Mr. Elkins' Weekly Wrap: Week of 12/5

Hey Panda Family,

We have gotten word that there are elves in Kernersville and they are going around to all the schools playing pranks and getting into mischief! Keep your eye out for these pesky elves next week. Hopefully they won't stir up trouble here at Piney Grove 🧝😉 Happy Holidays!

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

Lesson Plans Next Week: Please make sure you upload lesson plans for next week. We fully understand that you will be having fun events and holiday parties, but we would still like to see the learning that is taking place. Thanks :)

iReady Next Week: iReady is completely optional next week. We will not track class progress next week, but you are free to have your students practice.

Vision Screening Schedule: Vision Screening Please see the linked schedule for grades PK, 1st, 3rd, and 5th. This is Tuesday, December 13, 2022, in the cafeteria.

PBIS Movie Schedule: PBIS Movie Reward is next Friday, December 16, 2022. Below is the schedule.

K-1: 45 minutes, 9:00-9:45

2-3: 45 minutes, 10:15-11:00

4-5: 45 minutes, 11:05-11:50

MOY & Check-In Dates: Please refer to the list of MOY and NC Check-In dates below. Please mark your calendar.

Mclass/Dibels MOY (K-4): January 11 - February 2
iReady Reading MOY (K-5): Complete the week of January 23 - 27
iReady Math MOY (K-5): Complete the week of January 30 - February 3
K-2 Math Assessment: January 17 - 26
ELA Check-In (3-5): January 18
Math Check-In (3-5): January 20
Science Check-In (5th only): January 24

Core Awards Nominations (from Ms. Gant): It is time to nominate for the 2022-2023 Piney Grove Core Awards. There are four awards:

Teacher of the Year
Classified Employee of the Year
Certified Instructional Support Person of the Year
Volunteer of the Year

Please use the links below to nominate individuals for these awards. There are explanations listed on each Google Form. We will have nominations open until December 16th at 4:00pm. There will be voting links for each position when we return in January. Please see Mrs. Gant if you have any questions.

Nomination Links

Retirements: If you are planning to retire at the end of the year, please let myself and Ms. Owens know by the end of January. In order for all of the paperwork to be processed in a timely manner it is best to begin this process months in advance.

Recruiting Mentors! (from Ms. Gant): We are looking for teachers interested in becoming mentors for Beginning Teachers(BTs). There is a state-mandated online training that must be completed and then a local training. The online training is self-paced. Mentors serve BTs in their first, second, and third years of teaching. During a BTs first and second year of teaching, mentors are paid a monthly stipend for supporting their mentee. This link will explain the requirements to become a mentor.

Please complete this google form if you are interested in more information.

December Drills: We will have a Fire Drill and Secure in Place (previously Community Lockdown) early next week.

United Way Update (from Ms. Ballou): Here are the current totals for our school! Thank you to everyone who has pledged. There is still time to give! Pledging is open until December 9.

Today's total = $1525

Goal = $1738

Today's participation = 31.9%

Goal = 18%

As an incentive to give, we will be giving out prizes. You will get one entry for every $5 donated. We will pick 5 winners at the end of the United Way campaign. Prizes include gift cards to restaurants, PGE T-shirts, and a grand prize of lunch for you and a friend at the place of your choice.

An email was sent out on 10/17/22 with a link to pledge. I have included that link at the bottom. Payroll deduction is the easiest way to do it, but if you want to give cash/check, see me. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Pledge Now

Shout-Outs: Shout-out to all of 4th Grade, Specialists, and Ms. Staley for a wonderful Winter Musical performance! Also, shout-out to Ms. Sweeney for being an awesome member of the ukulele club and trying out a new instrument!

Important Items from Last Week

Class Holiday Parties: You may choose any day between now and Friday, December 16 to have your class holiday party. If you would please let Ms. Landreth know when your party is, so she can be prepared to help the parents and families sign in.

PBIS Update: The movies below are what we will show on December 16. Please share this information with your students.

Mickey's Christmas Carol, 26 min (K-1)

Alien Xmas, 42 min (2-3 AND 4-5)

After Thanksgiving Ms. Vaden will send a separate email with the spreadsheet and distribute the snack order forms.

PBIS Updates: Please see the PBIS updates below.

MOVIE FYIs:

Students will pay you for the movie and snacks.

Snack order forms were put in your mailboxes last Friday afternoon. If a student signs up for the movie, then give them an order form to mark the snacks they want. They'll give you the order form and money. (Here it is if you need more copies):

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H5NZeE_3J3LlUS79gPaFh6XPv6KfPTZE2VTMzOUSJGU/edit?usp=sharing.)

Please enter the number of students attending and the number of snacks ordered on this spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QKVSPKQU-7EqF8Ye16EhC36_S7hXPYQgT9Kl0ZI2Vwg/edit?usp=sharing by the morning of December 9.

On movie day (12/16) you'll send your students with their order forms at the scheduled time. We will distribute snacks as students go into the gym for the movie. (K/1 @ 9:00, 2/3 @ 10:15, 4/5 @ 11:05)

Students will be allowed to wear pajamas, bring a blanket or towel, and take their water bottle to the movie.

Working Remotely: Staff are allowed to work remotely or take leave on the December 19, 20, & 21st workdays. The building will be open all of these days for any staff that would like to work in their rooms.

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