WBMS Staff Newsletter
Week of October 23rd-27th
Dates To Remember
Oct 23-27- Red Ribbon Week
Oct 24- Volleball at Ridgeview @ 5:30pm
Oct 25- NWLC Walkthrough
Oct 25- Community Balance Day
Oct 26- 1st Quarter Citizenship Breakfast
Oct 26- International Night
Oct 27- Volleball vs Hopewell @ 5:30pm
Oct 31- Literacy Day- dress as you favorite literary character
Oct 31- County Policy Sign-Off Date
Nov 6-8- JA Biztown 6th grade
Nov 30- NWLC Walkthrough
October Meeting Schedule
Fall Final Exam Schedule
Dec 18th - Reading, World Language, and Social Studies
Dec 19th - Math and ELA
Dec 20th - Science and Health
Dec 21st - Staff Breakfast, Grandparent Coffee, Fine Arts Assembly
NWLC Walkthrough
We will have visitors from the NWLC community doing walkthroughs on Oct 25 and Nov 30.
Growth Academy Possibilities for Next Semester
The following link contains the ideas and suggestions we received for Growth Academy topics for Spring 2018. This is an interest survey- not a selection survey(you are not choosing your academy quite yet). We will use these results to narrow down our choices and then send you a final form to select your choices for next semester.
Oct 31- Celebrate Literacy! Dress as your favorite character
Leadership Minutes
- Testing- Please make sure to read the changes that are taking effect due to 8th grade field testing
- "T" drive and staff files on the server are going away – Please move all of your files to One Drive
- Students should reboot (restart) their Surface tablets at least once per day while at school. Reason: software installs such as testing software.
- Reminder- Oct 31 County Policy Sign- Off
Free Furniture
- L or U-shaped desks
- 5 drawer lateral file cabinets
- 2 drawer lateral file cabinets
- Wooden bookshelves (various heights)
- Dry-erase boards and cork boards
- Mail sorter station
Please let us know if you are interested in any of these items by completing this form- Furniture Form
*Please note, this does not guarantee the item. First come, first serve.
NEW: Webb Way Wowzers
WOWZERS!
- Huge thanks to Jana Bernhardt for being such an awesome co-sponsor for Jr. Beta. Convention would not be possible without you! - Katie Pardee
- Kudos to Shadia Anderson for always having a positive attitude and for being so supportive no matter what. Our 6th grade ELA PLC is so lucky to have you!- Ashley Savage
- Special thanks to Lisa Beckett for always helping me with ordering/deposit questions and for getting me a battery for my car keys so I could drive home! - Katie Pardee
- Wowzer to Sunny Winfield for her efforts to create the reading room on the 600 hallway to promote reading for fun! - Nan Brown
REMINDER-County Policy/Training Sign-off Due Oct 31
FCS requests that all employees review some essential policies/training materials annually, so that there is an awareness of the serious expectations outlined in each. The list of this information is accessed and submitted electronically in order to establish a record of the training. It is not an exhaustive list. Also, when policy revisions are made or new ones created, a systemic alert is made to notify district personnel of the policy change(s). (If you are a new hire this is part of your “First 30 days” requirements; please review the instructions listed on the New Employee portal page link).
Open Enrollment
October marks the time of year for Open Enrollment, when eligible employees make
changes to, or enroll in, the benefits program for next year.
This year, Open Enrollment begins Monday, October 16 and will end at 11:59 PM on
Friday, November 3.
For more information, you only need to visit one site: http://www.myfultonbenefits.com
This is the central place to find information and links.
Charitable Fund
The Fulton School Employees' Charitable Fund is the vehicle which provides an opportunity for employees to make contributions that promote the well-being of our students, families, and local communities.
Thank you for your FULTON GIVES 2017 contributions totaling $202,875!
It is that time of the year to open your hearts and help support The Fulton County Charitable FundDrive. The donation period will run for three weeks, from October 16 – November 3, 2017. I have attached the directions for making your donation on line and the difference between an annual election and one time election.
