Husky Hotline
Sycamore Elementary School Has the IT Factor!
In This Issue
Birthdays
Calendar
Crystal's Corner
School Affairs
NEW LSTC Blog!
Kudos
Aesop Reminders
When you submit a request in Aesop:
- Please remember to post In/Service-Staff Development when requesting for a staff development day off. Assure that you have gotten clearance to attend from Crystal first so that payment for subs can come from the proper line item.
- Click “save” and the Aesop system will locate a sub for you.
- Click “save and assign” when you have already spoken to the sub and you know for certain that he/she will be in your class.
Please remember to update the time in Aesop. A full day is 7:45-3:45, half day is either 7:45-11:45 or 11:45-3:45.
Birthdays
Nancy Marcum, September 6
Kim Glass, September 8
Sheree Bailey, September 12
Cathy Eklund, September 14
Veronica Laird, September 18
Cindy Alverson, September 22
Karen Peralta, September 23
Crystal's Corner
Thank you for your support and understanding during a very busy week. I enjoy coming to work every day, especially with you. Thank you for your attention to detail and your willingness to strive for excellence. I am proud of you!
Classroom Reminders:
Please remember the following should be visible in your classroom:
1. I Can Statements & Word Walls
2. QPTS Poster
3. Bathroom checkout
4. Safety Bag with class list and phone numbers on door
5. Data Chart with student data
6. PBL processing and work
Data Thursday- 9/22/16 Procedure
I would like everyone to meet in the cafeteria for our first Data meeting of the year. I will share our latest Weighted School Assessment data (WSA) and I will set the context for our Data Thursdays going forward. CoGAT assessments (Grades 1,2,5) will be ready to hand out in an organized fashion right afterwards on this day from the A-Team in the cafeteria. Thank you!
- GOSA Innovation in Teaching Competition
- Applied Learning with a Focus on STEAM Education;
- Blended Learning;
- Innovative Practices to Close the Achievement Gap; and
- Kindergarten through Third Grade Language and Literacy.
Recommend a Teacher for the 2016-2017 Governor's Office of Student Achievement's Innovation in Teaching Competition!
To get this school year off to a great start, the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) is pleased to announce the details of the 2016-2017 Innovation in Teaching Competition! Here are the details:
What is the Innovation in Teaching Competition?
The Innovation in Teaching Competition is a recognition and reward opportunity for Georgia’s teachers who are implementing innovative practices that advance student achievement in their classrooms every day. This round, we are looking for teachers focused on the following priority areas: (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2HGO6PKsYNdU1RibHJYZUlwaGs/view?pref=2&pli=1)
What do the winners receive?
Winning teachers receive a $3,000 stipend for themselves and a $4,000 grant for their school. In addition, Georgia Public Broadcasting will film each of the winning teachers in action. GOSA will make this video, along with each teacher’s unit plan and supplementary materials, available for other educatorsonline: https://www.georgiastandards.org/resources/Pages/Innovation-in-Teaching-Competition-Beyond-the-Textbook.aspx)
How do teachers participate? First, a Recommendation
In order to participate, teachers must first be recommended. Between now and September 20th, recommend a teacher here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IITCRecommendationForm
We would like to have at least one teacher recommendation from each school.
For more information about the Innovation in Teaching Competition, please visit the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement’s website:http://gosa.georgia.gov/videos/innovation-teaching-competition, or contact Jaclyn Colona at jaclyn.colona@georgia.gov or 404-904-5514.
School Affairs
Opportunity School District
Please us this link to the view general information flyer about the Opportunity
School District: Q &A Opportunity School District
PAC Committee
PAC Committee Meeting is held once a month. The first meeting is scheduled for September 22, 2016 at 7:30 a.m. Please plan to have representation from each grade level.
Georgia State University
Hello,
At Georgia State University we offer a M.Ed. in Elementary Education that embeds advanced content preparation with Endorsements in Mathematics, Literacy, Science, and Teacher Support & Coaching. The entire program is 12 courses, and 5 of these courses can be completed online/alternative format. Students can start the program any semester and complete it at their own pace. The application deadline to start spring semester is Oct. 15.
Attached is a brochure with program information, and it would be greatly appreciated if you shared this information with teachers at your school. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Susan Swars Auslander, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mathematics Education
Coordinator of Graduate Programs
Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Georgia State University
Media News and Tidbits
Our annual Scholastic Fall book fair will be happening during the week of September 26th - 30th. You may have already sent home the flyers/parent letters that were placed in your mailboxes on Thursday. If not, please send these home ASAP. The book fair preview will be held on Monday, September 26th. Teachers may schedule their classes for a preview visit on this day by signing up at the media center. Teachers may put aside their selections for purchase, and will receive a discount of 20%. In addition, we will draw the names of two staff members who will each receive a $15 shopping card. Parents who volunteer will receive Scholastic dollars for each hour that they actively help students at the book fair, good towards purchases from the book fair itself.
** Please remember that there are no whole class visits during book fair. Therefore, teachers need to make certain that students check out sufficient reading material during their checkout times for the prior week of September 19th. If necessary, students may be sent down in groups of no more than four students per class during book fair. THANKS!
