December 3rd, 2018

Monday Notes 12.3.18

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

Book Fair                

Information regarding this week's book fair is below!

- Book Fair Hours 7:10 - 3:00 each day

- Friday, December 7th the book fair will be open from 7:10-12:00 pm

- Night Event on Wednesday, December 5th from 4:00-6:00 to purchase books

- Please create a Wish List!!!!

- Teachers and staff get 10% off all purchases

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Safety Updates             

Thank you to everyone for a successful Evacuation Drill last week. A couple things happened during the Drill and I thought it best to remind everyone that:

• Make sure your current and updated class roster is in your red emergency bag

• If you teach students from different Homerooms, your roster(s) should include these students

• Under no circumstances should you go back into the building for forgotten items. This includes jackets, backpacks, cell phones, etc.

• Please review with your students the expectation that they are quiet (silent) when in the hallway, leaving the building, and standing in line

• Evacuation Drills will be held with very little warning, so it is always best to be prepared in the event of a planned or unplanned evacuation

If anyone has any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. DiBartolo 

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Calling All Trash Bashers!              

Please sign up your class to pick up litter around our campus for a week.  They can do this at recess, a brain break or even for an academic (writing or I.B) activity.   Be creative and send pictures or activities your class participate in for keeping our campus clean.  We will post them on the morning news.

The sign up will be on the door by our mailboxes.   Also, if you have plastic bags leftover from the grocery store Megan Eigel will be collecting them.

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Holiday Luncheon                 

PTO will be serving their Holiday Luncheon this Friday in Room #123!! Please come take a break and enjoy the nice meal they will have for us!!  

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Science Benchmark Assessment - Grade 5                                 

Students in 5th grade will be taking the Science Benchmark Assessment beginning tomorrow in the computer lab from 10:10-11:10 each day. 

Tuesday - Silverman

Wednesday - Ittig

Thursday - May

Friday - Nobles

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Holiday Staff Party!!                

If you haven't already done so, please sign up for our Staff Holiday party on December 13th at Kaleidoscope! This is a wonderful time where we can relax, laugh, talk, and enjoy the company of each other before the winter holiday. 

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TKES Observations and Mid-Year Conferences                     

All FULL TKES employees will have their 30-minute formative observation from now until winter break. Teachers will receive their evaluation within 5 days of the observation. If you would like to submit any documentation or artifacts, please do so immediately following or before the observation. 

The observational window will be announced a week prior. 

Mid-Year Conferences will be offered to every employee as well. Please email Pitchford or DiBartolo before December 17th if you would like a mid-year conference! 

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Holiday Parties

Just a friendly reminder to make sure you are aware of all students' allergies when serving  food, desserts, or candies at the holiday parties. If you are unsure, please check with Ms. Dickie. Thank you!!!!

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Asthma Screening Tuesday for 2nd-5th

Homeroom teachers will be given a list of students who requested the asthma screening along with a time to send them tomorrow! If you have any returned forms today, please turn them in to Ms. Dickie's mailbox as soon as possible. 

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KSU Support

Schedule: I will be at High Point on Tuesday 12/4 and Thursday 12/6

Notes: Have you noticed that students are being careless with the devices OR are you offering more redirection regarding management of the devices? Make a list of rules, tasks or procedures you would like students to be familiar with regarding technology usage. Then use one morning meeting a week to review and reteach one of the procedures. Go down your list focusing on a new procedure each week. Once you've reviewed each task, start back at at the top to begin the process again. 

