February 24th 2014

High Point News

Week of: February 24th, 2014

********NEWS*************************

Welcome! 

Please join me in welcoming Jenna Hale who is the new paraprofessional in Ms. Kehn's classroom. 
Please also join me in congratulating Jose Espinoza who is now the paraprofessional in Ms. Marinos's kindergarten classroom. 

We are very excited to have each of you in these positions! 

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Birthdays

If you did not submit your information through the Google Survey at the beginning of the year, we probably do not have your birthday information. We want the opportunity to celebrate your special day so if you did not turn in your information, please email Pitchford with the date of your birthday so we can recognize you in the Monday Notes. Thanks! 

 

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FC Credit Union Visit

We will have a representative from the Fulton Teachers' Credit Union on Wednesday, February 26th from 10:30 to 12:00. She will be set up in the teachers' lounge on the first grade hallway. She will have information about new accounts, products, services, and some freebies to give away. The representative's name is Stephanie Ng.
 

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Orders

Teachers, don’t delay……get your orders in today! The deadline for ordering is Friday, March 14^th. All orders must be in my mailbox or placed on line for approval by 3:30 p.m. that day. There will be no exceptions. Thanks ~~~ Marie
 

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Information Re: Make-Up Weather Days

• March 14th will now be a regular school day. Students WILL come on this day.  
• We will keep you posted if staff members will be asked to make up their days at the end of the school year. We do not know how staff will be making up days. 
• CRCT is now pushed back 4 days!!! CRCT will begin on the 22nd of April instead of the 16th of April. Please make sure that everyone is present during the weeks of testing since we will need all hands-on-deck! 
• ACCESS Testing is pushed back until March 10th.
• The state waived the first three snow days so everyone will get paid for those days even though we did not work during that time.   

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Technology Tip for the Week!

Reminder: Google Doodle Contest is Here! The theme for this year's Google Doodle is: If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place...

Copies have been made of the Google Doodle main page and have been placed in the library entrance. You can also access this page and the details by clicking on the link below.
http://www.google.com/doodle4google/start.html

National winners will receive a Google Chromebook as well as their teacher. The winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship, $50,000 to their school, a chromebook, a tablet, and a t-shirt with their winning doodle on it.

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What I've Been Thinking About…

I'm been thinking about our ESOL students and how vocabulary plays such an important role in their development and academic success. This short article talks about teaching vocabulary in the classroom and how students need "multiple and various exposures to a word" before they understand it. Do you agree and do you do these things with your students?

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/vocabulary-instruction-teaching-tips-rebecca-alber

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Got Student engagement?

F.A.T. Tuesday with Hess this week will be meeting in Room 212 during your planning time.

Bring your laptop and be ready for some exciting new technology for your students to utilize and increase student engagement! 

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Fountas and Pinnell data is due this Friday on the G drive!!!! 

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TKES Roster Verification

 The county is requesting all homeroom teachers complete a “Roster Verification” through TKES. This verification process will begin today and every homeroom teacher should be receiving an email from the county explaining how to do this. DO NOT TRY TO DO THIS VERIFICATION UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM THE COUNTY! 

The purpose of this roster check is to get us prepared for when we incorporate the Student Growth and Achievement portion of TKES. This process should take about 10 minutes. 

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Bulletin Boards
Please take a moment to check and see if your bulletin boards are up to date and are standards-based. We have a lot of parent tours each month as well as many volunteers, parents, and community members visiting our school each day. Since we are getting ready to head into March, most of the winter and holiday themes should begin to come down. In case you need some inspiration, see the pictures below. 

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RTI Fidelity Check
The county will be coming on Tuesday, February 25th in order to complete informal walkthroughs during our RTI block. They are looking for extension activities as well as remediation for our Tier II and Tier III students. We will give feedback to everyone after the visit. 

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PBIS This Week!

