April 27th, 2020

Monday Notes 4.27.20

"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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Reflection - What If?
Great post by our past Superintendent Jeff Rose.

         

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Expectations for May

May 4th - May 8th: Last week of NEW content and assignments given

May 11th  - May 15th: Make-up work and assignment completion. Teachers will continue to provide academic support to students and should focus on students with “Incompletes” and/or failing averages.

May 18th- May 22nd: Student and staff year-end celebrations and staff-wrap-up. 

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SeeSaw Ambassador

Ms. Schrock has just earned status as a SeeSaw Ambassador! She will now be able to help you with SeeSaw ideas, troubleshooting and creating, along with Ms. Owens!  Congratulations, Ms. Schrock!!! 

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Google Support

The FCS IT Division can assist GSuite schools with Google Platform basic login issues.  However, difficulties with Google Classroom or Google Hangout Meet or other productivity/collaboration tools within the platform should be directed to   http://support.google.com/edu 

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Faculty Meeting

We will have a faculty meeting for all staff Wednesday, the 29th at 8:00 am via TEAMS to discuss the end-of-year closeout and expectations. 

Please click on the TEAMS link in the email to join the meeting. Once joined, please turn off your microphone as well as your camera. If you have a question or a comment, please put it in the chat box so we can make sure we get to everyone. 

Thanks!!!

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BINGO Winner

Congratulations to Sally Blinder! She was our BINGO winner and earned a $10 gift card to TARGET!!!

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Classroom Breakdown for Summer

Beginning May 4th, we will start allowing teachers to get into their classrooms to start cleaning and packing up for the summer. The classroom "breakdown" expectations and guidelines will be shared at the faculty meeting Wednesday. 

School Hours Beginning May 4th: 6:00 am - 7:00 pm 

In order to adhere to the social distancing guidelines set by the state and county, we will be doing the following: 

* A total of eight people will be allowed in their classrooms each day. We understand that some of you might need to bring a child or a loved one to help you move or breakdown your classroom but we ask that you limit it to one support person a day. 

* We have created the schedule so that the teachers working each day are spread out. Please make sure that you are 6-feet away from a colleague if you are working on the same day. 

* Please bring your own masks and gloves if you have them. If you need a mask or gloves, please email Pitchford immediately so we can secure enough for those who are in the building. 

* We designed the schedule around collegials so that teachers could focus as much time as possible on their classrooms. With that said, please make sure you still keep your instruction going (Zoom calls, team meetings, student groups, etc..) while working in your classroom. 

* If you can't do your assigned day and need to switch with someone, please coordinate with another colleague and communicate the switch with Pitchford. 

* Teachers leaving were given three consecutive days to breakdown their classroom. Teachers returning next year were given two days. 

* We might open on the weekends if needed. We have a limited amount of time to get everyone packed up for the summer so please make sure you are utilizing your time wisely. If you need more time or don't need all your days, please let someone on the admin team know. 

* If someone was left off, please let Pitchford know. Thanks!!!

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Grades in Infinite Campus

A friendly reminder that each homeroom teacher needs to have at least 2 Reading and 2 Math grades entered in Infinite Campus by April 29th. You can enter the remaining 2 to 3 grades after the 29th. Last day to enter grades will be May 18th. 

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Staff Virtual Get-Together

We will hold another staff virtual happy hour this Friday, May 1st at 4:00!!! Sheri Hess will send a link out for everyone to join. We hope to see everyone there!!!

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

 

Happy birthday to Kathleen Gochnauer on the 28th! We hope you have a very special birthday.  

April 20th, 2020

Monday Notes 4.20.20

"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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Sincerest Condolences

Our sincerest condolences go out to Chris Zimbardo for the loss of his mother before we were out and to Sally Blinder for the loss of her brother last week.

We are all thinking of you during this difficult time. 

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Just For Laughs

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Changes for Next Year

Most of you are already aware of changes for next year but I wanted to make sure it was communicated to everyone as we get closer to May. 

