The Meeks Messenger
1st Edition, Vol. 12, November 2018
From the desk of Lauren Meeks...
Thank you all so much for such a great Thanksgiving Lunch! The kids had a great time, as did the community!
With the holiday season upon us, please make sure to keep the focus on student learning! I'm excited to see all of the activities and lessons you have planned that are aligned to district essential units of study.
Additionally, the admin team will be walking grade levels specifically during FLEX time in the coming weeks to see what great things you all have going on to meet the needs of all our students. This time is designed for intervention and enrichment. I know many teams have been focusing on this in PLC, so we are excited to see what's been going on!
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put into your job! We appreciate you more than you know!
From Maggie and Marianne
Try this restorative behavior practice, called 60 Second Connect. Pose a question (preferably non-academic) such as "What is your favorite pizza topping" or "What is your favorite movie" and then the teacher shares as well. This gives your students an opportunity to get to know each other and connect. It also serves as a way to transition to the next activity.
From Mrs. Harman...
- Second Step: The link to the November Parent Letter is below. Please share this in your weekly newsletters to parents so that they can reinforce Second Step at home!
- https://www.smore.com/26kdn
From the PTA...
Hello Parkside Staff! Here are a few things the Parkside PTA is up to that you might want to know about!
PTA Meeting: November 13 @6:30 pm
- Fall Fundraiser
- Funding Requests
- Amazon Wish List
1. Fall Fundraiser
Donations can be made online via the PTA website or sent to school(cash or check) in an envelope with the info slip. Envelopes and information went out in last week's Wednesday folder. Teachers then send the envelopes to the front office. The fundraiser ends Nov. 30.
After the first full week, the top 2 are: 1st-$635, 3rd-$571, and Kinder-$365. The grade level that raises the most money gets the following, preferably before Winter Break:
A. Teachers get a duty free lunch from the restaurant of their choice
B. Students get to pick(through a grade level vote) for their prize. They may pick from: silly string party during recess, pick your seat at lunch, ice cream sundae party or pj day.
2. Funding Requests
Did you know the PTA budgets $13,000 each year for teacher requests?
Do you have an awesome idea for classroom learning but can't afford to pay for it out of pocket? Would you love to have a new pencil sharpener just for colored pencils in your class? Parkside PTA wants to make everyone aware of ways we can help! Let us help you!
Funding Request Process
Each year the PTA has funds earmarked for campus funding requests. The way it works is simple.
- Define what you need for your classroom
- Get the funding request form from Jamie.
- Complete the funding request. Explain what the purpose of the request is, maximum impact, and include any needed information to order the items. It's kind of like a mini-grant request of sorts.
- Return funding request to Jamie.
- Principal brings the funding requests to the monthly PTA board meeting for discussion/approval.
- You are then notified of approval/request for more information/etc.
3. Amazon Wish List
Parkside PTA is asking that teachers create a "wish list" for parents & community members to help buy items needed in your classrooms. Wish list items will be sent directly to you at the school so there is no need to divulge your address. It's just like a wedding/baby registry. Art supplies, specialized seating, books, whatever you need in your classroom to help support the learning environment! Parents get the list, pick, click and it is magically delivered to the workroom!
So far we have 4 teachers on our comprehensive list on our website (http://www.parkside.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=51) so parents can find them and be shared easily easily.
Please submit your wish list including your name and grade(or department) to Chante Dennis at chanteb@hotmail.com.
Also if you have any questions, please send those too!
Fire Marshal
Please see the note left from the fire marshal...we need these things fixed ASAP!
We inspected the campus today and a lot of progress was made. Thank you for that. A few things we need to work on still.
1-Storage room 1301.02 and 2411.02 has stuff stored to close to ceiling we need a 18 inch clearance from the ceiling.
2-There is a lot of classrooms more than the last time we inspected that have paper and combustible materials on the doors to the classroom. This is the only exit out the rooms so we need it free and clear of combustible materials. Also a lot of paper on the walls in the halls 3-D trees etc. that is not allowed also. If you can help with this issue by letting your staff know they need to clear there classroom doors of any paper or combustible items and also any 3-D paper objects on walls also.
We will be back November 15th at 1:00 p.m.
Yearbook!
Teachers:
We need your help! Once again, we are asking each of you to use the Balfour Image Share photo app to upload photos from your class to be used in the yearbook. When uploading photos, you can fill in what is happening in the photo so we know where to use it in the yearbook. Please upload 10 photos before the winter break from any activity or event or of work in the classroom. We will need an additional 10 photos uploaded by mid-February. These can be class group photos, small groups or action shots of your students working and playing. The Upload Code for this year is 927902. Detailed instructions for using the app are on the attached flyer.
Important Dates to Remember!
Nov. 12 Veteran's Day Assembly (K-2 8:00-8:45; 3-5 9:15-10:00) in MPR
Nov. 13 Lauren Off Campus for District Meeting; PTA General Meeting @ 6:30pm 1 rep from grade level/department required!
Nov. 14 Faculty Meeting; NTP Dinner 4:45pm at Cedar Park HS (invite only)
Nov. 15 Kinder Feast
Nov. 16 Turkey Trot; 5th Grade Colonial Craft Day
Nov. 19-23 Thanksgiving Break!
All Things PLC
Kinder 11/12
1st Grade 11/26
2nd Grade 11/13
3rd Grade 11/27
4th Grade 11/15
5th Grade 11/29
Shout Outs
Did you know YOU can make someones day by giving them a shout out?! Is there someone on our campus that you would like to recognize for standing out?? Here is the place to do that - fill out this form and they will be recognized by admin at the first faculty meeting of the month. You can do this anonymously, or you may add your name!
We Are Here for YOU!!!
Email: lauren.meeks@leanderisd.org
Location: 301 Garner Park Drive, Georgetown, TX, USA
Phone: 17110
Twitter: @TheRealMrsMeeks