Friday Update
October 22nd , 2010
The Smile
By - Karen Kimbrell
On the first day of this school year, I noticed a boy sitting in the back of my classroom, expressionless, apathetic, and unmotivated. He quickly became a child that consumed a lot of my thought time. He never smiled, He never interacted with his classmates, He looked and acted the same every day - expressionless and unmotivated. I went to his 3rd grade teacher and she said "Yes, that's John. He'll be that way all year." He attempted little of his work, he seldom raised his hand, and his facial expression never changed. I think that is what grabbed me the most - he was flat emotionally all day, every day. When you would hug him or show any kind of affection, he showed nothing in return. He was just "there". As the school year progressed, it was obvious to the class that he was different, but they just ignored him, They knew what he was like from being in previous classes with him, but I didn't want this year to be like every other year. One day this past February, I was teaching at the overhead and I looked right at him and he smiled at me! I was so stunned and elated everything stopped! I stood there a moment and went over to him and threw my arms around him. He didn't react to the hug, but he smiled! The first change in his expression I'd seen all year! Now its May and a few more things have happened, He's interacting a little more with his peers, he's completing some of his assignments, and he's realized that he's good at reciting poems - so he recites quite often! But the biggest thing is that he feels a connection with me. Shortly after "the smile," I returned to my classroom after car duty, only to see John vacuuming our classroom, He said in a very shy voice, "I want to help you." I was sick last week and out of school 4 days, I went to my front door and he had made me a card. It said, "Miss Kimbrell, the Bestest teacher in the whole world, I hope you fill better rill soon." That little card is why I teach school and love what I do. It is because of all the little Johns that sometimes need more than the 3 R's. By the way, while on my journey with John this year, I've come across some readings on a syndrome called "Aspergers" which I think he may have. It's a very high functioning form of autism and quite interesting.
Lessonplanspage.com/inspiration
“If you see a friend without a smile; give him one of yours.” Proverb
***Due to popular demand – we will have DOUBLE STAFF JEANS WEEK 10/25-10/28!!!!***
Pay $2 per day to wear jeans to support Southwest United Way
Next week –
Monday 10/25 –– 1st grade (Atkins, Barr, Jones, and Kreger)to Natural Science Center, Crain and Sutcliffe to Bethabara, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to CarolAnn Rosenberger, 3-5 Math EOQ
Tuesday 10/26 - Watch DOG – Eric Blanks, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Miller and Freshwater to Bethabara, PBIS Meeting, Happy Birthday to Wende Powell, Bunny Coates, and Janet Sunderman, 3-5 Math EOQ
Wednesday 10/27 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, AP Professional Dev., Chadwick and Stone to Bethabara, Make-ups for Math EOQ
Thursday 10/28 – Watch DOG – Dave Miller, Dease to Bethabara, End of Quarter, Skate Night, Make-ups for Math EOQ, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00
Friday 10/29 – No School for Students
11/1 – 11/5
11/1 – 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Jump Rope for Heart (Kindergarten and 1st grade) 2:30-4:00
11/2 – Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Happy Birthday to Gwen Nolting, P.E. in auditorium (Voting in gym), Principals Meeting, Focused Staff Training
11/3– 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, Jump Rope for Heart (2nd and 3rd grades) 2:30-4:00, Book Fair Begins
11/4– Jump Rope for Heart (4th and 5th grades) 2:30-4:00, Technology Workshop - Skype, AR Recognition
11/5– Watch Dog – Matt Hubbard, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Happy Birthday to Loren Burke, All Pro Dads Breakfast
FYI/Reminders:
- Great job with your PLC's this week. Please remember to keep your discussions focused on student learning and instruction. It is easy to get taken off the path by issues, but please keep focused.
-Staff may take Annual Leave on October 29 unless there is a required workshop or end of quarter “things” to finish.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to wear your staff ID every day.
Staff Stars
Mr. Hayes ~ great job keeping parents informed with the phone calls!
Mrs. Hauhuth willingness to do whatever with a smile!
Kindergarten teachers had a great PLC meeting on differentiation strategies in math!
Mrs. Barnes reading with each child!
Dianne Phillips – Best wishes on the job at Clemmons Middle
Angela Kreger – Great job with your centers.
Debbie Dosek – Thank you for always having a smile to offer.
Mitzi Dease – You have done a great job with your class on SOARing improvements.
Glenda Vaughn – Thank you for your hospitality leadership.
Heidi Lee – Your good deed to the Southwest parent did not go unnoticed.
Brooke DiSorbo/Robin Vance – Thank you for working together to help your student get through a tough time.