We are already thinking of ways to celebrate our retirees as well as the wonderful educators who will be leaving us this year so stay tuned!! Our employees are: 

Lori Simon - Retiring

Hollye Elliot-Conway - Retiring

Jennifer Mokri

Calin Todd

Ashlei Dixon

Ali Watts

Leigha Jones

Kathleen Gochnauer

Madison Martindale

Susan Bradley

Employees changing positions:

Amy Bradshaw - EIP 

Daija Norwood - 2nd Grade

Margaret Conway - 4th Grade

Daniela Cerpa - Kindergarten Para

I will be communicating these changes to parents at the end of this month as well. 

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Scavenger Hunt Results

Thanks to everyone who participated in last week’s Scavenger Hunt. It was a very tight race, but at the end of the day there can only be three winners. Here are the winners:

First Place- Susan Marinos (23 objects)

Second Place- Anita Collins (14 objects)

Third Place- Amy Bradshaw (6 objects)

Congratulations to Susan Marinos who will be receiving a $5 Target gift card in the mail next week!!!

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BINGO

Who loves BINGO?  Let's have a little quarantine fun by playing weekly BINGO as a staff!  If you get a BINGO (5 in a row), send a picture of you and your card to me by 3 p.m. this Friday!  I will draw the submitted names to see who is the winner and post the winner in next Monday's Blog along with sending you a $5 Target Gift Card!  

The BINGO card is located in our Google Drive in "High Point Information 2019-2020" folder or click the link below!

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0AHi4bEfInCgrUk9PVA

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Classroom Breakdown for Summer

Beginning May 1st (unless the Shelter in Place is extended), we will be allowing teachers to come into the building to breakdown their classrooms and get ready for the summer. We will share the schedule in next week's Monday's Blog. We have to make sure we are still following the guidelines set by the Governor but giving everyone ample amount of time to get organized. Thanks for your patience. 

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Internet for Families

Vaneisa Hutchins and Mariana Mendoza are tirelessly working with families to determine if they have internet issues and if we can help in anyway. 

If parents are having difficulty connecting to internet services, please send an email to Vaneisa Hutchins. She will call them, verify that they have contacted a provider and then reach out to Pitchford to see how we can help. 

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Principal Search

Everyone should have received a survey regarding what you would like to see in a new Principal. Please take the time to fill out this survey and have it completed by April 24th. 

A teacher and parent focus group will be conducted via TEAMS on Monday, April 27th and final interviews will be May 1st. The recommendation will go to the Board on May 5th. We appreciate everyone's input during the selection process. 

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

 

There are no birthdays this week. 

April 13th, 2020

Monday Notes 4.13.20

"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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"Some Good News"

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Principal's Corner

If you would like to see the Principal's Corner for March that was sent to parents, please click on the link below: 

https://mailchi.mp/68706f28b170/principals-corner-march-2020

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FMLA Poster during COVID-19
This poster will be posted at the school and if anyone would like it in an email, please email Pitchford. 

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Remote Learning Guidance

The district has sent our communication to staff and parents regarding the new guidelines and policies around remote learning. 

I have placed the document in our High Point School Information 2019-2020 folder. 

The leadership team will also be meeting on Wednesday the 15th to discuss this packet so if you have any questions around this communication, please email your grade level chair and we will get it answered during our meeting. 

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Ideas for Connections

As I stated in my video earlier, we are committed to staying connected. Here are a few things we will be working on and giving you the details about in the near future (and depending on the shelter-in-place requirements): 

1. Staff reading aloud books they love and posting on our website

2. Staff scavenger hunt

3. Student scavenger hunt

4. Faculty Drive-Through Neighborhood Parades

5. Virtual 5th Grade Completion Ceremony

6. Virtual Awards Ceremonies

7. Pen Pals

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

 

Happy birthday to Taylor Johnson on the 15th!! We hope you have a very happy birthday!!