Wednesday MM - June 1st

EOG - ELA Today!

Let's all breathe and know that we are prepared.  If we want to reduce stress we must demonstrate confidence in ourselves and ALL our students.  Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, it IS THE WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ACTION IN SPITE OF FEAR. 

Our CREW session this afternoon extends our journey to build and sustain relational trust throughout our faculty.  A request from our CREW leaders.

• remind everyone to think of something positive (a memory, compliment, etc.) about the crew member they selected from our snowball fight. We will be sharing these at the end of our session on Wednesday! 

No subs today - Lots of guests as Proctors!

Tuesday MM - May 31st

Good Morning!

Two make-up settings for the Science test

• Janet to administer & Doris to proctor in Kathy's office on the stage
• Anna to administer & Diana to proctor in Mobile #40   

Kathy and I tried to affect the least amount of spaces so people can still use the side playground on the one side of the school.  I'll be here by 7:30, please come find me on the stage like a normal testing day so I can get appropriate information to you.  Let me know if you have any questions or concerns!  Thanks so much, Kristen Turner.

EOG administration on Tuesday and Wednesday will require participation and cooperation from every staff member.  

• It is SO IMPORTANT to get off to a good start, so please arrive on campus by 7:30!
• Test material distribution will not interfere with our care and love shown to the students as the enter the building at 7:50
• We will follow the schedule as posted in the blog documents folder for Specials, Recess and Lunch 
• Remember to remove the school phone from the hook and leave your cellular device in the printing cubicles located in my office

I have classroom assignments for Summer Enrichment;

South End of the Main Hall

• Mobile 31 Drums
• Room 3 Readers Theater
• Room 4 Kindergarten
• Room 6 First Grade
• Room 8 Chess/Math

North End of the Main Hall

• Room 9 Art
• Room 10 Art
• Room 11 Guitar
• Room 13 Dance
• Gym PE/Golf

North End Upstairs

• Room 20 Digital Photography
• Room 21 Ex Sci
• Room 22 Piano
• Room 23 Aeronautics
• Room 24 i-movie
• Room 25 Lego Robotics

No subs as of Monday;
UPDATE 5.31 Still no subs - yet we are missing two sick instructional assistants, Natalie Denny and Carol Stewart hope to feel better and see us Wednesday. 

• Let's keep it that way for Wednesday and Thursday as we will struggle to provide support to a sub when resources are stretched thin due to EOG administration.

Friday MM - May 27th

EOG Science Testing Today!

• Mobiles 31, 32, 33 & 40 have Dr. Stevens as hall monitor
• Currin, Lovin & Burch have Mrs. H as hall monitor
• Mobiles 35, 37 & 38 have Mr. Faullin as hall monitor
• Modified Specials Schedule
• NO RECESS
• Regular Lunch Schedule

Monday is Memorial Day! 

Tuesday we do Make up testing for Science.  We also will do room walks for all testing sites.  ALL items that refer to reading or math must be removed from the sight of the students before testing.  When in doubt take it down or cover it with paper.    

Wednesday June 1st, we need all staff here by 7:30 to collect materials and be prepared for students.  

Subs:

Rosemary Hazy for Lisa Weber

Robin Phelps for Lara Overby

Evelyn Howie for Cindy Sanders

Beverly Baldwin for Nancy Smoot PM only

No sub for Rebecca Griffith

 

Thursday MM - May 26th

Good Morning!

Last day of PLT coverage today.  

Thanks for the support at the meeting yesterday.  How about a quick challenge for today, when speaking ONLY use the the following pronouns;

• First Person Singular - I, Me, Mine & My 
• First Person Plural - We, Us, Ours & Our

I will monitor my usage and we can hold each other accountable without using 2nd or 3rd person.

I am doing a Science Testing Room walk from 8:30-10:00 to remove prohibited items from the walls.  

We made great progress with Dee Duncan today.  The work plan is in progress and will be the focus of our work on Wednesday, June 15th.

Subs:

Robin Phelps for Bridgette Hollomon

Wednesday MM - May 25th

Good Morning!

Today we enjoy the K-1 musical performance in the gym @ 9:00

• 2nd grade, arrive @ 8:50
• 3rd grade, arrive @ 8:52
• 4th grade, arrive @ 8:55
• 5th grade, arrive @ 8:58

Enjoy!

Faculty meeting at 3:30.  We will be working on EOY procedures and next steps in Crew/El Education.  Please bring your Core Practice book.

