Thursday, February 28, 2013

Diggs-Latham Shows Pride!


 


 

Black History Celebration A Huge Success!

Yesterday's Black History Celebration was a grand success. Mr. Jahleel Deberry did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremony. I was so impressed with his confidence. He did an awesome job!!! Mr. Stover delivered an informative and interesting account of Black History while Mrs. Susan Ingram shared with us her beautiful rendition of "Lift Every Voice and Sing".  Mr. McCloud's poem was delivered beautifully and the message will live on in all of us. he is a grand speaker.  What a great experience for our students to see the WSSU Steppers. Our kids were wide-eyed while they were performing.  The Gospel Choir Members from Galilee Baptist Church sang and played beatifully. It is always such a wonderful experience for our students to hear others perform. What great role models for our kids!

I am also so very proud of our Pep Squad under the direction of Ms. Tryla Green, Ms. Alisha Taylor and Mrs. Lallave. I love watching them perform and so does our student body. It takes a lot of practice to be that precise and entertaining. They get better every time we see them. Way to go! Coaches, we appreciate you so much!

Speaking of dance, our Honors Dance Team, coached by Amanda Stevenson,  proved again why they are stand-outs in our district. They also get better and better.  Their performance was excellent and enjoyed by all. The costumes were just gorgeous and the team was focused and driven to show the authenticity of the dance. AMAZING!!!!!!!!

Mrs. Farthing also did an incredible job with her students. The Honors Chorus students sang beautifully and were enjoyed by all. I know this was a lot of work for Mrs. Farthing, especially since our students were involved in All County Chorus, the night before! Well done team.

Hooray for Mrsa. Washburn's 4th graders who made wax historical figures come to life. They did a marvelous job in their preparation. Way to go!

Of course, a lot of credit needs to be given to Mrs. Amanda Gordon and her team: Mrs. Maeretha Hopson, Ms. Farthing, Ms. D'Lisa Smoot, Mrs. Marilyn Gilliam, Ms. Alisha Taylor, Mr. Stover, Mrs. A. Brown and Ms. Studevent.  This event was a huge success because of all of your hard work, planning, dedication, and attention to detail. I cannot express enough gratitude on behalf of our school. THANK YOU!!!!!

I would also like to thank our behind the scenes folks, Mr. Powelson, Mrs. Uhrig and Ms. Pullen. As always, we appreciate their tech work. Thank you too to Mrs. Hamilton for taking pictures. You all are the best!  I hope I didn't inadvertently forget anyone, if I did I apologize, it wasn't intentional:)

SIT NEWS: 

You have probably noticed that there are 5 Project Sign-Up sheets in the lounge. Each Sheet has a Leader or Leaders names on the top. As a school, we are required to complete a Comprehensive Needs Assessment, in which we analyze our school. We look at perceptions, academic data, discipline data, attendance, etc... SIT Members have signed up to do the research but we need additional faculty members to help. Your SIT Rep. will tell you more about it. The SIT Members are required to participate but we would like to have additional school and community personnel help us as well. We value everyones input and feedback. This is a large task that we would like to have finished at the end of the month of March.  All schools are required to complete this very important task. This Tuesday's faculty meeting will be dedicated to getting in groups and working on this project. Everyone will participate on Tuesday but as I said, we need additional people to help on these 5 project groups so please sign up by Friday afternoon. The sheets are in the lounge.  Thank you:) This is a great Leadership Opportunity that will support your evaluation so I encourage you to participate. We will not have Differentiation training at this meeting but our meeting in April will be led by our school's Differentiation Team which includes: Julissa Knight, Mrs. Bostian, Mrs. L. Wright, Mrs. Faqih and Mrs. Pubantz and myself. We will have an informative and interactive session in which we will have doorprizes and snacks! 

Ms. Tryla Green and Ms. Sidonna Brown to take over Parent Involvement Blog

As you know, parent communication is very important.  These two talented ladies will update the parent blog every 2 weeks or so.  I am excited to see their blog, I know they will do a great job. They will be undertaking many challenges as they are administrative interns.  You can find the Parent Involvement Blog on our HomePage.  Thank you to Mrs. Martinez who translates the blog.  Way to step up ladies!

