Mr. Elkins' Weekly Wrap: February 2025

Hey Panda Family,

What a fun filled week! Talent Show, field trips, anniversary celebration of successful heart surgery for Izzy, free t-shirts from PTA, and Ms. Lomax being recognized as the Beginning Teacher of the Month for the district! 😊 Our village makes me so proud! One more week and then we will have spring break. Keep pushing forward, keep working hard, and keep being Champions! Have a wonderful weekend. 🐼

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

Read Across America Week: Next week is Read Across America Week. Please join in on the fun for Spirit Week! See the graphic below.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Staff Tournament: All staff will participate (mandatory fun - Lol) in our staff Rock, Paper, Scissors tournament on Friday, March 7. Here are the instructions and rules: Rock, Papers Scissors Challenge

March Drills: We will knock out all our drills for the month before spring break.

Fire Drill - TBA
March 5 - State-wide Tornado Drill @ 9:30

2025 NC Annual Statewide Tornado Drill

9:30 am: a Tornado WATCH will be announced.

Watches are called for an area when conditions exist for the formation of tornados, but no tornado has yet formed or been sighted.
NO action is required of employees during a WATCH.

9:45 am: a Tornado WARNING will be announced. The Tornado Drill will start with this announcement.

Warnings are called when a tornado has been sighted nearby.
Accordingly, ONCE the WARNING has been announced, employees are to move immediately to the nearest Tornado Shelter Areas designated for your school.

March 6 - Lockdown Drill @ 2:10

Fire Marshal: We had our spring inspection on Tuesday, February 25, 2025. Thank you to everyone for making sure we are in compliance.

Step Challenge (from Ms. Fox): Our Staff Step Challenge is underway!

Here are the details you need in order to participate in the STAFF STEP CHALLENGE:

Starts February 24^th (Monday); Ends March 6th (Thursday)
If you do not have a watch or anything to track your steps, I can help you download an app on your phone to track your steps 🙂
I plan to send out a Leadership Board throughout the challenge.
Prizes for the top five highest step count at the end of the challenge. Shoutout to PTA for the prizes!
Here is the Google Sheets link: STEP CHALLENGE SHEETS
You will log the total amount of steps you take in one day...The steps are not restricted to only school hours...I am fine with you logging your steps into the google sheets the day after.
Weekends are fair game! Log in steps you get Saturday and Sunday. This should motivate us to get fresh air on the weekend. Hiking, walking the dog, family walks, etc.
IMPORTANT: On March 6th (last day of challenge), please log in steps by 8pm that night so I can give out prizes Friday before Spring Break. 🙂

Updates from Last Week

Report Cards 3rd Quarter: 3rd Quarter Report Cards will be due to Ms. True by the end of the day on Monday, March 17. They will go home on Friday, March 21.

MOY State of the School Presentation: Here is a link to the presentation from this week's staff meeting that has all of our mid-year data - MOY State of the School 24-25

FCAE Working Conditions Survey: If all staff could please take 5-10 minutes to complete the FCAE Working Conditions survey. Deadline to participate is March 2. Click here to take the survey.

Extended Learning Plan Tutoring (K-5 Teachers only): All K-5 teachers will complete this form to submit a student for Extended Learning Plan after-school tutoring. Please make sure the student you identify is a bubble student, has a good work ethic, is not a behavior problem, and is just a little extra support away from being proficient. If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Elkins. Extended Learning Plan Form

PTA Reimbursements: All PTA reimbursements are due by April 30. Please make sure you keep your receipt. Here is the link to complete your reimbursement request - PTA Reimbursement Link

Updated Piney Grove Calendar: Please take time to review the PGE Event Calendar 2024-2025. We have added EOG Dates, adjusted Awards Day celebrations, and set a date for 5th grade graduation. Please review and mark your calendar accordingly. Here is a link to the calendar: PGE Event Calendar 2024-2025
Awards Celebrations
Kindergarten - May 16 @ 10:00
1st Grade - May 14 @ 12:00
2nd Grade - May 16 @ 12:00
3rd Grade - May 20 @ 10:00
4th Grade - May 20 @ 12:00
5th Grade - May 21 @ 10:00
EOG Dates
Reading EOG - May 13
Math EOG - May 15
Science EOG - May 19
Read to Achieve - May 19

PGE Substitute List: Here is the updated list - PGE Substitute List.

