Wednesday, February 26th

I am off campus for the remainder of the week at the BB&T Leadership Institute, so this will be the final blog post of the week.  

The Teacher Notification of Intent web site is now open.

• All full-time teachers and instructional/student services staff need to complete an intent form (we have a different process for part-time teachers – see below). The deadline is 4:30 on March 20th. *Employees MUST be logged into the WS/FCS network to access the intent site. 

FAQ’s:

1. Q: What about part-time teachers?

A: These teachers are no longer employed on a contract. They are in temporary positions that end at the end of each school year, and are not guaranteed positions for the next school year. Once we finalize allotments and the list of any FT teachers needing an assignment has been cleared, principals can offer positions to part-time teachers as they deem appropriate to their allotments and the needs of their schools. Part-time teachers wishing to transfer to another school may e-mail the principal at that school informing them of their interest.

2. Q: What about teacher assistants and other classified employees?

A: Unlike teachers, classified employees can transfer at any time, not just during the breaks between school years. Classified employees interested in transfer or promotional opportunities may apply for any posted vacancies at any time. The lists of current teacher assistant and classified openings are posted on the “Employment” page of the district’s web site and are updated regularly.

3. Q: What about teachers who are on approved leave during this period of time?

A: Teachers who are out on approved leave should contact their HR specialist to handle their intent. These teachers can submit their request via email and the specialist can update the system.

4. Q: What if I don’t complete the Teacher Notice of Intent?

A: We would like a response from everyone, even if you intend to stay at your current school. However, anyone who does not complete their intent form will be considered as having requested to remain at their current school.

5. Q: Does requesting a transfer guarantee me a transfer?

A: No. Requesting a transfer only makes you eligible for a transfer should a principal elect to hire you.

If you have any other questions, please contact your HR Specialist or Brenda Bourne. If you get an error message that says you are not eligible for transfer and you feel you do meet the requirements, you should contact your HR Specialist or Brenda Bourne. This often happens if you changed positions within the same school, ex: 2nd grade to 3rd grade. The system will see you as ineligible, but we can confirm eligibility and then change your status to eligible. If you have any other technical problems with the web site, please contact the Technology Service Desk at 727-8300 (internal ext. 34560). 

Directions to complete your Notice of Intent:

• Go to the WS/FCS home page at http://wsfcs.k12.nc.us
• Hover your cursor over the “Employees” tab 
• Click on “Teacher Notice of Intent” 
• Log in with your network log in 
• Click on “Enter/Edit Teacher Notification of Intent” 
• Review the information page, then enter your SSN in the secure box at the bottom of the page to go to the Teacher Intent form and make your elections 
• You can edit or adjust your elections as often as you like between now and 4:30 on March 20th 
• Once the Teacher Intent window closes on March 20th, we will not be able to accept ANY REQUESTS for changes. 

There will be a District Recruitment/Transfer Fair held Saturday, April 4th, at the LJVM Coliseum from 9 am to 12 pm. Pre-register at the following link: http://bit.ly/WSFCSCareerFair

Jevelyn Bonner-Reed
Chief Human Resources Officer
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Tuesday, February 25th

Good morning, friends I wanted to take a moment to thank you and update you on my path. 

As you probably know, I have completed the hardest part of my chemo…”the red devil”.  I was blessed to only have to deal with flu like symptoms for three or four days after each treatment. That was a breeze compared to what it could have been and what I’ve seen others endure. I am now into my weekly treatments that will last for 12 weeks. After two treatments, there was a bump in the road as my white blood count and neutrophil absolute numbers have been extremely low. This prevented me from having my chemo treatments for 3 1/2 weeks. This past Wednesday my numbers were up enough and thankfully treatment was given again. The nurses at the cancer center said they had never seen anyone so happy to receive chemo! 😜 I am grateful to get back on my path. Side effects from this chemo have continued to be lack of energy, although it has increased some. The worst part has been having no immunity and keeping my ”social personality” away from everyone. i still can chat on the phone!  Boy, will I have a lot of socializing and hugging to do after this is over with! Have your ears ready to listen and your bodies ready for hugs. 🥰

OK, enough of the updates.  I'm truly grateful from the bottom of my heart for the special love you have shown me...text, emails, calls, cards, food, prayers, etc. I just wanted to let you know how generous and thoughtful I think you are. I always appreciate how you make time for me even with your tight schedule. Your gifts touch me beyond words. You are so generous and kind and I can't wait to see you again!

Love you guys!! 

