Ebinport Eagle Eye Faculty News
September 11-15
The Honeymoon Is Over :)
As the "new" wears off of the school year, please remember that we are in this together! We make it through each day because of the help of others. Please check yourself, if you have said, "I don't know how (Insert teacher name) does it! Her/his class is a handful" or anything like that, you should also ask yourself what you can do to help! When we create classes there is a lot of thought that goes in to class make-up. Even though we work to create classes where the chemistry works for the good of all, we sometimes get it wrong or a child comes in from another school that upsets the chemistry. I want you to have conversation in your grade level if you see a time intensive child that you feel would have better chemistry in another homeroom. They are all OUR children, regardless of who's homeroom they are assigned to-we have an obligation to see a problem and seek a solution. I am open to having conversation with you about moving a child at this point to set children up for success for the remainder of the year. This doesn't mean you have given up on a child because you ask for help, sometimes the best thing we can do for a child is to make difficult decisions now that set them up for success later.
Truthfully, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to our jobs. We aren't working in an assembly factory, we are working with children. They don't come with an instruction manual or a return policy :) We do the best we can while they are with us, that is all anyone can ask of us!
Thank you for giving of yourselves in ways that I can only imagine! I know that you leave exhausted and overwhelmed...and I know that every teacher in this building does it because we love children! You are all amazing and I appreciate you more than I could ever show you!
What's Coming Up?
- Word Study Begins: We don't expect perfection out of the gate, we expect that if you need help with this you are asking Marco for assistance.
- Rhonda begins classroom observations: Lesson Plans should be out and schedules should be posted.
Tuesday-
- Liz Bridges in building observing ELA
- Camera Crews in building video taping Enrique and Bonnie Jean
- 3:00 Leadership Team Meeting (See Notes Below)
Wednesday
- Grade Level Meetings
Thursday
- 8:00 Rhonda at Principal's Meeting
- 6:30-There will be an immersion meeting tonight for all immersion families. Sullivan Middle School Auditorium
Friday
Upcoming Dates:
- September 18- SOAR begins to be observed
- Week of September 18: Progress reports sent home
- September 22: Ebinport 80's Extravaganza
- September 25: Classroom Mosaic Demonstration for those new to using this program for SLOs.
- September 27: Rhonda and District Math Coach begin doing math walk-through observations together to align my feedback to district expectations.
- September 27: Save the Date- Please reserve 20 minutes of your grade level meeting for an "interview" with your grade level conducted by an outside source to get more information as to why 40.2% of teachers last year felt that morale was low at Ebinport.
- October 5 Fall Pictures
- October 9 Parent Conferences and SLO/GBE Conferences
Title IX
PBIS Corner
We are in the process of planning our PBIS kick-off celebration, which will be near the end of September. With new PBIS committee members and new faces in the school, we want to make sure all the staff understands the process and expectations of how our Eagles soar. In the coming weeks, you will be receiving more information from your team member on the PBIS committee about how we reward positive student behavior. With that being said, we will focus on the following this year based on student behavioral data: attendance/tardiness, student respect/manners towards adults, students attempting assignments rather than refusing to work (it's ok to be wrong), and student perseverance.
Big Books: From Marco
Hello everyone!
As you all know, space is at a premium right now and the book room is no exception. I have placed the 2 bins of big books in the "garden area" next to my room. Stop by and see if there are any you like to use in your teaching or even any that you might use.
Take the ones you like and want to keep out of the bin and place on the rolling cart (next to the bins). We will keep the books on the cart. The books still left in the bins on Wednesday afternoon will find a new home.
Leadership Team Meeting
Breakfast: Information from Dr. Pew
Please help encourage parents to complete the 2017-2018 free/reduced meal application if they have not already done so. The 2017-2018 free/reduced meal application can also be completed online at https://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/Domain/292. Some parents completed the 2016-2017 free/reduced meal application in May 2017 and they will need to complete a new application for 2017-2018.
