Week 5: September 30, 2016

Good afternoon Fabulous Staff, 

The month of September is now complete!! Onward to October! 

Housekeeping: 

- I believe that it is imperative for us to have an avenue to obtain data from our stakeholders so we have invested in a school-wide Survey Monkey account. I will forward the login to all lead teachers to have access! 
- Thank you all for your awesomeness in maintaining the cleanliness of the building in the absence of our fabulous custodians! Your patience is admirable!
- Interims are quickly approaching! Please be sure to include the comment, in full detail, using the school interim comment template. We will review the content of the comments as we prepare for the 2017-18 school year. 
- I'm really excited to see the implementation of Guided Reading! The kickoff is Monday, October 3rd!!! Time for the strengthening and maintenance of Tier I instruction! 
- The Professional Growth Plan (PGP) Conference Schedule will be sent out this weekend with conferences beginning the week of October 10th. Please be mindful of the allotted time. Administration will meet by grade level and by departments. All sections need to be prepared and ready for review at the scheduled time. 

Students as Learners: 

This week I observed students: 

-  effectively and confidently using the UPSC model for solving word problems in 4th grade. 
- excitedly reading through an alien passage with foreign vocabulary while utilizing their context clues skills. Way to go 3rd grade! 
- sitting and eating with different friends at lunch, throughout the week.

Highlights of the Week: 

- Mr. Hicks, thank you so very much for your willingness to support me on Monday! Thanks for standing in the gap! It truly takes a village and I appreciate you! 
- The openness and willing spirit of reflection was most appreciated in 3rd grade! 
- Kindness Week: I loved reading the sticky notes left to encourage others! 
- Kindness Week: Thank you for the posters supporting our fabulous week! 

Important Dates: 
- October 3rd: Principal's Articulation Meeting

- October 3rd: Insulin & Glucagon Training - Quattrone out in a.m. 

- October 4th & 5th: Administrators review Interims

- October 5th: Walk to School Day

- October 5th: PTA Meeting @ 6:00 p.m. 

- October 7th: Field Day - Day 0

Article Worth Reading: 

- Culturally Responsive Teaching :
http://www.equityallianceatasu.org/sites/default/files/Website_files/CulturallyResponsiveTeaching-Matters.pdf 

My Current Readings:
  

Thank you for all you do!!! I appreciate you!!!

Rest up and enjoy your weekend!
~ Antoinette 

Week 4: September 23, 2016

Good afternoon Fabulous Staff, 

WHOA!!! I don't know about you but...I'm finding it hard to catch my breath...it's all going past so quickly.

Housekeeping: 

- When teaching a concept, please remember to use the language/vocabulary within the curriculum. To avoid students relearning a skill, use common language found in the curriculum documents to ensure consistency and support mastery.
- STUDENT DRESS & APPEARANCE: The expectation is listed in the Code of Behavior on pages 11 & 12. Please be sure to contact parents when a student violates the dress code. They can either bring up a change of clothes or we can find a change for them here at school. http://www.pwcs.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_340140/File/Student%20Services/Code%20of%20Behavior/CodeofBehavior.pdf  

- Please complete the following survey question regarding the conference day. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DGGQ3B2

- 1st PTA Meeting was held on 9.21.16 and a lot of items were discussed: Time & Leave, Grade Level Ordering, Conference Scheduling, Substitutes. Please touch base with your level representative. Follow up will occur during our next flipped meeting.  

Students as Learners: 

This week I observed students: 

- 100% engagement observed in Ms. Jewell's 4th Grade classroom. There is a huge difference between compliance and engagement and all students were engaged, participating and conferencing with each other. 

- Cooperative learning with how to round to the nearest hundred. Students were confident in their strategies and confirming each other. 
- 3rd Grade students reinforcing their SOL 3.10 Citizenship unit with a performance! Students were accountable for the vocabulary through song and reciting laws and rules within our school and nation. Fabulous Job Ms. Brown's class...the students will never forget these songs! 