We would like to hold our traditional prize drawing for those who contribute, and I will need prizes donated from the staff. Great items are: gift cards, baked goods, hand-made items, etc.
Directions to follow:
- Make your on-line donation
- Complete the Microsoft Form to enter the drawing.
– Click Here for “I Donated” Link
If you would like to donate a prize:
- By Nov 3rd- Please complete the Microsoft Form stating the item you will contribute
Click here for the “I Want To Donate a Prize” Link - Bring the item for the drawing day during our December Faculty Meeting.
What’s New for 2018?
- Campaign dates align with Benefits Open Enrollment: October 16 - November 3, 2017
- Agencies that promote the well-being of our FCS students, families and communities.
- Recurring annual contributions makes it easy for employees to continue their giving without having to enter selections manually each year.
- Easy to use form to request to discontinue contributions.
Thank you so much for supporting Fulton County. The attached brochure includes the organizations to help you make your choice a bit more meaningful. Please let me know if you need help or have questions.
Your kindness is greatly appreciated,
Katie Pardee
Annual Teacher Market Place for 2017- Vendor Info
If you are interested in being a vendor, complete the FORM with the items you plan to sell.
Past items sold in the Market Place:
Pottery painted -windows -jewelry -pillows -greeting cards -wreaths -picture frames -cake plates-ornaments -upcycled products-Lotion bars/soap -tooth fairy pillows -monogrammed trinket dishes- door hangers/decorationsPrevious vendors who could answer any questions you have: (and forgive me if I leave your name off accidentally)
Swartz- Garner- F. Anderson- Gillespie- Hedger- Okenica -Winfield- Runzo
Vendor Info:
- You get about ½ of a table to display your goods. Please let me know if you need more space or a particular area of the PLR.
- The room is unmanned, but each vendor has an envelope at his/her space where people will put payment. We are on the honor system.
- Items must be handmade by YOU…you cannot sell your best friend’s grandma’s crocheted handkerchiefs.
- You can sell an artistic service…for example, a family photo session if you are a photographer, a pet portrait if you draw. Teachers can sign up for these to be done at a later date. You would display examples of your work.
Webb Way Employees of the Week
Congratulations to Lindsey Weaver, Stephanie Dunn, and Ed Kaiser!
Thank you for support the Webb Way and our students in the areas of Respect*Responsibility*Citizenship!
You have won the Webb Way Employee Parking spots thru Wednesday. The spots are marked with beautiful white signs with blue writing (where the Aps parked).
Enjoy and please continue to recognize our students exhibiting the Webb Way!!
October Birthdays
4 James Barket
4 Ashley Jones
5 Jenna Allenson
10 Katie Pardee
14 Jane He
16 Shadia Anderson
20 Kevin Cooke
21 Rickey Jordan
23 Vicki Nixon
24 Tina Mathewson
25 Joy Myrick
25 Tracy Lynn Wagner
28 Sandra Vegners
29 Susie McFarland
30 Avenot Benjamin
30 Mitch Tyniec
See a Bug? Report it!
Anonymous Feedback to Ms. Perkins
Send feedback anonymously to Ms. Perkins by following this link: bit.ly/toperkins
Reminders
- Transfer all files to OneDrive
- Remind students to reboot surface while AT school.
Suggestions to Extend Non-Verbal Reasoning Skills PART 2
Non-verbal reasoning skills include understanding, remembering, and making visual sequences, interpreting the meaning of and relationships between the visual presentations or pictures. Some things you could do to support children’s growth in non-verbal abilities include:
1. Practice elaboration: How many details can you add?
2. Create a new picture by changing a picture already made
3. Create a larger picture by adding to a picture already made
4. Combine two pictures into one new picture
5. Ask “How does (a concept) look, sound, taste, smell, feel?”
6. Use guided imagery/visualization
7. Practice activities in How To Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Gelb
Work Life Balance
Fall Festival- Oct 28th
As part of the North Point Village Shopping Center's annual Fall Festival, Georgia Spa Company is hosting a Big Green Egg Cook Off between the Alpharetta Fire and Police departments. The event will take place Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Georgia Spa's Alpharetta Showroom.
