September 2nd, 2019

Monday Notes 9.2.19

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Happy Labor Day!

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Welcome and Welcome Back!!!

Please join me in welcoming Jennifer Orrison, our resource special education teacher who has been on maternity leave. Her official day back was last Thursday. 

And welcome back to Ali Watts whose first day back is TODAY!!! 

We are so excited you are both here with us and we are ready to support your new reality of being a dynamite mother and an amazing educator! You guys rock! 

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Harry

Thank you to those of you who donated towards the Uber Eats gift card for Harry and his wife. We raised over $500 and have sent that along with a card showing our support and wishing his wife a speedy recovery. 

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TKES

All new and returning teachers need to go online to complete 1)Orientation 2)Self-Assessment and 3)Enter Professional Learning Goal or Plan (Flex employees = Goal and Full employees = Plan). To make it easier on everyone, please feel free to use the following goal which we will be working on during our PLCs throughout the school year. We will explain more as we go throughout the year. 

"By May 2020, all of my students will respond to and build on their peers' thinking, ideas, or answers using precise language supported with evidence."   

 Fulton County will be notifying us after September 3rd which employees will be on the Full Plan versus the Flexible Plan. If you are unsure, please hold tight and we will send you that information as soon as we receive it. If you already know you are on a Full or Flexible Plan, please complete the three steps listed above. You have until September 13th to complete the three steps. Thanks!!!

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PKES

The PKES process is being adjusted for FY20. The objective is simpler with a stronger emphasis on feedback and conversation. Once finalized, Fulton County will share changes with employees who are being evaluated using PKES. Until then, hold tight. Thanks! 

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Printers

Please make sure you are picking up your copies at each printer and only copying what you need. Please do not make multiple copies of one item in order to avoid the copy machine. Ink is extremely expensive and we do not have the funds to replace the cartridges on a bi-weekly basis. Thanks for your attention to this! 

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Observations and Support

This past month, administration has wanted to give everyone space to form relationships and develop the necessary routines and procedures in your classroom. Therefore,we have tried to limit our time in the classrooms and have interacted with students during various times outside of the classroom. Since we are now into September, we will begin to visit your classrooms and observe students' learning experiences. We appreciate you for welcoming us in your classrooms!  

Also, we were told to expect (at some point) Dr. Looney, our Superintendent! He has been visiting classroom, talking with students, and even taking over teaching. :) He is focused on intentional teaching and students being actively engaged in the thinking and learning. Please welcome him if you see him! 

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Tech Tickets

When submitting Tech Tickets for devices:

In the Description box:  
1. Enter type of Laptop – ie. Dell Latitude 3150
2. Enter Fulton Co. barcode (if available) in description area
3. Enter High Point barcode (if available) in description area
4. Print copy of ticket after submitting. 
5. Tape copy of ticket to device and turn into Media Center for pick up by Tech.

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School-Focused PLCs

We will have our first Faculty Fellowship this Thursday followed by our School-Focused PLCs. All staff should report to the media center by 2:55 for fellowship and staff recognitions. We will then break into our School-Focused PLCs immediately following from 3:15-4:00. School-focused PLCs are required for certified staff and optional for classified staff. Please see below for PLCs and room locations. 

 

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Continuous Learning

This article from Edutopia talks about simple ways to integrate four evidence-based teaching strategies. They are:
1) Retrieval Practice - constantly checking for understanding
2) Spaced Practice - returning to the learned material after it's been taught. Think "Throwback Thursdays" 
3) Interleaving - students learn more when they can't easily predict the answers 
4)Feedback Driven Meta-Cognition  - students assess what they know so they can focus on what they don't

Check it out! https://www.edutopia.org/article/simple-ways-integrate-four-evidence-based-teaching-strategies?utm_medium=socialflow&utm_source=twitter

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

Monday, September 2nd

No School!

Tuesday, September 3rd

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Wednesday, September 4th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials
College Spirit Day!

Thursday, September 5th

2:50 - PLCs

Friday, September 6th 

Fountas and Pinnell's Due for 1st-5th 

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

 

We would like to wish a very happy birthday to Melvin Miller TODAY and Christian Espinoza on the 8th of September. We hope you have a wonderful day!!

August 26th, 2019

Monday Notes 8.26.19

Welcome

Finally, we are able to welcome Leylis Burnett, our new Spanish teacher! We are very happy to have her at High Point. Thank you to Mr. E for teaching our students Spanish the first two weeks of school! 

