Village Voice Week 4
Jenkins Elementary School
Updates for Week of September 7th, 2015
Thank you for sharing and writing your input on our feedback sheets at our Marvelous Monday. We appreciate your honesty and detailed responses to assist us as your leaders. Remember, I am a leader who firmly believes that “it’s not about me or you, but it is about the kids that we serve.” Your feedback will assists us with getting better as a local school and that is important. We are thankful to have an awesome team of faculty and staff members.
Some of the themes noted on the feedback sheets included the following:
- Concerns regarding the start time of the announcements
- Concerns regarding Monday Meeting times
- Concerns regarding communication from administration
- Concerns regarding timing of the bells for dismissal
- Concerns regarding bus parade
- Concerns regarding lack of planning
Some of the things that are working:
- Jeans on Friday
- Parent Involvement
- Vertical Professional Development
- More Positive work environment; Teacher Moral
- §Extended time for Literacy Block
- Being able to teach Science and Social Studies
The A-Team has reviewed the summaries of the input sheets and will be exploring a few options for the Leadership Team to consider for some of the requested modifications. Stay tune for more information in the upcoming week.
Reflection for the week- “Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” By: Francis of Assisi
Safety and Security
Please wear your employee name badge daily. All visitors are expected to wear a visitor’s sticker. If you see a stranger without a sticker, please escort them to the main office area or call for assistance if needed.
Teaching and Learning
· Bell to bell teaching should now be happening
· Every minute counts when a child comes to school….use them wisely.
· The academic progress of your students is an extension of the time that you spend
knowing each, every child’s needs and the instructional plans that you put in place for him
or her.
· Remember to FOCUS on the “RIGHT WORK”
Professional Development
At Jenkins Elementary School, we are a professional work environment that will align ourselves with research based instructional strategies to enhance the overall learning of our students. We are life-long learners. At Jenkins Elementary, professional development is an instructional expectation for all.
GCPS Professional Development
Fall Classworks Training Reminder
Classworks is a district-provided, digital resource that includes standards-based math and reading assessment options and instructional activities. Registration for the following course is available via PD&E on the portal.
NEW Classworks' Applied Mathematics (K-8): Classworks’ Applied Mathematics is 310 new problem-solving activities for grades K-8 that are appropriate for whole-class, small-group and independent work. These are standards-based intellectual challenges designed to promote conceptual understanding as well as the ability to reason and communicate mathematically. Each activity is differentiated, with a Progress, Meeting, and Expanding level - all addressing the same standard with varying levels of difficulty. The activities have built-in differentiation opportunities with multiple choice and open-ended response questions, digital tools, student hints, an interactive canvas, and audio recording capability. There are multiple ways to solve the problems, and teachers can use the activities to promote critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as real world application for the math skills.
Wednesday, September 9 - 4:00 - 6:00 - Discovery Lab @ ISC
Thursday, September 17 - 4:00 - 6:00 - Discovery Lab @ ISC
Employee Attire
Professional business casual work attire is acceptable with appropriate footwear. Flip flops are not appropriate footwear.
Staffing Updates
GCPS Human Resources will be adjusting school staffing points to Jenkins Elementary and discussion of logistics of changes for any employee affected will occur during the week of September 7th. Changes in points will affect the number of staff on our local staff roster and require a different school assignment for some employees. Employees that will be directly impacted by these changes will hear directly from Dr. Smith as the changes that are needed are approved by Human Resources.
Teaching, Learning and Student Engagement
Constitution Week
In the spring of 2005, Congress passed legislation requiring educational institutions receiving federal funding to hold educational program pertaining to the United States Constitution on September 17 of each year (section 111 of Public Law 108-447). All GCPS schools are expected to commemorate Constitution Day sometime during the week of September 14- 17, 2015. All grade levels should collaborate to identify how you can successfully engage students regarding the events for constitution week. Please see your Instructional Coach for ideas that would be appropriate for your students.
Happenings in the Village
School Clubs will start on Tuesday, September 8, 2016. Clubs will be from 7:30 - 8:15 a.m. (Club Sponsors will provide any necessary changes to the time as we closer to the start date if needed.)
Tuesdays – Chorus, Art Club, and Crescendo Orchestra Club will be offered on Tuesday's after school at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday's - Witzzle Pro Club
Thursday's - Science and Yearbook Club
Friday's - Peer Leaders, Technology and Running Club
Coming soon......
JES Learning Academy for K-5 students
*Extended Learning Program for students who might benefit for additional learning opportunities. Lesson Plans will be a direct extension of grade level AKS and curriculum mapping.
*The Academy will be held on Wednesday's and Thursday's from 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. We must have a signed permission slip for students to attend. Applications for teachers who might be interested in teaching in this program will be coming soon. The targeted date for the Academy to start will be October 21, 2015.
Mark your Calendar
9/7- Labor Day Holiday – No School
Tuesday, 9/8-Count Day-POST your count; No personal leave for any faculty & staff
Wednesday, 9/10- Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Thursday, 9/10 – Title I Knight at the Museum
Friday, 9/11 – Remember our soldiers and families who were impacted by 9/11
Upcoming Events and Looking Ahead….
9/10 – Title One Knight at the Museum 5-7 p.m.
9/16- CogAt testing begins
9/18 – GCPS District Leaders and Leadership Gwinnett will be visiting our school to observe Reading in action.
9/23 – 9/24 Early Releases
9/28 – DDA testing begins
9/29- JES Benchmarks begins
September Birthdays
Emily Bellamy 9/15
Melissa Trudel 9/16
Annie Bell 9/18
Aisa Mujkic 9/23
Faun Branch 9/24
Rachel Stoudenmire 9/24
Jessica Morse 9/30
Things to Do
Be prepared for Title I Knight at the Museum
Make sure your gradebooks are up to date.
Make sure that you have provided multiple opportunities to remediate student learning.