Friday August 27, 2010
Today is day 2 on the specials calendar. Computer will start today as well.
Today is Kindergarten staggered start day B
Yesterday's afternoon dismissal and transportation process was much, much better. Thanks to everyone for your hard work by "making a list and checking it twice" so to speak. The number of frantic calls dropped 90% or better.
Friday is Spirit day at Gibson. Staff may wear Gibson shirts, jeans, and "dress down" neatly, please:-).
We seem to be having problems with our clocks for the bogen system (TV clocks) ; please make sure you are aware of any adjustments announced over the intercom.

We will share various safety protocols with teachers as the year progresses but one teachers can implement now would be good and I will back you up and be the heavy if need be. Sometimes, relatives (aunts, uncles, cousin, grandparents) and friends ( not custodial parents, guardians or custodial grandparents) may want to come and speak to visit or talk with a student. Ask if there is a note from the parent allowing this; if there is written or verbal permission, no problem. If there isn't-send them to me and I will get permission or deny access. I will get something out in writing to don't try to do anything now, just continue to be mindful.
Mrs. Beverly Davis (formerly Beverly Jones) is in Forsyth hospital. She is recuperating from a fractured foot and a couple of other challenges. I will email contact info.
PBIS corner
We will have a student PBS kickoff assembly on Monday. We will have two assemblies K-2 and 3-5. Times to be announced.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Today is day 1 on the specials calendar. All specials except computer start today.

First grade learning team meeting today.

Kindergarten "A" day
Yesterday was great! Everyone worked together and we had a great day. Students were excited and tired! (perfect). I really appreciate the flexibility and organization each of you displayed. Start strong and end strong! Transportation "hiccups" were not bad considering we have almsot 800 kids to get home. We are asking (expecting) classroom teachers to stay after until we give the "all clear" announcement about buses. Teacher assistants will not be required to stay beyond their 8 hour day. We should be able to do so in a reasonable amount of time.

We did get some help for the custodial staff so you won't need to send your trash out. Please remember to have students put chairs up and pick up paper off the floor.

We may still enroll students today-please let Ron know about desks needed. The planners have been ordered. If you wanted to get planners and didn't put your name on the list, we ordered some extra.

Reminders-Student PBIS assembly-Monday-time TBA

Fire drill-Tuesday.

Certified teachers will receive an email today with attachments for the teacher evaluation processs, an evaluation schedule and self assessment form. You will be contacted by an administrator if you are scheduled to have the summative evaluation this year. Teachers who are only doing the IGP will be given a deadline to turn it in. There will be a orientation meeting on Wednesday September 8 for all certified staff new to Gibson to review the process. Any other teachers or certified staff are welcomed to attend as well.

PBIS corner-Way to give out those den dollars. If you did not give out at least 5-10 yesterday, make that a personal goal for today. Please continue to review PBIS values and expectations. I will send an email with some of the lesson plans and other useful info. Let's focus on cafeteria expectations especially. Thank you for remembering to sit with your students. Please do so at least through September 3. If the students can model and really use the right voice volume, give them and yourself a little space.

Wednesday August 25, 2010
Today is the first day of school for students. Please remember that you may receive students this morning. We will keep administration informed about our enrollment numbers and allow the appropriate adjustments to be made at the right level at the right time.
We will have many parents to bring students to school today. Please don't worry about tardy students for the next few days. Remember to follow Mrs. Winn's directions for NCWISE.
Make sure you know about how students get home. Contact the office by noon if you are not sure and you or your assistant cannot contact parents. I am asking homeroom teachers to stay at least 15-20 minutes extra to make sure afternoon transportation is as mistake free as possible. Let's try to have zero "glitches".
No Computer classes until Friday. Mr. Torian is still deploying technology.
We are working to get textbooks and other materials out as soon as possible. Please be patient.
We are going to make sure copying access codes are accurate. The supply room will be open until 9:00 each day and opened after school.
Mrs Davis(Jones) will be out for the next two weeks. Mrs. Edwards will be subbing for her during that time.
Mr. Cheek will be out due to an injury until September 8. Since we will be short handed, we have to make adjustments. We hope to get some help but in the meantime-plan B: At the very end of the day, the custodians will place large barrels at the end of the halls, please allow a student to bring and empty it. Not the choice of action, but three custodians for a building our size is difficult at best. One custodian leaves at 2:30 also. Remember let's work together.

PBIS corner
Today is the day to start passng out those den dollars. Every staff member should make a personal goal to give out 5-10 today. Model, model, model. PBIS staff handbooks should be back today or tomorrow. We also will show the PBIS video today (hopefully).

Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Open house last night was a great success! We had plenty of parent participation and everyone seemed to be excited about the start of a new school year. Hats off to everyone for a job well done!
Speaking of great turnout, we had several parents coming to register last night so we will be adding to /changing your rolls. As I have said earlier, don't be tied to certain numbers as caps for your class. We are tied in to the number of classrooms we have now for the first 10 days. I can almost guarantee many of you will have more than preferred cap (if you don't already) of students in your class. Please remember to welcome every child and just teach who shows up. I will handle maintaining class size. If we gain any sections, I will make the appropriate modifications. Don't worry about it.
Reminders-DIBELS refresher-all K-2 teachers-9:00 media ctr
DIBELS training for new staff to K-2, ESL guidance, admin.-afterwards in media ctr
SIOP training for teacher assistants-9:00 art room

Specials will start Thursday as day 1-except computer. Computer will start with day 2 on Friday. Mr. Torian is still deploying computers and has a meeting on Tuesday.
Please turn in copies of who attended your open house in my mailbox. I want to start gathering data on parent participation.

Also, don't forget to post a "where we are" chart outside your do letting other know where your class is-I have seen several posted but not by all. Let's have 100% by Wednesday. To get ideas, just take a walk around. Specialists need to post schedule and support services need to post schedule and who you are serving.

PBS corner
You will receive the PBIS handbook in the next few days. I will send attachments for the students/staff expectations for you to have. These documents can also be found on the "s" drive . I will send detailed directions later

One expectation we want to start off the bat is the use of voice volume by students and staff. Please model voice volume zero for students by your own actions and behavior. Use voice volume 1 only when necessary. Our students were regularly commended for hallway behavior by visitors and parents-let's start out the right way.