Thursday, March 30, 2017

• Please ensure that the refrigerator in the teacher's lounge is closed.  There have been a few incidences where the fridge was found open. Thanks!! 
• April birthday goof....Emily F's birthday is April 13th (not the 14th)

• CONGRATS teachers!!  A substitute teacher contacted me this week and shared that Brunson teachers had the best sub plans.  Keep preparing lessons that permit our students to continue learning in your absence.  

     Monday, March 27, 2017

As the flowers start to bloom and warm weather arrives (at least on some days), we all become anxious for Spring Break.  Now more than ever, it is important for us to model perseverance and craftsmanship. Continue throughout the next two weeks, creating high quality lesson plans which encourage engagement and modeling strong work habits.  

Week at a glance:

• We will have a fire drill one pretty day this week
• Welcome back James, Jenn, & Stacy (We look forward to hearing about your time at Polaris)
• Brandi, Demarie, Jessie, & Kathy are at an EL school exploring the new ELA curriculum
• Jeff is out until Wednesday
• ALL Tuesday CREW lessons will be lead by the teacher 
• ALL Thursday CREW lessons will be lead by the faculty support member.
• HAG tour at 9:00 on Wednesday the 29th

As part of celebrating each other...Here are our April birthdays (Let me know if I missed anyone)

7th ~ Rebecca G.

14th ~ Emily F.

23rd ~ Becki W.

27th ~ James D.

Thursday, March 23rd

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Thanks so much for your time and the positive energy yesterday.  Our CREWs get better as we grow and learn together.

Beginning Tuesday, April 18th all faculty will begin facilitating student CREW sessions.

• ALL Tuesday lessons will be lead by the teacher 
• ALL Thursday lessons will be lead by the faculty support CREW member. 

Since we know all staff will lead next years lessons, we believe it is time to stretch and begin the facilitating process in a safe place where relationships have been established.

Talk to your CREW mate to ensure they are aware that this process will begin the week after we return from Spring Break.

EL Design Principle #8

"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."

     As we look toward the end of the year and into 2017-2018, talk as a team..."What can we do to conserve paper and printing?"

     Currently we have used 105 cases of paper (1050 packs; 525,000 sheets). At this time last year we had used only 75 cases.

How can your team demonstrate global awareness and our impact on the Earth?

Week at a glance for March 20th-24th

Monday 3.20.17

• First day of Spring

Tuesday 3.21.17

• Welcome subs as our HAG staff will be joining the Southwest and Hanes staff for PD

Wednesday 3.22.17 Early Release Day

• Welcome the WSFCS maintenance department as they form and pour concrete  the following changes will be in effect.
• Mobile # 35 will be CLOSED
• Weber and Woody must the Center aisle doors only
• The back playground is CLOSED
• EL PD with Faculty CREW will be the focus of our ERD on the 22nd
• PTA hospitality will close out our ERD treats with a Dessert Bar in the Be.cafe' after dismissal

Thursday 3.23.17

• Please be careful with the newly poured concrete!
• Jeff, James, Jenn and Stacy will be attending the Polaris Charter Academy Site Seminar "Building a Culture of Character" 
• listen to a WGN radio interview w/Polaris here

Friday 3.24.17

• Join the shower to celebrate Kelsey after school

Peek at coming events 

• Tuesday (28th) & Wednesday (29th) quarter test administration 
• Friday, March 31st 
• Dee will lead a morning PD for all Certified staff (8:00-11:30)  the afternoon is open for team/individual work in the classrooms.
• Gentle reminder...3rd Quarter report cards:
• April 4th by 8:00 AM: Report cards turned in to Jeff (3-5), Kathy (HAG) or Sarah (K-2)
• April 6th  Admin returns them to teachers with comments
• April 7th 8:00 am: Damita finalizes reports in PowerSchool
• April 17th Print and distribute cards to teachers
• April 18th Report cards in the Tuesday packet

Week at a glance 3.13.17 to 3.17.17

Monday, March 13th

• Tornado Drill @ 8:30

Tuesday, March 14th

• Pi Day
• Kindergarten Tour @ 9:00

Wednesday, March 15th

• 3rd grade HAG tour @ 9:00
• Lesson Plans for 3.16 due to Laurie by noon!
• BELLT @ 3:15

Thursday, March 16th

• WSFCS Learning Walk w/ Dr. Roseboro, Dr. Squire & Mrs. Costello

Friday, March 17th

• Wear Green for UNITY!  
• The last Kindergarten Tour @ 9:00

Monday, March 6th

Monday 3.6

• Book fair begins!

Tuesday 3.7

• Kindergarten Zone Choice tour @ 9:00
• Jeff @ Joint Principals meeting
• Dee Duncan supports us with coaching & development of crew learning targets
• Her coaching cycle consists of
• 15 min. for classroom observation, followed by 15 min. for discussion/feedback @ planning
• Click EL Coaching to sign up for one of the five available slots w/ Dee

Wednesday 3.8

• Emily, Kelsey, Jeff & Kathy @ MTSS PD
• 3rd grade HAG tour @ 9:00
• Faculty meeting is Technology PD @ 3:30 (HQ student stations) Location TBD

Thursday 3.9

• Crew writing team orientation 
• STEM Night/Book Fair(set-up & ready @ 5:25)
• We will stay active with families until 7:30

Friday 3.10

• Kindergarten Zone Choice tour @ 9:00
• Last day of Book Fair

Our EQUITY passage winner!

• EMBRACE every story, there's brilliance in each one. 
• QUESTION your discomfort, growth is not always fun. 
• UNLEASH the control, letting others share the drive. 
• INSIST on failure, it's the key to thrive. 
• TRANSFORM education, so all are understood. 
• YEARN for opportunities to promote the common good.

Thursday, March 2nd

I had a GREAT day Wednesday.  I want to send my appreciation to all those whom I interacted with as you made me think.  From my thinking, I am growing in ways that will support our school and provide opportunities for every student.

The coaching schedule for Tuesday with Dee will be posted on the Monday Blog.  Access to the slots will be determined by a linked sign-up genius.  I plan to post the blog Sunday by 4 pm (as I head to Durham Sunday night to see one of my favorite bands, Dawes)

Third Grade HAG Tours @ 9:00 on eight Wednesdays in March and April:

• March 1st
• March 8th
• March 15th
• March 22nd
• March 29th
• April 5th
• April 19th
• April 26th
• Tours are 40 minutes in length 9:00-9:40
• Agenda/Note Catcher is provided with Brunson/HAG information

Separate tours for 4th HAG and 5th HAG:

• Fourth grade tour @ 9:00 on Tuesday, April 18th
• Fifth grade Tour @ 9:00 on Tuesday, April 25th

Kindergarten Zone Choice Tours

• Tuesday, February 28th from 9:00-9:45
• Friday, March 3rd from 9:00-9:45
• Tuesday, March 7th from 9:00-9:45
• Friday, March 10th from 9:00-9:45
• Tuesday, March 14th from 9:00-9:45
• Friday, March 17th from 9:00-9:45

Note - These tours focus on our Residential classrooms and will not address the needs of families interested in our HAG program.