Week of 3/23 - 3/27

Hey Panda Family,

Week 29 & Week 2 Online! Y'all are doing an amazing job. Enjoy this beautiful weather - hope you were able to rest and relax this weekend! Here are the updates from the week.

Baby Panda: Meet Baby Panda Jana! 🐼 Congratulations to Deana and her husband. They got home safely yesterday and are doing well. 

Stay-at-Home Order: Effective Monday, March 30 the school will be closed to all staff and families except for those considered essential by the district (Landreth, Jose, Gardner, Willis, and Elkins). Please let us know if you need anything. 

Positive Phone Calls: At the beginning of the year, we ask everyone to make positive parent contacts. This may be a good time, if you are not already, to make a positive student phone call. I challenge you to make a couple each day so your students can hear your voice and you can pass along some encouragement! I know they would be so excited to hear from you :) 

Grading: Continue to grade assignments. If a student has not turned in an assignment please mark it as "Incomplete" for now. You can continue to input grades into PowerSchool. At this time the district has not decided on a firm date to cut off grades for 3rd quarter. When I have that information I will most certainly let you know. If you are beginning to teach 4th quarter standards I would suggest recording those grades on paper and not inputting them into PS at this time. 

Daily Assignments: As discussed this past week, please make sure your PSL page Elearning assignments are broken down into daily requirements (Monday do..., Tuesday do..., etc.). 

Work From Home logs: All classified staff should email your WFH log to Ms. Willis by the end of the day on Monday (this is for your work from the prior week). Certified staff should continue to fill out your log each day. Certified log goes through April 3 and will be turned in afterwards. Contact Mr. Elkins with any questions. 

Field Trips 2020-2021: As we look ahead to next school year, start talking to your team about field trips. Reach out to organizations to get dates and then let Ms. Gardner know so she can request buses.  Remember, October is a popular month and dates get blocked quickly. Reach out to Ms. Gardner if you have questions. 

Teacher Working Conditions Survey: Thank you to everyone who has completed their TWC Survey. When you have completed it please email or text Terri Ball letting her know. If you need any assistance with the survey she is the contact person for our school. It is due this Tuesday, March 31. 

Virtual Technology Training (from HR): As you are planning meaningful tasks for your staff, please forward this information for hour-long virtual technology trainings that take place at 9am OR 1pm on Mondays.  Here is the link to register - bit.ly/wsfcstechintro.  The training includes Microsoft Office (Outlook Calendars, Excel, etc.) and Google Drive (creating docs, managing folders, creating forms, etc.).  Once you sign-up for a course, you will receive an email from technology (Sunday at the latest) inviting you to join the training via Microsoft teams which is already installed on your laptops.  When it is time to log in you will select the option to attend on the web.  This should take you straight into the training.

Virtual Career/Transfer Fair (from HR): We want to ensure our students have the very best district employees to support their growth so we are going to move from an in-person to a virtual career fair!  We will host a virtual career fair for teachers, operations and central office staff on Saturday, April 25, from 10am-2pm. More details to come! 

Retention: Any considerations for retention need to be shared with me and Ms. Gardner. I am seeking guidance from our Instructional Superintendent, Mr. Hall, on how retention will look considering the current circumstances. 

Staff Spotlight: Thank you to Ms. Ceglowski and Ms. Landreth for organizing our Panda Parade! And thank you to everyone that joined in on the fun. Your students and families loved seeing you, and it was very uplifting for everyone 😊

Thank you to Ms. Gardner and the whole staff for working hard to get a perfect rating from the Fire Marshall! 🚒🧯

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Seely. Check it out! 

IF Updates

IReady: if you are interested in getting your students into IReady, please let Jayne know. We have a free trial with them so now we are able to offer reading and math to all K-5 students. In order to get your students started, you will have to watch some training videos but I will be happy to send those your way!

