February 25th, 2019

Monday Notes 2.25.19

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GA State M.Ed with Endorsement Program      

Please email Pitchford if you would like more information. 

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March 11th Workday         

This day is for teachers to work in your classroom. There are county meetings scheduled for special area teachers, special education teachers, and other staff members (who were individually notified). All certified staff need to report by 7:10 am on this day. All classified staff are not required to work on this day. 

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Parent Spring Party - Auction Items            

Our PTO will be holding their Spring Party Fundraiser on March 15th from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. 

All of the proceeds from this party go to supporting teachers, staff, and our students. The parents are asking teachers or grade level teams to donate activities which will in return raise money for our school. They are hoping that each grade level will be able to have two items/activities to auction off. Some examples that have been done in the past are:

1) Assistant teacher for the day - The winner could assist the teacher with morning meeting or be his/her special helper for the day  ***1 per class*** 

2) Pizza lunch for your child + a friend (or 2) 

3) Manicure with your favorite teacher in your grade plus a friend

4) Breakfast with your teacher.***1 per class***

5) Lunch with your favorite specials teacher.  ***1 per grade***

6) Babysitting

7) Park play date after school 

8) Ice cream party 20 students****1 per grade****

9) After school dance and popcorn party for 20 students ***1 per grade****

10) Pizza Party for 20 students during lunch ***1 per grade***

Please let Pitchford know by THIS FRIDAY if you would like to donate. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. 

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International Night         

Teachers, join our families in introducing and celebrating YOUR family heritage and culture!  Join in the fun by hosting a booth or offering to help at a booth or provide entertainment!  Sign up with the link below!  

Mr. E, you know the teachers and students love to hear you sing and play the guitar and your plantains are beyond compare!! Come on everyone, join the fun!!

                         

                                        https://goo.gl/forms/rHMdtp7GZzBmBEC13

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Photos Needed!        

The yearbook committee is reaching out to you to upload any pictures you may have for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Please upload your pictures into the following google photo drives:

First Day of School: https://photos.app.goo.gl/uBa4FjW2jVPX1pJ79

Bingo Night: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MDwYYXhSPwbpKYrW7

PreK: https://photos.app.goo.gl/H7FHGikaQQK8rURP8

K: https://photos.app.goo.gl/kNN32N8TfUf8FDkX9

1st Grade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/MsjTv4oYrV19aVcUA

2nd Grade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ShtMBtAmkuT3vhVG6

3rd Grade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/wizg951yL2tzCJWs6

4th Grade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/42Pj5wQBneCZYkQ9A

5th Grade: https://photos.app.goo.gl/4Amva5VuDxmaHDxu5

You can also email rachelaustinwalker@gmail.com letting her know which group(s) the photo(s) belongs to. 

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KSU Coach          

Schedule: I will be supporting High Point virtually on Tuesday 2/26 and Thursday 2/28

Notes: Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2nd! Celebrate Read Across America Week with some of the ideas from the Seussville site - http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorReadAcrossAmerica.php. Whatever picture you take, use the hashtag #ReadAcrossAmericaDay

Highlights: Need a guest reader next week in your celebrations of Dr. Seuss? I'd be happy to video into your room for a virtual read aloud. Just send me a quick email expressing your interest and I'll come ready with a book!

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

Monday, February 25th

9:30 am - Prospective Parent Tour

Tuesday, February 26th
2:55 - SMF Redelivery for Certified Staff

Wednesday, February 27th
Guided Reading PLCs with Hess/Madej 

Thursday, February 28th
Progress Skills Checklists go home for 1st Grade
2:55 - PLCs
5:00 - GMAS Parent Informational Session in Computer Lab

Friday, March 1st 
8:00 am - Oratorical Competition in Media Center
Read Across America - Dr. Seuss' Birthday!!!

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

Happy birthday to Rachel Salmons TODAY, Bridget Mahle on the 28th, and Michelle Dickie on the 3rd! We hope you all have a wonderful birthday!!!!  

February 18th, 2019

Monday Notes 2.18.19

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Kindness Winners!       

Congratulations to the "Thumbs Up Kindness Award" winners!

Ms. Nobles’ class surprised Harry and Derick by giving them lunch and treats. The students allowed Harry and Derick to sit and relax while they cleaned the cafeteria!

Ms. Collins' class wrote encouraging notes for every student in 2nd grade!

Ms. Ittig’s class is starting a new program to keep our cafeteria clean. Tune in to the morning announcements and Monday Notes for more information!

Thanks to everyone for all the kindness you spread around our school every day!

