January 6th, 2020

Monday Notes 1.06.20

"High Point Elementary cultivates knowledgeable, compassionate, and inquiring learners who impact a diverse global community."

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

Happy New Year!!
We are thrilled to welcome everyone back and hope everyone had a wonderful and restful break!!! We can "see clearly" that 2020 will be amazing! 

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

January 3rd Workday

January 3rd work day is for teachers to plan as a team, make sure report card grades and comments are uploaded and correct, and get any curriculum support from the Coaches or CST. Pitchford will also have a quick meeting with each grade level to reflect on last semester, discuss flexibility, and the action plan moving forward. 

The following meetings have been scheduled:
7:30-9:00 - Leadership Team Meeting in #123
9:00-10:00 - GMAS Data Dig with 4th Grade
10:00-10:30 - Kindergarten
10:30-11:00 - 1st Grade
2:00-2:30 - 2nd Grade
11:30-12:00 - 3rd Grade
11:00-11:30 - 5th Grade 

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

IB Learner Profile Attribute for JANUARY

PRINCIPLED and COMMUNICATOR

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

Employee Assistance Program

Fulton County offers an Employee Assistance Program for ALL employees. The informational brochure and Power Point have been placed in the High Point School Information 2019-2020 folder on the Google Drive. 

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

iReady Diagnostic
Tuesday, January 7th 
**3rd, 4th ,5th will take iReading Reading
10:20-11:20 a.m. 5th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
12:10-1:10 p.m. 4th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
1:15-2:15 p.m. 3rd grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Wednesday, January 8th
8:15-9:15 4th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Thursday, January 9th
8:15-9:15 3rd grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Friday, January 10th
8:15-9:15 5th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

**K-2 need to use the computer lab or devices in their classrooms to get the iReady Reading and iReady Math diagnostic done by January 24th.  

**Teachers can extend their Math Workshop block, put students on Reflex Math, create inquiry stations, etc.... while they are waiting to take the Diagnostic. Students should NOT be on iReady until AFTER they have taken this assessment. 

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

2nd Semester Drills
Please note that we will be practicing all of our safety drills during the first week back. 

            The schedule of drills is as follows:
                January 7- Shelter in place Drill
                January 8-  Soft Lock Down
                January 9- Evacuation
                January 10- Hard Lock down

Please make sure you are preparing your students for each drill. Also, please make sure students have their jackets for the Evacuation Drill. It might be COLD! 
For questions, please see Mr. DiBartolo. 

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

Monday, January 6th 

9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour

Tuesday, January 7th

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Wednesday, January 8th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Thursday, January 9th

2:55 - Staff Fellowship in Media Center
3:15 - School-Focused PLCs

Friday, January 10th

7:15 - SGC Meeting in Room #123

*************************BIRTHDAYS**************************

 

Happy birthday to Pat Wallace on the 4th and Sally Barnes on the 11th! We hope you both have a wonderful birthday! 

December 16th, 2019

Monday Notes 12.16.19

"High Point Elementary cultivates knowledgeable, compassionate, and inquiring learners who impact a diverse global community."

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

Last Week Celebration! 
TODAY! - Ugly Sweater Contest (Ms. Salmons is judging! The top two winners will receive a Target Gift Certificate) and our Holiday Sing-A-Longs! 

Tuesday 17th - Tree Topper Tuesday! Wear your favorite holiday hat or headband

Wednesday 18th - Candy Cane Lane! Wear red and white and enjoy a candy cane from the admin team

Thursday 19th - Holiday Stockings! Wear your favorite holiday socks. AND Admin Hosted Luncheon in Room #123!  

Friday 20th - Flannel Friday! Be cozy and wear your favorite holiday flannels (even PJs!)

We will also "Dance Out of December" beginning at 2:25 Friday! If you aren't familiar with the "Git Up" song and dance, you can watch the short YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT4kQlM5xuE

We will be encouraging all students and staff join us in this "Git Up" dance!   

