Findley Flyer- October 3, 2019
Findley Oaks Elementary-Home of the Findley Falcons!
Message from Mrs. Christopher
Thank you to all of the families that participated in our first Walk to School Wednesday of the school year! We had a great turnout with approximately 170 walkers and 5 bike riders.
The Ga Department of Education recognizes schools for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). There are four levels: Installing, Emerging, Operational, and Distinguished. We were recognized as a PBIS Operational School for the 2018-2019 school year, one level up from the prior year. Congrats to our PBIS Committee for leading this important work!
Camille Christopher
Proud Principal
Fun Run Pep Rally
PBIS Operational School
Walk to School Wednesday
Important Dates
- October 11 Teacher work day (No school for students)
- October 14 Columbus Day Holiday ( No School)
- October 15 PTA meeting 9:30 A145
- October 17 Picture Retake Day
- October 18 Fun Run
- October 18 English Class for Bilingual Families 10 am A145
- October 21-25 IOWA Testing (3rd and 5th grade only)
- October 28-November 1 Red Ribbon Week
- October 30 SGC meeting 3 pm A145
- October 31 Community Night (No homework)
Veterans Day Celebration
Communication
1. The Findley Flyer which is sent out the first and third Thursday of each month.
2. Weekly newsletters from teachers or grade levels.
3. Our website: www.findleyoakselementary.net.
4. Follow us on Twitter at @FindleyOaks.
5. Findley Oaks PTA website: http://findleyoakselementaryschool.my-pta.org/.
6. Findley Oaks PTA newsletter.
7. Findley Oaks PTA Facebook page and twitter page @findleyoaksPTA
Have Questions or Concerns?
1. The teacher-Always contact the teacher first. He or she knows your child the best.
2. If further assistance is needed after contacting the teacher(s), members of the administration can assist.
- David Applegate- The Instructional Support Teacher (IST) coordinates programs and service delivery for special education students. He coordinates educational testing for students who are referred for special education services. Parents with questions about the special education process should contact the IST for information.
- Cindy Lamb-The Assistant Principal who oversees standardized testing, transportation, and discipline.
- Kate Hernandez-The School Counselor works with school personnel to foster a positive learning environment for children. The counselor assists parents in understanding children and in developing positive attitudes, techniques, and strategies essential for constructive child rearing. The counselor assists parents and children in obtaining special school and/or community services and helps conduct the SST and testing programs. The counselor conducts classroom guidance lessons on a regular schedule as well as supports students in smaller settings, as needed.
- Renee Morris-The Curriculum Support Teacher (CST) is responsible for helping to implement the Fulton County curriculum. The CST is involved in selecting textbooks, curriculum writing and training. She works with teachers in organizing classrooms and suggesting learning strategies for students and is an active participant on the Student Support Team. New students entering the school are referred to the CST for suggested placement within reading and math programs. Parents with questions involving curriculum are invited to contact the Curriculum Support Teacher for information.
3. If further assistance is still needed, contact the Principal, Camille Christopher or Assistant Principal, Cindy Lamb.
We encourage open dialogue so do not hesitate to reach out.
Message From North Transportation
The driver shortage you’ve probably heard about in the news has affected us as well. The number varies slightly, but we begin each day with more open routes than we have substitute drivers, and that’s before anyone calls out sick, has a family emergency, has jury duty, etc. Consequently, we have to cover routes using the least disruptive changes possible, with the full understanding that ALL route changes are disruptive to some degree, but it’s incumbent upon us to try to minimize that disruption.
We currently have two drivers completing their testing who will both be assigned to the Findley Oaks team. While that isn’t necessarily the panacea we would like it to be, it will have a positive effect. We anticipate both of those drivers being complete with their training and available for route assignments by the week of 10/14. We have more drivers with applications being processed and we anticipate continuing to add new drivers and reversing this situation as quickly as we possibly can. Each day, virtually every Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Trainer and on some occasions even the Coordinator are all driving routes to help with coverage during this problematic time. We greatly appreciate the patience shown by parents, students, teachers and administrators throughout this school year. Please know we are continuing to do everything we can to move beyond this as quickly as possible.
IOWA Testing Information
IOWA Testing 3rd and 5th Grades ONLY
3rd graders will take the IOWA test October 21 – 23. Subtests include: Reading, Vocabulary, Mathematics, Written Expression, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation
5th graders will take the IOWA test October 21 – 24. Subtests include: Reading, Vocabulary, Mathematics, Written Expression, Spelling, Capitalization, Punctuation, Science, Social Studies
Please be sure your student is well rested, has a great breakfast, and arrives on time.