Congratulations to third grade for turning in the most tickets. This grade level has won the prize of 10 minutes of extra recess one day this week as well as a free jeans day TOMORROW!!! Way to go 3rd grade! 
We will start this week's competition today so hand out those tickets for PAWS Up behavior!

Discipline Data

You can tell the significant impact that our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support program has had on the number of office referrals so far this year! We encourage you to continue taking advantage of the teachable moments in terms of students' behaviors and recognize the good behaviors! It is truly making a difference!!
 

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TKES

As a reminder, February 28th will be the sign-off date for the county in terms of TKES. Please make sure that you have had your observations, evaluation, conference, and have signed-off before the 28th! The county and the state will be pulling the reports after the 28th!!!

Walkthroughs have already begun in order to support the second round of evaluations. We will continue to look at Differentiation, Academically Challenging Environment, as well as the standards which support your TKES goals. If you have any questions, please contact Pitchford, Liptak, or Hess. 
 

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Friendship Week 
Friendship Week starts today! If you are participating in the secret pal exchange, don’t forget to bring one gift per day to give to your pal. Remember, it’s a secret so be sneaky about it! We will reveal our pals on Friday following dismissal.  More information on the reveal party will be sent to you later this week. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask!!!

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****VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICES****

In Ms. Calhoun’s 4^th grade class, her students utilize a web-based FREE educational tool called FAKEBOOK. Her students access Fakebook using the ipads, laptops, or desktop computers to login. She currently uses this educational tool for a novel study. Students go onto their account and have to summarize each chapter; taking on the different points of view of the character. They are to act like the person in the story. This allows them to have a discussion with their classmates. This is a very secure site where she uses QR codes or they type in the very specific URL. Students do this during their center time and can do it at home for homework. This web site can be used for Social Studies as well. They would look at events in history from a person’s perspective. Check this website out at http://www.classtools.net/FB/home-page and talk to Calhoun for more information.

 

******WRITER's GALLERY**********

The writers' gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms. Cornibe's class this week.

The writers' gallery/pledge will be hosted by Ms. Katterheinrich's class next week.
 

******CALENDAR OF EVENTS*******

Monday, February 24th
9:30 - Parent Tours
Talent Show Auditions after school

Tuesday, February 25th

F.A.T Tuesday Meetings with Hess
2:50 - New Kids on the Block
Oratorical Practice after school
Talent Show Practice after school 

Wednesday, February 26th
2:50 - PLC Meetings

Thursday, February 27th

Five Star for Lunch - Order by Wednesday
Pitchford Out - Attending School Governance Council Training

Friday, February 28th
Ident A Kid - cafe
Parent Involvement Day
F&P Due to Hess
 

******BIRTHDAYS! ****************

Happy belated birthday to Tamekia Morris. Happy birthday to Rachel Salmons on Tuesday, February 25th! We hope you have a special birthday!!!

February 10, 2014

High Point News

Week of: February 10th, 2014

********NEWS*************************

Congratulations
Congratulations to our TOTY finalists, Jennifer Taylor and Tashika Truesdale, as well as our winner Amy Bradshaw. 

Congratulations as well to our PEOTY finalists, Chellye Pomeroy and Derick Johnson. And to the winner Yoneiby Pierre. 

We are proud of all of you! I appreciate everyone's participation in our TOTY and PEOTY celebration! What fun we had!!!! 

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CASE Reporting

Teachers... Please remember the half day hours so that subs can pick up two 1/2 day jobs if they are available. And remember, the hours in CASE are not teachers' work hours. Thanks!!!
7:10 am - 11:10 am
11:10 am - 2:50 pm

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Technology Tip for the Week!

Google Doodle Contest is Here! The theme for this year's Google Doodle is: If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place...

Copies will be made of the Google Doodle main page and placed in the library entrance on Tuesday. You can also access this page and the details by clicking on the link below. 
http://www.google.com/doodle4google/start.html

National winners will receive a Google Chromebook as well as their teacher. The winner will receive a $30,000 scholarship, $50,000 to their school, a chromebook, a tablet, and a t-shirt with their winning doodle on it. 

