Principal's Newsletter
December 20th, 2016
WOWS
WOW to Megan Baker for stepping in and offering to help deliver our weekend food bags. Seems like you’re always there to help!--Greg Vest
WOW to Ruth Zerface for giving up her Saturday to help one of our families in need. That kind of love for kids can’t be described!--Greg Vest
WOW to Heather Persons for showing unconditional love, mercy and support to a student who has been having a really hard time.--Greg Vest
WOW to Sherry and LaTonya for working with our kids via Hawk Connections. I've already seen a positive change in my student. --Kristen Cuneo
WOW to my 3rd grade team for making it fun to come to work! --Kristen Cuneo
WOW to Natalie for baking all those yummy treats!!!! And to the whole admin team for creating a fun week before break! It is greatly appreciated! --Kristen Cuneo
WOW to Nurse Deb for being so kind and caring. You have such an amazing heart and are always willing to go the extra mile for our students. Molly still wishes you were the nurse at her school!! You are appreciated!! --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Ruth Zerface for continuing to provide the extra reading support for one of our students. The books you bought for her are greatly appreciated and she enjoys bringing them to read to me! She will have a nice little library of books to enjoy reading at home all thanks to you. You are appreciated!! --Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to Kristy Giacomarra for always sharing something positive about our shared student when I come to pick him up. Thanks also for problem-solving on the go with me to make the best experience for him on a daily basis. You are appreciated!!--Jodi Fitzgerald
WOW to my awesome team (Dione, Christina & Makenzie) for your collaboration, support, and laughs that you provide on a daily basis. You all are appreciated!!--Jodi
WOW to Jamie Little for being supportive in my parent struggles with my daughter who recieves speech therapy. You went above an beyond to provide help. Thank you! -Betsy Arnold
WOW to my 3rd grade teammates for being so positive, supportive, and fun to work with.--Betsy Arnold
WOW to Debbie Pryor for printing my sub plans and putting the finishing touches on. Thank you!--Betsy Arnold
Thank you to Megan Baker & Tessa Golden for picking up the Jimmy John’s order last week and a Thank You to Ruth for collecting the orders and money. --Jane Hepler
Thank you to Brandy Leffeler and her students for bagging up the popcorn for the administrators to distribute.--Jane Hepler
Thank you to the Interventionists for your flexibility when you see me coming to inform you that need to cover classroom.--Jane Hepler
A special thanks to Stacey, Becca, and Kellie for helping out when I was out recently. When unexpected things happen, it is nice to know that you can count on those around you to support you and lend a hand. I also want to thank those that have been so sweet to send cards, take time to visit my family and I, and give hugs and encouragement at this time….it means more than I can say. --Cheryl Gerloff
WOW to Karen Brockland for volunteering to share a resource for a student.--Makenzie Oldham
Thanks to Megan Baker for running to Jimmy’s Johns with me and bagging chips. Also for helping me sort High Fives. You are such a great team player!!!!
--Tessa Golden
WOW to our wonderful staff for your generosity for all of our adopted families. I mean really-WOW!! --Linda Murphy
WOW to admin for making my week better with all of your treats!!--Linda Murphy
WOW to Greg for sticking with me through my OCD moments of stuff all over my room:) -Linda Murphy
WOW to all of the "behind the scenes" staff who make Harvest Ridge a great place to work:) -Linda Murphy
WOW to our educators who work so hard to make each day great here at the Ridge.--Linda Murphy
WOW to the counseling team for working hard with some of the toughest kids here at the Ridge-and never ever giving up!--Linda Murphy
WOW to Lisa Chamberlain for being willing to step up and help.--Linda Murphy
WOW to Susan Adams for your diligence with a little friend.--Linda Murphy
WOW to Nurse Deb is the hardest working school nurse I have worked with during all my years. She goes above and beyond. She takes kids when she’s not even ready or when she should leave. She has a wonderful attitude. We are so lucky to have her. Love you Deb!--Bard Dannenmaier
WOW to Katie and Angeline who hold down the fort when I have to be out of the building. It makes it a little less stressful to be gone when I know everything has been left in good hands. --Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Makenzie, Dione, Jodi, Christina, and Angie for remaining positive and keeping the lines of communication open with me during a very difficult situation. I not only appreciate everything you do for students, but for your ability to stay calm, ask tough questions, and keeping me aware of everything. --Dr. DeWeese