Susan Twyman – Thank you for your work to revive peer mediation.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Friday Update 10-15-10
Friday Update
October 15th , 2010
In a school as large as ours there will inevitably be situations big and small involving either students or staff. How we handle those issues is as important as anything that happens in our school. Supporting each other through tough times and through various issues that we face is part of what can make a school outstanding and also what can tear a school apart. Our professional responsibility requires us to have appropriate discussions about our students and about each other. I expect all of us to follow this guideline no matter where we work in the school. Sometimes situations involving school personnel can not be discussed or explained. That is just how it is. Southwest has always been an awesome school in terms of having a family atmosphere. One way we can help keep it that way is to be kind to each other and to support each other. We all need support and positive words to be our best.
“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” Benjamin Franklin
Next week –
Our 2010 Southwest United Way campaign is underway. Please see the hard copy donation form in your mailbox or you can use the electronic submission form from the United Way email on Wednesday.
Don't forget staff jeans days next week ($1 per day to Nellie). Student/staff hat day ($1) is Friday, Oct 22.
Monday 10/18 –– Watch Dog – Brett Todd, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Heidi Lee, 1st grade (Wilson, Lawrence, and Tilley) to Natural Science Center
Tuesday 10/19 – Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, SIT Meeting
Wednesday 10/20 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, Picture Retake Day
Thursday 10/21 –PTA Speaker – Joyce Kohfeldt @ 7:00, Watch Dog – Chris Cowen, 3rd – 5th grade End of Quarter Reading Test
Friday 10/22 – TGIF, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch Dog – Jon Marzano and Corky McClellen, West Players Reading Day, Community Helper Day for Kindergarten classes in auditorium, Reading Make Up Testing, “Hat Day” for United Way
10/25 – 10/29
10/25 – 1st grade (Atkins, Barr, Jones, and Kreger)to Natural Science Center, Crain and Sutcliffe to Bethabara, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to CarolAnn Rosenberger, 3-5 Math EOQ
10/26 – Watch DOG – Eric Blanks, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Miller and Freshwater to Bethabara, PBIS Meeting, Happy Birthday to Wende Powell, Bunny Coates, and Janet Sunderman, 3-5 Math EOQ
10/27– 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, AP Professional Dev., Chadwick and Stone to Bethabara, Make-ups for Math EOQ
10/28– Watch DOG – Dave Miller, Dease to Bethabara, End of Quarter, Skate Night, Make-ups for Math EOQ
10/29– No School for Students
FYI/Reminders:
*** On Friday, Oct. 22 they are going to be paving the front parking lot so everyone needs to plan to leave school by 3:30!!
-Mr. Squire has left Southwest and will not be back. Our lead custodian position has been posted and will be filled ASAP. Thank you to the other housekeepers and the sub, Ms. Nicholson, for helping to keep things as normal as possible.
-Staff may take Annual Leave on October 29 unless there is a required workshop or end of quarter “things” to finish.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to wear your staff ID every day.
Staff Stars
Martina Nicholson – Thanks for doing such a wonderful job cleaning the 5th grade pod – it has been magnificent!! The trash can liners have been changed, bathrooms cleaned, etc…. very nice!!!!
Nicole Skinner – thanks for inspiring others to try class games for play a few times a week.
Aaren Brown – Great job trying out new technology
Amy Tilley – Thank you for helping others grow in technology
Mary Jane Everhardt - Awesome technology support for everyone
Melissa Stone – Your creative language arts centers were nice
Amy Trinkle - Great job sharing with parents about bullying Tuesday night
Nellie Broyhill - Wonderful support with wheelchair on Thursday
Joyce Wilson - Held Parent Conferences for each student in her room - 100%!
Janet Sunderman - Awesome belief in your students and support for them
Eugenia Ivey - Wonderful job connecting with parents and providing resources
Monique Jones – Great writing and peer conferencing lesson.
October 15th , 2010
In a school as large as ours there will inevitably be situations big and small involving either students or staff. How we handle those issues is as important as anything that happens in our school. Supporting each other through tough times and through various issues that we face is part of what can make a school outstanding and also what can tear a school apart. Our professional responsibility requires us to have appropriate discussions about our students and about each other. I expect all of us to follow this guideline no matter where we work in the school. Sometimes situations involving school personnel can not be discussed or explained. That is just how it is. Southwest has always been an awesome school in terms of having a family atmosphere. One way we can help keep it that way is to be kind to each other and to support each other. We all need support and positive words to be our best.
“The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all men, charity.” Benjamin Franklin
Next week –
Our 2010 Southwest United Way campaign is underway. Please see the hard copy donation form in your mailbox or you can use the electronic submission form from the United Way email on Wednesday.