Picture Day is March 5th!  Family Fitness Night is March 7th!

 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tuesday, February 26th

Happy Tuesday and certainly we welcome Back Ms. Smoot and Mr. T. who returned yesterday.  Continue to keep Ms. Barger in your thoughts and prayers as she continues to recover.

  • Please be sure to spend your Gift Cards from Home Moravian and put the receipt in the brown envelope outside my office.  Mallie will be here to pick them up this week.
  • Black History Celebration tomorrow at 9:00
  • SIT Meeting this afternoon
  • Mid-Term Interims due today
  • Cannon and McNeil to City Hall this morning
  • Mrs. Farthing will take students to All County Chorus at Reynolds HS tonite at 6:30/Come out and see our kids!
  • I have received Quarterly Newsletters from AG/k/3. Everyone else, please turn in your grade level newsletters asap. Thank you:)

It is raining outside, but let's make it a great day indoors!

Friday, February 22, 2013

Monday, February 25th, 2013

  Happy Monday! I hope that everyone enjoyed their day off.


As always, this will be a very busy week.  Our Black History Celebration has been rescheduled for this Wednesday. Again, thank you Amanda and your wonderful committee for your hard work. I know that having a day off on Friday has thrown a monkey wrench in your plans but it won't slow you down much as I know you are always one step ahead of any unforeseen occurrences.  Wednesday will be great!

Today At A Glance:

  • Cannon to meet with UNCG-Project Enrich at 8:00
  • Cannon-Observations/Walk-Throughs
  • Frazier-Observations/Walk-Throughs
  • Farthing to take All County Chorus students  to practice
  • Cannon-3:15 IEP
Mid-Term Interim  reports go out and Important SIT Meeting tomorrow at 3:10

All County Chorus-
Congratulations to all of our students who made All County and Thank You Mrs. Farthing for doing such an excellent job with them.  All County Chorus will be Tuesday evening, 6:30 at Reynolds HS. 

Friday, February 22, 2013




No School Today. We'll see you on Monday. Our Black History Celebration is rescheduled for Wednesday at 9:00 am. Have a wonderful day!!

Thursday, February 21, 2013

It's Thursday!



Happy Birthday Miss Stevenson!

Items of Interest:

  • Human Relations Banquet this evening - 5th Grader Clinden  McCulloh-Bostian  Way to go Clinden!!
  • Black History Celebration tomorrow at  9:00/Talk to your students about  audience etiquette. It is so important that we reinforce that. Remember that staff members should not have cell phones out during any assembly unless it is an emergency and you have cleared it with me first.
  • Dress in your Ethnic Attire tomorrow if you have it.
  • Don't forget to turn in February newsletter to me for each grade level.
  • Let's all keep our fingers crossed that the weather holds up for tomorrow morning!!!!Mid-Term Interims next Tuesday 2/26
  • All County Chorus 6:30 2/26  Go Mrs. Farthing!!!!
  • THERE WILL BE A DIFFERENTIATION TEAM MEETING on 2/27  at 3:10 in office conference room for the Team which includes:
  •  Pubantz/L. Wright/Faqih/Bostian/Knight/Cannon
  • DID I FORGET ANYONE ON THAT COMMITTEE?
  • IMPORTANT-Sit Mtg. 3:10 on 2/26

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

February 20, 2013

Good Morning!  Welcome Back D'Lisa Smoot!!!!!! We missed you.

A special thank you to Mrs. Hough, Ms. Faqih, Ms. Frazier, Mrs. McGregor, Mrs. Pubantz, Mrs. Friel, Mrs. L. Wwright who all contributed to a very successful SIP Review yesterday.  They all worked hard to gather evidence and make a presentation to Mr. Steve Oates, our Elementary School Superintendent. Awesome job TEAM!!!!! We are all proud of you. I just received word from Mr. Foster that our SIP score in now 3.3.  The highest score is a 4.  Way to go team.   I am so proud of our whole faculty.  We will begin work on our Comprehensive Needs Assessment at next week's SIT Meeting.

