December 19, 2016

High Point News

Week of: December 19th, 2016

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

Ugly Sweater Contest

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Ugliest Holiday Sweater Contest!! The winners of the Ugliest Sweater Contest were Jacinta Alexander and Emily Faucette!!! Emily will receive the TOTY parking space for this week of school and the first two days back from winter break!!!  Congrats to our winners! 

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Internet Searches

Keep Students Safe with these Search Strategies!

To keep our students safe we should use approved FCS resources for online searching. Please do not allow students to search using Google or other search engines. This is for your protection and the protection of your students!

These sites are a great safe places to search for information and images!

Open FCS launchpad and login> Click SAFARI MONTAGE

Click “Search” at the top, UN-CHECK everything except IMAGES

Type in a search term, and search.

Click the thumbnail to enlarge the image and the Citation information for your image is underneath.

Images can be downloaded or saved (right click and save).  On an ipad you may want to take a screen shot of the image.

Open FCS launchpad and login> Click Mackin Via

Inside Mackin Via there are several databases --click link to databases on the left.

A few good options:

• Discovery Education (E-Mail Mrs. Dennis if you need help logging in)
• EBSCO HOST IMAGE COLLECTION
• Galileo (multiple resources)

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Welcome! 
As many of you already know, Kelsie Dierdorff, our KSU coach, is now on bed rest and expecting to deliver her baby any day now. Sandra Bennett will be working in her place while she is on maternity leave. 
Sandra will be coming to your classrooms from 7:10-7:40 to introduce herself and see if there are any technology needs in which she can assist you. 
Please welcome Sandra and let her know if you need any assistance with instructional technology! bennetts@fultonschools.org 

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PAWS Up School-Wide Reward

We filled our "E" in our HPE ticket container!!!!! We appreciate all the staff for handing out tickets to deserving students and recognizing their PAWS Up behavior!!! We also thank our students for Practicing good manners, Always being prepared, Working hard, and Staying safe!!! You all make High Point a positive environment to work and play!

Because we filled the "E", students were given choices for the school-wide reward. Students in all grade levels voted and the result was........A SCHOOL-WIDE PAJAMA PARTY!!!!

We had an amazing time celebrating our students and their PAWS Up behavior. 

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Holiday Movies for this Thursday

Many of you have asked about streaming movies throughout the day on Thursday. We can’t do that but here are a few options for you:

*Youtube (there are restrictions on some)

*Safari Montage

From Monday Notes ( 2 weeks ago) regarding video usage:
1. Netfix is blocked on the FCS Wifi
2. Video/audio images, songs, segments, “clips” or films that are not rated, including those found on the Internet, from television shows, or from any other source, must be carefully reviewed in advance for objectionable content by the teacher or faculty member intending to use it. Video/audio segments from Fulton County Schools’ official curriculum resources can be used at the appropriate grade levels.
3. Videos that are rated PG require a parent permission form.

If you need help, please email Ms. Dennis or Sandra Bennett (Kelsey’s sub from KSU)

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January 5th and 6th 

January 5th - Teacher Workday
7:10 - 8:00 - Staff Breakfast 
8:00-9:30 - Welcome Back 2nd Semester Reset
9:30-til - Work in Rooms; Input Grades (timeline was sent out and firm)

January 6th - FC Professional Development Day
SPED, PE, Music, Art, TAG, Vanguard, Learning Architects, etc... report to appropriate location
Remaining staff members will participate in the following schedule: 

8:30 - 9:45  All K-5 Teachers (HR, EIP and ESOL) for new Science GSE Crosswalk - Cafeteria

9:45 - 10:00 Break (K-2 Teachers (HR, EIP, and ESOL) receive instructions for SS GSE Crosswalk Team Task)

10:00 - 11:30  All 3-5 Teachers (HR, EIP and ESOL) for new Social Studies GSE Crosswalk - Roberts portable

(EIP and ESOL teachers pick a grade)
1:00 - 1:30  1st grade in Negrin's room

1:45 - 2:15 2nd grade in Bradshaw's room

2:30 - 3:00 Kindergarten in Foster's room

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

Our 1^st graders collected cans for C.A.C.(Community Action Center of Sandy Springs) as part of their IB community action project . The teachers discussed with their students the purpose of their action project. The team came up with a goal of 150 cans. Our 1^st graders exceeded their goal by collecting over 300 cans for C.A.C. of Sandy Springs! Way to go 1^st grade!!!!