Don't forget staff jeans days next week ($1 per day to Nellie). Student/staff hat day ($1) is Friday, Oct 22.
Monday 10/18 –– Watch Dog – Brett Todd, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Heidi Lee, 1st grade (Wilson, Lawrence, and Tilley) to Natural Science Center
Tuesday 10/19 – Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, SIT Meeting
Wednesday 10/20 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, Picture Retake Day
Thursday 10/21 –PTA Speaker – Joyce Kohfeldt @ 7:00, Watch Dog – Chris Cowen, 3rd – 5th grade End of Quarter Reading Test
Friday 10/22 – TGIF, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch Dog – Jon Marzano and Corky McClellen, West Players Reading Day, Community Helper Day for Kindergarten classes in auditorium, Reading Make Up Testing, “Hat Day” for United Way
10/25 – 10/29
10/25 – 1st grade (Atkins, Barr, Jones, and Kreger)to Natural Science Center, Crain and Sutcliffe to Bethabara, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to CarolAnn Rosenberger, 3-5 Math EOQ
10/26 – Watch DOG – Eric Blanks, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Miller and Freshwater to Bethabara, PBIS Meeting, Happy Birthday to Wende Powell, Bunny Coates, and Janet Sunderman, 3-5 Math EOQ
10/27– 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, AP Professional Dev., Chadwick and Stone to Bethabara, Make-ups for Math EOQ
10/28– Watch DOG – Dave Miller, Dease to Bethabara, End of Quarter, Skate Night, Make-ups for Math EOQ
10/29– No School for Students
FYI/Reminders:
*** On Friday, Oct. 22 they are going to be paving the front parking lot so everyone needs to plan to leave school by 3:30!!
-Mr. Squire has left Southwest and will not be back. Our lead custodian position has been posted and will be filled ASAP. Thank you to the other housekeepers and the sub, Ms. Nicholson, for helping to keep things as normal as possible.
-Staff may take Annual Leave on October 29 unless there is a required workshop or end of quarter “things” to finish.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to wear your staff ID every day.
Staff Stars
Martina Nicholson – Thanks for doing such a wonderful job cleaning the 5th grade pod – it has been magnificent!! The trash can liners have been changed, bathrooms cleaned, etc…. very nice!!!!
Nicole Skinner – thanks for inspiring others to try class games for play a few times a week.
Aaren Brown – Great job trying out new technology
Amy Tilley – Thank you for helping others grow in technology
Mary Jane Everhardt - Awesome technology support for everyone
Melissa Stone – Your creative language arts centers were nice
Amy Trinkle - Great job sharing with parents about bullying Tuesday night
Nellie Broyhill - Wonderful support with wheelchair on Thursday
Joyce Wilson - Held Parent Conferences for each student in her room - 100%!
Janet Sunderman - Awesome belief in your students and support for them
Eugenia Ivey - Wonderful job connecting with parents and providing resources
Monique Jones – Great writing and peer conferencing lesson.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Friday Update 10-8-10
Friday Update
October 8th , 2010
As the end of the first quarter approaches, it is easy to get bogged down in the “negativeness” within the business of school. I have always encouraged you to draw on the positive energy of your students to help maintain a positive classroom environment. One way to add more positive energy to your classroom is to add more praise. It should be done, however, in the correct way.
Dr. Ben Bissel (1992) wrote that there are five key characteristics of effective praise: authentic, specific, immediate, clean and private. Children are smart enough to know when they are getting authentic praise. Knowing that they are being recognized for something true makes a big difference. Specific praise helps to ensure that a student’s positive actions or behavior is reinforced. When praise is immediate the reinforcing effect is even more powerful. Clean praise for students comes without strings attached. There is no “but…..” attached to the praise or the unrealistic expectation that the student will never do something wrong in the future. Finally, Dr. Bissel believes that the most lasting praise is done in private. A personal bit of praise delivered in a private manner can help solidify the student-teacher relationship. However you choose to praise your students can make a tremendous difference to both their attitude and yours.
“If one man praises you, a thousand will repeat the praise.”
