Bronco Bulletin
FULL STEAM AHEAD
October 9, 2015
Message from Administration
Thank you, Jennifer Mimms and Beth Blakely, for all your hard work with online testing set up and troubleshooting! We could not have done it without you!!!
BINGO Night
All tickets for BINGO night are pre-sale only. We will not be able to accommodate any walk-ins. Please be sure you let your parents know this. (We will advertise it as well.) It is really sad turning away kids all dressed up and excited, but we simply do not have the space. Please let them know ahead of time that they will not be able to get in if they are not on the list and save our sweet PTA volunteers the hard task of saying no. Thanks for your help!
Halloween Reminder
Please remind students and parents that we do not dress up for Halloween. It's on a Saturday this year, so I don't think it will be a problem, but just in case... It may be a good time to remind them to save their costumes if they can wear them in the Spring for book character dress up day. :)
United Way
Kyle and I attended the annual United Way meeting this week. Be on the look out for fun ways we will be raising money this year!
Brookwood Cluster Homecoming Parade- TODAY at 4:30 in front of BHS and BES! See you there!
Sureveys
Teachers & Staff,
Don't forget to encourage parents to take the surveys. Please put a reminder in your newsletters. The survey is open until December 11. If there are any parents that need a hard copy of the survey, let Jillian know.
Previous Note to staff in BB:
It is that time of year again for parents to complete the Parent Perception survey about our AWESOME school! Please note, there are a few different ways they can complete the survey: a link on our website, a Facebook page link, the Parent Portal, and there will be computers setup in the school next week during conferences.
Propped Doors
Please do not prop open ANY doors. Not only is this not part of our safety procedures, it also seems to be encouraging wild life to come right on in to the building! YIKES! While critters can get in other ways as well, let's not help them out by propping doors. Thanks!
SIT Concern- Recognition for Reading Logs for classes who are only missing 1-2 students each week:
Current Procedures:
Stickers on wall and end-of-year class awards are based on 85% completion.
- Classes called on announcements are based on 100%.
- Classes with 100% for 9 weeks are given ice cream.
- Students who do not have family/parent support for helping get this done can be modified for time and signed by teacher. (Reading during morning or afternoon dismissal and on the due date for reading log during recess.)
- For students with parents who refuse to do it for whatever reason (and have stated their child would not be doing it) - let Sharon know to take them off your class list. They will not count against your class for any of the lists or awards.
Changes in Procedures:
- Add on announcements (in addition to the 100% list), a list of classes who are at 95% or above will also be recognized.
- See last 2 bullets under current procedures and make those accommodations if you are not already doing that.
Local School Plan for Improvement (LSPI)
Each year, every Gwinnett County school sets performance goals for math and literacy (and other subjects as needed). I will be sharing these school-wide and with the community at several upcoming meetings, but I felt it was important to put here as well. These have been reviewed by ILT this summer and we will continue to refer back to them as we look at our grade level RBES goals soon. These goals, with more detail, will be posted in the PLC room by next week.
LA Long Term Goal: Gwin Oaks Elementary will increase academic performance in Language Arts including Reading, Writing, and the application of these skills into Science and Social Studies for students in all subgroups to meet and/or exceed annual targets.
LA Annual Goal: Gwin Oaks Elementary will increase post-test district assessment results in ELA by 5 percentage points over 2014-2015 post-test results for each grade level 1st-5th.
LA Implementation Design:
- Literacy Coach
- Literacy IF
- UGA Assessment Center- Extended Response Mock
Math Long Term Goal: Gwin Oaks Elementary will increase academic performance in Mathematics and the application of Science for students in all subgroups to meet and/or exceed annual targets.
Math Annual Goal: Gwin Oaks Elementary will increase post-test district assessment results in Math by 5 percentage points (up to 95%) over 2014-2015 post-test results for each grade level 1st-5th.
