Husky Hotline
Sycamore Elementary School Has the IT Factor!
“At its core, good teaching is about relationships – because students allow themselves to learn from people they trust.”
David Saavedra
In This Issue
Birthdays
Calendar
Class Pick Up From the Cafeteria
School Affairs
Crystal's Corner
Curriculum and Instructional Support
Gwinnett Effectiveness Initiative
Items Needed
Bookkeeper Notes
Kudos
Online Communique
Career Advancement Scholarships
Aesop Reminders
When you submit a request in Aesop:
- Please remember to post In/Service-Staff Development when requesting for a staff development day off. Assure that you have gotten clearance to attend from Crystal first so that payment for subs can come from the proper line item.
- Click “save” and the Aesop system will locate a sub for you.
- Click “save and assign” when you have already spoken to the sub and you know for certain that he/she will be in your class.
Please remember to update the time in Aesop. A full day is 7:45-3:45, half day is either 7:45-11:45 or 11:45-3:45.
Birthdays
Amy Haser March 1
Deepa Goyal March 4
Kristin Gamel March 7
Erin Kilpatrick March 11
Dana Soto March 16
Tatiana Dontu March 19
Martha Brogdan March 28
Class Pick Up From the Cafeteria
Grade level teachers are asked to please pick up classes from the cafeteria tables on time. The custodial staff needs the allotted time between classes to get the tables clean. Thank you for your help with this matter. Dr. Kim Glass
School Affairs
School Reminders:
1. Please lock up all devices at night and lock your classroom doors when leaving for specials, lunch and recess. Students need to bring everything with them and not come to the classrooms unattended as much as possible. 2 barriers are suggested, however 1 barrier will suffice.
2. Please have students assist with putting chairs on desks when leaving each day.With us eating breakfast and snacks in the classrooms, it causes for more attention to vacuuming. Please help us get your rooms as clean as possible.
Curriculum and Instructional Support
- Community and Media Relations
The latest posts to the online Communiqué include features on a 'Silver Lining' for entrepreneurial students, a group of student ambassadors for voter registration, opportunities to nominate outstanding educators for recognition, plus calendar updates and Bulletin Board items on bond rating news, scholarship deadlines, registration reminders for GCPS charter schools, and the latest episode of In5ive. Coming up, watch for news on Wonder(ful) robotics, a salute to honored counselors, superheroes in the media center, educators in the workplace, expanded language options, and more.
Accountability and Assessment
Schoolnet Reminders for Interim Assessments
As you prepare for interim assessments with Schoolnet, below are a few reminders for each option of administration:
Online - Students login, using a passcode, via our Student Portal.
Schoolnet answer documents
1.An admin user creates answer documents from within Schoolnet.
2.Please remember to use the recommended Adobe print settings.
3.An admin user scans the completed documents using ScanIt. GradeCam answer documents
1.Teachers create and scan answer documents (different than Schoolnet documents).
2.Teachers need to choose the correct section before scoring.
3.It is recommended that teachers use Internet Explorer when using GradeCam.
Please contact the GCPS Testing Team with any questions
March 29, 2016 - White Oak Elementary
8:00 AM - 2:30 PM - 100 Visitors
It’s show time! White Oak Elementary invites you to a behind the scenes view of our school wide implementation of the inquiry model of instruction with a focus on project based learning. You will see PBL in action in various stages throughout the inquiry process. Your back stage pass allows you to meet the inquiry development team, view the classrooms and collaborative spaces, observe technology as a prop to enhance student learning as well as to be introduced to the stars of our show, the students.
Curriculum and Instruction
SAVE THE DATE: New Teacher Orientation 2016
What: New Teacher Orientation
When: July 19-20, 2016
2016 Science AKS Review - Save the Date
Following the review of the revised state science standards in March, GCPS plans to review and revise the AKS for Science this summer. Beginning in March, we will be asking schools to nominate teachers to serve on grade specific AKS review teams that will review the AKS and prepare additional teacher resources as necessary. We will be sending out Review Team applications for you to share with your teachers in March 2016. Please note: Any revised or new AKS will not be implemented until Fall 2017 pending GEMS approval.
