TEAM Powdersville

Teamwork makes the dream work, as they say! Our collective dream at PVES is to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and school community through relationship building and education. I would say we got off to a fantastic start and are well on our way to realizing this dream for the 2017-2018 school year. Getting off to a successful start creates opportunities down the road. I am so proud of our PVES team for working together and making this one of the best "beginnings" we have ever experienced. When you reflect on the many defining moments that have already taken place in just two short weeks, it is encouraging and inspiring to consider what can be accomplished by our faculty and staff in the weeks and months to come. We have come together; not as grade levels or content area teachers, but as a collective whole, in pursuit of our dream and vision for PVES. We realize it's so much larger than just us. The challenge now becomes to press onward. We can't let up. We can't back down from the roadblocks. I know our team is ready for the challenge. Team Powdersville is ready.

Let's reflect back on a wonderful two weeks to begin our 17-18 school year...

  

Both orientation nights were a success thanks to all involved working hard as a team. Our homeroom teachers had their classrooms ready to go and so inviting. Our office staff and related arts/specialty areas teachers were so helpful directing parents and collecting fees. We made such a great first impression!

Speaking of orientation nights, our PTSO board and volunteers had one of our best starts, in terms of membership, in quite some time. Don't forget to join PTSO soon and encourage your families to do so. This should be included in communication with parents this week. The class receiving the highest percentage of memberships will be rewarded...the teacher as well. Our PTSO is an important part of our PVES team. Let's keep up the positive momentum and support our PTSO!

 

Our opening meeting was a huge success. Everyone focused on working as a team to make this a successful school year. Thanks to Newspring Powdersville for their hospitality. We discussed expectations for the school year and non-negotiables in terms of what we expect from our teammates. To quote a football coach around these parts, I truly believe "the best is yet to come" for PVES.

 

 

Shared leadership is a huge emphasis for Mrs. Tollison and I at PVES. I am thankful for our teacher leaders. All of you met with Mrs. Tollison and I in "grade level" meetings to discuss last minute details and expectations for duty. Thanks to Mrs. Garrett, Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Heath and Mrs. Horn for leading SeeSaw training for our faculty. SeeSaw is a tool that will enable our parents to be on our team throughout the year. Mrs. Wilcox shared lesson ideas and resources for using our garden area this year. This is a point of emphasis for our school and an area where our students can learn outside of the classroom (both literally and figuratively). Mrs. Tollison worked with our "new" teachers and staff as part of our PVES NEW BEST program. This group will meet throughout the year to assist those who are new to our team get acclimated to our culture. Team Powdersville was certainly on display leading up to the first day of school! 

 

Before we get to the first day of school, how can I forget to mention our eclipse viewing party? It was an incredible opportunity to view this once-in-a-lifetime event with our team. These experiences allow us to bond and grow closer as a team. Thanks for sharing in this experience with us! 

  

The first week of school is busy. There is no escaping the mind-numbing tired that envelopes all of us during this important week. I was so impressed with our faculty and staff. Everyone stepped up to be an active part of our team approach to the week. Mrs. Tollison and I enjoyed meeting with each grade level and introducing ourselves and our expectations. Our teachers worked hard to practice, practice, practice routines and procedures. From the lunchroom, to the hallway, to the restroom...our students relay on our high expectations. We should continue to rehearse and stress our expectations in these areas. iPads continue to be set up in the classrooms in order to have students prepared to use them successfully throughout the school year. All these things are vital to our success. Our team was certainly up to the challenge for the first week of school. Now, keep it going! 

Live PD:

There is no Wednesday Live PD this week. We will meet next Wednesday after school for our first Live PD session of the year. Our focus will be on test scores, among other matters. Please remember that Wednesdays should be kept clear on your calendar so you can attend Live PD Sessions.

PRIDE Time:

We will begin PRIDE Time, intervention block, on Monday. If you need a refresher or you are new, click on the link provided to familiarize yourself with this 30-minute block of intervention. In short, as soon as morning announcements are over, you should begin PRIDE Time until 8:40 A.M. A bell will ring to signal the end of this period. The vision for this block is a highly focused and engaged block for intervention. We won't interrupt your classroom with announcements (unless it is very important). This first week, you will want to establish some routines and procedures so students know this a time meant to make everyone better...for improvement. We will address ideas and structure in future professional development, but all students can get very valuable read-to-self time and DreamBox math time out of this block. In addition, teachers should be pulling small groups and individual students daily to "meet them where they are" in reading and math. The expectation is that this block of time is a difference maker for our students and sets an academically-focused tone to the day. 

Fall Pictures:

Yes, I know it is 90 degrees outside, but Fall Pictures are upon us this week. 4th and 5th grade picture day is Thursday, August 31st. 3rd grade and Marino picture day is Friday, September 1st.  Pictures will be taken in the Strings/PD Room. We will begin as soon as we are able on Thursday and Friday. You will line your students up tallest to shortest when you are called. Obviously, we want this to be a smooth process so thank you in advance for being ready when called and directing students quickly and efficiently through the line. 

