The Gator Tales
The weekly staff newsletter for Glenwood Elementary School
Week of May 20
Upcoming Important Dates and Events
May 27- Memorial Day Schools Closed
May 28 and 29- Grade 4 Math
May 30 and 31- Grade 3 Math
May 31- Final day for library book checkout
May 31- PTA Spring Carnival 6-8 PM
June 4- Grade 5 Science
June 5- Grade 5 History
June 7- All library books due
June 11- Final day for Specialists
June 12- Field Day
Congratulations! Gator Pride!
You guys make us all Gator Proud!
Field Day 2019
This year, each grade level will plan their own activities and schedules. Some activities could be sports related, but others could be based on what the grade levels feel their students will want to do. The PE staff is available to help with your grade level sports needs, as well as any equipment that may be needed. You may also invite your parents to visit and assist.
Administration is going to provide FreezePops for all students.
The time frame is below.
Grades 3-5- 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Grades PK-2- 12:00 -2:20 pm
Happy Birthday!
Gmiter, Kasadyne May 21
Heinz, Cheryl . May 24
Karpovich, Carol . May 29
Lassiter, Kristle May 30
Hamm, Thelorita . May 31
Glenwood Responsive Classroom Team
June 17 Flex Day
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All teachers and teacher assistants may work a flex schedule for the staff day on June 17, 2019. They may begin working the extra time on May 16, 2019 and record on their timesheet the time worked. Teacher assistants, ISS coordinators, and library assistants may not work more than 40 hours in any one week. The time sheets will provide documentation to support the hours reported in WISE. The flex day applies only to the following group of employees:
*All teachers whose schedule ends on June 17.
*Teacher assistants, ISS coordinators, and library media assistants -
Teacher assistants, ISS coordinators, and library assistants may not work more than 40 hours in any one week. The time sheets will provide documentation to support the hours reported in WISE. The flex day applies only to the following group of employees:
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Security assistants are not eligible because of security needs of the building.
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Eligible employees who do not choose to make use of the flex day and do not wish to report on June 17, 2019, may choose to take personal reasons leave with approval of the building principal.
Grateful Gators!
Thanks to Rymer for always being our YOGA instructor! It does make a difference! DF
Despite internet connection problems, Jenn Haws kept the power flowing to complete SOL tests with success! SOL testing is a huge undertaking and she handles all the pressure with clarity, ease, and accuracy.Thank you, Jenn! Grace
~Thank you PTA, office staff, and Admin for helping us feel special last week J
~Mr Williams: I love how you were dancing and singing on the morning announcements, that was my jam!!
~Rymer and K team: for the smiles and laughter in the stressful assessment season
~Kimpan, Salisbury, Brubaker, Hankinson, Rymer, Denham: for letting us borrow relics from the past
~Hinson: Thank you for letting Rymer borrow the gym for yoga
~Rymer: Yoga master, you are awesome!
~Habib: Thanks for letting me borrow a triangle
~Salisbury: for the being the K “Go-to” person for the cum records
~Pam Jones: thank you for organizing the breakfasts and lunch! Cleghorn
Kudos to Mrs. Slinde for working with me to solve the mystery of The Lost Ceramic piece Kudos to all of the people involved in making last week such an awesome week! The great food and thanks are so appreciated! Allison Harder
Kudos and thank you many times to Barb Kimpan for going above and beyond on her own time for my 2nd Gators! Kudos to Larson for being my kind of buddy class!
Huge thank you to Fargo for being our guiding light! Many big kudos to Carol K for being awesome! Dina Dreistadt
Third grade would like to send a shout out to PTA and admin for providing breakfast, lunch, and treats last week. It was greatly appreciated. -Third Grade Team
Kudos to ALL OF THE AMAZING TEACHERS who have welcomed me into your classrooms for guidance lessons each month. Thank you for giving me grace when I have been late to lessons or had to reschedule for various reasons! Your students are all so sweet and it has been a joy to teach them! You are all SO LOVED! J <3
Kudos to our administration and all they have done to help prepare for SOLS!!! Especially JEN HAWS for being an SOL/SRT superstar. You are amazing!!!
