Friday MM - January 29th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Continue to build student's capacity to dream.

Environmental club today - Hold students with Bus riders until an announcement is made.

Subs:
Betty Wiek for Marina Bonomo
No subs for Diana, Janet, Anna, Kathy or Kristen as they are all in PD for the ACCESS assessments.

Thursday MM - January 28th

Good Morning - Week "B"

It is Re-COG-nition time!  Enjoy the Buzz of the day and focus your classroom on the hours of practice that these athletes invested to become elite.  Encourage your students to commit to a higher level/volume of practice to improve reading skills.

Our EL education visitors, Dee and Myra, are looking froward to seeing LT's in action.  Thanks for your hospitality.  

Our faculty meeting today will start at 3:30.

Friday Morning is DONUTS WITH DADS to promote our WatchDOGS calendar.  Sarah has the media center booked until 8:45 to welcome these families and encourage volunteerism in our school.  The parking lot will be FULL on Friday morning so be early.

Sub:
Helen Elbien for Bridgette Hollomon

Wednesday MM - January 27th

Good Morning! - Week "B" 

TWO HOUR DELAY TODAY

I have printed a NEW specials schedule for the 3rd quarter.  Copies are available with Laurie, posted on the board and in the Blog documents folder.

You can also pick up or view the 2 hour delay specials schedule in the same locations.

On a two hour delay, we expect staff to be here as close to regular time as is safely allowed.  You are trusted to make the right call. 

Please get the COGS for Thursday turned in BEFORE dismissal today.

We welcome a new EL Education coach to our school Thursday with the visit of Myra Parks Brooks.  Myra is the Atlantic Regional Director and will be here all day following this Google Doc Schedule.  Our Learning Walk will be quick, (3-5 minutes per classroom) in order to capture data on our LT consistencies. 

No school Tuesday, January 26th

A message from Theo Helm, Chief of Staff for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Hi all - as much as we wanted to go tomorrow, the side streets are too much for buses to travel. We'll be closed with an optional teacher workday. Keep your fingers crossed for the next day.

Maintenance will be doing their best to clear remaining lots tonight to give staff room to park. Principals - please use your judgment to and let your staffs know to use caution if sidewalks and lots are still covered.

Brunson will be open from 7:30-5:00 on Tuesday for Teachers who wish to work this optional day.  PLEASE use caution as the parking lot, sidewalks and mobile entrances are not completely clear of ice and snow.  Some areas are fine while others have a thick layer of icy crust.

If you are unsure of the optional nature of this day and the implications for our 215 day working calendar, please call or come see me. I will explain the newly revised calendar to the faculty who are here @10 am in the cafe' (as we nibble on snacks from the Bagel Station.)

Monday MM - January 25th

Good Afternoon!

It is Sunday and I just received word that we are out of school Monday. 

It is NOT an optional teacher workday.  I will be in sporadically and Mr Kirby will be working on the grounds in hopes of a regular day on Tuesday,  Mrs. Steadman is the only other employee "allowed" to work as a 12 month employee.  Recall the chart e-mailed by Mr Helm last week in reference to the work days.  I will blog more Monday and fill you in on the newly adjusted calendar as soon as I get information.  

Stay safe, dry and warm.

Thursday MM - January 21st

SNOW DAY!

Today is an optional Teacher work day. (What does this mean for you)

CERTIFIED STAFF

• This day will be moved to another spot in the calendar, most likely February 15th, and that Rc day will be moved.  Possibly to the end of the year or the next L (leave) day.  
• If you do not work today
• you will be charged a leave day from your balance
• if you do not have enough days in your account at the end of the year, you will be required to work an additional day beyond the end of the year or have your pay reduced by one day.
• Our staff most affected are those who have less than 4 years of service in North Carolina as they only earn 10 days of leave which are built into the calendar. 
• If you DO work today
• You will not be charged leave
• We will be open until 5:00
• You must Sign-in at the office to inform us that you intend to work a full (F) or a half (H) day

CLASSIFIED STAFF

• Classified staff  do not work on snow days except for
• Mrs. Steadman
• Mr. Kirby

I do not see Friday as an Optional day with the forecast calling for significant accumulation and dangerous conditions.  

Please continue to check the Blog as I will update school related weather information here.

Wednesday MM - January 20th

Good Morning - Week "A"

Our new specials schedule is posted and a color copy is available for each teacher in the office from Laurie.  (also in blog documents)

Great Day of PD Tuesday!  I will be thrilled to listen to your EL thoughts as you reflect on our shared experience.

I am at the Elementary Principals  meeting this morning.  (the agenda is in the Blog documents folder)

Thanks to Lisa Weber, Allison Phelps, Donna McGee, Marina Bonomo and Trish Gulledge for serving as our Teacher panel for the Title One auditors @ 9:45 this morning.  They will meet in the PLT room and have communicated coverage with Tom (Trish), Robin (Allison), Rebecca (Lisa) Nelva (Donna)

I have a Title One Principals interview at 3:30 this afternoon.

Friday MM - January 15th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I appreciate all the efforts with our Quarter tests.  We will work on data collection and have results back to you next week as Kristen continues to tend to her sick family.  