Subs:

Robin Phelps for Kim Woody

Tuesday MM - May 24th

Good Morning - Week "B"

I have attached two End-of-Year calendar/schedule files to the Blog docs folder (nested in a folder titled, "EOY Stuff")

• eoy calendar for working 2016
• Modified EOG Schedule 2016

Please review these electronically.  Adjustments may occur with your input today, so the final paper copies will be distributed Wednesday at our faculty meeting.

Subs:

• Carol Sumner for Happy Bell

Monday MM - May 23rd

Good Morning - "B" week

PLT and Duty Free Lunch coverage continues this week through Thursday.

The EOY schedule will be distributed Tuesday.  Details will be on the blog and copies will be available with Laurie and Nelva in the office.

I am headed to an allotment conference with HR today at 3:00 pm.  If you have any news of alternate plans for next year, please inform me soon.

Faculty meeting Wednesday 3:30-4:30.

Subs:
Robin for Allison
Angeline Terry for Elizabeth Johnson
Kay Hamilton for Tonya Grisette AM only

Friday MM - May 20th

Good Morning!

CREW was awesome and I learned so much!  My mission today for all students, parents and staff;

• ...deliberate action taken by any party to reduce this sense of vulnerability in others - to make them feel safe and secure - builds trust across the community.

Remember that our Volunteer event will "skew" lunch.  Be flexible and prepared to supervise as we will not be able to provide Duty Free today.

Living museum Parade will occur @ 10 am.  We will make an announcement to enter the halls for the 52 kids.  Much shorter than the 150 k-1 characters from the March parade.

Please return Bus Cogs to the office for redistribution at this crucial time of the year.

Enjoy the weekend!

Subs:

Robin for Allison

Karon for Stacy

Paige for Jessie

Rosemary for Kelsey

Evelyn Howie for Tonay Lovin

Wille Mae Carson for Cindy Alva

Antoinette Miller for Joel Peddle

No sub for Sarah Huddleston
No sub for Anna Stopplebein
No sub for Diana Adkins

Thursday MM - May 19th

Good Morning! 

Crew week continues and the AMAZING support from our staff is highly appreciated.

4th Grade is off to Raleigh today. Be safe and enjoy this amazing learning experience.
Ms. Denny is an escort, so no one is in the copy room today.

Friday Morning we have a "Living Museum" presentation to parents by our 3rd HAG students.  They will parade the halls similar to the K-1 Book Characters @ 10:00

Friday brings a sincerely sweet Thank You to our Brunson Volunteers!

• The teachers and staff of Brunson Elementary want to thank all the Volunteers who have graciously given their time to make the 2015-2016 school year better! This support is invaluable to the daily success of the school. Let the teachers and staff provide a special dessert to say “thank you!”
• Parents and other volunteers are invited to bring a lunch and dine with us on Friday, May 20, 2016.  Special seating will be available in the gymnasium. 
• Important note: Due to limited space, gymnasium seating and desserts are being provided for Volunteers and their child only.

Wednesday MM - May 18th

Good Morning!  

Crew Week continues and we are looking GREAT!

Continue to support each other as we have lots of subs and coverage as 11-12 folks are out at any one time.  We will still have emergencies and sickness in the mix, so stay flexible and engaged with supervision and instruction for ALL our students.

Teachers, I have had multiple requests for EVAAS support as the teacher rosters are due on May 20th.  Please come to the Chromebook Lab at 3:30 today for a brief overview and help session.  I will only talk for 10-15 minutes and then be available to help individuals until 4:30 or 5:00.

Tuesday MM - May 17th

Good Morning- CREW WEEK

• Creating a Sense of Community through Faculty Crew

“Be the change you want to see in Brunson”

I am at the elementary principals meeting this morning. (Agenda in the Blog Doc Folder)

No PLT coverage today due to crew week.

Subs - in all areas of the building!  BE HELPFUL!

Monday MM - May 16th

Good Morning and welcome to CREW WEEK!

We start with School Improvement Team Agenda for Monday 5/16/16 3:30 in computer lab

• Review NORMS set at April meeting
• Add NORM keeper (ask for volunteer or assign?)
• These are links that were shared by Dee if you are interested in more information about norms:
• Example of Norming
• Creating Norms (I like this one. It is different, but I think it may be a better process for your team)
• Process of Creating Norms Option 3
• MTAC-is this committee still a part of SIT or separate?
• Open discussion for future committee planning
• Media Center Collection Management Plan-review/discuss 3 year plan
• Mrs. Bonomo will assist with discussion
• SIP data analysis due May 27th
• Open discussion to prepare data analysis

Our 3 hour Faculty Crew meetings at Ardmore Baptist Church begin Tuesday and continue on Wednesday & Thursday. 

