Friday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

our Kindergarten and 1st grade Character parade to kick off Book fair week will be today at 8:45  

A few members of the VET will visit the Evergreen School in Asheville to explore Expeditionary Learning.  If you have a question or a "look for," see one of our capable representatives.

• Andy
• Kathy
• Bridgette
• Paige
• Sarah
• Jessie
• Woody

The North Carolina Annual Statewide Tornado Drill for 2014 will take place on Wednesday, March 5, at 9:30 am. 

WS/FCS will participate in this drill.

Anyone who participated in Secret Cupid, please meet in Room 3 FRIDAY afternoon at 3:30. We will have the BIG REVEAL of the secret cupid and spend 5-10 minutes acknowledging the fun we had. Thanks, Wendy

Subs:

Meta Faulkner for Tanya
Shelly Kirley for Demarie
Michelle Hart for Darcy

Rosemary for Donna McNatt pm only

Thursday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

Thanks for the work at our meeting to improve our dismissal.  I will work today to compile the solutions and hypothesis so we can "Prioritize" and "Operationalize."

VET meeting today in the LTM at 3:30

Our subs for Darcy, Tanya and Demarie allow for amazing PD at the State Gifted Conference today and Friday.  

Meta Faulkner for Tanya
Shelly Kirley for Demarie
Michelle Hart for Darcy

Wednesday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

Faculty meeting today.

Re-COG-nition to the PBIS team as Andy is in Raleigh today to accept an award from DPI.

Magnet meeting at CO today from 10-12.

If You Build It was an outstanding and thought provoking movie.  Ask Marcela or Stephanie their thoughts on the implications to our practice here at Brunson.

Subs:
Cierra Belton for Karon Kiger
Carolyn Gaddy-Perry for Sara Davis
No sub for Nicole Robinson
No sub for Damita pm only



“EDUCATION EITHER FUNCTIONS AS 

• AN INSTRUMENT WHICH IS USED TO FACILITATE INTEGRATION OF THE YOUNGER GENERATION INTO THE LOGIC OF THE PRESENT SYSTEM AND BRING ABOUT CONFORMITY 

OR 

• IT BECOMES THE PRACTICE OF FREEDOM, THE MEANS BY WHICH MEN AND WOMEN DEAL CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY WITH REALITY AND DISCOVER HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TRANSFORMATION OF THEIR WORLD.”

PAULO FREIRE, PEDAGOGY OF THE OPPRESSED

Tuesday MM - Day "E"

Good Morning!

No Birthday Bash today - We will double up at the end of March.

An opportunity to watch the relevance in STEM education!  I am attending the 6pm showing tonight.  Cost is $9.50 

Click the link for a trailer

http://vimeo.com/79902240

Jacqueline Phillips for Debbie Woodruff

Monday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

I encourage you to read the previous blog on the scaling STEM conference before our faculty meeting Wednesday.  We are going to utilize the short cycle methodology to improve our dismissal process.  Please collect some data concerning your role in our dismissal.

I also encourage you to be in tune with our schedule as it begins to get busy.  It is linked here.

Great day for a fire drill.

Sub, Marion Williams for Linnea Patrick

Scaling STEM conference

I want to share some reflections from my attendance at the Scaling STEM conference I attend last Monday and Tuesday.

#1.    This was a powerful graphic organizer.  We are initiative RICH and seem to scrap more than scale.  Our shift usually occurs in selected classrooms and we devote out time and energies to a new challenge and leave things “hanging.”

#2.    Read the quote below;

All school employees “have done well under the old conditions” therefore are “enemies of innovation.”  Each of us that want to shift the system to reach the students who are struggling, did well in the old system.  Systems thinking trains our brain to shift perspectives.  A Vital skill for leadership and success in school.

#3.    On the systems thinking front, The sustainability presenter from the NCSSM shared a fantastic simulation – Pass the candy -  http://ncssm-snackbook.wikispaces.com/*   

#4.    The industry round table was awesome for small group interaction. 

• Carol Rockett from GSK was clear that Mindset is a key to successful communication of STEM goals. http://nymag.com/news/features/27840/#print   She also loves the concept of intellectual agility!
• Alan Badulis form Kinecticos was inspiring and shared the VOLUME of training and PD that employees in the pharmaceutical industry receive ENSURES shared vision that is actionable.

#5.    Sajan George and the closing address was inspirational.  He provided an iteration of our Engineering Design process.

Now my job is to synthesize this and tie it together with information I will glean at the NCTIES conference in the first week of March.

Friday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning MIX-IT-UP style!

Theresa Thomas for Linnea Patrick
Janet Stephens for Tiffany Ray - pm only

Thanks to our PBIS Team for planning our event today.  Engage with your team to build students capacity to serve.

Thanks to all who joined in the conversation at the inaugural VET session.  Next meting will be Thursday February 27th, open to all!

Mr Kirby reports that both Vacuum cleaners are "stopped up."  Please be patient as we repair this equipment and clean the carpeted rooms.

Zone tour today @ 8:30

Thursday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

Please wish Sarah Westwood well as she has accepted a position with an accounting firm.  Her last day with us will be Thursday, February 27th. 

