Friday, March 29, 2019

Friday, March 29, 2019

As part of our continued improvement and tightneing of our procedures we are asking that everyone continue our diligent work with arrival and dismissal.  Please ensure you are at your location both AM and PM.  Appropriate monitoring and relationship building are the best remedy. 

Thursday, March 28th

What are the components of STEM?  Yes I know, science, technology, engineering and math are the anchors, yet how does that come to "life" in a classroom/school?  Are the levers to increase student engagement and achievement grounded in curriculum?  Or does Instructional practice provide the best return on investment.  Soon our building will change and we will experience an environmental impact.  

BELT discussed this component of our NC STAR work plan yesterday and we will continue to explore STEM with a presentation on April 3rd at our Staff Crew.

Wednesday, March 27

As the quarter comes to a close, build the confidence of your students and praise their work ethic and thinking skills.  Challenge yourself to speak individually to each of your students about their strengths.  Be authentic and sincere as students can sense "soft" praise as condescending and empty.

This afternoon;

• BELT meets in the computer lab
• Crew writing meets in White's room
• Today's team time task is to work diligently to meet the following deadlines
• Kindergarten Power School grades to Tara Johnson by 8 am on April 3rd
• First grade report cards to Mrs Matalik by 8am on April 3rd
• Second grade report cards to Mrs. Wilheit by 8 am on April 3rd
• Third grade Power School grades to Tara Johnson by 8 am on April 3rd
• Fourth grade Power School grades to Tara Johnson by 8 am on April 3rd
• Fifth grade Power School grades to Tara Johnson by 8 am on April 3rd

Tuesday, March 26th

Please be sure EVERYBODY sends out a Wednesday Packet with our TSI letter. 

Monday, March 25

Sorry this is late but I want to be sure we are all on the same page for NC Check-ins on the 26th and 27th

• Specials on Tuesday, March 26th
• Period ONE 10:25 - 11:00 Kinder specials 
• Period TWO 11:05 - 11:40 5th specials 
• Period THREE 11:45 - 12:20 1st specials 
• Period FOUR 12:20 - 12:50 Lunch 
• Period FIVE 12:50 - 1:25 2nd specials 
• Period SIX 1:30 - 2:05 3rd specials 
• Period SEVEN 2:10 - 2:45 4th specials 

• Specials on Wednesday, March 27th
• Period ONE 10:25 - 11:00 Kinder specials 
• Period TWO 11:05 - 11:40 4th specials 
• Period THREE 11:45 - 12:20 1st specials 
• Period FOUR 12:20 - 12:50 Lunch 
• Period FIVE 12:50 - 1:25 2nd specials 
• Period SIX 1:30 - 2:05 5th specials 
• Period SEVEN 2:10 - 2:45 3rd specials 

• Lunch is unchanged

Friday, March 22, 2019

Friday, March 22, 2019

Great Friday news....

           Brunson's newest arrival:

"Here's Finley Ryne Brown! He was born on March 21 at 9:07pm at 7 lbs 11 1/2 oz and 22 inches long. We are so in love and so glad he's FINALLY here!!"

Have an outstanding day and weekend.

Thursday, March 21st

Many thanks for the collaboration with Kevin Sherrill at our Staff Crew last evening.  Continue the conversation and participate in the survey next week.  

Speaking of Surveys, please complete the FCAE survey before the end of the day. We rely on this data to drive decision making in BELT.

Grade level teams should submit 4th quarter standards and sample LT's by March 27th.  This will keep us ahead of the curve for the TSI letter delivery.

If you have not identified yourself to your Secret Pal, please let them know.  We hope everyone enjoyed this!

Wednesday, March 20

Staff Crew @ 3:30 in the media center with Kevin Sherrill as our technology guest.

Reminders...

We need at least one person per grade level to be CPR trained ensuring a certified teacher will be present on fieldtrips. 

   No previous training is required... Forsyth Tech provides a short, $4 training specifically for educators. 

    Please let Mrs. H know who the representative will be for each grade level a.s.a.p.  

I have heard from 3rd grade...Thanks!

Very few playground norms have been turned in.  Please also turn those in to Mrs. H by Wednesday's staff crew.

Monday, March 18th

A glorious weekend, I have some physical soreness due to yard work and some mental joy due to yard work.  It seems like I gravitate to tasks that inspire and challenge.  Elementary school work is rigorous and rewarding.  Be grateful that you are in the space that serves you while serving others.

BELT was successful with our DPI facilitator and we look forward to continuing the work in the weeks ahead.  Part of that vision will be met this Wednesday as our staff crew session will focus on Technology with Kevin Sherrill as our guest presenter.

Please welcome Caroline Gardner to our crew as she serves as the LTS for Brandi Brown.

Friday, March 15, 2019

I am pleased to report that BELT was productive and aspirational in our work with Lindsay Beam from DPI.  We all want to send a big THANK YOU for caring for the students and guest teachers during this CNA unpacking.