Weekly ESOL Tip
If you have not been called to do ELPPs with me yet you should be coming soon…I will email you as soon as we have coverage again. Thanks for being so patient!
-Karen
Communique
The latest posts to the online Communiqué include a national award for staff, a Comic Superhero, gold for some speedy sport stackers, a call for career fair exhibitors, plus Bulletin Board items on a golf fundraiser, upcoming deadlines, and the latest episode of In5ive. Coming up, watch for caring philanthropy to fight food insecurity, an opportunity for feedback on instructional resources, and more.
Story ideas? Great photos? Feedback? Let us know at communique@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
Please share photos and information about the special events your school has planned for Arts in Education Week and National Grandparents' Day (Sept. 11), National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), Constitution Week and Citizenship Day (Sept. 17) and International Day of Peace (Sept. 21).
Please use this link to view Communiqué .
GCPS e-News
Please use this link to read GCPS' latest community e-newsletter
School Reminders
1. Please lock up all devices at night and lock your classroom doors when leaving for specials, and recess. Students need to bring everything with them and not come to the classrooms unattended as much as possible. 2 barriers are suggested; 1 barrier will suffice.
2. Please have students assist with putting chairs on desks when leaving each day.With us eating breakfast and snacks in the classrooms, it causes for more attention to vacuuming. Please help us get your rooms as clean as possible.
GCPS Instructional Extras...
- Fall Literacy Institute
The Office of Language Arts, in coordination with eCLASS, English Learner, Foreign Language, and the Staff Development departments, invites teachers to our Fall Literacy Institute that will focus on academic conversation and collaboration. Nancy Frey, co-author of Better Learning Through Structured Teaching, will provide the keynote address.
What: Fall Literacy Institute
When: Saturday, October 1, 2016 from 8:00 AM - noon
Where: Discovery HS
Teachers may register for section #25220 in the PD&E tool.
Students can share their promise by entering the Promise of Gwinnett Writing Contest. This contest is open to any student currently enrolled in a GCPS school, grades K-12. Winning entries for the district will be featured on the GCPS Promise web page during American Education Week (November 14-18). District winners, their families, and their LA teachers will be invited to a special recognition ceremony.
Please contact Josie Perez at 678-301-7011 should you have any questions.
School packets of winning entries (no more than one per grade level) are due to the Office of Language Arts by 5 p.m. on Friday, October 14. No late or incomplete entries will be accepted.
- Schoolnet Item Bank
- 40,000 Items for Teacher Use for Common and Classroom Assessments
- Math, K-2, Coming Soon
- Math, Grades 3-8
- Math, Algebra and Geometry, Coming Soon
- ELA Grades, K-2, Coming Soon
- ELA Grades, 3-12
- Science Grades 3-8, Physical Science, Biology, Coming Soon
- Social Studies, Grades 1- 8, US History
- Directions for creating assessments are posted in Schoolnet.
- These items are copyrighted and may not be altered be teachers; they must be used as they appear in Schoolnet.
- Invitation to Teachers and Guests to meet children's book author Rosemary Wells
When: September 13, 2016, 7:00PM
Where: Aurora Theatre, 153 East Crogan Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Children's author Rosemary Wells invites media specialists, educators and fans to hear her insights on children's literature and the important role they play in promoting literacy. Books will be available for purchase and autographing.
RSVP to events@gwinnettpl.org
LSTC Blog
Kudos
Thank you Janet, Laura, Jenifer, Larry, Kim and Carolina for all of your hard work with Ebony's Dedication Ceremony. I appreciate you for understanding perfection and how important events like this are to all involved. The family was truly grateful! ~Crystal
Thank you Sheree for being such a positive face in our office every day! Parents are grateful for your customer service! ~Crystal
Thank you staff for working very hard each and every day! Teaching and learning go hand and hand and you have made such a great effort to go over and beyond every day! ~Crystal
Thank you to the coaches and all support and specials staff who are working to teach to our students for our PBL sessions at the end of the day. This has not been easy, but the payoff will be amazing. I see you and appreciate you! ~Crystal
Thank you Kim, Cindy and Katie for making me laugh, always being helpful and attentive and making my job as a principal memorable. I appreciate you more than you know. ~Crystal
Thank you Carolina for always going over and beyond to make sure that our school looks great and smells rosy! I appreciate you very much! ~Crystal
Kudos to our Pre-K staff who work very hard every day. Your job is not easy and we are blessed to have you on our team. ~Crystal
Thank you to the Specials team for your positivity during our Genius Hour schedul. The teachers truly appreciate your expertise and willingness to expand and be purposefully included in our PBL program. ~Crystal
