Lower Campus' Weekly Update
April 23-27, 2018
Earth Day Activities
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind- Engage for Energy and Focus
1- Get students moving: Engaging students in games/activities with movement actually aid in processing speed, working memory and attentional skills.
2-Energize students in their seats: Students can get energized without leaving their seats. Actions like clapping hands or touching pressure points can help.
3- Lower energy to increase focus: Focus is a life skill that allows us to self-regulate behavior and enhance cognitive functions, like decision making. Activities like slow stretches or movements, and balancing, for example, challenge us physically and mentally forcing us to focus. This is where mindfulness comes into play.
4- Influence energy levels with music: Music can be used to activate high energy or lower energy for focus.
More details on how to engage students for energy and focus are in Chapter 7 of Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind. The chapter will be posted on the Google Drive for you to read and learn strategies you can implement in the classroom.
GA Milestones
Important Dates to Remember
April 23: Staff meeting
April 25: ELA Section 3 Milestone (Writing): 3rd, 5th & 6th
Modified schedule; No intervention
April 26: ELA Sections 1 & 2 Milestone: 3rd, 5th & 6th
Modified schedule; No intervention
April 27: Math Milestone testing: 3rd, 5th & 6th
Modified schedule; No intervention
April 30: ELA Section 3 (Writing) Milestone: 4th; Science Milestone: 5th grade
Modified schedule; No intervention
May 1: ELA Sections 1 & 2 Milestone: 4th; Social Studies Milestone: 5th grade
2nd Grade: Lexile/Quartile Testing for the State
Modified schedule; No intervention
May 2: Math Milestone: 4th grade
Modified schedule; No intervention
May 3-9: Milestone make-up testing
May 4: Final GKIDS Checkpoint (Kindergarten only)
May 7-18: MAP testing (See Schedule); K-2 specials times will be flipped on their testing dates.
May 9-10: 5th Grade Trip to Savannah, GA
May 10-14: 6th Grade Trip to Washington, DC
May 10: Board Meeting
May 11: F&P testing to be completed (may start immediately)
May 14: Staff meeting
May 14-18: Close out intervention meetings & retention meetings
- DRC/Schenck end of year testing
May 15: Keenville administration (2nd grade only)
May 17: Field Day
May 18: Student awards due to Dean & Elizabeth Lesley
May 21: Staff meeting; Talent Show; Critical Conversations #3
May 22: Completed report cards due to Deans for review
May 25: Awards Day; EARLY RELEASE- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!
May 28: No School; Memorial Day
May 29, 30, 31: Post planning:
May 29:
· Final grades entered in IC ; Cumulative folders completed
· End of year checklist completed and turned in
May 30:
· Complete packing of classrooms (help a colleague if you are finished)
May 31:
· Assist with the move to Archer
Staff Birthdays
April 25: Kali Thompson
April 29: Alyssa Catalano
April 30: Elexis George
May 29: Katie Burns
Westside Atlanta Charter School
Email: dana@wacs.us
Website: wacs.us
Location: 1903 Drew Drive, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: (404) 228-9678