Sunday, February 27, 2022

Week of 2/21 - 2/25

Hey Panda Family,


We are halfway through 3rd Quarter! Because of the limited breaks, 3rd Quarter always feels like a marathon. Pace yourself, and enjoy the teacher workday this Friday to catch your breath. Have fun with the Boosterthon kickoff this week 😊 Starting on Tuesday, March 1 you will take your class to the gym for their huddles at the beginning of Specials. Please make sure you stay for the duration of the huddle. Be silly, be a cheerleader, and let your guard down - your kids will love it! Hope you have a wonderful week! 

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:


No Staff PD on March 3rd: I have had several staff members reach out asking about the scheduled PD for March 3 afterschool. We cancelled all of our in-house PD sessions this year to give you time to work on LETRS and other required trainings. Please use the time on March 3 to work on LETRS, Mental Health trainings, etc. 



3rd Quarter Progress Reports: Progress reports for 3rd quarter should go home this week. Please make sure grades are updated in PowerSchool. 


K-2, you will print off progress reports from PowerSchool like we did for 2nd Quarter. 

Here are the how-to videos: K-2 SBG Progress Report, Adding Grade Scale Descriptors


3-5, please let parents know that grades are updated in Parent Portal. 



MTSS Grade Level Meetings: We will not have scheduled PLTs the week of March 7th - 11th (you will still have PLT coverage). Instead, all grade levels will have a scheduled time to meet with Ms. Balint, our MTSS Coordinator, to update and review plans. These MTSS grade level meetings will occur on Tuesday, March 8th during your Specials time. Here is the schedule:


March 8th MTSS Meetings

8:30 - 4th grade (Tall's room)

9:20 - 2nd grade (Howell's room)

10:10 - 1st grade (Harman's room)

11:00 - Kindergarten (Sloan's room)

12:00 - 5th grade (Medley's room)

1:30 - 3rd grade (Gant's room) 


Boosterthon Kickoff Video: Please make sure your students watch the Boosterthon kickoff video tomorrow before dismissal. The link to the video is below. 

  • Have students watch this video on 2/28 (we will watch as a school at 2:40 on 2/28)

Boosterthon T-Shirt: Please wear your Boosterthon t-shirt on Tuesday, March 1 to celebrate our kick-off.



Boosterthon Presentation (from PTA): Please see the message below from PTA. 


https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WmUjFwC9n0pPYBlBIqbPOHF-aevLdWUD/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102036158558736897566&rtpof=true&sd=true

From Ms. Hurley:

I took the time to add in the benefit of each tier to help the teachers understand the "why" behind our thought process.  I do want to invite anyone who has questions/comments/concerns to bring them to us.  Feedback only makes these initiatives better!  
I also wanted to take the opportunity to say that I think some things are being spoken into existence that aren't true about the Calm Down room (previously called the Sensory room).  I have heard multiple individuals state that it is a room for kids who are having a hard time/meltdown/etc.  This is absolutely not the intention of the space.  We envision this room to be an extension of the library, allowing for any student to be able to use the room as needed.  This room should be available to all students as a safe place to deescalate, and destress.  Hope that helps!



Mid-Year Parent Conferences: Even if you haven't completed all of your Mid-Year conferences please complete this Google form to let us know where you stand - Mid-Year Parent Conferences Completed. Thanks!



March Drills: We have 3 drills this month: fire, lockdown, and tornado (district)

3rd Quarter Check-ins: Testing will take place March 16th, 17th, and 18th.  Please see preliminary plans linked below.   
ELA                 


We Care Cereal Drive (from Ms. Ceglowski): Please see the info below from Ms. Ceglowski and Student Council.
  • Student Council is holding a cereal drive to benefit a local organization, Crisis Control.  Our school participated last year and it was really successful! 
  •  I am going to assign K-2 classrooms a Student Rep to collect boxes in the mornings. 
  • This Rep will have a blurb to say to the class very briefly on Tuesday - the start of the collection drive.  Please allow them this opportunity to show leadership.  
  • 3-5 Classes will get this information from their own class rep.  
  • We will not be counting class totals as there is a LOT going on over the next few weeks. This should be very easy and low maintenance for classroom teachers.

Good Citizen: Please add your class good citizen for February here if you have not done so already.  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1g-RYCjQWmGzmqD1cF3-q0LDDBxjdtYB2Dbi65p8WvQA/edit?usp=sharing


Media Center Updates (from Ms. Epperley): Please see the Media Center updates below.

Read Across America Week: This week we will celebrate Read Across America! Please join in on the fun-filled theme days listed below:


Monday: Red-y to Read – Wear Red

Tuesday: Hats off to Reading - Wear your favorite hat to school

Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday - Wear wacky socks!

Thursday: Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Wear your favorite college/school shirt

Friday: No School (Teacher Workday)

3-5 students need Chromebooks for media this week.
 

Morning Announcements: Ms. Ceglowski will email out the student video announcement links. 



Shoutout: Shoutout to all the individuals that helped chaperone and pull off our Putt-Putt field trips over the last two weeks! 



Technology Updates


⌨️ Resources for Developing Keyboarding Skills with Primary Students: Do your students tend to hunt and peck while trying to enter their username and password,  or better yet, do you want your students to develop keyboarding skills that will assist them in creating a typewritten project or report? If so, then there are online resources that you can utilize in your classroom to achieve this goal. 
The following resources have been highly recommended to me and are gamified which will appeal to younger children. The best part is that they are FREE!!! 
As always, if you would like for me to come in during your small group time and work with students as they work through some of the activities, please let me know!
📆 Out of the Office: I will be away this Thursday, March 3rd, and Friday, March 4th to attend NCTIES in Raleigh. This is a conference focused on instructional technology and where I get most of my PD. I will be attending sessions which will be beneficial to you the teachers and students. In addition, I am presenting a session on Hidden Treasures: Tech Tools Off the Beaten Path. 



IF Updates

Need assistance while I am out?  Contact one of these wonderful folks: 

ELA- Kathryn Kear kakear@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Math- Adrienne Egerton abegerton@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Early Learning- Anna Crisp amcrisp@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

MTSS- Robyn Varga rmvarga@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

PLT- Mollie Jenkins mbjenkins@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

AIG/CogAt/ITBS school-based questions- Teresa Sweeney tsweeney@wsfcs.k12.nc.us



Upcoming Dates:

February 28 - Boosterthon Video @ 2:40 (link in the WW)
March 1 - Boosterthon Begins
March 1 - Go Far Registration Deadline
March 1 - PBIS & MTAC Committees meet @ 3:30
March 2 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting
March 2 - 1st & 2nd Grade Sound Wall Training @ 3:30
March 3 - Gardner @ IF Meeting
March 3 - No Staff PD (Work on LETRS)
March 3 - Progress Reports go home
March 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
March 7 - 3rd Grade RTA Virtual Meeting for Parents @ 5:30
March 8 - SIT @ 3:30
March 8 - PTA Spirit Night @ Elizabeth's Pizza in Walkertown
March 10 - Boosterthon Fun-Run (times TBD)




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Sunday, February 20, 2022

Week of 2/14 - 2/18

Hey Panda Family,


Whew! We survived Valentine's Day and a full moon in the same week! Thank you for your hard work this week. Big shout out to SCC for the delicious hot chocolate bombs with the sweet notes. We hope you had a restful weekend and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. You deserve it! 🌞

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:



Mental Health Training: The State is requiring select positions to complete a variety of mental health trainings. We are working to create time during your scheduled work hours for you to complete the trainings. Please do not fret about these trainings. We are going to help you. This is what we have received from the district so far: 


NC General Assembly Law 2020-7 and the NC State Board School-Based Mental Health

Policy require PSUs to develop a mental health training program. This training is

required for the following school personnel in WS/FCS: principals, asst. principals,

teachers, counselors, psychologists, social workers, and CFST nurses.


See here for amended information on the WS/FCS Mental Health Training Program,

including courses and information on how they can be accessed. Modules are to be

completed by May 31, 2022.


Boosterthon: This year PTA randomly surveyed a handful of teachers and spoke with administration to get fundraiser ideas for Boosterthon. The ideas they are promoting are a fully furnished news room for our 5th grade news team, a sensory room to help our counseling department, musical/sensory additions to the playground, resurfacing both blacktops and painting a movement course, new basketball court, and four square. Here are the links to the videos from this week's staff meeting. Please make sure you register.


  • Have students watch this video on 2/28 (we will watch as a school at 2:40 on 2/28)


Student Discipline: Over the past few weeks we have seen a major uptick in office discipline referrals. In an effort to help mitigate these issues, please review class and school expectations for behavior in your Morning Meetings this week. Students should know your expectations, and if they are not following them please make sure you issue PAW forms and follow-up with parents via Dojo or phone calls. Hopefully by reviewing the PBIS expectations we can reduce the number of referrals and help eliminate behavior disruptions in your classroom. One suggestion - please make sure to separate students at recess and lunch that may cause issues with each other. The non-structured times are when we normally see the most issues. However, if you ever do have the need for an office referral we are always here to help! 



Classroom Trashcans & Student Chairs: We have been working diligently with SMO and our maintenance department to improve the cleanliness of our building. In an effort to improve efficiency, please help our cleaning crew by placing classroom trashcans outside your room at the end of the day and have students place chairs on top of their table/desk before they leave. These are both great tasks/jobs to assign students. Thank you! 



Covid Updates: Here are the latest Covid updates from the district.

