BARBER BULLETIN
Week of January 8, 2018
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL UPDATE
Our School Improvement Council meets once a month and parent and community stakeholder input is critical to decisions we make for our school. This year we are working closely with community partnerships to increase reading initiatives for our students. These partnerships include Verizon, Richland County Public Library, and The Blake, assisted living home. Stay tuned for upcoming opportunities from these partners!
Another agenda item our School Improvement Council has worked on is improving our practices and procedures to ensure all students are valued and honored. This has included reconsidering our edible treats in school, particularly birthday treats. Please read a draft of a recent revision that the SIC has voted to approve. Please note - below is a DRAFT. We will have a 2nd reading and welcome additional stakeholder input on this DRAFT at our January 18th meeting. If approved, this practice will go into effect in August 2018. Thank you for your consideration on a very important practice in our school. The revision is:
In order to allow students and teachers to focus on learning and to respect the allergies and dietary choices of students and their families, Pontiac Elementary requests that students and parents refrain from bringing edible treats to school as a form of celebration. If you would like to recognize your child on their birthday, we encourage you to share a non-edible item that supports the learning process. Thank you for respecting this decision, we will continue to evaluate
As teachers know, dietary restrictions are becoming more common, particularly those allergies that are related to peanut butter. It is our intent, through such a practice, to honor all students and include everyone when celebrating birthdays rather than excluding them as a result of their dietary restrictions. By refraining from allowing edible treats at Pontiac, we allow for inclusive practices to evolve around our school and honor all students. Again, this is a DRAFT and all stakeholder input is welcomed. Please notify Taurean Robinson or Katie Barber if you have considerations for us to voice at our Jan 18 School Improvement Council meeting.
SC Ready waiver information
Just before break we received confirmation that our district request for a waiver from the online administration requirement of SC READY was approved. Students in grades three through five will take the paper version of the ELA test this spring.
Given the additional time required to get scores for paper tests, we have been encouraged to administer the ELA test on the first and second day of the testing window (May 10 and 11) and ship the completed answer documents on May 11.
As you are preparing students for such a test, please prepare the students using paper/pencil format as often as you can to get them acclimated to such testing conditions. .
Please keep in mind - personal leave will not be approved on state testing days.
SC Midlands Summit - Consider Presenting!
Unlock Your Potential is the theme of the 2018 SC Midlands Summit. You are invited to submit an application to present a one-hour session on Wednesday, June 13 or Thursday, June 14. The application form is available online at https://goo.gl/66u7my As you prepare your proposal to present please check all information for accuracy, completeness, spelling, and grammar. Information associated with accepted applications will be used for conference program, web content, and other publications.
Please join us to make this 7th annual summit a memorable experience for participants and to ensure that the conference becomes an event that all teachers in the region look forward to attending every year by filling out the 2018 SC Midlands Summit Proposal Request Form https://goo.gl/66u7my
SNIP IT - A Leadership Club for our students!
Inside the speech room (D4), a reusable grocery bag is hanging on the wall. Please place items you need cut-out inside the bag with your NAME and ROOM NUMBER. If you are laminating items, may I suggest running a sticky note with this info through the laminator with your items. Student leaders will then cut out the items and deliver them to your classroom. Please plan for a week turn-around time on your items.
These two teachers are excited for this club!. Please let Jessie or Kristin know if you have any questions!
A LOOK AT OUR WEEK AHEAD:
3:30pm Staff Meeting ACES Overview with Richland County Police Dept
Tuesday:
Chuck Holland will provide tech PD during planning in BrainForest to grades 3-5 teachers. Remember to bring an upcoming assessment with you!
Wednesday:
3:30pm Byte of Technology offered in BrainForest
Kindergarten Lead Math Teachers meet at Catawba Trail’s BP Cafe 4:00 - 5:00pm
Fifth Grade Lead Math Teachers at R2I2 Classroom 7 4:00 - 5:00pm
Thursday:
Grades 3-4 Soc.St. Lead Teachers Meeting at North Springs Elementary; 4-5pm
6pm Montessori Parent Advisory Council meets in media center
Friday:
Class Group Pictures
1:45pm Instructional Assistant meeting in cafeteria