Hey Panda Family,
We were able to welcome back more of our students during Week 19! Great job to our 2nd & 3rd grade students and staff this week - it was a successful first week of in-person learning 😊 It is hard to imagine that this week we will finally be able to have all grade levels back in the building in some capacity. Each week I continue to be amazed at your dedication and relentless work ethic to meet the needs of our students. I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we will kick off this week's Weekly Wrap with an inspiring quote from him:
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education."
Positive/Exposed Covid-19 Students: Some parents are only contacting the teacher when their child has tested positive and/or been exposed to Covid-19. If you have a parent reach out to you in regards to their child testing positive and/or being exposed, please make sure they also let myself or Ms. Gardner know too. They can call, email, or message us on Dojo and we will follow-up. For every exposure and positive case we have to fill out specific information for the district. Thanks so much for your help with this!
Transportation Changes: Just a friendly reminder that all notes pertaining to transportation changes, including early departures for dentist and doctor appointments, need to be brought to Ms. Landreth by 10:00 AM every morning. If she has a question about the note the parent sent in, she will have plenty of time to handle it. She will make copies for you and put them in your box.
January Drills: We will have our fire drills Tuesday, January 19 @ 2:15 and Thursday, January 21 @ 8:30. Weather permitting. Remember, we must have two fire drills for this month only as we welcome back both cohorts of our 4th & 5th grade students.
SMO: Please welcome David as our new SMO supervisor. He is working closely with Jose to learn the building. Please do the following each day:
- Stack chairs on top of tables or in a tower
- Individual carpet squares, mats, bins, etc. should be up off the floor so sweeping and mopping can take place
Please let Ms. Gardner know if your classrooms/areas are not being cleaned.
Yearbook Pictures: Please go through your phone and begin sending Ms. True some good pictures of your students for the yearbook. We certainly understand these pictures will look much different this year, but we still want to capture these memories whether they be remote or in-person. You can text her pictures at 336-403-0458.
Treats for Parties: If a parent wants to send in birthday treats they may do so but they must be individually wrapped items (i.e. packaged Rice Krispie treats, Little Debbie packaged cakes, etc.). We can't serve any items that are not individually packaged, which means no Krispy Kreme doughnuts for example. Any items we serve to students from outside the building must be individually packaged.
Dismissal: Thank you to everyone for the collective effort to help with dismissal! I completely understand that it is going slower than normal, but we are improving on our time each day and we are ensuring all students get home safely. We appreciate your patience as we manage a new dismissal system and a significant increase in number of car riders.
Valentine's Day: Valentine's Day is just around the corner! In an effort to be as safe as possible this year, we are going to make a few adjustments to this holiday as it pertains to your classroom. Please follow these guidelines for Valentine's Day. Please share with your parents as well.
- Students will not pass out individual Valentine's to each other
- Parents may send in Valentine's Day candies/treats that the teacher can pass out to students, or make goodie bags
- Encourage parents to consider sending in alternatives to candy - stickers, pencils, etc.
- All candies/treats must be individually packaged
- Classes are encouraged to have Valentine's Day Reading/Math centers as a way to celebrate
- You may still have a Valentine's Day party or activities, please just make sure all students have their own individual items
- The Teacher and/or Instructional Assistant will be responsible for handing out all treats/candies
Classroom Walkthroughs: As discussed in PLTs this past week, all Classroom Walkthroughs will transition back to in-person beginning the week of January 25. Ms. Gardner and I are currently updating the CWT tool so we can provide you adequate support for concurrent instruction. We will share the updated tool with you before we begin in-person walkthroughs.
Ms. Christopher: The school district is allowing each school to hire a permanent sub that is assigned only to their school. The purpose of this position is to help schools fill Covid related absences. I am excited to announce that Ms. Christopher will fill this role for us 3 days a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays). If we do not have a substitute need, Ms. Christopher will be assuming other roles throughout the building to help us on the days she is here. Please note - Ms. Christopher can substitute for you even if your absence is non-Covid related; however, if a Covid-related absence occurs that will take priority for her position.
