Tuesday MM - December 1st

Good Morning - Week "B"

Vision Screening sign up is on the board.  see Laurie for more information.

I am at a Joint Principals meeting today with the agenda attached as follows;

• Hi all - hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. A few reminders for tomorrow:

1. We will start at 8 a.m. in the Education Building. Group A will begin in Room 219 with the poverty simulation, and Group B will begin with Marty and Dana in the EVAAS session in the auditorium. The attachment shows who is in each group.
2. At 10 a.m., we'll take a break and have breakfast in the lobby. 
3. At 11 a.m., Group B will go to Room 219 for the poverty simulation and Group A will go to the auditorium for the EVAAS session. The sessions will end by 1 p.m.
4. At 1 p.m., senior staff will be available in the auditorium for a Q&A about the mandatory improvement plans (MIPs) required for schools identified by the state as low performing. We want to answer your questions and get a better understanding of how we can help explain the process to teachers. Patsy Squire will also be there to give a quick update on the 11 Title I Priority Schools.
5. Principals - the information you need for the EVAAS session comes from Marty Ward and is pasted below my signature line.

Hope this helps - we're looking forward to the experience. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Theo Helm, Chief of Staff
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Community STEM/STEAM night this Thursday December 3rd from 6pm to 8pm at Atkins Academic and Technology High School. Our address is 3605 Old Greensboro Road Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Same night - PARENT POWER at SciWorks from 5:30-8:00

Monday MM - November 30th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I look forward to hearing your Thanksgiving stories and upcoming plans for the winter break.  We have 15 instructional days to impact the outcomes for our students.  My focus is to work with staff on the creation and implementation of great lesson plans.

Here are some upcoming events; 

• STEM team meets Tuesday
• Text structure PD Wednesday in the media center
• Sarah, Jenn, Kim & Demarie to the EL Education Site Seminar at Evergreen in Asheville on Thursday and Friday 
• Spelling Bee Friday 
• Book Fair next week 
• Book Fair "Game Night" w/ FOOD TRUCKS on Thursday, December 10th

No subs today, we are looking for a long term sub for Diana.  Please give Laurie any knowledge you have of good sub who may want this position through the end of December.

Tuesday MM - November 24th

Good Morning - Week "A"

At Brunson, I am thankful for....

• Joy in our classrooms
• Partnership and trust within our staff
• A place for me to join Passion and Purpose
• Academic growth  
• Caring
• Compassion 
• High Standards
• Most of all, YOU! 

"We journey with others.  Some precede us, some accompany us and some follow us.  Consequently we have paths, maps, models, scouts and co-journeyers.  We must be thankful for and wary of these co-journeyers.  They show us the way and lead us astray."

Let's go shopping!!!

There are a great deal of materials in the gym. They are available for the taking until 2:00 Tuesday (today), when they will then get packed up and sent to the Teacher Warehouse OR trashed.

Please take whatever you want:

• Math manipulatives 
• Science & social studies supplies 
• ELA material 
• Reading material 
• Workbooks (great remediation opportunity OR whole class demonstration, but not to be copied and used with the entire class) 

T​here is one qualification...these materials are yours to store and use accordingly; they are not to show back up on the stage.

Thanks to Laurie (and family), Mr. Dorsett, Ms. Currin, Ms, Gulledge, Ms. Alva, and members of my own family for the EXCELLENT job purging a GREAT deal of INCREDIBLY DUSTY materials on Sunday. Other than the dust, most everything else has been straightened.

Kathy has assisted with the creation of a "Project Closet". It is still a work in progress and we will let you know more when it's ready. We know that each of you will help us keep this area clean of "I just don't want it or have room for it" stuff.

During the day, I will have "worker bees" assisting in delivering materials that are still current. We will deliver them to one teacher on the grade level and then, as a team, you can decide who needs them/keeps them in their room.

Have a great day~ Mrs. H.
Subs:
Nicole Robinson for Nancy Smoot
Robin for Stacy
No sub for Anna
No sub for Diana

Monday MM - November 23rd

Good Morning - Week "A"

Thanks to the team that tackled the stage project this weekend.  The shopping for materials and supplies will begin Tuesday with instructions in the Blog.  DO NOT take things today until we get confirmation on shred and send backs to central office.

Be.ville is headed to the recycle bin on Wednesday.  If you have items that you want to re-purpose please retrieve them on Tuesday.

I want to share a quote from a book I am reading, "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer

• “Thanksgiving is the holiday that encompasses all others. All of them, from Martin Luther King Day to Arbor Day to Christmas to Valentine's Day, are in one way or another about being thankful.”

