Friday Update 11-20-09

Southwest Elementary School
Friday Update
November 20th, 2009

During the tough times that we have endured during this year, I have developed a greater appreciation of how fortunate I am to be a part of Southwest. While there are many things this year that have made it hard to stay focused on leading children to learn – you have done just that. I am extremely thankful to have the privilege to work with such a wonderful group of professionals who care deeply about the work that we do with children. Enjoy your families and take time to put school out of your minds for a few days during the Thanksgiving break.

The staff conference sign-up sheets are FINALLY outside my office door. During our “10 minute conferences” that I will have over the next few weeks, I would like to focus on ways that we can help you reach our struggling students. Thank you for all that you do every day.

"Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many--not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."
Charles Dickens

**You can now view the Friday Update at the following url address: http://swefridayupdate.blogspot.com/ We will continue to send the Friday Update via email AND at the blog address for a few weeks. Please begin to use the “blogspot” address to view the Friday Update. If there are corrections, they can be made in the comment section.

Next week
Monday 11/23 – Watch Dog – Andrew Burhans, SAT, Admin. Team Mtg.

Tuesday 11/24 – Watch Dog – Richard Little, CAC Mtg., PBS Mtg., Sagebrush Night, Board of Education Mtg.

Wednesday 11/25 – Annual Leave Day (Reminder - the building will NOT be open)

Thursday 11/26 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Friday 11/27 – Holiday

Week of 11/30 – 12/4
(11/30) Admin. Team Mtg., 3rd grade PLC @12:10, SAT, Watch Dog – Todd Stephens
(12/1) Kindergarten PLC @ 8:50, Specialists PLC @ 9:30, Staff Training, Jump Rope For Heart (K/1st), Donatos Night, PTA winter musical and mtg.
(12/2) Watch Dog – David Sipprell, Kindergarten to Candle Tea, 1st grade PLC @ 10:20, EC PLC @ 12:00, 4th grade PLC @ 12:55, Jump Rope For Heart (2nd/3rd)
(12/3) Principals Mtg., Kindergarten to Candle Tea, 2nd grade PLC @ 11:05, 5th grade PLC @ 1:40, Jump Rope For Heart (4th/5th), Counselors’ Mtg.
(12/4) All Pro Dads Breakfast, 2nd grade to Reynolds Auditorium, Principals Mtg.

Duty Schedule
Breakfast –East, Letourneau, Aikins, Sereika

Bus –Larson, Garlow, Dosek, Marceron, Trinkle, Vest, Letourneau, Sereika, Aikins, Hauhuth

Car riders – Morning – Patty Overby, Susan Twyman
Afternoon – Caller – Lee, Tilley
Inside –Womble, East, Roberts
Outside – Herko, King, Kreger, Currie, Drummond, Moss
Hall – Everhardt (computer lab), Hauhuth (gym lobby)
Parra (Music Hall), Allen (Auditorium Lobby)

FYI/Reminders
- Please remember Robin King in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover from a car accident.
- Please welcome Ashley Bristow as the new director of the YMCA afterschool program. She joins us from the Durham YMCA and we are very happy to have her.
-The biggest losers would like to congratulate Mike Hayes as the top loser but would like for him to know that Anne Parra and Brian Vest are closing in on him.

**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
Housekeeping staff – Thank you for your efforts
Marla Dabe and Cafeteria Staff - Thanks for our Thanksgiving feast
Laila Harris and Liz Weide - Thank you for taking care of things during Mrs. King's absence
Dianne Phillips - Thank you for your help getting PAM going (Parent Assistance Module)
Rachel Foster - Thanks for so lovingly taking care of Grace
Diana Armbruster - Thank you for making indian headbands for the cafeteria and custodial staff
Elayne Green - We appreciate you keeping the coffee flowing
Debbie Dosek - Thanks for sharing your adorable indians with the office
All staff involved in a PLC – Great job with your conversations regarding Science instruction this week
Debbie Herrin & 2nd grade – Thanks for your work to make testing go well