Friday, October 23, 2009


Today is day 6 on the specials calendar.
Thank you to the Student Council for the beautification project they have started. The mulch and stones look good. Give the students and staff advisers a pat on the back.
Please remember to sign up for planning days in November. Remember to sign up for the right time:
Nov. 2-K planning in the morning-7:50-11:30, 3rd planning in the afternoon-11:30-3:30

Nov. 3-1st grade planning in the morning, 4th grade planning in the afternoon (staff meeting after school)

Nov. 10-2nd grade in the morning , 5th grade in the afternoon (report cards go home that day)
Classroom assistants may sub for the teacher they work with as long as they are willing to work without an additional sub for themselves.
On October 30, North Forsyth High school will sponsor a Elementary Feeder night-two students can get into the football game that night free with a paying adult. Kids can wear costumes and there will be a table for trick or treating as well. We will get flyers to send home on Wednesday.

October 27-Report card workshop-9 and 3:15

October 29-Rc day

October 30-Rsv day-Report cards posted to R drive

November 9-Classscape training 3-5
No Halloween parties-Fall (Halloween)treat bags are OK for Wednesday if you choose, but we only have class seasonal celebrations(parties) in December and at the end of the year. with Halloween being three days away, it may not be a big deal.

Please review Kendra and Kim's blogs at least once a week. Donna C and Leslie M have posted excellent comments on cooperative learning on Kendra's blog and Kim has important deadlines listed on hers.
We have enrolled around 120 students in SES tutoring, more than double from last year. Mr. Leak and I will assign classrooms to providers next week and inform teachers as well. SES tutoring starts in November.

Today is day 5 on the specials calendar
EOQ testing concludes today
David and Cindy at AP meeting this morning-9:30
Please remember to sign up for planning days in November. Remember to sign up for the right time:
Nov. 2-K planning in the morning-7:50-11:30
3rd planning in the afternoon-11:30-3:30

Nov. 3-1st grade planning in the morning
4th grade planning in the afternoon (staff meeting after school)

Nov. 10-2nd grade in the morning
5th grade in the afternoon (report cards go home that day)

If teachers go ahead and register and put in for the sub, some of the subs can work all day-by taking a morning and an afternoon job. Don't forget to print out your registration and give to Mrs. Sawyer.
To staff working on October 29 or 30th-staff workday starts at 8:00. If homeroom teachers are taking those days, report cards must be downloaded to the R drive by October 30.
Laptop rollout won't begin until all current laptops have been turning in and checked out. They have not been delivered yet, but when they are, I have instructed Carlos not to begin the roll out until old laptops have been turned in. We should have enough laptops for certified staff.
PBS corner- We shall show the PBS video next week to reinforce behaviors and keep kids reminded about the right expectations.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Today is day 4 on the specials calendar

EOQ testing continues

Progress reports go home today. If you are not ready, just send them tomorrow-no sweat. If you don't have any forms, let Shannon or Sabina know. 3-5 teachers, if you are sending the report from the electronic grade book, let me know if there are problems.

Report card workshop-Tuesday October 27
Rc day-October 29
Rsv day-October 30
Please indicate your intentions for those days by signing up in the mail room.

Our school is due for a shipment of newer (not new) laptops for staff use. The ones currently used by teachers will have to be turned in. Please be prepared to bring in your equipment (charger and all) in the next few days. Mr. Torian, our tech facilitator, will give more direction in the coming days.

Copy Room Guidelines-Many teachers have expressed concerns about the amount of copies available to them with their personal copy codes. Class sets of copies should be submitted to Mrs. Orner to be copied. The copy limits you have are to make less than a class set. If you need a copy of two or just a few, you need to use that code on the copier on the hallways. The copy limits set each month will not change. If you run out of your limits, any copies needed after that (less than class sets, remember) will need to given to Ron for approval. If you need almost a class set, just increase the amount a couple to have extra. Example: if you have 18 students, ask for 20 so that Mrs. Orner will run them. Mrs. Orner will run class sets anywhere from 20-25 or 26. Bottom line, she will get you what you need. The extra copies won't hurt and you won't have to use your limits. If a grade level needs copies, give the original to Ron to be approved before it is sent to print shop.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Today is day 3 on the specials calendar.
Upcoming events:
EOQ testing starts today. Testing was sent to all staff on yesterday. Please act accordingly.

STAFF MEETING today after-school. Teachers, Please bring your Marzano books with you.

Teachers, Mrs. Sawyer will post sign up sheets in the mail room for you to indicate your plans for October 29 and 30th. If you plan to take annual leave, indicate it with "AL" beside your name. If you plan to work, indicate with a "W" beside your name. Other leave such as furlough or comp time must be requested or indicated by email only by this Friday so I can research the request. All staff must make their plan known by Wednesday, October 28th.

EXCEL Report card training-Tuesday, October 27: 9-10 will be K and 1 in the computer lab and second through fifth grade teachers will meet after school. Both take place in the computer lab. Report cards must be posted to the "R" drive by Friday, October 30.
Third-fifth grade teachers, please sign up for the November 9 ClassScape training and secure a half day sub afternoon sub (11:30-3:30)
Third-fifth grade teachers should also be getting an email today or tomorrow concerning a grading issue. I just need time to research before commenting.

Please continue to give to United Way. We have had 32% of our staff help us reach 73% of our goal. Please consider giving something to make a difference. This is not just a sound byte, but it really can help.

The classified staff member of the quarter selection process will be different this year. Next week nominations will be accepted by any staff member (Monday and Tuesday). On Wednesday, October 28, classified staff members will vote from nominated persons. Just like the teacher of the year, there is a designated parking spot and that person will be recognized on the website and announcements.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Today is day 2 on the specials calendar.
Wiki training-computer lab after school
Partners in math training for zone 4 second and third grade teachers-media center
Classified staff meeting after school today-art room
EOQ testing starts tomorrow. Kendra has developed a testing plan to include which teachers will provide modifications and which staff members are needed for proctoring.
STAFF MEETING-Tuesday after school

PLC schedules have been revised and grade chairs have been notified. Basically, PLC meetings will take place on two days instead of all throughout the week. The days are as follows: First, second and third grade PLC's will meet on Mondays. Kindergarten, fourth and fifth grade PLC's will meet on Wednesdays. The times are the same and the responsibilities of assistants for supervision remains the same. I understand that any schedule has it's challenges but participation in PLC's is a part of teacher evaluation and making this happen is a non-negotiable. There may be sometimes that using staff from other areas is unavoidable. PLC meetings will resume on November 2.
The Hospitality committee has met and will be giving a sharing some important info tomorrow at the staff meeting. The first thing staff needs to know is the holiday social is December 11. The place and details will be discussed tomorrow, with staff choosing their preference.
PBS corner-While this is an unusual post, it is certainly worth mentioning,
Trish Gladstone is expected to bring her little one into the world this week. Keep her in your thoughts.