ISIP: As of right now, students are not able to take ISIP at home. If this changes before Wednesday, I will let you know. I would not mention it to parents at this point. The State is concerned about testing environments, who is taking the test, etc and we don’t want to worry parents with this unnecessarily. 

Contacting families: if you need help calling families for specific IStation questions, I’m happy to help. Nearly everyone I talked to was very thankful to receive a call! 

K-3 teachers: Don't forget to register for this Istation webinar: 

Part 2: April 7th 3:00 to 4:00
Please register for WSFCS - Driving Instruction with Istation's Reports and Resources! (Session 2) on Apr 7, 2020 3:00 PM EDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4439656834656947213

Upcoming Dates:

March 30 - Teacher Workday (RS)
March 31 - TWC Survey due
April 10 - Holiday (Good Friday)
April 13 - 17 - Spring Break
April 25 - Virtual District Career/Transfer Fair 10:00 - 2:00

Here is another good laugh for you....(Just in case you are feeling the same thing 🤣)

Week of 3/16 - 3/20

Hey Panda Family,

Week 28 was the Great Escape....from Coronavirus 😵😬😳 But y'all have been doing an amazing job! I know everyone is stretched thin right now, but remember you can only control what you can control & we are in this together. 

Baby Panda: Meet Baby Panda Ivy! Congratulations to Michelle and her family. If anyone would like to donate leave time to Michelle please contact Pam Willis.

Zoom: Please see the email that I sent earlier today with updates from district technology. At this time they are not allowing the use of Zoom with our students. I apologize, for I would not have promoted this means of communication if I knew this was coming. See the email for more details.

Staff Meeting: We will, however, have a virtual staff meeting using Zoom tomorrow at 2:00. I will send out the link via email & Remind beforehand. The meeting should last 15-20 minutes. 

Teacher Working Conditions Survey: Thank you to everyone who has completed their TWC Survey. When you have completed it please email or text Terri Ball letting her know. If you need any assistance with the survey she is the contact person for our school. 

Virtual Tutor: Wake Forest University is offering a program for WS/FCS students to receive virtual tutoring from WFU students at no cost. Please feel free to share with your families. Link is below. 

https://communityengagement.wfu.edu/virtual-engagement/virtual-tutoring/

Virtual Technology Training (from HR): As you are planning meaningful tasks for your staff, please forward this information for hour-long virtual technology trainings that take place at 9am OR 1pm on Mondays.  Here is the link to register - bit.ly/wsfcstechintro.  The training includes Microsoft Office (Outlook Calendars, Excel, etc.) and Google Drive (creating docs, managing folders, creating forms, etc.).  Once you sign-up for a course, you will receive an email from technology (Sunday at the latest) inviting you to join the training via Microsoft teams which is already installed on your laptops.  When it is time to log in you will select the option to attend on the web.  This should take you straight into the training.

Virtual Career/Transfer Fair (from HR): We want to ensure our students have the very best district employees to support their growth so we are going to move from an in-person to a virtual career fair!  We will host a virtual career fair for teachers, operations and central office staff on Saturday, April 25, from 10am-2pm. More details to come! 

Soaps: Ms. Pizzino wanted us to share that she has an Avon contact that has a large stock of hand soaps, bathing soaps, etc. if you need some. Please reach out to Ms. Pizzino if you are in need. 

Retention: Any considerations for retention need to be shared with me and Ms. Gardner. I am seeking guidance from our Instructional Superintendent, Mr. Hall, on how retention will look considering the current circumstances. 

Staff Spotlight: I don't even know where to begin this week :) I am truly blessed to lead such an amazing staff that cares for each other and our students the way y'all do. You exceed my expectations every day! 



Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Sherrill. Check it out! 