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

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Quist/Laudel's class this week.

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

Monday, December 19th 
8:00 - Holiday Sing-a-long
2:30 - Musical Rehearsals

Tuesday, December 20th

3:00 - HOLIDAY PARTY at Verde

Wednesday, December 21st 

IB PLCs - During Planning
2:30 pm - Tutoring Program

Thursday, December 22nd

Last day!!! Happy Holidays!!!
No PLCs!!

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

Happy birthday to Brian Madej on the 20th, Michael Hunter on the 22nd, Vickie Reeves on the 28th, and Nicole Schafer on January 1st!! We hope you all have a wonderful birthday!!!

December 12th, 2016

High Point News

Week of: December 12th, 2016

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

Ugly Sweater Contest

The winner of the Ugliest Sweater will receive the TOTY parking space for the last week of school and the first two days back from winter break!!!  

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PTO Support
Please take a moment to thank our PTO for all the work they do to support us as well as ALL students!!! This week, the PTO board approved to buy Google Expeditions for the media center, gave money to the Principal's Fund for staff appreciation,  gave money to improve the look of the computer lab, and bought mice and headphones for the classroom computers!!!! There are so many wonderful things that happen with their support!!! Melissa Wilson and Donna Cobb are our PTO presidents so if you see them, please tell them thank you!!!!

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Afternoon of Indulgence

Our annual "Afternoon of Indulgence" will be this Tuesday from 3:00-4:30!!!! During this time, we will be offering manicures, eyebrow waxing, massages, and more!!! We will have an assortment of snacks for you to eat while you wait or while you shop! The following vendors will be here as well: 

• Stella and Dot
• Beauty Counter
• Darden's Delights Pies
• Trendy Trunk - various accessories
• Karen Wasserman (Sheri's mom) - purses, scarves, ponchos, jewelry
• Artwork by Janie Gurley

**Please note some vendors only take cash or check but most will be able to take a card. 

The sign-up for the Staff Holiday Party will be posted at this event too so you can sign up and pay if you have forgotten to do so! 

And the PTO will be on hand to wrap any of your holiday gifts during this time as well. 

We hope you join us for this exciting event!!!!

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Morning Math Support

Kari Lewis will be in the computer lab each day from 7:10-7:40 offering math help for any student who wishes to meet with her!  Students should always check in with their homeroom teacher before dropping by the lab.

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January 5th and 6th 
We want to keep everyone abreast of the schedule and expectations when we come back to work in January. Below is a list of what is happening on the 5th and 6th. If you have any questions, please ask someone on the admin team. Classified employees do NOT report on either days. 

January 5th - Teacher Workday
7:10 - 8:00 - Staff Breakfast 
8:00-9:30 - Welcome Back 2nd Semester Reset
9:30-til - Work in Rooms; Input Grades (timeline was sent out and firm)


January 6th - FC Professional Development Day
SPED, PE, Music, Art, TAG, Vanguard, Learning Architects, etc... report to appropriate location
Remaining staff members will participate in the following schedule: 

8:30 - 9:45  All K-5 Teachers (HR, EIP and ESOL) for new Science GSE Crosswalk - Cafeteria

9:45 - 10:00 Break (K-2 Teachers (HR, EIP, and ESOL) receive instructions for SS GSE Crosswalk Team Task)

10:00 - 11:30  All 3-5 Teachers (HR, EIP and ESOL) for new Social Studies GSE Crosswalk - Roberts portable

(EIP and ESOL teachers pick a grade)
1:00 - 1:30  1st grade in Negrin's room

1:45 - 2:15 2nd grade in Bradshaw's room

2:30 - 3:00 Kindergarten in Foster's room

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What I've been thinking about...

A researcher asked students what's wrong with our schools. Here is what they said.......


http://www.upworthy.com/this-researcher-asked-kids-whats-wrong-with-us-schools-here-are-their-ideas?c=ufb5&s=p




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

We all know how important it is to give students time to read and support their love of reading!!! 
The following chairs were donated to Ms. Cornibe's class through Donorschoose.org!!! They help create an environment where students are excited to sit and immerse themselves in a good book. 
If you haven't already, think about going to Donors Choose and submitting a wish list to create your own reading area!!!

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

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Bradshaw's class this week.

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Quist/Laudel's class next week til January.