Subs Today;

Brenda Knox for Nancy Smoot

Robin for Stacy

Calvin Smart for Demarie Anderson
Ellen Gentle for Tonya Grisette

Friday MM - November 20th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I appreciate all your support of our STEM magnet at the event last night.  

Let's make these last three days before the Thanksgiving break AWESOME for our students and us.  Adult behaviors impact student outcomes. 

• We're making a final attempt to collect PBIS Hospitality dues from all staff members. These funds are used to support all members of our staff in times of need and in times of celebration - and to show our appreciation of staff members who seldom get recognized for their efforts, such as bus drivers and crossing guards, cafeteria workers, social workers, reading specialists, secretaries and clerks. The list goes on! Please pay Laurie in the office: Certified staff, $20 and Classified staff, $15 - or whatever you can offer, if the established dues are too much for you.

Subs Today;

No sub for Mrs H.  she is on the 4th grade State Capitol trip

George Newman for Kim Woody
Nakeshia Robinson for Darcy Steele
Sue Ann Gillespie for Venice Hailstock
No sub for Doris Davis
No sub for Diana Adkins

Thursday MM - November 19th

STEM NIGHT TONIGHT

Sorry for the mistake yesterday.  our evening begins @ 6:00 and goes until 7:30!  We will need your help to remove the projects from the media center Thursday @ 7:30 or Friday Morning before 8:00. 

Brenda Bourne and the HR staff will be on campus this afternoon to assist employees.  She will be housed in my office and I will take my show on the road.

What do we value that is “beyond measure?”

At the CLC on August 11th or 12th each participant received a book “Beyond Measure.”  You are welcome to join a book discussion on Monday, November 23rd from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm at “The Quiet Pint."  Please indicate your presence via e-mail to me by Friday afternoon so we can get an accurate count for the appetizers to be provided by our neighbor.  the agenda is to meet here in the media center for a 15 minute discussion followed by a walking trip to the restaurant for socializing and further discussion to build a "Just Culture."

I appreciate all the 11 staff members who stayed and worked on our supervision structure so we can provide more planning time at Lunch and after-school.  We will meet again in early December to hammer out details and begin before the end of 2015.

Items that were left off the list from our meeting;

• Our SIP that was sent out via e-mail and google docs -  We will formalize that document with a staff vote at our December meeting.  Please review and speak with SIT with any questions or comments
• Focus School - I have attached a letter to our website and will send an alert now today to have parents aware of this status.  I have a webinar with our district and DPI on Friday @ 4pm to learn more about our accountability.

Subs:
Jennifer Thompson for Kim Woody

Wednesday MM - November 18th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Faculty meeting today in the gym at 3:30

STEM night is Thursday, from 5:30-7:30.  We appreciate all the support you are giving to your students.

We have been identified by DPI as a focus school.  An email and phone message will be sent today with accompanying information posted on our web site.  I will share more at our meeting this afternoon. 

10. Service and Compassion

• We are crew, not passengers. Students and teachers are strengthened by acts of consequential service to others, and one of an EL Education school’s primary functions is to prepare students with the attitudes and skills to learn from and be of service.

Subs:
Willa Kirby for Sarah Davis am only
Robin for Stacy

Tuesday MM - November 17th

Good Morning - Week "B"

This week we will be administering the ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) for select second and fifth graders that qualified. There are 16 students that will be participating. 

• The fifth graders will be screened on Tuesday, November 17th ONLY in Mrs. Currin's office from 10-11:30 a.m. 
• The second graders will be screened on Tuesday, November 17th-Thursday, November 19th in Mrs. Alva's classroom and one pull-out group in the nurse's office from around 10-11 a.m.

Please be considerate of these students as you travel through the hallways over the next several days. Don't hesitate to contact Kristen Turner with questions or concerns.

We are pleased to send Sarah and Damarie to represent Brunson at the recognition of our PBIS exemplar status!  Great Work

I am the elementary Principals meeting today and will return after lunch.  The agenda is in the blog documents folder on the shared drive.

9. Solitude and Reflection

• Students and teachers need time alone to explore their own thoughts, make their own connections, and create their own ideas. They also need to exchange their reflections with other students and with adults.

Subs today;
Jairus Wilkins for Demarie Anderson
Alana Husky for Tonya Lovin
Robin for Stacy

Monday MM - November 16th

Good Morning - Week "B"

7 instructional days until the Thanksgiving break.  Remain focused on academic and social growth for all your students.