VET - Volunteer Engagement Team meets tonight @ 3:30 in the LTM.  the agenda includes;

• Norms for the Evergreen visitation
• Spring meeting schedule
• Jigsaw articles for February 27th

I am very excited to Mix-It-Up Friday.

Subs:
Rhonda White for Linnea
Rosemary Hazy for Jessie - pm only

Wednesday MM - Day "A"

Good morning!

Enjoy the PTA luncheon

Meta Faulkner for Doc Peddle

Tuesday MM - Day "F"

Learning—real LEARNING—starts when, for whatever reason, the learner wants it to start. It proceeds if the aim is clear and what’s being learned connects logically and solidly to existing knowledge. It’s strengthened when mistakes are made, clarifying the potential and limitations of the new knowledge. It’s reinforced when it’s put to frequent, immediate, meaningful, real-world use. It becomes permanent when it’s made part of the learner’s organized, consciously known “master” structure of knowledge.

-Marion Brady-

Monday MM - Make up snow day

Good Morning!

I hope you all are safe and sound from our extended snow vacation.  There will be no specials today as we navigate our two hour delay.  Our specialists will supervise the lunchroom today so each teacher can have a duty free lunch. 

I will be in Durham the next two days at the Scaling STEM conference.  Click the link if you are interested in the agenda.  The K-8 session will be led by our friend Liz Parry.

Last week we postponed two events that will occur this week.  Please be sure these are on your calendar.  

• Wednesday is our PTA teacher luncheon. 
• Friday is our Mix-It-Up day.

Subs:

Rosemary Hazy for Paige Sipe

Friday MM - Snow Day

I am here today for a 4 hour shift.  We purchased a Subaru for a third car now that Jack is of driving age, and it drives like a nimble little goat in the snow!  My streets in the neighborhood are snow-packed and rutted, yet the main roads are mostly clear.  Please be safe if you are venturing out as drivers with limited experience in these conditions can complicate matters.  Conversely, some drivers who are over-confident create dangerous situations with their aggressive style.

I am working on my evaluation calendar and will e-mail those of you on my roster concerning the next step in the process. 

Let me give you some updates provided by our amazing support staff a the Central Office.

From Daryl Walker on Thursday;

Grounds will be working on your lots through the weekend.  They are working until dark tonight and run a 12 hr shift tomorrow and Saturday in hopes of opening Monday

From Theo Helm regarding work days;

It depends on whether/how much more snow we get this winter, but right now it looks like students will finish June 13, and then teachers will have eight workdays following (June 16-20 and June 23-25). Those are the four that were already scheduled, the two that get moved because Feb. 17 and April 21 will be student days now, and two that became workdays after the first two student days didn't have to be made up. (If they worked either/both of the optional teacher workdays on Jan. 30 and 31, then obviously they wouldn't work June 24/25.)

Teachers and most other 10-month employees are required to work 215 days, which includes 180 student days, 14 workdays, 11 holidays and 10 leave days. Because students are not making up the first two snow days, teachers will now work 178 student days and 16 workdays. If they count the days in the calendar, they'll see they're still working the same 194 days.

As for TAs and PRTs, those who work 208 days will now work 178 student days and 9 workdays. Those who work 202 days will now work 178 student days and 3 workdays​. We haven't slotted those workdays yet, but I would imagine they'll be the first couple after the last student day.

Hope that helps. Hope that's all the snow for this year.

Wow!

No one in the building today due to the volume of snow.  I fully anticipate another day off school Friday and do not believe it will be an optional teacher workday as we have a LOT of shoveling and digging to make the campus safe for anybody. 

I will keep you posted. 

Snow Day?''

Not snowing yet - 10:20 in the morning - BUT I support the decision to avoid placing our students in precarious situations with a 3 hour early dismissal.  We would have dismissed @ 11:50 and have most kids off the bus within 90 minutes, say 1:30.  High schools would dismiss @ 12:55 and not have the buses parked until 3:00 at the earliest. So with a forecast that predicts precipitation starting in the early afternoon, we made the safe call. 

Now, if it doesn't start snowing until after 4pm there will be many "armchair quarterbacks" that disparage the decision.  I encourage you to refrain from the woulda' shoulda' coulda' mentality and know that we are accountable for the safety of ALL our students.  Time is relative, and we can follow the snow day make-up schedule that has been published for over a year.  My advice; Sit back, enjoy the beauty of a winter snowfall, stay warm and safe. 

I will publish the most recent updates for the remainder of the week on the blog for you to keep informed.  I will also keep you informed if we are presented with "optional" teacher workdays.  

For Today - 2.12.13 Wednesday - Mr. Kirby and I will be here until it starts coming down hard.  

Wednesday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

MIX-IT-UP day is rescheduled for Friday February 21st

We need some Secret Cupid help.  There are two names that have not been drawn.  If you entered your name and did not select a staff member to acknowledge, PLEASE see Wendy to rectify this situation.

As I write this @ 5pm, we have no word on the status of our school as we prepare for "the storm."  I have been asked to be prepared with a lunch schedule for a 3-hour delay.  If that comes to fruition, Instructions will be posted in the morning.  you can also look to the blog for information on optional teacher workdays.

