To the Point
Prairie Point Staff Newsletter
Issue #2: Monday, August 4, 2014
Today is the Day!
Unfortunately, Jen and I are in training all day today :-(
but we're looking forward to seeing you Tuesday.
Please note, our summer office hours are 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Some of us will be around outside of those times, but these are the times you are guaranteed to be able to get your keys.
News & Info
Custodial Help & Garbage
I want to give a HUGE shout-out to Steve, Gordon, Yolanda, & Jorge. They worked an aggressive cleaning schedule this summer, and the building looks FABULOUS!
When you are working in your classrooms, please recognize that the custodians still have several projects to complete prior to the start of school. If you need help with something, please send an email to Steve. Also, please make sure to bring any garbage downstairs to the dumpster in the hallway. Please do not leave it outside of your classroom.
Staff News
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- Welcome to the K/1 Team - Kerra McCoskey! Kerra joins us from Churchill & will be teaching a morning section of half-day Kindergarten.
- Welcome to the 2nd Grade Team - Tristin Holman! Tristin is joining us from Old Post. She is replacing Lisa Paluch, who has moved up to teach 3rd grade.
- We are excited to add the following staff members to TEAM:
*Katie Lund! Katie is replacing Jessica Mateja as our half-time speech path. Jessica is now the building speech path at BH.
*Mindy Long is the new building special education coordinator. Mindy is joining District 308 and Kendall County Special Education from the Eisenhower Special Education Cooperative.
Tech Talk
IPADS:
If you are new to Prairie Point, or did not take your IPad home for the summer, see Carol Patterson in the LRC to check out your IPad.
Paid IPAD Apps:
I will be purchasing an iTunes Gift Card in order to purchase apps for your iPAD's. Please fill out a request form. The document will be in your email shortly. I'm working on developing a Google Form to use in the future. For now, you'll need to download and either type or hand-write the form.
REMINDER:
If you're interested in an account to planbook.com for the 2014-2015 school year, please let me know by Wednesday, August 6th. Please use the link to a Google Form below to sign-up!
A Message to All at Prairie Point
On August 28th, the message will continue in our first all-school assembly of the year. Our guest will be Amy Logan, the author of A Girl with a Cape: The true story about the superhero in all of us. Her story begins:
Can someone so small make a difference at all?
Can someone like you make the world seem brand new?
I'm not sure you know this, but I tell you it's true.
It's a story of a superhero...of a kid just like you.
So sit back, bundle up...take a breath...let it out...
A Girl With a Cape is what this is about.
Save the Date: Preview Night!
Class Lists
We Got New Copiers!
In order to log in to copy, scan, or print, you will need to have your ID badge. You will scan your ID badge on the attached barcode reader, and will be able to release print jobs or do other tasks from there.
The copiers are pretty self-explanatory and easy to use. We will send you copier information and train you on it's use once school starts. Don't hesitate to ask Kim, Laurel, Jen, or I for help if you need it.
Upcoming Events
Writer's Workshop Chat
The topics discussed will be:
- Overview of the Writer's Workshop Philosophy
- Key components of Writer's Workshop
- Ideas for Beginning the Year
- Begin reviewing Unit #1
- Set dates and topics for future meetings during Quarter 1
I hope you are able to join us! If so, I'll be providing snacks and coffee. If not, we'll make sure to have a record of the conversation and somewhere to access anything that is shared.
In preparation for beginning our journey together regarding Writer's Workshop, it would be helpful to review the following materials.
Grades K-2:
A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop - Chapters 1-8
Preview Unit #1 Guide
Grades 3-5:
A Guide to the Writing Workshop - Chapters 1-8 and 12
A Guide to the Common Core Writing Workshop - Chapters 1-4; and 7
Preview Unit #1 Guide
Wednesday, Aug 6, 2014, 09:00 AM
Community Room
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
Rising Star Meeting
- Look back on last year
- Look ahead to this year's priorities & goals
- Discuss plans for the opening days of school.