Friday, December 20th

My hope is for each of us to ____________ during the winter break.  

1. rest and relax
2. enjoy family
3. party
4. read
5. grow
6. sleep
7. ????

No matter which number(s) you choose, make it great!

The building will be closed for SMO cleaning through January 1st.

Susan & I plan to work and open the building on January 2nd & 3rd from 8:00 am till 4:00 pm.  These are not workdays for staff, yet you can access the classrooms if you need something to prepare for our return Monday, January 6th.

Thursday, December 19th

Information for outstanding community events.

http://www.christmasforthecity.com/

Experience Community 

For the past eleven years, local churches, businesses and members of the arts community have come together to throw a free citywide Christmas party that features live music and arts performances, original work by local artists, a make-your-own toy workshop and, Santa Clause. Last year, 1,200+ volunteers welcomed over 10,000 guests for an evening of celebration and community at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem. 

The entire city is invited to this free Christmas party at the Benton Convention Center, 301 W. Fifth Street, on Thursday, December 19, 2019, 4- 9pm. The Venue will be packed inside and out with activities for all ages including:

• A variety of community-wide choral and instrumental groups

• Kids room with toy workshop, arts and crafts projects and Santa Claus 

• Multiple performance areas throughout the Benton Convention Center and out onto Cherry Street

• Poetry slam featuring local artists and musicians 

• Opportunities throughout the building to connect with non-profits and ministries of our city

http://triadculturalarts.org/index.php/kwanzaa/

The week-long Kwanzaa celebration a will be held at locations throughout Winston-Salem December 26 – January 1.  

Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in the African language Kiswahili, is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of: family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. 

Programs are family oriented — Music! Inspirational Messages! Food & Fellowship 

Free and open to the Public (Except for the movie, The Black Candle).

Find Joy in being with the students for the next two days.  Be prepared to answer the following question as we interact over the next two days:

• Which HOC is most needed to finish strong before the winter break?

Wednesday, December 18th

Today's staff crew is focused on Recovery.  

• a return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength
• the action or process of regaining possession or control of something stolen or lost

We will forgo time together with in order to provide our best selves to students before the winter break.  

Please give Mrs Lindenthal great thanks for her outstanding music work over the last month.  Welcome Sidney Ginn as our Music Teacher starting on January 6th.  

RED for ED picture at 3:20 in the lobby.

Tuesday, December 17th

I would like for you to think about the moments you experience Joy while teaching and learning here at Brunson.  Focus on the Joyful feeling and then identify your immediate preceding actions.  Now, utilize similar actions and see if you can create an abundance of joyful moments for yourself.

Why?

I am 100% convinced that a Joyful staff models for students what is good and beautiful in this world.  Our students will want to share in the joy and strive to build/maintain a relationship with you.  

Special thanks to Sarah and all the "treat fairies" who supplied the Be.cafe'

Anyone in K-1 interested to be on the duty free committee?  Please e-mail Mr. Davis as he has the following representatives:

• 2-3: Conner
• 4-5: Woody
• Specialists/Support: Turner
• Classified:Howard

Monday, December 16th

Make the last five instructional days SO ENGAGING for your students, that they anticipate the resumption of school on January 6th. 

Birthday Bash on Tuesday.

Sarah had us on her mind and baked cookies for us.  They are on the table in the Be.cafe'

Friday, December 13th

Let's talk weather

• Two hour delays are to ensure safety when the conditions are questionable
• Staff should make decisions regarding their safety for the commute to school
• This Friday, December 13th, students AND staff are to report 2 hours later than normal

Our Lunch Schedule remains the same.