In addition to the cook off, Georgia Spa is holding a Large Big Green Egg Raffle – two winners will be selected! The raffle will benefit charities selected by the Alpharetta Fire and Police departments – the Alpharetta Public Safety Foundation and North Fulton Community Charities.
Tickets are $10 each.
Online ticket sales end Friday, October 27 at 5 p.m. ET. Tickets can still be purchased at the Georgia Spa Alpharetta Showroom prior to the drawing on Saturday, October 28.
Zombie Run 5K -October 28
Dodge zombies trying to grab your flag at the Running Dead 5K in Dahlonega, and make it to the finish line for a medal and fun activities.
Hot-air-balloon festival October 27 - 28
Owl-O-Ween features balloon glows, tethered rides, trick-or-treating at the balloons, a food court, art vendors, beer and vodka, and entertainment on multiple stages at Kennesaw State University.
Walker Stalker Con October 27 - 29
Walker Stalker Con has celebrities, panels, vendors, and a party at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Halloween at the aquarium October 28
Children wearing costumes get free admission (two kids age 12 or younger per paid adult) and treats at Georgia A-Scary-Um at Georgia Aquarium.
Pumpkin Festival- October 13 - 29
The Pumpkin Festival includes family shows, games, storytelling, kids’ activities, and a pie-eating contest at Stone Mountain Park. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
https://www.stonemountainpark.com/events/Pumpkin-Festival.aspx
Family Halloween Hike October 20 - 21 and 27 - 28
A guide leads you on a well-lit trail to meet costumed creatures of the woods at the non-scary Halloween Hikes at Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell.
Oktoberfest- Helen, GA
Join us for the 47th Annual Oktoberfest in Helen, Ga. It's Helen's biggest celebration! Enjoy German music, food, drinks and dancing, including waltzes, polkas and the chicken dance! Oktoberfest will run from Sept. 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 2017, and then reopens daily beginning Sept. 28 and continues through Oct. 29, 2017.
Food and drinks cost extra. For more information about the event, call 706-878-1908 or visit www.helenchamber.com.
ATL Hawks Night
2017-2018 School Year
First Semester
August 1 – 4 ........................................... Preplanning for teachers
August 7......................................................... First Day of School
September 4........................................Labor Day (schools closed)
October 6 ......................................Teacher Workday (students off)
October 9 ......................................Columbus Day (schools closed)
November 20 – 24.............. Thanksgiving Holidays (schools closed)
December 21 ....................................... Last Day of First Semester
December 22 – 29 ...........................Winter Break (schools closed)
Second Semester
January 1 – 3...................................Winter Break (schools closed)
January 4.......................................Teacher Workday (students off)
January 5....................Professional Development Day (students off)
January 8.........................................First Day of Second Semester
January 15..............Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (schools closed)
February 16*................... Student/Teacher Holiday (schools closed)
February 19 ......................President’s Day Holiday (schools closed)
March 9*.......................................Teacher Workday (students off)
March 12....................Professional Development Day (students off)
April 2 – 6 .......................................Spring Break (schools closed)
May 24........................................................... Last Day of School
May 25.................................................................. Post Planning
May 28...............................Memorial Day Holiday (schools closed)
* Designated as inclement weather make-up days (if needed).
Our School Release Days
These are the dates approved through the RFF process as part of School Governance. WBMS students will NOT attend school on the following dates:
September 1, 2017
October 5, 2017
January 16, 2018
March 8, 2018
Community Balance Days 2017-2018
September 20
October 25
February 21
March 21
The idea is that students will go home right after school to create balance in their lives. Staff members and students alike will take a night off. Club sponsors and coaches and directors may hold meetings and practices and games as needed. We feel students release stress through these extracurricular activities.
Please plan to enjoy yourself and work your assessments around these dates this school year.