Bronco Bulletin
FULL STEAM AHEAD
March 18, 2016
MESSAGE FROM ADMINISTRATION
Compensation System Changes- Preliminary Stages- Jewel Anderson and Sue Eason were selected by the county to attend an information and Q&A meeting about the new compensation system. Right now, the county is collecting questions and working on those answers. I will share any and all information as I receive it. Below is a summary from Jewel and Sue.
- The county shared the conversation about the funding formula, which began 5 to 6 years ago. The state of Georgia is looking to make some changes and Gwinnett wants to be proactive about these changes. Members of the focus group were given time to ask questions/concerns. Here are some of the questions/concerns raised. There were few answers provided, mostly it was a forum for discussion and opportunities for questions:
* How will special education/gifted teachers be compensated? (because their students may not show much growth throughout the school year)
* Will students be distributed more heterogeneously within classrooms?
* How can we attract teachers to low performing schools?
* Will there be incentives for higher performing schools? For example, will there be more funds or bonuses for teachers that produce higher ratings?
* How can we get more equitably in evaluations? From school to school? From administrator to administrator?
* How will teachers be compensated for doing extra hours of paperwork, such as progress monitoring for resource students? etc.
Spring Time Bronco Bucks-
Purpose of Bronco Bucks: Highlight positive student behavior for going above and beyond the general expectations of students (Ex. Consistently showing good citizenship, showing integrity).
Who: Each staff member will receive 1 stack of Bronco Bucks to last until the end of the school year. Any staff member can give a buck to a student at any time. (Please be sure you give out all your bucks by May 25th.) ***Homeroom teachers can not give them to their own students.*******
When: We will begin distributing Bronco Bucks on Monday, March 28th. (These will be in your box soon.)
What: Students will turn in their Bronco Buck for a Freeze Pops on Wednesdays! Homeroom Teachers will collect the Bronco Buck from the students during lunch. The homeroom teacher will go to the cooler (set next to teacher bar) to give the student 1 freeze pop. Students can only redeem 1 buck for only 1 freeze pop at a time.
Formative Observations - If you have already had your formative observation, but are unable to see the feedback, please let your observer know right away. We want to make sure the tool is working and everyone has been able to access the comments. Thanks! If you have not had your formative observation, we are finishing up next week (and possibly a handful in the week after).
Staffing Updates- Diana Forrest will be retiring at the end of the school year. Enjoy retirement, Diana!
Part-time Counselor- Ashley Thomas will be joining Natalie next year! See a message from her below.
Stephanie Brown, currently a 6th grade teacher in Gwinnett, will be joining our 5th grade team next year. Please see a message from her below.
Michelle Bouchell will be moving to Colorado next year.
KidTalk forms - The last day to turn in any new kidtalk forms will be March 30th. Turn them in to Sue, Rebecca M. or Tiffany P. The grade level APs will determine if the student will need to go on to SST with only 8 weeks of school left. The last day for SSTs will be 5/3.
Thanks Julie Gunter and Sandra Bratescu for completing your yearlong standardized assessments (GAA). We know our SID/PID students will do well!
Message from Ashley Thomas
I would first like to say that I am extremely excited about joining the staff at Gwin Oaks and working alongside Natalie Pugh. I reside in Bethlehem with my husband, who is a Gwinnett County educator, and our three children. In my spare time, I enjoy going to the gym, camping with my family, and coaching my son's soccer team. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Georgia in Secondary Education, and I hold a current Georgia teaching certificate. In December 2013, I began my Master's program in School Counseling and will graduate in May 2016 – I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have been in the field of education for the past ten years, and I am looking forward to starting my new journey as a school counselor this coming August.