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Crisis Go! Training

All staff need to attend a mandatory Crisis Go Training tomorrow in the media center from 3:00-3:15. We were told last Friday by Fulton County to complete this training by the 30th. If you are unable to attend, please email DiBartolo so that he can give you the training separately. Please bring your phones! Thank you! 

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New Website

Click on www.highpointelementary.org to see our NEW school website!! We are in the process of updating the pictures and still working on a few of the links such as technology resources but check it out!!! If there is anything that needs to be added, please let Pitchford or Roberts know! 

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Evacuation Drill- Green, Yellow, and Red Cards

Clarification for the use of the colored cards during an Evacuation Drill:

Green Cards: Use when you have your entire class with you at your evacuation location
Yellow Cards: Use when you don’t have your entire class, but you KNOW which adult they are with (ex: ESOL pull-out)
Red Cards: When you have checked your roster and you are missing students and you DO NOT know where they are located (ex:student went to media center but you are not sure where they are) 

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Calling the Front Office in case of a Health Emergency

When using a walkie or white button to call the front office in case of a true health emergency, please follow these steps:

     1)   State your name and that you have a medical emergency. (You are calling for any Safety Team Member at this point; not just Ms. Dickie!)

2) State your location, the child’s first and last name, and injury (if known) such as “John has fallen on the playground and is bleeding a lot from his arm” or 
“John is having difficulty breathing. He has asthma and a possible inhaler” or “John has
    been stung by a bee/ant/wasp near the gym and is having trouble breathing.”

3)  Do not call 911 until a Safety Team Member has arrived and determined if 911 is needed.

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School-Focused PLCs

We will have our first Faculty Fellowship on Thursday, September 5th followed by our School-Focused PLCs. All staff should report to the media center by 2:55 for fellowship and staff recognitions. We will then break into our School-Focused PLCs immediately following from 3:15-4:00. School-focused PLCs are required for certified staff and optional for classified staff. 

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Labels for Transportation Tags

Labels for the transportation tags will be in your mailboxes this morning. Each label will have a student's ID, name, grade, and homeroom teacher. Please make sure the transportation tag is correct and apply the label TODAY. If you are missing a label, please email DiBartolo. Thanks!!!

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Continuous Learning

For those of you who are new, I like to post educational articles, videos, or ideas under "Continuous Learning" every now and then in the Monday Blog. 
I believe it's important to be constantly learning as an educator and keeping abreast on current philosophies, ideas, or strategies that could positively impact you and our students. 

Below is the link to the Angela Lee Duckworth's TED talk on the importance of grit. I am sure you have seen it before but it's a great 6-minute video to remind us of the importance of perseverance and passion for students!

https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_grit_the_power_of_passion_and_perseverance

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

Monday, August 26th

Tuesday, August 27th

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Wednesday, August 28th 

Grade Level PLCs during Specials

Thursday, August 29th

2:50 - PLCs

Friday, August 30th 

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

 

We would like to wish a very happy birthday to Tiffany Churchwell on the 28th and Brooke Salzman on the 30th. We hope you both have a wonderful day!!

August 19th, 2019

Monday Notes 8.19.19

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Congratulations!

Congratulations to Rebecca Laudel who got engaged last weekend! We are so happy for Rebecca and Tim Pulicare, her fiance. 

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6th Day Count

Today is our 6th Day Count!!! All homeroom teachers should have the 6th-day count form taped to your door. Please make sure you use the INFINITE CAMPUS ROSTER to complete the form; not the class list on the Google Drive. 
Please tape it back to your door no later than 8:30 am. Thanks!! 

We will do this same process on Friday as well!! Thank you for making sure your forms are correct and on your doors. 

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Curriculum Night

This Thursday is our Curriculum Night! Each grade level will present as a team and all paraprofessionals and support staff, not assigned to a homeroom, will be in charge of directing parents and assisting in the hallways. The exact locations will be given out prior to Curriculum Night. While we want you to still be as comfortable as possible during the day, please make sure there are no jeans for Curriculum Night. Also, please make sure your students assist you in straightening your room before they leave. Thanks! 

The schedule is as follows: 

5:00 pm – PTO will provide sandwiches and goodies; Parents can arrive

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm – K through 2nd grade will present as a team
PreK – In their Classrooms
Kindergarten – Cafeteria
1st Grade – Media Center
2nd Grade – 2nd Grade Hallway by Bradley’s Room
6:00 pm – 6:15 pm – Parents can visit the individual K-2 classrooms

6:15 pm – 6:45 pm – 3rd through 5th grade will present as a team
3rd Grade – Cafeteria
4th Grade – 4th Grade Hallway
5th Grade – Media Center
6:45 pm – 7:00 pm – Parents can visit the 3-5 individual classrooms

7:00 pm - Adjourned

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Welcome

Please join me tomorrow (fingers-crossed) in welcoming Leylis Burnett who is our new Spanish teacher! We are very happy to have her at High Point. Thank you to Mr. E for teaching our students Spanish the whole first week of school and today! 

