Titan-Up Weekly
March 20, 2016
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It's hard to believe that we are already planning for the 2016-17 SY. As you know, WOW Days start tomorrow. We will spend time creating class list. Please have your pink and blue placement cards completed before your assigned WOW Day. The morning session will run from 7:30-11:30 and the afternoon session will run 12:00-4:00 p.m. in the Media Center Conference room. Please note changes to the original WOW Day schedule below. Be sure to leave detailed sub plans and ample work for your students.
I heard that Literacy Night was a success. I can not wait to see pictures. A special thanks to Mrs. Brannick, her team, and everyone who came out to support Literacy Night. Mrs. Ashimi and I were celebrating literacy at Northbrook Middle School where Mr. Thomas' student was recognized for being the 3rd grade Gwinnett County winner. Way to go Mr. Thomas!
The transfer process ended Friday with another one of our family members moving on. Keep reading for approved transfers to and from Benefield.
Your PROUD principal,
Shonda Gipson Stevens
Here are a few things that need your attention:
GMAS
As we begin to prepare for Milestones, I wanted to give you the specific testing dates of testing, April 19-April 26. Please mark these dates on your calendar so you can plan in advance. It is CRUCIAL that everyone is here on these days. We will have a testing meeting on Tuesday, April 12 or Wednesday, April 13 during your planning time. Please make plans to be there since there will not be another opportunity to meet before testing begins.
Leave
We are experiencing a shortage of substitutes district-wide so the sooner we can request subs, the better. With this being said, we need your assistance. Please enter your leave and Aesop request as soon as possible. The systems shuts down around 6:00 a.m. and will not allow you to secure a sub via the system. If you cannot or do not secure a sub, please contact me at 404-304-0798.
Safety & Supervision
For the safety of our students, please remember that students should be supervised at all times. Please do not send students to the restroom without adult supervision as it poses a safety hazard. In cases of an emergency, kindly send the student with a responsible same gender classmate. (Please note that emergencies should occur daily within your class if your students are going to the restroom during your designated restroom breaks.)
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Monday, March 21
- WOW Day, 1st grade (7:30-11:30); 2nd grade (12:00-4:00)
- Faculty Book Study Club, 7:30 - 8:00 a.m., J. Robinson's Room, Ms. Bronkema
- Peer Leaders Meeting, 7:40 - 8:10 a.m., Media Center, Ms. Bronkema
- Parent English Class, 9:00 - 12:00 p.m., Trailer 3669, Ms. McNally
- Parent Nutrition Class, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., Ms. McNally
- Girls on the Run, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Haley
Tuesday, March 22
- Collaboration Tuesday, 7:30 a.m.
- 4th & 5th Grade Book Club Meeting, Media Center, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., Ms. Robbins
- ELT, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- Tapestry Art Display & Reception @ ISC, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Ms. Mills
- Honor Society Induction, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m., Gym, Ms. Fox
Wednesday, March 23
- WOW Day- Kindergarten (7:30-11:30) & 5th grade (12:00-4:00)
- Step Team, 7:30 - 8:20, Cafe', Ms. Randolph
- Mr. Gaul's Math Club, 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., Media Center, Ms. Ashimi
- Parent English Class, 9:00 - 12:00 p.m., Trailer 3669, Ms. McNally
- Science Club, Mr. Sweat's Room, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m., Ms. Osborne
- ELT, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Ashimi
- Girls on the Run, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Haley
- Reading Recovery Clinical Training Class, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 24
- WOW Day- 3rd grade (12:00-4:00); 4th grade (7:30-11:30)
- Collaboration Thursday, 7:30 a.m.
- DHS Mentoring, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m., Cafe', Ms. Bronkema
- Reading Recovery BTG Session, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m
- Area Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m., Lanier High
- Spirit Night @ Chick-fil-A Sugarloaf, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m., Ms. Kruger & Ms. DeReimer
Friday, March 25
- Benefield Singers Rehearsal, 7:45 - 8:45 a.m., Ms. Kingston
- Titan Leaders Meeting, 9:10 a.m., Front Office Conference Room
- Titan-Up Days during planning
- Girl Scouts, Cafe', 3:15 - 5:30 p.m
- Report Cards go home
- Dr. Barlow's visit; time TBA
Saturday, March 26
- GCPS Job Fair, registration required
Congratulations & Farewell to the following!