Remote Learning Week February 15 - 19 (from district): The week of February 15th will be synchronous instructional days. All students should be engaged in live instruction with their teachers. It is a regular school day, just remote learning.
Teachers have the option of teaching from their school classroom or teaching from their home classroom but just assigning work is not an option for the week. These are not asynchronous days. Other employees that provide instructional support or social and emotional support should also be included in synchronous support. They also have a choice of where they perform their instructional duties, but no one has the choice to be inactive in the learning process.
We are not closing schools during this week because there are employee groups who must work from campus and cannot perform their duties at home. If they do not work, they cannot be paid, and we are not willing to take compensation away from these employees.
ES Principals - Please ensure that your K-2 students take home devices for the week.
Staff Childcare - At the beginning of the year, teachers were allowed to bring their child/children to school if needed. The same provision is allowed for the week of February 15th.
3rd Quarter Specials: Below is the link for 3rd quarter specials. This schedule begins Thursday, January 21st. Please use Thursday, January 21st on this document and not what is on 2nd quarter specials schedule.
There is a separate specials schedule for February 15-19. This is a Remote Learning Week. We will use the old Remote Learning schedule. (More details to come)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14K20p4lrvnqAwQeOBb7EFSvQ5PEfsNNXQe5rW5BGuQ8/edit?usp=sharing
Concurrent Instructional Supports (from district): Click on the following links to see some scheduling resources and concurrent teaching strategies.
Morning Announcements: Here are the links to the Morning Announcements for this week.
Monday (1/18) - No School (MLK Day)
Tuesday (1/19) - https://youtu.be/obFwTCcGdys
Wednesday (1/20) - https://youtu.be/Z4Ej4n01XHY
Thursday (1/21) - https://youtu.be/oPQZQTFiBls
Friday (1/22) - No School (Teacher Workday)
Staff Spotlight: Shoutout to Ms. Adams and all her volunteers that helped to plant bulbs and flowers in our garden beds this weekend! We can't wait to see the beautiful flowers this spring! 🎕
Reminders from Previous Weeks
Lesson Plans: In an effort to not add something else to your plate, we are going to be very flexible with lesson plans for the remainder of this school year. Even as you transition to concurrent teaching (in-person & remote) your Canvas page can serve as your "plans". Ms. Gardner and I will use your Canvas page to locate your standards and "I Can" statements for each week & subject. Remember the key components of Modeled, Guided, Independent, and Assessment as you plan your week. While we may not be checking for formal lesson plans at this time, it is still important that you have your own plans in place to guide your instruction.
PBIS Videos: The PBIS team created videos for you to use with your students when they return. The videos show the following:
- Socially distanced in the hallway/restroom
- Bus arrival procedures
- Socially distanced recess
- Restroom procedures.
To get to the videos, use the following steps:
- Click on PGE's Canvas Page
- Scroll down and click on the PBIS button (bluish-purple)
- Click on the 2nd link, "Here are the videos demonstrating our socially distanced procedures"
More videos will be added soon.
Please review the following when returning to in-person learning
Arrival
School-Wide Packet Pickup: We would like to coordinate a school-wide packet pickup day each week for all grade levels to best help our parents (this way our parents that have kids in multiple grade levels can get all materials in one trip). If you are preparing tangible packets for pickup please have them out and ready by the end of business day on Thursdays. This way parents have Friday and the weekend to pick up any materials needed for the next week. This is effective immediately. Thank you for your help with this!
COVID-19 Vaccine (from district): In an effort to assist the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, if you are interested in receiving the vaccine from the Forsyth County Department of Public Health, please indicate your interest in the survey link below. Even if you have already completed the survey, it would be a good idea to complete it again to include updated information like a contact number, work location and which vaccination clinic you will be visiting.
We will share this information with FCDPH, and they will contact you with details and more information when the vaccination becomes available to area educators. It is important to note that in order to be included in this round, you must sign up.
