Medlock Bridge Mustang Message
We educate and inspire all students to be lifelong learners!
From the Principal's Desk
Medlock Bridge Community,
My wife and I are overjoyed to announce the arrival of Cameron Elise Vance on September 30th at 2:12am! Cameron was 7lbs 30z and 20in at birth. She is technically premature because she came one day before 37 weeks, but she has been very healthy and active! My wife Candice is doing well and is making a slow but steady recovery. As I reported in the last newsletter I will be out for several weeks to take care of our growing family, but our school is in great hands with our Admin Team and Bill Thompson, our substitute principal. Many thanks to Dr. Ingrid Parham, Patty Neumeister, Andrea Yenrick, Micheala Steele, and Brandi Taylor for their work maintaining our course in my absence. I am checking email during my absence but there may be times when my response is delayed. Thank you for graciously understanding my need to be focused on family during this time.
Runapalooza
Runapalooza was a tremendous success! Our community raised close to $46,000 in support of our school. These funds will help us refresh of instructional technology, provide teachers with grants, improve the school grounds, and fund many other projects and initiatives that our PTO pursues to support education at our school. Thank you for your generous support of this event, and thank you to our amazing PTO and the Runapalooza Team for your hard work! I was sorry to miss it this year but I have seen so many pictures through Twitter and email, I feel like I was there. While this is an important fundraiser, it is equally important as a community building event and a fun fitness event for our students. I’m already looking forward to next year!
CCRPI Scores
Our College Career Readiness Performance index (CCRPI) score will be publicized soon. CCRPI is a comprehensive metric that is used for accountability and communication of student achievement. Most of the score is based on our participation and performance in the Georgia Milestones (GMAS) assessment. As previously communicated, we are very happy with our Georgia Milestones performance in 2017-18 (see below) and we expect our CCPRI score will reflect this strong performance. Last year, we earned a 93.9 and were distinguished as an ‘A’ school by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. This year, the rules for computing CCRPI have changed, removing several opportunities for extra credit and putting more emphasis on student growth than their overall performance. Under this year’s rules, our 93.9 from last year would have been an 86.6. While we remain hopeful that the new rules will continue to recognize the outstanding work happening at our school, we are anticipating that our CCPRI score might drop below last year’s 93.9. We will compare our new CCPRI score to the recalculated, unofficial 86.6 to know whether we improved in comparison to last year. More to come in the next newsletter!
TAG Testing
Our TAG Testing process is underway. As soon as all tests have been scored, parents of students will be notified of the results. This process normally takes 6-8 school weeks after testing is over and there is about one more week of make-ups. Eligibility for most third and fifth graders will not be determined until Iowa achievement test scores are returned, which usually occurs in late November- early December. Parents will receive notifications through the US Postal service. Thank you in advance for your patience.
CHOA Cape Day Fundraiser
The Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta Cape Day Fundraiser runs from Oct 9-15 with Cape Day on Oct 19th. Each class is raising $20 to purchase a cape for a “superhero” patient to wear on Cape Day (the funds go to providing a cape but also funding CHOA’s healthcare efforts). Students are also encouraged to send in notes of encouragement to the children for being brave superheroes. We will send these in to CHOA with our donation. On the actual Cape Day, Oct 19th, students will be encouraged to wear either their “What’s Your Superpower?” spirit wear shirt or a superhero T-shirt to support the kids at CHOA.
October 4th - Professional Learning Day
Thank you for your support of our Professional Learning Day on October 4th. Teachers enjoyed an inspiring training from Amie Dean, an expert in impacting classroom culture and climate to improve student behavior and impact student achievement outcomes. Our teachers loved it and will have many new tools to support their work in the classroom. Our next Professional Learning Day is February 19th.
Summit Counseling
Summit Counseling is a supportive partner of Fulton County Schools. Please consider attending the event. Please Join Your Summit OnSite School-Based Therapists for a Panel Discussion on “Raising Resilient Kids.” The event is Wednesday, October 10th at 6pm at Crabapple Crossing Elementary School.
MBES in the News!
Finally, our school has hit the front page of the Fulton County website! Check out the heart-warming story of our very own Alisha Phillips, kindergarten teacher. It’s posted on the website. It is always nice to see our teachers recognized!
I look forward to returning to Medlock Bridge after a few more weeks at home taking care of family. I miss MBES every day!
Your Proud Principal,
Matt Vance
Welcome Cameron Elise Vance!