- Karen Meyer transfer was approved. She is going to Jordan MS.
- Matthew Pierce on his new job. Friday was his last day. Christopher Nugent will be taking over Mr. Pierce's duties as the ASD Level I para. Jennifer Campbell has been hired to replace Mr. Nugent as our stellar sub. Ms. Campbell is coming to Benefield from Baggett ES where she has served as a long-term Spanish teacher. Yes, she's fluent in Spanish:--)
Many blessings to Mr. Pierce and Ms. Meyer on their new journey! You will be missed.
Ms. Franklin's students spelling their names and getting lots of praise!
Ms. Ashimi talks text evidence with fourth graders!
Advance Notice Calendar of Events
- Faculty Book Study Club, 7:30 - 8:00 a.m., J. Robinson's Room, Ms. Bronkema
- Parent English Class, 9:00 - 12:00 p.m., Trailer 3669, Ms. McNally
- Parent Nutrition Class, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., Ms. McNally
- Girls on the Run, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Haley
- Tapestry Art Display @ ISC, Ms. Mills
Tuesday, March 29
- Faculty meeting/PAGE Visit, 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., Cafe'
- 101 Dalmatian's Dress Rehearsal, 7:45 - 8:45 a.m., Ms. Kingston
- 5th Grade Articulation @ Richards Middle School, 9:30 -11:30 a.m., Mr. Knight
- PIC LLC Meeting in Trailer 3665, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Ms. Cross
- 4th & 5th Grade Book Club Meeting, Media Center, 11:30 - 12:30 p.m., Ms. Robbins
- ELT, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- Final day for Tapestry Art Display @ ISC, Ms. Mills
- 101 Dalmatian's evening performance, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m., Discovery High School
Wednesday, March 30
- Mr. Gaul's Math Club, 7:30 - 8:15 a.m., Media Center, Ms. Ashimi
- Parent English Class, 9:00 - 12:00 p.m., Trailer 3669, Ms. McNally
- Kindergarten Field Trip to INK, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ms. Carter
- 5th Grade Field Trip to Zoo Atlanta, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ms Randolph
- ELT, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Ashimi
- Girls on the Run, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Ms. Haley
- Reading Recovery Clinical Training Class, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 31
- Collaboration Thursday, 7:30 a.m.
- 101 Dalmatian's Concert Assembly, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., Ms. Cash & Kingston
- Kindergarten Field Trip to INK, 9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Ms. Carter
- Kay Reynolds - GCPS Coaches Visit - PLR & Classroom
- Titan-Up Day during planning, grades 2 - 5
- DHS Mentoring, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m., Cafe', Ms. Bronkema
- Reading Recovery BTG Session, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m
Friday, April 1
- Student / Staff Holiday
TO BENEFIELD WHERE WE BELIEVE ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN
Ann Courson
I am beginning my 27th year of teaching with experience in grades Pre-K – 4th. I have been teaching at Jackson Elementary for 13 years and have been in Gwinnett for 20 years. I have 5 children, aged 16 -26, and 3 spoiled pets. I live with my husband, Dave, in Lawrenceville. Some of my favorite things are spending time with my family and friends, reading books, my church, animals, the beach, chocolate and teaching! I have been very busy with a puppy that we adopted in December.
I am truly blessed to have a job that I love so much and am thrilled to be joining the Benefield family! :)
Nicole Smith
I am excited about joining the Benefield family. I have been teaching for 18 years in which 16 years have been for Gwinnett County. I am currently a fourth grade teacher at Jackson Elementary. My husband, Greg, and I have been married for 14 years and we have a 13 year old son, Nigel. I am looking forward to meeting, being a team player, and working with the teachers, staff, and students at Benefield ES.
