Skyland Peek at the Week
Week of September 16-20 (A WEEK)
Show up and Do the Work
I love this excerpt from Jon Gordon's book The Power of Positive Leadership.
Show Up and Do the Work
No matter what anyone says, just show up and do the work.
If they praise you, show up and do the work.
If they criticize you, show up and do the work.
If no one even notices you, just show up and do the work.
Just keep showing up, doing the work, and leading the way.
Lead with passion.
Fuel up with optimism.
Have faith.
Power up with love.
Maintain hope.
Be stubborn.
Fight the good fight.
Refuse to give up.
Ignore the critics.
Believe in the impossible.
Show up.
Do the work.
You’ll be glad you did.
-Jon Gordon (Excerpt from The Power of Positive Leadership)
This job is not easy. Those not in education will never completely understands. But the best part of our job is that we can always "Maintain Hope." Even after the very worst days, there will be some light in your next day that will show you your value, if you truly take the time to look for it. Thank you for being the type of educators who "...Refuse to give up" and "...Believe in the impossible." Thank you for showing up and always doing the hardest, most rewarding work possible. I feel honored to serve the students of Skyland by your sides!
Make sure you read through the SMORE closely. There is a TON of information that is very important.
Sept. Dates Stafford will be out of the building:
9/17 - Principal/IC Meeting
9/20 - New Principal Meeting
9/25 - New Principal Meeting
10/2 - Principal's Meeting
10/8 - State Board of Education Meeting in Columbia (Anyone have anything you want me to bring up to Molly Spearman? Wink, wink!)
I think I need to step up my afternoon announcements! You can fully expect a song coming soon! (I promise she says "Mitch!")
Reminders
Read your way to the big game! - Teacher Bulletin Board Contest
Want to win $500 for your classroom? Submit a Clemson vs. Carolina reading bulletin board pictures to the website below by Oct. 18th for your chance to win!
Employee Benefits Insurance Open Enrollment
Employee Benefits Insurance Open Enrollment Update - To improve the District’s employee benefits open enrollment appointment scheduling process, we are moving to an online tool. The online scheduling tool was piloted last year, and it was very successful. Click on the button below to schedule your date and time for your required meeting. You will then receive an appointment confirmation email. Open Enrollment will begin September 16 and run through October 31. All benefits meetings will take place in the conference room next week.
Progress Reports
Remember, Progress Reports are only required for students that are at risk of failing. If you need a progress report printed for a student, please email a list of those names to Cecilia as soon as you can so she can get them printed for you!
GCSD Q1 Progress Report Dates and Procedures
Wednesday, Sept 18 – Teachers’ Grades and Verification Sheets due by the end of the day
Thursday, Sept 19 – Schools check Verification Sheets and print interim progress reports
Friday, Sep 20- Interim Progress reports go home
Student Progress Reports are optional for the 2019-2020 school year. IHAB states that “teachers must contact the parents of students who are at risk of failing mid-term and at the end of each grading period.” In accordance with this policy, the progress report is required for all students at risk of failing at mid-term, PreK-12.
IMPORTANT! Update on Measles Vaccine proof! (Some new info)
If you have any questions, please let me know!
How to Request Your Greenville County Schools (GCS) Immunization Record
If you attended a Greenville County School and would like to request your Immunization Records, please complete/sign the attached GCS Transcript/Record Request form and submit it to the Information Assurance Office with a copy of a your GCS Employee ID. Records request may be sent by courier or by email. Email requests may be sent to Candice Ehlenbach cehlenbach@greenville.k12.sc.us .
Good News Club @ SES
Parents have been notified that if they signed their child up for GNC, they will need a note for us to not send them to GNC, just like any other change in dismissal.
Skyland Signers
Monday, September 16 - Skyland Singers begin their practices, 2:30-3:15
We will practice on Mondays and Thursdays.
I will send a roster out to teachers as soon as I have all permission slips turned in (hopefully next week)
Educators Who Make a Difference
Educators Who Make a Difference - Upstate Parent magazine is seeking nominations for their annual “Educators Who Make a Difference” edition. Nominations must be made using the online form found here. Please submit your nominations by October 18. You may nominate more than one person, but may not nominate the same person more than once.
Reminders from Mase
If you're interested in Mr. Garrett holding a grade level behavior/discipline assembly to go over rules and expectations, please send him an email to work out a date and time.
Reminders from Kenna
Word Study Kit PLCs with 1st and 2nd grades will be held on Thursday, 9/19 during grade level planning.
If you have a completed Donor's Choose project, please post it in the workroom!
Reminders from Katelin
- The Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment window opens on September 16 and closes on December 6
- Grades K-5 - Enter fall instructional reading levels in RAS in the fall column.
- Grades K-5 - Replace the previous year's spring benchmark form with the updated fall instructional form.
- Kindergarten Teachers - Do not benchmark your students until they are a level A. If they are not reading at a level A, please wait and benchmark them as close to December 6th as possible.
Counselor's Corner - Reminders from Caitlyn and Chelsea
Upcoming Dates
September
9/16-20 - Required Benefits Meeting (Sign up online)
9/16 - Fall PTA Fundraiser Kick Off Pep Rally (Cafeteria)
K4-2: 1:15 pm
3-5: 1:45 pm
9/18 - Committee Meetings
9/19 - First Responders Meeting in the library @ 3 pm
9/23 - Volunteer Orientation 9 am
9/25 - No Faculty Meeting! Enjoy your Wednesday afternoon!
9/27 - Causal Friday (Jeans Day!)
10/1 - Free cinnamon rolls!! Thank you FANS!
10/2 - Committee Meetings
10/9 - Faculty Council
The below meeting schedule will start in October!
Important Documents
Happy Birthday
September
13- Chandra Cisson, K5
15- Laurie Staples, Speech
21- Amanda Boone, 4th
21- Caitlyn Grigg, Guidance
23- Angie Lewis, 3rd
25- Eric Clark, Maintenance
26- Heidi Sever, 1st
27-Jill Parker, K5
Mrs. Stafford's Contact Information
Email: lstafford@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/skyland/
Phone: 8643557210
Twitter: @leahcstafford