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

Monday, December 12th 
Student Health Surveys to be Completed This Week (3rd-5th)
9:30 - Prospective Parent Tour
2:30 - Tutoring Program

Tuesday, December 13th

3:00 - Afternoon of Indulgence

Wednesday, December 14th 

Hess PLCs - During Planning
8:00 - Title I Make and Take Workshop
2:30 pm - Tutoring Program
College Spirit Wear!

Thursday, December 15th

8:00 - Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th 
1:30 - ETT for 5th Grade
2:50 - PLCs

Friday, December 16th 
Ugly Sweater Contest

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

Happy birthday to Soladin Bell on the 14th and Amy Bradshaw on the 15th! We hope you both have a wonderful birthday!!!

December 5, 2016

High Point News

Week of: December 5th, 2016

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

CCRPI Score

Congratulations to all the teachers and staff who helped increase our 2015-2016 CCRPI score!!! The final score was just recently released and High Point has earned a 76.5 which is up from 72.9!!! I will be communicating this score to parents in my upcoming Principal's Blog this week. 

You can attribute this rising score to hard work, dedication to our students, open communication, and a passion for the job. Thank you to everyone!!!

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Staff Holiday Party!!

Instead of Faulty meeting, join us for a:

Staff Holiday Party

Tuesday, Dec. 20, 3-5:00 pm

Verde Taqueria

Suite D-140 Gateway Shopping Center, Roswell Road

Sandy Springs

Reservations & $5, Due by December 14^th

^{Register & pay $5 into mini brown envelope by PTO dropbox and drop it in the box!}

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Georgia School Personnel Survey
Below is the link to the Georgia Personnel Survey. This survey is required by every staff member. As of right now, 71 staff members have completed this survey. We have 109 so there are more to go!!! Thank you for taking the time to fill this out!!!

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The Georgia School Personnel Survey (GSPS) is modeled after the student survey and includes 31 questions. The GSPS is for all certified and classified staff members who work at least 50 percent of the day in the school. At least 75% of certified and classified staff members must participate in the survey to be eligible for the School Climate Star Rating. Most teachers should be able to participate in the GSPS using their classroom computer. The survey is also accessible using a tablet or smartphone. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Results from the Georgia School Personnel Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online. 



Georgia School Personnel Survey:
http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/personnel.nsf/Survey.xsp

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Afternoon of Indulgence

We are so excited to offer the annual "Afternoon of Indulgence" again this year on December 13th from 3:00-4:30!!!! You will be receiving an electronic invitation but we want you to know the vendors that will be coming so you can save some of your holiday shopping for then!!! The PTO will be wrapping gifts at this time too!!! The following vendors will be here on the 13th: 

• Stella and Dot
• Beauty Counter
• Darden's Delights Pies
• Trendy Trunk - various accessories
• Karen Wasserman (Sheri's mom) - purses, scarves, ponchos, jewelry
• Artwork by Janie Gurley

**Please note some vendors only take cash or check but most will be able to take a card. 

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F&P

The second administration of F and P and Informal Phonics Inventory is due for any Tier II/Tier 3 READING students by Friday, January 27th

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STEAM Day Survey

Please take a moment to answer this brief survey so next year will be even better:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3VN6HCT

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Video Usage

This is just a friendly reminder regarding video usage:

1. Netfix is blocked on the FCS Wifi
2. Video/audio images, songs, segments, “clips” or films that are not rated, including those found on the Internet, from television shows, or from any other source, must be carefully reviewed in advance for objectionable content by the teacher or faculty member intending to use it.  Video/audio segments from Fulton County Schools’ official curriculum resources can be used at the appropriate grade levels.
3. Get CST and the Principal approval before showing any video.
4. Videos that are rated PG require a parent permission form. 

Below is the link to the FC Board Policy regarding video usage. Thanks!!!

 Fulton County School Board's Video Usage Policy  -  http://www.boarddocs.com/ga/fcss/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=8KFL6F5503B9 

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RTI/SST Reminders

Please remember to progress monitor Tier 3 students every week and Tier 2 students once every two weeks. Also, please submit any progress monitoring data that is not a STAR score to Mr. Madej so that is can be entered into EASY. This includes behavior data. If student data is missing, then decisions on the student’s plan may be delayed. If you need assistance with collecting data, please contact Mr. Madej.

·        Tier 2 notification letters must be sent some for all Tier 2 students. If you have not done this already, please do so now. If you add students to Tier 2, please send a letter home immediately.