Japanese Proverb
Next week
Monday 10/11 –– Watch Dog – Joe Mutter, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Mary Epperson
Tuesday 10/12 – Watch Dog – David Rhyne, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Staff Meeting, Curriculum Night (6:30-8:30)
Wednesday 10/13 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
Thursday 10/14 – Watch Dog – Basil Guffey, Tech Workshop – Teacher Webportal, Happy Birthday to Kim Skinner
Friday 10/15 – TGIF, Watch Dog – Andrew Burhans, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00
10/18 – 10/22
10/18 – Watch Dog – Brett Todd, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Heidi Lee, 1st grade (Wilson, Lawrence, and Tilley) to Natural Science Center
10/19 – Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, SIT Meeting
10/20 – 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, Picture Retake Day
10/21 – Principals Meeting, PTA Speaker – Joyce Kohfeldt @ 7:00, Watch Dog – Chris Cowen, 3rd – 5th grade End of Quarter Reading Test
10/22 – TGIF, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch Dog – Jon Marzano and Corky McClellen, West Players Reading Day, Community Helper Day for Kindergarten classes in auditorium, Reading Make Up Testing
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
- Welcome to Joyce Burnette, who will be filling in for Katherine Dice while she is out recovering!
Staff Stars
Glenda Vaughn - Victory with a student this week!
Tracey Moss- Michell Winters - Wonderful job with reading buddies!
Tanya Pennington - Dazzling differentiation to meet the needs of your learners!
Friday's -IEP Team - An awesome job of being prepared and collaborating!
Debbie H and Nellie - for going over and beyond the call of duty!
Eye vision team - excellent job!
First grade - good job with fall rotation.
Terry Zimmerman - nice use of similarity and differences within lesson.
Tonya Grisette - your non-linguistic representations rocked!
Wende Powell - thank you for continuing to look for ways to make our program better.
Kim Chadwick – great job with family fitness night
October 8th , 2010
As the end of the first quarter approaches, it is easy to get bogged down in the “negativeness” within the business of school. I have always encouraged you to draw on the positive energy of your students to help maintain a positive classroom environment. One way to add more positive energy to your classroom is to add more praise. It should be done, however, in the correct way.
Dr. Ben Bissel (1992) wrote that there are five key characteristics of effective praise: authentic, specific, immediate, clean and private. Children are smart enough to know when they are getting authentic praise. Knowing that they are being recognized for something true makes a big difference. Specific praise helps to ensure that a student’s positive actions or behavior is reinforced. When praise is immediate the reinforcing effect is even more powerful. Clean praise for students comes without strings attached. There is no “but…..” attached to the praise or the unrealistic expectation that the student will never do something wrong in the future. Finally, Dr. Bissel believes that the most lasting praise is done in private. A personal bit of praise delivered in a private manner can help solidify the student-teacher relationship. However you choose to praise your students can make a tremendous difference to both their attitude and yours.
“If one man praises you, a thousand will repeat the praise.”
Japanese Proverb
Next week
Monday 10/11 –– Watch Dog – Joe Mutter, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Mary Epperson
Tuesday 10/12 – Watch Dog – David Rhyne, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Staff Meeting, Curriculum Night (6:30-8:30)
Wednesday 10/13 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
Thursday 10/14 – Watch Dog – Basil Guffey, Tech Workshop – Teacher Webportal, Happy Birthday to Kim Skinner
Friday 10/15 – TGIF, Watch Dog – Andrew Burhans, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00
10/18 – 10/22
10/18 – Watch Dog – Brett Todd, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40, Happy Birthday to Heidi Lee, 1st grade (Wilson, Lawrence, and Tilley) to Natural Science Center
10/19 – Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, SIT Meeting
10/20 – 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55, Picture Retake Day
10/21 – Principals Meeting, PTA Speaker – Joyce Kohfeldt @ 7:00, Watch Dog – Chris Cowen, 3rd – 5th grade End of Quarter Reading Test
10/22 – TGIF, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch Dog – Jon Marzano and Corky McClellen, West Players Reading Day, Community Helper Day for Kindergarten classes in auditorium, Reading Make Up Testing
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
- Welcome to Joyce Burnette, who will be filling in for Katherine Dice while she is out recovering!
Staff Stars
Glenda Vaughn - Victory with a student this week!
Tracey Moss- Michell Winters - Wonderful job with reading buddies!
Tanya Pennington - Dazzling differentiation to meet the needs of your learners!
Friday's -IEP Team - An awesome job of being prepared and collaborating!
Debbie H and Nellie - for going over and beyond the call of duty!
Eye vision team - excellent job!
First grade - good job with fall rotation.
Terry Zimmerman - nice use of similarity and differences within lesson.
Tonya Grisette - your non-linguistic representations rocked!
Wende Powell - thank you for continuing to look for ways to make our program better.
