Blackhawk Bulletin
February 7, 2016
Happy Super Bowl Sunday! Go Panthers!
Thank you to everyone for being ready to greet our visitor last week. Unfortunately, US Senator Thom Tillis was unable to join the representative from his office, Colton Overcash, in visiting our school. Due to the amount of questions and thorough tour provided by our student leaders, we did not have time to visit each classroom as planned. Mr. Overcash was very impressed with the students and their ability to share what they were learning. Other topics that we discussed (during the tour and with SIT) included: local control of school calendar, high stakes testing vs. assessment, school performance grades, importance of instructional assistants, recent cuts to instructional assistants, cuts to the federal Title 1 program, teacher pay and specifically the NC teacher pay scale, teacher pay for advanced degrees/experience, food served in the cafeteria, concerns regarding proposed changed to the NC insurance plan, preschool funding, economic development, moral of teachers, how public schools need to be supported by lawmakers, how public schools educate all students who walk through our doors and we should not be penalized for that, etc. A special thank you to staff members who voiced your concerns and the concerns of your colleagues!
Dr. Baldwin called me later that evening to share his appreciation to our school for following through with this visit. He said that he was impressed with how great the school looked, our buttons, & how focused and happy everyone seemed.
News and Reminders:
- We have had several students who want to sponsor a blanket drive for homeless. With the support of Mrs. Hyatt, they have created a video, posters and a plan for collections. We will collect blankets through the month of February.
- February is BCS Survey Month. Look for a separate email with a link to the BCS Surveys we complete each year. This year is also a NC Working Conditions Survey so that survey information will be shared later. Remember that our School Improvement Team will use these surveys to plan for the upcoming School Improvement Plan so we want everyone to participate in both! Thanks!
- Ann-Marie McBride has put a box in the lounge to collect book donations for AHOPE. See the info that was previously shared: The BCS School Social Workers are collaborating on a service project. We are focusing on Homeward Bound of WNC. Homeward Bound ends homelessness in Western North Carolina by moving people into housing of their own and providing the support they need to stay housed for good. 89% of the people they've housed haven't become homeless again. I know about their services because I have been able to work with them to help some of our families who had become homeless. Each school is choosing one or 2 items to collect for this agency. The Weaverville Schools will be collecting paperback books (adult literature) for the AHOPE day center. Many of you have probably found reading a good book to be an inexpensive form of entertainment and stress relief. In this small way, we can help someone in crisis deal with the incredible stress they are experiencing. I will place a box in the lounge, and we will collect books from now until February 11th. Thank you for supporting our community!
-Ann-Marie McBride
Spring time is the time for school tours! I am scheduling tours left and right so please do not be surprised when I bring some prospective families in to your classrooms. Of course, we want to put our best foot forward when showing off our school so make sure to have your classroom greeters ready and engaging activities going on!
School-wide Data Discussions - Feb. 9 and 10
Here are reminders about this process:
In order to provide a longer discussion time, we will add 15 minutes to the Leaders Achieve morning discussion session.
- 2nd grade - 8:45 - 9:45
- 3rd grade - 9:45 - 10:45
- 4th grade - 11:00 - 12:00
- Assistants should get the lesson plans from the Title 1 staff on Monday so you are knowledgeable about what you are doing.
- I need a list from classroom teachers listing which assistant is going in which classroom.
- Title 1 is planning a 30 minute fluency activity that assistants will complete with students. This will be followed by a 30 minute SSR session. Teachers do not need to plan for this hour but teachers do need to determine which assistant will be in which classrooms. Coverage will be provided by Title 1 and Instructional assistants.
- PM sessions will stay the same (40 minutes)
- Day 1 AM - Very At Risk
- Day 1 PM - At Risk
- Day 2 AM - Watch/On Grade Level
- Day 2 PM - Above Grade Level
Thank you to teachers for coming prepared last time by having notes, a list of questions and thoughts to share about each child!
February 11 - Visit to Sugarloaf Elementary - Leadership Day
We will have these staff members and parents attend the Leadership Day at Sugarloaf Elementary in Hendersonville.
Fields, Lanning, Roop, Aubry, P. Shelton and Pott (members of the Leadership Day Action Team). Shipman, Allison, Meredith Switzer and Kellie Lynch are also attending. After much debate and changes in the school day schedule, I have decided that we will pay for full day subs for Fields and Lanning. As the facilitators of the action team, they will return to school and work on their agenda/to-do list for this action team based on the experience. Roop, Aubry, P. Shelton and Pott will leave at 11:00 to return to school in time to teach afternoon classes (if applicable).
I have recently received an invitation to another Leadership Day at Estes Elementary. If you have a desire to attend and are willing to help plan our day, please let me know. I have a couple of people in mind already but we have a few more slots we could use. Thanks!
