Friday Updates December 2007

Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update on Monday
December 2, 2007

This past week, Debbie, Kim, Tom and I started a series of grade level training meetings. We are beginning with the upper grades as we look more closely at some of our assessment data. We will meet with all grades as we collect more data from our classroom walkthroughs. As I have said many times this year, you are doing an awesome job! It is our responsibility as leaders to work with you to make you better. If we are serious about continuing to improve an already great school, it will take some work and trust. We look forward to working with you to help us grow. Thank you for your commitment to your students and your desire to be THE BEST.

Next week
Monday 12/3 – Musical dress rehearsal, 4th grade meeting (1:45)

Tuesday 12/4 – Mr. Keener at NWRESA, Winter musical (9:00-10:00, 7:00-8:00), Principals’ Mtg, PTA Newsletter home

Wednesday 12/5 –

Thursday 12/6 – 3rd grade to Dana Auditorium, K to Candle Tea

Friday 12/7 – Principal’s Mtg, K to Candle Tea, Backyard Burger Night

Week of 12/10-12/14 – (12/10) (12/11) 2nd grade to Bethabara, Kiwanis Party in auditorium, Staff meeting, Big Shotz Night (12/12) 2nd grade to Bethabara (12/13) 2nd grade to Bethabara, Elementary Principals’ Mtg, Skate Haven Night (12/14) (12/15) SW miniature golf day at Jimmy Mac’s

Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Letouneau, Burke

Bus – Baker, Freshwater, Dease, Gough, Merritt, Vance, Zimmerman

Car riders – Morning – Overby, Hancock, Twyman
Afternoon – Caller – Taylor, Frye
Inside – Roberts, Womble, East
Outside – Jones, Barnes, Merrill, Currie, Wilson, DiSorbo
Hall – Bowser(lounge), Everhardt(computer lab)

FYI/Reminders
-Nellie is still in the hospital but seems to be on the mend. The doctors believe that inflammation in her esophagus is the reason for the pain. She thinks that she will be discharged tomorrow (Monday, 12/3).
**Congratulations to two new grandparents:
Mr. Keener’s family welcomed Abigail Morgan Page and Ms. Dosek’s family welcomed Caroline Alexandra Dosek

-It is time to complete your 07-08 IGP’s. Either Debbie, Kim, Tom or I will conference with you to complete the form.
-If you need help with the subfinder system, please ask. It is important to get those days in correctly.

Staff Stars (There are too many good deeds to list them all. Over the course of the year, I would like to recognize as many as possible)
Joyce Wilson - Great parent follow up and communication.
Nancy Frye – Thank you for kicking off and getting ready for Friday treats in the lounge.
3rd & 5th grade – Great start with our grade level meetings.
Debbie H., Janet J., Kim S., Traci P., & Kiki H. – Thank you keeping the office on track during Nellie’s illness.
Cafeteria staff – Thank you for being open to suggestions to make our lunch service better.

Have a great weekend!


Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update on Monday
December 7, 2007

The expectations, stress, and pressure of being part of an excellent school can sometimes be overwhelming. The adult worries that we sometimes carry can also make it difficult to focus on what is important. When I saw the winter musical on Tuesday night, it reminded me of the wonderful things that our children are capable of. I encourage you to remember what is MOST important when it comes to our tasks at school. We have all been blessed to have the opportunity to work with children so we should take advantage of that every day. Thank you for your commitment to your students and your desire to be THE BEST.

“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachel Carson, biologist and writer

Next week
Monday 12/10 – Secret Santa activities begin

Tuesday 12/11 – 2nd grade to Bethabara, Kiwanis Party in auditorium, Staff meeting, Big Shotz Night

Wednesday 12/12 – 2nd grade to Bethabara

Thursday 12/13 – 2nd grade to Bethabara, Elementary Principals’ Mtg, Skate Haven Night

Friday 12/14 – TGIF

Saturday 12/15 – SW miniature golf at Jimmy Mac’s

Week of 12/17-12/21 – (12/17) (12/18) SIT mtg (12/19) Asst. Principals’ mtg, curriculum coordinators’ mtg (12/20) SIP presentation with Dr. Martin (12/21) Leave day Merry Christmas!!!!!

Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Vernon, Trinkle, Schmoyer, Church

Bus – Baker, Freshwater, Dease, Gough, Merritt, Vance, Zimmerman

Car riders – Morning – Overby, Hancock, Twyman
Afternoon – Caller – Taylor, Frye
Inside – Roberts, Womble, East
Outside – Jones, Barnes, Merrill, Currie, Wilson, DiSorbo
Hall – Bowser(lounge), Everhardt(computer lab)

FYI/Reminders
**Congratulations to our latest new grandparent:
Mrs. Herrin’s family welcomed Tanner Clayton

-It is time to complete your 07-08 IGP’s. Either Debbie, Kim, Tom or I will conference with you to complete the form.
-If you need help with the subfinder system, please ask. It is important to get those days in correctly.

Staff Stars (There are too many good deeds to list them all. Over the course of the year, I would like to recognize as many as possible)
Kindergarten – Thank you for sharing the Candle Tea experience with your students.
Debbie, Kim & Tom – Thank you for your advice, hard work and school leadership.
4th grade – Great start with our grade level meetings.
1st grade. – Great job with you latest holiday rotation.
2nd grade – Thank you for continuing to work well as a team.


Have a great weekend!


Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update on Saturday
December 14, 2007

This last week before the Christmas break is often filled with fun activities that can get in the way of instructional time. Take the time to have fun with your students, but try not to forget that every hour of every instructional day is a precious resource. Thank you for your commitment to your students and your desire to be THE BEST.

I want to wish each of you and your families a Happy Holiday break. This is the best time to reinvest in your families and others close to you. Our work at school is more than just a job and it can take away from our family time. I encourage you to enjoy the break and take the time to appreciate the gifts around us.

Next week
Monday 12/17 – 3rd, 4th, 5th grade Blue Diamond work session (3:15-4:15)

Tuesday 12/18 – Staff social at Big Shotz (3:30-5:30)

Wednesday 12/19 – curriculum coordinators’ mtg

Thursday 12/20 – SIP presentation with Dr. Martin

Friday 12/21 – Leave day Merry Christmas!!!!!

Week of 1/3-1/11 – (1/3) (1/4) Principals’ mtg (1/7) (1/8) Progress reports, Principals mtg, Staff mtg, Big Shotz night (1/9) 4th grade field trip, Kindergarten mtg @ Moore (1/10) 4th grade field trip, Skate Haven night (1/11) 4th grade field trip, Backyard Burger night

Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Salamanca, Biggam, Womble

Bus – Baker, Freshwater, Dease, Gough, Merritt, Vance, Zimmerman

Car riders – Morning – Overby, Hancock, Twyman
Afternoon – Caller – Taylor, Frye
Inside – Roberts, Womble, East
Outside – Jones, Barnes, Merrill, Currie, Wilson, DiSorbo
Hall – Bowser(lounge), Everhardt(computer lab)

FYI/Reminders
**Congratulations to our Southwest addition:
Mrs. Moss’ family welcomed Bailey Ryan

-It is time to complete your 07-08 IGP’s. Either Debbie, Kim, Tom or I will conference with you to complete the form.
-If you need help with the subfinder system, please ask. It is important to get those days in correctly.

Staff Stars (There are too many good deeds to list them all. Over the course of the year, I would like to recognize as many as possible)

Joyce Wilson – Congratulations, Southwest 2007-08 Teacher of the Year

Southwest staff – Thank you all for your hard work and commitment during this first half of the school year. It has been a tremendous blessing for me to become part of such a talented group of professionals. I look forward to leading us to even more great accomplishments during 2008.

Mike

Have a great weekend!