STEM Night is Thursday.  Please promote this all week.  Look for details on projects and grade level activities to be delivered in a e-mail from the STEM team. 

Be aware that our students will come to us with questions or commentary about the horrific events in France.  Our role is to listen and be supportive.   If you recognize emotional trauma that needs additional attention, please let Jenn know so she can assist.  

• Haiku PD today for 3-5
• PTA Birthday Bash Tuesday
• SIT meeting Tuesday
• Faculty meeting Wednesday

7. Diversity and Inclusion

• Both diversity and inclusion increase the richness of ideas, creative power, problem-solving ability, and respect for others. In EL Education schools, students investigate and value their different histories and talents as well as those of other communities and cultures. Schools and learning groups are heterogeneous.

8. The Natural World

• A direct and respectful relationship with the natural world refreshes the human spirit and teaches the important ideas of recurring cycles and cause and effect. Students learn to become stewards of the earth and of future generations.

Subs today;
Robin for Stacy
Jose Rodriguez for Marcela Zarate
No sub for Maria Cook
Katherine Rouson for Venice Hailstock
Alana Husky for Tonya Lovin
Wylinda Curtis for Trish Gulledge pm only

Friday MM - November 13th

Good Morning - Week "A"

Please keep Venice in your thoughts as her Sister passed away yesterday. Funeral arrangements are tentative for Tuesday.

I had a blast at Vienna and had the chance to eat lunch in their cafeteria with Andy. He has done an outstanding job and wanted to know all about our Mix-It-Up Day. The instructional rounds with Dr. Jones were very informative as I shared the time with Wendy Brewington from Clemmons and Trish Gainey our WSFCS Executive Principal for Leadership Development.  We explored our vision of what teachers are thinking as they design lessons.  I am proud to say that I learned a lot about myself at this PD and will be applying my new learning starting today.  

A TAC concern that I would like to address for our school, what does "Adults Only" convey?  Let's come to a consensus on where students are NOT permitted.  Here are a few areas for us to discuss as we will make a staff decision at our meeting Wednesday the 18th;

• Mail Room
• Be.cafe'
• PLT room
• Teacher bathrooms
• Boiler room
• Custodial closets
• Other suggestions?

Also on the 18th, I want to invite anybody interested in helping explore methods to provide supervision for Duty free lunch. 

Welcome the twins, Elliot and Nolan Swanson born November 11th.

  







Welcome to our absentee crisis today. Pay attention and be helpful as we have many folks out

• No sub for Maria Cook
• Nelva Perez for Marcela
• Deb Gray for Donna McNatt
• Anna Marie Stewart for Cindy Alva
• Alvin Atkinson for Lisa Weber
• Antoinette Miller for Bobbie Robinson
• Sue Ann Gillespie for Venice Hailstock
• Robin Phelps for Kelsey Loy
• Nicole Robinson for Jen Crigier
• Woodhouse has Media for Tech
• Woody has Guidance for Tech
• Ray has Music for Tech

Thursday MM - November 12th

Good Morning - Week "A"

Mix-It-Up day was a success for our students and staff.  I thank all of our staff for their efforts.  Cindy put many hours into the collaboration and planning with Walter Robbs that began last spring.  THANKS for your leadership and follow through.  

I also realize that the my feeling/measure of "success" is meaningless for staff members who are ready to be done with Mix-It-Up day.  I want to hear from you with suggestions for improvement or, plain ole complaints.  One thing I know - I learn best when I listen.  I promise not to pontificate or tell you my opinions of your opinions.  I need to hear all perspectives and will take notes from anyone who shows up in the media center @ 4:00 today.    I will stay until 5:00 to accommodate those in Haiku PD.  If you cannot make it but have something to say, shoot me an e-mail and we can create an appointment for an individual listening session.   

This morning I am off campus at Vienna Elementary for "Instructional Leadership Observation with Raymond Jones."  The desription of this PD is below

• In the second half of the first phase, we observe a variety of classrooms in teams of 5-6 instructional leaders. The proof of the pudding is in the tasting, as they say, and visiting classrooms is an essential element of causing observers to confront their conceptions about teaching and learning. Members of each cohort should have a minimum of three full days of observations and internal debriefing. In general, we observe approximately 20 minutes of a lesson and then debrief amongst ourselves for 15-30 minutes. The pattern for these clinical observation days is to visit as many classrooms as possible, knowing that the conversations provoked by what we see is the critical factor for developing our coaching skills.
• The driving questions for the classroom observations we do as a team include the following

1) Can we tell what the lesson is designed to achieve?
2) Can we tell for whom it’s working, and for whom it’s not?

