Galloping Gazette
A newsletter for the Faculty and Staff - Week 10/29-11/2
Put Students First • Seek Growth • Be Open to Change . Do Great Work Together • Value Differences
Shout Outs
Shout outs to Kelly McNeely, Michelle Nicolosi, Deb Vickery, and Al Doss as you added joy and creativity to the Regions unit with student created projects showing innovation, and student choice. - Patti & Robyn
Thank you to Jennifer Pleasant for covering the front desk while Ceci was on leave. Thank you to Ceci and Jennifer for managing the many parents entering school for big events. - Robyn & Patti
Colleen- you and your team are amazing! Thank you for making lunch spooktacular! - Danielle
Robin- Thank you for helping me out with my first quarterly, you rock! - Danielle
Thanks, Al, for your continuous support with instructional technology and for helping me produce the video on student engagement for VASCD. Your ongoing behind-the-scenes work has such a positive ripple effect of students/staff at CFES and beyond! - Bevin
A big thanks to Al and Sharon Y for allowing Pre-K to use your extra ipads for our first Kahoot adventure! Love, Pre-K. - Stacey & Lisa
Thank you Al for helping run the pumpkin catapult lesson with both of my classes! - Ally
Thank you Jenny for always sending such great ideas, games, materials, and formatives for third grade! - Third Grade
Thank you to my Feisty and Funny Four teammates for always making me laugh! - Ally
Shout out to Francis for doing an amazing job with our 3rd grade crew, and shout out to Christine and Francis for being flexible and helping us out when we needed some extra support! - Anna and Michelene
Shout out to Mr. Richardson for keeping our classrooms so clean and making sure I get to my car safe when I work too late at night - Anna
Thank you to Al, Ms. Mercy, and Ms. Backer for assisting with the 5th grade Annual Egg Drop! You guys rock! –The 5th grade Team
Shout outs to Mrs. Kernodle and Mrs. Torres for being so kind and ready to help their classes get ready for their Schoology test!
If you have any shoutouts, please send them to Mrs. Backer and Mrs. Jacobs by Thursday.
Principal's Message for the week
First quarter is one huge assessment and I'm not just referring to grades and scores. This was the time to learn about our students, parents, and in some cases family dynamics as it pertains to your student's ability to meet with success in school. There should also be time for self assessment and reflection.
Ask yourself these questions.
-What is going well?
-What do I want to change/improve on?
-What are my working relationships with my colleagues like?
-Am I in a good place emotionally to help students grow academically and socially?
-Do I have a positive outlook on life?
-What do I contribute to the CFES learning community?
Sometimes we are so busy assessing everything and everyone around us we forget to assess ourselves. This is a profession of service and sacrifice for others that value can not be measured. Continue to grow, learn, and tap into this positive energy that is so awesome here at CFES to keep your batteries charged!
-Robyn
Colts Pride in Action
Innovative, Design and Engagement highlight:
BRAVO to Mrs. Sinnen as she took a risk using SeeSaw for assessing with our K students! Just like we have in other PLCs, we have discussed how to use technology to save time and not let assessments stop our small group instruction. This is especially challenging as many of the assessments in the lower grades are verbal. It important to note that not all risks work on the first time and I am impressed with Mrs. Sinnen's growth mindset when the technology couldn't keep up with our the pace of our students.
Schedule for upcoming weeks
Nov. 5th - Nov. 16th
Disability History and Awareness Month
National Bullying Intervention Awareness Month
National Dyslexia Awareness Month
Fairness is our Character Trait
LA Quarterly is to be given this week - (will review data week of November 12)
Monday, November 5th
- Girls on the Run 2:40p - 4:20p
- Art/Music/PE grades/comments finalized by 5:00 p.m. Homeroom teachers should NOT transfer grades until after 5:00 p.m. on Monday or else you will not capture specialists grades and comments.
- SCA Coin Wars begins
Tuesday, November 6th
- Staff Day/ Virtual Learning Day
- Leadership Meeting -Cancelled
- Homeroom teachers finalize grades/comments by 5:00 p.m. Please send a PDF to Mrs. Mounce when you are complete.
Wednesday, November 7th
Lifetouch Make-Up Photos
Girls on the Run 2:40p - 4:20p
Staff Jeans Day if contributed to United Way
8:30 - 9:30 Mr. Bill Johnson from Technology here to complete learning walks. Let me know if you are doing anything highlighting technology.