Kim Chadwick – great job with family fitness night
Friday, October 1, 2010
Friday Update 10-1-10
Friday Update
October 1st , 2010
This week our PLC’s got off to a great start! It was good to have a few minutes to speak with you in a small group setting and to celebrate all that we accomplished last year. We have to keep building on those successes in order to be our best. We also shared some specific information regarding how your students performed last year. While we have to be proud of last year, we also have to be ready to learn and stretch even higher. Our professional development plans will be developed over the next few weeks and we would like for you to think about some specifics about how you can keep growing as a professional. The more we engage ourselves and our students in reflective dialogue, the more we will grow. I am proud of all of you and the work that you do every day.
“You must become the change you want to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi
Next week
Monday 10/4 –– Jump Rope for Heart Week begins in PE classes, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40
Tuesday 10/5 – 4th grade to Hiddenite, Principal’s Meeting, Focused Staff Training, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30
Wednesday 10/6 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
Thursday 10/7 –
Friday 10/8 – TGIF, West Football Players Reading Day, Vision Screening for Grades 1, 3, 5, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch DOG – David Seibert
10/11-10/15
10/11 – Watch DOG – Joe Mutter, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40
10/12 – Watch DOG – David Rhyne, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Curriculum Night 6:30-8:30, Staff Mtg.
10/13 – 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
10/14 – Watch DOG – Basil Guffey, Tech. Workshop – Teacher Webportal
10/15 – Watch DOG – Andrew Burhans, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
Staff Stars
Thank you for a great start to PLC’s.
Alicia Bailey – Welcome to Southwest!!! We are glad that you have joined us.
Cornelia, Dianne, Kim, Nellie and Sandra – Thank you for all that you do in the office every day.
4th grade – Great job with your writing assessments and with your egg totals.
Monique Jones – Thank you for your internship work and for working with student to maintain a positive class climate.
Carolanne Rosenberger – Thank you for taking such good care of your new student.
Brooke DiSorbo & Catherine Herko – Great job with your “SUPER LESSONS” this week.
Speech teachers – Congratulations on the complimentary email this week!
Amy Hancock & Joe Sereika – Thank you for your hard work to get ready for the Dixie Classic Fair.
Kindergarten – Thanks for your positive attitudes and flexibility for the field trip today.
Gloria Allen – Thank you for your flexibility to find a way to make chorus work this year.
Mary-Jane Everhardt – Thank you for your constant efforts to keep our tech training on track.
October 1st , 2010
This week our PLC’s got off to a great start! It was good to have a few minutes to speak with you in a small group setting and to celebrate all that we accomplished last year. We have to keep building on those successes in order to be our best. We also shared some specific information regarding how your students performed last year. While we have to be proud of last year, we also have to be ready to learn and stretch even higher. Our professional development plans will be developed over the next few weeks and we would like for you to think about some specifics about how you can keep growing as a professional. The more we engage ourselves and our students in reflective dialogue, the more we will grow. I am proud of all of you and the work that you do every day.
“You must become the change you want to see in the world.”
Mohandas Gandhi
Next week
Monday 10/4 –– Jump Rope for Heart Week begins in PE classes, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40
Tuesday 10/5 – 4th grade to Hiddenite, Principal’s Meeting, Focused Staff Training, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30
Wednesday 10/6 - 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
Thursday 10/7 –
Friday 10/8 – TGIF, West Football Players Reading Day, Vision Screening for Grades 1, 3, 5, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00, Watch DOG – David Seibert
10/11-10/15
10/11 – Watch DOG – Joe Mutter, 3rd grade PLC @ 10:50, 2nd grade PLC @ 1:40
10/12 – Watch DOG – David Rhyne, Kindergarten PLC @ 8:30, EC PLC @ 12:30, Curriculum Night 6:30-8:30, Staff Mtg.
10/13 – 4th grade PLC @ 9:15, 1st grade PLC @ 12:55
10/14 – Watch DOG – Basil Guffey, Tech. Workshop – Teacher Webportal
10/15 – Watch DOG – Andrew Burhans, 5th grade PLC @ 10:00
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
Staff Stars
Thank you for a great start to PLC’s.
Alicia Bailey – Welcome to Southwest!!! We are glad that you have joined us.
Cornelia, Dianne, Kim, Nellie and Sandra – Thank you for all that you do in the office every day.
4th grade – Great job with your writing assessments and with your egg totals.
Monique Jones – Thank you for your internship work and for working with student to maintain a positive class climate.
Carolanne Rosenberger – Thank you for taking such good care of your new student.
Brooke DiSorbo & Catherine Herko – Great job with your “SUPER LESSONS” this week.
Speech teachers – Congratulations on the complimentary email this week!
Amy Hancock & Joe Sereika – Thank you for your hard work to get ready for the Dixie Classic Fair.
Kindergarten – Thanks for your positive attitudes and flexibility for the field trip today.
