Friday Updates September 2009

Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
September 25, 2009

We know that this year has started in an extremely busy way. When we get caught up in the difficult parts of our work here at school, it is easy to forget the reason we are here. Please make yourself take the time daily to connect with and learn something new about one of your students. We have all felt the pressures and the overwhelmed feelings of the start of this year. Since we begin duty free lunch on Tuesday, take some time to reconnect with your colleagues. Hopefully, we are close to getting into a routine and can enjoy the gifts that our students give us every day. Thank you for plowing through all that we have been dealt this year.

"Children are our most valuable natural resource" Herbert Hoover

Next week

Monday 9/28 – 3rd grade PLC mtg. @ 12:10, Dibels screening for K-2, PBS lessons for bathroom, SAT, WatchDOG - Doug Sidney, PLC facilitator training for Mrs. Atkins and Mrs. Garlow

Tuesday 9/29 – Kindergarten PLC mtg. @ 8:50, Specialist PLC mtg. @ 9:30, Staff PLC training, WatchDOG - Todd Stephens, Board of Education mtg. (Southwest School of Distinction recognition)

Wednesday 9/30 – Newsletter info DUE, 1st grade PLC mtg. @ 10:20, EC PLC mtg. @ 12:00, 4th grade PLC mtg. @ 12:55, Teacher of the Year reception

Thursday 10/1 – WatchDOG – Richard Harp, 2nd grade PLC mtg. @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC mtg. @ 1:40, Zone 7 mtg.,

Friday 10/2 – WatchDOG – Tom Messick, Principals’ association mtg., Admin. Team meeting

Week of 10/5 - 10/9 –
(10/5) 3rd grade PLC mtg. @ 12:10
(10/6) 4th grade to Hiddenite, Principals’ meeting, Kindergarten PLC mtg. @ 8:50, Specialist PLC mtg. @ 9:30, Staff training,
(10/7) WatchDOG – Tim Pair, 1st grade PLC mtg. @ 10:20, EC PLC mtg. @ 12:00, 4th grade PLC mtg. @ 12:55, (4:30-6:30)
(10/8) WatchDOG – Joe Mutter, 2nd grade PLC mtg. @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC mtg. @ 1:40 (10/9) WatchDOG – Mike Binkley

Looking ahead
Duty Schedule
Breakfast – East, Aikins, Letourneau, Sereika

Bus – Moore, Baker, Dease, Zimmerman, Wilson, Freshwater, Sunderman, Wilheit, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Hancock, Salamanca, Chamra
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside – Brown, Crutchfield, Armbruster, Williams
Outside – Powell, Green, Tsolis, Merritt, Baldwin, Winters
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
- Please remember staff members who are still dealing with the loss or illness of a loved one. Sherry LeCompte and Kim Skinner are still home recovering from surgery.
-The newsletter information is due Sept. 30. to creativedesigner@triad.rr.com
- If you have not paid hospitality dues, please pay your $20 to Nellie.
- Although we do not yet have all of our resources (we will do our best to avoid gaps J), we will begin DUTY FREE LUNCH on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays beginning this Tuesday, September 29th. Please reteach your students how to SOAR in the cafeteria (walking in, red/green, clean up, etc.). Please be on time and pick/up on time.
- Be aware that we will be utilizing more electronic parent communication (email YO packet, WSFCS Parent Portal) stay tuned
- FYI – for safety reasons, we will change our car rider traffic pattern beginning this Monday, September 28th.
- Thank you for your feedback regarding ways that we can improve the recess schedule. We are almost finished with a revised schedule that will allow you to use all three play areas more frequently.
**This year the “Can-Do man” will give every student either a dog tag or a bracelet when they reach the 500 can mark. Please encourage each student to keep an individual record of their can donations.





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)
SW staff – K-2 teachers and trainers – Thanks for your patience and hard work to get ready for Dibels screening!
3-5 teachers and staff – Thanks for your time and effort to get ready for the NC Wise gradebook!

Can-Do Winners – Top classes
Winners for 9/14-18
K-2 Mrs. Wilson
3-5 Mrs. Vance

Winners for 9/21-25
K-2 Mrs. Lawrence
3-5 Mrs. Beard

Congratulations to Mrs. Kreger's class for the overall lead -- 2056 cans. Keep up the good work.



Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
September 18, 2009

Thank you for the work that you do every day!!

“If you can read this, thank a teacher.” ~ Anonymous teacher

Next week

Monday 9/21 – 3rd grade PLC mtg. @ 12:10, Dibels screening for K-2, PBS lessons for bathroom, SAT, ESL principals’ mtg. (3:00-5:00)

Tuesday 9/22 – Kindergarten PLC mtg. @ 8:50, Specialist PLC mtg. @ 9:30, Interim reports, Percussion ensemble for 4th & 5th at 10:15, Staff benefits mtg., PBS committee mtg., Sagebrush Night, Board of education mtg.