Highlights: HyperDocs are a great resource towards encouraging inquiry and self-guided learning. If you've never heard of a HperDoc, they transform traditional lesson planning by incorporating technology in a meaningful way to explore content creatively.  Read the article below to review nine reasons why HyperDocs can transform your class. http://ditchthattextbook.com/2018/06/14/9-reasons-why-hyperdocs-can-transform-your-class/  

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

Monday, December 3rd
Book Fair Begins!!!
9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour

Tuesday, December 4th 
4th Grade In-House Field Trip
Asthma Screening Room #123 for 2nd - 5th Grade Students

Wednesday, December 5th
Guided Reading PD During Specials

Thursday, December 6th
7:15 am - SGC Meeting 
2:55 - PLCs 

Friday, December 7th
Holiday Luncheon Provided by PTO in #123

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

Happy birthday to Latissa Southerland on the 4th! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!!! 

November 26th, 2018

Monday Notes 11.26.18

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

Condolences                 

Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of our amazing parent Lynn Wyatt, as she lost her battle with cancer over the break. Services will be held this Friday at 3:00 at the Patterson Funeral Home on Peachtree Industrial Blvd. Her family is well taken care of at this time but we will be sending food and giving them our support after the winter break. If you are interested in donating, please send an email to Pitchford. 

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GPD Grant for Morning Engagment                 

Last month, homeroom teachers in grades 1st-5th grade were given an assortment of items from games to puzzle books. The purpose of these games and activities was to engage our students first thing in the morning with things that interest them, require some collaboration, and help them be problem-solvers. 

We were also hoping that these fun activities would incentivize students to come to school on time. Unfortunately, our students' tardies have doubled from last year and I want to make sure students have access to these fun items! 

Please encourage your students to use these games and activities in the morning and share with your colleagues. If there is a game that your students love, please let Pitchford know so it can be purchased. Thanks!!  

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Holiday Luncheon                 

Thank you for submitting your feedback for the Afternoon of Indulgence. We will be canceling the Afternoon of Indulgence on the 4th of December and leaving that afternoon open for you! 

The PTO will provide a nice Holiday Luncheon next Friday, the 7th and we will work on getting vendors to High Point throughout the remainder of the school year. Thanks!!  

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Girls on the Run!                           

Our Girls on the Run “Wonder Women” finished our season strong out in the cold at Georgia State Stadium, Saturday November 10th. We want to thank Ms. Eigel and Ms. Sapp for coming out to support our girls! We are very proud of all they have accomplished!!! Sign up for the Spring Season will start in January! 

- Girls on the Run Team

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GA Student Health Survey                                 

Students in grades 3-5 will be completing the GA Health Survey this week! The computer lab will be closed so that students can take this survey. The computer lab will not be available during the following times:

November 26th - 7:50 - 11:30

November 27th - 7:50 - 11:30

November 28th - 7:50-8:20, 9:30-10:30

November 29th - 10:00-10:30

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PAGE                   

A PAGE representative will be here this Friday during lunch time in the teacher's lounge with desserts and information regarding PAGE. If you are interested in joining or getting more information about PAGE, please see the representative! Thanks!!! 

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Book Fair Coming!                

The book fair will run from 11/30 - 12/7.  This year we are inviting teachers to a preview day on 11/29 beginning at 2:40.  PTO will be providing refreshments and they will have a few raffle items as well.  They'd love for teachers to take this time to fill their wish list boxes and tag any books they recommend with a shelf talker.  Paper invitations will be placed in your mailboxes this week! This is a perfect "Pre-PLC" activity!!!!

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TKES Observations and Mid-Year Conferences                     

All FULL TKES employees will have their 30-minute formative observation from now until winter break. Teachers will receive their evaluation within 5 days of the observation. If you would like to submit any documentation or artifacts, please do so immediately following or before the observation. 

The observational window will be announced a week prior. 

Mid-Year Conferences will be offered to every employee as well. An email will be sent to each employee offering a mid-year conference. 

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KSU Support

Schedule: Tuesday 11/27, Thursday 11/29 and Friday 11/30

Notes:
STEAM Day was a blast! Students were challenged to think in a different way. Continue this type of collaboration with some of the tech tools in the Media Center. Check out the sign-out schedule housed in the HP Google Drive/Media Center and Technology Files/Schedules to see when you can get the tools in your room!

