Trantwood Times
"Captivating Every Student, Every Day!"
An Attitude of Gratitude Rocks!
I am grateful and thankful for Gina Howes and Kim Odom who do an amazing job of helping our PE program run so well this first quarter. I couldn’t do it without them. TC
Thanks to Brooke for all of the technology help in collaboration with fourth grade. We also appreciate her help with issues during quarter testing and issues trying to get onto Google classroom! Thanks for Melinda Pezzella for jumping right in and taking the “bull by the horns”. All of her efforts with her new class are really starting to show. What a transformation already! Kudos to Tim for getting us all up and moving and happy….while showing off all of his fancy dance moves! Kathy Dungan
So thankful to have Jan Roewer in my life! Melissa Moore
Many thanks to Hope and Ania for helping manage the ever changing schedule in room 29. Without the two of you it would not be possible!! Thank you! Berkley
Kudos to Tim Cassidy and the joy committee for spreading joy before our SRT meeting on Tuesday! Claire
I would like to thank Eleanor Richards and Brooke Martinette for their assistance in helping my students and me with technology. Julie Ruszala
I am thankful for Elise Neubeck, Claire Johnson and Cathi Borchers for being fabulous Girls On the Run Coaches! Our Girls are so lucky to have them as positive role models. The program is such a success because of their help! Hannah Phelps
Kudos to Nancy Kurz for collecting the money for United Way! We exceeded our goal so kudos to the students and staff as well! LAM
BIG HUGE thanks to Tim Cassidy for putting up the Angel Tree with a quickness, and Gina Howes and Kim Odom for cutting, tying and labeling all the angels in time for Grandparent’s Luncheon! You guys are amazing! Lots of GRATITUDE going out to Megan Bailey, Melissa Moore, and Cazzy Roberts for spearheading and sorting the canned food—the 20 families we are sponsoring this year will be thankful as well, I know it! Super grateful for Karen O’Meara, Beth Wik, Janet Roewer and Courtney Goffigan for helping work through this new SRT process and orchestrating the staff training… proud to be working with such a great team! Thanks bunches to Terri Hawley for teaming with me to present the Middle School Options to our 5th graders… Brickell and Plaza will be lucky to get our kiddos, and thanks to you, I know they are excited to apply! Lisa Lee
I am grateful for Tim Cassidy bringing joy to our meeting Tuesday! I love to dance, especially with friends! Thank you Tim!!!! I am also grateful for Catie Bartczak, Hannah Phelps, and Macy Henry for participating in our Global Read-Aloud Pax. The story is terrific but it is only appealing to students if the teacher is enthusiastic about reading it and holding discussion. Thank you for engaging students and including me in on the joy! Jan Roewer
I am thankful for Jenny Mello, who always brings a laugh to my day. Eleanor Richards
Kudos to my wonderful class! My students have been absolutely amazing and they make me excited to come to school everyday. Also, kudos to my amazing fifth grade team (Catie Bartczak and Hannah Phelps) for being so supportive and helpful! They have helped make my first year wonderful so far! Macy Henry
November 21 - 25, 2016 National Family Week
LAM OTB, am
PLP with Maureen Fanelli, gr. 3 - 5, Library, 3 - 4 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 22:
Gr. 1 - 5 Assembly, Miss Virginia, cafeteria, 8:30 - 9:15
Faculty Meeting, 3 - 4 pm
Wednesday, Nov. 23:
COM due
Early Dismissal
Thursday, Nov. 24 & Friday, Nov. 25:
Schools Closed
Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 28 - Dec. 3, 2016
Mad Science, 2:40 - 4:00
Girls on the Run, 2:40 - 4:00
Math PLP with Maureen Fannelli, Library, Kg - 2, 3 - 4 pm
Tuesday, Nov. 29:
Fifth Grade Recorder Club, 2:40 - 4:00
Faculty Meeting, Library, 3 - 4
Wednesday, Nov. 30:
STEM, 2:40 - 4:00
Girls On the Run, 2:40 - 4:00
Art Club, 2:40 - 4:00
Thursday, Dec. 1:
SCA Toys for Tots begins
Fire Safety, Grade 4
Nancy Kurz, OTB, am
Chorus Practice, 2:40 - 4:00
Digital Innovators Meeting, 3 - 4
Friday, Dec. 2:
LAM OTB, am
Fire Safety, Gr. 4
Sandi Ballard meets with grades 3, 4, & 5 during PE
Saturday, Dec. 3
Happy Birthday Terri Hawley and Gina Lane!