What: Save the Date - GCPS Science AKS Review Teams
When: June 6-7 & July 20-22 - 8:00am to 3:00pm
Captain Planet Project Learning Garden Grants
The Project Learning Garden application is currently open. Captain Planet is accepting Elementary and Middle Schools from Atlanta Public Schools, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett to apply. The application closes February 29th. Click the following Link to apply and learn more: https://captainplanetgrants.communityforce.com/Funds/Search.aspx#4371597136646D517975544F5976596D4E73384E69673D3D
To help you integrate Black History Month into your schools classrooms, please click on the link below for a selection of lesson plans and activities that cover a variety subjects and that can be adapted to fit grades K-5. http://www.nea.org/tools/lessons/bhm-curriculum-resources-gradesK-5.html
2016 Social Studies AKS Review
Following the review of the revised state social studies standards GCPS plans to review and revise the AKS for social studies. The state review is slated to be completed in March, pending State BOE approval of any revisions. We will be asking schools to nominate teachers to serve on grade specific AKS review teams that will review the AKS and prepare additional teacher resources as necessary. We plan to also use the members of the Social Studies Leadership team to assist with this task The process will begin in late July and continue throughout October. Details will be sent at a later date . The survey of the draft of the proposed standards is open until March 14. Encourage all of your social studies teachers to participate.
Please note: New AKS will not be implemented until Fall 2017 pending GEMS approval
Professional Development and Evaluation (PD&E) Training - Beginner's Session 2015-2016
This course is designed to train district and local school persons responsible for staff development on the use of the PD&E tool. Participants will learn how to develop courses in the tool, register participants, and conduct the post-processing steps. Attendees are encouraged to bring sample course information to the training and their laptops (if possible).
To see the full list of PD&E trainings login to the GCPS Portal and select the PD&E icon. To begin registration for the courses, type in PD&E in the search box.
When: March 28, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Course# 14984 Section# 22788
When: April 25, 2016 1:00pm – 4:00pm, Course# 14984 Section# 22789
Where: ISC – Central Gwinnett
*Registration for this course closes three days before course start date.
Gwinnett Effectiveness Initiative
GTES Standards Training Course Offerings
This professional learning is designed to provide a focused learning opportunity for teachers to deepen their understanding of the Gwinnett Teacher Effectiveness System (GTES) Standards.
Participants will engage in interactive activities to aide in defining expectations, building knowledge, and applying that knowledge to practical school-based situations. During these courses participants will: explore the key characteristics of the standards, examine the rubric connected with the GTES, complete a self-assessment identifying current practices, observe teachers in action, and identify next steps for their practice.
To see the full list of GTES Standard Trainings login to the GCPS Portal and select the PD&E icon. To begin searching and registration for the courses type GTES in the Search Box.
SD - GTES - Academically Challenging Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: March 28, 2016 - April 12, 2016 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14786 Section# 22855
Where: ISC – 1.106/1.107/1.108
Register by 03/22/16
SD - GTES - Academically Challenging Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 15250
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
SD - GTES – Instructional Strategies Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: April 18, 2016 - May 2, 2016 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14785 Section# 22853
Where: ISC – 1.106/1.107/1.108
Register by 04/11/16
SD - GTES – Positive Learning Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Face to Face)
When: April 28, 2016 - May 12, 2016 4:30 – 7:30 p.m., Course# 14788 Section# 22854
Where: ISC – 1.106/1.107/1.108
Register by 04/21/16
SD - GTES – Positive Learning Environment Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 14926
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
SD - GTES – Differentiated Instruction Standard 2015-2016 (Online, Self-Paced)
When: All Year, Until you complete. Course # 14985
Where: Online, Self-Paced
Registration open all year
Monies Collected Tips from Jenifer our Bookkeeper
As you begin planning Field Trips, Club activities, etc., and start collecting money for these activities, I thought it would be helpful to send out some reminders and tips regarding money collections. I’ve included the most common errors that come across my desk, therefore I hope this will be helpful in saving everyone the precious commodity of time.
Forms of Payment
We accept cash, checks made payable to Sycamore Elementary, and credit/debit card payments through MyPaymentsPlus.
If you choose to use MyPaymentsPlus as a method, please let me know ahead of time to set up an “Activity” in MyPaymentsPlus in order for you to collect payments through this resource. I recommend this, because it is less paperwork for the both of us. I can set it up so that you receive an email when someone has paid, and also send you a list of who has paid on a weekly basis when I receive my deposit information. This will keep you informed as to who has paid.
