Sunday, March 30, 2014

March 31st, 2014

High Point News
Week of: March 31st, 2014
********NEWS*************************

Welcome!
Please join me in welcoming Jacinta Alexander as our newly appointed Assistant Principal! As stated in the letter, she comes to us with many years of experience as a classroom teacher, CST, and AP. We are truly lucky to have her! Please take a moment to introduce yourself and welcome her to our school. 

We don't want to "break her in" too early but she will be the first point in discipline should you have a referral. Ms. Reed will be point person #2 and Pitchford will be #3. 


We will also give you Ms. Alexander's number to call if you are out. We are working on getting her a phone. In the meantime, please call, text, or email Pitchford if you are going to be absent. The number is 404-946-8636.
 **********************************************************
Reminders Before Break
Please remember to lock your rooms, clean out all items in the refrigerators, take all food with you,shut down all computers, and lock up any valuables prior to leaving for spring break! Thanks!!
**********************************************************
Congratulations!
We would like to take a moment to recognize Amy Bradshaw for being one of four finalists in our Central Learning Community for Teacher of the Year. Our Central Learning Staff came out last week to do an observation and interview and were VERY impressed with what is going on in Amy's classroom. While she did not make the final cut, we are extremely proud of her for representing our school! 
**********************************************************
CRCT Trainings
CRCT trainings will be held during the following times: 
  • April 15th = grades 3, 4, and 5 during your common planning time in the conference room
  • April 15th = teachers who are unable to attend the planning during the day will need to attend the training offered from 3:30-4:00 Tuesday afternoon in the media center (immediately following the staff meeting). 
  • April 15th = proctor meeting from 3:20-3:30 in the media center (immediately following the staff meeting).
Additional trainings might be offered. Stay tuned for updates and email Jacinta if you are unable to attend one of the following sessions.
**********************************************************
Technology Tips for the Week!
·        Turn off computers and laptops each night (don’t just close the laptop which puts it in hibernate mode). Laptops need to be restarted each day…that is how they receive Microsoft updates, virus definition updates, county updates, etc. and it resets certain settings which keep them healthy.
 ·         If you are having a problem with your Promethean board, desktops, laptop, projector, etc. the first thing you can do is restart the device.  To restart the Promethean board, unplug it from the wall, wait 3-5 minutes then plug it back in. 
**********************************************************
What I've Been Thinking About…
I've been thinking about how we can help students embrace their mistakes. This article talks about how important it is to help students "rethink" their mistakes and begin to view them as helpful. Students "mistakes" can affect them both academically and emotionally so it's important that we teach them how to handle their mistakes. Check it out!

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teaching-students-to-embrace-mistakes-hunter-maats-katie-obrien?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-obrien-maats-embrace-mistakes-image
**********************************************************
PBIS This Week!
The votes are in!!!! Students and staff will be allowed to wear PAJAMAS on Thursday, April 3rd before Spring Break! What a great way to celebrate prior to Science Day and spring break!! Thanks for voting!!!

In order to make sure we are recognizing positive behavior and being proactive in our discipline during the last week before Spring Break, we have decided to redo our TICKETS COMPETITION for this week only! 
Please have your students, assistants, volunteers, etc.. help count your tickets and return them in a baggie with the total. 
We will announce the winner of the 10 minutes of extra recess and JEANS pass for the teachers the following Monday. 

Also, this week is the last week to turn in a buddy brag!! Take a moment to compliment a fellow colleague and give them the "gift of time!"
**********************************************************
Science Day is this Friday, April 4th
A few items regarding Science Day:
Please pick up your Science Day bins tomorrow, Tuesday, April 1 in the cafeteria at the following times:
  •     Grades K – 2nd from 7:15 am – 8:00 am
  •     Grades 3rd – 5th from 2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
**In addition to inspecting your bin to make sure you have everything you need, please test your experiment before Friday as there may be unforeseen glitches that need to be worked out. The Science Day Committee is more than willing to purchase additional supplies if the need arises.**