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

TKES and PKES Sign-Offs

Mid-year conference sign-offs have to be completed by Thursday, December 19th. Please make sure these are completed as well as all walkthrough/formative assessment sign-offs. We will pull the report Thursday at 3:00 pm. Thank you for your attention to this! 

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

January 3rd Workday

The January 3rd work day is for teachers to plan as a team, make sure report card grades and comments are uploaded and correct, and get any curriculum support from the Coaches or CST. Pitchford will also have a quick meeting with each grade level to reflect on last semester, discuss flexibility, and the action plan moving forward. 

The following meetings have been scheduled:
7:30-9:00 - Leadership Team Meeting in #123
9:00-10:00 - GMAS Data Dig with 4th Grade
10:00-10:30 - Kindergarten
10:30-11:00 - 1st Grade
2:00-2:30 - 2nd Grade
11:30-12:00 - 3rd Grade
11:00-11:30 - 5th Grade 

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

Calendar Change

The School Governance Council has voted to CANCEL the March 16th RFF day since we will have a teacher workday on March 24th. 

The SGC is also proposing that the April 21st and May 19th Digital Learning days be regular school days for our students. We will be holding Public Comment for the next 30 days and will want everyone's feedback. Please click on the link below to submit your feedback. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1tuiqNv5t4KjYKzyAZhEqlmhi7jFg2Kp07qmItYxYVZA/edit

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

Luncheon Thursday

Admin will be hosting a holiday luncheon this Thursday from Slopes BBQ! There will be salad, pork, chicken, mac and cheese, green beans, slaw, chips and dessert! Please come hungry! It will be in Room #123. 
A HUGE thank you to Colleen Zeller for making this happen for everyone! 

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

IB Learner Profile Attribute for JANUARY

PRINCIPLED and COMMUNICATOR

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

iReady Diagnostic

We want to keep everyone updated on the iReady Diagnostic that will begin when we return from break. 

Tuesday, January 7th 
**3rd, 4th ,5th will take iReading Reading
10:20-11:20 a.m. 5th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
12:10-1:10 p.m. 4th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
1:15-2:15 p.m. 3rd grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Wednesday, January 8th
8:15-9:15 4th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Thursday, January 9th
8:15-9:15 3rd grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Friday, January 10th
8:15-9:15 5th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

**K-2 need to use the computer lab or devices in their classrooms to get the iReady Reading and iReady Math diagnostic done by January 24th.  

**Teachers can extend their Math Workshop block, put students on Reflex Math, create inquiry stations, etc.... while they are waiting to take the Diagnostic. Students should NOT be on iReady until AFTER they have taken this assessment. 

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

Building Staff Capacity Evaluation
Per Title I, we needed staff to evaluate our "Building Staff Capacity Training" which was completed during pre-planning on August 6th. This training was held during our "2019-2020 School Overview" session. The discussion items are below. 

Please click on the link below the slide to complete the evaluation by Wednesday. The evaluation is only 3 questions and should take about 1 minute to complete. We appreciate you helping us with this mandatory requirement. 

https://forms.gle/LvdsY3UECDouscaV9

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

Leaving for Break
Please make sure you have taken all food and gifts with you when you leave on Friday. Make sure all computers are shut down and blinds are closed. Also, please take all valuables with you as well. Happy holidays! 

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

Monday, December 16th 

8:00-8:30 - PreK-2nd Grade Holiday Sing-A-Long
8:35-9:05 - 3rd-5th Grade Holiday Sing-A-Long
Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest
PreK Holiday Party

Tuesday, December 17th

Grade Level PLCs during Specials
Tree Topper Tuesday! 
Kindergarten Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 18th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Candy Cane Lane!
3rd and 4th Grade Holiday Party

Thursday, December 19th

Holiday Stockings!
Grade Level PLCs 
Staff Luncheon
1st and 2nd Grade Holiday Party

Friday, December 20th

5th Grade Holiday Party
Wear Favorite Flannel!
2:25 - Dancing Out December! 