Subs:

Robin for Stacy - The twins are calling and ready to enter our world.  Stacy will wait out the next few days at home.  We will keep you all posted as news arrives.

Tuesday MM - November 10th

Good Morning - Week "A"

Today we are presented with the opportunity and responsibility to build our students character though our mix-it up day.  Give this day your best and be a positive leader for all students.

The building is closed Wednesday to Honor all Veterans who protect our Country and ensure our Freedom.  

Subs:
Robin Phelps for Nancy Smoot
No sub for Tonya Lovin
No sub for Nicole Robinson
Paige Sipe for Anna Stopplebein

6. Collaboration and Competition

• Individual development and group development are integrated so that the value of friendship, trust, and group action is clear. Students are encouraged to compete, not against each other, but with their own personal best and with rigorous standards of excellence.

Monday MM - November 9th

Good Morning Week "A"

I am looking forward to Mix-It-Up Tuesday!  Use the morning wisely for academic continuity as we will connect with our buddy class at 10 am.  The lunch schedule will be ready by noon today.  Big thanks to the PBIS team and Sarah for the countless hours of planning and prep to create this unique learning experience for our school.

Subs:
Paige Sipe for Anna Stopplebein
No sub for Jenn Currin

5. Success and Failure

• All students need to be successful if they are to build the confidence and capacity to take risks and meet increasingly difficult challenges. But it is also important for students to learn from their failures, to persevere when things are hard, and to learn to turn disabilities into opportunities.

Friday MM - November 6th

Good Morning - Week "B"
     
Have you met in your "big buddy/little buddy" group to begin planning?  Mix-It-Up day is this coming Tuesday. 

Sorry for the lack of a post Thursday.

subs today - 
Robin for Nancy
No sub for Damita pm only

3. The Responsibility for Learning

Learning is both a personal process of discovery and a social activity. Everyone learns both individually and as part of a group. Every aspect of an EL Education school encourages both children and adults to become increasingly responsible for directing their own personal and collective learning.

4. Empathy and Caring

Learning is fostered best in communities where students' and teachers' ideas are respected and where there is mutual trust. Learning groups are small in EL Education schools, with a caring adult looking after the progress and acting as an advocate for each child. Older students mentor younger ones, and students feel physically and emotionally safe.

Wednesday MM - November 4th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I am at a Joint principals meeting this morning. (Agenda in the Blog Documents folder)

We have some PD this week for EIE and Haiku. (see Kathy for details)

Subs:
Robin For Charity

2. The Having of Wonderful Ideas
Teaching in EL Education schools fosters curiosity about the world by creating learning situations that provide something important to think about, time to experiment, and time to make sense of what is observed.

Tuesday MM - November 3rd

Good Morning - Week "B"

Brunson is not a polling site today so business as usual for Mobile #40 and the rest of the school.

The String ensemble of the W-S Symphony will perform for our 4th and 5th grade students at 9 am today.

STEM team meets after-school today.

I was honored to attend the WSFCS TEACHER OF THE YEAR reception at Old Salem yesterday with Jessie Parrish.  Begin to think about our selection for 2016 as we will dicuss the process at our November 18th staff meeting.

Subs:
Robin for Charity
Paige Sipe for Darcy Steele pm only

EL Education is built on ten design principles that reflect the educational values and beliefs of Outward Bound. These principles also reflect the design's connection to other related thinking about teaching, learning, and the culture of schools.  We will spotlight one principle each day as we head toward our November 18th staff meeting.

1. The Primacy of Self-Discovery

Learning happens best with emotion, challenge and the requisite support. People discover their abilities, values, passions, and responsibilities in situations that offer adventure and the unexpected. In EL Education schools, students undertake tasks that require perseverance, fitness, craftsmanship, imagination, self-discipline, and significant achievement. A teacher's primary task is to help students overcome their fears and discover they can do more than they think they can.

Monday MM - November 2nd

Good Morning - Week "B"

I am thrilled to be back from the EL Education National conference.  I am looking forward to extending my learning through conversations with you!

Be dry in your mind. I want to share with you a quote from a great movie, "Trail Angels."

"You can be wet and miserable, or you can just be wet."

Subs:
Robin for Charity
Ronald Thomas for Donna McGee
Ava Bland for Tonya Lovin
Felicia Covert for Trish Gulledge