Our Specials schedule will be as follows:

• Period ONE 10:25 - 10:55 
• DRAMA production
• Lunch in class for K-2
• Period TWO 11:00 - 11:30 
• DRAMA production
• Lunch in class for K-2
• Period THREE 11:35 - 12:05 
• 2nd - Specials
• Period FOUR 12:10 - 12:40 
• 1st - Specials
• Period FIVE 12:45 - 1:15 
• Kindergarten Specials
• Period SIX 1:20 - 1:50 
• LUNCH/CONCERT
• Period SEVEN 1:55 - 2:25 
• LUNCH/CONCERT
• Period EIGHT 2:30 - 3:15 
• DISMISSAL 

Thursday, December 12th

Congratulations to:

• Teacher of the year, STACY SWANSON
• Classified Employee of the year, KELLY GUNZENHAUSER

Be sure to continue the peer recognition with the blank cards near the sign in. (extra copies of the nomination form are also available)

Drama performance will begin Friday @ 8:45, Seating chart is:

• 2nd & 3rd grade is House left/Stage right
• 4th & 5th grade is House right/Stage left

Wednesday, December 11th

ERD Schedule

• 1:30 All staff in media center for Family Crew food and fellowship

• 1:55 First Station
• K-1 crew in Media center for Recovery
• 2-3 crew in room # 8 for MAC (Bring MAC book)
• 4-5 crew in Lab for Ladder

• 2:30 Second Station
• K-1 crew in room # 8 for MAC (Bring MAC book)
• 2-3 crew in Lab for Ladder
• 4-5 crew in Media center for Recovery

• 3:05 Third Station
• K-1 crew in Lab for Ladder 
• 2-3 crew in Media center for Recovery
• 4-5 crew in room # 8 for MAC (Bring MAC book)

• 3:45 All staff in media center for wrap up and Election

Tuesday, December 10th

DLC meetings are today with our Tech Guru, Yu'vonne James. 

• 1st period/5th grade in room #1
• 2nd period/2nd grade in room #15
• 3rd period/1st grade in room #11
• 4th period/Specialists-EC-ESL in room #13
• 5th period/Kindergarten in room #3
• 6th period/Admin in Office
• 7th period/4th grade in room #34
• 8th period/3rd grade in PLT

Please consider a gift to the United Way. 

https://uwfc.upicsolutions.org/crm/Start.jsp?accountNumber=4853

Monday, December 9th

Stay focused on relationships aligned with our HOC. 

• The TOY and CEOY nomination forms will be available by lunch today
• Kindergarten extended PLT and curriculum development is this afternoon
• ERD is Wednesday, COMMUNICATE with students and families
• Family Crew (PTA) will be providing lunch prior to our professional development on Wednesday
• ERD PD is for all Staff

Friday, December 6th

An Outstanding evening of winners!  (see both pictures at the end of the blog!)

Teacher of the year and Classified Employee of the year will be decided by our staff on the ERD of December 11th.  Begin to formulate those whom you wish to nominate as we will continue our tradition of CREW and read each nomination before the vote.  The nomination forms will be printed on card-stock and available at the sign in sheet beginning Monday.  We ask for each nomination to include a narrative regarding the habit(s) of character that is(are) evident in your nominee. (sample ballot below)

I nominate _______________________ due to her/his modeling of the following; 

RELATIONAL TRAITS

• Empathy: I can understand and accept the thoughts, feelings, and needs of others.
• Respect: I can think and act positively toward myself, others, and the environment.
• Integrity: I can make the right choice even when it's difficult.
• Compassion: I can use my words and actions to show others I care.
• Self-Regulation: I can keep my body calm and mind focused.

PERFORMANCE TRAITS

• Perseverance: I can keep working through challenging situations.
• Initiative: I can independently challenge myself to grow as a learner
• Collaboration: I can work well with others.
• Responsibility: I can take ownership of my choices.
• Craftsmanship: I can create high-quality work.

Narrative space for comments;

Thursday, December 5th

Science Fair visitation should be AWESOME.

See you all at the book fair tonight!

We had an effective & efficient BELT meeting on Wednesday.  We honed our goals and will sharpen our actions steps at the next session.

Wednesday, December 4th

PUMP UP THURSDAY NIGHT!

We need you to be the evangelists for this event with your students and be present and engaged with their families.  Sign up to support the reading rooms and see Cassie to fill gaps in the schedule for the book fair support.