Tuesday Morning, January 19th

• Cafe' Breakfast @ 8:00 with a yogurt, fresh fruit and homemade granola from Maggi Jackson.  We will also have bottles of juice/water and a jug of Coffee
• EL Education PD from 8:30-11:30 in the media center
• 11:45-1:00 Lunch on your own (except the SC EL visit members will have a working lunch in the media center)
• 1:20-3:30 MTSS/PEP is in the computer lab for the 8 people who received the e-mail.  We will train the remaining staff in small groups within the next two weeks.  For those of you not in the MTSS session, it is open time

Report cards need to be completed before Tuesday the 19th. 

16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Monday, January 18 at 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Wait Chapel, Wait Chapel 1834 Wake Forest Road Winston-Salem, NC 27106

Come celebrate our 16th annual collaboration with Winston-Salem State University to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to commemorate the sit-in demonstration at Woolworth Department Store in downtown Winston-Salem by 10 WFU and 11 WSSU students and 1 community resident on February 23, 1960. This year, our keynote address will be delivered by nationally-renowned speakers Ambassador Attallah Shabazz and Ilyasah Shabazz.

Ambassador Shabazz is the eldest of six daughters born to Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X Shabazz. A producer, writer and diplomat she has spent over 38 years offering keynote addresses, while developing curriculums and programs for educational institutions, executive forums, diplomatic networks, penal systems, conferences and human service organizations globally. Ambassador Shabazz’ hope is to motivate and inspire one to have a better understanding of his or her history, the world around them and their constructive place in it.

Ilyasah, third daughter of Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz, is an educator, activist, motivational speaker, mentor, and author of award winning publications such as: the coming of age memoir entitled, Growing Up X, a children’s illustration book entitled, Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X and a young adult historical fiction book entitled, X, A Novel. These brief biographies only highlight a small fraction of the accomplishments of these two renowned sisters. Join us January 18, 2016, at 7pm in Wait Chapel. This event is free and open to the public.

Thursday MM - January 14th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Last Day of EOQ - Please honor the testing environment in the halls as we have no specials until the teachers are done with their groups.

Turn in cogs for the Friday drawing.

Subs:
Edna Jackson For Darcy Steele

Wednesday MM - January 13th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Science EOQ today for 5th grade.

Thanks to Kathy and our staff for a great Noche Espana.  

I enjoyed seeing our student Sailor honored at the school board meeting for her work on the Touched by Technology competition.

I will be out today after my Title One meeting as a tree fell on the house yesterday afternoon.  

Sub
Sipe for Steele

Tuesday MM - January 12th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Quarter tests begin today with ELA!

Noche Espana' - Let's support our Spanish speaking families as we welcome them to a night of learning supported with their primary language.  Please promote this with your students and if possible your presence.  

I will be supporting Brunson with my presence at the School Board meeting. 

Our amazing PTA board meets at 1pm.  See me if you have any special thanks you want to convey.

The PBIS Team meets after school today.

Sub:
Deb Gray for Darcy Steele

Monday MM - January 11th

Good Morning - Week "B"

Thanks to everyone who supported our Magnet Fair on Saturday. We had a fantastic time talking with informed consumers about what we do here at Brunson.

EOQ this week as follows.

• Tuesday, January 12: ELA test (3-5 graders)
• Wednesday, January 13: Science Test (5th graders only)
• Thursday, January 14: Math test (3-5 graders) NO MORNING SPECIALS (special areas teachers PLEASE communicate when you are available to have classes after testing)
• Friday: beginning of make-up testing 

People needed:

• ELA Test
• 3-5 grade teachers
• Smith, Adkins, Gauss, Lovin, Stoppelbein, Wilheit, Currin, Burch
• Math Test
• 3-5 grade teachers
• Currin, Peddle, Sanders, Phelps, Bonomo, Adkins, Lovin, Gauss, Burch, Smith, Dorsett, Stoppelbein
• Science Test 
• Lovin, Stoppelbein (I'll try not to pull y'all for make-ups!)

(I may have to add a few more test administrators and I will communicate that as soon as I know.)

Test Administrators AND Teachers

• Please pick up your materials Tuesday (January 12th) morning. Everything will be ready and on the stage or in Mrs. Wilheit's office.
• Test administrators that do not have homerooms: pick up all your testing materials for each student from their homeroom teacher.
• Make sure you have enough calculators.
• Make sure computers are charged and ready for the Science test (5th grade teachers).
• I have pencils but they may need to be sharpened by you or some of your first students to arrive on testing day.
• In case of emergency or if questions should arise: call Kathy's office (I'll be in there most of testing) or Lauri in the front office.
• You may keep the test booklets in your room for up to 10 days from the end of testing. I will need those returned by Thursday, January 28th. 
• RETURN your answer sheets after testing to Lauri in the front office by the end of each testing day. I have to scan and send the results to central office...please make sure that is done or I'll have to hunt you down!
• Communicate with your pull-out test administrators about when you are finished with testing.

