FIN Bulletin
Summer Edition
Here is the schedule for the week staff returns- August 12th-16th:
Welcome Back Sugar Creek Family!
Darleen, Aaron and I are excited to see each of you! Summertime is the best- it allows us to take a break from the schedule, the demands and the expectations of our very important job. We hope that you were able to rest and enjoy some well deserved time off. Continue to enjoy this necessary time- soon we will all be back together to do the most important work we were meant to do. It’s going to be a great year! Darleen, Aaron, and I are looking forward to working with each of you.
Please read the following newsletter carefully- we want you to know that our goal is to allow as much time in your classroom.
Reminder: To get ready for our Road Trip and exciting journey together, we would like it if you would share pictures of your summer vacation with us. As you have time over the summer, please share pictures to this folder: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1g26tJB9yjUrcLXcH53OSLkzUuGDc96zC
Our Admin Team
Michelle Gritz
Darleen Romenick
Aaron Plummer
Sugar Creek New Staff Members:
Pre-K teachers- Ricci Rowan and Alysson Green
Pre-K assistants- Rebekah White
Kindergarten Assistant- Sarah Bolin
5th grade- Savannah Carpenter
School psychologist- Kimberly Gray
Resource teacher- Joanne Sewell
Behavioral Interventionist- Callie King
Nurse- Kimberly Larson
Media Specialist- Melissa Rickmon
Registered Behavior Specialist- Heather Smith
Media Specialist
Melissa Rickmon
Nurse
Kimberly Larson
K Assistant
Sarah Bolin
Registered Behavioral Technician
5th Grade Teacher
Behavioral Interv.
School Psychologist
Pre-K Teacher
Number of classes in each grade level:
Kindergarten- 6 classes
1st grade- 7 classes
2nd grade- 6 classes
3rd grade- 7 classes
4th grade- 6 classes
5th grade- 6 classes
We have 6 Related Arts, so we will use our amazing Kim Deaton (Tech Assistant) to teach Tech 2 to 1st grade and our wonderful school counselors, Kelly and Teddy will teach a guidance lesson during the 3rd grade related arts block. Thank you to Kim, Kelly and Teddy for their team attitude and positivity!
As you look over the schedule for the week of August 12th-16th, please note the attire for each day and you are welcome to order lunch, eat out for lunch or bring your lunch each day.
Monday, August 12th- Welcome back! Dress is casual or workout clothing (field day appropriate)- 7:25-2:50
Work in your rooms all day
Tuesday, August 13th- Full Staff Welcome Back Meeting- Dress is casual or workout clothing (field day appropriate)- 7:25-2:50- Breakfast for staff- we will be providing a breakfast! As you come in for our staff meeting, please enjoy breakfast on us!
Plan to meet in the media center at 8:00 to begin our welcome back meeting
Topics of discussion include but not limited to theme for the year, staff introductions, expectations, mission/vision, Meet the Teacher Information, Handbook highlights
Our goal is to have you work in your rooms after we meet- we aren't sure on the end time.
Wednesday, August 14th- Work in your rooms all day!!!- Dress is casual or workout clothing (field day appropriate)- 7:25-2:50
Small group meetings as needed (this may include individual teachers or whole teams- depending on the needs of the students with the IEP) with resource team to familiarize with IEP accommodations, 504 accommodations, etc. Our resource team will communicate a time with you to meet and go over these important documents (if you have students with an IEP or 504). These meetings will take place in each of the resource teacher rooms. You will be provided with each student’s IEP, 504, etc.
Thursday, August 15th- Meet the Teacher- dress is professional
Dress professionally for our staff picture, individual pictures and grade level pictures starting at 7:45am- line up starting from shortest to tallest from the cafeteria doors
Pre-K families will have their Meet the Teacher at 9:00- 9:30 and 10:30-11:00
Kindergarten families will come during their appointed times starting at 10:00
1st- 5th grade teachers will start Meet the Teacher from 3:00-5:00. You will need to be ready to receive families at 2:45. Sessions will be: 3:00-3:30; 3:35-4:05; 4:10-4:40; open session from 4:40-5:00
For teachers and staff that will be at school from 3:00-5:00 for Meet the Teacher, you are welcome to take two hours off this day or this week in exchange for this time. Please do not use this time to miss any scheduled meetings.
