News & Notes Northeast LC
May 2014
A world-class community of schools that ignites students' passions to learn, lead and serve
NELC News & Notes is our monthly communication providing current news and information to interested stakeholders from each of our 22 schools and our learning community office.
Middle Schools
Holcomb Bridge Middle School
C5 - Holcomb Bridge Does It Again!!!
Once again, Holcomb Bridge Middle School has the opportunity to highlight some of our students. For the last several years, we are delighted to say that we’ve been able to partner with the C5 Georgia Youth Leadership Program (formerly known as Camp Coca-Cola).
What is C5 Georgia? It is a 5 year youth leadership development program that has adopted a mission “to change the odds for high-potential teens from under-resourced environments, inspiring them to pursue personal success, and preparing them for leadership roles in college, work and their communities.” This program encourages teens to be: Character-driven; Community-focused; Challenge-ready; College-bound; and Committed to a better future.
What was the process of selection? Students are selected during their 7th grade year and if accepted make a mutual 5-year commitment with the C5 Georgia program. These students have to be nominated by their teachers and complete an application packet that includes teacher recommendations, an essay, and grade reports. Application packets are reviewed by the C5 Georgia program, who then decide which applicants will continue on to the interview phase; this encompasses 3 hours of activities and individual interviews with a panel of C5 Georgia representatives. After all the interviews, final selections are made.
What does this mean for our students? Students gain valuable knowledge, personal development, leadership skills, mentors, and planning for their future through 5 years of summer camp experiences; including 2 summers in Georgia, 1 summer in Wyoming, college tours/visits, and involvement in a local community event. Students must also complete a number of community service hours each year. Participants are exposed to resources and experiences they may have never dreamed of and gain a level of self-confidence that amazes everyone around them…..graduating high school with a definitive focus on their future.
Is C5 Georgia Youth Leadership Program Successful? ABSOLUTELY!!!! Latest data indicates that (taken from their website)….. 93% of students continue with the program each year; 98% of students have gone on to college; 100% of graduates have been accepted into a college or the military; $2.25 million+ in scholarship dollars were awarded to graduates. One of Holcomb Bridge MS former students successfully completed the C5 Georgia program and is now attending Harvard University on full scholarship……SUCCESS!! SUCCESS!! SUCCESS!!
How many students are selected each year? The C5 Georgia Youth Leadership Program only accepts 72 Georgia students each year and Holcomb Bridge always has a strong representation. We are extremely pleased to announce that this year’s class includes 13 Holcomb Bridge students; with 2 more on the wait list…..the most ever for Holcomb Bridge and the most of all participating schools. Congratulations to all these students and welcome to an AWESOME opportunity.
To learn more about the C5 Georgia Youth Leadership Program, check out www.c5georgia.org.
Autrey Mill Middle School
Autrey Mill sixth grade math students will create designs for the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve and Heritage Center for two pieces of land that have recently been cleared. The objective of this STEM lesson is to design a space that offers passive recreation which allows visitors to enjoy the natural world around them. The students will apply their math skills by finding the area of irregular polygonal spaces. Also, science and language arts skills will be integrated by writing about the impact their plans will have on the soil and strategies for the conservation of soil. The top designs will be given to the Autrey Mill Nature Preserve to use as possible options for the development of the land. The relationship with the Nature Preserve will continue into seventh grade through collaboration for hands on lessons next year.
Haynes Bridge Middle School
HAYNES BRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL HAS BEEN BUSY GETTING READY FOR CRCT!
For the last six weeks the staff and students at Haynes Bridge Middle School have been reviewing and preparing for the CRCT test. We have been holding practice sessions every morning at 7:30am and every afternoon at 4:15pm for 1 hour. Each grade reviewed a different content area each day. Each week the topics have been different to cover the curriculum. We held 108 practice sessions in all with over 650 attending the sessions. We concluded our reviewing with a Math Boot Camp on Saturday, April 19th from 9:00am-12:00pm. Our Boot Camp was a huge success with 33% student participation! Our testing motto this year is HAPPY!