Highlights of the Week: 

- 5th Grade MAP Math: 79% of the grade level is performing in the average to high range; Only 1% is in the low range and that student is in the 17th percentile; our 5th graders performed a full 4.2 points ABOVE the norm!!! 4th Grade...what a phenomenal job you have done preparing the students! Evidence is in the MAP Pudding! 

- Ms. Findley spelled my last name correctly on a letter that she was sending home...Thanks for superscripting the 'c'!!! 

- Successful Fire Drill while in ENCORE. Please remember that if you have students that are not yours, please be sure to confirm with names and not just the number of students. We still have work to do but wow...I'm impressed with our progress!
- The perfect execution of the Bus Evacuation Drill! Oh my...I had my expectations set on completing by 9:30 a.m., however we completed by 9:05 a.m. All but two students participated this morning
- ROP personnel to assist with PALS, DRA and instructional support! Their input, direction and support is invaluable! Thanks Ms. Milbert & Ms. Witmill for your support! 

Important Dates: 
-Kindness Week
- Back to School Night on 9.27.16 (Gr. K-2) and 9.28.16 (Gr. 3-5)
- Fire Drill on 9.27.16
- Mrs. Quattrone out on 9.26.16
- Lunch provided by PNC Bank on 9.28.16
- Mrs. McDonald our on 9.29.16 in the a.m. (Ms. Otterblad to provide coverage)
- Staff Breakfast on 9.30.16

Article Worth Reading: 

- 5 Tips for Better Relationships with Your Students http://www.nea.org/tools/51057.htm

My Current Readings:
  

Thank you for all you do!!! I appreciate you!!!

Rest up and enjoy your weekend!
~ Antoinette 

Week 3: September 16, 2016

Good afternoon Fabulous Staff, 

I swear...these weeks are flying past! 

Housekeeping: 

- Fire Drill and Lockdown Drill on Monday @ 9:30 a.m. Beginning Oct. all drills will be unannounced;

- Leadership Meeting on Tuesday @ 4:00 p.m. Focus: Data Templates

- Advisory Council Meeting on Wednesday @ 5:00 p.m. 

- Bus Evacuation Drill on Friday @ morning arrival. Please be mindful that all walkers, SACC and Kiss and Ride students will need to go through this drill. An announcement will be made for each set of students to partake in the drill. 

- Read Staff Handbook, sign and return last page by Sept. 23rd

- Mrs. McDonald will be out at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23rd and Jay Vaughan will be providing coverage. He is the AP at Dale City E.S. 

Students as Learners: 

This week I observed students: 

- Performing grade level activity outside;

- Working in small groups to practice Author's Purpose; 

- ELs working collaboratively to read a story about Fruits; 

- Manipulating hands-on materials for place value and addition.

Highlights of the Week: 

- One of our kindergarten Honey Buns used their purple circle...no accidents!;

- Ms. Gandee has completed her first week back with our Bel Air Family; 

- Map Testing has begun;

- PALS Testing has begun; 

- Our first staff meeting went well; working through the technical implementation of the Flipped Staff Meetings; 

- Risk Management came to help guide procedures for Lockdown and Shelter-in-Place (information to follow soon);

- Excitement about the preparation of our Crisis Response Team;

- Seeing the look on Mrs. Halsey's face when the PTA Teacher of the Month flowers were delivered; 

- Teachers smiling and greeting students at arrival; 

- Head Start Honey Buns are well into the swing of their morning procedures; 

- Hearing the laughter from the classrooms during planning; A Team that plans together, laughs together...

- Breakfast Line ending at 9:15 a.m.; a huge "thanks" to Mrs. Quattrone, Ms. Marshall, Ms. Chung, Ms. Fiorio & Ms. Peters for directing students to and from the cafeteria; 

- The everlasting hugs of our students as they left out to begin their weekend! 

Article Worth Reading: 

- The Five Priorities of Classroom Management by Ben Johnson 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-priorities-classroom-management-ben-johnson

Thank you for all you do!!! I appreciate you!!!

Rest up and enjoy your weekend! 

Week 2: September 9, 2016

Good afternoon All,

Whoa!!! What a week!!! 

You all are stretching my learning and leadership capacity and I appreciate you for it!!

Although it was a short week, it seemed to be double the length of time. 

