March 30th, 2020

Monday Notes 3.30.20

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

**Friendly reminder that action items are in red and informational only items are in blue. 

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Just For Laughs

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Stay Connected Through Facebook!

Mr. DiBartolo has set up a private Face Book page for teachers and staff ONLY. He is in the process of inviting people through both Face Book and email invitations. Please join us if you can!

We hope to utilize this space as a safe place staff can post pictures, memes, gifs, etc. in the hope of keeping our High Point spirit alive! Hop on, contribute, and let’s have some fun.

Facebook Page: Buddy High Point

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Connecting with Students

Below is a summary of what each grade level is doing to connect to students over the past two weeks. If you are interested in anything they are doing, please reach out to someone on that team. It is so impressive how we are using SeeSaw, Google Classroom, Zoom, Teams, Google Hangouts, and other programs to connect to our kids. Way to go! 

*Ms. Midkiff is also offering counseling sessions and Chris 180 will be still be operating as well for our students. 

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Staff Spirit Week! 

 We would love everyone to participate in the STAFF Spirit Week and post your pictures to the Buddy High Point Facebook page so we can stay connected. 

Send a quick video or pic showing your great choices next week!

Monday - DAY 1: GET IT DONE! - Show Your Work-Space 

Tuesday -  DAY 2: HEALTHY YOU!  - Show A Healthy Snack  

Wednesday - DAY 3: HOW FIT CAN YOU BE? - Show How You're Staying Fit

Thursday - DAY 4: IT'S BOOKS GALORE! - Show What You're Reading for Pleasure 

Friday -  DAY 5: HIGH POINT PAWS PRIDE! - Show your High Point Spirit (wear HPES shirts or blue and grey) 

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Student Spirit Week! 

A huge thank you to Christian Espinoza and Anita Collins for setting up a School Spirit Week for our students. Please send this information out to parents next week. 

Please make sure parents know that when it says "SHARE A PICTURE," they can share their picture on High Point's Facebook page NOT the new Staff Only Facebook page. If parents have trouble posting pictures, please have them contact Mr. D for assistance. 

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Food Banks for Families

Fulton County is still offering food sites (Lake Forest and Ison Springs) for families on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 11:00-1:00. 

The High Point Civic Association in conjunction with Sandy Springs PTA are setting up a Food Bank at Under the Cork Tree from 11:00-3:00 each day. If you would like to donate food, bring it by! And please let your families in need know about this opportunity for support. 

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GMAS and GKIDS Testing Cancelled

The state has cancelled GMAS and GKIDS assessments. 

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Spring Break

Fulton County is still honoring Spring Break. Please make sure students are not held accountable for assignments during April 6th-10th. Enjoy yourselves as much as possible and STAY SAFE!!!!!

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

 

There are no birthdays next week or until after Spring Break! 

March 23rd, 2020

Monday Notes 3.23.20

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

**Friendly reminder that action items are in red and informational only items are in blue. 

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Support

We hope everyone is taking good care of themselves and social distancing as much as possible. Each admin member is working with grade levels to support you so you can support our students. We appreciate everyone communicating with each other during these times so everyone is clear about the support they need. Please know that if you need anything at all, we are all just an email or phone call away! 

Pitchford - 404-729-0378
DiBartolo - 404-954-2592

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Connecting with Students and Families

Last week was new for all of us!!! Thank you to all the staff members who have been reaching out to families to make sure they have food, devices (in grades 3-5), and engaging activities. The parents have been overwhelmed with the notion that High Point cares for them deeply and is trying whatever method possible to stay connected!!! 

Fulton County is still offering food sites (Lake Forest and Ison Springs) for families on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between 11:00-1:00. Please encourage your families to take advantage of this offering. We are looking into distributing meals to the apartments as well. If you know of a family in need, please reach out to Pitchford, DiBartolo, or Hutchins so we can get them the necessary support! 

Devices were handed out last week as well for students in grades 3-5. Students who were unable to get a device last week will be able to get a device this week at Riverwood High School. Specific information will be sent to those students without a device and their teachers. 

Paper copies of Week 1 and 2 are available in bins at the front of the school. If parents don't have access to technology, PLEASE encourage them to come get a packet, supplies, and even the food bags. If you need more copies, please email your admin rep and we will make them for the parents. 

We are now into WEEK 2! Continue calling, emailing, texting, video chatting, and other methods to stay in touch with our students and each other. But most importantly, STAY HEALTHY and social distance yourself as much as possible. 

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GMAS, TKES and CCRPI Suspended 

As of right now, the state has suspended GMAS, TKES and LKES evaluations, and CCRPI. This does not mean that these have been canceled; just suspended. We will keep everyone updated as much as possible and appreciate your patience! 

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Spring Pictures Rescheduled
Spring Pictures have been rescheduled for April 16th should we return to school. We won't notify parents until we know more but wanted everyone to be aware. 

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SGC Staff Elections

SGC Staff Elections are being held NOW until the 24th. The bios are below. Please click on the link sent to you in an email to vote!