Hard working Eagles
Achieving success
Positive and able
Prepared to do our best
Yes, we WILL own that test
River Trail Middle School
River Trail students are building and growing their leadership prowess thanks in large part to a partnership with Northview High School’s Student Leadership program. This spring over fifty River Trail students were nominated by their teachers to participate in the spring leadership program held at RTMS. Student leaders from Northview have created a dynamic four session program that includes activities on team building, cooperation, perseverance and community involvement. Working in four separate teams, our students are gaining the skill set, knowledge and confidence to impact RTMS and our community, as well as forming valuable connections with the current student leaders of their feeder high school
In another partnership endeavor, the River Trail Middle School bands, under the direction of Jennifer Compton Lambert and Angela Reynolds, recently hosted brass and woodwind concerts for all sixth grade students involved in the band program. The Emory Brass Ensemble under the direction of Ms. Kay Fairchild, and the Kennesaw State Woodwind Quintet, under the direction of Mr. John Warren, performed the week prior to Spring break. Standard brass ensemble and woodwind quintet repertoire were featured to give the band students an opportunity to hear quality literature performed by advanced level musicians. The performers also spoke individually about their positive experiences in band and were able to communicate how important instrumental music and the arts in general are to becoming a well-rounded student.
Taylor Road Middle School
We are, once again, very proud to announce a generous donation to the students at Taylor Road Middle from Northside Hospital of Johns Creek. Sheila Perkins, Volunteer Coordinator for Northside, orchestrated a donation opportunity through their Adopt-A-Classroom Program headed up by a leadership group at the hospital to our RTI² (Response to Intervention²) program. The RTI² program is an intervention program utilizing basic skills and enrichment strategies to enhance learning amongst all students. Amongst items donated by the Northside Hospital leadership group are iPads, teacher supplies, and educational math software. Mitch Haber, one of our math and RTI² teachers, will oversee the utilization and implementation of the items donated.
High Schools
Centennial High School
On April 25th, 2014, Centennial High School packed the auditorium as we celebrated our first ever College Signing Day! With our students going to UGA, Tech, Harvard, Tufts, West Point, Kennesaw, and more… the celebration included seniors having their moment on stage, announcing where they are going to college, and “signing” a certificate indicating which college they had decided to attend!
Graduation is at 7:30pm on May 23rd at Mt Pisgah church and will be webcast for the first time in the school’s history – with a digital download available to each senior!
Chattahoochee High School
On Thursday, April 17th, 2014 Chattahoochee High School had their annual Springfest celebration. The day started with a pancake breakfast for seniors and turned into a lunchtime carnival-like celebration for the entire school. The event kicked off with “The Old Spice Guy” riding atop a Johns Creek Fire Truck that lead the Spring athletes into the Chattahoochee High School Art Department. This was an event that involved the “Hooch Community” as we had music and art work provided by our students, PTSA members working in the game booths, faculty and staff doing crowd control and students enjoying area. Mayor Mike Bodker, Fire Chief Jeff Hogan and Principal Tim C. Duncan welcomed “The Old Spice Guy” (Isaiah Mustafa) who was here to make a donation to the spending time with their friends and having carnival attractions to enjoy. We also had 6 members of the Johns Creek Fire Department join in the celebration. As a thank you to our Business Partners, we had several of them at Springfest selling lunches and desserts to everyone, and thanking us for including them in this special event. This was a great way to provide one last positive school-wide bonding experience for the students and faculty as we approach the upcoming testing season.
Johns Creek High School
Congratulations to the Johns Creek Engineering Competition Team of Scott Sicchitano and Austin Fornell, led by Dr. Steve Sweigart, for winning the 7th Annual Fulton County Hovercraft Competition held at Banneker High School. The team took home first place for Speed and Performance and the award for Most Technologically Innovative Hovercraft. The team had a slow start to the competition placing last in the time trials. After losing their first round head to head competition against Banneker High School the Johns Creek team worked their way up the losers bracket. They knocked off Osborne High School, Chattahoochee High School and then Banneker High School back-t- back to win the double elimination tournament. Great job team applying your STEM skills in a highly competitive competition.
Northview High School
Coffee Chat with Dr. Brannon
Northview High School PTSA appreciates hosting the Coffee Chat’s with Dr. Paul Brannon. The PTSA Coffee Chats provide our parents with a more intimate look at the school, in a friendly, less formal way. Plus, the parents warm up with a nice cup of coffee and pastries, compliments of the PTSA.