Gloria Allen – Thank you for your flexibility to find a way to make chorus work this year.
Mary-Jane Everhardt – Thank you for your constant efforts to keep our tech training on track.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday Update 9-17-10
Friday Update
September 17th , 2010
Thank you all for your support of the 3rd annual Southwest Fall Festival. We are blessed to have a tremendously supportive PTA and this is their primary fundraiser for the year. The Fall Festival will support their budget which will allow us to add more ActiveBoards, document cameras and projectors for your classrooms. We also hope to add some acceleration and intervention software to help with our differentiation efforts. Fall Festival week is usually a crazy one, but I want you to keep the “prize” in mind that will help us for the rest of the year. Please remember to thank our parents for all that they do to support us.
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
Amanda Bradley
Next week
Monday 9/20 –– Fall Pictures (Pictures in the gym, PE in the auditorium), Watch Dog – Dustin Isenhour
Tuesday 9/21 – 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Vaughn, Winters, and Fausch), SIT, 4th grade On-Demand Writing Test, Happy Birthday to Amy Tilley
Wednesday 9/22 - Watch Dog – David Sipprell, 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Drummond, Marceron, Sunderman, and Rosenberger)
Thursday 9/23 –
Friday 9/24 – TGIF, Fall Festival, Watch Dog – Randy Patton
Week of 9/27-10/1
9/27 –
9/28 –Staff Meeting with Colonial Life Representative, PBIS meeting, Scout Night
9/29 – AP Professional Development, Happy Birthday to Catherine Herko
9/30 – Technology Workshop – Schoolwires Basic Training, PLC Facilitator Support Meeting
10/1 – TGIF, All Pro Dads Breakfast, Kindergarten to Children’s Theater
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
-As part of our 2009-2010 end of year "Plus/Delta", several folks asked for some differentiation in our technology trainings. This summer, I assigned an on-line Atomic Learning activity was assigned to all instructional staff members. This activity is a 40 question technology skills assessment that will allow us to see where our staff stands in terms of NETS technology standards. If you accidentally deleted the email with instructions about how to complete this assignment please do not worry - we will reactivate it for everyone. If you have already completed it, please do not do it again (25 have already done it). Thus far I have not assigned a due date, but would like to have this completed by Friday, October 8th.
Staff Stars
Mrs. McGhee and Mrs McClain - great job with targeted reading lesson!
Ms. King, Mrs Green and Mrs. Nolting - Your project and reading circle were awesome.
5th grade - your Hatchet activities have really had your students engaged.
Ms. Menendez - Thank you for the way that you clarified the learning objectives for your lessons.
Mrs. Letourneau - Great job with Spanish Club planning.
K-2 teachers that have DIBELed this week have all been prepared and have done an awesome job!
Patty and Erika for diligence in DIBELing
Mrs. Crain - Thank you for challenging your students with math puzzles.
Mrs. Larson - Super positive job of encouraging our k students to read your morning message!
Mrs. Letourneau - Great job with Spanish Club planning.
The bus duty team - Thank you for maintaining our expectations and always helping when changes/absences occur.
Mrs. Wilson - Great cooperative partner math game and super job of giving students the chance to tell how they did working together.
Mrs. Merritt - Hats off to you for your work with parents this week!
Mrs. White - Awesome job of getting down to the soil in science with 3rd graders!
September 17th , 2010
Thank you all for your support of the 3rd annual Southwest Fall Festival. We are blessed to have a tremendously supportive PTA and this is their primary fundraiser for the year. The Fall Festival will support their budget which will allow us to add more ActiveBoards, document cameras and projectors for your classrooms. We also hope to add some acceleration and intervention software to help with our differentiation efforts. Fall Festival week is usually a crazy one, but I want you to keep the “prize” in mind that will help us for the rest of the year. Please remember to thank our parents for all that they do to support us.
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
Amanda Bradley
Next week
Monday 9/20 –– Fall Pictures (Pictures in the gym, PE in the auditorium), Watch Dog – Dustin Isenhour
Tuesday 9/21 – 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Vaughn, Winters, and Fausch), SIT, 4th grade On-Demand Writing Test, Happy Birthday to Amy Tilley
Wednesday 9/22 - Watch Dog – David Sipprell, 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Drummond, Marceron, Sunderman, and Rosenberger)
Thursday 9/23 –
Friday 9/24 – TGIF, Fall Festival, Watch Dog – Randy Patton
Week of 9/27-10/1
9/27 –
9/28 –Staff Meeting with Colonial Life Representative, PBIS meeting, Scout Night
9/29 – AP Professional Development, Happy Birthday to Catherine Herko
9/30 – Technology Workshop – Schoolwires Basic Training, PLC Facilitator Support Meeting
10/1 – TGIF, All Pro Dads Breakfast, Kindergarten to Children’s Theater
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to remember those staff members who are dealing with personal illness or the illness of a family member.
