See You At Work

Work can best be defined as exertion or effort directed to produce or accomplish something. I think this definition helps spotlight the point I hope to get across in this blog. Simply put, we have worked so hard all year to get to this point. Don't stop now. Working hard these last few weeks will make a huge difference in our pursuit for excellence. Sure, there are a variety of legitimate excuses for taking our collective foot off the pedal. We are tired. Worn out even. That alone is reason enough. I believe our building is full of teachers who love what they do and love with whom they work. I believe teaching is a passion and a true calling. Let us be motivated daily by the faces of the children who enter our classrooms each morning. Let's give them our best and change the future for the better. The only way to realize this vision is to push forward and work hard. There's only one thing to do. See you at work. 

Testing Reminders:
Third grade teachers have gotten us off to a fabulous start during this first official week of testing. Please continue to keep in mind the following:

• Arrive to your testing session on time and prepared. Someone will meet you in the lab to assist with getting the test started.
• Be an active monitor. Walk around and take notice of anything out of the ordinary or potential issues with testing or test security. Notify Mrs Lee or school admin if something concerns you. 
• Don't forget that your folder with testing tickets, rough drafts, seating chart, etc. is secure material that should never be left unattended. 
• Thanks to Mrs. Lee and our related arts teachers for covering the hallway for us and providing a break for our teachers during testing. They are there to assist you. 
• We are doing our best to keep scratch paper, sharpened pencils, and peppermints in each lab. 

Greenville Drive Reading All Stars Game:

As you have heard by now, the Reading All Stars game was moved to Tuesday, May 2nd at Fluor Field. Please communicate the following to your parents, via email/text message, of students who participated:

Attention parents whose children participated in the Greenville Drive Reading All-Stars program! The game has been rescheduled to Tuesday, May 2^nd with festivities beginning at 6 pm. If you purchased tickets to the April 23^rd game you MUST exchange your tickets by visiting or calling the Drive Box Office at 864-240-4528. Students who still have a voucher can also redeem it by visiting or calling the Drive Box Office. We look forward to seeing you at the game on May 2^nd!

One School, One Book Reveal:
This Friday, April 28th we will reveal the book we will be reading as part of our One School, One Book initiative. We are asking that teachers wear yellow on Friday as part of the reveal. Mrs. Martin will deliver books to classrooms on Friday as well. You are certainly free to wear blue jeans on Friday as well!

Speaking of work, Mrs. Hughes and our SSC have worked hard this year. Here they are cleaning up trash outside. The SSC is a great opportunity for our students to work hard to serve others. Thanks to Mrs. Hughes for leading these students.

Our 5th graders who served as tour guides worked hard last week to welcome our second grade friends from Concrete. I was impressed with our soon-to-be third graders!

Through the environmental grant, the courtyard area of our school has been transformed and offers an opportunity for a different kind of "work" for our students. We caught a glimpse of students weeding various areas outside and found Mr. White working with a student from Ms. Marino's class in the greenhouse. Awesome!

If we expect our students to work hard during testing and show what they know, a little encouragement certainly doesn't hurt. Check out what Mrs. Kallin prepared for her students in the way or motivation and encouragement before testing!

Moore's Musings:
Testing certainly has impacted our schedule, though I feel we have all done a great job of maintaining a "normal" schedule as much as humanly possible. Please remember that we must monitor our students at all times; including recess, restroom breaks, dismissal, etc. Let's prevent possible issues by being proactive. Additionally, please keep in mind what we discussed in our last faculty meeting. Have meaningful learning planned for your students throughout these final days. Whether it be PBL, reviewing for a test, or frontloading for next year...make sure your students are working hard and engaged. Growth and improvement are still possible as long as we set the tone. Let this be our expectation.

Mark Your Calendar (MYC):

• Book Fair Reception for Teachers - Media Center from 2:30-3:30 P.M. on 4/27
• PVES Skate Night - 4/27 from 6-8 P.M.
• Fire Drill - After lunch on 4/28
• Strings Concert - 5/1 Wren High at 7 P.M.
• Reading All Stars Game at Fluor Field - 5/2 
• Book Fair begins on 4/28
• Book Fair Ends on 5/9
• Aladdin Kids Performance at PVHS - 5/18 at 6:30 P.M.

