December 14th, 2015

High Point News

Week of: December 14th, 2015

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

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Ugly Sweater Contest Winners!

Congratulations to Marty Sanchez for being the overall winner of the "Ugly Holiday Sweater" Contest! Marty will have the Professional Employee of the Year parking space January 4th - 8th!

Congratulations also to the following people in the following categories: 

1st Place Winter Theme:  Megan Eigel

1st Place Originality: Jennifer Silverman

1st Place Creativity:  Mary Katherine Stahura

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Report Card Levels

The end of our 2^nd 9 weeks is quickly approaching. Please see the chart below for identifying(on the report card only) advanced students in reading:

Grade Level	Advanced Level at 18 weeks
K	Not Applicable
1	Level J+
2	Level M+
3	Level P+
4	Level S+
5	Level V+

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Revamping our Restrooms
We have decided to not send out the school holiday cards this year to other Fulton County schools and departments. Instead, we are going to use the money that would have been spent on the cards to revamp our adult restrooms. We would like to add small tables, air fresheners, lotions, pictures, etc... to make them nicer and more updated. 
We will be sending out an electronic holiday card to everyone instead! We hope you all enjoy the revamping!!! 


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STAR Testing Schedule
Below is the tentative schedule for STAR testing beginning in January. Please see Brian for any questions. 

·        The schedule is tight, please arrive a few minutes early and pick up any needed students.

·        Students will need paper and pencil when taking the math assessment, please bring these supplies

·        If you have a support teacher during this time, please have her join us. We need all hands on deck.

·        Please review the testing procedures with your class before coming to the lab. Please make sure you are aware of your student’s accommodations. If they need small group, you may need to test them in your room. Let me know if you have questions.

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Computer Lab and Carts
Please be advised that the computer as well as all three mobile lab carts will need to be used for ACCESS and STAR testing beginning January 11th until February 9th. We know this impacts Redbird as well as your RTI sessions. 
After February 9th, we will have flexibility with the mobile lab carts but not the computer lab. 

Some suggestions to do in place of the Redbird: 

• Utilize your ipads along with classroom desktops for Redbird if possible
• Utilize partner games or manipulatives
• Allow students to deepen their inquiry in regards to your IB units
• Use Math Exemplars on the G-drive or access them using the following link: 

G:\RTIBlock Tier 1 enrichment\RTI Block Tier 1 Math enrichment 2-5\mathexemplars\DIFF MATH I\pdfs

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REMINDER: January 4th and 5th 

Teachers: 

• January 4th is a teacher workday. This day is solely for YOU. There will not be any scheduled meetings. 

• January 5th is FC professional development day. This day will require some teachers to be out of the building at trainings. Staff will get a list of the trainings in an Excel spreadsheet today. 

Unless there is a mandated training you have to attend, homeroom teachers in 1st - 5th grade will meet in the computer lab from 12:00-3:00 for a presentation on iReady; a personalized reading program for our students to participate in during their independent reading block. 

Paraprofessionals/classified staff: 

• Do not have to work on the 4th or 5th of January.

************MATH CORNER*************

How to Access Parent Letters in Upraised Math

1.   Go to Upraised Learning at http://go.upraised.org/

2.   Enter our school access code: high point

3. Click on the grade level and semester you are working in.

4.  Next, click on the standard you want the letter for.

      5.   When the standard comes up, go to the upper right corner of the web page and click on Printable Version.

   At this point, the letter will come up.  Simply print the page.  If you want the letter in Spanish, click on ESPANOL at the upper right of the Upraised home page. 

For the step-by-step version with pictures please go to the T-drive, Upraised Math, and click on the "How to Access Parent Letters" document. 

******VISUALS OF BEST PRACTICE*******

Kelly Lassiter used yarn as a visual and kinesthetic way for students to discuss and make connections to what they have been learning and what they will learn in their new unit and even connections to current news events!  It was a great way to involve students in purposeful conversation with each other and to begin the understanding of a central idea!

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Clara Spears posts her students' wonderings on her blog and enlists parent help and involvement in student learning!

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Sarah Griffin took her reading groups to the leveled library for a lesson on choosing books by examining genre and literary elements.  The students were able to investigate all the fiction books on their level and have a conversation with each other about which books were of interest and then decided on the next book for their group!  Great example of student ownership and involvement.

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

The pledge and writers' gallery is hosted by Ms. Rhoades' class this week.

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Bradshaw's class the week of January 11th. 

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

Monday, December 14th

9:30 - Prospective Parent Tour

Tuesday, December 15th

8:15 - 9:00 - Holiday Sing-a-Long for PreK-2nd 
9:15 - 10:00 - Holiday Sing-a-Long for 3rd - 5th 
2:50 - Faculty Meeting 

Wednesday, December 16th

8:00 - Title I Parent Meeting
Data Digs with Hess - 1st and 3rd Grade
2nd Grade Holiday Celebrations
2:30 - PBIS Committee Meeting

Thursday, December 17th 

K, 1st, 3rd, and 4th Grade Holiday Parties
3:00 pm - SCC Holiday Party @ Pour

Friday, December 18th 
Last Day Before Holiday Break!
Student of the Week Certificate

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

Happy birthday to Soladin Bell today, Amy Bradshaw on the 15th, Brian Madej on the 20th, Michael Hunter on the 22nd, and Vickie Reeves on the 28th! We hope you all have a wonderful birthday!!!