Please be sure to make time, on Science Day, for journaling.This is a great tool for the students to reflect on what they learned and practice good writing. 
We will have our School Board Member, Julia Bernath, our Area Executive Director, Kirk Shrum, as well as parents, teachers and staff from other schools here during Science Day! Please make them feel welcome! 
**********************************************************
Help Us Recruit Career Day Speakers!
As part of Fulton County's College and Career Readiness initiative, High Point will host our first annual career day on May 7th. We are seeking volunteers to share information about their careers with High Point students on the afternoon of May 7th. Please pass the following link onto any friends or family who may be interested in speaking about their career. They can also visit the High Point homepage and click on the “sign up to be a career day speaker” link. The deadline to sign up to be a speaker is April 10th. This information will also go home to parents in this week’s newsletter. 
**********************************************************

Parents Taking Pictures
Teachers: please be mindful of those parents that wish to exclude their children from photographs.  If you have an event in your classroom or a field trip and parents are taking pictures, please advise them of the students that should not be photographed as we cannot control where those pictures are posted. 
********************************************************** 
Creative Ways to Assess


Mrs. Woods’s class performed an array of assessments on the current math standards. Her goal was to give all students, regardless of their learning styles, a chance to show mastery. In the photos below, you will notice students showing proficiency of the same standard in several different ways. The app Infuse Learning was also used during one of the assessments. It provides a new way of monitoring students’ thinking without adding the stress of a test. Please contact Mrs. Woods or Ms. Reed if you want to know more about Infuse Learning.
**********************************************************
****VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICES****



In Ms. Cornibe’s 1st grade class, feedback is given on their writing. It is so important for teachers to provide feedback on student writing. This feedback support students’ writing development and nurtures their confidence as writers. Feedback on writing is most valuable to students’ writing development when it takes place at the beginning and middle stages of the writing process. This is
the time when students can use the feedback to revise and edit their writing. 

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

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

The writers' gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms. Rutledge's class after spring break.


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

Monday, March 31st


Tuesday, April 1st 
2:50 - Grade Level Meetings
Pitchford out - New Principal's Meeting

Wednesday, April 2nd 
College Spirit Wear Day
2:50 - PLC Meetings
Hess out - CST Meeting

Thursday, April 3rd
Pajama Day!
Qdoba for Lunch - Please order by Wednesday
Grade Level Newsletter Goes Home

Friday, April 4th 
Science Day
Select and Change Student of the Week; Turn in Tickets!
Happy Spring Break!!! Be Safe!!

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

Happy birthday to Ruth Dalzell and Molly Groebner on April 4th, and Wanda Papillion on the 8th! We hope you all have a wonderful birthday!

Sunday, March 23, 2014

March 24th, 2014

High Point News
Week of: March 24th, 2014
********NEWS*************************


Please Welcome Back...

Please join me in welcoming back John Anderson for this week! He has graciously agreed to come back and serve as our AP for this week. 

He will be the first person for discipline and will also be helping complete the #4 Walkthroughs. 

He will only be able to help us out for a week so you will still need to call, text, or email Pitchford if you are going to be absent. The number is 404-946-8636.
**********************************************************
Be Aware

This weekend, High Point was broken into by two juveniles. They were able to get onto the roof and came in through the escape hatch. While the perpetrators were caught and nothing was stolen, please continue to be diligent about locking up valuables, keeping blinds closed, and locking your classroom doors. Thank you!!

**********************************************************
3rd Grade Heifer Project
Thank you to the teachers and staff who allowed Ms. Newman's class to present their Heifer projects to you! Ms. Newman's students worked hard to raise awareness regarding poverty and hunger in other countries. Her students raised over $400 in order to help eradicate hunger and poverty by creating a sustainable community. Way to go!

**********************************************************
Summer Opportunities

Camp PAWS! We are still looking for teachers to teach our summer program. Remember, you do not have to commit to the whole month of June. Talk to your colleagues to see if you could share in this enrichment opportunity! 

