MP Principal's Post
ONE...Team. Vision. Goal.
Manchester Park Elementary
Home of the Timberwolves
8/31/2018
A Week in Review
Now that I know how good of singers and dancers we have on staff...the options are endless for assemblies! I think that students liked the assembly and hopefully got something out of it about teamwork. I appreciate your willingness to participate in activities that are enjoyable for the students! Thank you to the "We Succeed" committee for putting this on!
We had our PTO meeting this week. A reminder that if there something that you are interested in and don't have enough funds to get it, you are always welcome to fill out a "PTO Request Form" and see if they will fund it.
Another great source of $$$ is from our Olathe Schools Foundation. Two particular ways are:
Fund-a-Need grants – This is a great way for teachers to get support for classroom needs through crowdfunding. Fund-a-Need grant requests must be for $250-$1,500. Click here for more information or to submit a Fund-A-Need grant application.
Classroom grants – The Foundation will fund $100,000 in classroom grants this school year. Cycle I classroom grant applications are due Thursday, September 20. Teachers may submit a grant application in several areas including: visual arts, innovation, need, and building or district-wide grants, as well as a special grant for kindergarten teachers. Click here to learn more about classroom grants.
On a different note, I had a meeting with our "adopt a school" partner: The Benton House. They are willing to have the students out to their facility or have their residents come to MP. They thought about exercise classes, pen pals, book clubs, art projects, volunteer opportunities that they could do. They are open to ideas as well.
Bottom line...this might be a great way for our students to connect with another generation! If you are interested in something, please let me know and I can give you their contact information.
The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts.
-C. S. Lewis
No School on Monday!
Afternoon Dismissal Duty if you are Absent
If you have a dismissal duty:
- If you are absent (and it is something that you have planned or know in advance), please try and contact a floater or someone on your grade level to see if they can cover your duty. I am not comfortable with substitutes doing these duties because they do not know the kids, our routines, and our procedures. I understand that there are certain substitutes that are our regulars. If these people are your substitute, please feel free to use them for these roles. Thank you!
Parent Newsletters - Please send to me
I would like to see what you are sharing with parents so that I am more connected! Whatever the form is that you send communication home, I am asking that you forward one a month on to me in an email. So...the last newsletter of the month, please send it on to me. Please start with the most current newsletter that you have.
Thank you!
Video Morning Announcements start Tuesday
Amy has some fifth graders ready to go on the video morning announcements, so we are going to start those on Tuesday.
For those of you that are new:
- Amy will have the news crew record the morning announcements and then she will email out the link to play this.
- The expectation is that everyone will watch this with their class in the morning. Most will watch it immediately after bell at 8:22.
BLT Meeting - Wednesday
MP Fun Run Kickoff Assembly
We will have our MP Fun Run Assembly on Friday, September 7th at 2:00. We will be going through the activities that they will be participating in, as well as the rewards.
Please plan on sending the envelopes home on this day! Thanks for your help with this!
PLC Agendas and Notes
Wolf Pack Social Groups
This is just a reminder that our first wolf pack for the school year will be on August 31 at 2:55. Please refer to Kirsten's email about the plan and get your bubbles from the workroom.
Please see Casi's previous email with your wolf pack groups.
Please make sure that you are at the door until all of the students make it to you. I will see if some PTO parents can help monitor the hallways as well. The "We Succeed" committee will send out instructions.
The other wolf pack dates are as follows:
September 27 (We Read plans)
December 13 (We Learn plans)
Feb 21 (We Lead plans)
Apr 24 (We Succeed plans)
Planning Days for Teachers
I have reserved the following days to have subs for you to meet with your grade level:
2nd in AM
5th in PM
September 12th
1st in AM
4th in PM
September 13th
K in AM
3rd in PM
The Grandparents are Coming!
Our special event is right around the corner. Thanks for reading the schedule below as the times to come down to lunch are 5 minutes earlier than normal and they are coming back to your classroom 20 minutes prior to this posted time.
Lunches will begin at the following times:
September 5th
Grade K - 10:50-11:15
Grade 3 - 12:10-12:40
September 6th
Grade 1 11:40-12:10
Grade 4 12:55-1:25
September 7th
Grade 2 - 11:15-11:45
Grade 5 - 12:30-1:00
We will release the visitors to your classrooms about 20 minutes prior to this time. This will give them about 15 minutes in your classroom. I appreciate you thinking of something for them to look at or do…even though it is packed. Thanks for your flexibility and patience on this day. The kids and grandparents love it!
Calendar for the Upcoming Week
Monday, September 3rd- No School
*Labor Day
Tuesday, September 4th- C Day
*SIT Day
Wednesday, September 5th- D Day
*Grandparents/Special Guest Day for K and 3rd
*BLT Meeting in Conference Room
Thursday, September 6th- E Day
*Grandparents/Special Guest Day for 1st and 4th
Friday, September 7th- A Day
*Grandparents/Special Guest Day for 2nd and 5th
*Fun Run Kickoff Assembly at 2:00 (Packets go home today)
3rd grade has AM gym duty