IF Updates

K-3 teachers: Don't forget to register for this Istation webinar: 

Part 1: March 23rd 3:00 to 4:00

Please register for WSFCS - Understanding Istation's Reading ISIP and Adaptive Curriculum  on Mar 23, 2020 3:00 PM EDT at:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/19239659973291021

Part 2: April 7th 3:00 to 4:00
Please register for WSFCS - Driving Instruction with Istation's Reports and Resources! (Session 2) on Apr 7, 2020 3:00 PM EDT at:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4439656834656947213

• Here is a great site with tons of great demonstrations for various math standards.  I know one grade was struggling with demonstrating measurement and I was able to find something here.  I hope this will be helpful to some of you too!

• Here is a good video to explain synchronous vs asynchronous learning. This may help you as we continue to discuss video conferencing. 

• I’ve started working on a project for one grade level. If you would like to plan together, have me research digital learning for a topic, or anything, please let me know. I have lots of resources other IFs have shared but don't want to overwhelm you if you don’t need it. I’m just a call or email away! 

• I will continue to forward subject-specific information as I receive it. 

Upcoming Dates:

March 23 - Virtual Staff Meeting @ 2:00
March 30 - Teacher Workday (RS)
March 31 - TWC Survey due
April 25 - Virtual District Career/Transfer Fair 10:00 - 2:00

Keep smiling and keep working hard! Hope this gives you a good laugh...

Week of 3/2 - 3/6

Hey Panda Family,

Week 26 sure was sticky and sweet 🍦🍨 Don't forget to adjust your clocks for daylight savings time! 

Food Lion Math Night: Food Lion would like to get an initial count of the number of folks coming to Math Night on Thursday, March 12.  Please enter all RSVPs that you have gotten by Tuesday at 3 on this Google Doc so we can send those numbers to them.  Also, if you would like to volunteer, we still have spots available!  Scroll down to see the spots that still need to be filled. 

Tutoring: After-school tutoring starts this week for select 3rd-5th grade students. Please hold any tutoring students until the last bus is called each day. When the last bus is called you may dismiss your students to their tutor.

Teacher Intent: This message was sent from HR - The Teacher Notification of Intent web site is now open.  The link is available to teachers via the “Employees” link of the WS/FCS home page. All full-time teachers and instructional/student services staff need to complete an intent form. The deadline is 4:30 on March 20^th. Employees MUST be logged into the WS/FCS network to access the intent site.

Good Citizens: Please list your Good Citizen for the month of February by this Friday. Here is the link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KUNc0dOyCxyDY4skRF5jWzvo_EXhPX4aY3Sqt3VOJ64/edit?usp=sharing

Trash on campus: From Jose - Occasionally trash bags, boxes, etc. will be discarded on school grounds over night and left for us to clean up. If you happen to see any such trash please let Jose know so he can properly dispose of it. 

Fire Marshal: The Fire Marshal will be here soon for the spring inspection. We appreciate you working to eliminate the violations from the October inspection. Please remember that exit doors in classrooms must stay clear (5-6 blocks) at all times.

Retention: Any considerations for retention need to be shared with me and Ms. Gardner by March 27. A student must have at least a Supplemental Support Plan (SSP) to even be considered for retention.

Staff Spotlight: Thank you to Ms. Phillips, Ms. Lam, and Ms. Grubbs for presenting a wonderful PD session on Touch Math this past week! What a wonderful tool and strategy! 

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Billock. Check it out! 

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

FREE Word Ladders from Tim Rasinski: Take a look at Tim’s blog to get some of his free word ladders! 