Fire Drill:

We are required by law to have a fire frill within the first 20 days of school and ours is scheduled for this week on August 29th. Make sure you know your evacuation route. Each teacher should bring a copy of his/her roll, green/red cards for signaling that you either do (green) or do not (red) have all your students accounted for. If you have a walkie, you will bring this with you. As your class quickly exits the building, make sure you turn the lights off to your classroom and close your classroom door. Once you make it outside, quickly account for your students and be prepared to tell the office staff member assigned to your area if you are missing anyone. 

Teacher Websites:

Please make sure your website is being updated. Many parents refer to your website for schedule information including lunch and recess. Let us know if you need any assistance. Additionally, work hard to ensure your parents are signing up for My Homework and SeeSaw. This may mean you need to make some phone calls. 

PVES Pals:

We have such a fun and tight-knit family at PVES. Thanks to everyone for again participating in PVES Pals. The goal is to simply brighten your pal's day with a note or small gift. Check in on your pal at least once a month and make a difference to that person. Refer to the "A Few of My Favorite Things" list to help you get started. 

Moore's Musings:

• Thank you in advance for continuing to stress behavior and routine expectations in your classrooms, hallway, cafeteria and bathroom. These are school-wide expectations and we all play a part in creating a positive and structured environment for our students. We can't stop now. Use Lion Heads to compliment other classes. Everyone be involved! 
• Speaking of behavior, use the online behavior referral form when a student needs to speak to school administration. Add this to your bookmarks/favorites. Remember, the expectation is that the teacher has used his/her clip chart and behavior management system to its fullest extent and that parents have been contacted, prior to referring a child. This, of course, does not apply for serious behaviors when/where administration is needed immediately. 
• Please remember to be on time for morning and afternoon duty. The 8:00 A.M. bell is our tardy bell. All students must be in class by this bell. In the afternoons, class along the 100 and 200 hallways should be lined up at the lion mural by the time the 2:35 bell rings. 4th and 5th grade classrooms should be ready to leave at the 2:35 bell. We need everyone moving down the hallway quietly and with a purpose so we can begin afternoon dismissal as soon as possible. There is certainly a sense of urgency here as everyone is relying on us to get started quickly. Thanks for your help. 

Mark Your Calendar (MYC):

• MAP window opens - 8/28/2017
• Fire Drill - 8/29/2017
• First weekly progress report folders sent home - 8/30/2017
• Mulch installed on playground - 8/30/2017 at 9:30 A.M.
• Fall Pictures for grades 4 and 5 - 8/31/2017
• Fall Pictures for grade 3 and Marino - 9/1/2017
• PTSO Chic-Fil-A Biscuit Sale - 9/1/2017 (during morning arrival time)
• Labor Day - No School - 9/4/2017 
• iPads Can Be Sent Home - 9/5/2017 (Student must have paid iPad protection plan - Patty will get list out to teachers). 

Videos of the Week:

Let's take a look at some more dysfunctional teams out there...

New Beginnings

Well, here we are. The 2017-2018 school year is close at hand. Another summer has flown past us disguised as a blur. I trust that everyone had an opportunity to rest, refresh, and enjoy time with friends and family. Mrs. Tollison and I have been busy this summer; reflecting on our previous year and planning for what is sure to be our best year yet at PVES. I certainly enjoy the renewed commitment and enthusiasm at the beginning of the school year. In this first blog of the new school year, we appropriately focus on beginnings. A beginning, as defined by dictionary.com, is an origin; a source; a first cause. Think about that for a moment. We have a fresh start in front of us. We get to initiate a "first cause" in all that we do. Didn't like the way you arranged you room last year? Here's your chance to try something new. Want to do a more efficient job of planning? Sure thing. Here is your opportunity. Want to make building relationships in the building more of a priority this year? Why not? There is no better time to start than right now. As we work together, as a team, to get this year started off in a positive and focused manner, let us remember the words from a wise man: "You cannot change the past, but you can write a new history." A new beginning is upon us, and if we approach it wisely, it can be life-altering for our entire school community! 

Let's take a look at some beginnings in the life of our building...

Mrs. Wayne, Mrs. Thomas, and Mrs. Garrett represented our school at the Upstate Technology Conference this July. They had to literally close the door to the room due to overcrowding in their session! We appreciate their leadership. Their "Tech-infused Guided Reading & Math Station Ideas" session was a huge hit. We have now reached year 4 of our one-to-one iPad initiative in ASD1. Do you remember way back to the beginning? How far have we come? We are now a LEADER in the district in this area. 

The hallways look very nice and clean. Our hard working custodians did an incredible job in the classrooms and around the building to make sure we had a first-class building ready for our first-class faculty and staff. I remember way back to the beginning of this waxing project thinking there was no way we would ever get done. You are sure to notice the difference it makes when you first walk into the building. 

Speaking of our custodians, they have truly done an excellent job in and around the school. Whether it be cutting grass in 90-degree heat or cleaning walls (and everything in between), they truly worked as a team to get so much accomplished. Please make sure you thank our custodial team when you see them! 