Implementation Design
- Math Coach
- Math Instructional Focus Meetings
- UGA Assessment Center- Math Practice Assessments
Science/STEAM Long Term Goal: The Brookwood Cluster will increase rigor for all students to reach their greatest potential through appropriate acceleration and integration in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
Science Annual Goal: Gwin Oaks Elementary will increase post-test district assessment results in Science by 5 percentage points over 2014-2015 post-test results for each grade level 3rd-5th.Implementation Design
- STEAM Classroom Instruction and Lab
GTES Standards Training Course Offerings
This professional learning is designed to provide a focused learning opportunity for teachers to deepen their understanding of the Gwinnett Teacher Effectiveness System (GTES) Standards. Participants will engage in interactive activities to aide in defining expectations, building knowledge, and applying that knowledge to practical school-based situations. During these courses participants will: explore the key characteristics of the standards, examine the rubric connected with the GTES, complete a self-assessment identifying current practices, observe teachers in action, and identify next steps for their practice.
To see the full list of GTES Standard Trainings login to the GCPS Portal and select the PD&E icon. To begin searching and registration for the courses type GTES in the Search Box.
SD - GTES - Communication Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: October 19, 2015 - November 5, 2015 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14787 Section# 20925
Where: ISC – 1.106/1.107/1.108
Register by 10/09/15
SD - GTES - Academically Challenging Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: October 20, 2015 - November 2, 2015 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14786 Section# 21861
Where: ISC - Berkmar/Parkview
Register by 10/14/15
SD - GTES - Academically Challenging Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 15250
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
SD - GTES – Positive Learning Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: November 17, 2015 - December 1, 2015 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14788 Section# 21862
Where: ISC – Collins Hill/Dacula
Register by 11/11/15
SD - GTES – Positive Learning Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 14926
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
SD - GTES – Instructional Strategies Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: November 18, 2015 - December 2, 2015 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14785 Section# 20929
Where: ISC – Meadowcreek/Brookwood
Register by 11/09/15
SD - GTES – Differentiated Instruction Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 14985
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
TESTING
Due to Iowa testing the week of October 19th-Oct 23, the following specials will change:
4th Grade Specials time: 9:50-10:40
2nd Grade Specials time: 1:45-2:35
PUMPKINS
It is that time again--
Relay for Life pumpkins are right around the corner. This is optional and is not meant to add more to your list of things to do. Most teacher have their room mom take care of this project.
Pumpkins need to be completed by October 26 (Monday).
Bring them to the tables outside the Media Center.
Complete a pumpkin info sheet and place it next to your pumpkin.
Make sure you make a coin collection container (like a Pringle can). Make sure it can be opened easily each day.
Pumpkin voting is October 27th-30th (Tues-Fri) Pumpkins will be auctioned off at BINGO Night.
Every penny is worth a vote!
BINGO NIGHT
It’s time for Halloween BINGO! There will be 10 rounds of BINGO. Teachers are paired up with a Caller and Bingo Grabber. Please sign up on OneNote - Shared Leadership - BINGO NIGHT SIGN UP. If you cannot make BINGO Night, please email me by Friday morning: scalv@mindspring.com. Brookwood Beta Club members will also be on hand to help wherever needed.
Setup 4:00-5:00
Welcome and Opening: Principal Burnley
Kids parade around once in costumes right before BINGO starts
10 Rounds of BINGO with a 15 minute break
Pumpkin Auction:
Closing: Tonya Burnley
CALENDAR
Calendar - Upcoming events
October 12...............Grades Due by 11p.m.
October 12...............Teacher Planning / Staff Development Day
October 12...............RBES Meetings
October 12...............Tech IF
October 12...............Science IF
October 12...............Building Will Close at 6:00
October 13...............2nd Nine Weeks Begin
October 13...............Dogwood Pizza Night
October 13...............Math IF
October 13...............Tech Vertical Team Meeting @ FFMS
October 13...............Google Calendar 3:00 PLC
October 15...............Lit IF
October 15...............ITBS Meeting - Grades 2 & 5 - Media Center 3:00
October 16...............BBC Meeting 8:30
October 16...............Puberty Talks 1:15
October 19-23..........ITBS Grades 2 & 5
October 19-23.........Great Days of Service
October 19...............Enrichment
October 19...............School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
October 21...............Skype Visit 9:30 - 10:15
October 22...............Data Chats
LIFE SAVER AWARD
Congratulations to Lee Ann Miller.
When I think of a life saver, I think of two things:
1. A life saver is an apparatus used to save people when they fall off a ship.
2. A life saver is a sweet candy.
LeeAnn represents both of these perfectly... She is always willing to help others and she does it with a sweet smile!
Thanks LeeAnn!
