Panther Updates
February 16-20
Principal's Message
Also, please remember that we will have our Staff Appreciation Lunch tomorrow courtesy of our wonderful PTA. Lunch will begin at 11:30 and is catered by Red, Hot, and Blue.
Fire Marshall
The Fire Marshall visited us last week and had 2 items of feedback. As a reminder please do not store things above the cabinets as we have to have a clearing from there to the ceiling. Also we are no longer able to use the red tags in the doorways. In case of fire they want the doors to shut completely. Thanks for taking them off and adhering to these guidelines. See Kayla with any questions.
Announcements/Staff Information
Staff Intent Forms
Please click here to complete your staff intent form. Forms should be completed by February 18 for staff on Track 1, 3, and 4. Track 2 staff should complete the form by March 20.
North Carolina’s Severe Weather Awareness Week
March 2-6, 2020 - Statewide Tornado Drill for 2020
Wednesday, March 4, at 9:30 AM EST
We will be participating in this drill so please review procedures and safety locations for your class. Review this with your team and prepare students of procedures without telling them the exact time of the drill. Please see Kayla if you have any questions.
Discipline Expectations
Please remember to complete the discipline form to document student behavior, especially when students are sent to the office.
Please review the document titled: Tiered Disciplinary System with Consequences
and note Category 3 - Chronic / Severe. Example #1 is
Pattern (Ongoing instances in Category 1 or 2)
Everything is a case by case scenario but, when the behavior becomes chronic and a pattern of ongoing it needs to move to Category 3 to have an office visit. Please see Kayla or Kiley with any questions.
Digital Learning Day
Teachers across Wake County are using technology to challenge, empower and engage students. It's time to showcase your hard work by participating in Digital Learning Day 2020. Digital Learning Day was created to highlight innovative instructional practices and effective technology integration strategies. Register to participate in the event and showcase the work that you and your students are creating. Not sure what you should do? Browse the list of activities on the site or contact your DLC for a little digital inspiration. Mark your calendar for Thursday, February 27th! Tweet your projects using #wcpssDLDay and @wcpssdll. We can't wait to see your projects.
Black History Month Resources & Best Practices
The WCPSS Office of Equity Affairs has created this document to provide resources for Black History Month.
Voice Assistant Devices
Voice assistant devices such as Google Home, Amazon Echo, etc. are prohibited in the classroom or school setting. These devices are designed for home use and introduce unnecessary risks into the classroom. These devices may allow third parties to remotely listen via the device, may record conversations, and raise concerns regarding privacy and confidentiality.
Track 2 Out Schedules are below:
Transfer Window for Employees
The Transfer Application (to transfer for the 2020-21 school year) will open on February 1---any eligible employee can request a transfer beginning this day---and the application period will close on May 20 (same dates as last year). The transfer application will be available on Wake Connect as it was last year---it must be accessed from a school based computer in the building.
Retirement Preparation
We would like to invite employees planning to retire any time within the next five years to join us for the Retirement Preparation Seminar at Wake Forest High School on March 9, 2020. Please feel free to bring a spouse, significant other, or other guest. Representatives from the State Retirement System and Prudential 401(k) will be presenting. Registration can be found in Wake Learns. Sessions will be held 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM (session 12063) and again 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (session 12066). You only need to attend one session, as both sessions are the same. There will be an opportunity to have individual questions answered at the end of each session. We had 150+ attend the last seminar so come on out and get informed. This will be our last seminar this school year
Save the Date: Retirement Celebration Dinner, Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 6:30 PM, at Raleigh Marriott Crabtree Valley. Invitations will be mailed to retirees in April.
Previously Shared Announcements (For Track 3 Only)
Global Education at PUE
Our SDG for the month is all about Peace and Justice. Please explore the PUE Global Site for resources and lesson ideas. Through examination of this SDG, we can help our students to understand the importance of safety, human rights, and conflict resolution, and peaceful governance.
- Fifth grade is planning a Great Kindness Challenge for the month of February.
- The Great Kindness Challenge (https://thegreatkindnesschallenge.com/schooledition)
- Checklists will be shared with teachers to help teach students what kindness looks like.
- Students will be able to nominate one another for being kind by putting a colored heart on the “Kindness Grows” tree which will be displayed in the lobby. Hearts will also be sent home for parents to nominate their children. Heather and Keri will create the bulletin board. Keri will send out a heart template for grade levels to print on their chosen colored paper: 5th-White, 4th- Pink, 3rd- Lavender, 2nd- Yellow, 1st- Blue, K-Green.