The Coffee Chat’s give the Principal an opportunity to give a face to face update on some of the current teaching initiatives and strategies, as well as any upgrades to the school's technology and building upgrades. Simultaneously, they offer our parents an opportunity to ask the Principal questions (unscripted), and for him to answer them candidly, while offering the other attendees (parents and community members) an opportunity to participate in the discussion and offer their thoughts and opinions.
During the Coffee Chat’s all questions are encouraged. The only requirement from PTSA is to ensure any personal matters are raised in a private conference, not during the public Coffee Chat. Other than the privacy requests, the parents can relax and enjoy the time dedicated to them by the principal. It is truly an opportunity for the parents and the principal to connect and discuss important matters.
Julie Lynch, PTSA President: "Face to face communication can have a much better impact than emails. We all like the human touch."
Elementary Schools
Abbotts Hill Elementary School
Abbotts Hill Elementary is a great place for our children to learn and grow. Our success is dependent upon all stakeholders working together to achieve our school wide goals. With this goal in mind we have been pleased to offer Parent University to our Abbotts Hill families.
This is our first year and parent participation has exceeded our expectations! The guidelines range from parents participating in School Governance Council activities to learn more about decision making at the school level; attending a speaker series; participating in a book talk; attending PTA Parent Coffees; make a “Three for Me” promise to volunteer 10 hours or more.
We will conclude the inaugural year of Abbotts Hill’s Parent University with a celebratory brunch on May 13th.
Barnwell Elementary School
Annual Art Show
On the evening of March 27,2014 Barnwell Elementary School welcomed the entire community to celebrate all of our students’ amazing artistic talents! Our fabulous art teacher, Mrs. Melissa Nail (and newly minted Barnwell Teacher of the Year!) supported our students all year long to create, refine, and professionally frame their original art works for full display throughout our entire school during the annual Art Show. Parents, neighbors, and community members we treated to a spectacular arrangement of original student art pieces. Parents were given the opportunity to purchase the professionally framed art pieces, with proceeds going to support our art program. Thank you Mrs. Nail for all your hard work to teach and cultivate our young artists’ and thank you parents for joining us and supporting your Barnwell Bears during the Art Show.
Esther Jackson Elementary School
We are proud of the accomplishments of our school counselor, Ms. Myriam Seoane, for her outstanding leadership of our school counseling program. Under Ms. Seoane’ s leadership, we are happy to report that 100% of 5th grade students have completed an online career portfolio. All students have also complete all career cluster lessons as required by Georgia’s career development model for students in K-12. If a new student enrolls, Ms. Seoane makes time to meet with the student to ensure that all EJ students receive the same opportunities. In March, Ms. Seoane organized a school-wide Career Day, during which 21 speakers shared their education and work experiences with students. Students were able to meet with a professional from one of the career clusters they had learned about over the course of the school year. Furthermore, Ms. Seoane ensures that students receive the nurturing they need through the social programs she facilitates. Small group opportunities such as Salvaging Sisterhood for young ladies, Test Busters to build confidence in test-taking skills, Building Resiliency for working to promote self-confidence. As part of her work in offering a Bullying Prevention curriculum for all students, Ms. Seoane is currently working towards earning the title of “Bullying Prevention Specialist” through ASCA. Ms. Seoane works diligently to build strong, positive relationships with all students so that she may serve their needs. By the end of the school year, she will have eaten lunch with every single student in the school at least once. Student members of the Counselor Advisory Committee present at each meeting to share how the lessons are impacting them. We are thankful for Ms. Seoane and the work she is doing to provide a quality, caring school counseling program in support of our students at EJ!
Dolvin Elementary School
BYOT
This semester four classes at Dolvin have been piloting “bring your own technology (BYOT).” Students have been able to bring devices daily into the classroom. Some of the technology tools students have been able to bring in to school include the following: ipads, itouches, iphones, tablets, mini laptops, surfaces, kindles, and ipad minis. Through these technology tools the 4 C's of Digital Age Learning - Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking will be developed in our classroom.
Prior to students bringing their devices to school we provided students with lessons on digital citizenship and reviewed the expectations to use their devices at school. Teachers and students have enjoyed having their devices readily available during instructional time. Having the devices has enhanced student learning and creativity. Teachers have also been able to analyze students’ progress by using technology for formative assessments.
The technology resources we have used in our classroom include the following: Edmodo, Educreations, Videolicious, Googledocs, Joinme, geddit, QRcode readers, Socrative, Tenmarks, Prezi, Pic Collage, and Todaysmeet. Students have also had the opportunity to explore and share different educational apps, websites, and resources by having an “app-off.”
