Parsons ES Partyline
Friday, January 10, 2020
Parsons Rings in the New Year with Celebration
When I read the email, you know I got all teary eyed and squealed with excitement! We all like to receive recognition in different ways but to be acknowledged at the state and district level for the work that YOU do each and every day is validation to YOU!
I know it's a busy time but I hope you can join me on January 23 at 7:00 pm in the GCPS Board Room as our school receives this award.
As we take on this 2nd Semester, we will be faced with highs and lows, struggles and celebrations, successes and failures. BUT as we take this journey...we take it together! We have our WHY for what we do each and every day and we have each other! There is no other group of educators who I want to do this work with. Happy 2020!
Proud to be Your Principal!
RBES Mid Year Update in PD&E due January 27th
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ru-i-q4TVbI_WR2qPSACWyQl0wVV8FK4/view?usp=sharing
The Greatest Showman at PRHS
Thank you to Elise and other teacher leaders for coming up with a school wide plan for our students to attend this performance. The following email was sent out from Elise Sheppard with the plan. The link to the lunch schedule and walk down schedule for Thursday, January 16th and Friday, January 17th is below.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Sl5SCqbKDgvwsm3XZTYTmI0Y1oSmZ9EGdalatjTNDr8/edit?usp=sharing
The musical is a go. Grades 1, 3 and 5 will go on Thursday, and Grades K, 2, and 4 will go on Friday. We will need to walk down around 10:30, and stagger ourselves down there and back. The musical will end by 12:15. I am finalizing the lunch schedule. Grades 4 and 5 will take lunches back to their rooms to eat. Grades K-3 should be able to eat in the cafeteria. As soon as the lunch schedule is finalized, I will email it to all of you. The schedule will include the time for each class to walk through the line, and what table number your class will sit at (for Grades K-3).
Please be mindful of the times, and get students through them as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our sweet cafeteria staff is graciously accommodating all of us, so we can attend this event. Gabby and her team are also graciously allowing the younger grades to eat in the cafeteria a bit later than usual to avoid messy spills in classrooms.
Also, the permission slips are due back to the teachers on Tuesday, January 14th. Please keep track of all your parent responses so that you can follow up with those you don't receive by Tuesday am. You will need to call your parents on Tuesday afternoon/Wednesday to get the permission form returned before Thursday.
Student Health Survey for Grades 3rd-5th
3rd-5th grade teachers will administer the GA Student Health Survey to their class on January 29th or 30th. Schedules and directions can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10Jo0LVHiYxTRaOR35VyE6-8LMXHaEYiGLi-x1gJFCe0/edit?usp=sharing
**Labs have been blocked off for both of these days.
***Please return permission slips to Stacey Gist by January 21st. Be sure to keep a record of which students will NOT be completing the survey.
Report Cards and Grading for Semester 2
Report Cards were to be sent home today. Remember to have parents sign and return the report card envelopes. Extra envelopes for new students can be found in the mailroom.
Keep a list of your All A and A/B awards for reference, just in case we need you to submit the names.
Semester 2 Gradebooks
***You will want to open all sections and let them load to inherit district grade book setup for S2. Just open each section in your grade book.
Once you have done that, you will want to go to Gradebook Setup and confirm that all your weights are correct. Classes that you give a DA or SPG (Kindergarten) should reflect 50, 5, 5, 40. Non-DA classes should be 50-50.
Any assignments created in a Semester 2 grade book should have dates on or after January 6, 2020 to ensure the assignments are included in the Semester 2 grade spreadsheet calculations. Assignments with dates prior to the first day of the semester may not be included in the student grades.
When putting in grades for semester 2, make sure focus says semester 2. Confirm you are in the correct semester.
Honor Roll Lists (2nd-5th)
Internet Explorer No Longer Compatable with eCLASS
Preference Forms due to Michelle today 1/10
Grade Level Data Analysis on 1/13 and 1/17
Individual Mid Year Data Analysis Due January 24th
RBES Mid Year Implementation Update in PD&E Due January 27
Parent Notification
GCPS staff has migrated to new email addresses. All staff emails follow this pattern: first.last@gcpsk12.org or first.m.last@gcpsk12.org. Please update your contact information for your teacher to the new email. The Parsons Elementary website has been updated to reflect your teacher's current email.