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504's

Please return the 504 cover sheets to Midkiff no later than Wednesday, the 21st! Thank you!!!

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HPES T-Shirts

Need to clean out your closet? Is your closet rod covered by HPES T shirts?
Our new staff would love to take extra HPES T-shirts off your hands!  
Drop them off in Lib or Sheri’s box, office or email and we’ll pick it up!! Help us spread the HPES love!! Thank you!

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Student Code of Conduct and Handbook

Please be sure to collect the Student Code of Conduct signature page from Open House and turn in to DiBartolo as the county will be monitoring.  Also, if you have any requests for the High Point Student Handbook, please let Ms. Zeller know. 

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

Monday, August 19th

6th Day Roster Count

Tuesday, August 20th

Wednesday, August 21st 

7:30 am - PTO Parent Meeting
8:00 am - Annual Title I Parent Meeting
PLC Meeting during Planning

Thursday, August 22nd

2:50 - PLCs

Friday, August 23rd 

10th Day Roster Count

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

 

We would like to wish Jennifer Orrison a very happy birthday on the 25th. We hope you have a wonderful day!!

August 12th, 2019

Monday Notes 8.12.19

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Welcome to a New School Year! 

Good luck today!! Thank you for welcoming our smart, talented, caring, beautiful students today! If you need anything at all, please call the front office. A team will be coming around to make sure tags are appropriately placed on everyone's bookbags by 2:15 pm. 

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First Week Reminders

Please make sure you are:

*Documenting and have a clear understanding how each child gets home

*Teaching routines and procedures

*Teaching safety drills

*Eating with your students for first three days

*Taking to recess for the first week (to teach routines and procedures)

*Reviewing technology procedures

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Principal Visits

If you have not signed up for a time when I can come into your room, meet your students, and have them tell me one interesting fact about them or their summer, please email me! I want to make sure I get into every class within the first two weeks! - Pitchford

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Girls on the Run 

Girls on the run is an after school program for girls in grades 3-5 that promotes healthy choices for the mind, body, and soul. We are looking for one (or two!) coaches who would love to join us this year as we help our girls learn to accomplish a goal (running a 5k) and how to be strong physically and emotionally. We meet twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) after school until 4:15, however, 2 coaches lead practice on Monday, and the other 2 lead practice on Wednesday. If you are interested or just want to know more about it chat with Stephanie Cole or Jennifer Mokri and we can tell you all about it! 

Email: silvermanj@fultonschools.org – Jenn Mokri (name hasn’t changed with the county yet)

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Teams for 2019-2020

The following teams are assigned for this school year. Congratulations to "Tenacious Ten" Team for winning the Scavenger Hunt and receiving a "Leave with the Buses" pass as well as getting first choice of their luncheon month! 

The luncheon dates are on the staff calendar but they are below as well. Team "Animal" will be starting us off in September! Thanks!!

September 13th, October 18th, November 15th, January 17th, February 21st,

March 20th, April 17th, and May 15th 

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Hearing and Vision Permission (Blue) Form from Parent Information Packet

Homeroom Teachers: After you have collected the signed H & V Permission Forms from all of your students, please turn them in to Lib’s box.  If a student or two still has not returned the form, please note on a sticky and turn them in anyway.

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New Kids On The Block

New Teachers: Please bring your laptops and handbook to Tuesday’s meeting at 2:45 in room 123!!

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School Logo Access

If you would like access to our school logo (children, dog, dog and name, etc...) please go to "HPES School Information 2019-2020" on the Google Drive and use the pictures in the "School Logo" folder. Thanks!!

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

Monday, August 12th

First Day of School 

Tuesday, August 13th

1:15 pm - Evacuation Drill

Wednesday, August 14th 

10:00 am - Severe Weather Drill

Thursday, August 15th

8:15 am - Soft Lockdown Drill
2:50 - PLCs

Friday, August 16th 

8:15 am - Hard Lockdown Drill

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

Happy belated birthday to Colleen Zeller, Emma Gilmore, Maddie Vavala, and Chyla Morgan. 

And we wish a very happy birthday to Jenna Perlow on the 17th and Brandy Webb on the 18th. We hope you have a wonderful day!!