Skyland Peek at the Week
Week of November 25-26
Keep Going...
Don't Quit - 5 Ways to Keep Going from Jon Gordon
Life is not a marathon or a sprint. It's a series of sprints combined with a boxing match. You're not just running toward a goal but you're also getting hit along the way. I don't know where you are on your journey, but I know there will be times you want to give up on a goal or dream. I know the importance of the right words at the right time. Whether now is one of those times or perhaps you'll save this for a time you need to read it, I want to encourage you to keep going. Don't quit! Here are 5 ways you can fuel up your mind and soul for the journey ahead.
1) Keep your Vision Alive: It's so important to keep looking forward and seeing the future you want to create. If you can see it you’ll keep moving towards it. Consider making a vision board or creating a vision notebook filled with pictures and words that remind you of what you are working towards.
2) Fuel up with Purpose: There will be many times you want to give up but always remember that your purpose is greater than your challenges. It is the ultimate fuel for a meaningful journey. It gives you meaning and mission which helps you overcome adversity and avoid burnout. We don't get burned out because of what we do. We get burned out because we forget why we do it. As you are moving toward your vision keep reminding yourself why you are going there. Consider creating a purpose statement that you can look at each morning to keep you going.
3) Believe the Best is Yet to Come: We don't give up because it's hard. We give up because we get discouraged. No matter what challenges you face along the way keep encouraging yourself. Maintain hope. Believe the best is yet to come. If you believe in what you are doing and know that this is what you truly want, then keep believing it will happen. Research from Duke University shows that if you believe it you are more likely to take the actions necessary to achieve it.
4) Focus on the Process, not the Outcome: There will be many times where the outcome is not looking good. You may not be hitting the numbers you want or getting the results you desire. The key is to focus on the process and just work to get better each day. Focus on small victories. Strive to hit milestones. If you have a vision you want to create and focus on the process each day, you'll gradually move towards your goal and dream.
5) Trust in a Bigger Plan: Sometimes when all hope seems lost and you feel like there is nothing more you can do; I believe you can do something that will help everything. You can pray and trust in a bigger plan for your life. I did this many times when I was almost bankrupt after losing my job during the dot com crash. I did it when I second mortgaged my home to open a restaurant. I did it when The Energy Bus was rejected by over 30 publishers. I did it when my first book tour didn't go very well. And each time I did it I had renewed hope and optimism that led me to this very moment where I wrote this and you read it. There's a bigger plan and it includes both of us.
So don't give up! Keep going! Because, you'll be better for it and so will the people you impact along the way. I'm rooting for you!
Reminders
The Twelve Days of Christmas Book Challenge
Want to help ensure our students are engaging in literature over the holidays? Submit your name to read a book for the 12 Days of Christmas Book Challenge. The challenge will be divided into two groups, K-2 and 3-5. We need 12 teachers to record themselves reading a book for each group. (Note: I am still working on the best platform to share the books. Flipgrid only gives you 5 minutes at max to record a video. I will let you know!) The teacher will need to pick a book to video record a read aloud. Feel free to add your own flair and even some stop and think questions as you're reading. At the very end, you will need to ask one age appropriate question about the book. Students will have a sheet where they will record the answers to questions. If they turn it in after Christmas Break, they will get a small prize and a few children from each group will win a token to the Bulldog Book Machine! Videos will be due after Thanksgiving Break once we get a solid list of readers and books.
Thank you for being willing to help with this idea! (Still working through the logistics and details, but if you sign up I will send you more information!)
Skyland Drama Club
Read to Succeed Course Endorsement Updates
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tqM93G-rihdf6ei1TZcNN549ACVd87yc/view
Perfect Attendance for October
School Request for Teachers
Full-time employees at your school who wish to request Change in Assignment Choice for their child(ren) to attend your school with them must complete the Change in Assignment School Choice Request form and submit it during the Monday, November 18, 2019 through Wednesday, December 4, 2019 CIA school choice lottery window. The CIA Request must be submitted during the Lottery Window for consideration of a full-time employee at your school bringing their child(ren) to your school with them.
Staff Christmas Lunch
You will still need to bring your class to lunch and make sure they are picked up on time. If your class goes to library during lunch times (10:30-12:40), Mrs. Sanford is going to do her lesson for your students in your classroom.
Jeans Passes
That being said...
I know that December is a tough and crazy month, so hopefully this will bring you a little Christmas joy!
K4/K5 Assistant's Meeting
Cold Weather (Repeat)
Personal Days (Repeat)
Also, we were informed at the principal meeting that there are a huge amount of subs being requested on Fridays. Plus we are quickly approaching cold and flu season. Please consider this as you are planning personal days and doctors appointments to ensure you have a sub lined up.
