Hey Panda Family,
I hope you had a wonderful last day with students as you head into winter break. I also want to take a moment to say thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication. Your work this first semester has inspired your students, uplifted your colleagues, and has created a sense of community and purpose in our school.
We are fortunate to have a really great calendar this year for winter break. To have a workday tomorrow to wrap up grades, call parents, etc. and then another two workdays to plan and prepare for the return of students on January 6th. Hopefully this will allow you to walk out the door tomorrow and not think about work for 12 straight days 😊. The time is built in so you can truly decompress and focus on yourselves and your families. You will have time to focus on work on the workdays when kids are not in the building, and you can really get caught up. Please unplug and truly focus on your own health and wellness over the break.
As you ring in the new year on January 1, 2025, I hope you will take time to reflect on the incredible impact you have made this school year so far. When our students return on January 6th, they will once again look to you for guidance, support, hope, and love; and I know you’ll continue to lead them with excellence and great care. Happy Holidays!
Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:
New Updates
Cathie Hayes: Ms. Cathie Hayes is officially retiring. We will greatly miss her, but we are also so happy for her. Cathie was my custodian as a first-year teacher sixteen years ago, so this is definitely bittersweet for me. We will begin the job search to fill her position. We will also formally celebrate Ms. Cathie's retirement at the end of the year.
United Way Winners: Thank you to everyone who donated to United Way! Ms. Rempe and Ms. Brookshire won the Target gift cards and Ms. Rempe won the free half day sub paid for by the school! Congrats!
Preparing Your Classroom/Office: The district is sending maintenance out to all buildings during the break to do energy checks. If you have a classroom or an office, an energy checklist was placed in your box this week. Before you leave for break, please make sure you complete the highlighted sections, check them off on the paper, sign the paper, and the tape it outside your door. Thank you!
Staff Laptops (from district): Technology Services is excited to announce new laptops are here and getting prepared for service. We will begin distribution in January working at multiple sites per week with expectations of district wide completion by April. Please take a moment to read through our official TECH ANNOUNCEMENT – STAFF LAPTOP REFRESH 2024 for detailed information regarding distribution expectations and preparation. The announcement also contains important information pertaining to changes in Windows operating system and software installation processes and approvals.
iReady MOY Diagnostic Results (1st - 5th Grade): Here are iReady growth results from our MOY diagnostic testing. We will discuss further in PLTs when we return from break.
Math Overall Growth: 58%
Reading Overall Growth: 68%
Top overall classes in Math
Edwards 93%
Honeycutt 90%
Gant 81%
Wise 81%
Musten 79%
Top overall classes in Reading
Vaden 173%
Gant 147%
Lomax 143%
Edwards 141%
Sherrill 120%
January Drills: We will only have a fire drill in January.
PBIS Updates: Please see the PBIS updates listed below.
- When we return please review and practice classroom and common area expectations.
- Classroom teachers should complete Code lesson #7
- All Paw Forms should be entered into Educator's Handbook before January 3
Shoutouts 🎉: Thank you so much to everyone for their hard work, flexibility, and patience this week! I saw so many examples of staff just stepping right in to help whether it was with covering for teammates that were sick, helping with face painting or the video game truck, or assisting visitors around the building. Y'all make me so very proud!
Updates from Last Week
Workday Guidance: Certified Staff & 12-Month Employees have three workdays coming up: December 20, January 2, and January 3. Teachers may work from school, work from home, or take leave. If you are taking leave, please fill out a white sheet and turn it in to Ms. Owens. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Mr. Elkins or Ms. Owens. Thanks!
Core Awards Nominations: It is time to nominate for the 2024-2025 Piney Grove Core Awards. There are four awards:
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 January 3rd. There will be voting links for each position the week of January 6th. Please see Mrs. Catherine Gant or Mrs. Kendall Rinfrette if you have any questions.
Talent Show Auditions (3rd - 5th only): Here is the electronic link for 3rd - 5th grade teachers to share with their parents if any of their students want to sign up for the talent show auditions. Here is the link - https://bit.ly/4fjhTEq. Please see Ms. Rempe if you have any questions. Thanks!
Committee Minutes: Please review the updated committee minutes.
IEP Minutes Document: Teachers will continue to take minutes during IEP meetings.
- Please delete verbs and suggested phrases from the document at the end of the meeting.
Upcoming Dates:
Dec. 19 - End of 2nd Quarter
Dec. 20 - Teacher Workday - building open @ 7:30
Jan. 2 - Teacher Workday - building open @ 7:30
Jan. 3 - Teacher Workday - building open @ 7:30
Jan. 3 - Report cards due to Ms. True
Jan. 6 - Students Return - 3rd Quarter Begins
Jan. 7 - Vision Screening- 1st grade, 3rd grade, and EC - Schedule Here Jan. 7 - PTA Meeting @ 6:00
Jan. 8 - Elkins off campus @ Principal's meeting
Jan. 10 - Mclass opens
Jan. 10 - Gardner off campus @ AP meeting
Jan. 10 - 4th Grade Math Check-in #2
Jan. 10 - Report cards go home
Jan. 13 - Gardner off campus until 10:30
Jan. 13 - ACCESS Testing window opens
Jan. 14 - EC Inclusive Practices meetings
Jan. 14 - SIT @ 3:30
Jan. 15 - Gardner off campus @ IF meeting
Jan. 15 - 3rd-5th Reading Check-in #2
Jan. 16 - 5th grade to visit KMS from 11:30-1:30
Jan. 16 - 5th grade parent night - Pathways to Advanced Classes @ 5:30