Highlights:
Even though Thanksgiving has passed, that doesn't change our appreciation for High Point! Through the holidays, use this Padlet wall (https://padlet.com/romeh/HPESThankful) with students and your team to share what you appreciate and enjoy about HPES!

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Continuous Learning and Reflection

We know everyone loves the laminator and I am sure you can identify with these 8 reasons why it's amazing!!! I chuckled out loud! 
With that said though, please make sure you are only laminating what you need and being careful with our laminating machine. We want to make sure it lasts for everyone!!

https://www.weareteachers.com/teachers-love-laminators/?utm_content=1532967742&utm_medium=social&utm_source=sprout

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

Monday, November 26th
9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour
GA Health Survey for Watts, Vavala, Dixon, Silverman, and Oliver

Tuesday, November 27th
GA Health Survey for Watts, Gilmore, Hawkins, Ittig and Jones
1st Grade In-House Field Trip
2:55 - Standards Mastery Framework Redelivery in Media Center (certified K-5 staff only)
2:55 - Para PLC for Safety and Abuse Training Room #123

Wednesday, November 28th
GA Health Survey for Faison, Collins, and Nobles
Math PD During Specials

Thursday, November 29th
GA Health Survey for May
2:40 - Book Fair Preview for Teachers 
2:55 - PLCs 

Friday, November 30th
Book Fair Begins

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

Happy birthday to Amanda Shams on the 29th, Mochandra King on the 30th, and Alicia Williams on the 2nd! We hope you all have wonderful birthdays!!! 

November 12th, 2018

Monday Notes 11.12.18

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

Staff Luncheon Today!!!                   

Make sure you come to Room #123 today to enjoy lunch and fellowship provided by the Administrative Team!!!! 

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A Note of Thanks                  

Thank you so much to absolutely everyone for your support this last month in voting for the Farmer’s Thank Teachers Award Grant.  The voting ended on Sat, Nov 3rd and we won’t have the official word on whether we won the $2,500 until mid-Dec.  AArggHHH!  Unofficially though, I was at #59 at 10 pm on Sat night so there is a possibility that we did.

Whether or not we win is secondary.  What means the most to me is the support which everyone provided.  The community, the caring; I am so grateful to have all of you as a part of my world.  THANK YOU!!

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Flu Clinic                           

Please send your student/s to room #123 this Tuesday for their flu shot. We will send an email to specific teachers so you know specifically which of your students signed up. Thank you!!! 

Kindergarten - 9:15

1st Grade - 9:40 

2nd Grade - 10:05

3rd Grade (Collins, Dixon, Jones) - 10:35

3rd Grade (Oliver) - 11:10

4th Grade - 12:15

5th Grade - 11:30 

All staff members can come in between the students, during their lunch, break, or at the end of the day (2:00 pm). Thanks!!! 

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Girls on the Run 5K!                           

Congratulations to our 4th and 5th grade Girls on the Run for completing their 5K this past weekend!!! We are so proud of our students and so appreciative of the staff members who either worked with them prior or ran with them on the day!!! Thank you!!!

Rebecca Negrin 

Stephanie Cole

Rachel Riendeau

Jennifer Silverman

Allie Watts

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GA Student Health Survey                                 

Students in grades 3-5 will be completing the GA Health Survey the week after Thanksgiving Break. The computer lab will be closed so that students can take this survey! The computer lab will not be available during the following times:

November 26th - 7:50 - 11:30

November 27th - 7:50 - 11:30

November 28th - 7:50-8:20, 9:30-10:30

November 29th - 10:00-10:30

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Safety Concerns                        

Please remember that you are not to bring your classes through the front doors of the building at ANY time. There is now a slide lock on the exterior door near Ms. Salmon’s office. Use this door to enter and exit the building at ALL times. Thank you! 

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Bring Laptops to Faculty Meeting                     

Please bring your laptop to the media center for our faculty meeting Tuesday. If you do not have a laptop, you will use the computer lab. Thanks!!!! 

