Mr. Elkins' Weekly Wrap: Week of 10/17-10/21

Hey Panda Family,

Can you believe it - next week will be the last week of Quarter 1! It has gone by fast! We are THRIVING in so many ways: the meaningful relationships you are fostering with your students, our student population is growing at a healthy rate, the largest PTA volunteer support that we have seen since I have been here, and most importantly the positive atmosphere and vibe throughout the building (you can feel it!). I appreciate each one of you so much and you are what make PGE so great 🐼

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

Who Do I See at PGE?: We had to create this document at my last Principal's Meeting. I thought it would be helpful to share with everyone in case you needed to know who is the primary point of contact that can help you here at PGE. Check out the form here - Who Do I See at PGE?

LETRS: This is just a friendly reminder to continue to make progress on your LETRS trainings. Thanks for your hard work with this professional development!

Fire Drill: Our October fire drill will be unannounced and take place next week.

PBIS Event (Friday, October 28 during specials): Teachers will stay to supervise and help students rotate between stations. (Rotation schedule will be sent closer to date.) Students not participating will be with other specialists.

Math Check-in (Tuesday, October 25): Specials and lunch will continue as normal. Please make sure students are quiet as they move around the building.

FOR TEST ADMINISTRATORS

Pick up your materials in Media Center from 7:30 to 8:05
Begin collecting electronic devices as soon as the students come to the room
Begin Testing when you are ready - except 4^th will begin after specials.
No students will be admitted to a testing session once testing begins
Hang up your test sign on your door
Take your phone off the hook
Slide your STOP card (not all are red) under the door for the following reasons:

Child restroom
Adult restroom
Technology issue
Child issue
More paper
More pencils
Random issue(s) or questions
Down to 3 or less students after 2 hours
All DONE and ready to turn in materials 🙂

Oc. 25 Math - 3,4,5

PD Opportunity: Total Physical Response (TPR) is a method of teaching language or vocabulary concepts by using physical movement to react to verbal input. The process mimics the way that infants learn their first language. It also reduces student inhibitions and lowers stress. The purpose of TPR is to create a brain link between speech and action to boost language and vocabulary learning.

Total Physical Response (TPR) may be used to teach many types of vocabulary but works best when teaching vocabulary connected with action. It is an effective strategy to use with English Language Learners as well as with native speakers when learning new words.

In the first session, participants will build background knowledge as they learn the basics of TPR. In the second session, participants will practice various ways to use this effective strategy to enable students of all ages and backgrounds to learn new vocabulary.

Dates: October 27 and November 10, 2022

Times: 4:00 – 6:00

Location: West Forsyth High School Media Center

Link to register: (Note: Participants should check “Register for All”.)

https://pulse.kickup.co/events/collection/Axh98pxkYqAzErusYWXytT/schedule

Media Updates (from Ms. Epperley): Here are the updates from Ms. Epperley in the Media Center.

Book Order Survey: Please help us order books for the library that you and your students want to read! Fill out this survey for yourself and again with your class. We will be sending it out on Dojo, too, so encourage your families to participate. Thank you!

3-5 Classes bring Chomebooks to media specials.

Battle of the Books Interest meeting for 4^th and 5^th grade: Wednesday, Oct 26 at 8:00am in media center.

Shout-Outs: Shout out to Ms. Staley, Ms. Gant, and Ms. Vaden for being awarded one of the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce grants! These grants will help with ukuleles, stem bins, and informational books about the 50 states. Congratulations to each of you!

Shout out from Ms. Lloyd - First, I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU to this wonderful staff who all understand that testing is a part of what we need to do and are respectful when testing is happening, who attend the required trainings and who fill out ALL the forms that are required without any fuss. I very much appreciate the feeling that we are all in this together and we will get it done and help our students succeed.

Also, I want to give a shout out to everyone who has been very understanding with my limited ability during testing and has pitched in to help. Even the little things make a big difference, and it is very much appreciated!! I especially want to give a huge shout out to Ms. Phillips for being my legs and running around for me on testing mornings and helping prepare the bins for the next day!!! THANK YOU!!!

Important Items from Last Week

PBIS Event (10/28): Our first event is October 28 at specials. Students will participate in three stations for 10 minutes each - BINGO with Ms. Staley, a collaborative art project with Mrs. Mason, and Taekwondo with Master Posey. The cost is 50 Paw Bucks, paid to teachers. Teachers will enter how many students are participating here by 10/21. Teachers will stay to supervise and help students rotate between stations. (Rotation schedule will be sent closer to date.) Students not participating will be with other specialists.

LETRS 1/2 Day Planning (for all Certified Staff completing LETRS): All Certified Staff that are completing LETRS may sign up with Ms. Pam Mason for a free 1/2 day to work on completing your coursework. You may sign up for one slot between now and the end of December. You may pick either a morning or afternoon session. Please make sure to leave Ms. Mason detailed sub plans. See Ms. Mason's schedule below to look over available dates. You may choose any day that is listed as "LETRS". Please reach out to Ms. Mason to schedule it. I hope this helps!

Pam Mason's Schedule

Open Enrollment Health Benefits (from district): The NC State Health Plan (SHP) is currently gearing up for the 2023 Open Enrollment (OE) period scheduled Monday, October 10, 2022- Friday, October 28, 2022 and WS/FCS Human Resources wants to keep you in the know! We encourage you to TAKE ACTION during this time to remain within your preferred medical benefit coverage option or to elect coverage within the plan. You may also enroll in or make changes to current coverage options within the Ameritas Group Dental Plan benefit, during this segment of Open Enrollment.

Active members and employees planning for NC SHP Open Enrollment can find information on the BlueCross BlueShield NC (BCBSNC) medical plans and locate valuable resources in preparation for the 2023 benefit coverage year at the NC SHP website. Visit this link to learn more.

Remember, if you are currently enrolled in the BCBSNC Enhanced 80/20 or Base 70/30 PPO plan, in order to continue receiving the monthly $60 period credit, you must complete the Tobacco Attestation Wellness Credit task during Open Enrollment in eBenefits [Login Page (hrintouch.com)] (no matter your current active enrollment status) and complete at least one Tobacco Cessation Counseling session, if you are a tobacco user.

Pope Foundation Donation: I have some great news to share! All Kernersville schools have been gifted $15,000 from the Pope family to spend how they best see fit. Our School Improvement Team has already begun to brainstorm ideas, but we would like your input too! We want to think big and strive for something that will benefit all. Here is the link to share your ideas: Pope Foundation $ Survey

Sub List: Here is the most up-to-date substitute list, Pam Mason's availability, and the direct link to Frontline. Please use these resources to find a sub in case you have to be out. Please reach out to Ms. Owens if you have any questions.

Substitutes

Pam Mason's Schedule

Frontline