Items of Interest and Importance:

  • Remember to turn in Guided Reading Levels and groups to Gloria today. The expectation is that all grade level reading teachers are doing guided reading. If you have questions or need assistance, I will be happy to help.
  • Don't forget to donate to the Arts Council. Even one dollar helps:) This is a great cause.
  • Are you wearing green today?
  • I would like a copy of each Grade Level's February newsletter. I need to share them with Title I.
  • 3rd round Observations are beginning/Walkthrough are continuing.
  • Thanks to Amanda Gordon and her team for making final preparations for our Black History Celebration. I know it will be incredible.
  • Retention Letters are being translated and will be ready to go home in next Tuesday's packet. Be sure to send letters home to anyone who might be a possibility including those referred in which decisions have not yet been made.

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Tuesday, February 19th, 2013

 

Happy Tuesday!

OSTE Meeting 3:10 in the Media Center/SIP Review Meeting in Room 200 and Committee Meetings at 3:10 throughout the building. Remember to send a copy of your agenda to Mrs. Frazier and myself.

SEEDS.......SEEDS.....SEEDS......

Mrs. Jackson would like you to know that she has left seeds in the front office for your use.  Thank you Irma!

Retention Letters:

If you have students that you are considering for retention, please stop by my office today to pick up letters that should go home today.  Thank you.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Monday, February 18th, 2013






Family Affairs:
The services for Mrs. Smoot's mom were this past weekend.  Please continue to keep her family in your prayers.  This is a difficult time for the family.

Our wonderful Social Worker Chris  had surgery late last week and is recovering. Mrs. Hall has been keeping us posted and Chris is at home now and doing well. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She will be out a few weeks.  If you would like her address, see Mrs. Kennedy.  Don't forget to also keep Mr. T., Ms. Almaguer, Ms. Reece's son Jackson and Ms. Crookshank in your thoughts and prayers.

Arts Council Campaign......


 
Don't forget to contribute to the Arts Council. It is a wonderful cause that is close to our hearts, especially since we are a school of the Arts. We all know how much of an impact the Arts have on our students.  Our Arts Team is phenomenal and we are fortunate to have such a great team. Let's try to get 100% participation. See Amanda Gordon for details.
 

Possible Retention Information

I will be emailing you information today regarding possible retentions. Please read your email.
 

Upcoming Events.....

Please Remember to Wear Your Badges for Security
  • SIP Review 2/19 at 3:30/Committee Mtgs. 2/19/ as well as OSTE Mtg. in Media Cent. 3:10
  • Happy Birthday to Amanda Stevenson on the 21st of February
  • 2/22 Black History Celebration on Friday at 9:00am
  • 2/26 SIT MTg. and Mid-Term Interims Due

Thursday, February 14, 2013

February 14th - Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to the BEST FACULTY in WSFCS!


  • Surprise from Home Moravian today:) Not sure what happened yesterday
  • Be sure to wear your heart today and find your match!
  • Cannon to Elementary Principal's Meeting today at 7:30
  • Please try to have all valentine's treats during lunch time.
  • Great Job Danielle and Sidonna planning for yesterday's Rising Stars Celebration. Those students are progressing!
  • I have retention/progress letters for you to send out concerning children you are worried about that might be possible candidates.  I will have them in your boxes tomorrow and more information about them on tomorrow's blog. It is imperative we notify parents of at risk students now.
Please make sure your PEPs are up to date and you are implementing all needed interventions in your class with your students.


  • Communication with Parents is Key, parents need to be informed. Thank you everyone for keeping up with your communication logs. Remember there should be a variety of parent contacts, phone, email, in-person, etc.....
  • A big Thank You and Job well done from our Music Student Teacher from WSSU, Duane Smith. He did an awesome presentation for our students during specials. He will make a fine teacher! We are all proud of him.

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY!!!  I hope you and your valentines have a great day.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Happy Wednesday!!

It's A Brand New Day!