POSITIVE DISCIPLINE: 10 WAYS TO STOP TAKING RECESS AWAY
Some of you have asked for ideas about this. Although the first suggestion mentioned (walking laps) has been removed as an option by our county, there are some others that could possibly work.
8 Things Teachers Do To Encourage Misbehavior
Teachers are the most powerful people in the classroom! You set the tone for learning and behavior! Check out this article to see how your actions and attitudes can advance or hinder your efforts!
The Florida Center for Reading Research is a great resource!
Our Literacy Team members are working to develop a thorough scope and sequence for word development. Until that is ready, check out this link. We have also ordered some phonics resources (not a program) to help support your work in this area.
Upcoming Events
The Pacing of Leader in Me Habit instruction (revised)
February 8 - 19 - Habit #3 - Put First Things First
February 22 - March 4 - Habit #4 - Think Win-Win
March 7 - March 18 - Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
March 21 - 24 - Review/Catch Up
April 4 - 15 - Habit #6 - Synergize
April 18 - 29 - Habit #7 - Sharpen the Saw
- February 5 - Supply Orders for the remainder of the year due to Suzy Mace. Turn in your order ASAP if you have not done so. Thanks!
- February 8 - 12 - Love the Bus Week! We love our bus drivers and bus substitutes!
- February 9 and 10 - WvES Data Discussions - we will follow the same plan as last time (unless someone has a brilliant idea to share). See the note above regarding plans.
- February 9 - Lighthouse Team Meeting at 2:45 (Note change in date)
- February 10 - Love the Bus Breakfast in the Conference Room! Bus drivers and substitute bus drivers are invited to drop in for special treats in the morning! We are SO thankful for you!
- February 10 - Literacy Team Meeting at 2:45
- February 11 - Regular School Day
- February 11 - Sugarloaf Elementary's Leadership Day - several staff members are attending
- February 12 - Regular School Day and Second Grade Hearts and Habits/Student Recognition
- February 12 - LOVE LUNCH for ALL staff! For only $3.00 a person, please join us in enjoying a yummy lunch from Twisted Laurel. Invitations/RSVPs were put in all mailboxes. Please make sure to RSVP to Cheri Bettilyon on Monday if you would like to participate. In order to keep costs down, our Hospitality and Office will contribute funds to cover the overall cost. All you have to pay is $3.00 - what a deal!
- February 15 - PDP Midyear reviews are due for the county. Please have yours done by Feb. 12 so I will have time to review it and sign off by the deadline. If you would like to meet individually, I will be happy to schedule a time. If you completed your goals with your grade level, it is appropriate to work with your grade level on your midyear review.
- February 15 - 1st Session of ACCESS Testing on this day. We will need computer lab and Media Center in the AM. All ESL students will be involved in testing on this day.
- February 16 - District Advisory Council Luncheon at NWR - 11:30 AM and Fourth Grade Hearts and Habits/Student Recognition
- February 17 - Elementary Principal's Meeting and Third Grade Hearts and Habits/Student Recognition
- February 17 - School Improvement Team Meeting - send agenda items to Amanda Brookshire and/or Jennifer Shelton
- February 18 - PBIS Action Team meeting cancelled
- February 18 - 4th Grade Chorus Concert for All-County Chorus Members at First Baptist Church in Asheville
- February 22 - 26 - Will do some more ACCESS Testing this week (more information to come)
- February 29 - Principal's Meeting and SIT Midyear Reviews due
- February 29 - March 4 - Read Across America Week and One Book; One School Event
- February 29 - Special readers in Leaders Achieve blocks to kick off One Book; One School (more info to come)
- February 29 - Wendy Fusco to meet with specialists at 10:30 and 4th grade at 1:30 regarding 1:1 implementation
- March 3 - SoConn Basketball Tourney for 3rd graders
- March 4 - Book Character Parade and SoConn Basketball Tourney for 4th graders
- March 10 - WvES PTO Dining Out Event/Fundraiser
- March 17 - Junior Achievement Program at WvES - More details to come!
- March 17 - Joint PLC session with Weaverville Primary School (PLC Early Release Day). We will meet at Weaverville Elementary.
- March 22 - 2nd grade Parent Math Workshop/Event
- March 23 - 3rd grade Parent Math Workshop/Event
- March 24 - 4th grade Parent Math Workshop/Event
- May 5 - Production of "The Imagination Case" by Drama Club and Chorus (6:30 PM)
- May 30 - Memorial Day - now an OTWD instead of Annual Leave Day
- May 13 - WvES Spring Fling - Mark your calendars now so you can be there!
- August 15 - School-wide Leader in Me Training