Tuesday, December 3rd

Book Fair preview is this Morning!  

Science Fair Projects due to the Gym today!

Stacy and I will be off campus for WSFCS SIP support in the afternoon.

Wednesday is BELT as we will have an extended Staff Crew next week on the ERD.

Monday, December 2nd

Book Fair is a BIG WEEK!  Think and share with your students how this event assists students to gain knowledge and skills.  How are our Brunson Habits of Character embedded in the development of the knowledge and skills?

Science Fair projects are due on Tuesday!

Keep Michelle Jordan in your thoughts as she was involved in a traffic accident over the holidays.  She was admitted to WFU/Baptist with neck injuries.  I will go visit her today and give you all more information on how we can support her recovery.

I was able to visit with Sarah on Sunday and she is in good spirits.  Her 2nd treatment is today and she is taking the cards created by us to boost her morale.  Good Work.  The next delivery of cards will be due on Friday, December 13th before treatment #3.

BEAR down and focus on student engagement over these next three weeks.  Our investment will assist the transition to January. 

Tuesday, November 26th

Enjoy The Holiday, Give Thanks!

If you want to provide me a gift, I have a suggestion.....

Upon your return to Brunson on Monday December 2nd,  I or others may inquire, " how was your holiday?"  

The purpose of that basic question is my quest for an authentic interaction with you.  I ask because I want to know more about you and build a stronger relationship.  So tell me a story, full of details.  

Whatever you say, please refrain from, " too short."  What I hear in those two simple words: 

• I do not want to be here 

• I do not care enough about you to invest time in a relationship of value and purpose

"Too short" invites the listener into a relationship coined by Brene Brown as, "common enemy intimacy."  We will explore this notion in depth at our December 11th ERD. 

School will be open from 7:30-2:30  on Wednesday if you need anything.

Monday, November 25th

Give Thanks! 

I am headed to classrooms this morning with my "Stapler" to check for understanding with your class on the Movement Norms.  Please consider these a priority for the next two days as we establish desired culture in our building.  Remember that this is a CREW activity.  Culture is only built when a critical mass is consistent with their actions.

• We walk with purpose
• We walk safely by monitoring our body movements
• We use an appropriate voice volume
• We greet and respond to others appropriately

Friday, November 22nd

MOVEMENT NORMS DAY

Let's all focus our efforts to strengthen our staff/student culture in movement throughout the building:

• We walk with purpose
• We walk safely by monitoring our body movements
• We use an appropriate voice volume
• We greet and respond to others appropriately

This will require work by staff to:

• Explicitly define your expectations
• Front-load your students for success before each & every journey
• Model your expectations
• Feedback after each journey
• PQS protocol could be useful
• Checking for understanding
• Why do we have these norms?
• Who is served?
• Do norms contribute to CREW?

Thursday, November 21st

Within the next 4 days, we will have a fire drill in the morning.  I always receive calls from parents who are concerned that their child is outside without a coat.  I understand their concern, yet believe we practice to build habits of what to do in case of an emergency.  Therefore I do not want to take time on the front end to allow children to "coat-up."  

Knowledge provide solutions.  If I was to inform you that the drill would be this morning, students could have coats on their chairs? 

Thanks to Su and Brandi for leading an outstanding and informative
Staff Crew session.  Book Fair & Science Fair week will be AWESOME.      

Wednesday, November 20th

I look forward to our staff Crew this afternoon to unpack our community meeting.  

Tuesday, November 19th

I am at the JP/Level meeting today.  Please support each other and I will see you all at the Community meeting.

