Alpharetta High School
Week of August 29
Upcoming Dates
August 29 or August 30 – Faculty Meeting (choice - 3:45PM on the 29th or 7:30AM on the 30th)
August 29 – September 1 – Ninth Grade Classroom Guidance
September 2 – AHS Cluster Professional Development Day (students off) - See schedule in this week's newsletter
September 2 - 12:30 Medical Emergency Training for all staff members
September 5 – Labor Day – SCHOOLS CLOSED
September 8 – Anchor Time Begins
September 13– Freshmen Parent Night 6 pm; Curriculum Night 7 pm (all teachers MUST be present)
September 15 – Financial Aid Night and Senior Night
September 20 – Fire Drill – beginning of Anchor Time
September 22 – 6 week reports disseminated
September 26 – October 28 – Gallup Poll for all Sophomores and Juniors through World History and US History classes
September 28 - CPR/AED - refresher course during both lunches in room 2216
September 29 – Fall Orchestra Concert
Lunch pep rallies pumped up the Raiders
The players worked hard from start to finish
The stands were filled with Raiders cheering on their team
Schedule for September 2nd - Professional Development Day
8:00 - 9:00 - PLC leaders of singletons in 2216 OR PLC/Individual time
9:00 - 10:30 - ALL - Inquiry Group Learning
10:30 - 11:30 - PLC leaders of advanced PLCs in 2216 OR PLC/Individual time
11:30 - 12:30 - PLC Leaders of emerging PLCs in 2216 OR PLC/Individual time
12:30 - 1:30 - ALL - Medical Emergency Training in media center
1:30 - 2:30 - Lunch on your own (Sorry for the late lunch!)
2:30 - 3:30 -New Teacher Support in room 2321
3:30 - 3:50 - PLC/Individual time
Marshall King is still hard at work issuing textbooks!
Students work together on editing Spanish essays in Senora Gottlieb's class.
Mrs. Arias uses Nearpod in her World History classes for blended learning.
College and Career Cove
We are now using the College and Career Cove for many of the college representative visits. If you are holding class in the upper hallway near the College and Career Cove when a college meeting is in session, please move your class farther down the main hallway so our students may hear and communicate with the college representative and fully benefit from the visit.
August Birthdays
Jimmy Marshall 3
Tina Johnson 5
Jennifer Kilroy 5
Laurie Veillon 7
Polly Bostick 8
Matt Rhein 12
Kajal Jain 12
Dee Webb 13
Lynne Loudy 15
Matt Hartwell 16
John Karg 21
Ana Maria Gottlieb 30
The Happy Teacher Challenge - see attachments to this week's newsletter
What's new with Anchor Time?
What is it?
Anchor Time was introduced to the AHS community back in 2013. Originating from the state mandate to meet the RTI needs of students with greater accountability and focus, Anchor Time seeks to create meaningful experiences and opportunities for all students. Anchor Time meets two times a week for twelve weeks each semester; this year, it will fall between A and B lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning September 8.
What do we do?
During the 45 minutes that Anchor Time lasts, students have a number of options. For students in need of additional support in reading and math, specific RTI sections are created to allow small group focused help for those students. Other students have the option to select a Silent Study class, where they can have time to complete work for their classes; still others can select one of the many enrichment offerings that AHS teachers and staff volunteer to lead. Eligible seniors are also able to apply to leave campus for an extended lunch period on Anchor Time days. There really is something for every student during Anchor Time!
Who do I contact?
Got questions? We can help! Send us an email and we’ll do our best to clarify for you.
Frank Fortunato: Anchor Time Enrichment
Laurie Veillon: Anchor Time (general)
Derek Wright: Anchor Time RTI
Raider cheerleaders lead the cheering
The band's performance was outstanding
The senior tailgate and march brought out droves of fans
Free Magazines in the Media Center
Our new Mission, Motto, and Values Statements
Thank you to all who participated in this meaningful work last year!
Mission:
At Alpharetta High School we believe that education creates opportunity. As a learning community, we seek to inspire intellectual curiosity and stimulate personal creativity by setting high expectations and developing engaging environments to promote a culture of continuous learning where hard work is a contributor to success.
We respect the diverse perspectives, beliefs, and backgrounds of others and strive to build a foundation of self-governing integrity that recognizes each of our unique contributions to both our local and the global community.
Motto:
Creating opportunities for excellence in academics, athletics, arts, and altruism
Values:
Because we are reflective practitioners devoted to the craft of education, we value a passion for what we teach, a commitment to whom we teach, and a desire for collaborating and improving how we teach.
As a community, we aspire to find balance in where we devote our time, to pursue a unity of shared purpose that guides our decisions, and to support one another and our learning community by bringing our best selves to every opportunity.
Mrs. Farr's science students are fully engaged in their lab.
Honors Biology students record the results of their experiments.
Mrs. Drummond's AP Psychology students write their first FRQ collaboratively.
Check out Alpharetta in The Ultimate Atlanta School Guide:
Pink Out Honorees
The Pink Out Committee wants to know if any AHS staff or community member or anyone close to an AHS staff member should be one of the Breast Cancer Honorees for this year's Pink Out on October 7th.