  • No changes to staff or students that test POSITIVE
  • Students deemed as "close contacts" (school, home, or community) will no longer be required to exclude from school as long as they are symptom-free
  • Parents will be notified when deemed a close contact from a positive case at school, but will not be required to exclude from school as long as they are symptom-free
  • Students that are "symptomatic" and sent home from school will need a negative PCR test or alternate diagnosis to return.


Wooden Loft (from SCC): We have tables reserved for us on Thursday, February 24 at the Wooden Loft in Kernersville.  If you are interested in joining in on the fun, please follow the instructions below to sign up and choose your project. Please reach out to Ms. Mathis if you have any questions. 

 Here’s what to do...👉🏼go to www.thewoodenloft.com
👉🏼go to PROJECTS👉🏼look under the different categories (choose from planks, framed, oversized or tabletop)👉🏼pick out the project you want to do (each sign has its own name)👉🏼then go to CALENDAR and choose the Kernersville location👉🏼click on the Feb 24th workshop Piney Grove Gals👉🏼 this is where you will register👉🏼there is a scroll down menu to pick your project and just fill in the required info from there
👉🏼Please register by Feb 22nd


Media Center Updates (from Ms. Epperley): Please see the Media Center updates below.

PGE Winter Reading Olympics Feb 7-Mar 7
K-5 students will be working to win the gold for their class! K-2 have a form to fill out and turn in for the class with the most minutes.  3-5 students will fill out a google form for the most pages read.  There will be Gold, Silver, Bronze, Platinum and Honorable Mention Awards given to each class.  Gold medal winners will receive a special Freezer Pop Day! (All forms and rewards will go to the media center.)
Battle of the Books
4-5 students participating in Battle of the Books will be practicing on Wed and Fri mornings from 7:50-8:20am in the media center, starting Feb 9 through Mar 2.
3-5 students need Chromebooks for media this week.
 

ACCESS Testing: Mrs. Pereda should finish ACCESS testing this week.


Morning Announcements: Ms. Ceglowski will email out the student video announcement links. 



Shoutout: From Mr. Collins - A big shoutout to Ms. Keller's class for showing kindness and inclusion to a friend at the playground this past week! 



Technology Updates


TWOSDAY (2-22-22) Resources (Ontario Expectations) - PixelArt Reformatting of Mary Meyer & Crystal Harris's work. Thank you for your original formatting!
📢 A huge shoutout to Martha Howell, ITF at Cash & Walkertown for sharing with us!!! Feel free to use if you would like. If you would like for me to assist you and your students with anything, please let me know!
Other Ideas (in PDF Form - Activities for K-6) that my team helped to curate:



IF Updates

Need assistance while I am out?  Contact one of these wonderful folks: 

ELA- Kathryn Kear kakear@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Math- Adrienne Egerton abegerton@wsfcs.k12.nc.us

Early Learning- Anna Crisp amcrisp@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

MTSS- Robyn Varga rmvarga@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

PLT- Mollie Jenkins mbjenkins@wsfcs.k12.nc.us 

AIG/CogAt/ITBS school-based questions- Teresa Sweeney tsweeney@wsfcs.k12.nc.us



Items from Previous Weeks


Mid-Year Parent Conferences: Just like we have done in year's past, we would like all PreK - 5th grade teachers to complete Mid-Year Parent conferences with all of your families. The primary focus of this conference should be to review MOY results, discuss behavior concerns/successes, and to set a positive tone with each family for the remainder of the school year (make sure to always start each conference with something positive and end with something positive). These conferences should be brief and most will last 10-15 minutes. You may schedule them in-person, over the phone, or through Zoom (your choice). Please have these conferences completed no later than Friday, February 25. When you have completed all of your Mid-Year conferences please complete this Google form to let us know - Mid-Year Parent Conferences Completed. Thanks!



Upcoming Dates:

February 22 - Gardner @ AP Meeting 8:00 - 12:00  
February 22 - Bus Driver Appreciation Day
February 22 - SCC & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30
February 25 - Mid-Year Parent Conferences need to be completed
February 25 - Putt-Putt (3rd-5th)
February 28 - Boosterthon Video @ 2:40 (link in the WW)
March 1 - Boosterthon Begins
March 1 - Go Far Registration Deadline
March 1 - PBIS & MTAC Committees meet @ 3:30
March 2 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting
March 2 - 1st & 2nd Grade Sound Wall Training @ 3:30
March 3 - Gardner @ IF Meeting
March 3 - No Staff PD (Work on LETRS)
March 3 - Progress Reports go home
March 4 - No School (Teacher Workday)
March 7 - 3rd Grade RTA Virtual Meeting for Parents @ 5:30
March 8 - SIT @ 3:30
March 8 - PTA Spirit Night @ Elizabeth's Pizza in Walkertown
March 10 - Boosterthon Fun-Run (times TBD)


In the spirit of finishing up your mid-year parent conferences. I hope you enjoy!




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