Subs:
Evelyn Howie for Tonya Lovin
Angelene Terry for Linnea Patrick
Karon Kiger for Kim Woody

Friday MM - May 13th

Good Morning!

Today is an adjusted schedule for K-2 Field day,  Enjoy and Stay Dry!

Our facilitated PLT work ends today.  The expectation is to continue the next two weeks ("A" & "B" week) through Thursday, May 26th.  These PLT's will not be facilitated and open to agenda items conceived of by each team to assist EOY planning.

May 17-19 is our CREW week.  Thanks to everyone for engaging in the growth of our faculty CREW.    

Saturday May 14th I will be at the Career center for the WSFCS job fair.  I try to assess each potential teacher based on how they make me "feel," as we want teachers who engage others and create space for students to grow.  Please give me tips on strategies you use to make quick assessments, with the goal of bringing in the top candidates for an extended interview.  I am searching the EL Core Practice book for specific topics that will stimulate authentic responses from our prospective candidates.   We need to see them express their potential to join our CREW.

Subs:
Karon Kiger for Jessie Parrish
Deb Gray for Donna McNatt
No Sub for Irene Rush
No Sub for Cindy Sanders

Thursday MM ~ May 12, 2016

• Due to the potential rain, the K-2 team agreed yesterday to hold their Field Day tomorrow indoors.  The lunch schedule for Friday is posted beside the morning sign-in sheet.  Mr. Peddle will send an email out today with further information.  THANKS to everyone for their flexibility!
• Thanks for your time and attention yesterday as we met regarding the EOG testing.  Our consistency, encouragement, and positive energy will allow our students to move through these tests. 
• As we all deal with "Spring Fever", remember to remain consistent and uplifting.  The student's energy level going up needs to be met by our energy.  
• Thanks to the EL Crew team for the May 17, 18 & 19 information.  I am excited to spend more time with my staff crew and with Dee learning and developing. (Getting more wrinkles in my brain)

Jeff is BACK!!!!!!!!

Wednesday MM

May 11, 2016

Happy Wednesday "hump" day.  
(I have to admit that silly camel commercial makes me giggle every single time I see it.)

• Boys and Girls Club will be closed on Friday, May 13, 2016 for their Staff Training.  If you have students that ride the mini-bus to this location, please contact their parents and make sure alternate arrangements are made.
• Please bring your Test Training book with you to the training on Wednesday afternoon. If Kristen did not hand deliver a manual to you, she will have one at the training. 
• The weather on Friday is looking like rain; therefore, the K-2 field day will be impacted. Like last time, we're waiting until after 3:00 pm on Wednesday to make the final call. With testing right around the corner we can not reschedule for another date, so the events will be indoors. The team of specialist and I met Tuesday to create a plan that will work for all involved.  By Thursday morning you will receive an e-mail from Mr. Peddle elaborating on the schedule and other details. Regardless of the location of the K-2 event, we will be using the prearranged lunch schedule (posted beside the sign-in sheet).
• The Meals-on-Wheels place-mats and retirement home BINGO cards look amazing!!!   If you have not turned yours in, do so soon.  If you did not attach a key for your BINGO game (for the caller to use), I will need that as well.  

Make it a GREAT day.  

Tuesday MM

May 10th, 2016

Sorry I missed the blog yesterday.  Guess it has to be good today to make up for my goof.

One of the great parts of my job is getting into the classrooms for observations.  If you need me, let Laurie or Nelva know and they can catch me on the walkie.  

As you teach this week, think about this EL's design principles:

#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 school encourages both children and adults to become increasingly responsible for directing their own personal and collective learning.

As we move forward with our CREW, I can see the staff directed learning, both personally and collectively.  Think about this....What can we do to move our students toward Design Principle #3?

Make it a great day!

Friday MM ~ May 6, 2016

Good Morning - SPRING FLING DAY!

Enjoy the buzz and encourage your students to attend with their family this evening.

• Next week, May 9-13, is School Nutrition Employee Week.  Please remind your students to thank our cafe' staff (verbally or in writing) for the wonderful job they do each and every day.

Subs:

• Rosemary Hazy for Trish Gulledge
• Kimberly Vestal for Brandi Burroughs
• Jennifer Gragg for Darcy Steele
• No sub yet for Stacy Swanson

Thursday MM - May 5th

Good Morning - Week "A"

There are a few "perks" with my job, today is an example;

• I get to enjoy breakfast with Jenn Currin at the annual school counselor event
• I get to enjoy dinner with Maggi Jackson & Jessie Parrish at the annual PTA banquet

Please know that I will be sharing POSITIVE stories of our work here.

