Week 17: December 23, 2016

Happy Friday!!! 

Wednesday was your last day before the Winter Break! Ann and I want to wish you all a restful break! Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Joyous Kwanzaa! Happy Holidays!

Housekeeping: 

- Rest up! Enjoy Family! Celebrate the fact that you made it to Winter Break! OH YEAH!!!

Highlights of the Week: 

- The review of interims were completed by administration. We loved seeing comments like: "I look forward to seeing ______ progress this quarter," or "We will continue to work on _____ reading to help foster his/her love for reading," or "I look forward to seeing all the great things ______ will accomplish this school year." Just positive!! It is all in the wording!! Thank you for attending to your comments so that they are received by parents!

McDonald = 536 pages of interims reviewed;
Quattrone = # 500  pages of interims reviewed

- Round 1 of Formal Observations have been completed! Oh Yeah!!!

- Getting the opportunity to celebrate you all and show our appreciation is so important to me! I truly know and understand the wear and tear this field can have on our bodies emotionally and physically. Our hope is that you felt appreciated and enjoyed being served! Thank YOU!!!

- Interims were sent home today! This is just a reminder that interim reports ARE legal documents and need to be sent home on the date assigned by the school division.

- 3rd Grade's Diversity Luncheon was a HUGE HIT!!!

Students as Learners: 

- It was great to see that routines and procedures remained in place as we winded down to Winter Break! I so appreciate you maintaining that structure for our students...they do thrive in it!

- Please be reminded of the need to reiterate your classroom expectations when we return back from Winter Break.

  Important Dates: 

- December 26-30th: Winter Break

My Current Re-Reading & Reflecting: 

Enjoy your break!! We hope you enjoyed our week of festivities! 

~ Antoinette 

Week 18: December 30, 2016

Happy Friday before the New Year!!!

May you all have a blessed weekend. Be safe and enjoy your family/friends during this season!

We will see you all in the new year!

Everyone has received the email from Human Resources regarding the Letter of Intent. Please access and complete the Letter of Intent through the PWCS WorkSpace, https://jobs.pwcs.edu/WorkSpace, by January 30, 2017. 

See you all on Tuesday, January 3rd!!

Important Dates: 

- January 2nd: No School

- January 3rd: Return back to Work

- January 4th: Advisory Council @ 5:00p.m.

                       PTA Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.

- January 5th: SOL Remediation Planning Meeting @ 5:00 p.m. in Teacher's Lounge

January 7th: Open Job Fair @ KLC @ 8:30-12:30 p.m. 

Helping our Special Education students transition back into the school day after Winter Break: http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/10/8233.html 

Student Participation/Active Learning: http://www.additudemag.com/adhdblogs/10/8233.html

Week 16: December 16, 2016

Happy Friday!!! 

How are we when we come to 'Individual Accreditation'? Tier I Instruction is most important! We need to ensure that our students are receiving great initial instruction! How can I or Ann be of support? 

Housekeeping: 

- We had an Energy Audit on Monday, December 5th, in the evening. We scored a 70% and I know that we can do better. The following items need to be implemented to ensure that we are as energy efficient, as possible: 

1. Adhering to the Shut Down and Log Off expectations: Computers and Monitors were still on; 
2. Lights: Lights were still on in the classroom. I am asking that although there are sensors, that we become more accountable by turning off the lights if we are going to be out of our rooms for more than 5 minutes. Sensors can burn out or the fuse may be damaged so let's do our part.

- Administration will be completing audits on wearing PWCS Badges. If you do not have a badge, on your person, be sure to obtain a visitor's ID from Ms. Ramos or Mrs. Slaughter.

- Remember to adhere to the Winter Break Energy Saving directions!!!  

- Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites: https://prezi.com/_qfax338fiv5/worksheets-dont-grow-dendrites/ You're expected to review this link and implement the ideal of the person doing the most movement is the person who is doing the most learning! 

Highlights of the Week: 
- 19 Pre-Conference, Formal Observations and Reflective Conferences of Probationary teachers took place this week! I observed great instruction that was highly engaging and student friendly! Students were challenged, celebrated small successes and demonstrated mastery by informing me of the importance of the lesson. Thank you for welcoming me into your classroom! 

