Morris Memo
February 24, 2020 LWE Newsletter
Principal's Letter
Greetings Lake Windward Elementary Families,
Happy rainy Monday! Who feels like soggy days are starting to be our new normal?? I'd like to thank our teachers and students for persevering through so many "indoor" recess days! I know the importance of students getting time for exercise and unstructured play. We do our best to allow for this even when the weather doesn't accommodate outside recess. Earlier this year our PTO purchased indoor recess carts (through the teacher mini grant process-thanks Mrs. Van Loo for writing the grant!) for each grade level as well as a board game donation drive (thanks Mrs. Sierra Gritz, PTO board member, for organizing this). Thank goodness we are well stocked with these items to help keep our students playing and exercising even when they are stuck inside. Hang in there everyone!
Our School Governance Council continues to work on supporting our school's strategic plan. One of our strategic plan goals is to ensure parents feel informed and know how to help support their child's education here at Lake Windward ES. Our SGC Chair, Mrs. Bethany Chapple, along with the support of other team members, has been working on the creation of an online website called LWE Parent University. This website has lots of information about navigating all aspects of elementary school life. We want this to be a "go to" resource for all of our families moving forward. You will be able to find the link on the school's main website anytime you need it, but go ahead and check it out now! https://lweuniversity.weebly.com/
Speaking of School Governance Council, if you'd like to be a part of this council which helps guide our school's strategic direction please declare your candidacy this week. Time is running out! We have one teacher position and one parent position which we will hold elections for in a few weeks. Please Visit our Charter System Website to learn more about this exciting opportunity and to download the School Governance Council Candidate Guide and submit Candidate Declaration Form. The last day to declare your candidacy by submitting the Candidate Declaration Form is February 26th.
As the principal, it has been a pleasure working with our SGC over the past 5 years. The individuals on the council work together to brainstorm ways on how to make our amazing school even better and ensure we stay focused on the work we've committed to through our strategic plan.
Have a great week! I think the sun may make an appearance tomorrow! :)
Warm regards,
Julie Morris
School Governance Council Declaration Window is OPEN!
It's SGC election season again. SGC members have a role in the vision and direction of the school. This year our theme is #jointhejourney. It all starts with elections!
Lake Windward will be electing: (1) parent/guardian AND (1) teacher
The Candidate Declaration Window is February 3rd – February 26th.
Interested candidates can check out the governance and flexibility website for more information.
Ready to declare your candidacy? Fill out the candidate declaration form here!
Elections for the parent/guardian and teacher positions on the School Governance Council will be held March 17th – March 24th.
For specific information regarding the Lake Windward SGC and Strategic Plan click here. If you have any questions about what it means to be on the SGC here at Lake Windward, feel free to reach out to Christa Vogt, Anne Pugh, or Bethany Chapple.
Bethany Chapple
LWE SGC Chair
PBIS Spotlight
The PBIS team recognized the Special Needs Department for their “EXTRA”ordinary work with our special needs students. The PBIS team wants everyone to know how this group of dedicated professionals shows the utmost care for their students and puts in the hard work to help their students grow to their utmost potential daily.
Book Fair
LWE Media Center Book Fair Website
We are excited to kick off our spring book fair very soon!
- Students will be able to preview book fair items Thursday, February 27th, or Friday, February 28th.
- The book fair will be open for student purchases Monday, March 2nd, through Wednesday, March 4th, from 8:15am-2:00pm.
- Parents are welcome to shop with their children until 3:00pm.
- On Tuesday, March 3rd, the book fair will be open after school through International Night (8:00pm).
- Parents are welcome to pay using cash, check, credit/debit cards or paying ahead of time using e-Wallet. We received quite a bit of positive feedback using e-Wallet from our fall book fair so if you are interested, learn more on the LWE media center book fair website.
We hope to see everyone at the spring book fair! Remember, the money earned helps support LWE students!
Children’s Book Week
Join us as we celebrate Children’s Book Week, March 2nd- 6th, with fun activities based on several of our students’ favorite children’s books. Children’s Book Week is intended to highlight the importance of reading in the continued success of children. This year we will celebrate all week with fun activities for students to show their love of reading.
- Monday (3/2), students can wear crazy socks in honor of the book Fox in Socks.
- Tuesday (3/3), students can wear LWE Gator green in honor of the book Green Eggs and Ham.
- Wednesday (3/4), students can wear a shirt from someplace they’ve visited or a shirt someone brought them from a place visited in honor of the book Oh the Places You’ll Go.
- Thursday (3/5), students can wear their favorite hat in honor of the book The Cat in the Hat.
- Friday (3/6), students can show their creativity by selecting their favorite book and dressing as a character from that book. We ask that students not wear masks to school as part of their costume, though.
We look forward to this celebration of reading with our LWE students!
LWE Cafe Happenings
March 2nd-6th
We celebrate “National School Breakfast Week!”
We will have a week long celebration of "all things” breakfast!
There will be coloring contests and prizes daily.
Enjoy breakfast “favorites” at lunch in the café!
Tracy Rhoades
School Nutrition Manager, Lake Windward Elementary
Please Respond to the Parent Survey
It is time for your help in responding to our school's climate survey for parents. LWE is proud to currently have a 5 Star Climate Rating. This rating is in part due to the positive responses from our staff, students and parents from last year's surveys. We ask that you take a few minutes to fill out this survey before Friday, March 6th. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Notes from the KSU iTeach Coach
Classroom Highlights!
- Do you know what it means to have a fixed or growth mindset?
- A fixed mindset means that what you believe about your characteristics is fixed and unchanging; however, a growth mindset implies that learning can grow with experience.
- Students are encouraged to persist throughout their learning by adopting a growth mindset in school.
Our students are learning & growing!
Check out our new award banners from the Governor's Office!
LWE Calendar- What's coming up?
Feb. 27 – Spring Pictures
March 2-4 – Book Fair
March 3 – International Night/Book Fair – 6:00-8:00 pm
March 11 – Kindergarten Roundup – 8:00 am – 9:45 am
Please take a moment to read our LWE Student & Family Handbook
Community News
INTERNATIONAL NIGHT HOSTED BY LWE PTO
We need the participation of our LWE families to make the night a success. This includes displays (posters, flags, ethnic foods, dress, artifacts, pictures, music, games, activities etc.) and basic arts and crafts from around the world (e.g., henna, origami etc.). All children are encouraged to participate in the fashion show and parade of nations.
Please fill out the form below if you'd like to participate in the event.
Jr. Raider Cheer
Hey all you 5th grade Gators, the Junior Raider Sideline Team and Competition Team would LOVE to have you join us this coming fall! Check out our website at jrraidercheer.com to learn more about our programs and register to try out this March! GO RAIDERS!
Jr. Raider Football
Are you a rising 6th grader who loves football, wants to be a student athlete, make lasting friendships and have fun with your team? If so, the Junior Raider Football Program is the team for you! Check out our website jrraiderfootball.com to learn more about becoming a Jr Raider! We hope to see you on the field this fall! GO RAIDERS!
Stay in contact!
Email: morrisja@fultonschools.org
Website: http://school.fultonschools.org/es/lakewindward/Pages/default.aspx
Location: 11770 East Fox Court, Alpharetta, GA, USA
Phone: 470-254-7050
Twitter: @lwesprincipal