*************************BIRTHDAYS**************************

 

Happy birthday to Madison Midkiff on the 17th and Brian Madej on the 20th! We also want to wish a happy birthday to Mary Cameron Faison on the 21st, Michael Hunter on the 22nd, and Vickie Reeves on the 28th during the break. We hope you all have a wonderful birthday! 

December 9th, 2019

Monday Notes 12.9.19

"High Point Elementary cultivates knowledgeable, compassionate, and inquiring learners who impact a diverse global community."

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

Congratulations!
High Point just received the Title I Distinguished School award!!! This award is given to the top 5% of Title I schools in the state of GA because of their performance. Congratulations to everyone on this amazing award!!

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

Pop Up PD

When? Today from 3:00-3:30 in Room 219
What? How to Become a Critically and Culturally Competent Teacher
Who? Any staff member
How? When teachers are knowledgeable about themselves and their students as cultural beings, they can use the students’ funds of knowledge to make learning meaningful and relevant -Cooper & Levin (2011)

My teaching philosophy is that all children, no matter how diverse, have the potential to become successful learners. As a result of this PD session, it is my hope that you all leave this room with not only an understanding and appreciation of diversity, but with a heightened critical awareness that leads to transformative action.

*Snacks will be provided! I hope to see you there 😊*
- Rebecca Laudel

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

Calendar Change

The School Governance Council has voted to CANCEL the March 16th RFF day since we will have a teacher workday on March 24th. 
The SGC is also proposing that the April 21st and May 19th Digital Learning days be regular school days for our students. We will be holding Public Comment for the next 30 days and will want everyone's feedback. Please stay tuned!! 

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

Staff Party This Thursday!

Don't forget to sign up for the staff holiday party sponsored by our gracious PTO! All food and drinks will be free and this is in place of our afternoon PLCs. 
Please sign up no later than TODAY!!!! 
It will be at Southern Bistro from 3:00-5:00! We are excited to see you there!!! 

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

PKES Goals for Paraprofessionals

All paraprofessionals must have a goal for PKES. If you would like to use a different goal than the one provided last week, please use the link below to submit today. Thank you! 


https://forms.gle/UmHKx1uGBXngibBFA

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

IB Learner Profile Attribute for DECEMBER

OPEN-MINDED

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

iReady Diagnostic

We want to keep everyone updated on the iReady Diagnostic that will begin when we return from break. We will continue to put information in the Monday Blog but wanted to get this out for everyone! 

Tuesday, January 7th 
**3rd, 4th ,5th will take iReading Reading
10:20-11:20 a.m. 5th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
12:10-1:10 p.m. 4th grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab
1:15-2:15 p.m. 3rd grade will take iReady Reading diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Wednesday, January 8th
8:15-9:15 4th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Thursday, January 9th
8:15-9:15 3rd grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

Friday, January 10th
8:15-9:15 5th grade will take iReady Math diagnostic in their classrooms and the computer lab

**K-2 need to use the computer lab or devices in their classrooms to get the iReady Reading and iReady Math diagnostic done by January 24th.  

**Teachers can extend their Math Workshop block, put students on Reflex Math, create inquiry stations, etc.... while they are waiting to take the Diagnostic. Students should NOT be on iReady until AFTER they have taken this assessment. 

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

Last Week of December
Get ready for a fun-filled last week of December NEXT WEEK!!! 

Monday 16th - Ugly Sweater Contest (top two winners receive a Target Gift Certificate) and our Holiday Sing-A-Longs! 
Tuesday 17th - Tree Topper Tuesday! Wear your favorite holiday hat or headband
Wednesday 18th - Candy Cane Lane! Wear red and white and enjoy a candy cane from the admin team
Thursday 19th - Holiday Stockings! Wear your favorite holiday socks. AND Admin Hosted Luncheon in Room #123!  
Friday 20th - Flannel Friday! Be cozy and wear your favorite holiday flannels (even PJs!)

