Fall Festival was a huge success. I want to thank every single staff member for all your help in making this evening such a big success. It takes a ton of work to pull an event such as this off and we appreciate each and everyone of you, especially our leader, Amanda Stevenson and her awesome team! I loved the costumes, creativity and teamwork. Both dance groups did an outstanding job in their first performances! Thanks coaches!!!! I sent some pictures to Theo Helm that I had taken during the evening to showcase on channel 2. Many, many staff members showed up and I can't tell you how important that it is that you show solidarity and show the kids they matter. It also shows you in a different light and who doesn't like to see their teachers having fun OR Mr. Powelson with a lit Mohawk!!!!! I appreciate you all! Even Spence Ballus came, he is our Eagle Scout!
RALEIGH COMES TO DIGGS-LATHAM-
Not only was Friday Fall Festival, but it was a very important day for our school. We were fortunate enough to be selected to host a very informative meeting with Dr. Beverly Emory, A.L. "Buddy" Collins (NC State Board of Education), Sara Riggins (Policy Advisor), Rachel Beaulieu (Legislative and Community Relations Director for NCDPI), Dr. Ken Simington, Dr. Janie Costello and via skype, Dr. Wayne Foster. Our very own Connie Rogers and Sarah Huddleston were also present to add their expertise. I felt the meeting went very well. We received many compliments on the things we are doing here at DL. Buddy Collins said that people in the community are "buzzing" about our successess. Your colleagues, Stephen Friel, Andrea Slusher, Julissa Knight, Beth Bostian, Debora Snider, Abadesa Ochoa (who volunteered to open her classroom) and Katie McGregor did an outstanding job. I was just like a proud mama! We also were joined by Celena Tribby and four teachers from her school. They were awesome as well. The teachers served on two panels and were asked some very pointed, hard questions. The questions ranged from those about professional development, class size, Dibels, TRC, Read to Achieve, and TWC. We will put together a policy statement that we have been assured will be read in Raleigh. Your colleagues proposed pay raises, appreciation and acknowledgement, more teacher work days where you can actually work and other key components that would be best practices. they were articulate, poised and confident. Thank you all for dressing so professionally. You looked great! Thank you also for the quality of Bulletin Boards tied to CC in the hall. Let's keep that up as it is impressive. I walked them down just about every hall in the school even though our time was limited by their schedule. We had a chance to tell "Raleigh" what we thought and they listened. I am so proud of all of you!!!!!! Once again, team work paid off.
Week At A Glance.....
EOQ Continues as Monday is Math EOQ and Tuesday is 5th Grade EOQ-Science
Observations continue
"It Takes A Village" tutoring on Wednesday
Dr. Frazier and I will bt at NISL Training on Thursday and Friday
Please read last week's blogs for other important dates.
Last Week in the blog, I asked you to comment on why you do what you do or your choice of a few other things. Besides Dr. Frazier, Connie Rogers and myself, there were only about 10 responses. Either people are not reading the blog or they are not taking it seriously enough. We have 75 employees at least. Everyone should respond. There are important dates that you need to know and the only place you will be able to find them is in the blog. I thank all of you who read the blog, reflect on it and stay abreast of what is happening at our school. You are helping to create a strong school community which we strive for every day. I have a new challenge for this week's blog.
Leave me a comment on this topic, "Construct a quick response to: We want to know what we should include in our Policy Statement to Raleigh, What do you think they should know about real life in the classroom, school, What do you love about your job and how can Raleigh help us to make it easier?" To enter a comment, you scroll down to the bottom of the blog, youmay see 1 comment or no comments, click where it says comments or the word reply and add your comment. Thank you!
Kennedy Center's Individual Schools of Distinction
Dr. Frazier and I and members of the Arts Team worked very hard to apply for this recognition. We had to include video footage of Arts teaching and performances that were uploaded to You-Tube, school academic and demographic data, arts via common core, and much more. We made the deadline by 4 minutes but we did it! Keep your fingers crossed. So many great things are going on here!