dismissed to the stage at approximately 2:15.  He will show them a WSFCS created video and then teach the Brunson PBIS expectations.  He will stay with the yellow bus students as they will dismiss from the stage and walk to the bus as it arrives on Campus.  Wednesday we will do the same for Blue bus, Thursday will be Green Bus and Friday the Black bus.  Next week's schedule will be in the blog posted on the 8th of September.

We are on day six of cafeteria expectations and I want to thank you all for making it smooth.  Continue to intervene for any child that needs assistance in following our universals, and be a great role model as you eat and socialize appropriately with students.  We can not tolerate children lined up on the wall for more than 30 seconds.  That is wasted time and sends the wrong message to our students.  Work on a plan to maximize your efficiency at the end of the lunch period.

One curriculum night this week - Thursday for 3rd Grade

• 6:00 parents report to rooms for teacher presentation
• 6:40 announcement to line up and report to the gym
• 6:45 presentation on Read to Achieve w/ PTA support
• 7:00 dismissal

Sub today;
Minnie Benson for Venice