TECHNOLOGY
BYOD Lessons
I am excited to start BYOD Lessons with your class!!
In the Everything GOES Content Browser you will find all you need to make a choice and sign up.
*When you sign up PLEASE make sure you put the name of the app and topic we will be doing in your description so that I know which lesson to come prepared for.
NOTE 3rd and 4th grades:
*Pick the 2 activities that you wish for them to complete for specials, and email me which ones you would like me to do . I will do one BYOD with you before specials begins if you choose.
So where do you find these lesson options? (see pic) I even added a link for sign-up to Mimms Tech Lesson in the Module.
SMORE Newsletters
Using Smore for your Newsletter? Used up your 5 newsletters?
Recycle!!! If you like to archive your news letters but don't want to pay for Smore, save it as a PDF and reuse the oldest newsletter!
IPTV
The first part of the installation of our IPTV is installed eventually we will watch all broadcasts over this program (rather than video channel). This URL page (http://www.tvlaunchpad.net/Default.aspx) gives teachers and staff access to a limited number of local and cable stations as well as GCPS TV (the line up is subject to change). Second, it gives you access to the live feed that the camera will generate (we will use for Spelling Bee).
Check it out!
Grades
Grades Due:
Grades are due Monday, October 12th, at 11pm
Terri will print verification sheets Tuesday, October 13th
Verification sheets are due to Tonya on Wednesday, October 14th, by 4pm
Terri will print final report cards Thursday, October 15th
Report cards go home Friday, October 16th
Your gradebook will reflect the new QTR. Please click on the bottom tabs to the left to change back to QTR1.
Also Handouts are available in Everything GOES in the C&I.
Also be aware that the parent portal switched over, too. Therefore, no grades are posted in parent portal after October 9th. Only in student course history.
YOUR VOTE COUNTS
ESPLOST
On November 3, 2015, Gwinnett voters will be asked to consider continuing the E-SPLOST (education special purpose local option sales tax). Over the years, Gwinnett students and school communities have benefited from the E-SPLOST which has provided thousands of needed classrooms in nearly 60 new schools and nearly 80 school additions, as well as technology improvements that are essential to teaching and learning. Oct. 5 is the last day to register to vote for the upcoming election. Absentee and Early Voting begins Oct. 12.
Brookwood High School will be getting a renovation/addition if this passes! Become familiar with what this means for our county. Staff should be familiar with the information posted on this link. Thanks!
https://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/public/home/content/general-info/esplost-information
MEDIA CENTER NEWS
RETIREMENT
The Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS) will host a Pre-Retirement Workshop at the J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center on Tuesday, October 27th at 6:00 PM. For more information and to register for the event, please see the attached TRS flyer.
TRS counseling form LAWRENCEVILLE 2015
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2Vf_BpByaGDbDN2ekF5cEdaYkk
A limited number of one-on-one pre-retirement counseling sessions with TRS Retirement Counselors will also be available on October 28, 29 & 30 in Lawrenceville (53 Gwinnett Drive) and Suwanee (Wilbanks ISC). For more information and to register for a counseling session, please see the attached TRS flyer.
TRS counseling form SUWANEE 2015
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2Vf_BpByaGDaDZVOUZZOF9XRjQ
TRS Pre-Retirement Workshop Flyer 2015
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2Vf_BpByaGDNGdFNEk4N2tZRDg
For more information on any of these events, please contact Betty Mason, GCPS Retirement Services Manager, at (678) 301-6268 or Betty_Mason@Gwinnett.K12.GA.US
COMMUNITY EVENTS
PERKS
MEDIEVAL TIMES
A KNIGHT TO REMEMBER AT MEDIEVAL TIMES
Come join us at the castle on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 7:45 pm for Brookwood Cluster Knight! One dollar of every ticket sold http://bit.ly/BrookwoodClusterKnight will go to the Brookwood Schools Foundation.
The Medieval Times show is an action-packed two hour live show. You will experience an authentic jousting tournament and sword fight. You will witness the wonders of thirty magnificent Andalusian horses while you dine on a fabulous four course feast!
· $34.95 Adult (Does not include tax & gratuity)
· $29.95 Children (Does not include tax & gratuity)
Space is limited, so make your reservations today - http://bit.ly/BrookwoodClusterKnight