If you are interested in having your students do this and need help, contact Pitchford to come talk to your class about it. 

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Ipad Apps
Also, please remember to use the following link when requesting to add or remove apps on the iPads. Thanks!!!!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1irZvqAj75TeBBY1pj20CWho6mCQxy7VQyPoSzT0DQEg/viewform

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What I've Been Thinking About… 

This week, I got the opportunity to view a TED Talk about being a champion for students and it reiterates the purpose behind our school becoming a PBIS school. This video is funny, heart-warming, and inspiring. The speaker is Rita Pierson and the clip is about 7 minutes long. I hope you get an opportunity to watch it!

http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html

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F.A.T. Tuesday 

The Professional Development meetings are this week during your planning time!!!!

Grades 3-5, bring your Practice with Purpose book.

- Hess

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Fountas and Pinnell Due Date

The 2^nd administration of the Fountas and Pinnell is due on or before February 21^st.

Fill out the grade level spreadsheet on the G drive with your data. 

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Wanting us to open the school on a Saturday?

Many of you have requested the building to be open on a Saturday to get some extra work done.

Starting Saturday, March 1st, the building will be open for 5 consecutive Saturdays from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. We will be having “March to Success” for many of our 3^rd-5^th graders every Saturday in the month of March so the building will be open for you to come and work in your rooms as well. 

Our one request is that custodians and teachers who are working “March to Success” not be interrupted during this time. If you have trash, it needs to be taken with you when you leave. 

Enjoy this extra time in your rooms if you do decide to use it. 

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PBIS This Week!

Congratulations to Jennifer Silverman for winning this month's Buddy Brag!!! Jennifer has received the GIFT of TIME!!! Thank you to everyone for taking the time to recognize your colleagues. 

TICKETS, TICKETS, TICKETS!!! Don't forget to recognize students in your class for doing the RIGHT thing rather than putting your focus on students who are not. 
In order to support our PBIS system a little more, we will be counting how many tickets are turned in by each grade level at the end of the week. We will do this for the remaining 3 weeks in February. Each week, the grade level with the most tickets in their basket will get 10 minutes of extra recess, they will be featured on the morning news, and the teachers will receive a jean pass for the following Monday. 

Do you have a Student of the Week this week??!!! Make sure you are taking the time to recognize your students! 

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TKES SIGN-OFF!

As a reminder, February 18th will be the sign-off date for the county in terms of TKES. Please make sure that you have had your observations, evaluation, conference, and have signed-off before the 18th! The county and the state will be pulling the reports after the 18th!!! 

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Reminders from the Clinic 

Should a student get injured or become too sick to go to the clinic and it is necessary for you to push the EMERGENCY button in your room to call for help, please remember to tell the front office the nature of the call and who the student is.  There are many students in our school who may carry medications or have medications in the clinic for Asthma, Allergies, Seizures, Diabetes etc. that may need those medications BEFORE Ms. Dicklie leaves the clinic.  TIME could be of the essence in some cases and it is important for us to know what we're dealing with when Ms. Dickie arrives on the scene.

Head injuries can be very tricky in knowing if they are serious or not.  Please make sure you send a student to the clinic if they should bump their head no matter how insignificant they may seem.  If I send a report back to you about watching a student for symptoms please be diligent in keeping an eye on them while in your classroom. 

Lastly, there are several upcoming Field Trips and I would like to make sure the students are covered while on these trips.  If you are in charge of any of the trips I would appreciate knowing about them and getting a list of students attending at least 3 days prior to going.  I need to make sure that I gather all medications to send and that all staff are trained on any procedures prior to leaving.

Thanks for all you do. - Michelle Dickie

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Meetings with Pitchford

If you have not had the opportunity to meet with me, please send me an email with a date and time to meet. I will not continue creating the sign-ups since there are only a handful of people I haven't met with but would love the opportunity to meet!!!! Thanks!!!

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Red Ribbon Week Coming Up!! 