Rest this weekend...recuperate and come back energized on Monday! Be safe and enjoy! 

Highlights for the Week:

- Mrs. Halsey has been chosen as our first 'PTA Teacher of the Month'. Please join me in celebrating her and her amazing accomplishments. We appreciate you Mrs. Halsey!; 

- First round of Team Meetings with Admin went quite well...I look forward to meeting with you all weekly;

- All K-2 Educators logged into PALS to set up their classrooms on Monday...amazing attention to detail;

- Successful Fire Drill #2 and Lockdown Drill #1;

- The kickoff PTA Meeting of the 2016-17 school year was great. There's a lot planned and with some new recognition activities;

- Ms. Gandee's official return date is Monday, September 12th;

- Learned about the Intervention Meeting Process (it's not taught until it's learned);

- Head Start began this week; 

- Despite being cussed at by a parent, we were able to come to a mutual respect and understanding that resulted in her apology; 

- Standing behind a teacher's actions when a parent tried to correct and bully them; I will always support...wrong is wrong & right is right; 

- Although it is not a highlight, I do wish to thank Ms. Leann Strang for being available to assist us as we prepared for and opened Bel Air E.S. for this 2016-17 school year. She was such an amazing help and she will be missed (her ROP time is complete with us); 

- Ms. Rucker's problem solving for 5th grade breakfast & STRINGS instruction; 

- Ms. Marshall then took Ms. Rucker's suggestion and developed a tangible solution with 5th Grade STRINGS ID Cards...WOO HOO! 

- Began the review of Lesson Plans;

- 100% of students made it home safely each school day! 

 

Upcoming Events: 

- Mrs. McDonald out in the a.m. for Principal Meeting; Ms. Otterblad will provide coverage (Sept. 12th)

- Staff Meeting (Sept. 12th @ 4:00 p.m.)

- Mrs. McDonald out on Personal Leave; Ms. Otterblad will provide coverage (Sept. 13th)

- Fire Drill (Sept. 14th @ 9:30 a.m.)

- Mrs. Quattrone out at KLC (Sept. 16th)

- School Gathering at Bahama Breeze (Sept. 16th @ 4:30 p.m.)

Week 1: September 2, 2016

Hey All, 

We've survived!!! Thank you all for a WONDERFUL first week of school!!! 

What a resilient staff we have! You all exude professionalism! 

I count it a privilege to be your leader! 

My Highlights of the week: 

- When students were asked, "What's the best thing about this week?" and 90% answered, "My teacher!";

- Opened the doors and welcomed 500+ students;

- Implementation of the Kiss and Ride Numbers;

- Streamlining the Breakfast Procedures (Huge "thanks" to the Panther PAWS Committee); 

- Title I Reading, Title I Math & Reading Specialist providing support to Grade Level Teams during planning; 

- Duty Staff maintaining order and safety throughout the week...THANK YOU!!;

- Received confirmation that Ms. Ramos Andrade has accepted the position as our Office Assistant;

- Received confirmation that Ms. Gandee will be returning as our ED Teacher Assistant;

- Classroom Teachers out and greeting students with a smile...I so appreciate what you do, truly! (You have the patience of Job);

- Custodial and Cafeteria Staff's positive interactions and encouraging words to the staff and students; 

- Mrs. Slaughter's efficiency...need I say more?;

- A parent trying to blame me for why their children were not allowed in the building after being dropped off at 7:45 a.m.; 

- Ms. Hammel & the announcements; 

- The first fire drill and the accuracy, attention and efficiency! The kids were amazing, thank you for teaching the procedures and expectations.

- Ms. Beach running with the idea for our fire drills (green & red ID cards);

- The undying support of the staff! This week could not have happened without each of you. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. 

- If I missed someone or something...charge it to my head and not my heart! 

Upcoming Events: 

- Back to School Bash (Saturday)

- PTA Meeting (Sept. 7th @ 6:00 p.m.)

- Fire Drill (Sept. 8th @ 2:00 p.m.)

- Lockdown Drill (Sept. 8th @ 2:30 p.m.)

 

...It's a WRAP!

Get some rest and see you on Tuesday!!!