Mr. Elkins' Weekly Wrap

Friday, October 21, 2022

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

Upcoming Dates:

October 25 - Math Check-In (3rd - 5th)

October 25 - SCC & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30

October 28 - End of 1st Quarter

October 31 - No School (RS Day)

October 31 - Report Cards due to Ms. True

November 1 - School Picture Retakes

November 1 - PBIS & MTAC Committees meet @ 3:30

November 2 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting

November 2 - iReady Training during planning (K-5)

November 4 - Report Cards go home in Friday Folders

November 7 - WS Symphony Performance @ 10:15 (4th & 5th Grades only)

November 8 - Election Day (voting in the Media Center)

November 8 - SIT @ 3:30

November 11 - No School (Veterans Day)

Friday, October 14, 2022

Week of 10/10 - 10/14

Hey Panda Family,

We hope you will join us this weekend for our Fall Festival on Saturday from 10:00 - 2:00! Bring your family and friends! You can even take a shot at dunking your favorite principal 😉 We hope to see you there. Have a wonderful weekend!

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

Staff Meeting: Our October Staff Meeting is this upcoming Tuesday, October 18. Please plan to meet until 4:45. Here is the agenda:

Good News & Duck Winners
AIG Financial
Vote on School Improvement Plan
United Way Kickoff
SEL Professional Development
Suicide & Threat Training
Good of the Order

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

Thank you for supporting the book fair and helping us spread the love of reading!

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!

Shout-Outs: From Ms. Mabe - Shout out to Ms. Sue for helping clean up a water and milk spill. Thanks Ms. Sue for always helping us teachers and our sweet students.

Important Items from Last Week

October Drills: See below for specific details about each of our drills for this month.

October Fire Drill: Our Fire drill for the month will be next week.

Earthquake Drill: Our Earthquake drill will be Friday, October 14^th at 10:45. We will walk the staff and students through the procedures over the intercom.

Tornado Drill: Our Tornado drill will be October 20 at 2:10. We will walk the staff and students through the procedures over the intercom.

Pam Mason's Schedule

PBIS Procedures: Here are a few reminders regarding PBIS procedures. Please review these with your class and help us work together to enforce them. Thank you!

The PBIS team voted to maintain the rule that students should walk in mulched area (playground). Please remind students of this and enforce this rule. (Here are our school's playground procedures - also linked on Piney Grove Canvas page).

When students are standing in cafeteria (in line for food, throwing away trash, in line to leave) they should be at voice volume 0 (not talking) regardless of if music is playing or not. Please remind students of this and enforce this rule. The cafeteria staff especially needs our help supervising students as they go through the line to ensure they're not talking in line so orders can be heard.

Classes should use either the 300 hall or cafeteria restrooms during their assigned times. Students going outside of these times should use the 200 hall restrooms.

Print Shop: Please make sure you are utilizing print shop for your large copy needs. This takes just a little bit of pre-planning, but it saves our school lots of money. The turnaround is normally very quick (couple of days). If you need help navigating print shop, or submitting an order, Ms. Owens can help you!

EC PreK Vacancies: Our school is growing! We are adding a new EC PreK Classroom and we need to hire two Instructional Assistants. Both of these positions are full-time. If you know of anyone that may be interested, please share the job posting that is linked here:

https://wsfcs.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=1658

Substitutes

Pam Mason's Schedule

Frontline

Upcoming Dates:

October 15 - PTA Fall Festival from 10:00 - 2:00

October 18 - Staff Meeting @ 3:30

October 19 - ELA Check-In (3rd - 5th)

October 19 - Unity Day (Wear Orange)

October 20 - Science Check-In (5th)

October 20 - Tornado Drill @ 2:10

October 25 - Math Check-In (3rd - 5th)

October 25 - SCC & Wellness Committees meet @ 3:30

October 28 - End of 1st Quarter

October 31 - No School (RS Day)

October 31 - Report Cards due to Ms. True

Friday, October 7, 2022

Week of 10/3 - 10/7

Hey Panda Family,

Fall is my absolute favorite season of the year! People love it for so many reasons: pumpkin spice, leaves changing, cool crisp air, football tailgates, bonfires, hayrides, and the list goes on. The cool thing about fall is you never know exactly when the leaves are going to change colors. Some change earlier than others, but in the end they all show off their amazing colors and beauty. This is just like our students - they all have different beauty inside of them waiting to come out and show itself. Thank you for helping them each day show off all the beautiful colors inside of them, just like our soon to be beautiful fall leaves 🍂 Have a wonderful weekend!