- Mr. Rinker's Winter Celebrations were a huge hit!!! Thank you for your musical talent, relationship with the students and your enthusiasm to encourage us all! Thank you, Ms. Chung, for the beautiful city-scape...it truly supported the vision and facilitated the holiday spirit! 

Students as Learners: 

- Ms. Filipowski: Students working on using multiplication to solve division problems. Students worked diligently to validate their strategy and proved it as they worked during the whole class review of morning work!

- Miss Terezon: Students were HIGHLY engaged and attentive to the co-taught instruction of Mrs. Findley, Mrs. Malik and Miss Terezon! I was thoroughly impressed with the differentiation of activities, movement and routines! Students are thriving! 

- Miss Fernandez: Students completed the W-L in a K-W-L chart about frogs. Students were able to compile a list of things they wanted to learn about frogs! The students then offered suggestions for more nonfiction books because they liked learning new things. 

- Mrs. Mayers: Students demonstrated mastery of a tens frame. The students thrived in the structured environment that provided differentiated activities to keep them engaged and reinforced skills and concepts. The implementation of Conscious Behavior is alive in this Head Start classroom. 

Important Dates: 

- December 19th: Dyslexia Training @ 8-11:30 a.m. (Ms. Otterblad will be here) Fiorio, Findley & Peters will attend with Mrs. McDonald
- December 20th: Leadership Meeting @ 4:00 p.m. 
- December 21st: Winter Celebrations
- December 22nd - January 2nd: Winter Break
- January 3rd: School Reopens

My Current Re-reading:

Three days left!! Let's remain encouraged...excited...engaging! 

~ Antoinette 

Week 15: December 9, 2016

Happy Friday!!! 

Housekeeping: 

- This is a friendly reminder that all staff members need to update their contact information (home phone, cell phone and email address) in Employee Self Service (ESS) to ensure they receive their school and school division messages and alerts. 

- Letter of Intent begins on January 3rd through January 30, 2017 for all Instructional and Classified personnel. You will be asked to complete and submit your online Letter of Intent for the 2017-18 school year. Letters can be amended up until May 15, 2017. 

- Read to the Principal: You're reminded that I encourage students to read to me throughout the school year. Please provide a process for students to earn this time with me. Ms. Fanto has a student who has visited me twice so please contact her for the process that she uses. I truly enjoy the time with our students and they receive an incentive from me!

Leadership Opportunities:

- We have received funding to host the PreK/K Transition Sessions this summer. We will need someone to be an administrator over this intervention. This person will be responsible for overseeing the process and data management of the program. If you are interested, please let me know. 

- We will begin discussions about the SOL Remediation Program beginning February 7th - May 13th. This is a leadership opportunity to develop a remediation program, determine who will participate and how the program will be implemented. I am asking that all interested staff, in teaching or leading, attend the planning meeting. The SOL Remediation Planning Meeting will be held on Thursday, January 5th @ 4:00 p.m. in the Teacher's Lounge. All are welcome to attend!  

- Our partnership with PNC Bank is underway for the implementation of a Student Run Bank. If you are interested in leading this initiative, please contact me for further details. 

Highlights of the Week: 
- Thank you, Ms. Jones and Ms. Erney for your leadership with Bel Air United. The students, parents and community partners praised your leadership and were so appreciative for the opportunity to participate in the Blue and Gray 5K.

Students as Learners: 

- In response to Ms. Roop's study sessions, that are held twice a week, the attendees were able to earn a 100% on their Oceanography test! When students are struggling, as teachers we respond with what they need! Thank you for answering the call! 

Important Dates: 

- December 12th: Formal Observations begin - Probationary Teachers
- December 13th: 2nd Interim Period Ends
                           Staff Meeting Post-Reflection @ 4:00 p.m. 
                           Winter Festival for Grades K-2 @ 7:00 p.m. 
- December 14th: Chick-fil-A Family Night 
- December 15th: Winter Festival for Grades 3-5 @ 7:00 p.m. 
- December 16th: 1st Grade Holiday Parties
                           Interims to be completed - Admin review after 3:00 p.m. export

My Current Re-Reading:

The Winter Break is quickly approaching...stay encouraged!
~ Antoinette 

Week 14: December 2, 2016

Happy Friday!!! 

Crisis Management and Crisis Responsiveness! Our staff is absolutely amazing in responding in the time of a crisis! I thank you all for being focused, attentive and observant throughout the school day.

