Friday, December 9, 2022

Week of 12/5 - 12/9

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:

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. 






Upcoming Dates:

December 12 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
December 13 - Vision Screening for PreK, 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grades
December 13 - SIT @ 3:30
December 13 - PTA Spirit Night @ El Palenque's
December 14 - Holiday Breakfast provided by PTA
December 16 - PTA Winter Event (schedule coming soon)
December 16 - PBIS Incentive
December 19 - Teacher Workday (RT day)
December 20 - Teacher Workday (RT day)
December 21 - Teacher Workday (RT day)
January 3 - Teacher Workday (RC day)
January 4 - School resumes for students


Ms. Rempe's class did some data collection! Looks like Jingle Bells is the most popular holiday song amongst the staff! 



Friday, December 2, 2022

Week of 11/28 - 12/2

Hey Panda Family,


Santa came to visit this week and I am happy to report we are all on the NICE list 😉 The holidays can be so rewarding, but can also be tough in many ways. Spread joy these next few weeks to those around you, and you may just be surprised how far and wide it makes a difference. Keep thriving and have a wonderful weekend! 

Here are the Weekly Wrap updates for this week:



New Updates

Welcome New Pandas: Please extend a warm welcome to these new Panda Staff Members! We are so happy you are part of our Panda Family 😊
  • Miriam Mayhew - EC PreK Teacher (Long-Term Sub)
  • Melinda Caudle - EC PreK Assistant
  • Kathy Pierce - Long-Term Sub for Ms. Laws

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. 

Winter Musical Program: Our 4th Grade & Chorus will perform their Winter Musical for the school this Thursday, December 8 @ 8:30. The evening program for parents and families will be @ 6:30pm. 


EFHS Holiday Songs: The EFHS choral department will be at Piney Grove on Friday, December 9 @ 8:40 to perform a small collection of holiday songs for our students. This will be in the gym and all grade levels will attend. 


Progress Reports: Please make sure you update your student's grades in PowerSchool. Progress reports will go home on Friday, December 9. 


Staff Winter Social: The Staff Winter Social at The Prescott will be next Friday, December 9 @ 6:30 for all those that paid to attend. 

PBIS Updates: Please see the PBIS updates below. 

MOVIE FYIs:

Custodial Updates: The district has finally cut ties with SMO. December will be the last month that they service any school building in the district. As you can imagine, it is going to be a nasty divorce because SMO is losing a lot of business. Donald works for SMO, so they took him and moved him out of our school and somewhere else because SMO is going to keep their best people for the other properties they serve. There is a silver lining. We now have full control over hiring our own staff. Leslie and I are working on this. We have some great prospects. We will keep you posted as things develop. 


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. 


December Drills: Fire Drill and Secure in Place (previously Community Lockdown). 


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 = $1410
Goal = $1738

Today's participation = 29.2%
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 


New Addition: Ms. Finley is an aunt! Meet baby Elias who is a welcome addition to her family! 



Shout-Outs: From Ms. Corlett - Shoutout to Mrs. Tall for helping us fifth grade teachers with some technology needs! 

From Ms. Medley - Thanks to Ms. Murphy for being so helpful with SuccessMaker! Big thanks to all that helped or supported Pictures with Santa.  The money raised will help pay students in need pay for the Williamsburg Trip.


Important Items from Last Week

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. 


Science Fair (from Ms. Peickert): Hello Piney Grove teachers! We are so excited to announce that we will be having our Science Fair this year! Students and classes will have the opportunity to participate in our (completely optional) Science Fair and enter their project to win in four different categories: 

K-2 Class Project
K-2 Student Project 
3-5 Class Project 
3-5 Student Project

All K-2 and 3-5 classes will have the option to create a class project and one project per
class will be awarded first place for our school. In addition, students can also enter the Science
Fair in groups of 1-3 to create their own projects. Once we have awarded our first place projects
for our School these projects will have the option to go on and compete in the district Science
Fair.

All projects must be submitted and completed by December 9th and the winner will be
announced before Christmas break. A packet with more information regarding the specifics of
what can and cannot be in a Science Fair project will be sent to students in their Friday folders next week, and Ms. Peickert will review all this information with classes during science
specials.

We are so excited for our students to be able to show off their science knowledge and
participate in our Science Fair and we look forward to seeing all the cool experiments that
classes create! Thank you! 


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. 







Upcoming Dates:

December 6 - PBIS & MTAC Committees meet @ 3:30
December 7 - Elkins @ Principal's Meeting
December 8 - Winter Musical @ 8:30 (Dress Rehearsal - all grade levels attend) 
December 8 - Winter Musical @ 6:30 
December 9 - Science Fair Projects due
December 9 - EFHS Holiday Music Performance @ 8:40 (K-5)
December 9 - Staff Holiday Dinner @ 6:30 (The Prescott)
December 9 - Progress Reports go home
December 12 - PTA Meeting @ 6:30
December 13 - Vision Screening for PreK, 1st, 3rd, & 5th Grades
December 13 - SIT @ 3:30
December 13 - PTA Spirit Night @ El Palenque's
December 16 - PTA Winter Event (schedule coming soon)
December 16 - PBIS Incentive
December 19 - Teacher Workday (RT day)
December 20 - Teacher Workday (RT day)
December 21 - Teacher Workday (RT day)