Panther Press
New Prospect Elementary School Newsletter
Nurture-Personalize-Engage-Succeed
We LOVE Reading at NPE!
Hello Panther Parents,
In the spring, we will be doing some work with focus groups to re-look at our vision and mission at New Prospect. As part of this work, I have needed to reflect on what my vision is as an instructional leader. My vision has not changed much throughout my career. It has stayed consistent from when I taught 3rd grade, when I worked in curriculum for Fulton County, when I worked at Northview High School and now here at New Prospect. My vision is simple: our job as educators is to add value to students’ academic and social lives each day. All students come to us with different strengths, different growth opportunities, different passions and different challenges. It is what we do after they get off the bus, that will add value to not only their day, but to their future.
One thing that I am very proud of at New Prospect is how our staff instills a love and passion for reading for our students. Our students LOVE TO READ and that is no coincidence. Stephen Covey (2004) is famous for the advice: “First things first.” If one of your priorities is that your youngsters grow up loving to read, there is nothing more important than provisioning them with high-interest books that are accessible to them.” (Calkins, 2019). We have prioritized this at New Prospect. We have implemented a curriculum that celebrates reading A LOT and loving reading. We have used our school and PTA funds to support this cause and will continue to do so in the future.
I am a proud principal, because the vision that I have had in my heart is carried out every day in our classrooms. I am also proud because you, our Panther Parents, carry out this vision at home. You read to your kids, you read yourselves so your kids will see your passion, you prioritize the importance of reading daily at home, you buy your kids books and take them to the library. You are a huge part of the success that we have at school, so thank you!
Amy Lemons
Upcoming Events
February 4th-RFF Day-No School for Students
February 7th-Chick-Fil-a Spirit Night
February 11th-14-Teacher Appreciation Week
February 14th-STEAM DAY (during school day)
February 15th-No School
February 18th-No School
February 22nd-Jump Rope for Heart Ends
Added:
STEAM Day-February 14th (Valentines' Celebration will still be a part of the day)
Kindergarten Round-Up-March 12th
Changes:
Milestone Testing-Refer to Calendar Below
Spring Showcase/Chorus Concert-May 14th
Field Day-May 17th
Things to Note:
Students (at NPE) do not have school on:
-February 4th, 15th & 18th
-March 8th & 11th
-April 1st-5th
Jump Rope for Heart has Begun!
On Friday, January 25th our school officially kicked-off Kids Heart Challenge (formerly Jump Rope for Heart) to benefit the American Heart Association. After 40 years, Jump Rope for Heart has a new name! Kids Heart Challenge! We had a fun school assembly with the Morris Brandon Jump Rope Demo Team. Over the next few weeks students will be learning how to take care of their hearts and how to help others. Students are encouraged to accept a heart healthy challenge (drink more water, exercise 60 minutes a day, or complete a good deed once a day) by registering online: http://www2.heart.org/goto/newprospectelem Just for registering, your student will earn a Heart Hero glow-in-the-dark wristband! You can also register through the free App (search Kids Heart Challenge in the App Store). Students will have the opportunity to become a Heart Hero by raising funds for kids with special hearts. In return, they can earn awesome thank-you gifts. Online fundraising is highly encouraged, but check donations (made payable to the American Heart Association) will also be accepted (no cash). Our last day for Kids Heart Challenge will be Friday, February 22nd.
New Prospect Elementary School Governance Council
It is time for the election of new members to our School Governance Council. The School Governance Council (SGC) has 2 parent/guardian positions and 1 teacher position open for election. Parents or guardians of students who will be attending our school during both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years are eligible to run for the parent/guardian SGC positions.
Our School Governance Council (SGC) plays a critical role in the success of our school. The SGC works with school leadership and the community to help determine the long-term direction of the school, design innovative solutions to increase academic achievement, and serve as school ambassadors to the local community. Specifically, the School Governance Council has the following powers:
* Create, approve, and monitor the implementation of the school strategic plan
* Manage the Request for Flexibility process
* Approve the annual budget recommendations and related allocations
* Participate in the hiring of the principal, in the case of a vacancy
* Provide annual feedback to the Area Superintendent on principal performance
If you are interested in running for a position on the School Governance Council, please complete and submit a Parent/Guardian Candidate Declaration Form. Forms can be found on our school website starting on February 4th, or you can get a copy of the form from our front office and follow the mailing instructions on the back.
We are very excited about the work and value-add of our SGC. We hope that you will consider running for a position! The Candidate Declaration period ends February 20th and voting in the SGC occurs from March 11th-18th. In the meantime, if you would like more information about the charter system or SGC elections visit our school’s website or http://www.fultonschools.org/en/about/charter
IMPORTANT: CCRPI Climate Rating & Survey...ACTION NEEDED
In order for us to get 5 stars again next year, please click here (or on the button below) to take a quick survey about NPE!
From Your CST… Ms. Z!
As you all know, this year we are helping to develop a growth mindset in our students and staff. It is so important for our students to have this mindset so that they know they can overcome any obstacle that comes their way. To help support the work we are doing in the school, I thought you all would like to see some simple ways to help instill a growth mindset at home! Below is a link of great modifications in how we praise children, and how that praise helps them to develop a growth mindset.
https://www.mindsetworks.com/parents/growth-mindset-parenting
As always, please reach out with any questions!
From Ms. Bercher in the Media Center
Brain Building Media Center update: First graders and second graders resilience and flexibility with, "Oh no, George" by Chris Haughton and “The Most Magnificent Thing” by Ashley Spires. These books were mentioned in our “Mindset for Learning” book that we’ve used to model traits all year. They used blocks, Strawbees, and our LEGO wall to build items from the books, and also checked out books.
Learning.com update: Our first and second graders worked hard on their typing skills this week. A new unit, "Navigating Interfaces" was added to their lessons.
Six Flags Read to Succeed: There is still plenty of time for your child to read 6 hours of pleasure reading. We’ve received approx.. 10 completed forms; I’d love to make that number 150! If your child needs an entry form, there are plenty in the media center for him/her to pick up.
Next month will be a busy month in the Media Center…we’ll be celebrating and highlighting books for Black History Month, Presidents Day, and Lonely Books that need to be loved (more on this later!).
Steps to become a Volunteer
Fulton County Schools values and promotes active engagement of the community in all of our schools. Thousands of individuals serve as volunteers in our schools each year. Volunteer opportunities may include:
* Serving as tutors, mentors, or guest speakers
* Providing assistance in classrooms, cafeteria, library, or main office
* Organizing student enrichment and recognition activities
* Supporting special events, athletics, and school planning councils
How do I become a volunteer?
1. Register at the Fulton County Schools Volunteer Page. (Link Below)
2. Complete the mandatory online training.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
Please allow 48 hours for your application to be processed before you visit the school to volunteer. Volunteers must complete this process EVERY year.
When you arrive at the school for your first volunteer assignment, please present your government identification (i.e. driver's license, state issued ID cards, Mexican consular cards, green cards, military ID) to verify your identity.
Transportation & Absence Notes
No Student is allowed in the school until 7:10 am. There is no supervision until that time.
We have had a lot of students who are tardy to school. Please make sure your children are here before 7:40.