Mustang Message
May 2, 2016
A Principal's Perspective
Many of us saw or heard about the seemingly impossible men's Aggie Basketball win over Northern Iowa in this season's basketball playoffs. In only only 44 seconds to go, the Aggies scored an unbelievable 12 points to force the game into overtime! Charles Barkley's commentary after the game stuck with me. He thought that the Northern Iowa players lost the game because under pressure they forgot basic fundamentals that they had been previously taught and practiced.
The end of the year, while fun, can be stressful due to the many end of the year events, activities, and management details we need to do to close out a school year. Just like in a playoff game, we too need to execute our school fundamentals as a team to ensure an end of the school year win. Fundamentals such as consistent implementation of school procedures/routines, maximizing instructional time with little down time, communicating with parents of schedule changes, and all staff members pitching in to supervise transition times are just a few game plan strategies to clinch the end of the year. It does take a well executed team to make a game winning, memorable finish!
Be Legendary - See the possibilities!
Donna
Morning Duties of the Week
Morning Assembly (7:30): 3rd Grade Split Duty
Gym (7:20): C. Anderson
Cafeteria (7:20): Murphy
Bus (7:20 - Buses/ Cafeteria after all buses arrive): Jankowski
Parent Drop Off Traffic: LeBlanc
Parent Drop Off: Owen & Prukop
Counselor Schedule: Small Groups
Librarian: PC
Week at a Glance
GP Staff Appreciation Week!!! There will be a few suprises to show our appreciation for all that you do. First things first - Wear JEANS this week!
Saturday: CSISD Art Show 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Spring Creek Elementary
Monday: Fourth graders begin free seating in cafeteria; Leadership Team Meeting 3:00-3:30
Tuesday: 4th Grade Lunch with Principal 12:25; Amber Madden's Bridal Shower 3:20 library
Wednesday: Lounge Wednesday - Fellowship & get to know your colleagues better by eating in the lounge; Training for new GP teachers with Amanda Simmons 3:30-4:30; Open Tech Support with Parr 3:15-4:00; Running Club 3:00-3:45
Thursday: PTO Meeting 12:00-1:00; SIT Meetings Group #4 (Simpson, Bahls, Reed, Psicacek); New kinder parent tour at 7:30 AM
Friday: Kinder Donuts with Dad @ 7:40 am; Kinder Mom Makeover @ 1:30; Staff end of the year family party - Saddlecreek Pavillion 6:00-9:00 pm Desserts K, 1, 3 & Support; Sides 2nd, 4, SPED & Office Hamburger, Hot Dogs, Chips & Drinks provided by Social Committee. Life Guards will be on duty.; Relay for Life Event
Third Grade Lemonade Day Information
Exciting things are happening in 3rd grade right now...we are learning how to be entrepreneurs! (That means someone who organizes and manages their own business.)
We are running our very own lemonade stands next week! Lemonade will be pouring on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 2-4 pm. Regular lemonade is $1.00 and specialty lemonade is $2.00 ( Pink-a-licious, Strawberry Lemonade, Rasberry Lemonade, Pineapple Lemonade, and more!). Not only will it be sour, sweet, and super duper delicious, but a portion of our proceeds will be going to a charity chosen by the class. (Charitable is an entrepreneur's middle name!) So, come on out and support our eager entrepreneurs!!
Monday, May 2: Brice (Bryan Animal Shelter) /Prukop (Down Syndrome Assoc of BV)
Tuesday, May 3: Simmons (Aggieland Humane Society)/Hastings (CASA)
Wednesday, May 4: Hughes/Rhine
Our hours are 2-5 p.m. Our location will be near the bike racks. Our charity of choice is Books and a Blanket, which was started and is run by two South Knoll students.
News & Notes
- It is starting to feel like summertime! The weather is getting warmer. With that, I would like to provide a few gentle reminders without being the fashion police. With our staff dress code, we want to follow high school guidelines.
- Shorts must be professional. They must be tapered, not denim material. Sandals worn with shorts must have some type of heel - not flip flops. Think over professional when deciding to wear shorts.
- Students are allowed to wear baseball caps in the building on Monday. Teachers may decide classroom rules on wearing caps in the classroom. Staff members are encouraged to wear hats on event days such as field day, slide day, picnic days, etc.
- Thank you for a wonderful, delicious VIPS luncheon. We had many VIPS attend. I know that they felt appreciated. Most importantly because we mingled and sat with our VIPS, they felt welcomed. A big shout out to Deanne Holmes for hosting and organizing a great luncheon. Thank you to both Deannes and Christian Parker for VIP decorations that were super!
- Ipadalooza is coming up in Austin this summer (June 22-24). This is a great opportunity to learn in a fun, "weird", way all about IPads in the classroom. If you would be interested in attending, please let me know.