“I enjoy BYOT because it is really fun and makes it easier to do projects using educreations, videolicious, and doodle buddy.” Trinity, 4th grade student
“I think it is good because we learn new stuff about technology, explore different educational apps about what is new. I like using the brainpop app and not having to go to website to type in the link. I like using join me and educreations. “ Anthony, 4th grade student.
Hillside Elementary
Hillside Elementary’s 5th grade students have just finished working on their class gift this year. They noticed that our sidewalks on the playground were looking a little sad, so they gave them a face lift! They repainted our 4-square courts, hopscotch and US map. We are so lucky to have a class of 5th graders that care about our school and its future. Good luck to the class of 2021!
Findley Oaks Elementary School
Findley Oaks Elementary is celebrating its 20th school year. All alumni, current and former staff members, and community friends are invited to attend a reception to celebrate the milestone. Findley Oaks Elementary was established as a great community school. Twenty years later, the school continues to strive for excellence. The faculty and staff, along with the school’s current principal, Lacey Andrews, and Cindy Lamb, assistant principal, welcome the community to the school on May 7, 2014. There will be a drop-by reception from 3:00-5:30 so that old friends can gather to celebrate and reminisce. As the school launches into the next 20 years, its motto still rings true: From Tiny Acorns Grow Mighty Oaks. Looking ahead, the faculty and staff will continue that tradition for years to come.
Medlock Bridge Elementary School
Medlock Bridge Elementary Celebrates Autism Awareness Month
During the month of April, Medlock Bridge Students participated in a school wide celebration of Autism Awareness Month. The activities were planned by Student Council members and included wearing a specific color representing Autism each Wednesday. The students wrote special morning announcements sharing information with the school.
Student Council members visited the primary classrooms to read My Brother Charlie which is a book written by Holly Robinson Peete’s daughter about her autistic twin brother. It is a picture book that highlights the relationship they have and is a very positive story about the exceptional characteristics of her brother. All MBES students created a puzzle piece illustrating what makes them special and the pieces Iined the hallways. Additional classroom activities were available for classroom use. The students will finish the month with each classroom decorating a 16 x 16 inch wooden puzzle piece. The design will be representative of the class. All of the wooden puzzle pieces will be assembled into screens to decorate the front office and atrium of the building.
Northwood Elementary School
March and April have been instructionally driven fun filled months for Northwood ES.
Kim Dahl and our Kindergarten team lead a wonderful musical with all of our kindergarteners. Dr. Seuss – Stories in Music was a huge hit! The program lasted for 30 minutes and it captivated a cafeteria full of students and parents. This presentation was a culmination of “Read Around the Planet Activities” with a big focus on the environment.
Northwood’s Staff Relay for Life Team has swung into gear. March and April were busy months for fund raising. Team Northwood hosted a family evening at Chick-fil-A an event which raised over $600. Our Instructional Para Professionals hosted an annual lunch pot-luck and the staff hosted a potluck breakfast which raised over $350. The week ended with an exciting Kickball game featuring many of our teachers and our energetic 5th graders. We raised over $650.00 for Relay for Life. NWES’s Chorus will perform at the event at the Relay event on April 26, 2014. Relay has a special meaning for us this year as we unite to honor one of our own students who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Northwood’s Elite Explorers (Grade 5 service club) worked hard on campus clean-up activities. Students cleaned up the black top area and the walking paths around the school. Go Explorers!
River Eves Elementary School
Reflections Entries Placed at National Level
We are so proud to announce that 2 of our River Eves students have placed at the National Level for their Reflections entries. Those students are: Alicia Buteau – Dance and Erik Zepeda-Tobar– Visual Arts
Authors’ Days
Our 2-day Grades K-2 Authors’ Day event, sponsored by our PTA , was a tremendous success with over 261 parents spending time in the classrooms to hear original student writings.
Technology Update
Students been quite busy with incorporating technology into their TAG classes. The students are experts with VoiceThread as they discover more about animals and habitats. While some students were recording their VoiceThreads, others worked around the room on a QR Code Scavenger Hunt to learn more about animals. It was great to see kids engaged and excited to learn!