I think everyone will notice the positive message now posted in and around the library and front office. Thanks to Deb Fowler for getting this organized.  We plan to continue to add more in order to creatively use our wall space. In other words, this is just the beginning to some of the improvements you will see at PVES.

From iPads to supplies, everyone has teamed together to make sure things run smoothly for everyone at the beginning of the school year. Our plan is to have all iPads in classrooms to be used starting day one. Thanks to our district technology team for all of their help. 

Thanks to this group of teachers (and one of students) for showing up to help pull weeds in our garden area. This is a learning space we will continue to improve upon and highlight. At the beginning of the school year, Ms. Wilcox will share with all of us more of our vision for this space and how everyone can and will chip in to make this a valuable asset to our instructional program. Not pictured: Deb Fowler.

Mrs. Horn has made our teacher work room a much more inviting place to...well...work. Make sure you stop by and enjoy some of the changes. We are even adding some music to the mix. From the very beginning of the year, I hope this is an area you will enjoy, be proud of, and take great care to maintain. 

Our leadership team has been hard at work. They met three days this summer to work on important school-wide initiatives; including OLWEUS (an anti-bullying program) that we will implement as a school this year! Thanks to the leadership team for their hard work!

There is no better beginning than to welcome a beautiful child into the world. This year, we were able to celebrate this many times over. And as Mrs. Payne gets closer and closer to the arrival of her newborn, we have to celebrate a "beginning" for Mr. White and his wife Amanda. They have adopted a son, Solomon, and they are finally home! I can't tell you how happy we are for that family. Additionally, Mrs. Pam welcomed a grandson into the world last week. Conner is doing well and it looks like Mrs. Pam is okay to have him around. 

New to PVES:

We are proud to welcome new members of our PVES family. Please make it a point to meet these wonderful people and make them feel at home. Offer help/assistance whenever possible to these new folks and show them the high expectations we hold for ourselves and our students. 

Jobie Henderson - Grade 3

Hollyn Candler - Grade 3

Ashley Williams - Grade 4

Laura Grier - Grade 5 

Kristie Berry - Computer Lab Manager 

Monica Banks - TMD Assistant 

Pam Adams - Custodian (joined us at the end of last year)

Orientation Nights:

4th and 5th grade teachers have Orientation Night on Monday, August 14th from 5:30-7:30 P.M. An email was sent to all those involved with more information. Remember that Orientation Night is an opportunity to usher in a new school year with a positive vibe and make that all-important first impression on our school community. 3rd grade teachers, your big night is Tuesday, August 15th from 5:30-7:30 P.M. We will get you additional information soon. Thanks for making these events a wonderful "beginning" to the new school year! 

Kickoff to 2017-2018 School Year:

We look forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday, August 15th to begin the school year together. Last year, we enjoyed a trip to Furman University. This year, we will be much closer to home. Our opening meeting will take place at Newspring Church in Powdersville. You will park on the side closest to Highway 153 (behind Coyote Coffee). You will see cars in the parking lot and there is plenty of parking. The address is 120 Woodson Street Greenville, SC 29611. Here is our agenda for the morning:

• 7:45-8:45 A.M.  Meet & Greet with Breakfast - Enjoy Chic-Fil-A minis, fruit trays, coffee and juice. We will also have music and games. Take this opportunity to connect with colleagues before we get down to business in our opening meeting.
• 9:00-11:30 A.M. Opening Meeting - We will discuss our vision for the 2017-2018 school year and engage our faculty and staff in discussion and collaboration about how we can continue to improve as a school. We would ask that everyone comes ready to be a part of our PVES team and contribute in this session. 

At 11:30 A.M., we will conclude the meeting. The remainder of the day is yours to use wisely. Refer to this "First Week" Calendar so help you plan your meeting times. It is a full calendar, much of it based on school and district expectations, but there are some spots for planning opportunities and working in your room. This schedule is subject to change. We will discuss in our opening meeting. Finally, we will be sending out a Flipped Faculty Meeting with important reminders from our office staff. You will want to view this ASAP at your convenience. 

Moore's Musings:
Pride. We use the word a lot around here. A pride is a family of lions and we are indeed a school family. A team. We are made stronger when we work together for a common vision. Our purpose fuels our passion. We also take great pride in our school. We have accomplished so much and have so much still to accomplish. For everyone, including our new faculty and staff, please take time to carefully consider our PRIDE Acronym. This is a guiding force in our building in terms of our belief system. We expect everyone to make time on the first day of school to discuss this and make this a point of focus each and every day. Speaking of pride, I am so proud of our teachers. Your rooms look incredible. Our students are blessed to be at PVES and learn from compassionate and competent educators. Great job!

Mark Your Calendar:
Remember that our shared Google calendar, along with this blog, are two important ways we communicate to you. As faculty and staff are expected to check the the calendar regularly and read the blog when it is published. Additionally, we use email and Remind text messages to disseminate information to faculty and staff.

Miscellaneous Resources:
Please take some time to read our handbooks for the 2017-2018 school year. Please let Mrs. Tollison or me know if you have any questions or concerns.

• 2017-2018 Faculty Handbook
• 2017-2018 Parent/Student Handbook

Video of the Week: