Week of 9/23 - 9/27

Hey Panda Family,

Week 5 and we are still alive! 🙌

Instructional Assistants: Effective immediately, all Teacher Assistants will now serve under the role of Instructional Assistants. After working with our MTSS team and Mr. Hall, it is our goal to be as intentional as we can be with how we utilize our support staff. With this change in mindset, we plan to look at expanding the role of our Instructional Assistants in some areas, to best serve a wide range of students. 

PD after school October 3: Don’t forget that we will have PD after school this Thursday, October 3 at 3:30 (certified teachers only). We will meet in the media center. This PD will focus on the new PBIS program "Punctual Pandas" and updating/creating Powerschool Learning Teacher pages. 

I-Ready Training (3rd-5th only): All 3rd-5th grade teachers - please make sure you check your email for the I-Ready training locations and dates for next week. All 3rd-5th teachers need to attend a session. 

Schedules: Please post a detailed time schedule of your day outside your classroom by this Monday, September 30. Make sure you have the allotted 90 minute time blocks for Reading and Math.

Panorama Survey: Make sure you take the staff Panorama survey. The access code is 494staff. Click on this link: https://surveys.panoramaed.com/winstonsalem/login

Field Trips for Gardner & Elkins: Thank you to those grade levels that have already let us know which field trip you would like for us to attend with you this year. Remember, we both want to attend at least one field trip with each grade level this year. If you haven't already, please have a grade level representative reach out to schedule this. 

Spirit Wear: PTA Spirit Wear is online this year. Check out the store to get you some new Panda gear! Here is the link: https://machinegungraphics.com/piney_grove/shop/home



Lamination Machine: Friendly reminder that the lamination machine is to only be used by specific office staff. This past week we found the machine on one morning when we opened the building. This can create a fire hazard, and not to mention the machine can only be operated with a specific key. If you need something laminated please leave it for Ms. Murray or Ms. Landreth.  

SECU Retirement Planning: This Thursday, October 3 representatives from the State Employees Credit Union will be on campus to provide guidance and resources to help you plan for retirement. It is never to early to begin planning. I highly encourage everyone to sign up. You may sign up even if you are not a SECU member. I have sent an email with the information. Here is the link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1G53bHbfb7SMTxGs1lowMvlDS8pxDqI93yJBgWMJauDg/edit?usp=sharing 

3rd and Goal Literacy Program: I know I'm biased (Lol) but check out this neat literacy program and videos produced by the Carolina Panthers: https://www.panthers.com/news/3rd-and-goal


Positive Contact: Please make sure you are making those positive parent contacts. It could be a phone call, text, Dojo message, or in-person contact. Fill that bucket :) Each teacher should make a positive contact for each student and complete their log sheet by the end of the quarter.    

PTA Membership: We encourage you to join PTA. It is only $5 and they do so much for our school. Including the funds for each classroom. Membership forms are in the front office. 

Staff Spotlight: Check out the district article that was published about our new outdoor learning spaces: https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1&ModuleInstanceID=12708&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=265384&PageID=1

Thank you so much to Mrs. Mason and all her hard work on our school family tree. It is beautiful! 

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week (thanks for organizing this Ms. Jones)! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Rempe. Check it out! 

Field Trip Calendar: There’s a master field trip calendar list on the closet door across from Gardner’s office. This is for your information when planning trips. Please do not write on the calendar. This will allow grade levels to see what days already have trips so you avoid those dates. 

Lesson Plans: Friendly reminder that Lesson Plans should be posted to the PowerSchool Wiki the first day of each week by 8:00am.

IF Updates

Istation updates: We will finish the testing window on Monday!  Please ensure that ALL students have tested.  If a child was absent, you are welcome to test him/her, or you can let me know so I that I can help.  We have gotten many children made up, and are happy to continue to help with that.  We need to work together as a team to make sure that all students have completed the assessment so that we are compliant with state law. 

Instructional Assistance: If a child needs help with interventions for a Supplemental Support Plan (SPP-previously PEP), then please let me know.  I will need to know the child’s name, the intervention to perform, and the time that it would NOT work for the intervention to be performed.  We may have to get creative with the schedule in order to fit everyone in. I am happy to get you help! 

Headphones: If I left a pair of headphones in your classroom during testing, please put those back in my box. I am missing a few but I am sure they will find their way home soon with your help.

