March 10th, 2014

High Point News

Week of: March 10th, 2014

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

We are excited to announce our newest High Point Hound!!! Tiffany Shelton had her baby boy, Parker Lee Shelton on Saturday, March 8th at 5:16pm. He weighs 6 pounds 12 ounces, and is 19 inches long. We are so happy for her and her husband!!

**********************************************************

Thank you! 

An enormous thank you to every teacher who led a professional development course last Tuesday and also to all of the staff members who attended the sessions! You were so attentive and asked so many good questions.
If you weren't able to attend a session and would like information about it, please email the facilitator of that session. The EQs and Teacher's Names are listed below:

»EQ: How can I incorporate content area writing in my classroom daily?

˃Jannausch 

»EQ: What are 3 Kagen Structures/Strategies that you can use with your ESOL students to increase listening and speaking skills?

˃Eigel , Berger, and Trenbeath 

»EQ: How can we increase creative thinking skills in our students? 

˃Rattray 

»EQ: How can I build a connected and collaborative classroom?

˃Long and Salmons 

»EQ: How can I use reference materials to determine the meaning of unknown words?

˃Arnold

**********************************************************

Oratorical Competition

A HUGE thank you to Lori Simon and all the other staff members who helped prepare our students for the Oratorical Competition that was held on Thursday, March 6th. Congratulations to Chance Walker and Logan Hunt who were our two school winners/representatives. 

   

********************************************************** 

Technology Tip for the Week!

Google Doodle Contest

• All submissions should be turned in by Friday, March 14th! 
• Blank Google Doodles are located in the Media Center

**********************************************************

What I've Been Thinking About…

I've been thinking about "Genius Hour." I mentioned this at our Leadership Meeting and just recently saw another article about it. We will begin to learn more about it to see if we can implement it during our summer camp. It's something to at least start thinking about. Can this be done during a school day? 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-percent-time-a-j-juliani?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=blog-secret-of-genius-shared-image
**********************************************************

PKES

Everyone who is evaluated using PKES should have submitted their Mid-Year Self Assessment. You will get an email once the evaluation is complete. Please then log in to the PKES system and SIGN OFF on the Mid-Year Assessment. There is a box for comments if you feel the need to leave a comment. 

You will then get an email stating for you to complete a Self-Assessment. This is for the end of the year and doesn't need to be completed until April. The dates are below. Thanks!!!

April 1-30 (177-190 day staff)
May 1- 31(210-235 day staff) 

**********************************************************

Field Trips

There are a lot of grade levels who have upcoming field trips. Please make sure that any parent or guest who accompanies you on a field trip has filled out the Volunteer Form. Jenna has a complete list of who has been cleared to volunteer. This has to be done at least 48 hours in advance. 

Also, check out the article below from CNN called "A School's Experiment: Cutting Out the Classroom." It's filled with possibilities when it comes to field trips! 
http://goo.gl/4uOMFs

**********************************************************

Braves Tickets  

Ed with Costco will be here again on Friday, March 14^th from 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. to sign people up for membership. If you missed him last time, this is the time to sign up. He will be in the staff lounge. 

**********************************************************

Weight Watchers

There has been some interest shown by staff members to try and bring a Weight Watchers At Work program to High Point. There is a process that we have to follow in order to have a meeting started here. First, we must have at least 20 interested people sign up. Second, we contact WW and schedule an Open House for those that are interested. Then, if after attending the free Open House, we have enough people sign up, we can start having meetings here. But we have to have at least 20 people sign up.

The sign-up sheet is posted on the door at the mailroom. Please sign up if you are interested. Thank you. 

**********************************************************

F.A.T Tuesday with Hess is tomorrow!

We will be looking at your Fountas and Pinnell data from the most recent administration, looking at your reading groups, and figuring out “now what?”

**Some of you have already done this on your own, then you do not need to come to this meeting with me**

**********************************************************

PBIS This Week!

We are going to extend the "Tickets Contest!" 

As a reminder, the grade level with the most tickets turned in will receive the prize of 10 minutes extra recess one day next week as well as a free jeans day!!! A baggie will be placed in your boxes on Friday so that your students can help count them! We appreciate your help with this!!

“While criticism or fear of punishment may restrain us from doing wrong, it does not make us wish to do right. Disregarding this simple fact is the great error into which parents and educators fall when they rely on these negative means of correction. The only effective discipline is self-discipline, motivated by the inner desire to act meritoriously in order to do well in one's own eyes, according to one's own values, so that one may feel good about oneself and may have a good conscience.”

– Bruno Bettelheim

When we use traditional discipline methods, what are we truly teaching our children? This chart shows the idea of restorative justice. We have had a large increase in office referrals lately, many of which have been our repeat offenders. I am curious to see what would happen if we became less dependent on traditional methods of suspensions and office referrals and increased our use of restorative justice.

After this week, we will no longer have Barb and will be without an AP until further notice. This would be a great time to see how things go when we stray away from these traditional methods and try to turn discipline into a learning experience. - Rachel Salmons

For more information: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/zero-tolerance-vs-balanced-school-discipline-russ-skiba

**********************************************************

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

What is DBQ?

DBQ consists of a picture (document) and a question(s). Students are required to use their knowledge of the subject and any resources, if needed, to answer the question. 

Why is it helpful?

DBQ is helpful because it helps bring out discussions and ideas about topics you teach in your classroom every day. It also helps with students’ writing. When students write every day, it only helps them become a better writer. DBQ is all about getting student ideas down. 

Why is this important? 

Ideas are worth DOUBLE on the 5^th grade Writing Test, and practicing getting those ideas down every day will help students become more comfortable with writing to a prompt. It also helps them become better thinkers AND writers.

You can also pull in ELA standards by discussing types of sentences, punctuation, parts of speech, and topic sentences with supporting detail sentences.

When can I use it?

DBQ is great morning work! No copies required! Students can discuss their ideas for the DBQ while getting unpacked and eating breakfast. After they have discussed their ideas, they are ready to write! Make it work for you!

DBQ can also be used during a short block of time where it is hard to get a full lesson in. It can also be used as a hook or a closure. Just make sure they have time to WRITE those ideas down!

What do I need?

All you need is your laptop and the freeze button so you can still use your computer.  Students will need a notebook and a pencil.

Where can I find it?

There are examples of a DBQ for each grade level on the G-Drive. 

**If you have any questions please email Jannausch, She is more than willing to help you get this started! **

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

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

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

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

Monday, March 10th
Muffin Monday! 

Tuesday, March 11th

F.A.T Tuesday Meetings with Hess
2:50 - Committee Meetings

Wednesday, March 12th  
8:15 - School Musical 
2:50 - PLC Meetings
6:00 - "Jungle Book" School Musical

Thursday, March 13th 

8:15 - School Musical 
Pitchford Out - New Principals' Meeting
6:00 - "Jungle Book" School Musical

Friday, March 14th 
Costco Rep Here!
Turn in your PAWS tickets!!

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

There are no birthdays this week!