Sunshine Club
SLO/GBE
Action Items from this section:
1. View SLO PPT
2. Sign Google Doc. indicating completion of SLO Orientation
3. Sign up for a SLO conference as an individual or as a team on October 9 or October 13.
Peer Evaluator Training
Sessions are offered:
Nov. 1-3
Nov. 6-8
Jan. 31-Feb 2
Feb 5-7
Technology Device Chargers (Grades 3-5)
Challenger
Due to some changes at the District Level with Helen Taylor, we will no longer be taking any more challenger applications until after October 30th. If any parent should ask for an application please let them know and or if a child ask for a challenger form, challenger enrollment is on hold until the end of October. You are welcomed to refer them to me if needed but please don't hand out any applications. If they decide to open up enrollment before that date, I will let you know.
Drafting Social Studies Standards
Hi everyone, I am delighted to announce our district will host the South Carolina Department of Education in a Professional Development Opportunity (PLO) to review the draft of the new College and Career and Citizenship-Ready Standards for Social Studies.
This PLO will be held twice in our district this semester to help ensure participation. See dates below.
Elementary principals are encouraged to send at least 1 representative per K-2 and 3-5 grades. Two representatives per middle and high school should attend to include the social studies department chair.
- November 8, 2017 at NWHS Media Center from 9:00 - 3:00. Lunch on your own.
- December 11, 2017 at CHMS Media Center from 9:00 - 3:00. Lunch on your own.
Teachers will need to schedule their own substitute after receiving principal approval to attend.
Please read the attached form carefully and register using the link provided on the form. (If you would like to register, let Rhonda know and I will send you the form.)
Queenie
Queenie Hall
ELA & SS Instructional Specialist
Rock Hill Schools
Read Your Way To The Big Game
The South Carolina Department of Education is pleased to partner with the University of South Carolina and Clemson University to put on the annual Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest! As you know, a child’s ability to read is a critical predictor of educational and lifelong success and with the passage of the Read to Succeed Act and the third grade retention policy going into effect this school year, the focus and importance of reading has never been higher.
Those of you familiar with the Read Your Way to the Big Game Contest, will remember that this program was previously carried out under the Education Oversight Committee. The opportunity for the SC Department of Education to become involved presented itself and we are excited about continuing the program into the future. The details of the contest largely remain the same but we have made some changes that we hope will grow participation and provide you with an easier means of communication with parents and submission of information to our agency.
All pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade students who read six books will qualify to win four tickets and pre-game sideline passes to the Clemson vs. South Carolina game on November 25. Students will choose to read for either Clemson or South Carolina and a winner will be choosen for each school.
Additionally, schools with at least 70% student participation will be entered to win one of two $2,000 school library grants. Five participating teachers will be randomly selected to win $500 for their classroom. Two teachers or media specialists who have the best decorated bulletin board, wall or door, using the contest as a theme and who submit photos will be selected to win $500.
In previous years, materials were printed and mailed to schools but in an effort to streamline the process and make submissions and information more readily accessible, we have moved to a digital format. All materials including parent letters and forms, teacher letters, posters, entry cards and submissions will take place via our new SCReads.org website. Our agency has also developed a number of radio and television PSA’s that will air on Clemson and South Carolina news networks as well as your local media outlets.
Please visit http://screads.org/read-your-way-to-the-big-game/ to access all materials. Student submissions for the contest will take place via the online entry form - http://screads.org/entry-form/ - and need to be submitted no later than Friday, November 10th. Teacher Photos submissions will be accepted via the website entry form until Monday, October 23rd.
We ask that you please share details regarding the contest with your elementary, primary, and middle school teachers and relevant staff as well as with students, parents, and members of your local communities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
Thank you for your continued support of this program and good luck!
Kind regards,
Ryan
Ryan Brown
Chief Communications Officer
Office of Communications and Governmental Affairs
(O): 803-734-5080
(C): 803-206-5254
A Note From Our Winthrop Partnership
We are starting to add to our Professional Learning page of wonderful upcoming opportunities through the Rex Institute and other educational organizations such as a SCETV Technology Workshop at WU, Teaching with Primary Sources (online PD), and the upcoming Inclusion Conference.
Please forward the link below to others in your building/school/department and encourage all to bookmark for future reference!!
Student Leadership Committee
Chair: Marco Vaughan
Those present: Marco Vaughan, Mandy Riley, Missy Wright and Lisa Rutledge
Norms:
- We will begin and end on time.
- We will stay on task.
- We will be present both mentally and physically.
- We will show respect for each other and our committee's purpose.
During the meeting, the benefits of previously sponsored student groups were discussed. Special recognition was given to one of Ebinport's retired teachers, Sandra Thompson, for all of the time and energy she put into the Student Council.
It was decided by the committee to continue to sponsor three Student Leadership groups. The Beta Club sponsor will be Mandy Riley. The Eagle Eyes sponsor will be Marco Vaughan. The Ebinport Ambassadors will be sponsored by Lisa Rutledge.
Marco announced that she had received student names for several good fourth and fifth grade Eagle Eye candidates. She explained how the club works and that she had received quite a few kindergarten names of students who need extra help. Eagle Eyes will begin in a few weeks. A special thanks is extended to the Beta Club for their support of the Eagle Eyes program. The Beta Club purchases small surprises for
Lisa Rutledge will ask the third, fourth and fifth grade teachers for two nominees as Student Ambassadors. Student ambassadors do not have to a certain GPA but must have a good attitude, display school spirit and enjoy meeting new people. Student Ambassadors will assist in various duties at Ebinport.
The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing the Beta Club. It was discussed how to let students know who did not maintain the necessary 3.5 GPA for Beta Club membership. It was decided that a letter should be composed and given to students informing them that they are on probation for nine weeks. During this time, they are expected to concentrate on their grades. If their GPA does not improve during this time, they will no longer be Beta Club members.
If Ebinport follows the new grading scale implemented by the high school with the ten point range, the number of new Beta Club inductees will be very large this year. Mandy Riley will contact other Rock Hill Schools to ask what grading scale they will be using to determine membership. The remaining time was spent reviewing grades of students.
Committee members that have available time on Thursday afternoon are asked to help with the Beta Club bulletin board in the main hallway. Information will be posted on this board for Beta Club members.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Rutledge
Climate Control Meeting
Climate Control Meeting Agenda
September 5, 2017
· Welcome
· Committee Norms
· Birthday Celebrations
· Spirit Fridays
· Book Character Day celebration/ Parade
· Upcoming Events/ideas for next meeting
Notes:
· Committee Norms were established as well as snack rotation for meetings.
· Birthday Lunch will be the last Friday of every month. Student will sit on the stage,during lunch students will sing Happy Birthday to Students.
-Things to get for Birthday Lunch (sign, cards, pencils, table cloths/decorations)
o Students and staff are encouraged to choose a character and book to dress up like for Book Character Day. There will be a parade for students.
o Students will vote for their favorite Teacher costume on their grade level.
o Students and staff should adhere to school dresscode.
o Flyers will be made to go out in Thursday Folders in October.
Beautification Committee
Beautification Committee Meeting
In attendance: M. Mabry, C. Nassy, K. George, M. Reid, S. Doyle, K. Guarino
Meeting Date/Time: Tuesday, September 5, 2017; 3:00 to 3:50 in Room E-126
Norms: 1. Begin and End on Time, 2. Speak in a professional manner, 3. Participate mentally and physically
Topics of Discussion
Recycling – Ms. Reid will have a team of 5th graders come around to each classroom on M/W/F to collect recycling. At the end of the year, 5th graders will train 4th graders to collect recycling.
Ms. Reid will find out if we still need to sort recycling or can everything be put together such as paper, plastic, cardboard, etc.
An email was sent to all staff on 9-5-17. If you have a recycling bin and do not need one, you need to do nothing. If you need a recycling bin, please check with Mr. Jimmie first. Then contact one of us from the Beautification team If you have an extra recycling bin, please take the extra bin to Ms. Doyle as well. We want to make sure that every classroom has a recycling bin J.
Planters – There are 3/4 large ceramic planters in the front of the school. We will fill the planters with fall foliage and plants. Ms. Reid is checking on an estimated amount of money needed to fill the planters. Ms. Kelsey will help to find budget money for the plants.
There are also two large plastic planters for indoor plants/trees. We will hold off planting those until there is an adequate place with sunlight to place them.