Upcoming Dates:

September 30 - CogAt Window Opens
September 30 - Istation Window Closes
October 1 - PBIS & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30
October 3 - SECU Retirement planning (sign-up for time slot)
October 3 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Heritage Theater
October 3 - Staff PD after-school @ 3:30
October 4 - Big Sweep from 3:00 - 5:00
October 8 - Vision Screening (1st, 3rd, & 5th grades only)
October 8 - SIT @ 3:30
October 9 - Early Release Day
October 10 - FCAE Meeting in Ms. Ball's room @ 3:30
October 11 - PTA Breakfast cart
October 14-18 - Book Fair
October 14 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
October 15 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting from 8-12
October 15 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30
October 18 - Science NC Check-In
October 18 - Read to Achieve Test

October 22 - Math NC Check-In
October 22 - SCC & Media Committees meet @ 3:30

October 23 - ELA NC Check-In (4th & 5th only)

October 25 - Positive Parent Log Sheet due to Elkins

October 25 - End of the 1st Quarter

In the comments section below, please share any fond memories you have of Ms. Kay Pridgen. Vickie is going to collect them and make a memorial page for her in our yearbook :)

Have a great weekend! 

Week of 9/16 - 9/20

Hey Panda Family,

We adore all your great work as we finish Week 4! 

School Pictures: Picture Day is this upcoming Wednesday, September 25. Please let your students and families know. Bring your best smile! 

Flu Shots: Kernersville Pharmacy will be here next Friday, September 27 from 7:00-9:00am to provide flu shots to staff. 

Spirit Wear: PTA Spirit Wear is online this year. Check out the store to get you some new Panda gear! Here is the link: https://machinegungraphics.com/piney_grove/shop/home

Schedules: Please post a detailed time schedule of your day outside your classroom by the end of the month, September 30. Make sure you have the allotted 90 minute time blocks for Reading and Math. 

Hospitality Dues: We encourage everyone to pay their Hospitality dues of $20. These funds go to support our staff outings, sympathy/celebration cards & gifts, and so much more. Dues can be paid to Ms. Mabe. 

Positive Contact: Please make sure you are making those positive parent contacts. It could be a phone call, text, Dojo message, or in-person contact. Fill that bucket :) Each teacher should make a positive contact for each student and complete their log sheet by the end of the quarter.  

Jose: We are so glad you are back! We will continue to pray that your mother will regain her strength as she recovers.  

PDP Sign-Up Sheets: Located outside Ms. Gardner's door and my door. Please sign up for a time slot to review your self-assessment & PDP goals. Please check the Observation Calendar located on the school's PowerSchool page (under NCEES tab) to know if Gardner or Elkins is your observer. PDPs are due and should be signed off on by this Wednesday, September 25. 

Family Tree Mural: If you or your class has not completed their hand for our family tree mural that Ms. Mason is creating please make sure you do so.

PTA Membership: We encourage you to join PTA. It is only $5 and they do so much for our school. Including the funds for each classroom. Membership forms are in the front office. 

Class Dojo Spanish Sign-Up: Please see the email from Ms. Pereda with the PDF instructions in Spanish for how to add your student to Class Dojo.

Staff Spotlight: Congratulations to Ms. Harman! This week she received the Reflex Educator Math Grant for her class. Way to go, Erin!

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week (thanks for organizing this Ms. Jones)! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Brookshire. Check it out! 

Healthy Panda: This year the Wellness Committee wants to promote staying active and eating healthy to students and staff. In order to promote the phrase "Active Body, Active Brain" to the students we have decided to have a Healthy Panda of the Month (Just like good citizen) Three things that teachers need to look for in order to pick a healthy panda include:

1. Eating healthy foods (choosing healthy lunch options)
2. Drinking water
3. Staying active during recess 

We want to encourage the teachers to let the students vote on the Healthy Panda and tell the students what to look for. The students that are picked as the Healthy Panda of their class will receive a certificate and an "Active Body, Active Brain" wrist band.

Click on the link to enter your Healthy Panda by September 25:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hKr75hVMT24hNsZi4V3cModMHYzi9_VuaNRZN3cKPM8/edit?usp=sharing

Good Citizen: Please enter your first good citizen of the 2019/20 school year by Monday, September 23.  This year we are changing things up a bit.  Mrs. Ceglowski will place certificates and buttons in your boxes.  The names will be read out by Mr. Elkins in morning announcements.  