Sarah 

One of the quotes I read often: 

"Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” - Brian Tracy

Monday, February 24th

I hope you enjoyed a three-day weekend, courtesy of the snow day.  Here is a snapshot of the week ahead

• Monday
• Crew
• Tuesday
• HAG tour @ 9:00
• Birthday Bash @ 1:45
• Wednesday
• Crew
• BELT @ 3:30
• Thursday
• Countdown to Kindergarten 10:00-6:30
• Friday
• Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours

The teacher portion of the mid-year PDP must be complete by Friday, February 28th.  Mrs Grace and I will set conferences for the first week of March.

I will be at the BB&T Leadership Institute Wednesday through Friday, with a group of 11 educators from the southeast for "Mastering Leadership Dynamics for Educational Leaders."  Su, Brandi, Stacy, Jen, Sylvia and Laura have created a schedule to support Mrs. Grace to ensure your administrative needs are met.  

Thursday, February 20th ERD

Repeat yesterday as we have a two-hour early dismissal due to the weather forecast.

Countdown to Kindergarten moves to Thursday the 27th

Wednesday, February 19th ERD

• Period ONE 8:25 - 8:55
• 5th - Specials
• Period TWO 9:00 - 9:30
• 2nd - Specials
• Period THREE 9:35 - 10:05
• 1st - Specials
• Period FOUR 10:10 - 10:40
• 3rd - Specials
• Period FIVE 10:45 - 11:15
• 4th - Specials
• Period SIX 11:20 -11:50
• Kindergarten Specials
• Specialist 12:00 - 12:40
• Lunch/plan

• LUNCH
• A potato bar will be provided for our staff by PTA in the Be Cafe. We are hoping it will be ready by 12:00 so specialists will be able to eat before helping with dismissal and leaving for their PD off campus.
• First and second grade teachers and assistants will need to start i-Ready training at 1:30. In order to give teachers enough time to eat lunch, we would like for specialists to help support dismissal for these grade levels so teachers and TAs can leave to get lunch at 1:00.
• Shepard to room 15 for 2nd grade buses
• Sanders to room 9 for 1st grade buses
• Swanson to 1-2 hallway to walk bus riders to lobby
• Ginn to 2nd grade car riders
• Peddle to 1st grade car riders
• Currin to 1st and 2nd grade car riders
• After dismissal, K, 3-5 will get their lunch and take it to the media center for their first session.

• I-READY TRAINING IN COMPUTER LAB
• 1:30 - 2:55 ~ 1st and 2nd grade teachers and TAs
• Please bring a charged laptop. You will receive training manuals since this is your first i-Ready PD.
• 3:05 - 4:30 ~ 3rd-5th grade teachers, AIG, ESL, Tech and Guidance
• Please bring a charged laptop and the manuals you received earlier this year. 

• MATH AND ELA ADOPTION MATERIAL PREVIEW IN MEDIA CENTER
• 1:30 - 2:55 ~ K Teachers and TAs, 3rd-5th grade teachers, AIG, ESL, Tech and Guidance
• Please bring a charged laptop.
• 3:05 - 4:30 ~ 1st and 2nd grade teachers and TAs
• Please bring a charged laptop.

• COUNTDOWN TO K PREP IN K CLASSROOMS
• 3:05 - 4:30 ~ K Teachers and TAs
• Make Visitor Bags
• Set Up K Stations for Media Center
• Other Prep Needs

Tuesday, February 18th

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

Joint Principals/Management Team Agenda

February 18, 2020

Time	Session Title	Standards	Facilitator(s)
8:00-8:15	Arts Council Performance		Colin Tribby
8:15-9:15	Instructional Framework	Instructional Leadership	Nicolette Grant
9:15-9:30	Volunteer “Coaching”-Athletics. Arts	Managerial Leadership	Dr. Lionel Kato
9:30-10:15	Blood Kit Training	Managerial Leadership	Jonathan Wilson
10:15-10:30	Break
10:30-11:30	ESL Updates	Instructional Leadership	David Sisk
11:30-12:00	2020-2021 Calendar and Updates	Managerial Leadership	Dr. Sam Mills
12:00-12:40	Lunch

Level Agenda*

Standards: Strategic and Instructional Leadership

Elementary (Room 219) and Middle Level (Room 233)

Time	Elementary		Middle
12:40-1:00	EC Level Updates-EC Team	12:40-1:00	EC Level Updates-EC Team
1:00-1:30	Math Updates-Simington	1:00-1:30	ELA Updates -Agee
1:30-2:00	ELA Updates-ELA Team	1:30-2:00	Math Updates-Simington
2:00-2:30	Science Updates-DeLade	2:00-2:30	Social Studies Updates-McKnight
2:30-3:00	Social Studies Updates-McKnight	2:30-3:00	Science Updates-DeLade

Mastering Leadership Dynamics for Educational Leaders

• WEBEX - February 18, 2020 @ 3:00 pm
• On-site Workshop - February 26 - 28, 2020