Committee Minutes: Please review the updated committee minutes.

WS/FCS Interpreter Services: If you need a district interpreter, here is the link to request one. REQUEST FOR INTERPRETATION SERVICES LINK

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.

Here is a link to the document: IEP Minutes Template

Upcoming Dates:

PGE Event Calendar 2024-2025

Mar. 3-7 - Read Across America - Spirit Week - READ Across America 2025

Mar. 4 - SIT @ 3:30

Mar. 4 - PBIS @ 3:30

Mar. 4 - PTA @ 6:00

Mar. 5 - Gardner @ IF meeting

Mar. 5 - State-wide Tornado Drill

Mar. 5 - 4th grade - Our Musical History - Gym (9:30)

Mar. 6 - Author visit - Grades 1-3 @ 9:15-10:00 - Gym

Mar 6 - Lockdown Drill @ 2:10

Mar. 7 - Last day of 3^rd quarter

Mar. 7 - Staff Fun - Rock, Papers Scissors Challenge

Mar. 10-14 - Spring Break!!!

Mar. 17 - Report Cards due to Ms. True

Mar. 17- Apr. 17 - Cereal Drive

Mar. 18 - 3rd- 5th ELA Check-in #3

Mar. 18 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30

Mar. 19 - Elkins @ Principal's meeting

Mar. 20-21- 5th grade Williamsburg - Elkins will attend

Mar. 21- Career Fair - Career Fair Schedule

Mar. 21- Report cards go home

Hey Panda Family,

It was an unconventional week, but still a good one! I hope we can leave the snow behind us now and welcome spring 🌞 With spring comes new growth and new beauty. Our students continue to grow and blossom thanks to your hard work and efforts. Keep smiling, keep working hard, and keep supporting one another. Keep being a Champion! 🐼

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

Allotment Recap: Here is a recap of what I shared in this week's staff meeting. All schools have received their allotment numbers for next school year. Most schools, including us, took hits in some areas. Luckily, I should be able to offset ours to be able to keep everyone. Not every school is this fortunate and you may hear of some schools having to make cuts or surplus individuals. At this time, I do not anticipate hiring any additional staff members for next school year but instead making a few internal moves to offset the areas where we took a hit. I only anticipate having to make a few internal moves. I also don't anticipate having the funds to pay for iReady like we have in years past. I have my individual allotment meeting with the Director of Human Resources on Monday morning. After that meeting I will know exactly what internal movements need to occur and I will begin having those conversations. My #1 goal is to keep our family together, even if that means a few of our family members have new roles for next school year. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Talent Show: All grade levels will attend our school Talent Show on Friday, February 28 @ 8:45.

Report Cards 3rd Quarter: 3rd Quarter Report Cards will be due to Ms. True by the end of the day on Monday, March 17. They will go home on Friday, March 21.

MOY State of the School Presentation: Here is a link to the presentation from this week's staff meeting that has all of our mid-year data - MOY State of the School 24-25

FCAE Working Conditions Survey: If all staff could please take 5-10 minutes to complete the FCAE Working Conditions survey. Deadline to participate is March 2. Click here to take the survey.

Fire Marshal Inspection: Our spring fire marshal inspection will be sometime this month. See Mrs. Gardner if you have any questions. Please make sure:

You have nothing blocking exits (5-6 blocks)
You unplug and put away all smelly plug-ins
There should not be anything hanging from the ceiling or hanging over the door
Extra desks in the hallway need to be brought into the classroom until after the inspection

Step Challenge (from Ms. Fox): We are starting our Staff Step Challenge next week!