Remember Mobile Human Resources  is in my office in the afternoon to assist in all things HR

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Joint Principals/Management Team

Agenda

November 19, 2019  

Time	Session Title	Standards	Facilitator(s)
8:00-8:10	Welcome		Dr. Angela Hairston
8:10-8:40	Transportation Update	Managerial Leadership	Darrell Walker
8:40-9:40	EL Achievement	Instructional Leadership	David Sisk
9:40-10:10	Equity Audit Results	Cultural Leadership	Effie McMillian/Marty Ward
10:10-10:25	Break
10:25-10:45	IBEST Team Updates	Cultural and Instructional Leadership	Mary Todd Allen and IBEST Team
10:45-11:00	Magnet and Choice Updates	Strategic Leadership	Homan Atashbar/Sam Mills
11:00-11:45	SIP: Aligning Goals and Strategies	Strategic Leadership	IS Team
11:45-12:00	Closing		Dr. Angela Hairston
12:00-1:00	Lunch will be provided
1:00-3:30	Level Meetings

1:00-1:45	ELA Updates-Kear/Bendheim
1:45-2:15	Math Updates-Simington
2:15-2:45	Social Studies Update-McKnight
2:45-315	Science Updates-Delade
3:15-3:30	Technology Updates-Sherrill

Monday, November 18th

Our Staff Crew was exceptional as we promoted and recruited families at the WSFCS School Showcase!  A special Shout-Out to Stacy Swanson, our magnet/tech guru who organized our efforts and led the way with positive energy.

Our Community meeting is Tuesday @ 6:30.  Today, I will host a brief session (10 min) in the media center @ 3:30 to align our roles and describe the format.  

Click on the logo below to see the work a local agency has done to lift the site of our prospective home.  They have partnered with us to provide a sticker for each staff crew member to utilize on a water bottle, laptop, car...wherever you want. 

Friday, November 15th

Nelva and Susan have a Pink basket in the office for staff, students or families to place a card for Mrs Huddleston.  We will deliver en masse next Friday, November 22nd.  Remember, our communication with students is that she is taking care of some medical issues and should be able to return in the spring.  Cancer is not a taboo subject in schools, yet we must be sensitive and aware that the emotional growth and development of our students follows a normal distribution.  Be honest with compassion and empathy. 
  
Welcome Mr. Davis to our administrative team.  His first day was outstanding.  He worked with staff and students to learn our culture and commented:

• "Instruction is important here.  Staff and students were kind as they welcomed me to their rooms, yet they kept moving forward with the lesson."
• "It is evident that relationships are the core of this school."

On Saturday we will be promoting our school and educating the public on our new site.  Focus on what we want to do and how a new site will accelerate our student growth.  We will also be working under a new enrollment timeline. 

 Your child is entering kindergarten:

• Children who will be 5 years old on or before August 31, 2020, may enroll in kindergarten for the 2020-21 school year. 
• November 16: Magnet School Fair at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Education Building. Visit with students, teachers, and principals from each magnet school.
• December 15 - January 10: Parents also can apply to one of our magnet schools: Ashley, Brunson, Diggs-Latham, The Downtown School, Konnoak, Mineral Springs, Speas and Moore. All but the Downtown School offer magnet-express transportation to those outside of their zones. Magnet applications are available at any elementary school and online at http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us/magnet . Applications will be available starting February 15 and must be submitted by January 10. For more information, please call 727-2519.
• Parents of elementary students can choose among the four or five schools in their geographic zone. To find out your residential school and zone, visit the School Locator or call 748-3302.
• January 27 - February 7: To register and choose a school in your zone, please go to your residential school and pick up and fill out a Choice card between January 27 and February 7. Rank your top three choices on the card and return it by February 7. All children are guaranteed a spot in their residential schools or one of their three choices. Siblings also have the right to attend the same school. Transportation is provided to every school in a student's zone.
• One exception: If your child was accepted into a magnet school and you want your child to attend that school, you should not complete a choice card; it will override your magnet assignment. 
• February 29 - March 6: Parents also can apply to schools outside of their residential zone between February 29 and March 6.  Transfers are granted if space is available, and you must provide your own transportation. Applications will be available at every elementary school and on our Web site. Please make in-zone choices even if you plan to apply for an out-of-zone school, in case there is not space available at the out-of-zone school you desire.
• We urge all parents, especially those unfamiliar with the Choice process, to visit the schools in their zones. Parents should call schools in which they are interested in for more information.
• The North Carolina General Assembly recently enacted a law imposing mandatory caps on class sizes in grades Kindergarten through third that went into effect starting with the 2017-2018 school year.  The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is required to comply with this legislation.  It is important to our Board of Education that we share this new law with our families, as it limits their ability to grant choices requests.