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March Meetings           

In order to accommodate schedules and prepare for the upcoming GMAS, we have had to change the Tuesday meetings for March. Please note the following changes: 

March 5th - NKOB and Para PLC (Leadership Meeting is cancelled)

March 12th - SMF Redelivery for Certified Staff

March 19th - Faculty Meeting

March 26th - GMAS Training for all Examiners and Proctors

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SGC Elections               

If you are a teacher and interested in serving on our SGC, please fill out the candidate declaration form at  https://form.jotform.com/90234913917156

Teachers will have until this Wednesday, February 20th to declare candidacy. 

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Virtual Connections       

Ms. Mahle’s class connected virtually with Mrs. Rome to learn about app Popplet! How 21st Century of them!!!

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Project Cafe Kindness

COMING THIS TUESDAY!

"Project Café Kindness" brought to you by Ms. Ittig/Kim/Cole’s class

WHO: 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade classes (eventually hope to include lower grades)

WHAT: Classes will earn raffle tickets for a chance to win an ICE CREAM PARTY at the end of the week (we will start weekly and then taper off to biweekly, etc.)

WHERE: Cafeteria

WHY: Our class noticed that a lot of food and trash are left behind in the cafeteria and we wanted to try to solve that problem.

HOW: At the end of your lunch time, a representative from our class will come and assess your lunch table for food and trash.  He/she will give raffle tickets based on the following criteria:

0 Pieces of Trash = 5 Tickets 

1-5 Pieces of Trash = 2 Tickets

6-10 Pieces of Trash = 1 Ticket

More than 10 = Try Again Tomorrow

The cleaner your class is, the better their chance of winning!

**Please share will your classes and be on the lookout for a piece explaining it more on the morning news on Tuesday.

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KSU Coach          

Schedule: I will be supporting High Point teachers virtually on Tuesday 2/19 and Thursday 2/21.

Check out the calendar below to see days during February that I'll be available to chat online with you! 

Notes: Need support with Google Classroom? The 2018-2019 Google Drive holds resources to support you! Follow this path to revisit documents, videos and help sheets that were shared in recent trainings...Media Center and Technology Files>Google>Google Classroom.

Highlights: Interested in expanding your knowledge of Google but don't have time...consider listening to the 'Google Teacher Tribe' Podcast. You can find the link here, https://googleteachertribe.com/, but the show is also accessible from any Podcast application on your mobile device.

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Continuous Learning

As we are getting closer to the end of the third quarter and putting grades in our grade books, I would love for everyone read this article about what failing students want us to remember.

According to the article, "teachers are placed in a situation of viewing students first and foremost as test takers and grade makers....Grades actually have very little to do with learning. Learners benefit considerably more from a myriad of low-stakes assessments and routine feedback."

"So when a student is not performing, progressing, or participating, we need to pause and look beyond that child's actions. We need to look beyond any behaviors of defiance or refusal.....and see what the child is actually trying to tell us." 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-failing-students-want-us-remember?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

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

Monday, February 18th

No School!!!

Tuesday, February 19th
2:55 - NKOB and Para PLC

Wednesday, February 20th
7:15 am - SGC Meeting
5th Grade WriteScore Read Assessment
IB PLCs with Roberts during Specials

Thursday, February 21st
4th Grade WriteScore Read Assessment
2:55 - PLCs

Friday, February 22nd
3rd Grade WriteScore Read Assessment
10:00 am - 3-5 Make-Ups for WriteScore Read
ELL Monitoring Notes Due

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

Happy birthday to Lacey Hawkins on the 19th! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!  

February 11, 2019

Monday Notes 2.11.19

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

Congratulations!!                 

Please join me in congratulating Haley Foster on her recent engagement! We are so happy for Haley and her finance Alex!!!  

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Kindness Challenge            

This week, we are participating in the great kindness challenge. Here’s what’s happening!

1. Kindness Challenge Sheets: Every student will be given a kindness challenge sheet. Once it is completed, they will be able to turn it in for a prize!

2. Random Acts of Kindness Class Competition: The class with the most original, most impactful Random Act of Kindness will earn the THUMBS UP KINDNESS TROPHY!!!!!!

3. Reaching for Kindness Hands: Students will write down kind acts that others have done for them on the hand cut outs. We will be making a reaching for kindness wall by my office! You are encouraged to write down acts as well! There will be extra hands in the front office.

4. Kindness Rocks: Throughout the week, Kindness Rocks will be scattered around the playgrounds. If found, kids can choose to keep the rocks, or pass the kindness on for another kid to find!

You are encouraged to use this week to talk about kindness in your classroom and add any additional activities. I sent out a number of resources through email on Thursday. Please let me know if you are doing any additional fun activities!

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SGC Elections               

The School Governance Councils are an integral component of Fulton's Charter System. Members of the SGC are responsible for setting and monitoring the strategic plan of High Point Elementary! We need the voice of staff, parents, and community members in order to ensure we are representing our students, staff, and community in the best way possible!  