Thank you (Jill M., Claire B., Mrs. Thompson, Ms. Sample, Dr. Glass, Amy H. and Marjorie M.) for sharing some great information and ideas during our WOW day on Monday. You all did an excellent job! - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Laurel for our Monday Lunch. You are so kind and generous. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Frank, Angie, Laurel, Kim, and Naisha for sharing so many awesome resources and ideas with the team! - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Jonathan Goodson for sharing some small group strategies for remediation. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Naisha Lyons a.k.a. QR Code Queen for making the Study Island QR codes! - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Nicole Moody for all the school supplies that you have given to my 4th and 5th grade students. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Ms. Sample for letting me borrow your copy of Pink and Say. My 5th grade students really enjoyed listening to it. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Bev Carlan for your assistance with helping me understand and implement the Engineering Design Process in our Weather Station PBL. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Leslie Adames for your Spelling City idea. It is such a time saver! - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Jerry Watts for all your help in trying to fix my laptop. I really appreciate your patience. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Larry Smith for your eClass help. My page looks so pretty because of you! - Michelle Hardy
Thank you, Cecila Gaytan, for helping me with conference scheduling. - Michelle Hardy
Kudos to Carolann for helping me with daily dismissal of student transportation. You ROCK!! -Sheree Bailey
Kudos to my Sycamore Family for making me feel extra special on my birthday with cookie cake and fun cards! Love you all!-Sheree Bailey
Kudos to 3rd grade for the delicious birthday breakfast! The casserole and muffins were out of this world!!- Sheree Bailey
Amy, Claire, Jill, Katie, Crystal great job at WOW day presentation! ~Maureen
Bev Thanks for being a great, supportive team leader! ~Maureen
Paula, Frank, Nicole, Amy, Claire, Cyndi, Ashley Mansfield for being so super on the volleyball court! ~Maureen
Ryan Dupraw being a rockstar in the gym!
Cathy, Martha, Lee, Jill, and Melanie for the after hours special ed support. It is appreciated more than you know! Beth
Beverly and Cindy for being part of the Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful presentation Tuesday night. Beth
The Kindergarten Team for sharing their plans and including me in your daily activities. Beth
Kristy and Cathy for supporting our kids during specials. Beth
Emily for continued tech support!! Beth
Cathy for EVERYTHING and always going above and beyond for our kids!! Beth
Lee for pairing up with me during our bimonthly SDD meetings and clarification! Beth
Kudos to Beth and Cyndi for their awesome presentation of our Sphero and Bee-bots at the Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful meeting on Tuesday night. Beverly
Thank you to the specials team for your hard work and amazing delivery of your projects to students during PBL time. Beverly
Thanks to the front office staff for your ongoing support with courses and clubs. Beverly
Thanks to Larry, Jerry & Rochelle for catalogging and perparing the iPads for student use. Beverly
Kudos to Monday's WOW day participants and presenters for your preparation and collaboration. Beverly
Thank you to the STEM & Environmental Committee for trekking to the outdoor classroom with me. Beverly
Accolades to our of our Adopt-A-Road volunteers for keeping our community clean & green. Beverly
Kudos to Kelli Reifler. I couldn't do this without you! Lee
Thanks to Marjorie Mantilla for helping me set up conferences with several parents. Lee Goodwin
Ashley Welch- Thank you for always being such a helpful mentor by going above and beyond to help me in my classroom!-Emily Berg
Shannon Davis- Thank you for answering my MANY little questions throughout the day to ensure that I am doing things correctly!-Emily Berg
Naisha Lyons- Thank you for always encouraging me to incorporate more technology into my classroom and for helping me set up my class in Study Island.-Emily Berg
Thank you, Ashley and Karen for helping me with my F&P's. - Michelle Hardy
Thank you to Emily Acevedo for switching library times with us this week! It was so helpful. You are the best!! - Stephanie and Paul
Thank you to all of the teachers who I have met with for taking the time to come and create ELPPs for your EL students with me! It is nice to get to spend time with each of you! And an extra shout out to those who spent their time after school doing them with me! That has been a huge time saver! I appreciate all of you!-Karen
*Thank you to Bev Carlan for selling gold items this week and Smencils every day!-Karen
*Thank you to Marjorie for helping sell gold items on Friday!-Karen
*Thank you to Lindsay & Marble for covering classes for teachers so that they could come and meet with me! :) - Karen
*Thank you to Laura for scheduling coverage for the teachers for me! - Karen
Lee Goodwin -- thank you for being the awesome teacher and friend that you are! Love you to the moon and back! Kelli
Kudos to all of first grade teachers working so collaboratively!
Chelsea and Kristan--- thank you for surprising me at the end of your lunch and helping me with a special assignment on Wednesday! Many hands gets a task done quickly. Love, Kelli
T. Love --- thank you for helping me "reach" when I was vertically challenged! And more importantly, for your supportive comments you always give. Love, Kelli
Julie and Wendy -- thank you for being there and guiding me to locate forms this week! Love, Kelli
Wednesday, thank you for your help in solving the mystery of the "lost library book"! Kelli
Sycamore Elementary School
Email: crystal_cooper_thompson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: sycamorees.org
Location: 5695 Sycamore Road, Sugar Hill, GA, United States
Phone: 678-714-5770
Facebook: facebook.com/sycamorees
Twitter: @sycamorees