Thomson Staff Newsletter
May 9, 2016
Important News & Notes
I hope that you all enjoyed Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week last week! If you missed last Friday, please see me for your gift from PTO. Also, there will be left overs for today in the lounge at lunch. I thought our PTO and parents did a wonderful job recognizing all the hard and amazing work you all do each and every day!
Promotion Cards
Classroom teachers will be receiving your student promotion cards today, Monday. Please remember to include as much factual information that you can that would be helpful in placing students for next year. If you have any questions, please let me know right away. If you have students who you know are moving, please make sure you mark these accordingly and separate these from others. Also, if you have students that are missing cards, please see Anna for a blank one. Promotion Cards are due Friday, May 13th.
Classroom A-74 Accounts (PTO Accounts)
Classroom teachers should have found a half-sheet in your mailbox this morning that reflect the recent donation from PTO. You will notice that these are based on the balance you had on April 25th, so if you turned in receipts after this date, please subtract these from your total so you know exactly how much you have.
Ordering for 2016-17 School Year
On Tuesday or Wednesday of this week, you will be receiving the ordering information for the 2016-17 school year. While the county bid order is due very quickly, all other orders will have a later due date. Anna will include all this information when she gets the ordering packets out to you. Please remember to carefully look through your cupboards and drawers and order things that are essential for teaching and learning. If there are 'big ticket' items that you would like for your classroom, see me and I will see what I can do.
ABC Count Down Starts Thursday!
Don't forget the ABC Countdown starts Thursday...then only 26 days left of the school year. Where did it go? Thank you to all that shared input in revising the Countdown for this year. It is important that you are aware of the 'theme' for day, in some cases teachers will need to prepare for the day...example, A-Art Day, teachers should have a special art project(s) for the day that the students will complete. Please be sure to look ahead and are prepared.
It’s Nomination Time
Davison Community Schools is currently accepting nominations for its annual Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year awards. The awards are sponsored by the Davison Educational Foundation. Winners receive a plaque, $500 award for use in the classroom/school building and a reserved prime parking spot for the school year. If you would like to nominate a Davison school employee, or more specifically, a Gates employee, for this recognition, please complete the nomination form by clicking on the Teacher of the Year or Support Person of the Year at the link provided below. Thanks for your consideration! We have some AMAZING staff here at Gates. http:// www.davisonschools.org/news.cfm?story=173028 Contact Me… If you are interested in
Cardinal Code Focus for the Week: Playground
This week, please take some time to intentional take your students outside have them demonstrate appropriate Cardinal Code and use of the equipment and also have discussions about what are appropriate games to play at recess. As the weather gets warmer we are seeing an increase in very rough play and games that have imaginary weapons. While I definitely encourage imaginative play, when students play roughly or with pretend weapons misunderstanding occur or kids get hurt or the play fighting turns into real fighting. I appreciate your help with this and know that our playground staff does as well.
National Nurses Appreciation
Don't forget, this week is National Nurses Appreciation Week. If you have a moment or see Megan out and about, you may want to take a moment to thank her for all she does. We are so very fortunate to have Megan. Megan is a wonderful nurse and truly cares about the health and well being of our students and staff.
Important Upcoming Dates
Monday, May 9th-Eddie Eagle Presentations
Wednesday, May 11th-Early Release Day (PD for all Teachers, Parapros, and Challenge Coordinator), 1:45-4:45 p.m.
Thursday, May 12th-ABC Countdown Begins
Friday, May 13th- DIBELS Window Closes; $5.00 Jean Day for Project Graduation.
Week of May 16-PLC Week
Monday, May 16th-ACC, 4:15-6:15 p.m.; PTO Meeting (Sarah Howes and Megan Kellie, thank you!)
Tuesday, May 17th-Fire Drill; District School Improvement Meeting
Thursday, May 19th-Social Studies Committee Meeting; CMC Meeting 4:00-6:00 p.m.; Carolyn's Wedding Shower
Friday, May 20th-Leadership Team Meeting, 7:30 a.m.
Quotes Worth Reading...
"Some teachers taught the curriculum today. Other teachers taught students today. And there's a big difference."
@BluntEducator
Really good teachers know how to teach students and curriculum at the same time.
Birthdays and Celebrations
Happy Birthday: None this week!
Congratulations to Lisa Porrit and Michael Romanik! Lisa recently graduated with her undergraduate degree from Rochester College and Michael successful defended his Master's Thesis at MSU.