We have an HAG Q & A session today @ 1pm in the lobby  We will visit empty classrooms and talk with a few students/teachers at lunch.

PUMP UP SPRING FLING.  This is an outstanding opportunity for community building (trust) in the waning part of our school year. 

Subs:

• Rosemary Hazy for Trish Gulledge
• Kathy Hawkins for Tonya Grisette
• Edna Jackson for Stacy Swanson

Wednesday MM - May 4th

Good Morning - Week "A"

I am fortunate to attend the W-S Foundation Community Luncheon today and continue the great conversation started by Jamie Vollmer.  One point of clarity from his presentation Tuesday centered on "The Five S's"

• STOP negative storytelling
• SHIFT attention to the positive
• SHARE positive stories  
• SUSTAIN good works
• START NOW

Subs:
Rosemary Hazy for Trish Gulledge

Tuesday MM - May 3rd

Good Morning - Week "A"

I am at a Joint principals meeting this morning followed by a PTA Board meeting @ 1pm.  Our guest at the JP meeting is an author and advocate for engaging the public in the school reform movement.  Below is an excerpt from Jamie Vollmer's website to whet your interest his presentation. (as usual, the meeting agenda is in the blog docs folder)

Shift your attention from
the negative to the positive

(See page 184.)

There is a fundamental truth of the universe: What we focus our attention on grows stronger in our life. If we choose to focus on the negative things that occur in our classrooms, our schools, and our district, then we become more negative. Optimism fades. Irritability grows. Our relationships suffer. We have less energy. Our health declines. We become prime candidates for burnout.

Conversely, when we choose to put our attention on the hopeful, encouraging, positive developments that occur within our schools, we become more positive. Optimism grows. Our health improves. We feel better about ourselves as professionals and as human beings. We become more cheerful and productive, more awake, more actualized. We gain these benefits simply by making this subtle, internal shift. And when this behavior modification is practiced by the entire staff, positivity is enlivened throughout the district, and spills out into the community.

Stop bad-mouthing
one another in public

(See page 185.)

Teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, administrators, and board members must stop bad-mouthing one another and their schools in public. This destructive behavior is pervasive, and it is the epitome of lose-lose behavior: it undermines the reputation of the speaker while simultaneously grinding down the public’s opinion of their local schools.

There is no doubt that many educators have reasons to complain. They struggle with an ever-increasing list of academic, social, and medical responsibilities. They resent being forced to raise America’s kids without adequate support, and they are bitter about the growing disrespect displayed by students, parents, and the public. There are times when the fury and frustration become too much to bear. But venting in public is a nasty habit that solves nothing. If silence and restraint become impossible to maintain, there is an acceptable release: Gripe to your spouse. That’s why we have them.

Share something positive
within our social networks

(See page 186.)

This is where we capitalize on the shift of attention.

Everyone has a personal network populated by family, friends, and neighbors. We interact with these people every day. Even a casual reference regarding some small breakthrough at school made during a routine conversation is enough to make a positive impression. The recounting of a hopeful moment with a student carries an uplifting message of hope. As the process unfolds, and more staff members choose to add their stories, hundreds, if not thousands, of positive impulses begin to move across a web of overlapping social networks like ripples on a pond. Soon, with almost no effort, the entire community is enlivened with good news about their schools, and everyone is energized in the process.

Monitoring our progress

(See page 188.)

This step requires five minutes, once a week. In a quiet moment, each individual asks, “How many times did I share something positive about my job, my class, or my school?” Write the answer down, and pledge to add to the total in the coming week. Next week, ask the question again, and record the answer with the intention to do better. That’s all it takes to gain a clearer picture of our progress and a new appreciation of the power each of us has to change our community.

Subs:

• Emma Pitts for Wendy Binkley
• Bravett Lyes for Elizabeth Johnson 

Monday MM - May 2nd

Good Morning - Week "A"

Please sign up for a shift at Spring Fling.  We need staff volunteers to demonstrate the strength of the "T" in the Parent Teacher Association.

Click this link to sign-up for one or more time slots:

• http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080c4ba5a82da75-brunson

If you have a student (Middle or High School) who would like to volunteer, please email Maggi Jackson at maggi.jackson@gmail.com.

The SETS assessment team will be on campus Tuesday to evaluate our PBIS implementation.  Be prepared for teacher parent and student interviews.

Our Field Day/Talent show was enjoyable for students and staff.  Thanks to ALL who made this day special.

No sub today for Damita Sharp.