Housekeeping: 

- Our Tornado Drill will take place on Tuesday, December 6th. Refer to pages 25-26 in our 'Crisis Plan' for procedures. You're encouraged to practice this drill on Monday to ensure that you and the students are comfortable with the procedures. 

- We recently received a security violation. It is imperative that when we leave out of the school building, we need to make sure that the door has closed and latched behind us. I appreciate your attention to this request! 

- REMINDER: You are reminded to avoid assigning homework during scheduled breaks and other holidays. Please refer to the Homework Regulation 663-1 for guidance. Dr. Walts has been extremely vocal about assigning homework over breaks!

- I wish to thank Ms. Fanto for remaining consistent with the 'Read to the Principal'. I absolutely love having a student come to spend some time reading a book of their choice to me. I ask questions and have the student "sell" the book to me all while answering comprehension questions! I am looking forward to Daniela reading to me again! Staff, please let me know if there are students who have earned time to read to me! I cherish the time with the students to hear them read but to also share my love for reading. 

- We are hosting the Central Base Summer School in July. More information is to follow! 

- Holiday/Winter Celebrations: Be sure to let me know the date and time of your team's parties. 

- Teachers, be sure to complete the Scholastic Wish List at the Book Fair. There are parents who come to see if books can be purchased for your classroom so please fill out at least 2 slips.

- SAVING ENERGY: Before you leave on Fridays please be sure to turn off, shut down and close blinds.


PPP Update:
- Formal Observations are approaching for probationary teachers (<3 years) and will be completed by January 9th. Probationary teachers please review the email sent out and confirm times with me, as soon as possible. The week of December 12th will be dedicated to the Planning Conferences, Formal Observations and several Reflection Conferences. I thank you all, in advance, for your flexibility.  


- During observations please do not acknowledge Ann or I when we come into your classroom. The purpose is to make minimal disruptions, focus on the instruction and student engagement. Please continue instruction as if we were not in the classroom. We are not there to converse with you but with the students. Thank you for your attention to this expectation. 

Highlights of the Week: 
- Thank you for your flexibility during Wednesday morning's Fire Drill while we lined up in an alternate way.  

- The 3rd Grade Team & Mrs. Palmer hosted a Multiplication Night on Wednesday, November 30th. The team welcomed parents into their classroom to learn, through games and practice, multiple strategies for solving multiplication equations. Childcare was provided and parents had positive feedback! What a phenomenal way to get parents involved and committed to the learning of their child! We are teaching and impacting the lives of not only the students but the parents, as well! Excellent Job 3rd Grade Team! Mrs. Palmer, thank you for your continued support of 3rd Grade and for standing alongside the team in the planning and preparation! A huge thanks to Mrs. Portillo for providing her invaluable service to our families and to Mrs. Quattrone for being the administrative representative at this night. 

- Opening of the 2016 Scholastic Book Fair began this Thursday!

- In recognition of Diabetes Awareness Month students created informative posters and the following have placed: 

                                

- Can someone say, "A case of paper?"

Students as Learners: 
- Students were observed actively engaged and demonstrating higher order thinking during a co-taught math lesson with Mr. Palmer & Mrs. Palmer. Students were directed to read and grasp a higher level of understanding of division word problems and then identify a 'Remainder Strategy'. The lesson was focused more on understanding the problem to identify what works best than finding the answer! You could see the light bulbs turning on as the lesson continued! What a great example of interdependency and stretching the learning of all students!

- Students in Ms. Jewell's class have been using Talk Moves for a couple of years. Ms. Jewell uses this anchor chart as a reminder to ask those important questions. I visited during the language arts block and students were seamlessly transitioning to their centers/stations while she instructed students on writing green (QAR) strategies. 

- Ms. Filipowski's students demonstrated independent accountability as they completed Text Structure Text Cards around the classroom. Students were able to verbally defend their answer choices, providing reflection on previously learned materials and comprehension strategies most recently taught. 

Important Dates: 

- December 4th: Blue & Gray 5K @ Central Park Blvd., Fredericksburg, VA
- December 5th: Principal Articulation Meeting @ 8-12:30 p.m. (Mrs. Otterblad will be here)
- December 6th: Principal Collaborative Meeting @ 8-12:30 p.m. (Mrs. Otterblad will be here)
                           RTI (a.m.) with Grades, 4th, 3rd & K
                           Tornado Drill @ 2:00 p.m. 