Video of the Week: Denzel Washington's "See You at Work":

Better version - Click Here To Watch Facebook Video

or

Service

Ironically, service is one of the virtues we celebrated in our final EAFK ceremony of the year. Service can be defined as an act of helpful activity; help; aid. Let's take it a step further. Service is simply the act of putting others before yourself. We are blessed to work in a school that values the act of service. We work hard on a daily basis to serve our students. This is our calling. Our priority. Still, it is important that we serve one another. This makes difficult days more bearable and makes us feel loved and appreciated. An even greater calling is to serve our community. We do this through educating young people and engaging those around us through acts of kindness and modeling appropriate leadership, attitude, and effort. If I had to pick one word to define a perfect "vision" for the future of PVES, it would certainly be service. Can we be a school in which every individual does all he or she can to serve our school? This means doing your part and, yes, taking it to another level. Stepping up and stepping in; making a difference no matter what it takes. When someone mentions PVES, I take it personally. I want us to be the best. We can reach another level as long as we are willing to serve without hesitation or complaint.

Testing Underway:

Field testing is going well this week and things turn up a notch next week with the official start of SC-READY testing. Please review our google slides presentation from this week's meeting that includes schedule information for testing. Thanks to Mrs. Lee who is working hard to serve us during this time. She has worked long hours to prepare for testing. Remember, we want to be in "normal" mode with an awareness that testing is occurring in our building. As we discussed in our meeting, do your homework and be prepared. Make every use of our final 30 days together with students. This is how we can best serve the students that depend on us. Please make sure you find a way to exude a positive message to your students prior to testing. This can be done in email or written form. Get creative if you so desire. Encourage them to do their best and show off the PRIDE. 

Reading All Stars:

As you know, over 380 students completed the Greenville Drive Reading All Stars program. No, we have not forgotten about our pledge to dress up like the three little pigs and get on the roof. Please make sure your students who participated know to use their voucher to receive a free ticket. The game is this Sunday and we would love to see a great crowd.  Feel free to cut and paste the information below to send to parents:

CELEBRATE YOUR READING ALL-STAR: On April 23^rd, the Greenville Drive will celebrate the Reading All-Stars from our school. Qualifying students earned a FREE ticket voucher to the April 23^rd game, where they will receive a FREE Reading All-Star T-shirt, FREE Book and participate in a pregame Parade of Champions around Fluor Field.

To redeem your child’s voucher and purchase tickets for family and friends visit the Drive Box Office or call 864-240-4528. For more information about this game please click here.

Chic-Fil-A Race:

Don't forget about the Chic-Fil-A race scheduled for April 29th. The school with the most participation (running or volunteering) will receive $1,000. If we win, we will use that for reading materials that go right back to the classroom. Mrs. Horn was nice enough to prepare some information that you can share with your parents. This is a great opportunity to serve our community and our school so get the word out!

Friday = BLUE JEANS

Let's go back the past few weeks and look around the world of PVES...

I bragged on your earlier, but it was really cool to see our teachers at the last staff development day engaged in learning and getting better. When teachers from other schools were skipping out, you were participating and making an effort. This will serve you well as you continue to perfect your craft! 

Our math teachers enjoyed their final professional development session of the year with Mrs. Preisig. Guided math is a work in progress, but there is most definitely progress. It was great to reflect on the year and determine where we still need more assistance and where we can get better. Thanks to our math teachers for doing what is best for our students! 

We had to throw this gem in the blog. Congratulations to Mrs. Heath who was married recently. We are happy for you and wish you the very best. 

Our final EAFK ceremony of the year was a huge success. I do not think teachers realize how powerful their words are when they speak to students and parents at these events. Service was obviously one of our virtues and an important one as we have discussed. Congratulations to Mrs. Golden who became the first PVES teacher ever to receive EAFK recognition. She was "knighted" for the virtue of service. 

Mrs. Tollison and I met with 5th grade "tour guides" today in preparation for a visit from second graders from Concrete Thursday afternoon. Our students were excited to serve those second graders! It would be a rather busy afternoon with testing and a visit from our Concrete friends so thanks for being flexible and helping out where you see the need. 

The K.A.A.E. Bookaneers brought home the trophy to its rightful place by winning the district "Battle of the Books" competition. This group of young ladies did not miss a single question in both the school and district competitions. We are so proud. Thanks to Mrs. Fowler for serving our students and supporting this event! 

Moore's Musings:

Speaking of service, I cannot thank all of you enough for the way in which you handled the severe weather prior to Spring Break. Our homeroom teachers protected our students and communicated well. Our non-homeroom teachers literally braved terrible conditions to safely see our students to school buses and cars. This is service at its very core. I heard many compliments and positive comments from parents about the way we handled what was a very difficult situation. 

Video of the Week: