Tuesday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

ACCESS Testing began Monday and we already have recorded 2 anomalies.  Please honor the Testing signs and do not disrupt a site where students are being assessed.  

We are on NPR  - Click the link to see a story on the Clinard Grants.  Remember they are due on the 15th of February.

Wonderful visit with Tracy Benson yesterday.  We learned that there will be Systems Thinking PD this summer for an additional cohort.  Please consider this opportunity for your professional growth and talk with Paige, Jessie, Michelle, Angela, Bridgette or Kathy for more information.

The PTA Luncheon has been moved to February 19th to avoid the possible weather event.

Rosemary Hazy for Joel Peddle
Andy is attending an AP meeting this morning and will return around lunchtime.

Monday MM - Day "A"

Good Morning!

Please welcome Tracy Benson from the Waters Foundation to our campus today.  She is doing a fantastic job in supporting the systems thinking PD provided over the summer to 5 of our staff members.  

Will it Snow?  Out of our control. 

Will we engage students to further their academic and social/emotional growth?  In our control.

Let's focus our energies where we can impact the world beyond the weather!

Sub: Shirley Porter for Sara Davis

Friday MM - Day "F"

Good Morning!

Welcome our WatchDOGS to Breakfast!

A message from Dr. Emory;

This morning the State Board of Education approved our portfolio waiver request unanimously. A special thank you is in order for our own Buddy Collins for his advocacy on this issue. Based on this action, I am immediately suspending the required use of the RTA portfolio assessments. Our Advisory Groups will meet next week to get your feedback and provide more information as to how we move forward. I thank Janie Costello for her commitment and dedication to best practice and hearing from all of you. Our Board of Education will also be asked to support this action with a resolution on Tuesday night. We are very relieved that our waiver request, which was to use our already in place, READ 3D assessments as our alternative to demonstrate third grade proficiency, was approved. We appreciate that we will be able to lessen the burden on our teachers while still demonstrating third grade reading proficiency through an alternative measure.

With the proliferation of the rubber band creations we need to be clear with our expectations.

• We expect students to be engaged in their academic pursuits
• We expect students to be fair and caring toward their peers

To accomplish these goals we will not allow students to create a market for goods or services that will create differentials and distract form academic goals.

• No selling - No trading

Let me refer us to school board policy 5131 Section IX 

#29 Commercial solicitation of or by students is prohibited on school grounds or at school-sponsored events. Charitable solicitation of students is permitted subject to the provisions of Policy 1324

Subs:
Meta Faulkner for Tonya Grisette

Thursday MM - Day "E"

Good Morning!

Please recognize Jenny Niles-Orefice during National School Counseling Week (NSCW). NSCW is sponsored by the American School Counselor Association.  This year’s theme "School Counseling: Building Magical Futures,"  will be celebrated from Feb. 3-7, 2014 to focus public attention on the unique contribution of professional school counselors within U.S. school systems.  This contribution is critical to the overall goals of our school and district.  Much of this month, middle and high school counselors will be actively engaged in helping students and parents make important decisions about high school and middle school registration.  Also, during this month elementary counselors will be engaged in a unique training opportunity to increase awareness and understanding of mental health issues.  This topic is particularly important as we seek to impart developmentally appropriate skills to all students.

 

Our entire community is very fortunate to have such a dedicated group who work tirelessly on behalf of students, schools and families.  I hope that you and your students will take the opportunity to acknowledge these efforts.  Thanks.

CLINARD GRANT deadline to apply is February 15th.

I am pleased with our level of engagement yesterday but am always looking to improve.  Here is the information about the...

Volunteer Engagement Team (VET)

• Visit to Evergreen – March 3rd
• Kathy, Andy, Woody 
• 4 faculty members
• Book Club 
• Leaders of Their Own Learning
• Planning Sessions 
• 3 Thursday’s before the visit
• 2/13 and 2/20 and 2/27

Subs: none today

Wednesday MM - Day "D"

Good Morning!

As you come to our faculty assemblage this afternoon.....

• Sit with your MIX-IT-UP Team 
• Each faculty member shall arrive prepared with the following items
• a writing utensil
• 3 note cards 
• a rubber band
• a paper clip
• One item to represent you that is... 
• small enough to carry in one hand
• unique
• outrageous
• you can live without it 

• Do not ask clarifying questions about the list.  If you do, I will respond with a question, not an answer, as those reside within you!

DO NOT BRING WORK TO DO

Subs:
James Byers for Donna McGee
Cynthia Clement for Nancy Smoot

Tuesday MM - Day "C"

Good Morning!

Advocate for for academic growth in your children.

James Robinson for Darcy Steele
James Byeres for Donna McGee

Monday MM - Day "B"

Good Morning!

W-2 forms are here and you may pick them up and THANK Gene Stephenson for her service as our Lead Secretary for the month of January.  

You can also warmly greet Sarah Westwood our new Lead Secretary and help her coordinate your hours worked on the two optional days last week.

Another new Face today is Jamie Wilkins - a Musician Corps volunteer.  We will hear more about this program at our Wednesday Faculty meeting.

The WatchDOGS Bagel Breakfast will be Friday February 7th.

The PTA Birthday bash for January and July will be Tuesday @ 1:50 & 2:10

Subs:
James Beyers for Donna McGee
Rosemary Hazy for Donna McNatt