We are excited to be celebrating Red Ribbon Week on February 18^th-February 21st. During this week, we will have a number of activities to promote the message of creating a drug free America.

Red Ribbon Week activities will include:

·        Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest - Students are encouraged to create posters for the school to promote the message of having drug free futures. Posters should be turned in to homeroom teachers February 18th-February 20^th and have the student’s name and grade on the back. Three poster contest winners will be announced on Friday, February 21^st.

·        Tuesday: “Your Future is Bright When you are Drug Free” – Students are encouraged to wear sunglasses to school.

·        Wednesday: “Give drugs the slip” – Students are encouraged to wear slippers to school.

·        Thursday: “Put a cap on drugs” – Students are encouraged to wear hats to school.

·        Friday: “Team up against drugs” – Students are encouraged to wear sports team gear to school.

·        Drug Free Pledge – Throughout the week, students will be encouraged to sign the drug free pledge to show their commitment to drug free futures.

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DonorsChoose.org Success! 

Congratulations to Staci Arnold for earning funding at DonorsChoose.org for a classroom project titled "Marvelous Math!" 
Staci is receiving a Math Games Library, Hands-On Measurement Centers, Hot Dots, Dry Erase Markers, and more! All of these resources are worth up to $320.00.   

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****VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICES****

In Anita Collins’ 3^rd grade classroom, her students choose a “role” or “job” that they will have while in her guided reading group that day. Everyone in the group gets a different role.  This sets a purpose for their reading and allows them to better understand the text given. In the reading group, they discuss what they found out based on their role, ie. Clever Connector, and share with the group.

** These role cards are now on the G drive in a folder named “Reading Group Roles.” **

******WRITER's GALLERY**********

The writer’s gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms. Churchwell's class this week.

The writer's gallery/pledge will be hosted by Ms. Billit's class next week.

******CALENDAR OF EVENTS*******

Monday, February 10th 
Muffins provided by PTA
9:30 - Parent Tours
Pitchford Out - Attending School Governance Council training

Tuesday, February 11th   

F.A.T Tuesday Meetings with Hess
2:50 - Committee Meetings
2:50 - New Kids on the Block 
3:30 - Leadership Meeting

Wednesday, February 12th  
8:00 - Title I Parent Meeting
"We Love our Teachers" Luncheon Provided by PTA
Extended Team Time for 4th Grade
2:50 - PLC Meetings
5:30 - 7:00 - Mother/Son Date Night Sponsored by PTA

Thursday, February 13th   

Qdoba for Lunch - Order by Wednesday
Please feel free to wear jeans with your spirit wear on this day!
Pitchford Out - Attending New Principals' Meeting

Friday, February 14th  
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! NO SCHOOL!!!

******BIRTHDAYS! ****************

Happy birthday to Nicole Cornibe on February 13th!  We hope you have a special birthday!!!

February 3rd, 2014

High Point News

Week of: February 3rd, 2014

********NEWS*************************

THANKFUL

I have said it before and I will say it again....I am so thankful for each and every one of you.

- Thank you for stepping up and helping out when we needed it the most.
- Thank you for making students feel safe during a time of fear and uncertainty.
- Thank you for constantly communicating with each other and to our parents.
- Thank you for braving the cold.
- Thank you for bonding together and helping each other in need.
- Thank you for keeping your spirits up and being positive even after the strenuous events.

We are so lucky to have all of you at High Point!!!

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BREAKFAST AND LUNCH
TODAY....To say thank you to everyone, PTA will be serving muffins, donuts, and breakfast items in each of the lounges today! Please help yourselves!!!

WEDNESDAY...PTA will also be serving lunch on Wednesday!!! Firehouse subs will be offered in the lounge areas for all staff members.

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Technology Tip for the Week!

Click on the link below to see some of the best apps that you can use in the classroom! They are EASY and most of them are FREE!!!