LitterBug Busters – Students from Challenger in both 4th and 5th grades will be asked to help with the LitterBug Busters. These teams will go outside to the playground and the school grounds to collect litter on alternating weeks once a week (day to be determined). Ms. Mabry will contact Ms. Pundt and her 4th and 5th grade challenger teachers. The beautification committee will see that the teams have gloves, bags, and the grabbers for collecting trash. A schedule will be made and a date/time to begin this month will be put into place. The 4th and 5th grade LitterBug Busters will also have incentives for the playground that had the least amount of trash collected. Mrs. Guarino will help oversee the 4th and 5th graders as well when needed.
It was noted that the playgrounds need at least one more trash in each area.
Once confirmed, a permission slip will go home to the parents of these students to participate in the LitterBug Busters.
A friendly reminder to all grade-levels; please try to pick up any trash left by your grade-level on the playground (especially with ice-cream Friday just around the corner).
Lost and Found – It was decided that the Lost and Found Bins in the front hallway were not helping to make our school beautiful. It was decided to move the bins to the area outside of the cafeteria. If this doesn’t work out, we will look at another place to move them to. Also, please have your students check the lost and found regularly. A notice will be sent before items are donated.
Staff Bathroom – Ms. Nassy will donate a trash can to the staff bathroom in the copy room.
A final note: The Beautification Committee does not have a bulletin board at this time. We have the materials and supplies that were used to cover the old bulletin board last year. They are housed in Mrs. Guarino’s rom in a plastic bin. There are fall decorations, winter/holiday (hearts) and Spring décor if anyone is looking for decorations for their bulletin board theme. Come see what we have.
Sunshine Committee
Sunshine Committee:
Members:
Rocio Kiker / Mrs. Satterwhite– Birthday cards
Mariana Silva- Co-chair
Sonia Garces - Chair
Ashlyn Lake -
Meriam Polanco – Note taker
Sharon Collins – Money Collector
Remi Flaherty
Agenda:
1. How We Work
Begin and end on time
Be present mentally and physically
Leave with a plan / Delegate
Share ideas
2. ***Fees due by the end of the month ***
3. Events for the year:
a. Tail Gate Clemson vs. USC = November 28th
b. Christmas Covered Dish = (Mrs. Pundt’s house) November 17th
c. Testing Blues = to be determined
d. February Sunshine Club Love You = February 14th
e. End of the Year Celebration = May 31st
3. Mrs. Lake will buy birthday cards. Mrs. Satterwhite will be in charge of the birthday cards until Rocio Kiker returns.
4. Questions for Mrs. Kelsey: will send email
PBIS
PBIS MEETING 9/5/17
-Brian nominated as chairman
-review and catch up of last year's strategies (matrix, lanyards, zones)
-district initiative: by 2020 it will be fully implemented
-possible addition of parent member; preferably from a traditional classroom
-be thinking of a parent to add by the next committee meeting
-staff and student matrix: what does each letter look like; begin doing PBIS matrix to morning meeting conversations
-funding sources: $5000 to spend; a proposal must be submitted to Dr. Turner for her to sign off on for us to make purchases that must be made during the year, it does not roll over
-think about an image that would go with each matrix (symbols, emojis, etc)
-EZ-scan: download app each student needs to have a scan code that can save points for each student- practice session
-decide at the classroom/grade level what amount of points are needed for rewards
-monthly recognition of students to begin in October; still to continue with Student/Staff and Class of the Week to begin 3rd week of September in an email from Brian
-PBIS Kickoff Celebration: K-2 and 3-5: within a month-MAKE IT BIG!!!
-Areas of emphasis: tardies and attendance display when parents arrive, teacher respect/manners, not fear failure by not trying/perseverance
-take aways: work on PBIS celebrations/rewards for grade levels/individuals/classes, have morning meetings that include areas of emphasis, PBIS kickoff ideas, parent to add
Safety Committee
Check Yourself against our commitments below. How are you doing?
Our Vision
These are the things we have committed to doing so that we can meet this goal: HOW ARE YOU DOING SO FAR?
-We will put down distractions!
-Be prepared every day!-
-Ask for help and give help when needed…know your strengths
-Be open and honest about your data-
-Hands on, minds on
-Every child and staff welcomed and dismissed in a positive way-know your children
-Start every day with a clean slate
-SOAR EVERY DAY
-Get to know your colleagues
-Share information/strategies about children in positive ways
-ELA AND MATH Workshop with Fidelity every day
-Share your students