Wednesday 9/23 – 1st grade PLC mtg. @ 10:20, EC PLC mtg. @ 12:00, 4th grade PLC mtg. @ 12:55, Curriculum coordinator mtg, Listener training

Thursday 9/24 – 2nd grade PLC mtg. @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC mtg. @ 1:40, Lead secretary mtg., NC Wise Gradebook lab after school for 3rd, 4th, 5th, WatchDOG/All Pro Dads Pizza Night (6-7)

Friday 9/25 – Admin. Team meeting, WatchDOG – Sean Eller

Week of 9/28 - 10/2 –
(9/28) WatchDOG - Doug Sidney, PLC facilitator training (2 staff reps), 3rd grade PLC mtg. @ 12:10
(9/29) Kindergarten PLC mtg. @ 8:50, Specialist PLC mtg. @ 9:30, Staff training, Board of Education mtg. (Southwest School of Distinction recognition)
(9/30) 1st grade PLC mtg. @ 10:20, EC PLC mtg. @ 12:00, 4th grade PLC mtg. @ 12:55, Teacher of the Year reception (4:30-6:30)
(10/1) Zone 7 mtg., 2nd grade PLC mtg. @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC mtg. @ 1:40
(10/2) Principals’ association mtg., Admin. Team meeting


Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Weiss, Aikins, Letourneau, Sereika

Bus – Moore, Baker, Dease, Zimmerman, Wilson, Freshwater, Sunderman, Wilheit, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Hancock, Salamanca, Chamra
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside – Brown, Crutchfield, Armbruster, Williams
Outside – Powell, Green, Tsolis, Merritt, Baldwin, Winters
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
- If you would like to be part of the morning “Coffee Club” , please pay your $10 to Nellie to buy supplies for the year.
- Please make sure you have turned in your daily schedule and student transportation list to Mr. Keener.
- Please stay close to your scheduled lunch time.
- Be aware that we will soon be utilizing more electronic parent communication (email YO packet, WSFCS Parent Portal) stay tuned
- FYI – for safety reasons, we are preparing to slightly change our car rider traffic pattern. Stay tuned.
**This year the “Can-Do man” will give every student either a dog tag or a bracelet when they reach the 500 can mark. Please encourage each student to keep an individual record of their can donations.



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)
SW staff – K-2 teachers and trainers – Thanks for your patience and hard work to get ready for Dibels screening!
3-5 teachers and staff – Thanks for your time and effort to get ready for the NC Wise gradebook!

Can-Do Winners – Top classes
K-2 Mrs. Kreger's class 1344
3-5 Mrs. Merritt's class 717

Honorable Mentions:
K-2 Mrs. Tilley 561 3-5 Ms. Zimmerman 627
Mrs. Hipp 356 Ms. Moore 518
Ms. Chadwick 258 Mrs. Drummond 389
Total cans for the week is 6390 or approximately 193 pounds of aluminum that we have recycled.
Also, we have sent in 400 juice dispenser packages to Terra Cycle. Great work!!

Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
September 11, 2009

Our school year has officially kicked into high gear. Why did our 4 day school week feel like it was a 6 day school week?!? The start of this school year has seemed to be busier than ever, but I am really excited about the work that we are doing. It is not easy to maintain excellence and to push to get better. It can be overwhelming, but I urge you to take time to notice all the wonderful things happening in every area of our school. You all are touching our students in positive ways every day! I feel extremely blessed to work with all of you. Thank you and keep up the great work!!

“The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.” ~Author Unknown

Next week We will plan to be a part of your grade level PLC (Professional Learning Community) meetings for the next few weeks to share some information with you.

Monday 9/14 – Welcome back to Robin Vance, 3rd grade PLC mtg. @ 12:10, Dibels screening begins for K-2, PBS lessons for Cafeteria, SAT

Tuesday 9/15 – Kindergarten PLC mtg. @ 8:50, Specialist PLC mtg. @ 9:30, SIT meeting, Time to Eat Night, Curriculum/Bullying Prevention Night 6:30-8:30

Wednesday 9/16 – Asst. Principals’ meeting, 1st grade PLC mtg. @ 10:20, 4th grade PLC mtg. @ 12:55, Tech cohort training 3:15-4:15

Thursday 9/17 – 2nd grade PLC mtg. @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC mtg. @ 1:40

Friday 9/18 – Admin. Team meeting

Week of 9/21 - 9/25 –
(9/21) SAT
(9/22) Interim reports, Percussion ensemble for 4th & 5th at 10:15, Staff benefits mtg., PBS committee mtg., Sagebrush Night, Board of education mtg.
(9/23) Curriculum coordinator mtg, Listener training
(9/24) Lead secretary mtg., WatchDOG/All Pro Dads Pizza Night
(9/25) Admin. Team meeting


Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Biggam, Trinkle

Bus – Moore, Baker, Dease, Zimmerman, Wilson, Freshwater, Sunderman, Wilheit, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Hancock, Salamanca, Chamra
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside – Brown, Crutchfield, Armbruster, Williams
Outside – Powell, Green, Tsolis, Merritt, Baldwin, Winters
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
- Thank you Kiki Hutcheson for your help with 5th grade. Kiki is now available to sub.
- Please remember to continue your PBS lessons with your students
- If you would like to be part of the morning “Coffee Club” , please pay your $10 to Nellie to buy supplies for the year.
- Please make sure you have turned in your daily schedule and student transportation list to Mr. Keener.
- Please stay close to your scheduled lunch time
- Be aware that we will soon be utilizing more electronic parent communication (email YO packet, WSFCS Parent Portal) stay tuned
- FYI – for safety reasons, we are preparing to slightly change our car rider traffic pattern. Stay tuned.
**This year the “Can-Do man” will give every student either a dog tag or a bracelet when they reach the 500 can mark. Please encourage each student to keep an individual record of their can donations.



