Briar "CLIFF" Notes
#learningonthecliff
August 2019
Welcome New Briarcliff Staff!!
WELCOME TO THE TEAM!
Join us in welcoming the following new staff to Briarcliff. These new staff members bring excitement, experience, and new ideas to our team and we are looking forward to growing and learning with each of them.
Classroom Teachers:
- Aubrey Tsevis - Kindergarten
- Teresa Sportsman – 1st grade
- Connie Jo Lucas – 5th grade
- Dustin Whelchel – PE and Health
Support Staff:
- Courtney Tankesley – Associate Teacher
- Allison Lykosh – Paraprofessional
- Dustyn Steinhorst– SCRS
- Alerica Petty – School Nurse
- Ashleigh Eaves – School Psychologist
August Calendar:
12 - SPED IEP review @8:30AM
12-MTSS Process @10:30 LMC
12-Teacher Work Day/ BTS Night 5:30-7
13-Teacher Work Day
14-First Day of School
19 - LOCKDOWN Drill @10AM
21 - Cookie Sales
23 - FIRE Drill @9:30AM
23 - Meet @Playground
26 - RTI Starts (Reading Support, SPED, ELL,Math RTI)
27 - District BLT meeting (Green and Seetin)
28 - MTSS K-6 Principal meeting
29 - TORNADO Drill @2PM
30 - PD, ½ Day
2 - No School
Assessment Calendar
19-29 (1st-5th) FastBridge
22nd-9/13 (4th-5th) ELA Benchmark
26th-9/13 (3rd) ELA Benchmark
22nd-9/13 (3rd-5th) Math Benchmark
Convocation BUS!!
We have reserved a bus that will depart from Briarcliff's bus loading area at 6:45am and will take you to Hyvee Arena. Buses will depart after convocation has concluded estimated to be about 10:00am – 10:30am. If you are staying for additional training, the district will have buses return to pick you up once the additional training has been decided and has concluded for the day.
The bus is not required but is available if you prefer this mode of transportation.
Please plan on doing lunches on your own as the buses will be unavailable to do so.
All K-2 teachers will have Reading Foundations Curriculum training following convocation at Hy-Vee arena. Rochel is working out the room specifics, and I/district will have room assignments to you as soon as I receive them. We will also include TLCs, Reading Teachers, ELL Teachers, and Sped Resource Teachers in this training.
Briarcliff Master Schedule
2019-2020 Classroom Lists
SHOUT OUT !!!!!
BLT - The commitment they have put into making sure we are ready and focused on what is BEST for KIDS is commendable! This is a true example of SHARED LEADERSHIP!
MELISSA - The countless hours she has put into registration, contacting families, McKinney Vento work, class assignments, transportation, communication home, painting, supporting our new staff with building access, clocking in, preparing subs, painting....the list goes on...
THOUGHT FOR THE GOOD OF US ALL....
ARE FIRST IMPRESSIONS IMPORTANT?
It takes just a quick glance, maybe three seconds, for someone to evaluate you when you meet for the first time. In this short time, the other person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, your mannerisms, and how you are dressed. It's almost impossible to change it once it's happened. So it's worth giving each new encounter your best shot. Monday night will be the FIRST time you meet your students and families. Think about how you are going to make the POSITIVE first impression! It matters!!
You can do this by following these eight strategies:
- Be on time.
- Present yourself appropriately.
- Be yourself.
- Have a winning smile.
- Be open and confident.
- Use small talk.
- Be positive.
- Be courteous and attentive.
LISTEN to them - VALUE them - LEARN from them!
SAGE INFO
First day for SAGE classes – Thursday, August 22nd for respective 3rd & 4th grades (Please see SAGE teacher rosters for specific student names as not all schools will have 3rd or 4th graders attend on Thursdays. Principals – please let me know if you haven’t received your rosters…I’m happy to send them to you).
School Visits - Elementary SAGE teachers will be visiting your buildings throughout the day on Wednesday (14th) and Thursday (15th) to meet/greet SAGE students and to give them a parent information packet to take home.
The overall Elementary SAGE days are attached as a refresher. Please see the specific teachers’ rosters for the names/grades of the students coming from your school. If you would like a full roster for your specific school, please email Rebecca Mason and she’ll send it to you.
Transportation Schedule will be coming closer to the start of school. As soon as we receive it, we’ll get it sent out.
SAGE Referrals – Any referrals submitted since May 1st will be reviewed on August 21st. Over the summer, some parents have inquired with principals about referring their child. Please work with the classroom teacher to submit those as soon as the teacher feels comfortable and has enough beginning year data to submit. Referral information will be sent out closer to the start of school.
New Students – Students who have moved in to the district and were in a gifted program in their previous district or state, must have a full IQ and achievement data on file in order to be considered for SAGE. Please send over any gifted records to Rebecca Mason from the previous school for review. We will then provide guidance on whether that child is qualified via state requirements or whether the child will need a full referral via the classroom teacher.
Half Days – There are no SAGE classes on half days listed in the calendar (August 30th & December 20th)
PEGS Students – 3rd – 5th grade PEGS students must enroll and prove residency in their home school. All attendance, MAP scores, etc. are tied to the home school. We will be taking attendance here at the SAGE Center in PS. We are working on transportation for PEGS and will share that with you as appropriate.
PBIS Supporting Documents
Briarcliff Elementary
Email: jonalee.searcey@nkcschools.org
Website: https://www.nkcschools.org/page.cfm?p=1596
Location: 4100 N Briarcliff Rd
Phone: (816) 321-5030
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningOnTheCliff/
Twitter: @BRES_Bears