We will also "dance out of December" beginning at 2:25!

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

PBIS Data for November
PBIS Tier 1 Data for November is great!!!  

This is a stressful time of year for everyone, so be proactive and remind students what the school wide Tier 1 PBIS expectations are for all areas.  

P.A.W. S.
Practice Good Manners
Always Be Prepared
Work HARD
Stay Safe

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

Continuous Learning
We have been pushing for less teacher talk for about 2 years now. Below is a great article from Edutopia called "Talk Less So Students Learn More." There are some great strategies to help us turn the learning back over to students. 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/talk-less-so-students-learn-more?utm_source=Edutopia+Newsletter&utm_campaign=1a35c834a6-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_120419_enews_talklessso&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f72e8cc8c4-1a35c834a6-85344291

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

Monday, December 9th 

9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour
Book Fair All Week

Tuesday, December 10th

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Wednesday, December 11th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

4:00-6:00 - Book Fair and Hot Cocoa by PTO

Thursday, December 12th

3:00 - Staff Holiday Party

Friday, December 13th

3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade's ETT for Write Score

*************************BIRTHDAYS**************************

 

Happy birthday to Susan Bradley TODAY, Janet Lee on the 13th and Amy Bradshaw on the 15th!!  We hope you all have a wonderful birthday! 

December 2nd, 2019

Monday Notes 12.02.19

"High Point Elementary cultivates knowledgeable, compassionate, and inquiring learners who impact a diverse global community."

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

Soccer Goals

Sandy Springs Park and Recreation have purchased two VERY EXPENSIVE soccer goals for our students. Please make sure you are reminding students to stay off the nets. If they hang on them, they will not last as long. Thank you for your help in monitoring these goals and keeping them looking brand new! 

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

Paraprofessional Meeting for PKES

All paraprofessionals and classified staff members, please plan on meeting in room #123 to review our school's beliefs as well as information pertaining to PKES. The meeting will be from 3:00-3:30. Thank you! 

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

Attendance

Homeroom teachers, please make sure you are monitoring students' absences/tardies and notifying parents of your concern prior to contacting Hutchins. Teachers should contact Hutchins after a child has more than 5 absences or 15 tardies. 
The number of absences accumulated by grade level is below for your information. 

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

STEAM Day
STEAM day was another huge success! Students were engaged, laughing, creating, exploring, discovering, and learning more about science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Thank you to Sheri Hess, Alyssa Davis, and Buffy Miller for being able to pull off such an amazing event! We also want to thank all the teachers and staff for their hard work and support in this powerful day! 

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

IB Learner Profile Attribute for DECEMBER

OPEN-MINDED

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

Principal's Corner for November

Please click on the link below if you are interested in the Principal's Corner for November that was sent to all parents. Thanks!!!

https://mailchi.mp/d0b5da7e324d/principals-corner-november-2019

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

Kona Ice
This is just a friendly reminder of the criteria for our Star IB students and when the attendance cycles will be.

The following criteria is needed for a student to be considered a STAR IB student at High Point:

• No absences, tardies, or early pick-ups during the attendance cycle
• Students must consistently exhibit the IB learner profile traits and be a role model for the class

Seven students (one from each grade level) will be randomly chosen from the slate of selected STAR IB students who fit the initial criteria. Each of the seven students will receive a STAR IB T-shirt, Kona Ice cup, High Point IB pencil, and a STAR IB blue bracelet! All other STAR IB students will receive a blue IB bracelet!

The attendance cycles are below:
January 9th ( attendance dates from November 7th – January 9th )
February 28th (attendance dates from January 10th-February 28th)

May 8th (attendance dates from March 2nd-May 8th)

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

Save the Date!