- Video intro of the Great Kindness Challenge will be played on WPAW.
K-2 - MOY Number Knowledge Test:
Linked here are the 19-20 assessment windows for the NKT. Cut scores for all grades remained the same for the 19-20 school year. Only assess students within the window for their calendar.
Reminder: All NKT assessments should be administered online using OASIS. (The assessment should not be administered paper pencil first and then data entered into OASIS, or only given paper pencil).
All K-2 students who did NOT meet MOY benchmarks at BOY should be administered the NKT at MOY.
Critical Learning Phases/NKT/AMC/DNC/NCEnsi Refresh Training:
Do you need a refresh around the NKT, AMC, DNC, or NCEnsis? Consider registering for this refresh training which will provide teachers with a review of the K-2 Assessment/Intervention Process. Subs will be provided by the math department for all registered participants.
Sign Up in Wake Learns
Tuesday, March 3rd 8:30-4:00
Crossroads II, Cary (1400)
Section # 100876
Friday, March 13th 8:30-4:00
Crossroads II, Cary (1400)
Section # 100877
Istation Resources
WCPSS Istation Progress Monitoring Guidelines (This document details WCPSS minimum recommendations for progress monitoring.)
ISIP Executive Summary Data Dig (This document guides principals and school leadership teams through the data found in the ISIP Executive Summary Report. Principals will be introduced to the document during the half day session on reporting.)
Percentile Rankings (This document explains the score a student must earn to maintain current percentile ranking or progress to a new percentile ranking for the ISIP overall score and individual subtests.)
- DPI has developed a Student Summary Handout Video for Parents (Scroll to center of page-2nd video) which provides support to parents on interpreting the Student Summary Handout data.
Shared Spaces
Please be mindful that the Makerspace is Heather's AIG classroom where she holds her classes, assesses students, and meets with students. If you have a need to utilize this space please speak with her directly. She is more than willing to share when it is not in use but we do not want this space double booked resulting in Heather having to cancel classes. Other spaces that can be utilized are classrooms that are empty because of track out, conference room, teacher's lounge before 11am and after 1:30pm and the cafeteria after 2pm if arranged with Henry and Juanita. Also remember to call the office to let them know what location you are in.
Read to Achieve Camp
Any certified staff interested in teaching camp during your trackout see Ms. Coleman for dates and details. Track 1 camp is in March so see her ASAP.
Possible Retention Notification for Parents
In accordance with WCPSS Policy 3420 Student Promotion and Accountability, students should progress to the next level of study only after they are proficient in their knowledge and application of the current curriculum. The WCPSS Academics Department recommends that parents of elementary school students receive notification of the possibility of the retention of their child, no later than the middle of the third marking period. Please be sure to have at least 2 conferences with parents of students you are considering for this prior to that time. More information to come on this soon.
Summer Experiences
Please share the information below with families:
Wake County Public School System’s Lifelong Learning is hosting the 2020 Triangle Camps, Track-Out, and More Fair, Saturday, March 7, 10-2 pm, at Enloe Magnet High School. This fair allows parents to meet face-to-face with those businesses that offer summer camps, track-out activities, and more. In addition to the valuable vendor interactions, the fair will host fun activities, such as an inflatable obstacle course, face painting, photo booth, and food trucks. And the best part, it’s all FREE!
Mark Your Calendar
Monday, February 17
Teacher Workday
Staff Appreciation Lunch
Curriculum Night
Tuesday, February 18
Track 3 track in
PTA Meeting
Tuesday, February 25
Global Committee at 8:00
MTAC at 8:00
Interims - Tracks 3 and 4
Wednesday, February 26
Counselor Coffee Chat
Friday, February 28
Billy Jonas Cultural Arts Performance
Tuesday, March 3
Leadership Meeting
Primary Election/Voting at PUE
Wednesday, March 4
Severe Weather Drill
March 4-13
Book Fair
Friday, March 6
Track 1 Track Out
Pleasant Union Year-Round Elementary
Email: kbrown20@wcpss.net
Website: https://www.wcpss.net/pleasantuniones
Location: 1900 Pleasant Union Church Road, Raleigh, NC, USA
Phone: 919.870.4230
Twitter: @PleasantUnionYR