Another successful week in the books...
Ms. Marino has been visiting classrooms to educate our students about disabilities and the students in her classroom. In her class, business is unusual; and that's just the way they like it. Her students are special to us and they are treated like rock stars, well, because they are.
Mrs. Berry has placed an important reminder to us all outside of her computer lab. We all leave a digital footprint. It is important that our students are taught and constantly reminded that using technology, though business as usual for us, carries with it responsibility and weight.
Hey! Remember me? Don't forget to stop by the pineapple chart, located at the teacher boxes in the office, and share some of the great things taking place in your classroom. This gives other teachers the opportunity to break their "business as usual" and see new and innovative ideas.
Teachers new to PVES has an opportunity to learn from Mrs. Tollison and Sandra Goff this past week. Specifically, Mrs. Tollison shared the structure of guided math. At one point in our school, math was "business as usual", but this is no longer. And we have incredible results to show for it!
5th graders learned about chemical changes in Science last week. And their teachers made learning hands-on, fun, and .... tasty! Thanks to everyone for always researching innovative ways to engage our students. This is truly business as usual at PVES.
We celebrated International Literacy Day on Friday by reading aloud to classes throughout the day. A special thanks to our reading coach, Kelle Martin, for organizing this opportunity. Business as usual means we understand the role literacy plays in the success of our students. We know the power of literacy and enjoyed stressing its importance to our students!
And finally, Friday afternoon was hot. As in 92 degrees and sunny HOT. However, this did not prevent a group of 30 plus teachers and parents (and a few students) from spreading mulch on our playground. Business as usual for many schools would be to pay extra to have someone do the work. Not at PVES ... we worked together and got it done in an hour!
OLWEUS:
Teachers, we will begin our OLWEUS class meetings on Monday, September 17th in the morning at 8:10 A.M. OLWEUS is our bullying prevention program and it is so important that we are all on board and have a common language to combat bullying behaviors. Don't forget about our shared folder with great resources including the lesson plans for the first 6 class meetings. Related arts and other teachers may be assigned to classes to participate in the discussion and help the classroom teacher as needed to make the program successful. After the first 6 lessons, work with your grade level to plan lessons, activities and discussions that focus on areas of concern in your class or grade level.
PRIDE Time:
PRIDE Time is specifically designed as Tier 1, in-class intervention for all home rooms. We were very intentional about carving out a 30-minute period each day of the week from 8:10 A.M. - 8:40 A.M. This is not a time for make-up work or grading papers. It should be intentionally planned as intense intervention for students based on real data and needs. Please view slides 3 and 4 from this old presentation as a refresher. I know we have been using this time to level students and get some beginning of the year items tucked away, but the expectation is that we are committed to using PRIDE Time to support our students and help them grow. Some ideas:
- Pull an extra guided math or guided reading group.
- Front-load material for struggling students or GT students.
- Students not with teacher can build reading stamina or work on DreamBox or Reflex.
Fundraiser:
Our Powdersvile Pride Stride fundraiser continues. We have seen pledges increase the past few days and have eclipsed the $5,000 mark with 16 more days to go before the actual fun run event. Obviously, there is a long way to go to reach our goal. Teachers, we are dependent upon you to motivate and encourage your students to participate. Communicate often with parents and really talk the fundraiser up with students. Our first school-wide goal was reached so, on a Monday coming soon, Mr. Moore and Mrs. Tollison will endure being made into an ice cream sundae. Don't forget we need forms turned in from all students to participate. Even students who raise no money can and should participate and will receive a free shirt and healthy snack on race day. Thanks for your help with this!
Papa John's "Dollars for Dough":
Our first "Dollars for Dough" mini-fundraiser will be held September 11th and 12th. Encourage families to visit a local Papa John's on either or both days. Then, they simply turn in their receipt and our PTSO receives a portion of the profit. Thanks for getting the word out and even supporting this opportunity yourselves if at all possible.
Live PD:
Our next Live PD session is scheduled for Wednesday, September 12th at 3:15 P.M. If you are on duty, please finish in time and take any students not picked up to front lobby so you can make it to your session. Please read our session agenda to know specifics about your session.
FALL Pictures:
Fall pictures will be taken this week on Thursday and Friday. 3rd grade and Ms. Marino's class will have Fall pictures taken on Thursday while 4th and 5th grades will have them taken on Friday. Pictures will be taken in the media center both days. Please access using the double doors across from the office. We will call your class at some point before lunch and you will line students up tallest to shortest. If you have your class ready to follow directions and quickly move through the process, we can get things done efficiently. Thanks again for your help with this!
"Thank You" Friday:
On Friday, please plan to wear blue jeans as a "thank you" for a great start to the school year. And, thanks to Mt. Airy Baptist Church, lunch will be provided for you on Friday during your regularly-scheduled lunch period. Just walk your class to the cafeteria and we will take them from there. Then, head to the Strings room to enjoy food and fellowship. Simply come back to the cafeteria at the end of your lunch period to pick up your class. Thanks for all you do!
Moore's Musings: The Power of the Hashtag
Teachers, when we first began our iPad journey, we placed a lot of emphasis on using Twitter as a means to tweet our great things taking place in your classroom and as a means to connect with other educators to steal ideas from them. I would ask that you do your best to use Twitter as a professional development tool. Let's have a great online presence to positively brand our school and share great ideas. You can tag us at @pvespride and use the hashtag #pvespride when you tweet something out. Thanks!
Mark Your Calendar (MYC):
- September 11th and 12th - Papa John's "Dollars for Dough"
- September 11th - 5th Grade Field Trip Meeting at 6 P.M. in Cafeteria
- September 12th - Progress Report Folders sent home (Teachers have one week to input grades in computer after a grade is given).
- September 13th - Fall Pictures for Marino and Grade 3
- September 14th - Fall Pictures for Grades 4 & 5
- September 14th - Lunch provided by Mt. Airy and Blue Jeans
- September 17th - Begin OLWEUS Class Meetings
Video of the Week:
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