Hey Panda Family,
If I can be vulnerable for just a second, I want to apologize if I have seemed distracted or off these first few weeks. Between an overload of parent issues, finding out we didn't meet growth for a second year in a row, and the normal grind of the first two weeks I have just been in a funk. I have had some wonderful people remind me not to focus solely on the few negatives when there is so much positive happening within our school walls. We are still the highest rated school in Kernersville, now the most populated elementary school in Kernersville, and we have a staff that loves and cares for each other like a family. All too often we focus on the bad and we overlook all the many blessings that are in our life. Thank you to each of you for being a blessing in my life. I appreciate all your hard work and I hope you have a wonderful weekend 🐼
Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:
New Updates
Dibels/Mclass Window: The Dibels/Mclass window closes next Friday, September 4. Please make sure you have assessed all the required probes with your students by then.
Dibels/Mclass Score Levels: Please see this document for the updated score levels for Dibels -
DIBELS® 8th Edition Benchmark GoalsStudent Records (from Ms. True): Please remember that all students grades 1 through 5, new to PGE this year, have records in my office that need to be checked and signed off on. Kinder - your new files are in the vault.
Gradebook Guru PowerPoint: Here is the PowerPoint from district office providing gradebook support if you need it. You must be logged into your WSFCS account to view. Here is the link: Gradebook Guru PowerPoint
CPR Certified: The district is asking schools to compile a list of staff that are CPR Certified. Each school needs to have a minimum of 2-3 people who are certified. They are also looking to offer CPR training to staff on upcoming teacher workdays. If you are CPR Certified would you please text or email me letting me know. Thank you!
Lunch in Classroom: If you decide to have your students eat lunch in the classroom, please make sure you ask for a large black trash bag for your trash (this should only happen occasionally). Please place all lunch trash in large black trash bags and put outside your door for the custodian staff to get. Thank you!
Standard Response Protocol Video (from district): In the Vector training, Safety and Security Protocols, the video that is intended to show students is not working. The I Love You Guys Foundation recently updated the video, and our training still points to the old one, which when launched says it is private. Please pass this link: https://youtu.be/jH-EY3yGZDs to your staff. This is the updated video intended to be shown to students. We apologize for the issues and are working with Vector to update the link.
Paw Form Consequences: If a student receives a paw form they need to also receive a consequence here at school. Here is the list of acceptable and unacceptable classroom consequences if a student gets a Paw Form. Here is the list: Paw Form Consequences
Shoutouts: From Ms. Rempe - I have a shoutout to Ms. Gardner for saving a stuck book from the book machine. She was able to rescue and personally deliver to my student. So glad she is back to Piney Grove full time!
Happy Birthday: Please join me in celebrating our birthdays for the month of September 🎂
- September 2 - Happy Birthday to Kristen Biance!
- September 3 - Happy Birthday to Lana Panico!
- September 4 - Happy Birthday to Jessica Medley!
- September 7 - Happy Birthday to Kendall Rinfrette!
- September 14 - Happy Birthday to Ashley Owens!
- September 27 - Happy Birthday to Kaylie Fox!
- September 27 - Happy Birthday to Karen Smith (Custodian)!
- September 29 - Happy Birthday to Gwen Ashburn!
Previous Updates
Join PTA: If you haven't done so already, please make sure you join PTA to show your support. It is really important to me that they know how much we appreciate them, and this is one simple way to do just that. Here is the link to join: Join PTA
Fire Safety Newsletter: Please make sure you read over the fire safety newsletter that Ms. Gardner reviewed in our staff meeting this past week. The Fire Marshal will be coming during the month of September. Here is a link to the newsletter: Fire Safety Newsletter
Shoe Drive: The 5th Grade is holding a shoe drive to help raise funds for their Williamsburg field trip. See all the details below.
- What: Help us raise funds by donating gently worn, used and new shoes! Be sure to ask, friends, family, neighbors and co-workers to donate too! Collected shoes not only help support us, but they will be reused and given a second life by those in need through #microenterprise. It's a WIN-WIN!
- Why: To help 5th grade pay for students in financial need, to go on the Williamsburg field trip. We are hoping to raise enough funds to pay for 4 students (over $1200)
- How: You can help by gently reminding students to bring in any old shoes they may have at their home. Post a flyer on your Dojo. Check your home for any shoes that could be donated.
- Where: Shoes should be placed in the designated box in the front
- When: Now through October 9th.
Pandagrams: Just a friendly reminder that all students should receive a Pandagram before the end of the quarter. Thank you to everyone who has already begun their positive communication home to start the year!
Picture of Students (Homeroom Teachers): I would like an individual picture of each of your students for the PLT room. Please have them developed and turn in a class set to Mr. Elkins. You can give Ms. Owens your receipt and she will reimburse you. Thank you!
Test Training (all staff): All staff will need to complete test training for the 2026-2027 school year by September 25 except for third grade, Pereda, and Landis. Please print the certificates when done and give them to Ms. Gardner.
- Log into the Training page: https://center.ncsu.edu/training
- 2026-27 Testing Security Protocol and Procedures for School Personnel Training Course
- 2026-27 Online Test Administrations—Policies and Procedures Training Course
Guidance Updates (from Ms. Ceglowski): Please see the updates below from Ms. Ceglowski.
- Referring a student to Ceglowski.
- Please us this FORM to make referrals. Please use this form even if we have discussed the student in person, by text, or email. It will help me keep track and keep me honest! Last year I got 15 referrals through the form, and I am positive I saw way more than 15 students. ;)
- Classroom Guidance
- Please use this LINK to sign up for a classroom guidance lesson. I have added Thursdays so you can book, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday. Please note that I am the backup sub for the Discovery Den and may need to change a booking due to coverage needs.
PGE Events Calendar: Please bookmark this link with all the important dates for the year. We will add to this calendar throughout the year: PGE Events Calendar 2026-2027
PGE Staff Information: Please complete this form so we have the most up-to-date information for you: PGE Staff Information Form
PGE Substitute List: Here is the updated list - PGE Substitute List.
District Substitute List: Here is the updated list - District Substitute List
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:
September 1 - PBIS & MTAC @ 3:30
September 2 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting
September 3 - Gardner @ IF Meeting - 12:30-4:30
September 4 - Gardner @ AP Meeting - 8:00-12:30
September 4 - DIBELS BOY window closes
September 4 - Evacuation Drill @ 2:10
September 4 - iReady Reading - Grades 3-5 completed
September 7 - No School (Labor Day)
September 8 - SIT @ 3:30
September 10 - Lockdown @ 9:30
September 11 - Progress Reports for 1st Quarter
September 11 - iReady Math - Grades 3-5 completed
September 15 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30 (Staff Picture)- Wear a staff shirt
September 16 - 4th & 5th grades: WS Symphony Brass Ensemble @ 10:15 - Gym
September 17 - Gardner @ TC training - 8:00-12:30
September 18 - iReady Reading - Grades K-2 completed