Message from Stephanie Brown
CALENDAR
March 21-23..........Book Fair Buying
March 21................Math League
March 21................3rd Grade Vision & Hearing Testing
March 22................DDA Chats/Math & Science
March 22................GKIDS Data Pull (GCPS)
March 22................FF AP & 2 Teachers & Counselor Meet with 5th Grade Teachers
March 22................Wittzle Pro Tournament
March 23................Spring Pictures
March 23................Math League
March 24................Lit IF
March 24................ILT Meeting 3:15 - 5:00
March 25................Crazy Hair/Hat Day
March 25................Arts & Education Program K-2 (During Specials in Media Center)
March 25................Bronco Bulletin Committee Meeting at 8:30
March 25................FOCUS Testing
March 25................Five Forks MS Peer Leaders Visit 5th Grade Classes
March 27................Easter
March 28 - 30........Class Lists
March 28................Math League
March 29................Math IF
March 29................5th Grade Transition Meeting - 8:00 am - 10:0 0am
March 29................Spring Musical @ BHS - 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
March 30................Math League
March 30................Brookwood Jazz Combo Performance for 5th Grade
March 31................Lit IF-PL-EOY Extended Response Data
March 31................4th Grade In-House Field Trip (DAR)
March 31................Spring Musical K-2 8:30, 3-5 9:30
March 31................Last 4th Grade Art Club
March 31................Area Board Meeting @ BHS
technology
Vision and Hearing Screenings
Location Change
The district is providing vision and hearing screenings for all GCPS students in 3rd grade. Our scheduled date and time will be Monday, March 21. Please bring your entire class to the PLC room at your assigned time. You can funnel students through on the media center side. They will need a just right book for their wait time.
Thanks!
8:15 Amick
8:45 Anderson
9:15 Mitchom
9:45 Sena
10:15 Jolley
10:45 Healey
12:15 Bouchell
Attendance at school is an important part of student success and achievement. Reinforcing the pride our students feel by being a part of our Gwin Oaks family every day will increase the motivation to attend school. PLEASE continue to encourage students about the importance of school attendance. Together we can improve our student’s attendance and his or her academic success.
The grade level that had the greatest percentage increase from January 2016 to February 2016 was 3rd Grade. Third Grade teachers will be allowed to wear jeans for a day of choice.
Again, thank you for all you do!!!!Please continue to encourage students to come to school.
Steam Night
Thank you for another successful STEAM Night. If you would like give specific suggestions for future events, please fill out this survey. http://goo.gl/forms/GeigEruz3h
You can still add your photo to our STEAM Night Padlet! http://padlet.com/mimmsj/gm8a7jjcyz0s
Please add the student projects page to your eclass page and encourage parents to look at the great work we are doing. (http://goessteamnight.weebly.com/)
Thanks again!!!
LIFE SAVER AWARD
GCPS
Leadership Certification Rules Have Changed!
Are you interested in becoming an assistant principal, coordinator, or principal?
Do you need initial certification or a certification upgrade?
Register for the upcoming Georgia State University information session.
Date: Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Location: J. Alvin Wilbanks Instructional Support Center, Rooms 1.106-1.107
This session is open to teachers who are interested in initial certification;
and current leaders who are interested in an upgrade.
Register by clicking on the link below:
Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) -Community Feedback Needed
Community Feedback Needed
Gwinnett County is updating its Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP), looking at the changes that have occurred in Gwinnett County’s population, employment, land use, and development since the adoption of the previous plan and developing a plan that will carry the county well into the future. Gwinnett County’s CTP will focus on all modes of transportation, including roadways and bridges, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and truck routes as well as the Gwinnett County Airport. As community members we all have a vested interest in this topic. As members of school communities that interest includes school safety projects that will be addressed in the updated plan. Below is a flyer with information about upcoming meetings, as well as the web address for the project website and an online survey. Get involved and help shape the future of Gwinnett County.
atlanta hawks
Atlanta Hawks vs Cleveland Cavaliers Tickets On Sale!
This is your last chance to purchase Hawks vs Cavaliers tickets for Friday, April 1 @ 8:00pm at Philips Arena.
Tickets currently start at just $75 each in Sections 301-306 and 315-320.
This price is subject to change and can go up at any moment.
VS.
Check out the link below for additional games and seat locations.
Promo Code – GWINNETT
Questions? Contact Ryan Coller @ the Atlanta Hawks
Phone: 404-878-3714 | Email: Ryan.Coller@hawks.com
To comply with the CAN-SPAM Act, you can opt-out of future email messages
like this one by replying with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line..
Additionally, I have offered my contact information below if you have any questions or concerns.
You may also contact us via postal mail at: Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena, 101 Marietta Street, Suite 1900, Atlanta, GA 30303