·         Camp will be held from June 2nd – June 27th Monday through Friday
·         Tentative camp hours: 8:00 – 12:00
·         Camp attendees: Rising students who are On or Advanced Level in Reading or 
             Math and would benefit from enrichment 


·         Tentative Camp PAWS details:

o   Transportation will be provided


o   Students/adults will be offered breakfast AND lunch
o   We have partnered with the Y: each week will allow students to participate in tennis, swimming, soccer, and Fit for Life
o   An hour of hands-on math
o   Project-based learning
o   Technology time: possible Spanish language and/or coding
·         $28 an hour
·         Class size: 12 students per class
·         We are trying to offer 3 classes per grade level

Please click on the link below to apply to teach for Camp PAWS!



**********************************************************
Technology Tip for the Week!


Got student engagement by utilizing technology while aligning it to common core standards? 
Check this out!!!   
**********************************************************
What I've Been Thinking About…
I've been thinking about how we can use literature to make our students more globally aware. In the article below, the author talks about extending our literature to teach cross-curricular while also opening up students' minds in regards to culture, tolerance, and stereo-types. The author lists 5 concrete ways to use literature to get students excited about reading as they learn about our world! 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/literature-teaches-global-lessons-elementary-becky-morales?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-lit-teaches-global-lessons-image
**********************************************************
TKES
Hess has now completed all of the TKES Walkthroughs #3. 

Pitchford, Hess, and Anderson will be working on completing the 4th Walkthroughs this week. The remainder of the walkthroughs will be completed by Pitchford and Hess after this week. 

As a reminder, TKES Walkthrough #4 will be observing Standard #3 Instructional Strategies (with a technology focus), Standard #2 Lesson Planning, and any standard which you received a Needs Development so that we can check for progress before the second Formative. Due to time constraints, we will not be doing #7 Positive Learning Environment unless needed.  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your walkthrough, please ask! We are here to help and support you! 
**********************************************************
PBIS This Week!
We are so close to filling the letter "E" in our HPES Ticket Container. Please take a moment with your class to vote on the following choices for our school-wide reward. Will your class choose:

  • Wear a Hat Day
  • Pajama Day
  • School Dance Party (beginning at 2:00 pm)
  • Crazy Hair Day

Please click on the link below to turn in your class's vote. 

http://goo.gl/N83ipb

**********************************************************
Deadlines
We have had and will continue to have a lot of deadlines to meet in regards to orders, grades, reports to send home, surveys to be completed, students to enroll and withdraw, class changes, etc... Please be mindful of how these deadlines impact others. We all have a lot on our plate but missing deadlines negatively impact those who work with us. More so than ever, we appreciate your "professional awareness." 
Thanks!
**********************************************************
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Alisha Rutledge for receiving 3 Leap Pad Tablets and headphones through Donors Choose. 
**********************************************************
****VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICES****




In Anita Collins’ 3rd grade class, she has been utilizing QR codes and her student engagement is through the roof! In looking at data for her students, she knows that they need additional practice with synonyms and antonyms so she has differentiated QR code activities for her reading groups. Way to go!


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

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

The writers' gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms.  Woods' class next week.
 
******CALENDAR OF EVENTS*******

Monday, March 24th
Book Fair Here All Week! 
9:30 - Parent Tours
Tuesday, March 25th


Wednesday, March 26th 
Pitchford out - SGC Strategic Meeting
2:50 - PLC Meetings
6:00 - Talent Show!
Thursday, March 27th
Tazikis for Lunch - Please order by Wednesday
2:50 New Kids on the Block Meeting

Friday, March 28th

Parent Involvement Day
Select and Change Student of the Week

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

Happy birthday to Lauren Katterheinrich and Sheri Hess on the 26th!We hope you both have a wonderful birthday!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

March 17th,2014

High Point News
Week of: March 17th, 2014
********NEWS*************************

 Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

**********************************************************
Congratulations!

We are excited to announce that we will have a new High Point Hound in September! Congratulations to Katherine Butler and her husband, Anthony, who will be be having their baby in September. We are so happy for you both!!

**********************************************************
Congratulations!

We are excited to announce that we have a new High Point Hound!!!! Katie Nesmith had her baby boy on Sunday! His name is Landon Edward Bailey and he was 8 lbs 12 oz and 22 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing great!!!!

