October 20th, 2014

High Point News

Week of: October 20th, 2014

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WELCOME!!!
Please join me in welcoming Holly Holcomb, our new EIP 3rd grade teacher. We are very excited to have her joining our team!!!

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ITBS Testing for 3rd and 5th 

Students in grades 3 and 5 will be taking the ITBS test this week. Please make sure that you are respectful to these students during testing time (8:00 - 11:30 tentatively) by walking quietly in the hallways and limiting the amount of shuffling in your classrooms. If you are administering the test, you are more than welcome to wear jeans and soft soled shoes this week.
An announcement will be made at the end of each testing day so that you will know when you are able to go outside for recess. Thank you!!! 

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Bus Driver Appreciation Week

This week is Bus Driver Appreciation Week! We will have posters for students to sign in the morning and then put the signed posters on our front windows. Our PTA will also be making treats for them. 
If your class or students would like to do something to thank their bus drivers, we would appreciate it!!! We are very grateful for our drivers!!! 

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Report Cards

Report cards will be checked by the administrative team and the final copies will be placed in your mailboxes by Wednesday in order to be sent home on Thursday, October 23rd.  

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High Point Makes the News!! If you haven't read "This Week's Top Stories" from Fulton County, you need to!! High Point is mentioned in the first story about going IB and in the fourth story about  Ms. Negrin's first grade class. I have copied the articles below in case you missed it!!! ********************************************************* Fulton County Schools to increase educational offerings through International Baccalaureate expansion Superintendent Robert Avossa has announced the next step in increasing Fulton County Schools'  portfolio of educational options by expanding its International Baccalaureate program. "Education is not one-size-fits-all. Our students are unique and excel in a variety of learning  environments. We live in a world where you can customize just about anything, and parents  want that same flexibility for their children's education," said Superintendent Robert Avossa.  "We continue to offer a variety of opportunities for our families and we are proud to demonstrate  this additional commitment to school choice by expanding the district's IB program." Five schools are taking steps toward implementing the International Baccalaureate program.  Read more …

******************************************************************** High Point Elementary School focuses on being "career ready" High Point ES is taking steps to make sure students are career ready. In the belief  that it is never too early to start preparing for real life, Ms. Negrin's First Grade Class hosted Patrick Baber, a former cartographer, in their Career Connections  Speaker Series. Baber is a program manager and former cartographer who works for Quantum  Spatial. His team focuses on mapping and other solutions for electric transmission  line companies. On Sept. 26, Baber came to speak to Ms. Negrin’s first grade class  about the importance of geography and maps. The Career Connections Series brings together area business leaders in an effort  to showcase a variety of careers so students can become more aware of job options in their future.

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PBIS This Week

• Remember to use your PAWS UP Tickets to reward good hallway behaviors.
• High Point is rewarding your class with a whole class ticket reward. Just write the name of the entire class in the Student Name section and your name as Teacher!
• Please email your PBIS person on your team FRIDAY the number of CLASS TICKETS.
• Bring your individual PAWS UP Tickets to the grade level bin on Fridays.

PAWS UP	Hallway
Practice good manners	Listen to adults Stay in your    personal space Hold the door    open for others Smile at your    friends and     teachers
Always be prepared	Listen to teacher Wait patiently    and quietly in    line
Work hard	Stay in a single    file line on the       right side of the      hallway  Walk quietly Look without    touching work        displayed Help keep the     line straight
Stay Safe	Listen for    directions  Stay in your    personal space Keep hands and    feet to yourself Walk slowly Make sure shoes    are tied Face forward Stop at stop sign

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What I've Been Thinking About…

This quick article is about how 21st century classrooms are not just about technology but more about learning. "Classrooms are places that have moved from teachers telling to students doing." 
Our Strategic Plan states that we will have students apply 21st Century Skills to impact our community. Many of you have asked what "21st Century Skills" look like. This is a wonderful article which talks about the importance of students being creative, collaborators, critical thinkers, and communicators. THOSE are truly 21st Century Skills. 

http://web.tech4learning.com/blog-0/bid/45149/The-21st-century-classroom-where-the-3-R-s-meet-the-4-C-s?utm_campaign=ce_0914_blog&utm_source=email&utm_medium=ce&utm_content=21st_century

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Technology Tips of the Week

·      TAC Helpful Hint – TAC (Teacher Access Center) will only work properly when accessed with Internet Explorer.  If you are opening TAC with Google Chrome, you will not be able to change a student’s absence code (i.e. from UNX to MED, etc.).  Please email Chellye if you have this problem or if you are NOT accessing TAC with Internet Explorer.

·     How To Create A Shortcut from a Website (a reminder):

• Create shortcut from web browser favorites – TAC for example:
• Go to Teacher Access Center from the Employee Portal
• Go to Favorites > Add to Favorites > Rename it TAC
• Resize or minimize your TAC window so you can see the desktop
• Drag down to the TAC favorite > right click and hold then drag the favorite to the desktop
• You will see a Menu appear > Select Create shortcuts here
• You should see the shortcut on the laptop desktop

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

In Ms. Owens’ 3^rd grade class, at the end of the week, students reflect on their reading workshop using this handout. The handout is in their S.T.A.R. (students taking academic responsibility) binder where they score themselves on the 5 tasks needed to be successful during reading workshop. There is a rubric that they use and reflection questions to answer as well.

Research says, “Teachers who promote reflective classrooms ensure that students are fully engaged in the process of making meaning. They organize instruction so that students are the producers, not just the consumers, of knowledge. To best guide children in the habits of reflection, these teachers approach their role as that of "facilitator of meaning making." 

*****WRITERS' GALLERY**********

The writers' gallery/pledge is hosted by Ms. O'Daniels' class this week.

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

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

Monday, October 20th
ITBS Testing Begins 

Tuesday, October 21st 

2:50 - New Kids on the Block Meeting

Wednesday, October 22nd 

Thursday, October 23rd

Firehouse Subs for Lunch - Order by Wednesday
2:50 - PLCs

Friday, October 24th
Send your tickets down and change your Student of the Week!

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

There are no birthdays to celebrate this week.