Mark's Monday Morning Memo
May 15, 2017
Warm Weather Wear
Last August, I recommended that staff members model dress expectations that we have for students. Here is a link to the student dress code that is available to parents on our web site. Thank you for modeling this for our students.
https://www.hopkinsschools.org/schools/gatewood-elementary/resources-parents/gatewood-dress-code
Student and Staff Member Support
During these final weeks of school, patience may be at a premium with respect to student behavior. Even though we hope students understand and apply our expectations, that is not always the case. If you need student support, please call the office rather than send students. In this way, we avoid students potentially being unsupervised or waiting for someone who may not be available. The office staff will work to find someone for support when you call, but please know support staff may be busy at the moment. Thank you for the proactive measures you take prior to calling the office for support which may include stop & think in the classroom, time-out in a buddy classroom, parent contact, or other measures.
Thank You For Thinking About Me On School Principals' Day
I received a great gator tie and mug for School Principals' Day this month. Thank you for the wonderful gifts!
Propping Doors Open
Please do not prop any doors open. This compromises our safety and security and interferes with regulating our heating and air conditioning. Please keeps doors closed and use your badge to access the card readers to unlock doors.
Staffing Updates
Here are a few more staffing updates:
-Karen Lloyd will be supporting Kay McCarthy's kindergarten class next year;
-Carmel Larson will be reassigned to Eisenhower Elementary next year;
-Vanessa Walters will be joining Lisa Schmid on the 5th grade team next year.
Still to be determined: Learning Support Paraprofessionals; Media Paraprofessional.
Book Clubs
I am impressed with the reading, learning, and engagement of our staff members. Since I joined the Gatewood team, your colleagues have been involved (or will be) in the following book studies:
-Mindset
-Notice & Note
-Trauma Sensitive Schools
-Notice & Note Non-Fiction
This is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our licensed and non-licensed staff members. Thank you!