What is the commitment? All SGC members serve two years and meetings are typically held once a month for about 1-2 hours. There are also various trainings or meetings held throughout the school year. For more information or questions about serving, please see Megan Eigel, Delise May, Lib Roberts, or Lori Simon. 

If you are a teacher and interested in serving on our SGC, please fill out the candidate declaration form at  https://form.jotform.com/90234913917156

Teachers will have until Wednesday, February 20th to declare candidacy. Voting will then occur from March 11th - March 18th.  

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Six Flags Tickets

This is a friendly reminder that all Six Flags reading logs need to be turned in by February 14th!  Please put them in Ms. May’s or Ms. Clarke's box and our parent representative will grab them. Thanks!!! 

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Black History Month      

Teachers, if your students have sticky notes for the "I have a Dream" bulletin board, put        them in Lib's box and she'll add them to the board!  Encourage your students to stop by      and see theirs and their friends' big dreams for our world!! 

Poster Contest - Will continue throughout the month of February! Judging will be held          every Wednesday for the newest submissions!  Each Wednesday winner will receive a $5    Chick-Fil-A gift card and posters will be displayed around the building!!  Posters should          include a current or historical figure, description of the attributes of the Learner Profile          displayed and how their contribution changed the world for the better! Posters may be        created at home!

Ms. Foster's student combines the poster challenge with the Red X movement to                  stop slavery! He says, "I hope you can fite to end slavery. It is our only chance!"                    

Out of the mouths of babes...

Watch the WPAW for some of the big dreams our kids are dreaming about to make an        impact on their world!  Let Lib know if you have a student with a big dream and she'll            come video them for the news show!

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SSEF STEAM Showcase!         

Mark your calendars for Sandy Springs Education Force STEAM Showcase, March 13th from 6-8 pm at North Springs Charter High School!  SSEF will be donating $1000 to the school who has the highest percentage of attendance based on school population!!!  

Help us win by encouraging your students and families to attend this FREE exhibit for adults and kids of all ages!  You'll create your own laser show, manipulate a surgical robot, explore  Mercedes-Benz automotive technology, learn about the science behind the art from Medieval Times and Center for Puppetry Arts and much more!!  Let's turn out in force!!

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International Night!

High Point will be celebrating our school’s rich cultural diversity through our International Night on Thursday, March 21st from 5:00-7:00 pm.  We would like for you to participate by hosting a booth featuring a country, or by sending a dish, an artifact, and/or traditional clothing from your culture/country!

It will be a learning and tasting event with displays from the different countries, music, entertainment, and fun for the entire family! Hope you can join us!

Please use this link to complete the questionnaire. 

https://goo.gl/forms/rHMdtp7GZzBmBEC13 

Thank you for your contribution in making this a great success!! Please submit your response or sign-up online by Friday, February 22, 2019.

Sincerely,

High Point School Cultural Arts Committee 

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KSU Coach          

Schedule: I will be on campus at High Point on Tuesday 2/12. I will be supporting High Point virtually on Thursday 2/14.

Notes: If you would like to see how to get connected with me for virtual support, I will be around the building on Tuesday to help you get set up. On Demand coaching is an easy 3 step process. Give me 10 minutes of your time, and I'll make sure you're ready to go!

Highlights: Are you a visual learner? Watch this screencast video, https://screencast-o-matic.com/u/iKm8/romeondemand, of an explanation and demonstration of how to make the virtual connection work! Looking forward to seeing your responses on the intake form, https://goo.gl/forms/KJDqY7OfJMFZI4A32, so we can get our first meeting arranged!

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PBIS Corner            

Teachers, we are more than halfway done with the school year. You made it this far and that, my friends, is something to celebrate!

February Focus: DISMISSAL

Send Beth Owens the names of one boy and one girl who show PAWS Up behaviors during DISMISSAL. Remember, all staff, not just homeroom teachers can send the names and those students will receive a Wendy’s coupon.

Reminder: The PBIS Committee wants to thank those teachers who walk their students all the way down to the buses and make sure their students are walking safely. We would like all teachers to ensure the safety of their students during dismissal.

- PBIS Committee

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Continuous Learning

See below a great article about 7 ways to "spark engagement" in the classroom! 

https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-ways-spark-engagement?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=facebook

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

Monday, February 11th

Kindness Challenge Week Kick-Off!!
4th and 5th Graders Field Trip

Tuesday, February 12th
2:55 - TOTY and PEOTY Celebration in Cafeteria

Wednesday, February 13th
Class Pictures!
No PLCs!!
College Spirit Wear for Students and Staff

Thursday, February14th
7:15 am - SGC Meeting 
Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Friday, February 15th
No School

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

Happy birthday to Nicole Cornibe on the 13th! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!!!!