Friday, August 16th- Dress is casual or workout clothing (field day appropriate)
We will have a coffee truck in the back teacher parking lot from 7:00 am-9:30 am. We hope this starts your morning off on the right foot! Below is the tentative times we scheduled each group for the coffee truck- this way the lines are somewhat controlled and your time is maximized.
7:00-7:20 Resource Team
7:20-7:40 Pre-K Team
7:40-8:00 Kindergarten Team
8:00-8:20 1st and 2nd grade teams
8:20-8:40 3rd and 4th grade teams
8:40-9:00 5th grade and Related Arts
9:00-9:20 Intervention Team
9:20-9:30 Office Staff/Counselors/Nurse
Staff Meeting at 10:00 in media center- we will go over first day and first week of school procedures, duties, etc. - dress is casual but not workout clothes- 7:25-2:55
Other Information
Facilities Update:
We will send an email on Monday to update everyone on the carpet to see when you may be able to come in we understand the level of stress this may cause many of you- don't worry- we will get it all done!
Carpet in media-just starting
Carpet in office- complete
Gym- complete
Painting- the District was able to paint the accent walls in the 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms, the office area and A100. Unfortunately, the cost was much higher than they anticipated and will paint the other accent walls at another time.
Waxing the floors in each classroom and hallway- Mr. Lewis and Mr. Willie are working on this
WE UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY OF GETTING YOUR ROOMS READY-OUR GOAL IS TO GIVE YOU AS MUCH TIME IN YOUR ROOMS!
In your boxes:
Mr. Plummer will place a master schedule, staff roster, fire exit map, and phone list in each of your boxes on Thursday, August 8th. Class Rosters should NOT be shared with anyone- these are confidential and parents should not be told. Parents will find out on Friday, August 9th.
Please hang the fire exit map by your classroom door and your phone list next to the phone in your classroom.
Safety Videos:
Be sure to complete all your safety videos (District Mandate) by September 20th. Using your web browser, go to the SafeSchools website for Fort Mill School District: https://fortmill-sc.safeschools.com/ (username is your last name, first initial)
Student Placement Rosters:
We will place student rosters in your boxes on Thursday, August 8th. Remember, there are many students still registering and students withdrawing. Take your time on labeling items….your roster could be changing. DO NOT reach out to any of the families since they will not know their placement until Friday, August 9th.
As you read over the narratives of your students, keep in mind that children develop different relationships with teachers and classmates depending on the depth of that relationship and dynamic. So, read the narrative as a point of support but be prepared to build your own thoughts and relationships with each of your students. What a wonderful opportunity! Remember, our students are our top priority and it is our duty to care and teach them to the best of our ability.
Parents will find out about student placement on Friday, August 9th (electronically).
I have included a BE KIND statement to our parents once they receive student placements- I will remind them that our staff is here to serve our students and families so please be kind and respectful with your words on social media.
Master Schedule:
Creating the master schedule is a complex task that takes time, involves a variety of perspectives, and requires a school wide view. There are many considerations taken into place such as large blocks of time for ELA/Math, large blocks of time for Science/Social Studies, recess times, lunch times, student services, etc. We have also included recess times and locations in your daily schedule. Because of our large special education and ESL population, we have less freedom for each teacher to create their own schedule including the order in which to teach ELA/Math. If you have any questions, please ask Darleen, Aaron or myself.
Furniture in the Classrooms:
As you start organizing your classrooms, many of you will not need tables, desks, etc. There are teachers that will need tables, desks, etc. If you DO NOT want tables, desks, chairs, etc. please place these items in the hallway against your classroom wall. DO NOT DRAG tables, chairs, shelves on the tile. They will scratch the newly waxed floors! This includes the tile in your classrooms. If you are in need of furniture and you see furniture in the hallways, then you are welcome to move it into your room. Grab a buddy to help you move the tables. DO NOT DRAG
If you have a teacher desk and you are deciding you do not want a teacher desk, please send an email to the staff. There are teachers that are wanting/needing a teacher desk. We have no room to store extra furniture, so if no one wants your teacher desk, you will need to keep it in your classroom.
Extra Supplies:
As you organize your classrooms, if you find yourself with an abundance of student supplies left over from last year (crayons, glue sticks, composition notebooks, paper, etc.) we would GREATLY APPRECIATE if you brought these items to Tricia. She can include these items in our supply closet. This way we aren’t over ordering supplies and can use that money somewhere else.