Vanessa Zebrowski
I am very happy to be joining the Benefield team next school year and meeting all of you. I have taught Art for the past 6 years around the Atlanta area and I could not be more happy to be teaching in an elementary school again. I have loved art since I was a child and I get much joy out of teaching others how to be creative. Personally, I love creating paintings and ceramic arts. I am recently married (1 year this April) and my husband is also a teacher. We have two tuxedo cats who we love very much and have a large extended family of pets. In my spare time I like to travel, visit museums, go to concerts and binge-watch Netflix.
Dr. Angela Perry
I am very excited about joining the Benefield family. I have been a counselor for 28 years and have spent the last 16 years as a counselor at Beaver Ridge Elementary, here in Gwinnett County. My husband, Freddy and I have been married for 29 years this coming August, and we have 2 sons, Frederick Dion (age 25), and Aaron (age 19). I am looking forward to having the opportunity to meet and work with everyone at Benefield.
Sue Mitas
I am looking forward to rejoining the Benefield family. I have been working with in Gwinnett County for 2 years. I have been married for 32 years. I have two son Chris and Ryan and two daughter-in-law Polly and Kati. My favorite things to do is spending time with Owen, Isaac, and Adeline my three grandchildren. I am excited for the new school year.
Renee Lease
Looking forward to joining the Benefield family I have worked in Gwinnett a little over 20 years. I live in Lilburn. I have been married for 40 years and have three children and eight grandchildren. My grandbabies call me Honey. I enjoy laughing it makes me feel good. See you in August!
We're celebrating the following March birthdays:
- Benita Alandu - 4
- Susan DeReimer - 4
- Elizabeth Drada - 5
- Tara Mangray - 7
- Linda Lowry - 10
- Shenay Williams - 11
- Beth Osborne - 14
- Kay Skinner - 21
- Sebrina Ashimi - 21
- Michelle Johnson - 29
- Julie Gornall - 30
- Glenda Palimore - 30
The following BES staff members were recognized by their colleagues for having IT!
Mrs. Stevens has IT! And then some!!! She is an awesome leader who often gives more than we deserve. What a blessing she is to Benefield!!!
Mrs. Howard has IT! She did a wonderful job organizing Sunshine's annual Shamrock RUN!
Ms. Maselli, Ms. Cash, and Mrs. Shuman have IT! Thank you so much for always supporting the Sunshine Committee.
Our Benefield Resource Teachers Have IT! This is the most dedicated group of people I have ever see in action. They are dedicated to our kids, their profession and to the teachers they support. I absolutely appreciate all they do and it is just one of the many things that make Benefield such a special place to be!
Ms. James has IT! She is always looking for strategies to enhance learning for her second grade class! Her genuine concern for your students is apparent.
Maja Shuman has IT!!!! She is always teaching and students are always learning in her classroom. She is an EXEMPLARY TEACHER in everything she does!!! Thank you for your commitment to always do everything to the best possible standard!!!!!
Carolyn Addison has IT! She planned our second grade literacy night activities and made Pete the Cat shirts with groovy buttons and cat ears!
Ms. Dargon certainly has IT!!! Great collab facilitator and Coach!! She knows how to make each TEACHER feel valued!!!!
Fourth Grade Team Has Got IT!!!! Great collab conversations and contributions to add DEPTH/RIGOR to the math unit test. This team keeps in mind that ALL students' SUCCESS is still a goal that is important for student learning.
Ms. Gornall has IT! She puts in so much effort to give her students a wonderful and unforgettable learning experience. Her Leprechaun trap is one of a kind! She is very nurturing and her love for her students is evident in all the things she does.
Ms. Shuman has IT! Her students think she is worth more than a pot of gold. We couldn't agree more! Thank you for all that you do each and every day.
Ms. Haley has IT! Not only she is a great, but she handles all of her student's unique needs so calmly and well.
Third Grade has IT! Thank you for making me feel special on my b-day and serenading the birthday song!