Report of Monies Collected Forms
If you receive cash and/or checks for payments please use the Report of Monies Collected Standard Form found on the shared drive. The path is Sycamore > Teacher Information > Monies Collected Forms > RMC Form Standard. I strongly recommend saving the form to your computer once you fill it out, in case any corrections need to be made later, they can be fixed quickly. However, please use handwritten ink to sign and date the bottom of the form.
Please leave the “Account to Credit Line” BLANK. This is for Bookkeeper and Auditor’s purposes only. You will enter Grade Level and Purpose on the “Reason for Collecting Money Line”.
There must not be more than 1 week between the Date Collections Begin (at the top), and the Date of Your Signature (at the bottom, the date you turn your form into me).
Click here to view an Example Report of Moneys Collected Standard Form.
Receipts
If you collected cash from a student, and it is $10.01 or more, you must issue them a receipt. You may check out a receipt book from me.
No receipts have to be issued for checks received for any amount, because the check itself acts as their receipt. If however, a person requests a receipt for a check, you may do so upon their request.
Thank you for your help with all of the paperwork. As always, please come see me for any questions. I will be more than glad to help!
Jenifer Reese
Bookkeeper
Crystal's Corner
Thank you to each of you for a fantastic week of teaching and learning. I am always amazed of how hard you work and how blessed I am to have such a great staff! Thank you to Mandy who brought a fantastic group of students to two musical events in our county for Honor Chorus and Honor Orff Chorus! Thank you for taking the leap to help our school shine as you have. I appreciate you!
Thank you also to our media specialist Kim Wyble for taking a fine group of students to the Reader's Rally on Saturday! I was able to check in on our students and Kim informed me of their hard work and dedication to the process. I am so proud of all they did to prepare!
Finally, it goes without saying how hard our PE coaches have worked on our school fund-raiser, "Shamrock Shake!" Thank you for your dedication and support of our school! I am overjoyed at how hard you all worked to make sure that the day was fun for our students and families. It was great to see so many parents there to support! We will give you an update soon of our winnings...which is all for your classrooms! Exciting!
Have a great week and know that each of you is appreciated for all things seen and unseen!
Kudos
Kudos to Mrs. Gunter for the hard work that she and the students put in for the Honor Orff Ensemble and the Gwinnett County Elementary Honor Chorus. She and the kids did such an amazing job! Mrs. Gunter is such an amazing music teacher and such an inspiration. ~ Lauren Croom
Thanks to everyone who has sent me sweet notes, emails and text messages of well wishes. Each message means so much and cheered me up! I am getting stronger everyday. I miss you all so much. Miss my babies even more! ~ Emma Moses
Online Communique
The latest posts to the online Communiqué
include features on GCPS' Teacher of the Year, Career Connections, a salute to veterans, and Milestones results, plus calendar updates and Bulletin Board items. Coming up, watch for news on Principal for a Day, a unique career exploration event, and winter weather reminders.
New items are added each week.
Story ideas? Great photos? Feedback? Let us know at communique@gwinnett.k12.ga.us.
Career Advancement Scholarships
It’s scholarship time at Peach State Federal Credit Union! For our 2016 Scholarship Program, we are awarding a total of $138,200 in scholarships and educational grants.
Our Career Advancement Scholarships, which honor the founders of Peach State, are a part of this program. Recognizing the importance of education as a lifelong experience, we will award 16 $2,000 Career Advancement Scholarships to eligible members of our credit union. All scholarship winners will be chosen by the end of April 2016 and notified shortly thereafter.
To be considered for the scholarships, all applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
· Must be a credit union member in good standing
· Must currently be enrolled in an accredited program of study at a college, university or technical institute with the goal of career advancement (proof of paid registration documents for current term or class schedule from accredited institution must be included)
Please share this information along with the attached scholarship application with your faculty and staff. Completed applications and supporting documentation must be received by Peach State no later than March 18, 2016. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Deborah
Deborah Fancher
Business Development
Peach State Federal Credit Union
Phone: 770.513.6394
Fax: 770.963.4066
Email: dfancher@peachstatefcu.org
Website: www.peachstatefcu.org
Application Link:
Sycamore Elementary School
Email: crystal_cooper_thompson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Website: sycamorees.org
Location: 5695 Sycamore Road, Sugar Hill, GA, United States
Phone: 678-714-5770
Facebook: facebook.com/sycamorees
Twitter: @sycamorees