Medlock Bridge 2018 Georgia Milestones Results
Important Dates
Monday, October 8th
Columbus Day - No Students
Tuesday, October 9th - Monday, October 15th
CHOA Cape Day Fund Raiser
Tuesday, October 9th
Tuesday Papers Go Home
Wednesday, October 10th
Runapalooza Reward Party
Raising Resilient Kids - Elementary – High School - 6:00pm - Crabapple Crossing Elementary School
Friday, October 12th
All Pro Dads - 7:00 am - Cafeteria
Tuesday, October 16th
Spanish Parent Seminar - 10:00 am - Dovin Elementary school
Wednesday, October 17th
Culture Class - 9:00 am - Room 131
Nurturing Independence (Korean) - 10:30 - Room 131
Linda McCain Community Meeting - 6:30 pm - Northview High School
Tuesday, November 6th
Changed to a Teacher Work Day in Fulton County. No school for students
Friday, March 8th
Changed to a regular school day in Fulton County. Was previously a teacher work day.
New From The Clinic
Clinic News: Head Lice
Please note this important information about head lice.
Head Lice are tiny parasitic insects commonly found on the human scalp and are usually transferred through direct head-to-head or hair-to-hair contact, and less frequently through sharing of linens/pillow, hats, or other hair apparel, brushes, & combs. Symptoms of head lice may include: dark-colored bugs in the hair, tickling feeling of something moving in the hair/scalp, nits (white eggs) attached to the hair follicle, itchy scalp, and sores on the head (caused by scratching). Head lice medications are available over-the-counter without a prescription at local drug stores and pharmacies. It is recommended that all directions are followed exactly in order to avoid re-infestation. Your student may return to school after treatment, as long as there are no crawling lice.
This information is not meant for self-diagnosis or as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. If you have any additional questions concerning the detection and treatment of head lice, please contact your health care provider.
For more complete information and tips on head lice prevention, please refer to:
The CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/lice/head/index.html or
The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “Advice for Stopping Head Lice (Pediculosis) at www.choa.org
Flu Season Is Just Getting Started…
Back to school means that cold and flu season is just around the corner. In fact, despite summer just ending,officials from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are already urging people to prepare for another potentially difficult flu season and to get vaccinated as soon as possible (before the flu starts spreading).The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics have stressed the importance of children receiving flu vaccines and the danger of flu to children. According to the CDC, a flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting flu and spreading it to others. Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, missed school and work days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that the flu can cause 10 days of fever and lead to serious complications even in healthy kids. Approximately 80% of the children who died from the flu last season were not vaccinated. It is with this mind that we are sharing this information to help prevent the spread of flu.
To ensure the safety and health of students, staff and parents, we encourage you to take the following precautions. We believe by taking these proactive measures we can reduce the spread of flu and other communicable illnesses. These precautions include:
Recognizing the symptoms of flu which include (those who are ill with flu may experience
some or all of the below symptoms):
Fever or feeling feverish/chills (although not everyone with flu has a fever)
Cough
Sore throat
Runny or stuffy nose
Muscle or body aches
Headache
Chills
Fatigue (tiredness)
Sometimes diarrhea and vomiting, although this more common in children than adults.
(According to the Diabetes Research Institute, for a small number of children, flu-like symptoms may be the first sign of diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes in children include: nausea, vomiting, feeling very tired, heavy, labored breathing, increased thirst and huger, frequent urination and new bedwetting, sudden weight loss and blurred vision.)
Encouraging students, staff and parents to get a flu vaccine.
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
The recommendation is to get a flu vaccine as soon as possible. The AAP recommends
that all children ages 6 month and older receive a flu shot this season!
Encouraging students, staff and parents to take every day preventive actions to stop the
spread of germs/flu such as:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue,
throw it in the trash and wash your hands (use proper respiratory etiquette!).
Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an
alcohol-based hand rub.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth to decrease the spread of germs.
Try to avoid close contact with others who are sick.
Students and staff should always stay home if they are ill.
If you are sick with any flu-like illness, the CDC recommends that you stay home for at
least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities.
Per FCS policy, fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing
medicine before returning to school or work.
Cleaning and disinfecting regularly and correctly during flu season.
Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like flu.
In Fulton County Schools, we want to do everything possible to limit the spread of flu. The Office of Student Health Services works in collaboration with our Registered School Nurses, Clinic Assistants, Administrators, and school staff to ensure we adhere to our guidelines for identifying, reporting, managing and preventing suspected and/or confirmed infectious illnesses. Additionally, we work closely with our local public health officials to report any unusual or increased absences due to the flu/respiratory illness. Again, by working together, we can help reduce the transmission of the flu and other infectious illnesses in the schools and community. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Health Services at 470-254-2177 or your healthcare provider.