SURVEY LINK: https://forms.gle/z5XeA61SCLXYCFVy6
Duty Rosters: Please review the AM and PM duty rosters titled Current AM/Current PM Duty Rosters. We will use these starting Monday (1/11) and adjust as needed.
Middle-of-Year PDP conferences: The sign-up for Mid-Year PDP meetings are hanging up outside mine and Leslie's office. We will be doing all mid-year PDP meetings on Wednesdays in January via Zoom (1/13, 1/20, 1/27). Please sign up with me if I do your walkthroughs/evaluations & please sign up with Leslie if she does yours.
Make sure your Mid-Year PDP is updated before we meet. This includes your progress to date on your goals, as well as any artifacts that you want to upload that show evidence towards completion.
Bus Attestation Forms (PreK - 5th): Please work on getting 3rd quarter bus attestation forms returned. If you need copies, please ask Mrs. Landreth or Mrs. Gardner.
Working Remotely: We can only approve individuals working remotely if it is COVID related. If you are not able to come in to work you must take sick, personal, or annual leave.
- You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more
- You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19
- You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them)
- You shared eating or drinking utensils
- They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you
Exposure has to be reported to Human Resources for contact tracing in case you should test positive. As a school, we are only required to communicate if we have a positive test from a staff member or student. At this time, we have not had any positive tests from staff members or from students that have been in-person. Remember the 3 W's - Wear your mask, Wash your hands, and Wait 6 feet. This will help us stay safe and healthy!
PGE Health & Safety Cheat Sheet: It was asked if we would create a document that would highlight the important health and safety protocols for Plan B. We have created a two page "Health & Safety Cheat Sheet" for you to reference during Plan B for each part of the day. A hard copy of this cheat sheet will be placed in each staff member's box. Here is the link to the Google doc if you would like to have access to the electronic version https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H8p_0GlaX-5tZRfxsRD_fjBvQvf1b-Lf6KAwYig84ko/edit?usp=sharing
IF Updates
Remote Learning Report Card Comments can be found here
It is almost report card time! Here is a link to all the report card comments and their powerschool codes. This is a copy that sorts the comments by content (thanks Mrs. Tall!). Both of these documents are in the “Report card and progress report” button on Canvas. This will come in handy as you prepare your progress reports and when you are completing report cards.
Preparing for iReady Diagnostic 2: This presentation will help you talk to your students about their work. Please feel free to use it.
Testing Information: Here are the testing google slides that I have been updating almost daily. Please take a look and note all of the testing that will be going on from January 11 to February 12.
Need an extra hand? If you would like some help with clerical assistance, PLEASE let me know. I may be able to use my magic wand to help you!
Update Testing Dates: Please make sure you update your calendar for your grade level test dates.
Jan 19 - iReady reading testing 2 & 3
Jan 21 - iReady reading testing 2 & 3
Jan 25 - BOG3 Test and iReady reading testing 4 & 5 Cohort A
Jan 26 - BOG3 Test and iReady reading testing 4 & 5 Cohort A
Jan 28 - iReady reading testing 4 & 5 Cohort B
Jan 29 - iReady reading testing 4 & 5 Cohort B
Feb 1-5 - iReady math testing K-1 and 3-5
Feb 1-5 - CogAt testing all 2nd and select 5th graders
Feb 4 - 3:30 BOG3 test: remote learners and virtual academy
Feb 8-12 - iReady math testing 2nd grade
Feb 22-April 23 - ACCESS testing
Upcoming Dates:
January 18 - No School (MLK Day)
January 19 - 4th & 5th Cohort A Return
January 19 - Fire Drill @ 2:15
January 19 - SCC & Wellness Committees @ 3:30
January 20 - End of 2nd Quarter
January 21 - 4th & 5th Cohort B Return
January 21 - Fire Drill @ 8:30
January 22 - Teacher Workday
January 26 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30 (Boosterthon)
January 27 - Report Cards due to Ms. True
February 2 - 11 - Boosterthon (more info to come)
February 5 - Report Cards go home
Take a few minutes and check out this video with some helpful tips and activities for introducing new vocabulary!
Great vocab reminder using the video:)
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