Parents can continue to email teachers at their "old" email addresses. This email should continue to work as well. However, we know that with anything new there can always be a few glitches. Please contact the office if you have any issues with emailing teachers or staff.
Coming in March...Microsoft Outlook
Our school is expected to transition to Microsoft 365: Microsoft Outlook for our email beginning on Friday, March 6th. Our Tech Team has already made the transition to Outlook.
The Tech Team has already transitioned to Microsoft Outlook and is working out the kinks! If you receive an error message (email not found in any directory) when emailing Stacey, Sharon, or Ricky, remember to push the Use Name Anyway button.
What to expect when our School moves to Outlook:
- On March 6th you will use Microsoft Outlook to access your email.
- Outlook mail can be accessed three ways: a desktop application, on the portal, or using an app on your mobile phone. The mobile app is not required but makes email so much easier to check on your phone or tablet.
- You will be able to access your Lotus Notes emails and Archives. Lotus Notes will be "view only" for email.
- Your "old" email address will be listed as a secondary email for you. You should receive email from your new email and your old email address, but you should begin transitioning to this new email address.
- You may want to add your new email address to your Gmail, if you have your Gmail forwarded to your GCPS email. Stacey sent directions to do this.
Click the link below for a quick 2 minute tutorial of the top 10 things to know about Microsoft Outlook:
Heads Up...we had to change the Grade Level Planning Dates the Week of January 13
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Fz8Hu4XSNrdHczKq6TPqpguBjjT16T6-PWcnw6mxj2k/edit?usp=sharing
Individual Mid Year DA Data Analysis Due January 24th
The Mid Year Content Window Opens on Monday, January 13th and will end on Friday, January 24th. We have simplified the Data Analysis form so that it is more teacher friendly :-)
You do NOT have to have our individual data form complete for the grade level data analsis with will take place on 1/13 and 1/17.
When you click on the links below for each content, you will be asked to make a copy. Remember to sign in to your Google Account prior to clicking on the links.
Please have the Individual Teacher Data Analysis forms completed by January 24th.
The links below will force teachers to make a copy of the form for them to use for their individual teacher data. Remember to sign in your Google Account before clicking on the link.
ELA: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UfQ5pYb1UxBUjdyhUGOr_tsw3BmlaUFxQCerbltEl44/copy
Math:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BfQj1LAFE-ZTvNxXjEgkKsWMACKDZPiG_C_7UNWY5EU/copy
Science:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pCs58XACO2IXS_b4VysgBMmaXJVsFmaX29QilmvMcW4/copy
Social Studies: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TB4m4ypdPDaEFDywqg2wk3znRCBhyl8r9DPxv_-xd2g/copy
Are you ready for a Digital Learning Day?
Remember, your goal is to have your 3 days of DLD ready by the end of December. These can be "shell" plans that you update with current content.
Digital Learning Day Expectations can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oJzaN4IF7BEcvgi-pyC0CfuAq01xceOCE8DGKMNT0y0/edit?usp=sharing
Review of Staff Assignments:
- Classroom Teachers will prepare/post digital learning content on their eClass page.
- Special Area Teachers will prepare digital learning content for their assigned grade level special.
- Support Staff & Classified Staff: Human Resources will push out a module for you to complete in PD&E if we have a Digital Learning Day.
- Special Education, ESOL, EIP, Speech, Reading Recovery, Media Specialist, Counselor, TST, ECAT will complete the PD&E course.
- PreK teachers will complete the PD&E module. Teachers will prepare a packet that will be sent home prior to an anticipated Digital Learning Day. PreK teachers will not post Digital Learning Day activities in eClass. PreK teachers will complete a PD&E course.
- Ms. Austin will work with her 5th grade math and science classes, in addition to her science special.
- Ms. Piper will work with her Math, SC, and SS 4th grade class.
- All Classified staff (cafeteria, office, custodial, and parapros) will complete a PD&E course.
- LSTC will be available on Digital Learning Day by email or phone for support. Lisa Eubanks, the eClass specialist, is also available by email.
- Administration will monitor and interact with students and staff throughout the day on eClass.
- FOCUS students will not visit Piper and Austin.