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:

New Updates

October Drills: See below for specific details about each of our drills for this month.

October Fire Drill: Our Fire drill for the month will be next week.

Earthquake Drill: Our Earthquake drill will be Friday, October 14^th at 10:45. We will walk the staff and students through the procedures over the intercom.

Tornado Drill: Our Tornado drill will be October 20 at 1:45. We will walk the staff and students through the procedures over the intercom.

Pam Mason's Schedule

PBIS Procedures: Here are a few reminders regarding PBIS procedures. Please review these with your class and help us work together to enforce them. Thank you!

The PBIS team voted to maintain the rule that students should walk in mulched area (playground). Please remind students of this and enforce this rule. (Here are our school's playground procedures - also linked on Piney Grove Canvas page).

When students are standing in cafeteria (in line for food, throwing away trash, in line to leave) they should be at voice volume 0 (not talking) regardless of if music is playing or not. Please remind students of this and enforce this rule. The cafeteria staff especially needs our help supervising students as they go through the line to ensure they're not talking in line so orders can be heard.

Classes should use either the 300 hall or cafeteria restrooms during their assigned times. Students going outside of these times should use the 200 hall restrooms.

Staff Flu Shots: Kernersville Pharmacy will be at Piney Grove on Thursday, October 13 from 7:00 - 9:00am to give free flu shots to staff members. This is optional.

October 31 (from district): Monday, October 31, will remain an RS Day for schools. We are monitoring the days of missed instruction and planning to use some remote learning days this school year. I am aware that we shared that remote days would not be allowed this school year. However, I want to let everyone know that the General Assembly adopted to keep the option for schools to use up to 5 remote learning days (or up to 30 hours of instruction) that would count toward our overall instructional hours on missed days. We will continue to monitor inclement weather days to ensure our compliance with North Carolina Calendar law.

https://wsfcs.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=1658

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

Book Fair: Oct 10-15; Open M-F at 7:50 and during the Fall Festival 10-2pm. Come out to vote for Pumpkin Paloosa book character pumpkins. Please send your class pumpkin to the media center before Friday, Oct 14. (Need ideas? See Pintrest 🙂)

Chromebooks and Chargers: All chromebooks and chargers should have been delivered. Please let me know if you still need anything!

Book Order: There is a green suggestion box in the media for you or your students to request titles, topics or series for the library! Watch for a more detailed survey for staff coming soon.

Shout-Outs: Shout-out to our Code Team for a productive and efficient training on the Early Release Day! Thanks for all your hard work!

Important Items from Last Week

Book Fair Pumpkins (from Ms. Lloyd): We are having our Fall Book Fair Oct. 10 - Oct. 14. The Book Fair will be during their Media Class that week. On October 15, we will be having a family event the same time the PTA is having their Fall Festival, 10am - 2pm. We are going to do the same thing that we did last year with Pumpkins. Each homeroom class will bring one Pumpkin decorated as a BOOK CHARACTER to the library during the week of the book fair. On Saturday, Oct. 15th, friends can come to the library and vote for their favorite character. PTA has donated tons of pumpkins and decorated the front entrance. Homeroom teachers may pick any of these pumpkins for FREE to use for their book character. Just pick the one you like the best. There are plenty to choose from!

Thank you and we very much look forward to seeing all your fun creative pumpkins!

I Can Statements: Please make sure to decorate the hallways with your student's work. You can also put your student's work in the main hallways on the corkboard strips. When posting student work, please make sure to include the I Can statement so we know what your student's have been working on! Thanks!

October Drills: We will have fire, earthquake, and tornado drills in October. The tornado and earthquake drills will be announced.

Custodial Issues: Please email Elkins and Gardner if there are custodial issues so we can address them. Thanks for being our extra set of eyes to help keep our building clean!

Substitutes

Pam Mason's Schedule

Frontline