More in the morning! 

Tuesday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

ACCESS Testing began Monday and we already have recorded 2 anomalies.  Please honor the Testing signs and do not disrupt a site where students are being assessed.  

We are on NPR  - Click the link to see a story on the Clinard Grants.  Remember they are due on the 15th of February.

Wonderful visit with Tracy Benson yesterday.  We learned that there will be Systems Thinking PD this summer for an additional cohort.  Please consider this opportunity for your professional growth and talk with Paige, Jessie, Michelle, Angela, Bridgette or Kathy for more information.

The PTA Luncheon has been moved to February 19th to avoid the possible weather event.

Rosemary Hazy for Joel Peddle
Andy is attending an AP meeting this morning and will return around lunchtime.

Monday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

Please welcome Tracy Benson from the Waters Foundation to our campus today.  She is doing a fantastic job in supporting the systems thinking PD provided over the summer to 5 of our staff members.  

Will it Snow?  Out of our control. 

Will we engage students to further their academic and social/emotional growth?  In our control.

Let's focus our energies where we can impact the world beyond the weather!

Sub: Shirley Porter for Sara Davis

Friday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

Welcome our WatchDOGS to Breakfast!

A message from Dr. Emory;

This morning the State Board of Education approved our portfolio waiver request unanimously. A special thank you is in order for our own Buddy Collins for his advocacy on this issue. Based on this action, I am immediately suspending the required use of the RTA portfolio assessments. Our Advisory Groups will meet next week to get your feedback and provide more information as to how we move forward. I thank Janie Costello for her commitment and dedication to best practice and hearing from all of you. Our Board of Education will also be asked to support this action with a resolution on Tuesday night. We are very relieved that our waiver request, which was to use our already in place, READ 3D assessments as our alternative to demonstrate third grade proficiency, was approved. We appreciate that we will be able to lessen the burden on our teachers while still demonstrating third grade reading proficiency through an alternative measure.

With the proliferation of the rubber band creations we need to be clear with our expectations.

• We expect students to be engaged in their academic pursuits
• We expect students to be fair and caring toward their peers

To accomplish these goals we will not allow students to create a market for goods or services that will create differentials and distract form academic goals.

• No selling - No trading

Let me refer us to school board policy 5131 Section IX 

#29 Commercial solicitation of or by students is prohibited on school grounds or at school-sponsored events. Charitable solicitation of students is permitted subject to the provisions of Policy 1324

Subs:
Meta Faulkner for Tonya Grisette

Thursday MM - Day "E"

Good Morning!

Please recognize Jenny Niles-Orefice during National School Counseling Week (NSCW). NSCW is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association.  This year’s theme "School Counseling: Building Magical Futures,"  will be celebrated from Feb. 3-7, 2014 to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems.  This contribution is critical to the overall goals of our school and district.  Much of this month, middle and high school counselors will be actively engaged in helping students and parents make important decisions about high school and middle school registration.  Also, during this month elementary counselors will be engaged in a unique training opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues.  This topic is particularly important as we seek to impart developmentally appropriate skills to all students.

 

Our entire community is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group who work tirelessly on behalf of students, schools and families.  I hope that you and your students will take the opportunity to acknowledge these efforts.  Thanks.

CLINARD GRANT deadline to apply is February 15th.

I am pleased with our level of engagement yesterday but am always looking to improve.  Here is the information about the...

Volunteer Engagement Team (VET)

• Visit to Evergreen – March 3rd
• Kathy, Andy, Woody 
• 4 faculty members
• Book Club 
• Leaders of Their Own Learning
• Planning Sessions 
• 3 Thursday’s before the visit
• 2/13 and 2/20 and 2/27

Subs: none today

Wednesday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

As you come to our faculty assemblage this afternoon.....

• Sit with your MIX-IT-UP Team 
• Each faculty member shall arrive prepared with the following items
• a writing utensil
• 3 note cards 
• a rubber band
• a paper clip
• One item to represent you that is... 
• small enough to carry in one hand
• unique
• outrageous
• you can live without it 

• Do not ask clarifying questions about the list.  If you do, I will respond with a question, not an answer, as those reside within you!

DO NOT BRING WORK TO DO

Subs:
James Byers for Donna McGee
Cynthia Clement for Nancy Smoot

Tuesday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

Advocate for for academic growth in your children.

James Robinson for Darcy Steele
James Byeres for Donna McGee

Monday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

W-2 forms are here and you may pick them up and THANK Gene Stephenson for her service as our Lead Secretary for the month of January.  

You can also warmly greet Sarah Westwood our new Lead Secretary and help her coordinate your hours worked on the two optional days last week.

Another new Face today is Jamie Wilkins - a Musician Corps volunteer.  We will hear more about this program at our Wednesday Faculty meeting.

The WatchDOGS Bagel Breakfast will be Friday February 7th.

The PTA Birthday bash for January and July will be Tuesday @ 1:50 & 2:10

Subs:
James Beyers for Donna McGee
Rosemary Hazy for Donna McNatt