WOW to the Field Day Task Force for already starting on what of the greatest events of the school year!--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Erica Coyne for organizing students to spread Christmas joy by having them come around and playing recorders.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to the data team for another great book discussion!--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Sherry, Tony, Christina, Linda, and Karen for coming together at the last minute to have an after school meeting for a student.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Gabbi Lecea for handling a difficult parent meeting. You did an amazing job staying calm and meeting the request of the parent.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Brandy Leffeler for volunteering to have her students help bag popcorn so that the administrative team could spread more Christmas joy!--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Lisa Chamberlain and Shelly Gotsch for coming to me with a great idea to light up The Ridge with kindness. I love seeing the lights hanging in the atrium.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Shelly Gotsch for spontaneously inviting me in to her class meeting and letting me share with students how I was feeling that morning. Those sweet kindergartners were able to get me right back above the line after a crazy morning.--Dr.DeWeese
WOW to Maggie McCarthy for all the detailed information you provided a parent at a meeting. When I hear you talk about your students there is no denying how passionate you are about making sure they have everything they need and more importantly how much you just love each and every one of them for who they are.--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to everyone who has taken the time to shop and wrap gifts for families in our school. Many of our families who have already received the gifts have been overwhelmed with kindness. Words can't explain how much it means to me to see our staff taking care of our families in this way. I know our families appreciate it more than we will ever know. Thank you!!--Dr. DeWeese
WOW to Julia for covering my class one day last week so I could leave 15 minutes early, you are a life saver!!!!! Cheri
Kody and I want to give out a HUGE WOW to everyone who helped out to make Candy Grams and the Holiday Raffle so successful. There were so many people who donated colored paper, Megan for copying and cutting Candy Grams on her break, the lunch ladies for showing our ornaments at each lunch period, the office staff for helping with announcements and picking a winner each day for the raffle, team mates who helped count the money, Ruth for getting all of the candy canes, all the people who just offered to help out, and of course all the teachers for their patience as we tried something new! Candy Grams were a success because of everyone at The Ridge!!!!!--Cheri
WOW to the Admin for all the daily treats. Everything was awesome!f--Carrie Alvernia
WOW to Susan Adams for all of her help with Galileo last week. So helpful and appreciated!--Carrie Alvernia
WOW to Shanna Bradley for helping me get my students motivated with the Mark Twain contest!--Carrie Alvernia
WOW to my whole 5th grade team. Always willing to jump in and help each other!--Carrie Alvernia
WOW to all the secret santas in the building! Everyone is loving sharing joy with their colleagues. – Dr. O-H
WOWto Karen Brockland for going to another building to get to know a new student before he comes over. – Dr. O-H
WOW to all of the grade level teams who came together for the backward design days with Carrie, Sherri, and Melinda. You all did a wonderful job reflecting on what’s working and coming up with some next steps.- Dr. O-H
WOW to ESOL and SpEd for being flexible with room assignments and changing mid-year. I love that you are all willing to pitch in to help all our students be successful! – Dr. O-H
WOW to Jane and Natalie for picking up all the goodies to give out to staff for our 8 Days of Christmas countdown! – Dr. O-H
WOW to everyone who goes above and beyond; although I may not always see it, know about it, or recognize it- I want to let you know that we appreciate what you are doing to support students and staff. – Dr. O-H
WOW to Linda Carr. She has been very helpful with moving and a great addition to the room. She has helped buy items for our school store. I am very appreciative of her.--Nikki
January PD Day
January 3rd is a half meeting and half work day. We are going to do a staff meeting from 9:30-11:00.
Agenda
- Major/Minor Form Updates
- Office Referral Communication Updates
- PBIS System Review
- 4:1 Tickets
- Big 5 Data
- Committee Membership
- Proposed Staffing Plan for 2017-2018
January 4th is a full Professional Development Day with district PD in the morning and building PD in the afternoon.
Agenda
- 8:00-11:30 CITW-Cues and Questions
- 1:00-3:30 Climate Input and Vision Activity
Proposed Staffing
http://www.boarddocs.com/mo/fhsdmo/Board.nsf/files/AGGP835F05DC/$file/Staffing%20plan%202017.18.pdf
As part of our meeting agenda on January 3rd I will share what the proposed plan means for Harvest Ridge. In the meantime, if you have any questions about staffing please see me. Please remember that this plan has not been approved by the BOE, at this point it is still a proposal and is slated to be voted on in January.
Oops
Staff News
It is my pleasure to announce that our very own and amazing Tessa Golden has accepted the position has our full time site secretary. As you know Tessa is a rock star and we are excited to have her in this new role.
We have also hired the half time instruction para. Aubrey Tharp will start with us after winter break and will be with us on Mondays and Wednesdays. Aubrey is currently a substitute in the district and formally a classroom teacher in another district. Please help me give a warm welcome to Aubrey when she begins in her new role.
We still need to fill one SPED para position and will do so when we return.