Titan-Up Weekly Update
December 12, 2015
A NOTE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL
Greetings BES family! We had a wonderful turnout at STEM Night and Breakfast with Santa featuring the Benefield Singers and Step Team. I am still beaming with joy at how many families came out to support both events. Hats off to everyone who participated in these special events. You all did a great job from beginning to end. I cannot wait to hear your feedback. I am truly proud to be a Titan! Below are a few items that need your attention.
Stellar Protocol
We are happy to have Mr. Christopher Nugent join the Benefield family. Mr. Nugent is a recent graduate of Georgia State University and is looking forward to honing his teaching skills as he serves as our stellar sub. I know that many of you are eager to have Mr. Nugent cover your class so you can visit other classrooms to see best practices in action. We will follow the following protocol to secure the stellar for coverage:
1. Contact your grade level AP with the date and time you would like the stellar sub.
2. Your grade level AP will coordinate with Mrs. Thomas-Lee to secure Mr. Nugent.
Mr. Nugent is not available on Tuesdays due to SSTs and SARCs. Please make sure that you leave plans for Mr. Nugent.
Safety & Supervision
This is reminder not to send students to the restroom without adult supervision. Please designate a student to go into the restroom before sending your entire classroom in to assess the current state. Continue to contact the office immediately to report restroom problems. In the case of an emergency, please send students to the restroom with a reliable student. We will continue the practice of taking your class to the restroom as a group until further notice as we continue to have problems with students defaming the restrooms. Writing utensils are not allowed in the restroom.
Thank you in advance for giving attention to the above noted items and for all you do each day for Benefield.
Your PROUD principal,
Shonda Gipson Stevens
Upcoming Calendar of Events
Monday, December 14
Catered Faculty Breakfast in Cafe', 7:00 - 8:15 a.m.
COSTCO Rep in Mailroom 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Peer Leaders meeting, 7:40 a.m., Media Center, Ms. Bronkema
Benefield 5th Grade Singers to Delmar Gardens Nursing Home, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Administer SBA (refer to Ashimi's email)
Science & Social Studies DAs, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades
Tuesday, December 15
Collaboration Tuesday 7:30 a.m.
3rd Grade In-School Field Trip - Diamond Del Bus, 9:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
4th & 5th Grade Book Club Meeting, 11:30 - 12:30, Media Center, Ms. Robbins
Administer SBA (refer to Ashimi's email)
Science & Social Studies DAs, 3rd, 4th, & 5th Grades
Wednesday, December 16
Art Club, 7:30 - 8:15, Art Room, Ms. Mills
4th Grade Intramurals, 8:00 - 8:45 a.m., Gym, Ms. Schlenker & Mr. Howard
Science Club in Mr. Sweat's Room, 3:30 – 5:00 pm, Ms. Osborne
Winter Party - Grades 1,3, & 5 from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 17
Collaboration, 7:30 a.m.
Winter Holiday Concert Assembly, 10:45 a.m. - 11:15, Gym, Ms. Cash & Kingston
Winter Party - Grades Pre-K,1:40 - 2:20 p.m., & K, 2, & 4 from 2:15 - 3:00 p.m.
Administer SBA (refer to Ashimi's email)
Angel Tree Pick-ups
Friday, December 18
Titan Leaders Meeting 9:00 a.m., Front Office Conference Room
5th Grade Field Trip to Georgia Aquarium, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Parent Volunteer Luncheon, 11:00 a.m., Parent Center, Ms. McNally & Cross
Non-permissive Leave Day
Mid-year Conference during Planning
End of Nine-weeks
Angel Tree Pick-ups
Advance Notice Calendar of Events
Tuesday, January 5
Staff Work Day, refer to Ms. Henfield's email
Breakfast provided by Hamilton Hometown
Wednesday, January 6
Non-Permissive Leave Day
Students return
Thursday, January 7
Collaboration, 7:30 a.m.
Friday, January 8
Titan Leaders Meeting 9:00 a.m., Front Office Conference Room
CEO/Superintendent's Holiday Message
http://publish.gwinnett.k12.ga.us/gcps/home/gcpstv/videos/employees/enn/4651672769001
Happy December Birthday wishes to the following staff members:
Katie Mitas - 8
Aisha Randolph - 13
Geraldine Paz - 15
Ammee Robbins - 17
Mike Thomas- 20
Kim Hunter - 22
Heather DeGrace - 25
Meghan Brannick - 28
A Note from Mr. Hossack
The headphones in the computer labs are being destroyed. Ear pads are being removed and lost and wires are being pulled out. Please talk to students about the proper use of equipment in the lab. Students should also clean up around their area and push their seat in before they leave the lab. I prefer not to implement a check out and check in system for headphones. Thanks for your cooperation!
The following BES staff members were recognized by their colleagues for having IT!
The STEM night team have IT! Thanks to all of them for their work in coordinating a successful event. Organization, teamwork, collaboration and multi-tasking at its BEST!
Ms. vanLeeuwen has IT! She worked hard to get second grade's cursive book order fixed and ready to be printed again. We appreciate you and all your diligence!
Ms Velie has IT! She keeps it so cool, calm and collected at all times. Thanks for supporting students across the board!
Ms. Shenay Williams has IT! She went shopping and bought all of the items needed for STEM Night. Thank you, Ms. Williams.
Judges of the Science Fair Projects have IT! Thank you for taking the time to score the projects.
Ms. Maselli, Ms. Tack, and the Science committee have IT! for planning and working so hard on STEM Night and judging the Science Projects.
Mr. Sweat has IT! He came up with an amazing STEM Night activity that I know all students will love creating. Mr. Sweat, you ROCK!
ELT teachers, Substitutes and our ELT Director all have IT! Thank you for providing 36 hours of innovative learning experiences for our students! We appreciate your willingness to serve!
Almedina Junuzovic has IT! For organizing the Angel Tree! She has done a fabulous job making sure all of our families in need will have a wonderful holiday. I would also like to nominate faculty for taking an ornament and showing our families how much they are loved!
Custodial Team has IT! For the wonderful job Mr. Beverly and his custodial team did last night at STEM Night. Every time I asked him for help, he answered with "no problem" and a smile. I am so thankful to have him here at Benefield this year!
Congratulations!! Two more amazing readers and writers at Benefield!!
I wanted to take this opportunity to give a shout out to Adaire Wooding and her Reading Recovery students, Alayna and Maria!!!
I had the pleasure of reading with these precious girls last week and they both officially "graduated" from Reading Recovery. These students made significant progress in both reading and writing and reached the goal to discontinue lessons in only 15 weeks of instruction! Adaire will begin with her next students right away! I am thrilled that more Benefield Elementary student will be able to benefit from this early intervention!
Best Regards,
Crystie Flynt