Monday, February 17th

The Week Ahead

• Monday
• Crew HOC is Collaboration
• Please share the following note from Samaritan Ministries 

• Thank you and all of your students for providing Valentine's Day cards for our guests.  We were able to pass many of them out today at lunch during our 4.5 millionth meal celebration.  Others will be given out tonight to our shelter guests I happened to be handing out the cards during lunch today, and an older woman stopped at the table to look through all of the cards.  She shared with me that she has three grandchildren and really wanted to celebrate the day with them -- but she couldn't afford to buy cards.  She spent about 10 minutes looking through the cards to find just the right ones.  It was almost like she was at a Hallmark store.  She left with a big smile on her face.  I also shared some of the large cards with our Friday volunteer team today.  The team leader was so excited that someone had thought to thank our volunteers for their service on Valentine's Day!  We're so grateful that you all took the time to make these cards for people you didn't know.  It really brought some extra cheer to our celebration today! 

  Jan Kelly,Development Director Samaritan Ministries

• Tuesday
• Jeff is off Campus at the JPMT meeting
• Wednesday - Early Release Day
• Potato Bar @ 1:30 (Thanks to Family Crew)
• PD 2:00-4:30 as follows
• I-Ready PD for 1st - 5th grade staff
• Countdown to Kinder Prep
• SBS, EC, PE, Music, & Art Teachers are meeting off site 
• Thursday
• Countdown to Kindergarten 10:00 - 6:30
• HAG tour @ 9 am
• Friday
• Kiwanis Pancake Day!

News from Jevelyn Bonner-Reed, WSFCS Chief Human Resources Officer

Retirement Information Sessions 

This time of year is a popular time when people consider retirement planning.  WSFCS is hosting several retirement information sessions on February 19, 21, and 24 at the Admin Center.  Please use this link to register for a session and there are multiple times offered to meet the needs of teams -  http://bit.ly/wsfcsretire. 

District Recruitment Fair 

Brunson will be represented at the upcoming district career fair on Saturday, April 4, 9am-12pm at LJVM Coliseum.  More information will be coming out the next few months. 

Core Awards

Thursday, May 7, 5-8pm, Benton Convention Center WSFCS celebrates our Principal of the Year, AP of the Year, Teacher of the Year, and Classified Employee of the year.  

Intent to Transfer or Resign 

We have set the dates for teachers to submit their intent to transfer or resign for February 24-March 13.  More information to come soon!

Friday, February 14th

Feb. 14, 1818: The Day the U.S. Observes Frederick Douglass’ Birthday

Although historically America has celebrated the activist and author’s birthday on the 14th of February, the actual month and date of Douglass’ birth are still unknown. The birth date Americans observe today was chosen based on his autobiographical writings, which revealed that he was told his birth month was February and the year was 1818.

According to the National Constitution Center, Douglass wrote about speaking with Captain Thomas Auld, one of his former slave owners, in 1877 about wanting to know his birth details. “I told him I had always been curious to know how old I was and that it had been a serious trouble to me, to not know when was my birthday,” he wrote. “He said he could not tell me that, but he thought I was born in February 1818.” 

Thursday, February 13th

Welcome Erin and our new Citizen, Su!

The rain it fell, The story went on
The rain it fell, and we got gone

Please come out tonight between 6:00 and 7:00 to chat with our architects about the design for the #NEWBRUNSON.

Stacy will be travelling the school on Friday between 3rd and 6th periods to capture each class wearing something pink.  Those images will be sent to Mrs H. and scroll on our entry board next week.

Bring you Crew Valentines to the front office by 10 am as I am heading to Samaritan Ministries to present our Crew's Compassion.

ArtistCORPS and UNCSA will be on campus for the next few Thursday's filming a mini documentary on their programming.   

Wednesday, February 12th

BELT tonight at 3:30

PTA has gifted us with the remaining popcorn from the Family Crew event yesterday.  If you have a desire for a class popcorn snack, send an email with the time and number of servings to Mrs. Gaddy.  She will respond and let you know if your request will be fulfilled.  

Mrs. Raines returns from her knee surgery on Thursday.  Please welcome her as she will inhabit Room #13.  Our ESL staff has graciously moved and will occupy Mobile #39 (Diana and Doris) and Mobile #37 (Stephanie)

Tuesday, February 11th

Dinner and a Movie tonight sponsored by our Family Crew!

• 5:30-6:15 Dinner in the cafeteria
• 6:15-7:45 Movie in the gym for the kids
• 6:15-7:00 Conversations on technology in the media center for the adults
• Please come out and support our family crew

We will not see our outstanding Instructional Facilitator Su today as she is in Charlotte to take the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony. Taking the oath will complete her process of becoming a U.S. citizen. 