                           Fire Drill @ 2:30 p.m.

                           Eastern ES Boundary Committee Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. @ Freedom H.S.

- December 7th:  RTI (p.m.) with Grades, 1st, 2nd & 5th 
                           4th Grade Safe at Home @ 2:45 p.m. in Multipurpose Room
                           Advisory Council @ 6:00 p.m.
                           PTA Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. 
- December 8th: ADM 602 class (McDonald out)
                           Title I Family and Parent Engagement Night @5:00 p.m.
                           Book Fair Family Night @ 5:00 p.m.
                           PTA Holiday Shoppe Family Night @ 5:00 p.m. 
- December 9th: 3rd Grade Wax Museum @ 2:00 p.m. 

Have a fantabulous weekend! I so appreciate you!! 

~ Antoinette 

Week 13: November 25, 2016

Happy Friday!!! 

It's nice to enjoy a few days off for the Thanksgiving Holiday! Have a restful and enjoyable break! 

Housekeeping:
- By now, everyone should have received the auto-dialer message on Tuesday evening regarding the crisis we had at the school. I am so thankful that all has worked out and our students and staff are all able to enjoy this holiday season! 

- I have schedule Professional Leave on Monday but considering all that has happened, I will be in the building for the entire day. Ms. Otterblad will be in attendance, as well, so if needed she can be contacted for any assistance. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Important Dates: 

- November 28th: Happiness Holiday & SCA Fundraiser Begins  
                              Principal Induction (I will not be attending so I will be present)

- November 30th: 3rd Grade Multiplication Night
- December 1st: 5th Grade Field Trip w/Ewing & Fain
                           Panther PAWS Committee
- December 2nd: 3rd Grade Field Trip
                            5th Grade Field Trip w/ Black & Roop

Be sure to reward yourself for such an amazing week!

~ Antoinette 

Week 12: November 18, 2016

It is Friday! 

Housekeeping: 

- I am proposing the implementation of a Student Run Bank through a partnership with PNC Bank. Student Run Bank Fun Fact: Promotes financial literacy and money management for children and adults. If you are interested in helping this come to fruition, please let me know and I will invite you to the next meeting.

- I wanted to send a special shout out to the 5th grade team for their usage of the Benchmark Universe resources to drive and assess instruction! They will share their experience with this resource, at an upcoming faculty meeting.

- There's great appreciation for your honest feedback about the Flipped Meetings. As it is a work in progress I thank you for your reception. One piece of advice that stood out was the request for a quick face-to-face meeting on the actual scheduled faculty meeting date. This will allow for clarification, questions and extensions. The feedback received was documented as "attendance" to the meeting. On December 13th we will meet for 30 minutes to review the Flipped Meeting. It will be sent out on Friday, December 9th.

- Laptop carts: please be sure to return laptop, within a window, following dismissal by 4:15 p.m. in the designated grade level chairperson's classroom. 

Highlights of the Week: 
- Congratulations to Deanna for bringing forth life to her princess, Miss Madelyn, on Friday, November 17th. Welcome to Motherhood! 

- Thank you, Mrs. Jones, for formatting K-5's Yearlong Templates! Your support, leadership and focus is most appreciated! 

- Congratulations again to Ms. Jewell for her recognition as our 'Teacher of the Month'!

- Thank you Mrs. Gandee for sending out the Flocabulary link! I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the class while reinforcing 2nd grade vocabulary through this highly engaged link. I encourage teachers to view the site and reinforce vocabulary and content objectives. This would be a great resource for front-loading vocabulary for our SPED and ESOL.

- Mr. Erickson observed classrooms and wanted me to share a "thank you" for being so welcoming. Thanks to Mrs. Rivers, Ms. Erney and Ms. Mucica.

- Bridgett Brookbank, Admin. Coordinator for Language Arts, visited 3rd grade classrooms this week. One of our focus for the school year is focusing on the Language Arts block and ensuring that students are given great Tier I reading instruction, working through Reading & Writing Workshop and given time to actually read. We are asking her expertise to assist in the implementation of a consistent Language Arts block, K-5.