  • Reminder that Tomorrow will be our fun matching hearts activity. You will find a ziplock bag in your mailboxes in the morning. Each bag will contain a poem, a safety pin and 1/2 of a heart. Wear your heart tomorrow and try to find the staff member that has your "other half". Once you do, come to the office for a "sweet treat". I hope everyone has a very Happy Valentine's Day!!!!!  Thanks everyone for the fancy scissors. I had fun making the hearts.  It takes not just two but a team to do what we do everyday!
  • Home Moravian will be bringing a special treat for you today! They are so wonderful to us.
  • Cannon-Parent Conference at 2:30.
  • Reminder that grade levels should bring their food for the Smoot Family tomorrow if you are participating. Our prayers are with the family.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesday February 12th

Good Morning!
IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Faculty Meeting this afternoon at 3:10.  Be on time and in your seats and ready to go by 3:15:)  We have a lot to cover.
  • Home Moravian will treat you to snacks   tomorrow.
  • The Arts Council Campaign kicks off this week.
  • District Spelling Bee this Friday.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013

Wow, What A Friday!

Thank you to everyone who was instrumental in the planning and implementation of both the Read-In and the Jump Rope for Heart Kickoff. They were both awesome and involved many community members. I appreciate the hard work of Amanda Gordon and Ross McNeil who spearheaded these events. Great events for our school and community. Thank you for going above and beyond!

  • Cannon to Administrator'sTechnology Training this morning 8-10
  • Make sure you use your Home Moravian Gift Card soon. Make sure you write your name on receipt and no personal items. Put receipts in an envelope outside my door.
  • Home Moravian will bringing treats for you this week. We are blessed:)
  • Faculty Mtg. tomorrow afternoon
  • Please view Dr. Martin's newest In-Touch video. Link on district homepage
  • Please keep Mrs. Smoot's family in your prayers as well as Ms. Beavers. Ms. Beaver lost her adopted grandmother last week.  Continue to pray for Mr. Gilliam as he recovers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIS WEEK TO MRS. BINKLEY, MRS. GILLIAM and MRS. SECHRIST!!!!

Have a wonderful Monday.



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Happy Friday!!!


 


Happy Friday!  IT'S HAT DAY!

Please take time to count your blessings and be thankful for family, friends, health, a roof over your heads, a job and your wonderful and yes sometimes challenging students. Our students do things to warm my heart everyday. Look for those things and embrace them, celebrate them. Make learning fun. Smile, be happy, it is contagious!  I treasure each of you and see very special people. Thank you for being such a big part of my life.




We have the BEST COUNSELOR EVER!!!!!!!

Happy Counselor's  Week Mrs. Studevent.  You are kind, caring compassionate, hard working and kind. We love you! We are so very fortunate to have you here at Diggs-Latham, Everyone please take a minute today to let Mrs. Studenvent know how much we appreciate her!  She is the best!!!!!!!!!


Read-In Today

Jump Rope For Heart Assembly Today!

Favorite Book Character Day! 1/7/13

Good Morning!

Welcome to a brand new day. It is Favorite Book Character Day! Thank you to all the faculty who have embraced Spirit Week. It has been a lot of fun and I know the children are enjoying it.

Family Affairs

I am very saddened to give you the news that Mrs. Smoot's mom is very ill.. She will certainly need our prayers as her family deals with this difficult time. I will give you more details as I receive them.

Mrs. Frazier is not in the building today.

I spoke with Mr. T. and he is progressing nicely.  Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you all so much for being such a great school family. You are the best.

READ-IN Tomorrow

A lot of planning and work has gone into the event for tomorrow. Thank you Amanda and your team! We will have many visitors. Tomorrow afternoon we will have the rescheduled Mineral Springs Gymnastics group and kick-off for Jump Rope for Heart. We will start calling classes about 1:20.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Happy Wacky Hair Day!

Spirit Week Continues.........

Today is Wednesday, February 6, 2013. It is Wacky Hair Day. We should see some interesting "dos" today!

The Star 3 Leadership Meeting with Connie went extremely well yesterday. I believe the leaders are invigorated and ready to roll their sleeves up and move on.

Are you wearing black today? Black is the color of the day as we support our Black History pre-festivities.  Looking forward to more.

Happy Birthday this week to Jackie Pullen who celebrated her birthday this past Sunday:)  Karin Binkley will celebrate her birthday Feb. 10 and Marilyn GIlliam will celebrate hers on the 11th.  Happy Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!

Have a great day!
Please let 4/5th grade students know how very proud we were of their behavior last Friday at the Zumbatomic Event. We believe only 4 total students out of over 1100 did not finish. When that is certified, we will have surely broken the record.