Monday, February 10th

A Full week awaits our skills and talents.

• Monday
• Crew Re-Boot
• Tuesday
• Family Crew Dinner and a Movie Event
• Wednesday
• BELT
• Thursday
• #NEWBRUNSON community meeting 
• Friday
• Valentine"s Day - Wear Pink to honor Mrs. H. 

Friday, February 7th

I appreciate your calm service to our students and families during the weather event on Thursday. 

Enjoy the weekend and remember to wear Pink a week from today, Feb. 14th, to honor Mrs Huddleston.

The #NEWBRUNSON meeting, postponed due to the weather, is now scheduled for Thursday, February 13th @ 6:00 pm.  Please come out and share your vision for the design of the new school with experts from Walter, Robbs, Callahan & Pierce Architects, PA

Thursday, February 6th

Join us as we continue to move forward in the design of a new Brunson Elementary School and engage in discussions with architects/planners regarding the new facility. 

Thursday, February 6, 2020 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm drop-in 

@ Brunson Elementary School Gymnasium

CREW Reboot

• Monday,February 10 = “Landing the Plane”
• Wednesday, February 12 = Compassion, our Valentine HOC

Crew Lesson Writing 

• 1 representative per grade level collaborates to develop LT’s for 3 CREW sessions
• (2/17) (2/24) (2/26)
• February 11th @ 7:00 am
• 1 representative per grade level collaborates to develop LT’s for 4 CREW sessions
• (3/2) (3/4) (3/9) (3/11)
• February 25th @ 3:45 pm
• 1 representative per grade level collaborates to develop LT’s for 3 CREW session
• (3/16) (3/23) (3/25)
• March 10th @ 3:45 pm

CREW Celebration on Friday, March 27th

• K-1 @ 10:00
• 2-3 @ 9:00
• 4-5 @ 1:30
• Planned at ERD on March 18th

Wednesday, February 5th

Staff Crew @ 3:30 in the media center

"In order to contribute to the creation of the world, rather than its destruction, an individual must act on the behalf of the collective.  Humankind takes leaps when individuals take steps." ~Jonathan Safran Foer~

Tuesday, February 4th

Two-Hour Delay specials schedule today

• Period ONE
• 10:25 - 10:55 2nd - Specials
• Period TWO
• 11:00 - 11:30 5th - Specials
• Period THREE
• 11:35 - 12:05 4th - Specials
• Period FOUR
• 12:10 - 12:40 1st - Specials
• Period FIVE
• 12:45 - 1:15 LUNCH
• Period SIX
• 1:20 - 1:50 Kindergarten Specials
• Period SEVEN
• 2:10 - 3:40   - 3rd Specials & PLT @ 2:15

From Effie McMillian, Executive Director of Equity

February 1 marks the official start to Black History Month; however, the history, legacy, traditions, and many contributions of African Americans should be taught and celebrated throughout the year. Did you know, this annual celebration grew out of “Negro History Week,” started by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1920 and is designated as a time to recognize, not only the achievement of African Americans, but also, their central role in U.S. history? Each year Black History Month has a designated theme, and this year the theme is “African Americans and the Vote” which honors the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment (granted women’s suffrage) and of the 15th amendment (right to vote could not be denied based on ‘race, color, or previous condition of servitude).

As your school prepares to celebrate Black History Month, I have compiled a list of a few resources for you to checkout and to share with your staff. Please follow the Equity Office on Twitter, @WS/FCSEquity, as we highlight little known Black History facts throughout the month of February and share other information/happenings throughout the year. Contact Effie McMillian with any questions or to share any Black History Month events your school is hosting. 

A few situations have arisen surrounding volunteers and/or visitors in extracurricular activities around the district.  Please inform me of ANY individuals doing ANY work with students. This means volunteers, visitors, paid or unpaid, during school or after-school, etc.

If they are working with students, they must be registered as a volunteer and have e-mail communication to Susan & Jeff in the office.

Thanks for your cooperation and prompt attention to these matters as we strive to provide as safe an environment as possibly for our students, faculty and staff.

Monday, February 3rd

The Groundhog has determined that Spring will be here early.  I'm not sure she/he meant today?  Please provide OUTSTANDING leadership and supervision at recess.  Refresh your class/grade level norms of playground HOC's and intervene before behaviors escalate.

I am thrilled to return from Illinois and get back to work on developing our students capacity to think and solve problems.  

Mrs. Deborah Grace hit the ground running on Friday and returns to serve us with her knowledge and skills.

Science NC check-Ins for 5th grade are Tuesday.  We will run the 2-hour delay specials schedule to accommodate this vital benchmark.