Kudos to Tina Repa for being the best co-counselor out there. You really are amazing!
Kudos to Mr. French for allowing Tina and I the opportunity to use the scooters. It really has helped our traveling time as we move all around the building to meet with students/get to classes & meetings. I appreciate all you do to support and care for us. You are the best!
From Tara Pfeifer
Thank you Mrs. Dykes for the banana bread and flowers. You sure know how to brighten up a Monday morning in the office. Pam Jones
Kudos to Samantha Grimes for being such a pleasant and incredibly quick helper! We are glad that you are a Gator. Mrs. Fields, I appreciate the care you put into all that you do for our children. Mrs. Petko, thanks for sharing your sweet preschoolers with my second graders this year. It has been fun to see the growth made and how responsible the 2nd graders are with your students. Kudos to Val Orner, for her patience, kindness, and wealth of knowledge. You make learning fun for students as well as teachers, and I so appreciate you! Diane Dykes
Kudos to Mary Salisbury and Donna Carrow for always being so helpful and kind. I appreciate you both and enjoy working with you. Thank you Mary for showing me how to do CUM’s! Jessica Durkalski
Kudos to Tara Pfeifer and Lynn Brubaker for donating oranges to a special friend in my classroom. You all are much appreciated! Meagan Serrano
Thank you Cleghorn for letting share my passion...Rymer
KUDOS to Mrs. Soccio for helping me and my kiddos find a home during SOL testing. :) Marie Lake
YES- The One Word You Should Be Using Every Day
As educators we need to be in the “yes”
business with our students.
“Of course you can code the Sphero during math
time, it’s a great way to learn angles.”
“Why is everyone so quiet, you know I like
conversation in class which tells me you’re
learning from each other.”
“This is the basic template for our project today,
and I really want you all to add your own flavor as
you work.”
“When you’re done reading that chapter, go design
and print something on the 3D printer — that
would be awesome!”
“I love that idea, moving all of your desks outside
for the day and having a robot challenge with your
class sounds amazing!”
“You want to switch classes today with your
partner teacher to get a different perspective from
their class? Go for it!”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes — of course
Kindergarten students can do all of those things,
let me know how it goes!”
5 Must-Have Tools That Help Educators Be Awesome for Kids
From 5 Must Have Tools That Help Educators
Adam Welcome
Thanks Jen Malit for the recommendation!
Sometimes we just need a little laugh! A classic for you!
Literacy Folders
In accordance with the state and division's literacy initiative, a literacy folder is required to be inserted in each elementary student's cumulative file to capture information regarding students' literacy performance and growth. The Virginia Department of Education Regulation VAC 20-131-80 states, "In kindergarten through grade 3, reading, writing, spelling and mathematics shall be the focus of the instructional program. Schools shall maintain an early skills and knowledge achievement record in reading and mathematics for each student in grades kindergarten through grade 3 to monitor student progress and to promote successful achievement on the third grade SOL tests. This record shall be included with the student's records if the student transfers to a new school." The folders are required for all K-5 students in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS). Please note, the standards-based grading report card serves as the achievement record in mathematics for each student.
As a reminder, the folders have a table on the front in which teachers should record the student's annual Spring DRA2 instructional level score. The Spring DRA2 and a spring writing sample should be stored in the literacy folder. For fourth- and fifth-grade students who are reading on or above grade level, their most current DRA2 should be stored in the folder. PALS teachers are putting the spring reports for all students that they tested in grades K-3. The K teachers are going to put the EDK assessments in the literacy folders. Teachers will place a checkmark in the table after inserting the spring writing sample, indicating the writing piece has been included in the folder. The literacy folder and table will provide evidence of literacy performance through the elementary grade levels. In addition, data from the literacy folder will assist teachers in planning instruction at the beginning of each school year to meet students' needs and begin small group reading instruction prior to the completion of the Fall DRA2 administration. The folder will remain in the cumulative file when a student transfers to another school within VBCPS; this includes students progressing from elementary to middle school.