If you or someone you know should be honored at this event, please contact:
Allison Downing
770-629-0212
Pink Out Shirts
AHS Pink Out Football Game is on Friday, October 7 @ 7:30 PM. Pink Out t-shirts will be on sale for $10 each during both lunches on these dates: 8/26, 9/1, 9/8, 9/9, 9/16, 9/22, 9/23, 9/29, 9/30, 10/5, 10/6, & 10/7. Back design included.
Students explore their diagnostic data in Ms. Smither's class.
Congratulations to Darlene Todd-Newkirk who recently got married! Her husband is to her left and her brother is to her right.
Mr. Womack sets the stage for his students before the begin reading Of Mice and Men.
Horace Mann representative here on August 25th - make an appointment!
Horace Mann Insurance Agent Kelli Ketcham will be here on Thursday, August 25th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. in room 2216 Please contact Kelli at kelli.ketcham@horacemann.com or call her #404-335-7871 to schedule a time to meet regarding your Auto, Home, Life Insurance, Retirement Planning, and Student Loan Solutions.
Horace Mann Insurance is looking forward to a great year working with the teachers of Alpharetta High School!
New Teacher Meeting Dates
- Sept 2- RFF Day- Time TBD
Oct 5- AM (7:30am- 8:15am) or PM (3:40pm- 4:25pm)
Nov 7- RFF Day- Time TBD
Dec 7- AM(7:30am- 8:15am) or PM (3:40pm- 4:25pm)
Jan 17- RFF Day- Time TBD
Feb 8- AM (7:30am- 8:15am) or PM (3:40pm- 4:25pm)
Mar 31- RFF Day- Time TBD
May 3- AM (7:30am- 8:15am) or PM (3:40pm- 4:25pm)
All meetings will take place in room 2321
International Talk Like a Pirate Day
Get ready, Raiders!
September 19th is International "Talk Like a Pirate Day" and as Raiders we need to represent. Wear your best Raider/Pirate wear (appropriate, of course!) and talk like a pirate all day long!
Watch the AHS Videos!
We use videos to avoid long faculty meetings during pre-planning and give our faculty the freedom to learn when it is convenient. However, many faculty members have yet to watch this needed information. If you have not viewed all the videos and completed the checks for understanding, please do so. Here's the data on the percentage of faculty members who have taken the checks for understanding:
69% Honor Code
54% Safety
06% CASE
74% Discipline
73% Information Day
22% Communication
Help us keep our pre-planning week faculty meetings to a minimum!
TKES first steps
In June of 2016, GaDOE updated Teacher Keys (TKES) and Leader Keys (LKES) based on the passing of Senate Bill 364. Please pay attention to the changes during the orientation process.
August 16 - August 31 - New Teachers
Complete the following in order via TKES/LKES Platform: 1. Online Orientation 2. Self-Assessment 3. Enter Professional Learning Goal ("Flexible Process" Teachers); enter a Professional Learning Plan ("Full Formative" Teachers); enter a Remediation Plan (Teachers who received a Needs Development or Ineffective on their previous Summative Assessment)
August 2 – August 31 - Returning Teachers - same school, same job
Complete the following in order via TKES/LKES Platform: 1. Online Orientation 2. Self-Assessment 3. Enter Professional Learning Goal ("Flexible Process" Teachers); enter a Professional Learning Plan ("Full Formative" Teachers); enter a Remediation Plan (Teachers who received a Needs Development or Ineffective on their previous Summative Assessment)
August 31 – September 12 - Returning Teachers - different school or different job in the school
Complete the following in order via TKES/LKES Platform: 1. Online Orientation 2. Self-Assessment 3. Enter Professional Learning Goal ("Flexible Process" Teachers); enter a Professional Learning Plan ("Full Formative" Teachers); enter a Remediation Plan (Teachers who received a Needs Development or Ineffective on their previous Summative Assessment)
Notes: "Flexible Process" Teachers possess more than three years of experience, hold a clear, renewable Georgia certificate, and scored Proficient or Exemplary on their previous year’s TKES Summative Evaluation. All other teachers are considered "Full Formative" Teachers in Fulton County. Teachers receiving Needs Development or Ineffective on their previous TKES Summative Assessment must complete the Remediation Plan in the platform. Keep in mind that all teachers should have goals posted in the platform. Principals will be provided with an Eligibility Report by Talent identifying "Flexible Process" and "Full Formative" Teachers by September 1st.
High Museum of Art
Join us for an evening at the High Museum of Art!
Saturday, September 10, 2016 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Free admission for educators and up to five guests
Enjoy a free night of art, music, and activities, all while earning professional learning contact hours! Light refreshments will be available while supplies last and drinks will be available for purchase. Explore the High's permanent collection and view I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle.
The event is FREE for teachers, school administrators, community educators, and up to five guests!
Need an AHS bathroom pass?
Need an AHS Honor Code Pledge Poster?
Visitors to the building
Just a reminder to all staff, please let the front office know (macdonellc@fultonschools.org) whenever you are expecting visitors to the building for meetings, visits, etc.