Quick Reminders:
- Make sure that content is posted by 9:00am on a Digital Learning Day.
- Remember to "unhide" or take all modules, files, discussions, quizzes, & activities out of draft mode.
- Post an Activity Feed with questions enabled.
- Please monitor your Activity Feed and eClass discussion boards throughout the day. Responding to questions and posts at least 3-4 different time periods throughout the day.
Math Boot Camp in February
- Math Boot Camp Professional Learning
This professional learning is designed to develop and deepen understanding of the Mathematics AKS for grades K-5. Each session will focus on aligning AKS, assessment, and instruction using the lowest performing AKS for the semester. This is a great opportunity for learning and collaboration. All teachers are encouraged to attend.
What: Math Boot Camp
When: February 1, 2020 (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Where: Discovery High School
Please share this information with teachers and only have them register in PD&E (course #2391), if they did NOT attend in September.
Science Opportunity
- K-5 Problem Solving in Science
This professional learning is designed to provide an opportunity for elementary teachers to dive into the K-5 Science AKS through the lens of problem solving and critical thinking. Learning will focus on engaging students in effective science instruction using science phenomena and mini-tasks that incorporate Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies and authentic, real-world problems. Participants will leave each session with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to engage students in effectively learning elementary Science, while also developing important literacy and mathematical skills.
What: ES Problem Solving in Science
When: February 12, 2020 (4:30PM-6:30PM)
Where: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center; Grayson Room
Interested participants should register in the PD&E using course # 23181.
Quality-Plus Teaching Strategy - Modeling and Practice
This week’s highlight includes both the Introduction and initial QPTS in Action for Modeling and Practice. Use the links below to access the Why, How, and What of Modeling and Practice along with sample lesson plans in each of the four core that model how this strategy brings learning alive for students.
2_Modeling&Practice_QPTSinAction1.pdf https://tinyurl.com/ModelingAndPracticeWk2
1_Modeling&Practice_Introduction.pdf https://tinyurl.com/ModelingAndPracticeWk1
Sign up for the Parsons Professional Development Courses in the PD&E
Weekly Happenings
Monday, January 13
Grade Level Planning/ELA Mid Year Data Analysis
Tuesday, January 14
Staff Meeting ~ 7:30 am
Mystery Skype (Davis) Media Center ~ 10:45 am
Dr. Williams visit
ESOL Teacher Cluster Meeting ~ 1:45 pm
Girls Who Code ~ 3:30 pm
Yonug Rembrandts ~ 3:30 pm
Wednesday, January 15
ACCESS testing begins
Chorus Practice ~ 7:30 am
World Citizens Club ~ 7:45 am
Literacy Vertical Team Meeting (Jackson ES) ~ 8:00 to 3:00 pm
Drama Kids Club ~ 3:30 pm
New Teacher Training ~ 3:45 PLR
Thursday, January 16
100th Day of School
Chorus Practice ~ 7:30 am
Witzzle Pro ~ 7:40 am
Greatest Showman Production at PRHS (1st, 3rd, 5th) ~ 10:30-12:30 - No Parent Lunches
Robotics Club ~ 3:30 pm
ILT Meeting ~ 4:00 pm
Parent eClass Meeting ~ 5:30 pm (Cubs Lab)
Chick Fil A Spirit Night
Friday, January 17
Staff Goody Day ~ 2nd Grade Parents
No Personal Leave Day ~ Bring a doctor's note if you are out sick today and Tuesday, 1/21
Student Council ~ 7:45 am
The Greatest Showman Production (K, 2, 4th) PRHS ~ 10:30-12:30 No Parent Lunches
Mystery Skype (Rogers) 10:45
Cynthia Lewis 1/10
Sue Ku 1/11
Megan Davis 1/12
Jesse Standridge 1/12
Ricky Berry 1/22
Lisa Roberts 1/25
We are very sad to announce that Jesse Standridge will be leaving Parsons on Friday, January 17th to pursue a position that is closer to her home. We have loved having her here at Parsons and will certainly miss her sweet, gentle spirit and her awesome ability to keep the clinic going so smoothly! Please join us in wishing her the very best!
Our very own Jennifer Kim was awarded the Korean-American of the year award!
Way to go, Jennifer! We are so proud of all you do to make the Korean community a better place!