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

Thursday, November 7th

The work we do on culture stems from two of my core beliefs

• Staff Culture always leads Student Culture
• Culture eats strategy for breakfast

EIE/School Timeline

• Friday, Nov. 8: Find EIE Binders, Kits, and Storybooks
• Wednesday, Nov. 13: Grade Level Planning day for School Showcase using Grade Level Planning Page
• Specialist, EC, SBS, ESL, AIG will work with their grade-level crew or a grade-level they support
• Other Resources: EIE Videos
• Saturday, Nov. 16: School Showcase!
• December PLTs: Kit Planning and Unpacking
• January 13-17: Design Challenge Week! (Grades 2 - 5)

Science Fair

• Kinder thru 4th grade - minimum one project per class
• 5th grade - individual or group project
• No food on display
• No identifying info on front of projects
• We will have triptychs available
• December 3rd - Projects due in in the gym (judging)
• December 4th and 5th - Classes visit projects (scheduled)
• December 5th - Family Crew Night, winners announced

Wednesday, November 6th

Big day for staff meeting.  Please bring something to write with and a growth mindset.  We start @ 3:30 in the media center.

Report cards are to be sent home TODAY in the Wednesday Packet.  Thanks to Becky for leading this endeavor. 

Tuesday, November 5th

Please read the following article for Wednesdays staff crew.  We will break into small groups and record our discussion on chart paper using the protocol of "Stairs & Stars."

RESEARCH STORIES

What Makes a Good School Culture?

It starts with connections — strong and overlapping interactions among all members of the school community

BY:Leah Shafer

POSTED:July 23, 2018

Most principals have an instinctive awareness that organizational culture is a key element of school success. They might say their school has a “good culture” when teachers are expressing a shared vision and students are succeeding — or that they need to “work on school culture” when several teachers resign or student discipline rates rise. 

But like many organizational leaders, principals may get stymied when they actually try to describe the elements that create a positive culture. It's tricky to define, and parsing its components can be challenging. Amid the push for tangible outcomes like higher test scores and graduation rates, it can be tempting to think that school culture is just too vague or “soft” to prioritize.

That would be a mistake, according to Ebony Bridwell-Mitchell, an expert in education leadership and management. As she explains, researchers who have studied culture have tracked and demonstrated a strong and significant correlation between organizational culture and an organization’s performance. Once principals understand what constitutes culture — once they learn to see it not as a hazy mass of intangibles, but as something that can be pinpointed and designed — they can start to execute a cultural vision.

A culture will be strong or weak depending on the interactions between people in the organization. In a strong culture, there are many, overlapping, and cohesive interactions, so that knowledge about the organization’s distinctive character — and what it takes to thrive in it — is widely spread.

At a recent session of the National Institute for Urban School Leaders at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Bridwell-Mitchell took a deep dive into “culture,” describing the building blocks of an organization’s character and fundamentally how it feels to work there. 

Culture Is Connections

A culture will be strong or weak depending on the interactions between the people in the organization, she said. In a strong culture, there are many, overlapping, and cohesive interactions among all members of the organization.  As a result, knowledge about the organization’s distinctive character — and what it takes to thrive in it — is widely spread and reinforced. In a weak culture, sparse interactions make it difficult for people to learn the organization’s culture, so its character is barely noticeable and the commitment to it is scarce or sporadic.

• Beliefs, values, and actions will spread the farthest and be tightly reinforced when everyone is communicating with everyone else. In a strong school culture, leaders communicate directly with teachers, administrators, counselors, and families, who also all communicate directly with each other.
• A culture is weaker when communications are limited and there are fewer connections. For example, if certain teachers never hear directly from their principal, an administrator is continually excluded from communications, or any groups of staff members are operating in isolation from others, it will be difficult for messages about shared beliefs and commitments to spread. 

Culture Is Core Beliefs and Behaviors

Within that weak or strong structure, what exactly people believe and how they act depends on the messages — both direct and indirect — that the leaders and others in the organization send. A good culture arises from messages that promote traits like collaboration, honesty, and hard work.

Culture is shaped by five interwoven elements, each of which principals have the power to influence: 

1. Fundamental beliefs and assumptions, or the things that people at your school consider to be true. For example: “All students have the potential to succeed,” or “Teaching is a team sport.”
2. Shared values, or the judgments people at your school make about those belief and assumptions — whether they are right or wrong, good or bad, just or unjust. For example: “It’s wrong that some of our kindergarteners may not receive the same opportunity to graduate from a four-year college,” or “The right thing is for our teachers to be collaborating with colleagues every step of the way.” 
3. Norms, or how members believe they should act and behave, or what they think is expected of them. For example: “We should talk often and early to parents of young students about what it will take for their children to attend college.” “We all should be present and engaged at our weekly grade-level meetings.”
4. Patterns and behaviors, or the way people actually act and behave in your school. For example: There are regularly-scheduled parent engagement nights around college; there is active participation at weekly team curriculum meetings. (But in a weak culture, these patterns and behaviors can be different than the norms.)
5. Tangible evidence, or the physical, visual, auditory, or other sensory signs that demonstrate the behaviors of the people in your school. For example: Prominently displayed posters showcasing the district’s college enrollment, or a full parking lot an hour before school begins on the mornings when curriculum teams meet.

Each of these components influences and drives the others, forming a circle of reinforcing beliefs and actions, Bridwell-Mitchell says; strong connections among every member of the school community reinforce the circle at every point.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Monday, November 4th

Looking ahead:

• Report cards are distributed in the Wednesday Packet
• Staff Crew on Wednesday
• Last day to sign up for the "School Showcase" on Saturday, November 16th
• Symphony @ 9am on Friday for 4th and 5th 
• Veteran's Day on Monday, November 11th