PTA Snowflake Breakfast, 8:30 - 12
Personalized Learning
One focus area for school staff for 2016-2017 is Personalized Learning. The goal is to make use of resources, including professional learning opportunities, developed to build awareness around personalized learning, a critical component of Goal 2 of the strategic framework, Compass to 2020.
Personalized learning resources include the following:
· Virginia Beach Public Schools’ Personalized Learning Website – http://vbplearn.weebly.com
This site is continuously updated with resources, videos, and artifacts aligned with the VBCPS definition of Personalized Learning.
· Personalized Learning Overview and Introduction to Essential Components (Online) – This online course is running continuously through April 30, 2017. Participants receive three Professional Learning Program (PLP points for completion of the course.
· Wading into the Waters of Personalized and Blended Learning – This site-based course can be provided by each school’s instructional technology specialist.
· Design Fellows Tour – Tours of the classrooms of Design Fellows will be offered from January through March.
Future Planning
SCA Toys for Tots begins Dec. 1
Sandi Ballard visits gr. 3 - 5, Fri. Dec. 2
PTA Snowflake Breakfast, Sat. Dec. 3
Early Dismissal, Thurs., Dec. 22
Holiday Break, Dec. 23 - Jan. 2
Staff PLP (Title forthcoming), Library, Jan. 30, 8 - 9 am
SOL testing: May 18 - June 7
Self Assessment and Goal Setting Go Hand In Hand
Feedback and goal setting is one of the strategies classrooms are expected to implement this year as part of our PCI. Here's a helpful example of how to help students with this task that leads them to take greater ownership and responsibility for their own learning.
Try these strategies and watch your classroom become one where the light of learning burns brightly for every student. Responsive ClassroomsQUARTERLY ASSESSMENTS
The quarterly testing window is from October 31-December 2. By Oct. 31, we will have another laptop cart available for checkout. This cart will go to grades 2 - 4 only during this window.
Grade Level - Mandatory Quarterly Tests
- 2nd grade - LA, Math, Science, Social Studies
- 3rd grade - LA, Math, Science, Social Studies
- 4th grade - LA, Math, Combined Science/Social Studies
- 5th grade - LA, Math, Science, Social Studies
Children More Motivated to Learn When Outside
"We learn to love nature as children, and our commitment to nature later in life – respecting it, protecting it, restoring it, or simply enjoying it – is built on that childhood foundation. That’s why it’s so important we give all children the chance to experience the natural world." Environmental Minister Rory Stewart
Miss Virginia Coming to Trantwood!
Food for thought. It is not how much a student uses a digital device; what matters are how and for what purposes the device is used.
Ever wonder what kindergarteners wonder about?
Book Character Pumpkins specially made by the Art Club
Thankfully Mr. Cassidy made us dance before we explored all those SRT forms!
A hands-on regions activity sparked great collaboration among Mrs. Halman's students.
Kudos to the entire Trantwood ES staff!
Why We Give Thanks By Karen O’Meara
One might take a moment to ponder
Why do we give thanks?
Educators and parents, help your children discover
the meaning of this ageless wonder.
How bright the sparkle in a child’s eye
when learning is revealed;
How happy friends are in passing
when a smile is exchanged;
How comforting it is to know
that every child can learn;
How simple things tend to be
when support is lent in times of need;
How encouraging words can lift a heart
when others only criticize;
How wondrous joy fills the air
when children’s voices are raised in song.
So teachers, celebrate what’s right with the world
and be thankful for our wonderful children.
A break out box that leads to one book per child? How exciting!!
Humphry, whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" was spot on!
Learning about velocity and gravity.
Aunt Melissa has a new nephew!
I have a new nephew named Lincoln Graham Moore, born Sunday, November 13. Spreading the little bundle of joy!
LouAnne Metzger, Principal
Email: louanne.metzger@vbschools.com
Website: http://www.trantwoodes.vbschools.com/
Location: 2344 Inlynnview Road, Virginia Beach, VA, United States
Phone: 757-648-4000
Twitter: @LouAnneMetzger