Fourth Grade students have been using Prezi in their classrooms. Some students are using Prezi to create a grade newsletter, using the awesome template that this online (and iPad!) tool offers that is already created. In Social Studies students are creating presentations on different areas of Westward Expansion. They are responsible for doing the research and teaching the class using this great online presentation tool.
In Second Grade, persuasive writing is embracing our iPads! These quick little learners are combining the written word and technology as they choose to create either Educreations lessons, VoiceThreads, or Prezis. These three apps allow teachers to differentiate quite effectively. Many students have already created and shared these wonderful products!
Skype lessons have been going great with events in our hearing impaired, resource, and first grade classrooms. This is a great way to collaborate outside the school.
Ms. Moss, a hearing impaired teacher is using the iPads to film her student's "Backyard Camping" storytelling lesson. The video has been uploaded to Vimeo for easy access and sharing capabilities. You can check it out here: https://vimeo.com/90551372.
Technology in PE! Students in grades 4 and 5 conducted research on dance forms with iPads to use as a reference for the creation of their original dance routines. This work supported State PE Standard 4.1d, demonstrates a variety of rhythmic patterns, which includes performs...dance, and rhythm sticks routines.
Ocee Elementary School
We are pleased to announce that Ocee Elementary School has achieved the 2014 Let’s Move! Active Schools Recognition Award. Let’s Move! Active Schools encourages schools to follow the Six Step Process to increase physical activity and get students moving more throughout the day. Besides participating in the Strong4Life program and sharing information with students about the importance of eating nutritious foods, the physical education department, led by P.E. teacher, Mandy Moreno, has provided opportunities for students to move throughout the school day in addition to gym class and recess. Cardio Club activities are scheduled each morning for children in grades K-5 before school. A Recess Runners Club meets during recess, and fourth and fifth graders keep track of how many laps they run to earn points and prizes. Ms. Moreno sends teachers lists of activities that that they can do with their students in-between lessons to get their blood pumping and energize their brains. Children in grades three, four, and five were encouraged to run laps in the morning before the Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests were administered in order to boost brain power. Clearly, Ocee students are “moving” along to improve their health as well as their academic achievement!
Ocee Elementary’s Student Council was recently honored with the NAESP Foundation Student Council Excellence Award for service above and beyond to the school and community. Student Council members were recognized for their outstanding efforts and hard work in the areas of leadership, citizenship, and community service.
Shakerag Elementary School
Each year, the 5th grade students at Shakerag Elementary are immersed in a Famous American project during the spring. This project is designed to integrate multiple standards by including a variety of components, such as: research, technology, writing, speaking, listening, higher order thinking skills, as well as creativity . Throughout the course of six weeks, the students have been working diligently to learn about the life of their Famous American and what inspired him/her on their journey. The students were then asked to produce either a 2-D or 3-D tribute to honor their Famous American and his/her contribution to society. Along with the tribute, the students have constructed informational essays that blend their knowledge of their Famous American with plans for a fitting tribute. Oral speeches will be given by each student and each student participates in our annual Famous American Day in which the gymnasium is turned into a living museum for others to visit. Famous American Day is scheduled for May 9th from 8:00am – 9:30am. This year, in an effort to share our learning and final products with others in the global community, the students were also challenged to design a webpage that would feature their Famous American.
Please feel free to browse the 5th grade Famous American Tribute Project homepages by using the following link: www.FamAm158.weebly.com. Once you have arrived at this initial site, all our 5th grade homeroom sites can be accessed from this one link. Please note that the sites are a work in progress through mid-May! Students were encouraged to participate in the creation of a webpage, but were not required to do so. We hope you enjoy!
As we prepare for the end of the school year, Shakerag is gearing up for our annual Leadership Day on May 14th. We are expecting to host 60 visitors, including teachers, school administrators and business leaders from across metro-Atlanta. As a Leader In Me school, all of our students have been learning about leadership all year and are looking forward to sharing information about our school, their progress and Dr. Stephen Covey’s 7-Habits of Effective People with our guests.
State Bridge Crossing Elementary School
State Bridge Crossing Elementary School’s Student Council promoted a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by selling shamrocks for two weeks in March. They raised a grand total of $1200.00! WOW! Ms. Skop’s 3rd grade class donated $138, which was the most of any class at SBCE. We are very appreciative of all the students’ generosity. All proceeds from the shamrock sale will go directly to the Muscular Dystrophy Association to provide leg braces, wheelchairs, and trips to the MDA summer camp for children who have this neuromuscular disease. MDA also helps promote the awareness of physically challenged children, adults, and their needs due to muscular dystrophy.