Amelia Ditzel: My name is Amelia Ditzel. I have been teaching in Fulton County for 12 years, and specifically at High Point Elementary for the past 4 years. At the beginning of my career I was a homeroom teacher and then moved to teaching ESOL. As an ESOL teacher, I both push into classrooms as a support teacher and pull students out for direct instruction to best support our language learning students. I am passionate about High Point and all it has to offer. This school is filled with great teachers and does an amazing job of teaching not only academics, but also inclusion, empathy, compassion, and perseverance. The diversity of our students is a strength that brings unique perspectives and ideas and an amazing learning environment. The support of strong teaching and administrative teams as well as a hardworking PTO makes High Point an ideal community school to be a part of. In addition to teaching at High Point, I live in the High Point neighborhood and have two children attending High Point (Kindergarten and 2nd Grade). I love being part of a neighborhood school, both as a parent and a community member. I am truly invested in the continued success of our school and would love to support it even more as an active member of the School Governance Council.

Amy Bradshaw: Participating in a leadership capacity at High Point is very important to me. Furthermore, it would be an honor to have a role in the strategic plan through the School Governance Council. I feel strongly that I can contribute to designing specialized educational experiences that align with the needs of the students in our community. During my 14 years of teaching, I have served on leadership for 8 years. With experience in 4 schools, 2 states, & teaching English abroad, my perspective has been broadened, teaching me how to work with many different learning styles. I use my ESOL endorsement, my SIOP courses, and my Orton Gillingham training to help students reach success. I have led teams in curriculum and instruction-both vertically and within a grade level-to ensure the needs of all students are met. Additionally, I welcome the opportunity to aid staff members. Specifically, I enjoy supporting new staff members to adapt and embrace the International Baccalaureate mindset, as I have been at High Point since the beginning of our journey with IB. I also welcome the chance to lead professional development and redeliver information in meetings, as I did this year for the Infinite Campus training. I would love the opportunity to be an open-minded member of the council – listening to what others have to say and bringing the classroom viewpoint when needed. By building our future with the students we serve, we are improving our community and world! 

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

 

Happy belated birthday to Amelia Ditzel on the 16th, Alterique Hall on the 18th, and Rachel Roseman and Lib Roberts on the 21st! And happy birthday to Sheri Hess on the 26th, Calin Todd on the 27th, and Stacia Hastings on the 28th!!! We hope you all have a wonderful birthday! 

March 9th, 2020

Monday Notes 3.9.20

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

**Friendly reminder that action items are in red and informational only items are in blue. 

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Staying Healthy

Please remind students to wash hands daily, cover their mouth with their elbow when they cough or sneeze, and wipe down their areas and devices after use. 

Also, if a bathroom or classroom runs out of soap or paper towels, please tell Derick or Harry IMMEDIATELY. Please do not put a sign on the door since the contract cleaners aren't in charge of that. This is top priority for us.

As of right now, ALL events will resume as planned. If parents have any questions, please continue to send them to Pitchford or DiBartolo. 

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Shrek the Musical! 

We are thrilled to support our 4th and 5th graders as they perform Shrek the Musical this week!! Mr. Miller and our students have worked tirelessly and we know the performance will be amazing! 

Please plan on coming to the cafeteria and being seated no later than 8:00 am on your performance day!!

Tuesday, the 10th: PreK-2nd grade

Wednesday, the 11th: 3rd-5th grade

We will also be offering free shows at 6:00 pm on both nights. We hope you can join us!!

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PBIS

Indoor Recess Strategies - Use Go Noodle, class yoga, etc.

***Prize to the class that comes up with the most innovative indoor recess activity from Mr. D!!!***🏆

Reminder - Please give out compliments to classes in the halls! We need to promote the PAWS bubble charts we started at the beginning of the year! 🐾

Spread the love - Compliment each other too!! Remember to send Vavala the staff or teacher shout-outs! 🥰

PBIS Incentive Party - St. Patty’s Day Fun!!  🍀🍀🍀

Shaving cream station 

Rainbow Loom station 

Shamrocks decorating station 

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February Principal's Blog

If you would like to read the Principal's Corner that went out at the end of last month, please click below: 

https://mailchi.mp/10b71e782c77/principals-corner-february-2020

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SGC Staff Elections

SGC Staff Elections will be held March 17th - 24th. The bios for the staff candidates will be going out in next Monday's Blog. We encourage everyone to VOTE! Thank you for participating in this election.   

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IB Learner Profile Attribute for MARCH

BALANCED AND INQUIRER

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Beautification of HPES!

Thanks to Ms. Conway's and Ms. Ellis' class for helping beautify our school this week!!!  

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

Monday, March 9th

Book Fair All Week! 

Tuesday, March 10th

8:00 am - School Musical for PreK-2nd
9:00 am - Title I Parent Reading and Enrichment Workshop
Grade Level PLCs during Specials
6:00 pm - School Musical

Wednesday, March 11th

8:00 am - School Musical for 3-5
Grade Level PLCs during Specials
6:00 pm - School Musical 

Thursday, March 12th

2:50 pm - Grade Level PLCs
Book Fair Ends

Friday, March 13th 

Teacher Workday! 
7:30-9:00 am - Leadership Team Meeting

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

 

Happy birthday to Ali Watts on the 11th! We hope you have a wonderful birthday!