Touch Math Presentation and Resources: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12Al-1-xXcBLU5zFT5lbB3QRcFp0YWG7FJe9tJmM_bvs/edit?usp=sharing 

Upcoming Dates:

March 9 - 13 - Book Fair
March 9 - Elkins @ college recruitment fair
March 9 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
March 10 - SIT @ 3:30
March 11 - Cake 4 a Cure (7:30 - 8:30 in workroom)
March 12 - Elkins @ Allotment Meeting 8:00 - 11:00
March 12 - FCAE Meeting @ 3:30
March 12 - Food Lion Math Night 5:30 - 7:30
March 13 - PTA Spring Dance 6:00 - 8:00
March 17 - Elkins @ Principals' Meeting 1:00 - 4:30
March 17 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30
March 18 - Early Release Day (PTA Providing Lunch)
March 19 - 20 - Kindergarten Screening
March 20 - Science EOQ test (5th only)
March 23 - Spring Pictures
March 24 - ELA EOQ test
March 24 - SCC & MTAC Committees @ 3:30
March 25 - Math EOQ test
March 26 - Gardner @ NCI Training 
March 27 - Talent Show @ 1:15 & 6:30
March 27 - End of 3rd Quarter
March 30 - Teacher Workday (RS)
March 31 - PBIS & Wellness Committee @ 3:30
April 1 - Report Cards due to Ms. True
April 2 - Teacher Read Aloud PD @ 3:30 (K-5 teachers)
April 4 - District Career/Transfer Fair 8:00 - 12:00 @ LJVM Coliseum 

Math Night & PTA Dance this week! I hope you will join us for these events. Your kids loving seeing you outside the classroom 😊

Week of 2/24 - 2/28

Hey Panda Family,

Week 25 was a fun and eventful week! Boosterthon, registering new pandas, and a yummy PBIS event 🏃🐼🍪

Touch Math PD: This Thursday, March 5 we will have PD after-school on Touch Math presented by Ms. Phillips, Ms. Lam, and Ms. Grubbs. This is for all K-5 teachers. The PD will be in the media center and last from 3:30 - 4:30.

Boosterthon Assembly: This Friday, March 6 at 2:20 we will have our Boosterthon Assembly to celebrate getting all 50 states and meeting our fundraising goal. Ms. Gardner and I will become human ice cream sundaes! More information to come. 

Teacher Intent: This message was sent from HR this past week - The Teacher Notification of Intent web site is now open.  The link is available to teachers via the “Employees” link of the WS/FCS home page. All full-time teachers and instructional/student services staff need to complete an intent form. The deadline is 4:30 on March 20^th. Employees MUST be logged into the WS/FCS network to access the intent site.

March Drills: We will have lockdown and tornado drills along with our fire drill this month.  Please practice with your students, especially the lock down drill.

PBIS expectations: We feel a need to review PBIS expectations as a gentle reminder for our students regarding their behavior in the hallway, lunch room, playground, etc. We will be reviewing these expectations over the announcements this week. We ask that you continue these conversations during your Morning Meetings as well. 

Voting: On Tuesday, March 3, we will be a voting site. This will take place in our media center. Please do not send any students for check-out on Tuesday. Ms. Epperley will be in touch with her classes that day for where you will meet. 

Fire Marshal: The Fire Marshal will be here soon for the spring inspection. We appreciate you working to eliminate the violations from the October inspection. Please remember that exit doors in classrooms must stay clear (5-6 blocks) at all times.

Retention: Any considerations for retention need to be shared with me and Ms. Gardner by March 27. A student must have at least a Supplemental Support Plan (SSP) to even be considered for retention. 

Arts Council: Help support the Arts Council by donating! Click on the following link - https://5934.thankyou4caring.org/WSFCS

Read Across America Bingo: RAA Week is this week! I wanted to let you know that we will be playing RAA Bingo again over the announcements this week and the winning class will get a donut party. All of the books for the Bingo game will come from my Friday night read alouds on the school Facebook page. So, feel free to watch them with your class during read aloud time if you want a competitive advantage :) 

Here are a list of the books that I have read - Be a King, The Quickest Kid in Clarksville, Ron's Big Mission, The Gruffalo, Bear Snores On, Can I Join Your Club?, The Relatives Came, The Gingerbread Bear, Spaghetti in a Hotdog Bun, The Amazing Turkey Rescue, The Prince and the Witch and the Thief and the Bears, Beekle, Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand, How I Became a Pirate, Do Unto Otters, Giraffes Can't Dance, Rosco vs. The Baby, We Don't Eat Our Classmates, Thelma the Unicorn, Whatif Monster, Dem Bones

Staff Spotlight: A huge shout out to 2nd & 3rd grade for organizing such a fun and creative PBIS event this past week! The kids really seemed to enjoy it. 