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KSU Support

Schedule: Tuesday 11/13 and Friday 11/16

Notes: The Spotlight on Strategies board (outside of the computer lab) this month shares a strategy for hooking your students into a lesson! All you need is an image that you can display onto your board. Check out more of the step-by-step process to implementing this idea here - https://library.discoveryeducation.com/v3.3/SOS_Half/SOS_Half_300k.mp4. DON'T FORGET TO GRAB A FLYER FROM THE BULLETIN BOARD!

Highlights: Don't forget about the Tech Tools Sign Out either - located in Media Technology Files Folder on the Google Drive. If you want to provide some opportunities for purposeful play centered about inquiry check out the Dash, StikBots, Osmos and Bloxels. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mgRIzgtcFBfJGEJtmIZ7v8QWCVUmEdU3o5rmq2-9ajQ/edit?usp=sharing 

Mrs. Collin's 3rd graders are making stop-motion animation with StikBots to bring to life the adventures of explorers they've been studying!

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5th Grade Fundraising

Support the fifth grade and get ready for the holidays!  The fifth grade is selling Honey Baked Ham gift cards to help raise money for all of the fun activities they have planned for their final year at High Point as well as their big trip they just took to Rock Eagle!  

You can use a gift card for your own holiday meal needs or give them as gifts!  
Visit: https://honeybakedfundraising.com//fundraisers/High_Point_Elementary_School

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Continuous Learning and Reflection

Below is another great article on how to start using pens to teach students how to accept their mistakes and learn from them. The article states "Instead of using pencils and erasers to hide their mistakes, my students use pens to document the effort they put into their work" I love this idea and rethinking mistakes! 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/simple-tool-fostering-growth-mindset?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=facebook

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

Monday, November 12th
Staff luncheon - Rm #123

Tuesday, November 13th
9:15-2:15 Flu Clinic 
2:55 - Faculty Meeting in Media Center

Wednesday, November 14th
Guided Reading PD During Specials
Fall Retakes

Thursday, November 15th
7:15 am - SGC Meeting 
2:55 - PLCs in Media Center for K-5 Teachers

Friday, November 16th
STEAM DAY!!!!!

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

Happy birthday to Kari Lewis on the 17th and Kenyatta Clarke on the 25th!!! We hope you both have wonderful birthdays!!! 

November 5th, 2018

Monday Notes 11.5.18

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

New Monday Notes                       

In order to help you distinguish items which are in the Monday Notes that you need to take ACTION on and which items are just for your information only, I will start putting action items in RED and informational items in BLUE. Hopefully this will help when you are reading the Monday Notes. 

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Attendance for October                     

Below is the chart showing the number of absences each grade level had for October. Thank you for encouraging your students to come to school each day and also working to keep them healthy! 

Congratulations are in order for the students who had Perfect Attendance for the month of October!!!!! These students received a $50 Buddy Buck for Perfect Attendance!!! Way to go!!! 

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BAS III                       

All grades 1st-5 are required to give the BAS III this quarter using non-fiction text only. Teachers will have to report each student's accuracy, comprehension, and fluency. The due date is December 19th which is an extension since the county incorrectly communicated the expectation. 

If you would like for admin to enter your scores into Illuminate, please give your class set of recording forms to Madej no later than December 14th. We are happy to help!  

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Parent/Teacher Conferences                        

Please make sure you are making every effort to meet with every parent for Fall Conferences. Also, please make sure you have notified parents of these important conferences in many different ways since not everyone has an email. Thank you!!! 

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Classroom Libraries are Here!                       

Classroom Libraries will be delivered this week to all homeroom classes. Bins for the books are coming but we are not sure how many each classroom will get. Stay tuned! 

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IB Standouts!                          