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/iphone-apps-for-classroom-monica-burns?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=blog-teacher-apps-image 

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What I've Been Thinking About… 

This week, I have been thinking about questioning in the classroom. I am sure that you are already asking a lot of these questions because they make such a huge impact on  your students and their thinking. I encourage you to take a moment to self-reflect and see how often these 5 questions are incorporated in your daily lessons.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-powerful-questions-teachers-ask-students-rebecca-alber?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-simple-questions-repost

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Reminder: 50th Birthday Celebration

High Point turned 50 and it's time to celebrate! We will be having our 50th Celebration at the Church of Atonement on March 1st. It is an adult only party/fundraiser for our school! Tickets are normally $50 but are half-price for teachers and their guests. There will be a live band, excellent food, and your ticket includes 2 drink tickets.
PTA will be selling tickets at the February luncheon and will take cash, credit, or check. We REALLY hope you will be there along with everyone who has been a part of High Point!

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International Night Canceled
Due to the recent events and lack of time, we will be canceling the International Night which was originally scheduled for this Friday.  

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As I am sure most of you already know, Ericka Camp's last day was last Friday. She found a job outside of Fulton County but still working with children.
I apologize for not being able to notify everyone sooner and I hope everyone had a chance to wish her well!
We will be looking for a Kindergarten assistant and will hopefully find a replacement as soon as possible.

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PBIS This Week!

Because of the short week, we will be extending Buddy Brags to the end of this week. We will be pulling a name on Friday in order to give the GIFT OF TIME!

New Buddy Brags and post cards are also in your boxes for the month of February.

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UPDATE ON TKES

Because of the weather, February 18th will be the sign-off date for the county in terms of TKES. Please make sure that you have had your observation, evaluation, conference, and have signed-off before then. Because of last week, I'm sure that there are plenty of mid-year conferences to reschedule. Please reach out to Barb or myself and we will get them rescheduled.
If you are having any difficulty accessing or signing-off on TKES, reach out to another staff member or ask your administration.

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PD360 Contest!!! 

The Professional Learning Department has created an opportunity to reward teachers and staff for their hard work and to encourage everyone to discover the many useful features of our great new platform.

Starting February 3^rd and running through March 31^st ,  Professional Learning will be running a PD360 Highest Usage Contest.

The county will be providing the one elementary, middle and high school with lunch for their entire staff that has the highest  total average video viewing usage in the county! The single highest individual user from each Learning Community will also be recognized with an IPad Mini! 

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Meetings with Pitchford

Due to a lot of unforeseen circumstances, many of my 15 minute meetings will have to be rescheduled. I have added more slots so please click on the link below if we never got to meet. If there is not a time that works for you, please let me know. 

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4CA5A92CA7FB6-meetings

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TOTY AND PEOTY CELEBRATION

We don't want to waste a single "MINUTE" trying to appreciate you!

Please join us Tuesday, February 4th in the cafeteria at 2:50 pm for our "MINUTE TO WIN IT" celebration!

Please feel free to wear JEANS and your AMAZING RACE T-SHIRT on this day.

Dips, veggies, crackers, and cake will be served this afternoon.

****VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICES****

******WRITER's GALLERY**********

The writer’s gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms. Long's class this week.

The writer's gallery/pledge will be hosted by Ms. Churchwell's class next week.

******CALENDAR OF EVENTS*******

Monday, February 3rd 
Muffins and Donuts provided by PTA
Pitchford Out - Attending LKES training

Tuesday, February 4th   

5th Grade Collegial
2:50 - TOTY AND PEOTY CELEBRATION

Wednesday, February 5th  
Lunch Provided by PTA
2:50 - PLC Meetings
Pitchford Out - Attending CLC Principals' Meeting

Thursday, February 6th   

Tazikis Lunch - Order by Wednesday

Friday, February 7th  

******BIRTHDAYS! ****************

Happy belated birthday to Rebecca Quist and Kerstin Long on the 1st! Happy Birthday to Kelle Periera on the 9th. We hope you all have a good birthday!!!