District Communication-Food on Campus
As we approach the upcoming holidays, candy, desserts, baked goods (store bought/homemade), or other edible items are not to be sold or distributed during school hours unless approved in advance by the administration. Please discuss this expectation with your student(s).
This measure will help us maintain a safe environment for all students. You can help us protect your student(s) by requesting that they not eat anything given to them by another person, anything that they have not brought from your home or anything not in its original sealed package. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping all of our students safe at school!
Please note that at Findley Oaks we will still follow our normal policy with birthday treats: Students may bring store bought food snacks in original packaging to celebrate birthdays; however, drinks, party favors, balloons, goodie bags, gifts, and outside deliveries will not be permitted.
Is it bullying or is it unkind behavior?
Sometimes we confuse not nice or mean behavior with bullying. What exactly is the difference?
Not Nice: When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they only do it once.
Mean: When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once.
Bullying: When someones says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it, over a period of time, even when you tell them to stop or show them that you are upset.
We want to hear from you!
Carpool Reminders
In order to facilitate the loading and unloading of car riders, we ask that you follow the staff directions and pull as far to the front of the loading/unloading area as possible. If you are unloading in carpool line 1 please do not allow your student to get out of the car before you have reached the flagpole, as there is no supervision of that area. Please do NOT pull around other cars loading/unloading students. Please wait until the car in front of you moves and follow in a single line.
Do not drop off or pick up students in the back of the school. All students should use the carpool lane.
Pre-Approved Absences
The district allows excused absences for the following:
Absences not exceeding a cumulative total of six (6) days per school year for the following reasons, but only if the absence has been pre-approved by the principal or designee:
- scholarship interviews/college visitations
- travel opportunity with educational benefits
- graduation or wedding of an immediate family member
- specialized, supplemental or extracurricular experience
- other circumstances that are mutually agreeable to the parent and principal
Digital Citizenship Information
Message From the Counselor, Kate Hernandez
Counselor’s Corner:
Read About It!
Here are some books to help your child learn more about responsibility:
- I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer
- But It’s Not My Fault by Julia Cook
- The Paperboy by Dav Pilkey
- The Pigsty by Mark Teague
Practice It!
Help your child to practice responsibility by giving him/her special jobs. Let your child pick a chore each week that they can be responsible for such as carrying the groceries, wiping the counters or feed your pet.
Talk About It!
Here are some discussion points to help you talk about responsibility with your child:
- What do you think responsibility means and why is it important?
- Tell me about a time when it was difficult to be responsible.
- What is a way you would like to have more responsibility at home?
- What are your responsibilities in the classroom and in our community?
Thank you for your support and for helping our students to become more responsible!
Absentee Phone Calls
Beginning September 30, automated attendance calls (via Blackboard) have been made to parents when their child is marked absent.
The call is letting you know your child was absent – not the reason for the absence. If you already sent a note to the teacher there is no need to do anything. If you haven’t sent a note to the teacher, please send the next day.
Elementary calls are made at 10:45am.
Middle and High school calls are made at 4:30.
This is the script of the call:
Hello,
This is a message from School Name Your student, First_Name Last_Name, was absent from class today, Todays Date.
Please send a note with your student upon return or call the school office at Schools Phone Number with any questions regarding this absence.
Thank you.
Volunteer at Findley Oaks!
We always welcome volunteers, but it is important that all volunteers are registered.
Click here to begin the volunteer registration process: https://www.fultonschools.org/site/Default.aspx?PageID=9539
Cafeteria News
Student Breakfast - $1.10
Student Lunch - $2.45
Adult Breakfast - $1.60
Adult Lunch - $3.45
Learn more about school nutrition here. As a reminder, free and reduced meal applications must be completed each year.
School Governance Council Information
Visit the SGC page on our website for the latest information and for a list of SGC members: SGC Page
September 3
February 14
March 16
The county calendar does not include the additional dates above so please mark your calendars and plan accordingly.
PTA Information
Community News
Math Tutoring at Ocee LIbrary
Best In Class Education Center
Findley Oaks Elementary School
Website: www.findleyoakselementary.net
Location: 5880 Findley Chase Drive, Johns Creek, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-3800
Twitter: @FindleyOaks