·       The deadline for moving to Tier 3 (for students who have been enrolled at HPES since the first day) is March 3, 2017. There are exceptions for unique situations but please monitor students closely and discuss them at PLCs to make sure we stay on our timeline.

·       

        SST meetings seem to be going very well. I’d like to thank our entire staff for your dedication, promptness, and readiness for each meeting. This makes all the difference! If you have any feedback regarding SST meetings, please contact me (Mr. Madej.)

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Six Flags Read to Succeed Info

From Jody Novotny - PTO

Once again this year we’re participating in the Six Flags Read to Succeed program, which means that any student (K-6 only per Six Flags rules) who reads 6 hours between now and February 15^th will receive a free ticket to the park.  

As a teacher, if you enter 8 students, you too will receive a free ticket!   Please note the rules have changed this year, and you must enter 8 students to receive a free ticket.  As always, you have to enter those students yourself if you want the free ticket – I can’t do it for you.  If you don’t care about the free ticket, I’m happy to enter your students for you.

What you need to do:

·         Please print out the reading logs and distribute to your students (they can also pick up at the Media Center):  http://static.sixflags.com/readtosucceed/StudentReadingLog.pdf

·         

        Please print out the parent letter to describe the program to      parents:  http://static.sixflags.com/readtosucceed/ParentLetter.pdf

·         

        Please encourage your students to read and turn in reading logs by February 15^th.

·         

       Create a login if you don’t have one, or use your login from last year to login to the Six Flags Read to Succeed site at: https://feedback.sixflags.com/rts/.

·        

        Either enter the students into the Six Flags site (it takes about 30 seconds per student) at the following link or turn in the reading logs to the Media Center by February 15^th and I will do it (please mark clearly if you need me to enter them for you):  

https://feedback.sixflags.com/rts/students.aspx

   If I enter your students, you will not be eligible for the free ticket per Six Flags rules.

·         

         Contact Jody Novotny at jody_novotny@hotmail.com with questions.

·         Free tickets will come in May.

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Safari Montage

Have you seen this spreadsheet listing district-created Safari Montage playlists by standard? All grades Pre-K - 5th... check it out!! https://fultonk12-my.sharepoint.com/personal/denniss3_fultonschools_org/_layouts/15/guestaccess.aspx?guestaccesstoken=bGbmcWYOOJK6AIipgZp8lS5Sj4ldSTDRZkJi7zN89X8%3d&docid=01953c7207cdf4fecafe51e431d644c20&rev=1 

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PBIS This Week!
As we approach December, I know that many of us are getting in the winter holiday spirit. Although we all have the best intentions when planning “holiday” activities, they can sometimes lead to students feeling left out or unrepresented. Please read the following article to get some great tips for making the holidays fun, educational, and inclusive for all!

http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/education-outreach/winter-holidays-december-dilemma-or-teaching-opportunity.pdf

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What I've been thinking about...

Want to know how people can tell you are an educator? Click on the link to see 16 ways..... 


http://www.weareteachers.com/your-friendly-guide-to-spotting-a-teacher-in-public/





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

Ms. Johnston’s 4^th grade students culminated their Simple Machines inquiry by creating their own simple machines. They started their inquiry 3-4 weeks ago, by watching videos various examples of simple machines that made an easy task, extremely difficult. They research different ideas and they created blue prints for their simple machines. A few students even made a simple machine that would affect their lives like the dog food machine.  Students reflected on what they learned throughout this process. Many of the students shared that they learned to not give up on an idea even if it doesn’t work the first or even second try.

Students in Ms. Johnston’s class were risk takers, open minded, inquirers, communicators, and became more knowledgeable! 

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

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Faucette's class this week.

The pledge and writers' gallery will be hosted by Ms. Bradshaw's class next week.

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

Monday, December 5th 
Book Fair
Student Health Surveys to be Completed (3rd-5th)
2:30 - Tutoring Program
2:30 - Musical Rehearsals 

Tuesday, December 6th

1:30 - Leadership Meeting

Wednesday, December 7th 

IB PLCS - During Planning
PreK Collegial Day
2:30 pm - Tutoring Program

Thursday, December 8th

1:30 - ETT for 4th Grade
2:50 - PLCs
SIOP - Meeting Portable

Friday, December 9th 
Last day of Book Fair

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

There are no birthdays to celebrate this week.