-Please remember to where your staff ID every day.
-As part of our 2009-2010 end of year "Plus/Delta", several folks asked for some differentiation in our technology trainings. This summer, I assigned an on-line Atomic Learning activity was assigned to all instructional staff members. This activity is a 40 question technology skills assessment that will allow us to see where our staff stands in terms of NETS technology standards. If you accidentally deleted the email with instructions about how to complete this assignment please do not worry - we will reactivate it for everyone. If you have already completed it, please do not do it again (25 have already done it). Thus far I have not assigned a due date, but would like to have this completed by Friday, October 8th.
Staff Stars
Mrs. McGhee and Mrs McClain - great job with targeted reading lesson!
Ms. King, Mrs Green and Mrs. Nolting - Your project and reading circle were awesome.
5th grade - your Hatchet activities have really had your students engaged.
Ms. Menendez - Thank you for the way that you clarified the learning objectives for your lessons.
Mrs. Letourneau - Great job with Spanish Club planning.
K-2 teachers that have DIBELed this week have all been prepared and have done an awesome job!
Patty and Erika for diligence in DIBELing
Mrs. Crain - Thank you for challenging your students with math puzzles.
Mrs. Larson - Super positive job of encouraging our k students to read your morning message!
Mrs. Letourneau - Great job with Spanish Club planning.
The bus duty team - Thank you for maintaining our expectations and always helping when changes/absences occur.
Mrs. Wilson - Great cooperative partner math game and super job of giving students the chance to tell how they did working together.
Mrs. Merritt - Hats off to you for your work with parents this week!
Mrs. White - Awesome job of getting down to the soil in science with 3rd graders!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Friday Update 9-10-10
Friday Update
September 10th , 2010
This has been an extremely difficult week for everyone involved either directly or indirectly with the change of classes in 4th grade and kindergarten. Change is hard for children, but sometimes can be even harder for adults. Things will settle down and get back to “normal” in time. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the physical move happen so quickly. Please remember to continue to support our Southwest family and to keep in mind our rationale for everything that we do – “What is best for our students?”.
“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” Richard Evans
***Curriculum Night has been postponed because of conflicts***
It will be rescheduled for some time in October.
Next week
Monday 9/13 – Happy Birthday to Brooke Disorbo
Tuesday 9/14 – Staff Meeting
Wednesday 9/15 -
Thursday 9/16 – Principal’s Meeting, Watch Dog – Jimmy Bayne
Friday 9/17 – TGIF, Watch Dog – Scott Sluder
Week of 9/20-9/24
9/20 – Fall Pictures, Watch Dog – Dustin Isenhour
9/21 – 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Vaughn, Winters, and Fausch), SIT, 4th grade On-Demand Writing Test, Happy Birthday to Amy Tilley
9/22 – Watch Dog – David Sipprell, 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Drummond, Marceron, Sunderman, and Rosenberger), Watch Dog – David Sipprell
9/23 –
9/24 – TGIF, Fall Festival, Watch Dog – Randy Patton
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to keep the following folks in your thoughts and prayers:
Kathryn Dice is continuing with her cancer treatment
Jan Freshwater’s brother is still hospitalized and critically ill
Staff Stars
Kindergarten teachers and assistants – Thank you for your patience and for working so well with high numbers of students during these first few weeks of school.
4th grade – Thank you for adjusting to the changes in class size and for welcoming your new students.
Aaren Brown – The way that you have accepted your new challenge is appreciated.
Owls – Thank you for your work to move so quickly – AGAIN.
Becky Drummond – Congratulations on your small victories with your student.
Office staff – Thank you for all that you do every day.
Debbie Herrin & Debbie McIntyre – Your support is priceless.
**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.
September 10th , 2010
This has been an extremely difficult week for everyone involved either directly or indirectly with the change of classes in 4th grade and kindergarten. Change is hard for children, but sometimes can be even harder for adults. Things will settle down and get back to “normal” in time. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make the physical move happen so quickly. Please remember to continue to support our Southwest family and to keep in mind our rationale for everything that we do – “What is best for our students?”.
“Children will not remember you for the material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished them.” Richard Evans
***Curriculum Night has been postponed because of conflicts***
It will be rescheduled for some time in October.
