Bobcat Beat
Week of Aug. 19 - 23, 2019
Greeting Students
I had the pleasure of witnessing many of you not only opening your door, but taking the time to greet your students upon entry this week. It was such a joy to watch so many of you (even amidst learning new names and new faces) make this greeting such a priority to start your day! Then I came across this video clip on twitter that cited specific research data that shows a 20% performance increase JUST by taking the time to make eye contact and GREET each student individually each morning. WOW! So, I wanted to share and celebrate you for making this a priority. THANK YOU for making these relationships with your students an integral piece of how you start the day together.
Student Safety / Safety Videos
The two REQUIRED student safety videos, "Grade 3-5 Run Video" and "Grade 3-5 Hide Video" are to be shown to students in grades 3 - 5 during the first 2 weeks of school. The parent opt-out form was due to the front office by this past Friday, Aug. 16th. Based upon the received forms, we believe you will be able to work with your teammates to share your students who have opted out, or partner with one another for the viewing. (If this will not work for you/your classroom, please reach out to Gray or Almon for assistance.)
Please choose a time to show these two videos by the end of the day on Thursday, Aug. 22nd and email Gray that date/time by the end of the day on Tuesday, so that our Leadership Team can plan visits accordingly. A member of our Leadership Team will stop by to simply confirm the showing of these videos to your class at the date/time you provide. Your email and our visit will serve as confirmation that these videos have been shown.
To assist with your preparation to show these videos, please note the "Run Video" runs for 5 mins., 38 secs, and the "Hide Video" runs 5 mins., 16 secs. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. (The videos are linked below. Just click the "Safety Videos" button, and a new window will open. Scroll down to find the links.)
The first 5 teachers to email Gray their date/time schedule for showing these safety videos to their classes will receive a small token of my appreciation for your promptness! :)
DonorsChoose.org
CONTINUE TO COMPLETE YOUR ATTENDANCE & SEND IT TO THE OFFICE BY 9:30 AM!
Class Numbers/Attendance
We will continue to monitor our counts and begin balancing classes this week. Please ensure your daily counts are submitted by 9:30 am each day. As we receive guidance on possible position cuts, we will share that information with you.
Fire Drill/Code Red
As a friendly reminder, we have a code red drill on Tuesday afternoon around 2 pm.
Fall Professional Development Catalog
Below you will find the Fall Professional Development Catalog. I began trying to highlight several different offerings, but there are truly more than just a few I would recommend. So, please take a few minutes this week and review the offerings in areas that you identify as area(s) that would benefit your professional growth. All of us are in different places and need different things. As we begin to prepare for our Individual Professional Growth Plans (IPDP), you may also find a workshop that is being offered to support your area of focus! :)
If you find a workshop that you would like to attend, please email Gray the workshop title, as well as the date/time/etc. so that we can then determine who is interested in what and how we can most efficiently meet everyone's needs. TDE days require Principal approval, as the substitute is charged to our internal account. Therefore, to ensure we are being financially responsible with our funds and not ending up in the red :), please communicate your interests/desires and we will go from there.
Fall Pictures
Students should receive their "OFFICIAL DRESS DOWN" paper to be placed in their planners on Monday to notify them of Wednesday's dress down day. As a friendly reminder, they are still expected to be in dress code by DCPS standards (i.e. no spaghetti straps, shoes are closed toed & closed heel).
Innovative Educator
Open House - Thurs., Aug. 29th @ 6:30 pm
Ms. Gray
will be out of the office Thursday afternoon and all day Friday, this week moving her son into school in Alabama.
Ms. Almon
will be out of the office for training on Tuesday morning, and most of the day on Wednesday this week.
Ms. Palmieri
will be out of the office on Thursday and Friday this week, all day.
Growth Check
As a friendly reminder, these meetings serve as our "Faculty Meetings," as articulated in the bargaining agreement.
Tuesday, Aug 20, 2019, 03:15 PM
Don Brewer Elementary School, Hartsfield Road, Jacksonville, FL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
School Advisory Council Meeting
Monday, Aug 26, 2019, 03:15 PM
Don Brewer Elementary School, Hartsfield Road, Jacksonville, FL, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.