CONGRATULATIONS to EBOB!  They have made the finals and will compete on April 4th.

Thanks again to Whitaker and Lindsay Mikesell for their collaboration with Brunson.   

Tuesday, March 12th

Tuesday, March 12th

Zone tour today at 8:45
HAG tour today at 12:00

Do not wait until the last minute to read and text code the DPI CNA.  We are dependent on deep and thoughtful conversations with BELT on Wednesday to inform the unpacking work on Thursday and Friday.

Monday, March 11th

Welcome to daylight savings! 

Let's enjoy Spring and take actions to keep our students safe on the playground;

• It's time to "refresh " your classroom/grade level expectations & norms
• Include measures for accountability
• Include Teacher role during recess so your students know how to access support
• Consider rotations and timers to add structure
• Supervise with movement (model for the students the importance of activity)
• Consider elimination of academic/behavioral consequences that impact recess (Laps/worksheet completion)
• Submit updated norms and expectations at the end of the week to Sarah Huddleston

Complete the 4A text coding protocol on the DPI CNA and bring the document to staff crew on Wednesday.

Tour schedule this week

• Zone Choice tour March 12th @ 8:45
• HAG tour March 12th @ noon
• Zone Choice tour March 13th @ 10:00

NCEES has changed names/owners – it is now called P Unified Talent - look for it under the Home base apps section.

Friday, March 8, 2019

Friday, March 8, 2019

Remember to overflow the cup of others around you, also!

For next Wednesday's Faculty Crew, please read the DPI/CNA report and follow the "Four A's" text coding protocol (included on the back page.)  I will visit all classrooms today and provide a paper copy to utilize and bring to the March 13th meeting.  I will also deliver a letter from student services requiring a signature to confirm receipt.

Support our Guest Teachers today.

PowerSchool, including PowerSchool Learning, will be unavailable statewide on Monday 3/11. Please plan accordingly.

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Thursday, March 7, 2019

Be present and positive

We have many subs in the building and 4 positions that were not filled which are being covered by our outstanding Instructional Assistance. Be CREW and support others as needed.

    As we move forward, we will need at least one person per grade level to be CPR trained. This safety measure means a certified teacher will be present on fieldtrips. 

   No previous training is required... Forsyth Tech provides a short, $4 training specifically for educators. Come join me!
    Please let Mrs. H know who the representative will be for each grade level by Wednesday, March 13th.

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Make it a wonderful Wednesday.

     Tornado drill at 9:45....make sure you know where your class is located during the drill!

     Many subs are leaving early and not staying through their dismissal responsibilities.  
     Please make sure your sub plans don't just say "dismissal". Write directions explicitly explaining your duty and location (for every day, if it changes).  THANKS!!

    BELT is meeting on Thursday, March 7th for a WSFCS facilitated work session, AND March 14th & 15th with DPI to unpack the CNA.  

Due to these meetings we are making a shift to our spring Wednesday schedule.

• March 6th - No Meeting - Take the hour to catch up on planning, individual or team
• March 13th - Faculty Crew in the media center
• March 20th - Faculty Crew (technology focused with special guest Kevin Sherrill)
• March 27th - Spring TEAM time and BELT meetings
• April 3rd - Faculty Crew in the media center
• April 10th - Spring TEAM time and BELT meetings
• April 17th  - No Meeting - SPRING BREAK
• April 24th - Spring TEAM time and BELT meetings
• May 1st - Early Release Day PD including EOG training
• May 8th - Spring TEAM time and BELT meetings
• May 15th - Faculty Crew in the media center
• May 22nd - Faculty Crew in the media center
• May 29th - Spring TEAM time and BELT meetings
• June 5th - Faculty Crew in the media center

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

The Forsyth County Association of Educators will be here on Wednesday, March 6th.  They will be set up in the Be.cafe' @ 11:00 am.  Please be sure to stop by and get the latest information on upcoming events and member benefits, from professional development to the NEA car buying program.  FCAE will be here until 1:30 p.m., please stop by before they leave.

March 3-9 is Severe Weather Preparedness Week in N.C. 

WS/FCS will participate in the statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, March 6, at 9:30 a.m.

 9:30 a.m.: 

      A Tornado WATCH will be announced. Watches are called for an area when conditions exist for the formation of tornados, but no tornado has yet formed or been sighted. No action is required during a watch.

9:45 a.m.:           

      A tornado WARNING will be announced. The Tornado Drill will start with this announcement. Real warnings are called when a tornado has been sighted nearby. Accordingly, once the warning has been announced, move immediately to your designated location. As soon as everyone is in their location, we will assume the tornado position (Kneel down with head against the wall.  Cover head with arms.). These areas are marked in on the Tornado Evacuation Maps in your red binder. 

REMEMBER to have students sit close together.