3:00 SPED Meeting
Thursday, November 8th
- Eco Club 2:40p-5p
- All revised edits are due by 3:00pm. This includes turning in your awards list as well. Please have a colleague proof read your comments.
- 3:00 Spanish Teachers PLC
Friday, November 9th
- Watch D.O.G.S (Ivory Knight) will be in the building today.
- Red Day! Please wear red in honor and support of military service members who are or have been deployed.
- Ms. Backer out in the AM
- 8:30 AM KAM, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd - Veterans Day Assembly in Caf
- 1:45 PM KPM, 4th and 5th - Veterans Day Assembly in Caf
- Girls on the Run 2:40p - 4:20p
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Anti Bullying Week
School Psychology Awareness Week
Science and Social studies quarterly is to be given this week - (will review data Monday, 19th during PE)
Monday, November 12th
- Veteran's Day - No School
Tuesday, November 13th
- Goode Stories - Kindergarten 10a-1p
- Faculty Meeting @ 3p (Library)
Wednesday, November 14th
- Report Cards Go Home
- Ms. Backer out in the AM
- Ms. Porter out in the PM
Girls on the Run 2:40p - 4:20p
Thursday, November 15th
- Education Support Professionals Day
- 9:30 Pre - K classroom in action
- SPC/PTA Meeting @ 3p (Library)
Friday, November 16th
- 3rd Grade Simple Machines Expo 1:20p-2:20p (Cafeteria)
- Ms. Porter out all day
Wanna learn new ways to address behaviors in your pjs? Join the twitter chat - PBIS4VBCHAT
This quarter's topics will include roll out celebrations, staff training strategies, and a look at some research behind PBIS implementation.
How To Participate:
- Follow @PBIS4VB on Twitter.
- Log on to your account between 7-8pm on Wednesday, Nov. 7th.
- Respond to each question using the question number (example: A1) and the event hashtag (#pbis4vbchat)
Directions and etiquette will be posted on each chat day.
Extra Collaboration Schedule - RM 7
SCA United Way Coin Wars Drive / United Way Staff Support - Jeans Day
The SCA will have a Coin Wars Drive to support the United Way. This will take place during the week ofNov. 5th-9th with more information coming from the SCA.
We will also have a Staff Jeans Day for all of those contributing to the United Way. This Staff Jeans Day will be Wednesday, November 7th. You will need to print a copy of your receipt after you have donated electronically. Here is the link for you to donate:
https://vbsts.vbcps.com/adfs/ls/idpInitiatedSignon.aspxloginToRp=https://vbcps.uwshr.stratuslive.com
If you did not donate online but would like to participate then donate $5.00 to Mrs. Porter by Nov. 6th. You will receive a sticker for supporting the United Way and allowing you the extra Jeans Day!
Report Cards are coming!
Here are some important reminders about report cards:
- Remember that VBCPS grading policy currently states that a DP or N should not be issued on the report card unless the parent has been notified prior to issuance.
- Please remember, with Standards-based grading, the proficiency mark on the report card should reflect the student’s current mastery level on that standard. Various data points may be used to determine the student’s proficiency level (anecdotal notes, exit tickets, summative assessments, etc.)
- Report card comments should not be the same for your entire class. They do not need to be super lengthy, but they should reflect that you know the student, and they should address any concerns especially any DP's or N's. Please make sure comments are tactful. Put yourself in the parents' shoes. How would you feel reading the comment if it was your child? Begin with something positive and include any quarterly awards earned by the student.
*As a reminder, Mrs. Porter and I will be checking all 650+ report card comments. Please take your time to edit your own comments and then swap comments with a colleague to check before submitting them.
We will once again recognize our students’ accomplishments each marking period with the following awards.
- Extraordinary Colt – is in the Productivity, Part & Collab, & Citizenship- All Ps AND at least 1 AP (no DP or N
- Academic Excellence- is 5 APs in core subjects with no DP or Ns anywhere on RC
- Attendance Award will be awarded to students in grades PreK through 5 displaying excellent attendance.
· 2 tardies (excused or unexcused) = 1 absence
- Leaving school early – Teacher monitoring – please report any patterns of early dismissal to Robyn
Say Hello to Baby Asher
Birthdays
11/8 - Alyssa Crouch
11/10 - Stacey Witherow
11/11 - Debbie Vickery
Important Links
#Goodphonecalloftheday
Keep these coming!
Please check out our form below to see how Mrs. Porter and myself will be celebrating our students and continuing our positive culture and environment.