Students as Learners: 

- 2nd grade students in Ms. Erney's class were working through Guided Math/Math Workshop. Students were observed having critical content conversations with a peer or in a small group and were 100% engaged in their leveled centers. Student levels ranged from single digit addition to 20 to double digit by double digit addition while working with Ms. Erney.

- The morning message in Mrs. Rivers' class was both exciting and engaging. Students completed a cloze morning message, on the Epson board, and were chosen using a 'Wheel of Fortune' wheel! I hoped for my name to be on the wheel so that I could participate in placing the vocabulary into the message.  

Important Dates: 

- November 22nd: FLE for 4th & 5th Grades

- November 23rd-25th: NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Holiday 
- November 24th: Happy Thanksgiving 

My Current Reading:



I truly appreciate your attention to the needs of our students!
~ Antoinette 

Week 11: November 11, 2016

Well...Happy Pre-Friday! 

Today, it is our privilege to say “thank you” to all of America’s veterans, to let them know that we appreciate them for their service and honor them for their sacrifices. The price of freedom is high. We cannot afford to forget those willing to pay it. Today, we celebrate America’s veterans for keeping this Nation “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” 

Housekeeping: 

- We have a flipped staff meeting on Tuesday so please view at your earliest convenience.  

Highlights of the Week: 

- It is pretty hard to reflect on a week where we were only here for 2 days of instruction! 
- November is 'Family Involvement in Education Month' and of the 25 teachers who submitted their number of Parent/Teacher Conference held - 75% of our parents attended. A great amount of conferences were scheduled for the latter part of this week resulting in 88% of our parents attending conferences! That's awesome involvement and increased opportunities to foster home/school relationships. 

Students as Learners: 

- Students provided amazing feedback on Class Meetings during the Admin. Assemblies on Wednesday. 

	+ - What do you like?	D - What would you add?
4TH	·         Working together ·         Learning why things are important ·         Reaching goals ·         How to use time wisely ·         Earn prizes and rewards ·         My voice is heard ·         Ways to make things better	Ø  Wish we can talk about feelings more Ø  Talk about controlling gossip Ø  More about how to be kind Ø  Talk more about ways to help and solve problems
3RD	·         Sharing ideas ·         Get to know things ·         Take Turns ·         Talk about problems & solutions ·         Get to know classmates better ·         Sitting together in a circle	Ø  More technology Ø  Active conversations Ø  Give eye contact to who is speaking Ø  Sharing something new
K
1ST	·         Listening to the teacher ·         Talking about behavior and being nice ·         Learn how to care for community	Ø  Have snack Ø  Talk more about sharing Ø  Tell us to be super kind
2ND	·         Announcements – someone earns a prize ·         Talk about goals ·         Happiness ·         Share a positive with a friend	Ø  Focus on things that are not bad all the time Ø  Need positive meetings
5TH	·         We each have goals ·         No one changes their card ·         Learn about new material ·         Learn areas of growth and what to work on ·         Kindness ·         It’s not on a day when we have Strings	Ø  More fun activities Ø  Use or review subjects prior to SOL preparation Ø  Review characteristics of good behavior Ø  Review items from the SCA Meetings with the class Ø  Report on the weekly progress of class instead just after a test Ø  Talk about the morning to start the day Ø  Talk more about ‘Good’ versus ‘Improvements’

Important Dates: 

- November 14th: Elementary Level Meeting - McDonald out in a.m. (Ms. Otterblad will be present)

- November 15th: Flipped Staff Meeting
                             OneDrive Training @ 8:20 a.m. in Computer Lab  
                             Leadership Meeting @ 4:00 p.m. 
- November 16th: Lincoln Financial in the Teacher's Lounge                                                                        OneDrive Training @ 4:00 p.m. in Computer Lab  

- November 17th: Report Cards Go Home

                             Awards Ceremony: K-2 @ 9:30-10:30 a.m. 
                             Awards Ceremony: 3-5 @ 2:00-3:00 p.m.  
- November 21st: Wear Jeans 
- November 22nd: Wear Jeans
- November 23rd-25th: Thanksgiving Break - School will be closed 

My Current Reading:

A big "THANK YOU" to the loved ones who've served in our country's military! Thank you to the wives or husbands of those who've served. Your sacrifice is not in vain! 

~ Antoinette