Next week
Monday 9/13 – Happy Birthday to Brooke Disorbo
Tuesday 9/14 – Staff Meeting
Wednesday 9/15 -
Thursday 9/16 – Principal’s Meeting, Watch Dog – Jimmy Bayne
Friday 9/17 – TGIF, Watch Dog – Scott Sluder
Week of 9/20-9/24
9/20 – Fall Pictures, Watch Dog – Dustin Isenhour
9/21 – 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Vaughn, Winters, and Fausch), SIT, 4th grade On-Demand Writing Test, Happy Birthday to Amy Tilley
9/22 – Watch Dog – David Sipprell, 3rd grade to Heritage Theater (Drummond, Marceron, Sunderman, and Rosenberger), Watch Dog – David Sipprell
9/23 –
9/24 – TGIF, Fall Festival, Watch Dog – Randy Patton
FYI/Reminders
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
-Please continue to keep the following folks in your thoughts and prayers:
Kathryn Dice is continuing with her cancer treatment
Jan Freshwater’s brother is still hospitalized and critically ill
Staff Stars
Kindergarten teachers and assistants – Thank you for your patience and for working so well with high numbers of students during these first few weeks of school.
4th grade – Thank you for adjusting to the changes in class size and for welcoming your new students.
Aaren Brown – The way that you have accepted your new challenge is appreciated.
Owls – Thank you for your work to move so quickly – AGAIN.
Becky Drummond – Congratulations on your small victories with your student.
Office staff – Thank you for all that you do every day.
Debbie Herrin & Debbie McIntyre – Your support is priceless.
**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.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Friday Update 9-3-10
Friday Update
September 3rd, 2010
Thank you for another great week at Southwest. Enjoy the three day weekend and let’s come back on Tuesday ready to roll. On Tuesday afternoon we will review the Marzano High Yield Strategies and discuss Classroom Walkthroughs. If you do not have a Marzano High Yield Strategies Handbook, please notify Debbie Herrin via email.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
Next week
Monday 9/6 – Labor Day – No School!
Tuesday 9/7 – Principals Mtg., Focused Staff Training (required for all instructional staff)
Wednesday 9/8 -
Thursday 9/9 – Watch Dog & All Pro Dads Pizza Night, Beth Bowser’s Birthday
Friday 9/10 – Volunteer Information Session @ 9:00 am, TGIF
Week of 9/13 – 9/17
9/13 – Brooke Disorbo’s Birthday
9/14 – Staff Meeting
9/15 –
9/16 – Principal’s Meeting, Curriculum Night 6:30-8:30
9/17 – TGIF
FYI/Reminders
-I would like to “freshen up” our Friday Update for this year. If you have ideas, please send them my way.
-Language assessments are complete so students will begin to receive ESL services Tuesday, September 7th.
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
Staff Stars
Vanessa Menendez, Patty Overby & Sandra Garcia – Thank you for your hard work to complete kindergarten language assessments.
Kindergarten staff – Great job training our newest Southwest students.
3rd, 4th & 5th grade – Thank you for adjusting so well to a different specials time.
Wende Powell, Heidi Lee & Robin Vance – Nice use of your TV and active slate.
**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.
September 3rd, 2010
Thank you for another great week at Southwest. Enjoy the three day weekend and let’s come back on Tuesday ready to roll. On Tuesday afternoon we will review the Marzano High Yield Strategies and discuss Classroom Walkthroughs. If you do not have a Marzano High Yield Strategies Handbook, please notify Debbie Herrin via email.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.” - Alvin Toffler
Next week
Monday 9/6 – Labor Day – No School!
Tuesday 9/7 – Principals Mtg., Focused Staff Training (required for all instructional staff)
Wednesday 9/8 -
Thursday 9/9 – Watch Dog & All Pro Dads Pizza Night, Beth Bowser’s Birthday
Friday 9/10 – Volunteer Information Session @ 9:00 am, TGIF
Week of 9/13 – 9/17
9/13 – Brooke Disorbo’s Birthday
9/14 – Staff Meeting
9/15 –
9/16 – Principal’s Meeting, Curriculum Night 6:30-8:30
9/17 – TGIF
FYI/Reminders
-I would like to “freshen up” our Friday Update for this year. If you have ideas, please send them my way.
-Language assessments are complete so students will begin to receive ESL services Tuesday, September 7th.
-Please remember to keep working on your new staff webpage.
Staff Stars
Vanessa Menendez, Patty Overby & Sandra Garcia – Thank you for your hard work to complete kindergarten language assessments.
Kindergarten staff – Great job training our newest Southwest students.
3rd, 4th & 5th grade – Thank you for adjusting so well to a different specials time.
Wende Powell, Heidi Lee & Robin Vance – Nice use of your TV and active slate.
**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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)