On Thursday, April 17, 2014, the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra visited the second and third grade students at State Bridge Crossing Elementary School. The JCSO presented their program “Meet the Orchestra” in order to familiarize the students with the various instruments in a symphony orchestra. With the help of “Stan the Music Man”, music director J. Wayne Baughman and the rest of the musicians performed short passages from well-known works. Selections performed ranged from favorite classical pieces, to current pop hits, to songs from stage and screen. Three State Bridge students (pictured left to right - (Karen Gao, Seth Lazansky, and TJ Christen) were featured as guest percussionists during the William Tell Overture.
Made possible through a grant from the City of Johns Creek, the performance of the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra was informative, engaging, and loved by all the students and teachers.
Wilson Creek Elementary School
Broadway comes to Wilson Creek
The Wilson Creek Elementary 4th and 5th grade Chorus Club presented their rocking rendition of Disney’s Jungle Book to packed houses on three consecutive nights in April. The club is an after-school activity lead by Leslie Morgan, music specialist. The musical is co-directed in the spring by Alex Lorber, 4th grade teacher. Together Mrs. Morgan and Mrs. Lorber have now directed five full scaled musical theater productions.
The 82 children in the chorus spend the first semester learning how to sing together and listen to one another while working toward a more involved winter concert and Johns Creek community performances. The last week of school in December is traditionally “audition week” when at least half of the chorus members audition to have an extended role or character. The cast, chorus and directors then have 12 weeks to make magic happen onstage.
Each child who is in the chorus club is an important member of the Jungle Book production. This working together paid off with absolutely stellar performances filled with singing, dancing, and great acting. The Wilson Creek family strongly believes in the power of teamwork and the power of the arts. The memories created will last these children a lifetime!
Caldecott Club
Wilson Creek Elementary students love Caldecott Medal books! So far during the 2013-2014 school year, students have read 3,280 of these award-winning picture books.
The Wilson Creek Media Center sponsors a Caldecott Medal Reading Club each year for students in kindergarten and 1st grade. Students are encouraged to read, or be read to, gold or silver medal winning Caldecott books. To be eligible to join the Caldecott Medal Club, students have to read at least 20 Caldecott books and record the titles on a special reading log. Many students turn in multiple reading logs.
This year’s Caldecott Medal champions, first-grader Omkar Konkimalla and kindergartener Julia Magee, read a combined total of 380 books, the most in the school.
Wilson Creek students learn about the Caldecott Medal during media center lessons taught by Media & Educational Technology Instructor M.J. Sturgeon. The award is given annually to the illustrators of these high-quality, award-winning books. Wilson Creek students learn about the jobs of the author and the illustrator and why a book is chosen to win the Caldecott Medal.
Northeast Learning Community Team
Dr. Will Rumbaugh-Area Superintendent
It has been an honor to serve in the Northeast Learning Community for the past couple of years. You have amazing principals leading truly wonderful schools. I look forward to hearing all of the innovative things you will do, and I sincerely wish you all the best for the conclusion of this year, for next school year, and for the years to come!
Andre Wright-Area Executive Director
Dr. Gladys Evans Peoples-Chattahoochee High School
One of my areas of responsibilities includes working with new educators in the profession and those new to Chattahoochee. Through this opportunity, I have helped select and develop teacher leaders in the building as they serve as mentors to the new teachers. We meet monthly with a specific agenda that includes such items as goal setting, instructional strategies, parent conferences, student relations, PD360 and reflective practices. In addition, I have used this platform to extensively review TKES and gain feedback from the new staff on the structures, procedures and practices currently in place.
Marisa DiSano-River Trail Middle School
1. I have been working a lot to increase community involvement at RTMS. Academically, we will be partnering with local companies to provide volunteers to work with students in our “lunch bunch” groups. Students are selected based upon their quarterly performance in their classes to come and receive guidance on time management, organization, study skills, communication skills, goal setting as well as academic assistance. With our community partnership we will be able to provide a smaller student:adult ratio, and a more individualized program to meet each individual’s need. I continue to lead our Car Pool Dad’s initiative, begun by Chuck Gardner, now principal of McLarin HS. We have increased the number of fathers this year who graciously volunteer their time to assist and greet our parents as they drop their children off for school each morning. Each quarter our Family and Consumer Sciences class hosts a Car Pool Dad breakfast to celebrate and pay thanks to our volunteers (picture).