Next year... (Repeat)
Letters of intent will be coming out very soon. However, it would be very helpful as the leadership team starts to plan for next year to know if anyone plans on retiring at the end of this year or is looking to transfer to another school. If you are thinking about either of these options, please come and chat with me about it. I will keep any conversations confidential, but it would be extremely helpful to know as we start to plan for next year.
Amazing Grant Opportunity!
This is a great opportunity to get some STEAM materials into your classroom! Last year they did not have many applicants, so your chances to receive it are high!
Edcamp Greenville 2020
Science Lab (Repeat)
The science lab will also be used on December 3rd so music will be in an alternate location that day as well.
Summer Science PLUS Institute 2020 (Repeat)
Don't forget about the summer Science PLUS Institute 2020 Application. The Institute will offer 17 different courses for science teachers in grades 1st-12th along with a new 2-day Institute option.
Application link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-Rq1fOCzVYeW0B8uH1eIUl4aDMXa7StBGEUQ0f2AUz1MF6Q/viewform
Priority deadline: February 10th; applications are accepted until courses conclude summer 2020. Priority deadline is to ensure initial consideration. Applications received after the priority deadline are automatically put on the alternates list.
Greater Greer Education Foundation Grant
Don't let this opportunity pass you by! It is so worth it!
Let me know if your submit a grant --- There might be a JEANS PASS waiting on the other side! :)
Reminders from Mase
Reminders from Kenna
Thank you for your participation in our recent PLCs! If you need any help with your schedule, please let me know! Don't forget to upload your revised schedule into the Schedules folder on the Skyland Shared Drive and to post a hard copy outside of your door.
MAP Testing will be taking place for grades 2 & 5 during the first week of December.
PLC Reminders:
Thursday, 12/5-All K5-5: Balanced Literacy
Tuesday, 12/17-Gr. 2-5: Using MC to create ELA assessments. Please bring standards and a current/upcoming unit. This will be a working session.
Reminders from Katelin
- K5: Please remember to administer F&P to students as they begin to read. The latest date for you to enter scores into RAS is December 6th.
- On Track Reminder: Please e-mail me (K-2) or Caitlyn (3-5) if you fill out the google form to refer a student for On Track. Link - https://forms.gle/imxdwcYNKfZVJizn6
- Berry Bowl Wednesday: Our next Berry Bowl Wednesday will be December 4th. Be on the lookout for an e-mail about how to order!
- Balanced Literacy: We will be completing Balanced Literacy walk-throughs during the months of November/December to guide our Literacy PLCs in December. J
- Schedules: Thank you so much for all of your hard work during our scheduling PLCs and being willing to tweak them to match district guidelines as we prepare to dig deeper into the Balanced Literacy Framework. Please post your updated schedules on Google Drive and outside of your door by the time we come back from Thanksgiving break. Thank you!
Counselor's Corner - Reminders from Caitlyn and Chelsea
School Counseling Teacher Referral Form: https://forms.gle/F5K3UddCkTuf23dx5. Please continue to use this when needing to refer a student, or if a student asks you to come see Mrs. Grigg or Ms. Shepherd. 😊
Important Upcoming Dates
November
26 - Bonus Jeans Day
27-29 - Thanksgiving Break
December (AKA JEAN-CEMBER)
2 - K4/K5 Assistant's Meeting, 12:30, Conference Room
3-6 - Kindergarten and 1st grade registration
4 - Staff Christmas Party
9 - PTA Meeting and Skyland Singers Winter Concert 6:30 pm
11 - PTA sponsored Staff Christmas Lunch in library (during your lunch time)
11 - Faculty Council
13 - BRHS Chorus, 9:15, 4th and 5th grades
16-19 PTA Santa Shop in Science Lab
17 - First Grade Performance 9 AM
18 - PD (CHANGE) 3:15 - 4:15 pm
20 - Skyland Singers Performance in Cafeteria (K-2 8:30 am; 3-5 9:30 am)
23 - Jan. 3 Winter Break! Have a Merry Christmas!
Happy Birthday
November
28 – Amy Forrester, 5th
28 – Jessica Styles, 1st
29 – Kristina Fleming, K5
December
3 – Mase Garrett, Assistant Principal
14 – Melanie Pinckney, 4K
14 – Kim Coggins, Support Staff
16 – Debby Huff, 5th
Dates Stafford is super duper sad that she will be out of the building
12/4 - Principal Meeting
12/10 - Instructional Rounds at Duncan Chapel with Kenna
12/11 - New Principal Meeting (AM only)
12/17 - New Principal Meeting
Mrs. Stafford's Contact Information
Email: lstafford@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/skyland/
Phone: 8643557210
Twitter: @leahcstafford