Welcome Back!
2018-2019 School Year
It Takes a Village
Dear Staff,
There is a traditional African Proverb that states, "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child." We are fortunate to be a part of the Village that raises and educates young children every day. We provide them with a foundation of love, guidance, empathy, direction, skills, and knowledge. It is true that in education, the days are long, but the years are short, I am excited to begin my 5th year serving as your Principal, I hope you are reading this having had a restful summer and time to relax and disconnect. I am also excited to bring aboard, Laurel Ravida, our new Assistant Principal, she is eager to meet everyone so when you have a moment please introduce yourself.
Our “village” has never been more necessary than it is today. We live in a fast-paced, instant information, and pressure-packed world. Today’s children are faced with a myriad of both challenges and opportunities. Our job's as educators can be daunting, but they can also be rewarding. Knowing that our collective work can impact students on a daily basis, keeps me coming to work each day! I am hopeful that this summer has provided everyone with much-needed relaxation, family time, and fond memories.
Focusing our Work
A constant drive to be better is at the heart of good teaching and a successful school, we also have to balance that with the demands of our students and our changing role. As we proceed through this school year, our work will focus on these priority areas:
The implementation of innovative practices in our classrooms (Wildcat Profile)
Using our digital tools to instruct, assess, and measure growth
Research-based instructional practices and intentional teaching
Collective Teacher Efficacy - understanding that it is our collective efforts that can have the greatest impact on our students.
Support the implementation of best practices for a positive school culture
Supporting each other as professionals
Responsive Classroom - aligned to Trauma-sensitive practices
Focus on the improvement of recess/lunch time
Connecting with Parents and families - Seesaw and Schoology
Changes to our Lander Family
There have been a few changes to our Lander staff! Here is a recap of the staff changes that occurred over the summer, that you will notice upon returning this Fall. Please a take chance to say hello and welcome our new staff members to the Lander Family:
- Laurel Ravida - will be joining us as our new Assistant Principal
- Lauren Klein - will be leaving us to work as a District Reading Specialist
- Amanda Roberts - will be moving from Kindergarten to 1st grade
- Shawlawn Slaughter - will be an intern working with Mrs. Szilagyi
- Elizabeth Gallo - will be an intern from JCU working with Mrs. Macauda
- Elizabeth Pona - will be a student teacher working with Mrs. Russo
- We are in the process of securing a long term sub for Melissa Ward who will be returning from her maternity leave in September
Building Improvements & Building Hours
The custodial staff has been working hard to prepare our school for the first day, I think the building looks fantastic, if you get a chance, please thank our custodial team for all of their hard work! There is still some work to be done, so as you are working in your classrooms over the coming days, please be mindful that there are projects that they are finishing. Please do not drag furniture across the floors as this will damage the coating of wax that was completed over the summer. There will be a custodial request list in the office, if you have things that you would like completed, please come to the office and record it on this list. For the week of August 6th, the building will be open from 6:00am – 7:30pm. We will resume normal hours on August 13th, 6:30am-10:00pm.
You will notice several improvements to our school when you return. The gym floor has been resurfaced and looks amazing! Old sections of the roof that were leaking have been replaced. Several different areas have been painted and we have replaced some whiteboard and chalkboards in a few rooms.
Parent-Teacher Group
Opening Days Schedule
Opening Days Schedule for Certified Staff:
August 9th:
8:00-3:00 Opening day activities and professional development at Lander
Lunch provided
August 10th:
7:30am - Coffee & Donuts in the High School Cafeteria
8:00am - Welcome (HS Auditorium) and CAT Talk
8:30am - Learning Transformed, Eric Sheniger - Keynote Speaker
9:45am -10:55am Elementary Work Session in HS Café with Eric S
10:55pm -12:15pm Elementary Break out by Building (Lander will be in the Math Commons area near room 100)
12:15pm - Lunch HS Café
1:15pm-3:00pm - Return to Lander for PLC Meetings with your Grade Level
August 13th:
7:30-3:00 Work in Classrooms
3:00-4:00 Meet Teacher (Staff Meeting)
4:00-6:00 PTG Ice Cream Social
Opening Days Schedule for Paraprofessional Staff (Revised 8/6/18)
August 9th:
7:30am - Breakfast - MPR
8:00am - 11:15am - Opening Day Activities with Staff in MPR
11:15am-12:15pm - Lunch provided
12:15pm-1:00pm - Business Items with Mrs. Ravida
1:00pm-2:00pm - Report to Office to assist with opening of school tasks
August 10th:
7:30am - Coffee & Donuts in the High School Cafeteria
8:00am - Welcome (HS Auditorium) and CAT Talk
8:30am-9:45am Learning Transformed, Eric Sheninger - Keynote Speaker
10:00am-12:15pm Medication Distribution/Allergies/Appropriate Lifting (HS Gym)
12:15-1:00 - District Lunch HS Cafe
1:00pm-2:30pm - PSW Training and CPI Hybrid Course (HS Computer Lab)
August 13th:
8:00am-12:00pm - Lunch/Recess Staff to work with Mrs. Ravida (Media Center), Classroom Staff to work with classroom teachers and intervention specialists
12:00pm-12:45pm - Lunch on your own
1:00pm-2:30pm - Data Collection & Supporting Instruction - part #1 (HS Cafe)
AM-PM Supervision
We are still in need of AM/PM supervision staff in order to continue our AM arrival schedule as planned and not send students directly to the classrooms at 7:30. The rate of pay is $17.04 an hour, that is roughly $3084 a year! If you are interested please fill out the survey link and call Bonnie in the main office as soon as possible:
Also, all staff should have received an automated email with PSW training, if you did not receive this from me, please let me know, these trainings are not due until December 1st.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer, please stop in the office if I am around I would love to hear about your summer adventures.
Take care and see you soon,
Felecia Evans
Principal
Resources (live links)
Resources
Please see the links to several resources, the Systems Folder has been transitioned to Google Drive, once you have opened it, you can “add” it to your drive so you always have access. Anytime a change is made, the Systems Folder will be updated with the most recent version:
- Systems Folder - in process of being updated
Arrival Schedule (1st DAY OF SCHOOL ALL STUDENTS REPORT TO CLASSROOMS)
PLC Calendar – includes Staff Meeting Dates
Fall Stars Screening Schedule - coming soon
Please keep in mind that the schedules could change based on enrollment or any other unforeseen circumstances.
Lander Elementary School
Email: fevans@mayfieldschools.org
Website: http://www.mayfieldschools.org/landerelementary_home.aspx
Location: 1714 Lander Road, Mayfield Heights, OH, United States
Phone: 440-995-7350
Facebook: facebook.com/LanderSchool
Twitter: @LanderElem