Your grade level chair will be responsible to send Mrs. Ceglowski a picture of your grades winners by the end of the week.  You can do this in the hallway, lunch, recess, wherever it works for you.  Creativity is encouraged! Send the picture to Mrs. Ceglowski at 631-235-3161.  Pictures will be displayed by grade level on the big board.  This should avoid missing absent kids and should make each student more visible on the board.  

Click on the link to enter your Good Citizen:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/159J71_cqOqGau-SRbXDUUu__c1rBPatVX4_bs4pUGOQ/edit?usp=sharing

Field Trip Calendar: There’s a master field trip calendar list on the closet door across from Gardner’s office. This is for your information when planning trips. Please do not write on the calendar. This will allow grade levels to see what days already have trips so you avoid those dates. 

Lesson Plans: Friendly reminder that Lesson Plans should be posted to the PowerSchool Wiki the first day of each week by 8:00am.

IF Updates

Graphing software: Here is a great site for you to use when graphing your data for Supplemental Plans.  Bookmark it and save it for later! 

Istation testing:  We are making great progress in Istation!  Thank you to my ‘Istation posse’ who has been helping to test, including Mrs. Christopher, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Gray, Mrs. Bolchalk, and the Kindergarten TAs.  I appreciate everyone being flexible and working together to get this done!  Please make sure, teachers, that you have signed up for 2 sessions.  We will need both sessions in order to complete the testing.  Also, have you wondered where the ORF is?  WELL….. it turns out that there is a software glitch.  If it is not fixed by September 30, then we just will not use it as a benchmark assessment.  I will keep you posted! 

PD after school October 3: Don’t forget that we will have PD after school on October 3 at 3:30.  It should be no longer than 45 minutes.  We will meet in the media center. We should have the agenda finalized soon. 

Upcoming Dates:

September 24 - SCC & Media Committees meet @ 3:30
September 25 - School Picture Day!
September 25 - ACCESS testing window closes
September 25 - PDPs due for certified staff
September 27 - Flu Shots on campus from 7-9:00am
September 30 - CogAt Window Opens
September 30 - Istation Window Closes
October 1 - PBIS & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30
October 3 - SECU Retirement planning (sign-up for time slot)
October 3 - 4th Grade Field Trip to Heritage Theater 
October 3 - Staff PD (TBD) after-school @ 3:30
October 4 - Big Sweep from 3:00 - 5:00
October 8 - Vision Screening (1st, 3rd, & 5th grades only)
October 9 - Early Release Day
October 10 - FCAE Meeting in Ms. Ball's room @ 3:30
October 11 - PTA Breakfast cart
October 14-18 - Book Fair
October 14 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
October 15 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting from 8-12
October 18 - Science NC Check-In
October 18 - Read to Achieve Test



Fall officially begins this Monday! In the comment section below list you favorite thing(s) about the fall season! Have a wonderful weekend. 

Week of 9/9 - 9/13

Hey Panda Family,

Yippee we completed Week 3! 🙌  

3rd Grade: I am excited to announce that Ms. Angela Gray will be joining our 3rd grade team as an additional classroom teacher! We were allotted an additional teacher position after the tenth day of school. We wanted to share this good news, but please refrain from sharing with any parents yet. We are still finalizing our plan to move students and make this transition as smooth as possible.  

Staff Meeting: This Tuesday, September 17 will we have a staff meeting after school @ 3:30. Agenda items include: Staff Awards, Flexible Benefits presentation, review of School Performance Grade, Healthy Panda of the Month, and Ms. Pereda discussing translation services. 

Kay Pridgen & Jose: Mrs. Pridgen had somewhat of a rough week according to her son. Please continue to keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Jose's mother is still in the hospital, but she is definitely improving! Each day she is regaining strength. 

Congratulations Cafeteria: Make sure to take a second this upcoming week to congratulate our wonderful cafeteria staff. They scored a "100.0% A" sanitation grade! 

PBIS Kickoff Event: Reminder that our PBIS Kickoff Event will be this upcoming Friday, September 20 @ 2:00. 

Dairi-O Night: This Monday, September 16 is our PTA Spirit Night at Dairi-O from 5-8pm. We hope to see you there!

PDP Sign-Up Sheets: Located outside Ms. Gardner's door and my door. Please sign up for a time slot to review your self-assessment & PDP goals. Please check the Observation Calendar located on the school's PowerSchool page (under NCEES tab) to know if Gardner or Elkins is your observer. 

Family Tree Mural: If you or your class has not completed their hand for our family tree mural that Ms. Mason is creating please make sure you do so this week.

Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts: This Wednesday, September 18 a representative from the Boy Scouts will be visiting during lunch hours to promote their programs with our students. On Thursday evening, the Boy Scouts & the Girl Scouts will be holding informational meetings for any interested students. 

Staff Spotlight: Huge thanks to everyone (especially nurse Stacy) who stepped up to help our third grade friend who had a medical emergency this past week! Y'all were awesome! 

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week (thanks for organizing this Ms. Jones)! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Pizzino. Check it out! 

Good Citizen: Please enter your first good citizen of the 2019/20 school year by Monday, September 23.  This year we are changing things up a bit.  Mrs. Ceglowski will place certificates and buttons in your boxes.  The names will be read out by Mr. Elkins in morning announcements.  

Your grade level chair will be responsible to send Mrs. Ceglowski a picture of your grades winners by the end of the week.  You can do this in the hallway, lunch, recess, wherever it works for you.  Creativity is encouraged! Send the picture to Mrs. Ceglowski at 631-235-3161.  Pictures will be displayed by grade level on the big board.  This should avoid missing absent kids and should make each student more visible on the board.  

Click on the link to enter your Good Citizen:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/159J71_cqOqGau-SRbXDUUu__c1rBPatVX4_bs4pUGOQ/edit?usp=sharing

Field Trip Calendar: There’s a master field trip calendar list on the closet door across from Gardner’s office. This is for your information when planning trips. Please do not write on the calendar. This will allow grade levels to see what days already have trips so you avoid those dates. 

Lesson Plans: Friendly reminder that Lesson Plans should be posted to the PowerSchool Wiki the first day of each week by 8:00am.

IF Updates

Where is Jayne? The latest information we have heard from the district (9/13 at 11:00 am), we are NOT getting an extension on the Istation BOY window - the state would not allow the extension.  So what that means is that I will be spending every spare second I have for the rest of September helping teachers test children.  But I don’t want you to think that that means that I am totally off unavailable to help you!  Please email me any questions or concerns you have, and I will be happy to help you as soon as possible.

Upcoming Dates:

September 16 - PTA Spirit Night @ Dairi-O from 5-8
September 17 - Elkins @ Principals' meeting 8-12
September 17 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30 (Flex Benefits will present)
September 19 - Gardner @ AP meeting 8-11
September 20 - CogAt training @ 9:20 for 2nd grade
September 20 - PBIS Kickoff assembly @ 2:00
September 24 - SCC & Media Committees meet @ 3:30
September 25 - School Picture Day!
September 25 - ACCESS testing window closes
September 25 - PDPs due for certified staff
September 27 - Flu Shots on campus from 7-9:00am
September 30 - CogAt Window Opens
September 30 - Istation Window Closes
October 1 - PBIS & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30
October 3 - SECU Retirement planning (sign-up for time slot)
October 3 - Staff PD (TBD) after-school @ 3:30
October 4 - Big Sweep from 3:00 - 5:00
October 8 - Vision Screening (1st, 3rd, & 5th grades only)
October 9 - Early Release Day
October 10 - FCAE Meeting in Ms. Ball's room @ 3:30
October 11 - PTA Breakfast cart

In honor of completing Week 3, in the comments section below tell me 3 things about you! It could be 3 things you love to do, 3 things you don't like, 3 places you wish to travel, or whatever you would like to share. I love learning more about each of you. Don't forget to add your name to your comment. Thanks for playing along. Have a great weekend! 

Week of 9/2 - 9/6

Hey Panda Family,

Week 2 is in the books! We are so proud of the wonderful work that is happening in our building just a few days into the school year. You are ROCK STARS! 😊

Clean & Green Award: We have received the Best Use of Native Plants award from "Keep Winston Beautiful"! Only three schools received this honor. Congratulations to Ms. Adams and all other staff and students that work so hard to keep our campus clean and beautiful!

3rd Grade BOG Test: All 3rd graders will be taking the Beginning of Grade test on Tuesday, September 10. Please remind your classes to be extra quiet in the hallways that morning, as we will have test groups throughout the building. 

PDP Sign-Up Sheets: Located outside Ms. Gardner's door and my door. Please sign up for a time slot to review your self-assessment & PDP goals. Please check the Observation Calendar located on the school's PowerSchool page (under NCEES tab) to know if Gardner or Elkins is your observer. 

Tardies: We will begin issuing tardies on Monday, September 9. All students should be in their classroom at 8:20. I will be sending out a reminder phone call to all families this weekend. 