Thank you all for your cooperation during testing, as always, Kristen Turner

Subs:

No sub for Damita Sharp

Deb Gray for Donna McNatt

Sue Carlton for Darcy Steele

Friday MM - January 8th

Good Morning - Week "A"

I completed the the LT visit with 6 classrooms yesterday and will try for 10 today. At this rate, I should be able to see all 42 teachers before the middle of next week.

Jenn, Kelsey and Sarah are headed to the MTSS/PEP training this afternoon and serve as primary trainers for our school starting on January 19th.

Thanks for signing up for the Magnet Fair.  See you at the Benton as we share our joy of teaching and learning here at Brunson.

Subs Today;
Paige Sipe for Darcy Steele
Nancy Harrington for Bobbie Robinson

Thursday MM - January 7th

Good Morning - Week "A"

I will be at a Magnet walk-through at the Benton starting at 10 am.  I am looking forward to seeing your plans and Learning Targets as I visit classrooms.  I will bring my laptop and zip you an e-mail of thanks during my stay.

Thanks for signing up to represent our school at the magnet fair.  The chart paper has been moved to the fridge door in the Be.cafe' for completion.  

Dental Screening will begin at 9 am we will call classes in the following order kindergarten - third - fifth.

Zarate, Hailstock, Binkley, Smoot

Phelps, Parrish, Ray, Coles, Steele, Grisette, Cota-Robles

Patrick, McNatt, Overby, Sayles, Johnson 

Subs:
Peggy Morgan for Darcy Steele

Anne Marie Stewart for Darcy Steele

No sub for Nicole Robinson

Wednesday MM - January 6th

Good Morning - Week "A"

I am at MTSS/PEP training this morning and will return by noon.

Faculty Meeting @ 3:30 in the media center, bring your copy of the learning target consistencies and your calendar.

Subs;
No sub for Sarah Huddleston
Kerry Gonzalez for Jessie Parrish, PM only
John Acker for Demarie Anderson, PM only

Quarter Test Information

Tuesday, January 12: ELA test (3-5 graders)

Wednesday, January 13: Science Test (5th graders only)

Thursday, January 14: Math test (3-5 graders) NO MORNING SPECIALS (special areas teachers PLEASE communicate when you are available to have classes after testing)

Friday: beginning of make-up testing

People needed:

ELA Test

3-5 grade teachers

Smith, Adkins, Gauss, Lovin, Stoppelbein, Wilheit, Currin, Burch

Math Test

3-5 grade teachers

Currin, Peddle, Sanders, Phelps, Bonomo, Adkins, Lovin, Gauss, Burch, Smith, Dorsett, Stoppelbein

Science Test

Lovin, Stoppelbein (I'll try not to pull y'all for make-ups!)

*I may have to add a few more test administrators and I will communicate that as soon as I know.

Test Administrators AND Teachers

-Please pick up your materials Tuesday (January 12th) morning.  Everything will be ready and on the stage or in Mrs. Wilheit's office.

-Test administrators that do not have homerooms: pick up all your testing materials for each student from their homeroom teacher.

-Make sure you have enough calculators.

-Make sure computers are charged and ready for the Science test (5th grade teachers).

-I have pencils but they may need to be sharpened by you or some of your first students to arrive on testing day.

-In case of emergency or if questions should arise: call Kathy's office (I'll be in there most of testing) or Lauri in the front office.

-You may keep the test booklets in your room for up to 10 days from the end of testing.  I will need those returned by Thursday, January 28th.  

-RETURN your answer sheets after testing to Lauri in the front office by the end of each testing day.  I have to scan and send the results to central office...please make sure that is done or I'll have to hunt you down!

-Communicate with your pull-out test administrators about when you are finished with testing.

Thank you all for your cooperation during testing, as always.

Kristen Turner

Brunson Testing Coordinator

Tuesday MM - January 5th

Good Morning - Week "A"

I am at the joint principals meeting this morning and will return after Lunch.  The agenda is on the S:drive/StaffShare/BLOG documents 2015-2016/Jeff's Meeting Agendas/Jnt Princ 1 5 16

My first day back was AWESOME!  I so enjoyed sharing in the students joy of being back in a place that they "own."  Keep up the good work and focus our energies on academic growth for all.

Faculty meeting on Wednesday @ 3:30.  I have placed a document in your mailboxes that we will need at our meeting titled - Expeditionary Learning Consistencies.  Please review and be prepared to participate in table discussions on Learning Targets.

CHROMEBOOKS are in your classroom and are to be used by Students.  Please help us be accountable for 
this wonderful infusion of technology.  

Monday MM - January 4, 2016

Good Morning - Week "A"

We have so many things to plan/work on;

• Magnet tours
• Magnet fair
• El Education
• Chromebooks
• MTSS and PEP online
• Grades
• Report Cards
• Title one Audit

YET, for today - Monday the 4th of January 2016 - place these items at the rear of your list and focus on your relationships with students and colleagues.  We exist in community and need to honor the activation of academic thought on this first day back.  The systemic, structural and managerial "stuff" in the bullets above can wait for our faculty meeting on Wednesday the 6th of January.

Subs:
No sub for Doris Davis
Robin for Stacy