Medlock Bridge Mustang Message
We educate and inspire all students to be lifelong learners!
From the Principal's Desk
Medlock Bridge Community,
There are exciting days ahead at Medlock Bridge Elementary. Our Genius Hour program started last week and will continue through the rest of the year. Genius Hour provides a 30 minute period four days a week where students receive either academic interventions or enrichment. Students with academic needs in particular skills or standards receive research based interventions. Students who have mastered these standards select from 6 week long connections courses of interest to them. This program is another example of how we personalize learning for all students.
September 10th is our first Mindset Monday! As part of our Strategic Plan, we are implementing a Social Emotional Learning program (7 Mindsets) that coordinates with our Mustangs ROCK Positive Behavior program and classroom guidance lessons. On Mondays, students will spend the first 30 minutes of school participating in reflections and group conversations that will build their capacity for living enriched, extraordinary lives. Our first Mindset is EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, and students will be encouraged to DREAM BIG, EMBRACE CREATIVITY, THINK POSITIVE, and ACT AND ADJUST. For more information, please review the video and the linked documents.
Runapalooza fundraising begins on Friday of this week! Thank you in advance for supporting our school’s main fundraiser. Last year’s Runapalooza funded mobile computer labs. We will continue our technology upgrade with funds raised this year. We have a goal to have one device for every child at 4th and 5th grade and upgrade all classroom computers by the end of next school year. More information on Runapalooza will come home this week.
Have a great week, Mustangs!
- Matt Vance
Important Dates
Tuesday, September 11th
School Governance Council Meeting @ 7am
Tuesday Papers Go Home
Friday, September 14th - October 4th
Runapalooza Collection Period
Tuesday, September 18th
Linda McCain Community Meeting - 9:30 - Wilson Creek
Wednesday, September 19th
OFFSITE Parent Seminar “Nurturing Independence in Your Child in America”- Presented by Aysha Siddiqui - 9AM Creek View Elementary School
Friday, September 21st
Let’s Speak English! Conversational English and Culture Class
This month’s topic: School Apps, School Culture, School Clubs and More! - 9AM Room 131
Thursday, October 4th
No school for MBES students. Other Fulton County schools may be in session.
Tuesday, November 6th
Changed to a Teacher Work Day in Fulton County. No school for students.
Friday, March 8th
Changed to a regular school day in Fulton County. Was previously a teacher work day.
Curriculum matters
By Patty Neumeister, MBES CST
Email: neumeisterp@fultonschools.org
Website: https://mbescurriculumsupport.weebly.com/
Twitter: @mbescst
What’s all this “BASing” going on at MBES?
Part 2
How are Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) Levels Determined?
This is a continuation of Part 1 from the last Mustang Message.
There are several components that go into determining a student’s Instructional BAS Level. The three main components include: fluency rate, accuracy score, and comprehension conversation & evaluation. These three parts come together to provide teachers with a holistic look at students as readers. Moreover, each area highlights what strategies readers are employing and what areas of reading students need to be taught, retaught and practiced to allow the reader to demonstrate mastery and move onto the next BAS level.
Reader demands increase as students move up in BAS level. Teachers look to see where students fall on the Literacy Continuum (Fountas & Pinnell) and what they still need in order to move them forward in their learning journey. This magic takes place every day within the Reader’s Workshop we implement at Medlock Bridge. Specifically, moving students along the literacy continuum at their own pace (called flexible pacing) takes place in the Guided Reading portion of Reader’s Workshop. As students move along the literacy continuum, their teacher will reassess their Instructional and Independent BAS levels to ensure students are challenged within their Guided Reading groups.
BAS Levels are reassessed a minimum of three times per year, but it may happen more depending on the progress of each student. The first BAS assessment period is taking place now and will be completed by September 14th. ALL students at Medlock will be independently assessed (one-on-one) with their reading teacher in order to determine their Instructional and Independent BAS Levels and to highlight what areas of improvement are needed in order to move them to the next BAS level on the progression (see F&P Text Level Gradient below).
Please stay tuned for Part 3 – What Has the 3rd Edition of the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS) Meant for Students and Teachers at Medlock Bridge?
Thank you for supporting your child’s learning during these formative years. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teachers or me with any questions!
Best - Patty
News from the media center
September is off to a great start in the Media Center. Currently all students are working on our school’s digital citizenship certification. All classes will receive five different lessons throughout the month on how to be a great digital citizen. If you have not done so already, visit commonsensemedia.org to learn more about our program.
I’m also excited to announce Carmen Agra Deedy will be visiting our school on September 25th. Kindergarten through fifth grade will be able to visit with our author. You should have received a book order form in your child’s folder this week. If you are interested in ordering one of Ms. Deedy’s books, please turn in your form with money no later than Friday, September 14th.
Volunteer Registration
Do you want to be a mystery reader? Would you like to help out in your child's classroom? We welcome all parents to come volunteer and be a part of your child's school experience at Medlock Bridge. Per Fulton County policy, ALL parents (even is you have completed the application in the past) that want to volunteer for the 2018-2019 school year MUST complete the mandatory training or they will not be allowed to volunteer in classrooms!
In the past, we have had to turn many parents away as they haven't completed this training - which is heartbreaking for everyone! Please don't let this happen to you - visit the FCS site directly to complete the required informational training at least 72 hours prior to volunteering:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
REQUEST CELEBRATION TREATS FOR YOUR CHILD'S CLASS
The cafeteria is offering convenient options for classroom birthday celebrations. Save time and money when celebrating your child’s birthday by choosing from a frozen treat for $20 per class. Frozen treat flavors include blue raspberry-lemon slushy, sour cherry-lemon slushy, strawberry-mango slushy, or birthday cake frozen yogurt. Payment must be received at least 2 days before the celebration and must be placed 3 weeks in advance. Forms can be obtained in the front office or from the cafeteria. Contact Rose Slayden, at slaydenrm@fultonschools.org for product availability.
Student Council Elections
Congratulations to the following students who will serve as Student Council officers this year:
President: Nora Michaelis
Vice President: Lucie Apard
Secretary: Abbey Hankinson
Treasurer: Ava Stoddard
Thank you to all of the students who participated in the primary and general elections. Congratulations to all of you on a job very well done!
Medlock Bridge at the North Fulton Partners in ED Expo!
MBES Bus Drivers Celebrate Spirit Day!
Follow us on Twitter!
Medlock Bridge Elementary School
Email: vancem@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/medlockbridge/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 10215 Medlock Bridge Parkway, Johns Creek, GA, United States
Phone: 4702542980
Twitter: @MBESPrincipal