 
**********************************************************
Update on AP

The county is still looking to find our school an AP. In the meantime, the administrative team will be coming up with a plan for how to cover the AP responsibilities. We will let everyone know our plan as soon as we have it. We truly appreciate everyone who has stepped up and helped us out in the meantime. Your "professional awareness" has been greatly valued!

The county might send some of the program coordinators to help. If you see them in the building, that is why.

If you are going to be out, please make sure that you now call, text, or email Pitchford prior to your absence. The number is 404-946-8636.
 
**********************************************************
Condolences
 
Please keep Barb Liptak in your thoughts as her mother passed away this past weekend. She stated that she and her brother were fortunate enough to be by their mother's side and that she wanted her High Point family to know. If we receive any details on the funeral arrangements, we will let you know. 

Please keep Celeste Collins in your thoughts as her grandfather passed away. She will be out all week attending his funeral in California.

Please keep Jenna Hale in your thoughts as her grandfather also passed away. She will be returning on Wednesday.
 
**********************************************************
Test Prep Ideas

Need Quick Test Prep ideas for reading comprehension, math strategies, and easing test-related stress?

Here is a great article for 3rd-5th Grade teachers that shares simple ways to help students cope with testing anxioties and aquire test taking skills.

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/no-pain-high-gain


**********************************************************
CRCT Diagnostic Data for 3rd - 5th Grades

All of the answer documents have been scanned. If you are having difficulties locating your data in Fulton Connect or if you would like to know how to pull more reports, please contact Ms. Reed for assistance. Thanks.

**********************************************************
Leadership Application

Interested in serving on the Leadership Team for 2014-2015 school year? 

Fill out the application either electronically or on paper and submit to Pitchford. We are excited about the possibilities for the years ahead and need strong leadership to take us to the next level. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask!!!

All applications due this Friday. 

**********************************************************
Summer Opportunities

Camp PAWS

·         Camp will be held from June 2nd – June 27th Monday through Friday
·         Tentative camp hours: 8:00 – 12:00
·         Camp attendees: Rising students who are On or Advanced Level in Reading or 
          Math and would benefit from enrichment 


·         Tentative Camp PAWS details:
o   Transportation will be provided
o   Students/adults will be offered breakfast AND lunch
o   We have partnered with the Y: each week will allow students to participate in tennis, swimming, soccer, and Fit for Life
o   An hour of hands-on math
o   Project-based learning
o   Technology time: possible Spanish language and/or coding
·         $28 an hour
·         Class size: 12 students per class
·         We are trying to offer 3 classes per grade level
Please click on the link below to apply to teach for Camp PAWS!
 


                                    AND

Horizons - There will be teacher slots available (2nd, 3rd, and 5th grade) as well as a Reading Specialist position for the Horizons Summer Program. Horizons is a wonderful program that will offer support to more of our struggling students while we are able to offer enrichment for our on/advanced level students at Camp PAWS. Their program is also filled with project-based learning as well as physical activity for the students.

Please email Kay Watson if you are interested at kwatson.horizonsatl@gmail.com

You can also ask Vera Woods for more details.
 
**********************************************************
Technology Tip for the Week!

Teacher iPads:


·         Be sure to set up a separate Apple ID for school use; otherwise, all pictures, videos, music, etc. stored or downloaded in iTunes will appear on your FCS iPad. It’s best to have an ID specifically for school use.


·         When you set up your school Apple ID, do not add a credit card; use this link for instructions:




·         To close apps: press the Home button twice then swipe upward on the open apps.  Press the Home key once to return to the main screen.  Having too many apps open will affect the performance of your iPad.  Please have students do this on their iPads too.

**********************************************************
What I've Been Thinking About…
I've been thinking about questioning in the classroom and how we really know the progress of ALL students if only a few are raising their hand.
In the article below, there is a great discussion about asking the right questions and also ways to get ALL students involved so that you, as a teacher, have a better understanding of your students' thinking. It's a great read!

http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/mar14/vol71/num06/The-Right-Questions,-The-Right-Way.aspx

**********************************************************
TKES
As many of you are already aware, we are completing the TKES Walkthroughs #3 and #4. The standards we will be focusing on during each walkthrough are:

TKES Walkthrough #3 (By Hess): Standard #4 Differentiation and Standard #8 Academically Challenging

TKES Walkthrough #4 (By Pitchford): Standard #3 Instructional Strategies (with a technology focus), Standard #2 Lesson Planning, #7 Positive Learning Environment, and any standard which you received a Needs Development so that we can check for progress before the second Formative.