Our amazing PTO will be sponsoring our Holiday Staff Party on December 12th from 3:00-5:00 at Southern Bistro. The sign-up is located by the mailboxes. Thank you for signing up by December 9th so we can have a headcount for food and drinks. 

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

Monday, December 2nd 

Tuesday, December 3rd 

Ridgeview's Band/Orchestra to visit 4th/5th Grade

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Wednesday, December 4th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

8:00 am - Spelling Bee for 4th and 5th Grade

College Spirit Wear Day!

Thursday, December 5th

Book Fair Begins
3:00-3:30 - Paraprofessional Meeting
2:50 - PBIS Meeting

Grade Level PLCs 

Friday, December 6th

7:15 am - SGC Meeting in Room #123

*************************BIRTHDAYS**************************

 

Happy birthday to Latissa Southerland on the 4th, Stephanie Cole on the 6th, and Colette Schrock on the 7th.  We hope you all have a wonderful birthday! 

November 18th, 2019

Monday Notes 11.18.19

"High Point Elementary cultivates knowledgeable, compassionate, and inquiring learners who impact a diverse global community."

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

Thank you!

Thank you to the "Dream Team" who hosted last Friday's Staff Luncheon. It was amazing!!! 

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

Congratulations GOR

Congratulations to our Girls on the Run for completing their 5K yesterday!!!! We are so proud of our students and thankful for all the staff members who supported them before and during the race! 

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

Learning Walks

Members from the Central Learning Community will be here Monday to conduct Learning Walks. We do not want to interrupt instruction at all so please make sure everything is business as usual. Feedback will not be given, however, if you would like feedback, please contact someone on admin. Thank you!!!

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

STEAM Day Reminders

• All homeroom teachers and support staff should have a white lab coat to wear. If you do not have one, stop by Hess' office and grab one.
• Go through your bins and see what's missing, what do you need more of, or what's not right and let Hess know by tomorrow.This will give PTO a few days to get you everything that you need for STEAM day. 
• Perishable items will be delivered to you the morning of STEAM day 
• Return your STEAM day bins to room 123 before you leave for Thanksgiving break on Friday. 
• Support staff, return your lab coats to room 123 at the end of the day Friday. 
• Homeroom teachers KEEP your lab coats in your classrooms. 
Any questions or concerns, see Hess.

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

RTI and SST Notes and PM through December

Teachers, please continue to upload your Progress Monitoring to EASY for your weekly SST meetings.  ALL notes for those of you who can not attend should be sent to Brian and Sheri (They will be holding the meetings through the end of December).  Please send them in time for them to be included in the minutes for the meeting you are unable to attend!  Thank you!

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

Kindergarten IB

Kindergarten uses word sorts to engage and assess Wants and Needs!! Look closely at the sort,  one student stated “a computer is a need, because we NEED to do iReady!”

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

IB Learner Profile Attribute for November

REFLECTIVE

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

Save the Date!

Our amazing PTO will be sponsoring our Holiday Staff Party on December 12th from 3:00-5:00 at Southern Bistro. A sign up will be posted shortly! We hope everyone can make it!

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

Holiday Break

Please make sure you close all blinds, remove all items from the refrigerator, take all food from cabinets, and turn off all computers. We want to make sure you come back to a clean building on the 2nd of December. 

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

Monday, November 18th

1st Grade In-House Field Trip

Tuesday, November 19th

Write Score for 3rd Grade

Wednesday, November 20th 

Write Score for Make-Ups
Grade Level PLCs during Specials
2:45 pm - Leadership Team Meeting 

Thursday, November 21st

Kindergarten Field Trip
1st Grade Field Trip
Grade Level PLCs 

Friday, November 22nd

STEAM Day!!!
Thanksgiving Break!

*************************BIRTHDAYS**************************

 

Happy birthday to Kenyatta Clarke on the 25th and Meganne Ellis on the 28th! We hope you both have a wonderful birthday over the break!