Also, thank you to everyone that helped out with Kindergarten Registration Day! It was a huge success. 

Teacher Tuesday Spotlight: Our school Facebook page is highlighting a teacher each week! Our spotlight this past week was Ms. Finley. Check it out! 

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

Touchmath PD on 3/5: Please bring about 40 small "incentive" stickers to the workshop for you to create a manipulative for your classroom.  They can be whatever shape you would like!

Food Lion Math Night: Math Night promises to be tons of fun!  They are going to have lots of giveaways, including basketball goals, gift baskets, and gift cards.  We will need to know approximate numbers so they can have enough supplies (including cake, chips, and goodie bags). Here is a google doc for you put how many students you think will attend.  If students don't return the little slip on the bottom of the flyer, then just ask for a show of hands.  Also we need volunteers for the night of the event.  I have put a sign up on the same link that you will use to tell how many students will attend.  Feel free to sign up for more than one time slot.  Thank you for your help with this!  

NC Children’s Book Award nominees: Each grade level has gotten the 10 nominees for the NC Children’s Book Award nominees.  We hope that you will enjoy reading these to your class.  Each grade level has one copy of each book to share.  Please coordinate reading the books aloud to your class so that you can vote for your favorite (see Mrs. Epperley's email for more information).  Here is the due date for the books to be read in order to vote:

Because and Can I Be A Dog? By 3/5

Potato Pants! And The Crayon Man by 3/10

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates and The Very Important Caterpillar by 3/13

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet and The Word Collector by 3/18

Misunderstood Shark: Starring Shark by 3/20

Mixed: A Colorful Story by 3/24

Math Textbook Review: We will be holding math textbook reviews on March 3 and March 6 from 3:30-4:00 in room 126.  Please drop in during those times to review the materials and let me know which one you prefer. 

Pebble Go Research Tool: Go to this username www.pebblego.com/resources the username is pineyg and the password is school.  We hope you enjoy it! 

Red bags: If you happened to get a red McGraw-Hill bag in the mail, please send it my way.  They addressed the textbook samples to random teachers in the building so I just need to gather the materials so we can continue to review them. Thank you!

Upcoming Dates:

March 2 - Baby Shower for Ms. Jones @ 3:30
March 3 - Voting Day (Media Center closed)
March 3 - Math Textbook Review @ 3:30 in Room 126
March 3 - PBIS & Wellness Committee @ 3:30
March 5 - Touch Math PD @ 3:30 (Kinder - 5th grade)
March 6 - Boosterthon Assembly @ 2:20
March 6 - Math Textbook Review @ 3:30 in Room 126
March 9 - 13 - Book Fair
March 9 - Elkins @ college recruitment fair
March 9 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
March 10 - SIT @ 3:30
March 12 - FCAE Meeting @ 3:30
March 12 - Food Lion Math Night 5:30 - 7:30
March 13 - PTA Spring Dance 6:00 - 8:00
March 17 - Elkins @ Principals' Meeting 8:00 - 3:00
March 17 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30
March 18 - Early Release Day
March 19 - 20 - Kindergarten Screening
March 20 - Science EOQ test (5th only)
March 23 - Spring Pictures
March 24 - ELA EOQ test
March 24 - SCC & MTAC Committees @ 3:30
March 25 - Math EOQ test
March 27 - Talent Show @ 1:15 & 6:30
March 27 - End of 3rd Quarter

In honor of Read Across America Week, please share your favorite children's or young adult books 📚. I hope everyone has a wonderful week!