Hey Panda Family,
Week 6, check it off! Thank you to everyone for your efforts to get the iReady diagnostics complete over the last two weeks. We are at 97% complete for Reading and 95% complete for Math! This is all because of you 😊 Here are the updates for the week!
Progress Reports: Here is the link to the google folder for K-2 Progress Reports (please make a copy before you begin typing in it). Grades 3-5, please make sure you see the email from me on 9/17 for your student Progress Report instructions. Progress reports are due on Wednesday, September 30 according to the district (please just make sure they go out by the end of this week).
Classroom Walkthroughs: CWTs will begin this week. The form will look a little different this year since it was given to us by the district (I will send it out by email for you to view). After we complete the walkthrough, our responses will come to your email just like in the past. Please understand, this is only to help you grow as an instructional leader in your classroom. Even in the remote setting we must forge ahead with our normal feedback measures. We look forward to popping in to your classrooms to see the amazing instruction that is happening!
October Drills: we will have 3 drills in October: Fire, Earthquake, and Tornado. Remember, if you are in the building you must participate in the drill. Please keep your mask on and social distance. Drills will be held October 9th @ 8:00, weather permitting.
Classroom Preparations: Thank you to everyone for getting your classrooms prepped and prepared for in-person learning. Y'all have done an awesome job being creative with your classroom setups. It is my understanding that district personnel will be coming by soon to do a walkthrough of our building to make sure we haven't overlooked anything. Make sure anything with-in reach of the students is covered with paper. If we need to make any adjustments based on their feedback we will let you know.
Positive Communication Form: Giving positive feedback is so important! Please make sure you have sent at least one positive message to each of your parents about their child by the end of the week. You can use the form linked here to record (Positive Communication Form) or you can make your own. It can simply just say: student name, communication tool (dojo, phone, text, email, etc.), and date. This does not need to be elaborate, but I use these a lot when some parents attempt to say we only communicate what is wrong. Please share your form with me when it is complete. Thank you to those who have already completed this.
Timothy's Tech Corner: Please click on the following link to see Mr. Younts' technology updates for the week - Timothy's Tech Corner - September 28
CARES Team Update from Ms. Ceglowski:
- 17 visits were completed this week. Many successful, some are works in progress.
- 3 hotspots were delivered.
- Please call your family and ask if they have transportation prior to asking for help with delivering packets and other items. At least half of the homes we visited, had cars in the driveway. One parent stated she was on her way to pick up the packet. Please confirm and double confirm that no one (not a friend, a neighbor, no one) is able to get to the school. Thanks!
- https://www.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/Page/115981
Please use this link to get up-to-date information about meal locations, learning centers, technology assistance and everything related. - We are hearing more about behavior issues now that we are in the groove of things. Please let me know what you are seeing and she will join a parent meeting just like if we were in person.
- Also, please share your live link with me and I'll come and observe a student or try to troubleshoot a behavior. I miss popping into your rooms!
- If you see something on a virtual call that causes you to feel concerned about a student's safety, call CPS. This would be drugs in the room, a young child caring for a baby with no adult at home, physical fighting in the background. You can call me first if it helps and I can guide you through it. Remember stress levels are very high and families are experiencing a lot. A call to child protective services means you want to get them help!
- If you are not sure about 504 or IST info on one of your kiddos, please reach out!
- Thanks again for all the wonderful work you do everyday!
Packet Materials: I encourage each of you to continue sending out tangible packet materials for your students as needed (novels, worksheets, manipulatives, etc.). Please coordinate the pickup with your families. Every parent that I have talked with mentions how helpful it is to have a combination of tangible and virtual assignments. If the office can support you with this please let us know.
Morning Announcements: Here are the YouTube links for this week's Morning Announcements. Please include them on your Canvas page.
Monday (9/28) –
Tuesday (9/29) –
Wednesday (9/30) –
Thursday (10/1) –
Friday (10/2) -
Staff Spotlight: From Ms. Medley - I wanted to send you a shout out to Vaden. She has assigned a project on countries and Bauer LOVES it! Thanks to her for keeping these kids engaged and learning all while having a blast!
Also from Ms. Medley - Bauer is LOVING the Destiny App that he learned about in Media. He is on there constantly looking at books, discovering new authors, etc. Thanks to Mrs. Epperly for making sure the kids know all about this awesome resource!
From Ms. Grubbs - Shout out to 1st grade! They are the first grade to 100% complete their grade level's iReady diagnostic in a subject area (reading). Amazing job 1st grade!
IF Updates
iReady weekly expectations: Now that we are ALMOST finished with the iReady diagnostics, students are ready to start their individualized learning paths. We are asking that K-2 students complete 30 minutes of iReady, and 3-5 students should complete 45 minutes in iReady. This applies for each subject, which means your students will be assigned iReady learning paths during their asynchronous time for reading AND math. If they do not finish by Friday, they will need to complete it during Flex Friday.
Spelling City: If you would like to have your class use Spelling City, please let me know. We have a few more spots left in our school account. First come, first serve!
iReady makeup sessions: Don’t forget that this week is the week that students should complete any unfinished Reading or Math iReady diagnostics. Mrs. Owens and I are offering to proctor some makeup sessions for your students. Please use this document to communicate who is coming. You will need to let the student know when to attend, and give them the link for the meeting. Here is the link to the schedule and the link that you should send families. Feel free to provide your own makeup sessions for your students as well.
October 1 PD session: On Thursday, 10/1, we will have our monthly afterschool PD session. This month, we will focus on helping you become more comfortable with all iReady has to offer. K-2 teachers will meet with Jayne to get a “beginner’s” version of the training. 4-5 teachers, you will meet with Breanne Smith, who is the IF at Union Cross, for an “advanced” training. 3rd grade teachers, you can pick whether you would like to attend the beginning or advanced training. Stay tuned for the links to these differentiated virtual sessions!
Upcoming Dates:
September 30 - Student Progress Reports due
September 30 - Positive Communication Form due - Positive Communication Form
October 1 - Staff PD training @ 3:30
October 6 - PBIS & MTAC Committees meet @ 3:30
October 9 - Drills @ 8:00 (Fire, Earthquake, Tornado)
October 13 - SIT @ 3:30
October 20 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30
October 22 - End of 1st Quarter
October 23 - Teacher Workday
October 27 - SCC & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30
Which one are you?!? Watch below to find out!