**********************************************************
Oratorical Competition
The area Oratorical Competition took place Saturday, the 15th. Congratulations to Chance Walker for coming in 1st place in the girls' division. Logan Hunt came in 2nd place in the boys' division. 

A HUGE thank you to Lori Simon for leading this group and helping our students outshine everyone!!!


**********************************************************
Creativity in Students
Thanks to Reed for sending us this great inspirational video on creativity and inspiration in children. The video is about 8 minutes long but even watching only 2 minutes of it inspires you to challenge your students and find ways to spark their creativity. We can do this while matching our Common Core Standards!!

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul9c-4dX4Hk

**********************************************************
PBIS This Week!

Congratulations to Second Grade for winning our PAWS Tickets contest!!!! Second grade has earned 10 minutes of extra recess this week and all 2nd grade teachers may wear jeans tomorrow!!! Congratulations again!!!

Bullying


In regards to bullying please consider the following:


- A situation is bullying if it meets the following criteria: 
  1. The behaviors are repeated by the same people/person
  2. The behavior is purposely hurtful to the students feelings or body. 
  3. An imbalance of power is present, meaning hurtful behaviors are happening one way, not back and forth between the students.
- Look for the following signs that a student may be a victim of bullying:
                -Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness
                -Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to                     go to school
                -Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
                -Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem

Do you think a student is a victim of bullying?
  • Email Rachel so that she can talk to you and/or the student about the situation
  • Contact parents of students involved; we need to make parents aware and get them involved in the situation
  • Be proactive: prevent situations in which bullying could occur (lunch, transitions, recess, etc....) Students who bully typically do so when an adult is not watching. 
  • If you have done all of the above and it is still continuing, seek out the office for an office referral. 
**********************************************************
Musical a Huge Success!

Thank you to Amanda Reich, Rebecca Gersten, and Rebecca Bailey for all of your hard work and dedication in making the "Jungle Book" musical a huge success! 

We appreciate everyone for coming out to the night performances and supporting our students and staff!

I heard that it was the "best musical yet!" The students did a wonderful job! Way to go!!!!




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







In Ms. Churchwell’s 1st grade class, students were engaged in a Gallery Walk. A Gallery Walk is a discussion technique that gets students out of their chairs and into a mode of active engagement. For students it's a chance to share thoughts in a more intimate, supportive setting rather than a larger, anonymous class. Ms. Churchwell used this with her students for a Social Studies unit on Harriet Tubman. The students were put into groups (intentionally by the teacher). Each student in the group has a role, i.e. the reader, the writer, etc…The Gallery Walk opens up the dialogue with the students in the group. They look at the pictures and are asked what do they “see” then they talk about what they “notice.” It is authentic discussion with the students and the teacher is a facilitator of this process. A Gallery Walk gives the teacher an opportunity to see or listen to what the students are understanding of that unit or concept and to challenge any misconceptions.

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

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

The writers' gallery/ pledge is hosted by Ms. Churchwell's class next week.
 
******CALENDAR OF EVENTS*******

Monday, March 17th
Verification Sheets due by 8:00 am
7:30 am - First SGC Meeting in Conference Room
11:00 am - Focus Meeting in Conference Room

Tuesday, March 18th
12:00-4:00 - Pitchford attending CRCT Training
2:50 - Technology Tuesday

Wednesday, March 19th 
Title I Parent Meeting at 8:00
12:00-4:00 - Hess attending Guided Reading Workshop
2:50 - PLC Meetings

Thursday, March 20th
Honey Baked Ham
Pitchford at Principal's Meeting

Friday, March 21st
Hess attending Math Workshop
Select and Change Student of the Week

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

Happy birthday to Sainey Faye on the 19th, Lib Roberts on the 21st, and Mary Thompson on the 23rd ! We hope you each have a wonderful birthday!