Eating for Education: The final Eating for Education day is this Wednesday, September 11. Don't cook that evening and eat out at one of the participating locations! This initiative helps fund the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce grants. https://www.kernersvillenc.com/education/

Istation Update (K-3): The school district's called meeting is on Monday, September 9 to discuss the approval of Istation. Hope to know something soon! 

Drills: On Wednesday, September 11 starting at 2:30 we will have our evacuation drill from outside to inside and then go into our first lockdown drill.  Please practice the lockdown drill with the kids so they know what to expect and where to go. 

Staff Spotlight: Everyone did an amazing job working so hard on your PDP goals on Thursday afternoon! We are excited to read your goals and help you in achieving them this school year. 

Wonderful Morning Meetings 😊 - Ms. Laws invited me to her Morning Meeting last week where I was awarded the "I Survived the 1st Week" brag tag! Ms. Panico & Ms. Seely are teaching their new Kindergartners how to properly greet each other with a hand shake, fist bump, or butterfly wave (my favorite). Great job!  

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week (thanks for organizing this Ms. Jones)! Our first spotlight was Ms. Corlett. Check it out! 

District Videos: Please remember to watch the required videos and sign off (Blood-Borne & Safety Data Sheets).  All homeroom teachers need to also watch the Bus Safety video with their class. Ms. Gardner emailed out the links to all videos. The sign-off papers are located on the wall across from Ms. Gardner's office. Please view and sign-off by 9/13/19. 

Field Trip Calendar: There’s a master field trip calendar list on the closet door across from Gardner’s office. This is for your information when planning trips. Please do not write on the calendar. This will allow grade levels to see what days already have trips so you avoid those dates. 

Lesson Plans: Friendly reminder that Lesson Plans should be posted to the PowerSchool Wiki the first day of each week by 8:00am. 

IF Updates

Sign up for PD: Only a small handful of folks have signed up for our PD sessions.  Don’t forget to register!   Here is the list of what is available: PGE PLT 1^st Quarter 2019-2020, PGE Education Galaxy training August 2019, and PGE Istation Overview.  Please register for these so you can get the credit you deserve!

Classroom visits: I plan to start visiting classrooms next week!  I will be using the same feedback form that I used last year.  I will be putting it in your box after my visit.  I can’t wait to see what you are doing!

Peer observation: I hope that you are thinking about what you would like to observe a peer doing.  When you are ready, let me know what you would like to see and we will work together to set it up. 

Powerteacher Pro: Don’t forget to visit Ava Palmer on Thursday, 9/12.  Please make sure you attend a session. Here is the schedule, but you are welcome to come at any time:

7:30-8:45 Open for anyone

8:45-9:15 5th Grade

9:20-10:05 2nd Grade

10:10-10:55 Specialists

11:00-11:15 break 

11:15-12:00 Kindergarten

12:05-12:50 1st Grade

12:55-1:40 3rd Grade   

1:55-2:30 4th Grade

Grades can not be entered until Tuesday, 9/10. Please try to enter at least one grade before you come to see Ms. Palmer on Thursday.  This will help you know if you have any questions that she needs to answer. 

Upcoming Dates:

September 9 - PTA meeting @ 6:30
September 10 - BOG 3 test for 3rd grade
September 10 - SIT @ 3:30
September 11 - Gardner @ AP meeting 8-11
September 11 - Lockdown drill @ 2:30
September 11 - Eating for Education day
September 12 - Powerteacher Pro Training (All teachers)
September 12 - FCAE meeting @ 3:30
September 13 - Mad Science Assembly 1:30 (K-2nd) & 2:10 (3rd-5th)
September 16 - PTA Spirit Night @ Dairi-O from 5-8
September 17 - Elkins @ Principals' meeting 8-12
September 17 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30 (Flex Benefits will present)
September 19 - Gardner @ AP meeting 8-11
September 20 - CogAt training @ 9:20 for 2nd grade
September 20 - PBIS Kickoff assembly @ 2:00
September 24 - SCC & Media Committees meet @ 3:30
September 25 - School Picture Day!
September 25 - ACCESS testing window closes
September 25 - PDPs due for certified staff
September 27 - Flu Shots on campus from 7-9:00am
September 30 - CogAt Window Opens

This should make you laugh. Have fun guessing what you think this little one was trying to say makes her a good friend (please refrain from posting any guesses in the comment section...Lol!)

However, in the comments section below, please share one thing that made you laugh this week, or a good corny joke that will make us laugh 😂 Have a great weekend!