Mark's Monday Morning Memo
October 3, 2016
Superintendent Schultz to Be Present During Conferences
One of Superintendent Schultz's goals is to engage with our families. To accomplish this he will be present at the following conferences on November 3, 2016:
12-2 at Glen Lake
3-5 at Gatewood
6-8 at Eisenhower
He will be stationed in the Media Center here at Gatewood that afternoon. Our district will create a brochure focusing on the Superintendent being available that day. Feel free to share this with families. Thank you.
Conference Meals
PTO will provide dinner during the November 3, 2016, conference evening and I will provide a Taco Bar for lunch on Friday, November 4, 2016. We are doing this to thank and honor you for your hard work and dedication during conferences. Enjoy!
Buddy Bench
Our PTO is purchasing a Buddy Bench for Gatewood. This is an idea that has been around for a few years started by a student who wanted a place for kids to go who needed to find others to play with at recess. The goal of the Buddy Bench is to encourage students to help others join in activities. I'll keep you posted about when and where the bench will be installed and our plan for orienting students to its purpose and use. The picture is just a representation of a Buddy Bench and isn't the one our PTO is purchasing.
I'll Be Out Monday, October 10 @ MESPA's New Principal Seminar
I have the honor of facilitating and learning with new principals from around the state at the TIES Building in St. Paul on Monday, October 10, 2016. I attended this learning when I became a principal in 1998 and look forward to learning from and contributing to new principals. Whenever I am out, I make sure there is a plan for back up support and the office staff knows how to contact me by text, phone, or email as needed.
Playground
I am new to the conversations about a new playground/equipment at Gatewood and have no previous experience in being part of researching, fundraising, grant writing, planning, installing, and securing a new playground or equipment. For your awareness, here are some things I have learned since becoming part of Gatewood: (1) this idea has been a topic of discussion for many years; (2) Gatewood's playground is identified by the district as a top priority for replacement, repair, or enhancements; (3) the district doesn't have dedicated funds for a new playground or equipment; and (4) playgrounds and equipment are extremely expensive. I am conducting a needs assessment and am doing some preliminary work to secure funding and will keep you informed about what I learn. Thank you.
Dismissal
This message is to affirm end-of-the-day dismissal practices and expectations. At 3:57 an announcement to dismiss walkers, parent pick up, and Kids and Company students will be made. Those students should be ready and be prepared to say goodbye and leave the room at 3:57. At 4:00 an announcement will be made to dismiss PreK-3rd grade bus riders. Those students should be ready, lined up, and be prepared to leave the classroom at 4:00. At 4:03 an announcement will be made to dismiss bus riders in Grades 4-6. Those students should be ready, lined up, and be prepared to leave the classroom at 4:03. Thank you for helping us have a timely, efficient, safe, and orderly dismissal. I expect that all teachers are walking their students along the sidewalk to their buses and that one member of each team is staying and supporting supervision outside along the sidewalk until buses are dismissed. Thank you for your support with this.