Ms May masterfully uses open-ended questions based in real life experiences to allow students to uncover their previous knowledge of supply and demand! Then building on that knowledge, she asks them to create a supply and demand chain of their own or with a partner! Building critical thinking through questioning! 

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Flu Clinic                           

If you have a student who would like to receive their flu shot at High Point on the 13th, please return their signed form to Ms. Dickie's mailbox no later than Friday. We will create a schedule and inform staff next week when the shots will be given. Thank you!!!

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Girls on the Run 5K!                           

Register for the Girls on the Run 5K!

Open to the public, this family-friendly 5K is one of the most inspiring events in Atlanta.

Race proceeds benefit the Girls on the Run of Atlanta Scholarship fund. Runners, walkers and strollers welcome.

Saturday, November 10, 2018

Georgia State Stadium

7:30 am 5k festival 

9:00 am 5k race

10:30 am Tot Trot

Standard 5k registration:

$25 ($30 in-person registration); Includes race registration, entrance to 5k festival and finisher's t-shirt.

Questions? Rebecca Negrin negrin@fultonschools.org 

Stephanie Cole

Rachel Riendeau

Jennifer Silverman

Allie Watts

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Principal's Blog                                 

If you would like to view October's Principal's Corner, please click on the link below!! Thank you!!!

 https://mailchi.mp/f4ed453d4145/principals-corner-october-2018

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November 6th Workday

All certified staff will report on the 6th. Classified staff will NOT report on this day. The schedule for tomorrow is below: 

7:30-8:00 - iReady Support Session for 3rd-5th (optional) Room #123

8:00-9:00 - iReady Data Discussion for K-2 Room #123

8:00-10:00 - 4th Grade IB Work Session with Roberts

9:00-11:00 - iReady Support Session for EIP Room #123

10:00-11:30 - Science Kit Exploration (specific information and times to come) 

11:00-11:30 - Behavior Meeting for Teachers with Tier II and Tier III students Conference Room 

11:30-1:00 - LUNCH BREAK

1:00-3:00 - Safety and Security Training in Media Center for All Staff

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TKES                           

All TKES walkthroughs and formatives will be shared within 5 days of your observation. Not all email notifications are occurring. If you have not received an email and it's been longer than 5 days, please email DiBartolo or Pitchford. The system has been glitching and we want to make sure you are getting your feedback in a timely manner!! 

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KSU Support

Schedule: 
I've changed around my days of support - just for this week - to accommodate professional develop needs at the other school I support. I will be off campus at both schools Wednesday and Thursday to attend the Georgia Educational Technology Conference.  

Therefore, I will be at HPES on Monday 11/5 and Friday 11/9.

Notes:
Teaching students media literacy helps them to process the videos and images they are constantly engaged with. Consider how you can increase students comprehension of this digital information to support their learning! Check out this post from Edutopia for more ideas - https://www.edutopia.org/media-literacy-collaboration!

Highlights:
Have you seen the new bulletin board display outside of the computer lab and near the Media Center!?! It now showcases a 'Spotlight on Strategies' which shares creative, research-based instructional strategies for integrating digital media in meaningful, effective and practical ways (from Discovery Education). Each month there will be flyers for the taking explaining the highlighted strategy. This month, try integrating '1/2 The Story' into your inquiry lessons! 

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Continuous Learning and Reflection

This funny but helpful article from "We Are Teachers" gives us 5 strategies to make sure we are not staying late every day!!! Check out the article "I'm Going to Leave Work on Time This School Year.... Really." 

https://www.weareteachers.com/leave-work-on-time/?utm_content=1535571628&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

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

Monday, November 5th
9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour
11:30 - ETT for 4th and 5th Grade

Tuesday, November 6th
Teacher Workday for Certified Staff Only

Wednesday, November 7th
Math PD During Specials
College Spirit Wear

Thursday, November 8th
2:55 - PLCs

Friday, November 9th

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

   Happy birthday to Rebecca Laudel on the 10th!! We hope you have an amazing birthday!!