Here are the details you need in order to participate in the STAFF STEP CHALLENGE:

Starts February 24^th (Monday); Ends March 6th (Thursday)
If you do not have a watch or anything to track your steps, I can help you download an app on your phone to track your steps 🙂
I plan to send out a Leadership Board throughout the challenge.
Prizes for the top five highest step count at the end of the challenge. Shoutout to PTA for the prizes!
Here is the Google Sheets link: STEP CHALLENGE SHEETS
You will log the total amount of steps you take in one day...The steps are not restricted to only school hours...I am fine with you logging your steps into the google sheets the day after.
Weekends are fair game! Log in steps you get Saturday and Sunday. This should motivate us to get fresh air on the weekend. Hiking, walking the dog, family walks, etc.
IMPORTANT: On March 6th (last day of challenge), please log in steps by 8pm that night so I can give out prizes Friday before Spring Break. 🙂

MTSS Plan Review: Please see the updates below and reach out to Barnes and Gardner if you have questions.

Tier 3 plans will be reviewed the week of February 24

Feb. 27- Tier 3 review with WS/FCS Interpreter- schedule

Please share the date and time with your parents

Feb. 24, 25, 26 - All other Tier 3 meetings - schedule

Brisk AI (from Ms. Epperley): Brisk is a District approved AI extension tool (for Staff only).

Need to translate assignments? Relevel a website? AI can help!

Click on Brisk in the google chrome store. https://chromewebstore.google.com/search/brisk
Add the Brisk Teaching extension.
The Brisk icon will appear on your tool bar.
Click Create to make curriculum content, quizzes, rubrics, and more.
Click Change Level to relevel or translate any text including google doc, websites, articles, etc.

Keypad Access (from district): In the coming weeks we will be removing staff codes from the keypad access at your doors. Student access will remain the same. This is due to a vulnerability where students have learned staff codes, allowing them to access the building during times when only staff should have access. Staff members should use their district badge to access the various doors. If you have staff that do not have an operational badge, they can come to HR and get one made.

Updates from Last Week

Extended Learning Plan Tutoring (K-5 Teachers only): All K-5 teachers will complete this form to submit a student for Extended Learning Plan after-school tutoring. Please make sure the student you identify is a bubble student, has a good work ethic, is not a behavior problem, and is just a little extra support away from being proficient. If you have any questions please reach out to Mr. Elkins. Extended Learning Plan Form

PTA Reimbursements: All PTA reimbursements are due by April 30. Please make sure you keep your receipt. Here is the link to complete your reimbursement request - PTA Reimbursement Link

Updated District Calendar: WS/FCS will make up its weather closure days March 7, April 21, and May 21, 22, and 23. Please visit the district website to download the updated calendars for this year and next school year.

Updated Piney Grove Calendar: Please take time to review the PGE Event Calendar 2024-2025. We have added EOG Dates, adjusted Awards Day celebrations, and set a date for 5th grade graduation. Please review and mark your calendar accordingly. Here is a link to the calendar: PGE Event Calendar 2024-2025
Awards Celebrations
Kindergarten - May 16 @ 10:00
1st Grade - May 14 @ 12:00
2nd Grade - May 16 @ 12:00
3rd Grade - May 20 @ 10:00
4th Grade - May 20 @ 12:00
5th Grade - May 21 @ 10:00
EOG Dates
Reading EOG - May 13
Math EOG - May 15
Science EOG - May 19
Read to Achieve - May 19

New Laptops: Our new staff laptops will be delivered and distributed on March 28. More info to come.

ACCESS Testing (from Ms. Lloyd): ACCESS testing starts on Monday 1/27/2025 for Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. If you have students participating in ACCESS testing, you will have an envelope(s) in your mailbox to send home in the student's Friday folders explaining ACCESS testing. Thank you for your helping in putting those in their folders.

Mrs. Pereda will be testing for the next 5 weeks (1/27/2025 - 2/28/2025). Please do not send your students to Mrs. Pereda. She will come and get them when it is time for them to test.

Here is the schedule for ACCESS testing: ACCESS testing 1/27 - 2/28

Remember this schedule often changes with absences and we will not be able to fill out the rest until the students take the first 2 parts of the test. Kindergarten Assistants will be helping with proctoring during the times listed on the schedule.

Thank you and please let me or Mrs. Pereda know if you have any questions.