Laura Webb-Dolvin ES & Brooke Humphrey-Ocee ES
Laura Webb Assistant Principal at Dolvin Elementary and Brooke Humphrey Assistant Principal at Ocee Elementary are teaming up to create Inspired Classrooms at Ocee Elementary. They are currently working together to to set up classroom observations and work sessions with Dolvin teachers in order to see Inspired Classrooms in action!
Caren Hudson-Johns Creek High School
In 2013, Caren Hudson, the curriculum assistant principal initiated the Leadership Cohort of Johns Creek High School. This program was designed to provide developing leaders opportunities to explore ways to become effective leaders and guidance in planning their future. A staff that expressed interest, or was recommended by another teacher or supervising staff member was notified of the cohort where they could work toward leadership opportunities and building their resumes in instructional leadership.
Applicants had to submit an application and complete a questionnaire if they were interested in pursuing this avenue. Applicants were then invited to attend an introductory meeting where the focus of the program and the goals for the year were established. This year the cohort would complete a book study entitled, Crucial Conversations to help staff understand the dynamics of high stake discussions. More actual hands on opportunities would be provided so staff could experience the day to day operations and procedures involving leadership management. Specific focus was also given to the development of instructional leaders versus managerial leadership.
Meetings were conducted monthly to discuss topics related to the book study and the leadership essentials as outlined by the district. Leadership scenarios, building and writing STAR resumes, and giving staff opportunities to be involved in hands on leadership tasks were just a few of the things the cohort would engage in. Cohort members were matched with an Assistant Principal or Principal who would serve as their mentor and who could coach them as they found topics they wanted to review or experiences where they needed guidance. Career talks were also part of the process that the mentors would have with the cohort members. Since each member had individual needs to support their action plans, it would mean exploring a variety of avenues to assist the leader in training toward accomplishment of their personal goals. Some of the cohort members were even given the opportunity to move into leadership roles that opened up within the walls of Johns Creek and others took the opportunity to shadow leaders outside of our own building.
Amy Booms-Humanities Program Specialist
I am pleased to announce that the Northeast Learning Community swept the 2013-2014 Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition in Fulton County this year. Each winner will move on to the state level Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. The state level winners will be announced on or before 12:00 noon on Wednesday, June 17, 2014 on the Georgia DOE English Language Arts website at http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/English-Language-Arts-Program.aspx.
We are so proud of all of our NELC students who participated in the competition! Here are the winners:
Cathy Crawford-Exceptional Ed Program Specialist
Team teaching continues to excel at Chattahoochee HS with Mr. Peterson & Mr. Quraishy's 11th grade US History class. Students were engaged in learning about the events of 9/11. Critical thinking skills & differentiated instruction were evident.
Abby May-STEM Program Specialist
STEM-tastic at State Bridge
On April 15th and 16th 2nd grade students at State Bridge Crossing Elementary participated in a STEM lesson on energy. The students designed and created bridges out of cardboard and tested their models by running different sized marbles across their bridges. They measured and determined which bridge designs created the most potential and kinetic energy. It was exciting to see kids be “little engineers”.
NELC STEM Teacher Academy –
May 14th marks the final session for the NELC STEM Teacher Academy. Thirty two teachers in the NELC worked throughout the year and learned about the STEM framework, collaborated on ideas, and implemented new lessons. They will visit our NELC STEM labs in the morning and then return to Johns Creek High School in the afternoon. There, they will be complete final activities and prepare for a showcase of their best STEM lessons this year and their work from the academy. We are looking forward to hosting county visitors on this day as well. Information about next year’s STEM Academy will be made available soon.
Alvin Thomas-Behavior Program Specialist
The number of schools implementing the PBIS framework in the Northeast LC is rapidly growing. Congratulations to Wilson Creek Elementary, Hillside Elementary, River Eves Elementary, and Barnwell Elementary Schools for taking the first steps to becoming PBIS schools starting next school year.
Northeast Learning Community
Email: NELC@fultonschools.org
Location: 86 School Drive, Alpharetta, GA, United States
Phone: 770-667-7760
Twitter: @fcnortheastlc