Sunday Shakedown
Weekly Memo for Washington Elementary
Principal Post
Thanks, celebration and appreciation:
- Thanks to Michelle B for doing two jobs all week.
- Congrats to Kristian and LCE kids for a well done informance!
- Thanks to all who contributed to our food drive, we had over 700 food items donated!
- Thanks to all who joined PTA for jeans day on Friday, not only did we get to wear jeans, but just think of all our PTA does for our school, $5 is the least we could do.
- Thank you for sharing class meetings with parents, we have heard some positive feedback and it was delightful to see all of you in action, your caring, concern and support for classroom problems made the morning terrific! We had about 175 visitors.
- Welcome to Jane Grindstaff who will be Catherine HIncke's interim beginning as soon as she can. She was a learning and success coach in our district, has completed several interims in other counties and seems to fit right in!
Collaborative Commitment to Homework
We believe that homework should be appropriate for the age and ability of students. Fundamental to our belief is that reading to, with, and by family members is of the utmost importance. For this reason, all students are asked to read 20 minutes per night regardless of grade level. Math homework is assigned based on the grade level and as indicated in the unit of study. We use the guidelines below in planning for homework. Should additional work be necessary in other subjects or classwork is not complete, you may receive individualized information from the classroom teachers. Homework support is available each morning from 7:45-8:15. We ask that you notify us a day in advance if your child will attend at tharris@k12k.com. In addition, this may be assigned in advance by teachers in order to support individual student needs.
Week of Nov 20-21
Literacy collaboratives
Shasta at GWES
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
No school
Thursday:
No School-Happy Thanksgiving
Friday:
No School
A look ahead:
Faculty meeting with Action Teams-Nov 27
Mountain Trail Family Meeting 5:30
PBL Collaboratives on the 28th
Innovative Solutions to Behavior Cohort Nov 28
Book Fair begins Nov 29
Birthdays with the Principals Nov 29
SST meetings Nov 30
Friday, Dec 1: Data meeting for Wolf/Trent at ASC
For Your Information:
TDOE Seeking Members for K-8 Computer Technology Standards Revision Committees
The TDOE is responsible for overseeing the review and revision of the K-8 computer technology standards and is seeking qualified educators to partner in this process. Qualified candidates include those that have expertise in teaching and/or integrating technology in their instruction. This may include, but is not limited to, classroom teachers, instructional coaches, school administrators, or central office supervisors.
Selected applicants will work on committees to revise the standards within grade bands (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8). Participants will meet in Nashville on Dec. 9-10 and will continue their work through virtual meetings. Qualified applicants should apply here by Nov. 29 at 5 p.m. CST.FREE - Restorative Practices Training
Restorative practices have been proven effective in reducing misbehavior, bullying, violence, and crime among students while improving the overall climate for learning in schools. In collaboration with STARS Nashville, the department will provide the following free training opportunities. Space is limited for these trainings, and registration will close on Nov. 20.
- Introduction to Restorative Practices training will cover the basics of restorative practices and how to use classroom circles as a restorative practice. For details and registration information, click here.
- Restorative Justice Conferencing training designed for administrators will cover how to facilitate restorative conferences. For details and registration information, click here. Note that Introduction to Restorative Practices is a required prerequisite for this training.
Tribe Games Bowling - December 8
- Middle/High School Bowling - 9-11 a.m.
- Lunch 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Elementary Bowling - 12-1:30 p.m.
Contact Jimmy Burleson (423-378-8490) with any questions. Scheduled times are approximate and subject to change. Texas Roadhouse is sponsoring meals again this year. All athletes, coaches, BUDS, and volunteers are welcome to eat, but there will not be food for parents. Let Jimmy Burleson know if your group is NOT going to eat. Also, if there are specific dietary needs, please make necessary arrangements.
In order to participate, you should have already sent Jimmy the registration form. If not, check with him to see if it's too late. Every bowler should have been listed on this form along with any accommodations needed and shirt size. In addition, anyone attending the event who wants a shirt should have been listed. Note that a T-shirt may not be available for everyone on the list.
- Complete a bus request form and field trip form like you would for any other field trip. Do this soon!
- Send home a permission slip with students.
tnAchieves Seeking Mentors for Class of 2018
tnAchieves is seeking mentors for students who will graduate in Spring 2018. The mission of tnAchieves is to increase higher education opportunities for Tennessee high school students by providing last-dollar scholarships with mentor guidance. Mentors invest about 10-15 hours each year (typically less than one hour per month) to serve as a resource for high school seniors/college freshmen. Requirements to be a mentor include being at least 21 years of age, applying to serve by December 1, passing a background check, completing the one-hour mandatory mentor training, attending two one-hour meetings per year with your students and communicating with students every two weeks via email, phone or text as they transition from high school to college. Click here for more information about tnAchieves. Click here to apply to become a mentor. To chat with KCS personnel who have already served as mentors, please contact Misty Keller or Scott Pierce.
Starting Jan. 3, 2018, Kingsport City Schools will move from the current Microsoft Outlook email/calendar/contacts provider to Google G Suite. Currently, Outlook storage on KCS servers is becoming extremely limited and continued use would require significant and costly upgrades.
The KCS technology department formed a Technology Advisory Committee (TAC) to weigh potential options and decide on a long term solution. The TAC is a group of district-wide representatives that was established to discuss critical technology decisions in an on-going effort to keep our district current with ever-changing technology advances.
Ultimately, Google G Suite was selected by the TAC as the best path forward. The move (migration) from Outlook to Google G Suite will increase email/calendar functionality, provide better collaboration and availability features, and offer unlimited storage, which our current systems cannot provide. This was recommended as the most cost-effective solution for our district.
WHO: All KCS Employees.
WHAT: Outlook emails, calendars and contacts will migrate from Outlook to Google G Suite (Mail, Calendar, and Contacts).
WHEN: The migration of data has already begun and will continue through Winter Break. The last day to use Outlook will be Jan. 2, 2018. Starting Jan. 3 only Google G Suite will be used.
WHY: The move to Google G Suite will increase email/calendar functionality, provide better collaboration and availability features, and offer unlimited storage, which our current systems cannot provide.
HOW: Migrations will be ongoing until Jan. 2, 2018 via the KCS technology department.
Professional Learning
Please find attached and at the link below the 10-day PL Calendar Agenda.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1T7BafVFrDrlP8ETRnp04JGggHr4TtY3F
WSIC News
Link to the WSIC, please be certain to watch each day: https://goo.gl/vjw2eP
Book Fair News
^Teachers - There will be a sign-in time sheet on the Breakroom door for the Book Fair walk-thru/wishlist time. Please sign up as soon as possible. I will set up a meeting notice for your classes time for a reminder.
*Please help !! If you are able to hang out with some robots on Tuesday night, December 5th please let me know. I have a couple of smiling faces but we need more to make it magical. Thank you for your willingness and support.
^Checkout for Teachers & Students is closed from Monday, Nov. 28 - Friday, Dec. 8.
^Book Fair is open for purchases from 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.**However if a student is with an adult they may come in at 7:30 to preview.
Visiting the Book Fair During the School Morning
*Students are asked to not be able to come to the Book Fair until AFTER the morning bell rings and the following has been accomplished:
1st: Check into Learning Center and put up BackPacks
2nd: Attend Morning Meeting
3rd: Receive Teacher’s Permission
*Students will be given the opportunity to purchase at the book fair during their library class time or on RACE Day.
*Afternoon Bus Students need to report to the Auditorium. The library doors on the Intermediate hall will be locked at 3:00 p.m.