More information about the flu and flu vaccine can be found by vising the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/
Submitted by: Lynne P. Meadows, MSN, BSN, RN, Coordinator, Student Health Services,
Fulton County Schools
Curriculum matters
By Patty Neumeister, MBES CST
Email: neumeisterp@fultonschools.org
Website: https://mbescurriculumsupport.weebly.com/
Twitter: @mbescst
Georgia Milestones Testing Books
Back by Popular Demand!
Georgia Coach Revised GSE Books
Parents continue to ask, “How do I prepare my child for the Georgia Milestones? What can I do during the school year to review core subject skills taught in the classroom? What resources may I use over the summer to keep my child’s skills fresh?”
In response to your questions and based on the popularity of the materials last year, we are once again offering the opportunity to purchase grade-specific Georgia Coach GSE Series published by Triumph Learning. The Georgia Coach GSE Series books provide comprehensive instruction and ample practice on ALL key skills and concepts covered by the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE).
This offer is completely optional. Books are available in Reading/ELA and Math for Grades 3-5 and Science & Social Studies books for Grade 5. Books are $16 each including an answer guide.
A printable order form is available on the MBES website at http://school.fultonschools.org/es/medlockbridge/Pages/default.aspx or on the MBES Curriculum Support website at https://mbescurriculumsupport.weebly.com/ga-coach-book-order-info.html . Order forms must be returned by November 1st to be included in the order. Books will be delivered in early December. Please see the Grades 3-5 Order Form for payment details.
Highlights for English Language Arts Coach Book
- Addresses all tested reading, writing, and language Georgia Standards of Excellence
- Includes two full GA Milestones practice assessments (i.e., pre & post-test)
- Reading lessons progress in text complexity and rigor
- Provides paired passages representing different genres
- Expands topical and cultural diversity in content
Highlights for Math Coach Book
- Addresses all tested mathematics Georgia Standards of Excellence
- Includes two full GA Milestones practice assessments (i.e., pre & post-test)
- Includes six pages of practice per lesson
- Each lesson contains two parts of practice
- Covers multiple choice, open-ended and next generation question types
Highlights for Science & Social Studies Coach Books
- Aligned to the current Georgia Standards of Excellence for science & social studies
- Coach Practice Assessments, Georgia Milestones Edition are modeled after the latest science & social studies Milestones in format and rigor
- Lesson Practice includes multiple choice, multi-select, and two-part items
- Chapter Reviews familiarize students with the item types, format, and rigor of the Milestones social studies exam
News From the Counseling Department
The Medlock Bridge Elementary Counseling department believes in the personal potential of every student. I am pleased to offer several small group counseling opportunities throughout the year to assist students to reach their full personal and academic potential. The groups are usually six to eight sessions meeting weekly/biweekly. The groups are typically closed ended groups, meaning that students are not added to existing groups (after the groups have begun) unless there are extreme extenuating circumstances and group dynamics allow for new members.
2018-19 Groups
- Self Esteem-Everything is Possible
- Anger/Stress Management
- Changing Families/Divorce
- Peer Relations
All groups are confidential. Students are considered for group participation based on teacher/administrator recommendations and parent request. If you are interested in your child being considered for participation in a small counseling group, please click MBES Small Group Request and you will be redirected to a Google form.
Media Center Fines Can Now Be Paid Online
Have you lost a media center book or need to pay a fine? I am so excited to announce that we now accept online payments for lost books from the media center. You can use the direct link below, or you can find a link to the Online School Payment system at the bottom of our school website. Be sure to write your child’s name and teacher in the description. If you do not know the exact total of the book, feel free to call or email fowlerk@fultonschools.org to get a total. A special thanks to Mrs. Paula Bell in the front office for setting this up for our media center.
Spelling Bee Information
4th & 5th Graders
Spelling Bee I.N.F.O.R.M.A.T.I.O.N!
Start studying for the Annual Medlock Bridge Spelling Bee!
Classroom Spelling Bees will take place in 4th & 5th grade
the week of November 26th!
Medlock School Spelling Bee will take place on Wednesday, December 12th.
More information including study materials can be found on the
CST website: https://mbescurriculumsupport.weebly.com/spelling-bee.html
Northview High School Girls In Stem Club
Fun, hands-on science/engineering activities and lessons taught by Northview girls.
Who: Girls in grades 3 - 8
When: Sunday mornings once a month.
Where: Shakerag Fire Station
Cost: Free
For more information go to girls-in-stem.com or nhsgirlsinstem@gmail.com
Medlock Bridge Elementary School
Email: vancem@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/medlockbridge/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 10215 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Johns Creek, GA, United States
Phone: 4702542980
Twitter: @MBESPrincipal