Panther Updates
News, Resources and Learning for Panther Staff, 2/20/17
News of Note
We hope that you enjoyed all the great cultural arts activities last week. Our author, Henry Cole and and Artist in Residence, Shannon Newby were a big hit with our students. A big thank you to Sarah Fry and our PTA for arranging for both to come to Pleasant Union. It might be a good opportunity to keep in touch with Henry Cole as your students read the over 200 books purchased last week. I am sure that he would enjoy feedback and perhaps a Skype experience. His twitter address @henrycolebooks.
As mentioned last week we need your student's names being considered for retention. Please complete the Consideration of Retention form so that I will know who should receive a letter. I need this information before you leave on Tuesday. As always, remember that parents should be well aware that their child is having difficulty so that my letter will not be a surprise.
Thanks to all that have completed their Intent Form. This information helps us start planning for next year. Although we would hate to lose anyone, Wake County has established revised transfer guidelines. You may interview and accept positions for 2017-18 school year without Principal's permission from March 1, 2017 through May 1, 2017 only. However it is always best to have a private conversation with Lara or I as principals always call us as to employee track record. After May 1, 2017 ALL transfers for 2017-18 school year require your current Principal's permission (any transfers during a school year always require current Principal's permission.)
Mark you calendar for a change in meeting dates. The March Leadership Team Meeting will be on 3/9 versus 3/2 and the Staff Meeting will be on 3/23 instead of 3/9.
Great to see many of our staff taking advantage of our Makerspace on at least a quarterly basis. When we provided professional development over a year ago it was with the expectation that ALL staff would provide their class with AT LEAST 1 Makerspace experience EACH Quarter. If you have any questions on projects to do or better yet planning a project-based experience that ties to your curriculum please reach out to Annette and Heather for ideas for making this happen. Remember that planning for your students to be exposed to authentic, real life applications of the curriculum is not only aligned with our School Improvement Plan and the Wake County Strategic Plan it is best instructional practice.
It is exciting to see the additional learning area now available to classes before and after lunch hours. We've already spotted some 5th grade students and staff using it. If you have a great idea for what we can call the area be sure to email me your thoughts. More on signing up for that area will be forthcoming and resources for ideas on how it and the Makerspace can be used in conjunction with the Media Center.
Track 3 and 4 Interims go home on Tuesday. Be sure to alert Special Education caseworkers if you are sending an interim with a SpEd student.
The February PTA Meeting will be held this Tuesday, February 21st in the new learning area beginning at 8:15. Please send your grade level rep.
Thanks to the 3rd grade team for already letting me know who their reps will be to attend the ELA proposed materials review. Names of attending grade level reps from 3rd-5th are due by Friday, February 24th.
A Big Thank You Goes Out to Sheila Boone!!!
February is Love the Bus Month
Resources to Enhance Instruction
Standards Based Lesson Planning
Makerspace Sites
Integrating the 4Cs Into Your Classroom
Track 2 out duties for the weeks of: 2/20-2/24, 2/27-3/3
AM Hallway-Blocker
AM Carpool-Fitzgerald (Put out cones to block carpool through-lane at 8:45)
AM Breakfast- Ward
AM Bus-McEwen (Write down bus arrival times)
Lunch- Fitzgerald, Crum, Lavin, Renfrow, DeCain, McEwen, Chavis, Newman, Bednar
PM Hallway- Whitley (corral bus students and supervise)
PM- Carpool: Roberts, Bednar, Perry, Cooper, Crum (Perry- Calls car numbers beginning at 3:40 PM, Roberts / Bednar in the cafeteria, Cooper and Crum are outside with students/safety patrol.) (Bednar- Please get the speaker out of the office conference room to set up.)
PM Bus- 2/13-2/17 McKearney, 2/20-2/24 Cox, 2-27-3/3 Potter