Your child is currently in kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade:

• November 16: Magnet School Fair at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Education Building. Visit with students, teachers, and principals from each magnet school.
• December 15 - January 10: This is the only time to apply to a magnet school (Ashley, Brunson, Diggs-Latham, Konnoak, Mineral Springs, Speas, Moore, and the Downtown School). You will find out whether you were accepted by mail around the last week in January. For more information visit wsfcs.k12.nc.us/magnet .
• Mid-January: Your child will bring home a letter showing his or her school assignment for next year. It also will explain which other schools are in your zone and what choice you can make. If you want to stay at your assigned school, do nothing. If you'd like a different school, it's time to start investigating.
• January 27 - February 7: This is the time to visit other schools in your zone, ask questions and make a decision for next year. Rank your top three choices and turn them in by February 7. You are guaranteed one of your three choices or your residential school. Please make in-zone choices even if you plan to apply for an out-of-zone school. You will find out your school assignment around Mid-February.
• One exception: If your child was accepted into a magnet school and you want your child to attend that school, you should not complete a choice card; it will override your magnet assignment. 
• February 29 - March 6: If you're interested in a school outside of your zone, now is the time to apply. There must be space available and you must provide your own transportation. You'll receive your assignment by mail around Mid-March.
• The North Carolina General Assembly recently enacted a law imposing mandatory caps on class sizes in grades Kindergarten through third that went into effect starting with the 2017-2018 school year.  The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools is required to comply with this legislation.  It is important to our Board of Education that we share this new law with our families, as it limits their ability to grant choices requests.

Thursday, November 14th

The Good News team will be here NEXT Wednesday @ 3:30 in the media center. We will also Vote on our School Improvement Plan.  Look for an important e-mail from BELT chair Michelle Jordan on Friday!

Lately, I have been the recipient of some flattering feedback from visitors.  I want to be clear, OUR STAFF IS THE BEDROCK OF ALL SUCCESS.  Thanks for being the light that creates beauty in our communities.

Wednesday, November 13th

Good News!  The Good News team will be here TODAY @ 3:30 in the media center.  We will have a 15 minute "food-centric" staff crew session before breaking into BELT and STEM planning sessions.

Please keep Linda M. in your thoughts as she recently lost her stepfather.  She is supporting her Mother this week and plans to return Monday.

Tuesday, November 12th

Happy Birthday to my Brother Mark - He is 29, twice.

BELT meets on Wednesday while grade levels collaborate on STEM initiatives for 2nd & 3rd quarters.

ITBS assessments will be administered this week.  Utilize HOC's to provide an outstanding environment and remember that staff culture leads student culture.

Fill in the gaps if you have not signed up. 

	10 am - 11 am	11 am- 12 pm	12 pm- 1 pm	1 pm- 2 pm
K	Gutierrez	Hailstock	Haynes
1	Parris	Painter	Hicks	Say
2			Connor	White
3		McIntyre	Carter	Jordan
4	Woody		Hatcher	Raines
5	Walters	Birnbaumer	Pollard	Marzullo
Support Staff	Lovin	Turner		Sanders
Admin	Faullin	Faullin	Faullin	Faullin
IF	Matalik	Matalik	Brown	Brown

Friday, November 8, 2019

Friday, November 8, 2019

     Sadly, I will not be with you today as I thought.  My port surgery this morning changed the status in my attendance.  :-(  This was not the way I wanted to leave.  

     I AM hoping to stop by the office before noon.

     Know that your love, concern, kind words, and friendship have been like a warm, comforting blanket wrapped around me.  I know how truly blessed I am to work with such incredible people each and every day. Promise to continue making our students ALL they can be!!! Give them extra hugs from me and don't forget to send videos and photos my way.

Love to each and every one of you!

Sarah