Please indicate:
Who is coming
When they are coming (date and time)
Where their meeting will be.
If former students come to visit, they must make prior arrangements with the staff member they are visiting. The staff member must let the front office know of the visit. They must also meet the student in the front office and escort them throughout their visit. If a former student comes to visit and they have not made prior arrangements with a staff member, they will not be permitted to stay.
Underclass Picture Day and Make-up Faculty Pictures
It's almost that time of year again! Cady Studios will be here in our gym on Friday, August 26th from 8 - 3:30 for picture day. Students will go through their English class. If you did not get your picture taken during pre-planning, PLEASE go to the gym on Friday, August 26th and smile!
Business Partner Event
Flavor Juicery, a new AHS business partner, is having an event on Thursday, September 8th for a special event by the area’s only Licensed Naturopathic Physician and Lifestyle Medicine Expert. Experience a different kind of healthcare and transform your body, mind, and life. Special seminar at Flavor Juicery on Thursday, Sept 8th. given by Dr. Bongiovanni
The event details and registration info here. https://www.facebook.com/events/1783724588553281/
There is also $15 gift card given to all attendees.
The Attorney General for the state of Georgia is coming to AHS
On September 19th, the Attorney General for the state of Georgia, General Olens, will visit AHS to discuss the dangers and effects of abusing prescription drugs. This presentation is particularly aimed at 11th and 12th graders, although all teachers are welcome to bring their students. Presentations will be during periods 3 and 4A.
Additionally, General Olens runs a video contest where students express why they have chosen to not abuse drugs. There are substantial prizes awarded to the top 3 winners such as iPads and generous gift cards. More information on the program and contest can be found here: http://law.ga.gov/were-not-gonna-take-it-video-contest
If you have any questions or would like to bring your students to the presentation, please email Karen Bolt.
Quote for the week
Educator Day at Zoo Atlanta
At our Fall Educator Appreciation Day on September 17, Zoo Atlanta will thank educators for all that they do by offering them free admission to the Zoo (educator ID required).
Educators include early childhood – university level school teachers, child care workers, homeschool parents, informal educators, administrative and support staff, para-professionals and active Georgia PTA members (one PTA member per family; rest of household receives discounted admission).
Any additional guests will receive $2 off general admission.
Learn more and register online for Express Entry by clicking here!
Don't forget to complete the county policies/procedures review!
FCS requests that our returning employees review some essential policies/training materials annually, so that there is an awareness of the serious expectations outlined in each. The list of this information is accessed and submitted electronically in order to establish a record of the training. It is not an exhaustive list. Also, when policy revisions are made or new ones created, a systemic alert is made to notify district personnel of the policy change(s). (If you are a new hire this is part of your “First 30 days” requirements; please review the instructions listed on the New Employee portal page link).
In order to complete this review,
Please go to www.fultonschools.org, Human Resources/Talent Department the bottom of the page
Click on Access Personnel Records/Forms link (at bottom right of page)
Log in using your FCS email address and click on Forgot Password to have the information sent to you if you don’t recall the password (it may not be your normal network password) OR to receive your initial password
Click on Forms tab, Start New Form and select Employee Policy Code/Review
Click on Start Form to begin your review
Several of the essential trainings are housed in Edivate. Edivate has recently undergone an update and how you access the trainings has changed. Watch this brief tutorial to see how to access required trainings and other trainings/courses: Edivate Basic Navigation
It is important that all read Policy GAM (Staff Rights and Responsibilities). Failure to report an arrest within the stated timeline (5 days) can result in the immediate termination of one’s employment with FCS. The electronic Notice of Employee Arrest form is on the HR portal and is to be used for submitting an official notice to the Employee Relations department.
Finally, OCTOBER 31, 2016 is the deadline for completing this review. Again, the checklist is not exhaustive, and it is expected that employees are aware of all the FCBOE policies/procedures that inform their work. Board policies, procedures, and operating guidelines are accessible via the district website.
Please contact the Technology Help Desk if you need assistance, technologyhelpdesk@fultonschools.org or 470-254-4357.
Additional Professional Development days for AHS
The Alpharetta High School Governance Council received permission to have 4 full release days added for the 16/17 school years. These days are considered "critical days" and need leave approval directly from Dr. Kersey. The selected days are listed below:
September 2, 2016
November 7, 2016
January 17, 2017
March 31, 2017
Raider "Balance Days" for 2016-17 - mark your calendars!
We want to create a community filled with more balanced lives. The School Governance Council proposed a solution, and the Instructional Leadership Team agreed; thus, we have declared two nights a semester during the 2016-17 school year as "Balance Days."
October 19th
November 16th
February 15th
March 15th
The nights above are Wednesday nights the week of the 17th (to celebrate the class of 2017), and on these nights there will not be any homework assigned, no assessments will occur the next day, and no AHS meetings will be scheduled.
The idea is that Raiders will go home right after school and work to create balance in their lives. Staff members and students alike will take a night off. Club sponsors and coaches and directors may hold meetings and practices and games as needed. We feel students release stress through these extracurricular activities.
Please plan to enjoy yourself and work your assessments around these dates this year.