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.