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)
SW staff – K-2 teachers and trainers – Thanks for your patience and hard work to get ready for Dibels screening!
3-5 teachers and staff – Thanks for your time and effort to get ready for the NC Wise gradebook!

Can-Do Winners – Top classes
K-2 Mrs. Kreger's class 1344
3-5 Mrs. Merritt's class 717

Honorable Mentions:
K-2 Mrs. Tilley 561 3-5 Ms. Zimmerman 627
Mrs. Hipp 356 Ms. Moore 518
Ms. Chadwick 258 Mrs. Drummond 389
Total cans for the week is 6390 or approximately 193 pounds of aluminum that we have recycled.
Also, we have sent in 400 juice dispenser packages to Terra Cycle. Great work!!




Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
September 4, 2009

This year has gotten off to a great start in many ways. We are, however, still ironing out some wrinkles in our various schedules. You have been asked to be flexible in many ways and you have done so with much grace. Thank you for your patience and willingness to try some new ways of doing things to try to help us serve our students better.


“You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things.” - Mother Teresa

Next week We will plan to be a part of your grade level PLC (Professional Learning Community) meetings for the next 2 weeks to share some information with you.
Monday 9/7 – Holiday

Tuesday 9/8 – PBS lesson for Arrival/Dismissal, Progress Reports, Staff mtg., Big Shotz Night, Board of Education mtg.

Wednesday 9/9 – Staff mtg. update

Thursday 9/10 – Principals’ mtg

Friday 9/11 – Admin. Team meeting

Week of 9/14 - 9/18 –
(9/14)
(9/15) SIT meeting, Time to Eat Night, Curriculum/Bullying Prevention Night 6:30-8:30
(9/16) Asst. Principals’ meeting, Tech cohort training 3:15-4:15
(9/17)
(9/18) Admin. Team meeting

Looking ahead
1st Qtr
2nd Qtr
3rd Qtr
4th Qtr

Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Womble, Aikins, Sereika, Letourneau

Bus – Moore, Baker, Dease, Zimmerman, Wilson, Freshwater, Sunderman, Wilheit, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Hancock, Salamanca, Chamra
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside – Brown, Crutchfield, Armbruster, Williams
Outside – Powell, Green, Tsolis, Merritt, Baldwin, Winters
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
- Please remember to continue your PBS lessons with your students
- We now have a set of playground “stuff” for each grade level. Please work out your plan to share among your grade level friends.
- With the haste to get ready to start the school year, our supply room has gotten trashed. It takes Nellie a lot of time to keep it straightened out so, please do your best to leave things the way you found them. Thanks
- If you would like to be part of the morning “Coffee Club” , please pay your $10 to Nellie to buy supplies for the year.
-The President Obama speech to students is scheduled for Tuesday, September 8th at noon. It will be on channel 10 of our in-house TV system. If you are showing the speech and you have students who have a parent note to “opt out” of the viewing, please send them to the auditorium.

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)
SW staff – Great job during the beginning of PBS part 2 – keep earning those eggs (some classes are already rolling)! Please give egg counts to Kim Cressman
Can-Do Winners – Please give can counts to Mr. Keener. This year the “Can-Do man” will give every student either a dog tag or a bracelet when they reach the 500 can mark. Please encourage each student to keep an individual record of their can donations.




Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
August 28, 2009

Thank you for a wonderful first week of school. It is evident that you are committed to making Southwest Elementary even better.....one classroom at a time.

“Compete against yourself, not others, for that is who is truly your best competition..” - Peggy Fleming

Next week
Monday 8/31 – PBS classroom lessons begin (Playground)

Tuesday 9/1 – Principals’ mtg., Staff Marzano training, Donatos Night, Scout Night

Wednesday 9/2 –

Thursday 9/3 –

Friday 9/4 – TGIF

Week of 9/7 - 9/11 –
(9/7) Holiday
(9/8) Staff mtg., Big Shotz Night, Board of Education mtg.
(9/9) Staff mtg. update
(9/10) Principals’ mtg.
(9/11)

Looking ahead
September

Duty Schedule
Breakfast – Burke, Sereika, East

Bus – Moore, Baker, Dease, Zimmerman, Wilson, Freshwater, Sunderman, Wilheit, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Hancock, Salamanca, Chamra
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside – Brown, Crutchfield, Armbruster, Williams
Outside – Powell, Green, Tsolis, Merritt, Baldwin, Winters
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to begin your PBS lessons with your students
-
-
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)
SW staff – Great job during the first week of school. PBS – keep earning those eggs!
Can-Do Winners –