Monday, May 26, 2014

The Last Week of May - May 26-30




Field Day ..... A Great Success!

Students, Parents and Staff alike enjoyed great weather and a wonderful Field Day!  The clouds held off long enough for everyone to participate in a day of fun and games.  Thank you to Ross McNeil and his team for planning and implementing a successful event!  We are all very appreciative of  the volunteers who gave their time so generously.  I saw many instances of great sportsmanship.  I would also like to thank all of the subs we had in the building that pitched in and led classes through the stations.  Way to go TEAM!




Kindergarten Screening-Over Sixty Students Screened!

Kindergarten Screening took place two days last week. We had the opportunity to meet some adorable future students and their families.  The students had their pictures taken with our Diggs-Latham tiger, were screened and had a little time for play as we talked with families.  Can't wait til they become Diggs-Latham Tigers next year.  I would like to thank Barbie for facilitating the event and all of our faculty and staff who brought the event to fruition. We also had help from Connie Rogers and volunteers from the community. It took a village and everyone stepped up. Having the screening done early really helps us set up our classes for next year and will help us to meet the students where they are, academically and socially:) 


Safety

This week we will be conducting a lock-down, a fire drill and an Evacuation Drill. Please explain to students the importance and urgency of these drills as they are called throughout the week. This will be the first time we have conducted an evacuation drill. We will evacuate in an orderly fashion to the church parking lot next door.   We want to make it as straightforward as possible. We are planning to have all the students in the gym on Friday afternoon for the "I Can" celebration at 1:45. PLEASE BRING YOUR STUDENTS TO THE AUDITORIUM EARLIER AT 1:30 sharp.  We will call students on the loudspeaker beginning at 1:25. Please be ready to go. Once inside the gym, and seated, we will line up by grade levels, go out the side gym door, walk down the driveway to the sidewalk and then over to the church. WE WILL NOT GO DOWN THE HILL. We will line up in the church parking lot by classes. Please bring your rosters so we can count and account for all students. We will then walk back to the gym for the "I Can" Assembly.  In the future, the evacuation drill will be called randomly and we will follow a procedure in which classes leave the buildings and walk the sidewalk to the church. We do have the code and key for the church if we needed to be inside for safety purposes, in the future. Thank you to Pastor Wolfe.  Stress the importance of this drill.  We will also have a lock down this week in which Dr. Frazier and I will remove ourselves. A teacher will call the lock-down to the office and the office will proceed with the drill. There are occasions when Dr. Frazier and I are off campus at the same time, so it is essential that a lock-down can be successfully executed at any time. If you have any questions at all, please ask:)


What an Incredible Concert

Kudos to the Arts Team for the wonderful performances on Thursday Night.  Our musicians showed a lot of growth and talent and the 5th grade honors dance team once again showed how talented they are.  Mr. Powelson has taught both band and orchestra this year. This is not an easy feat but he has risen to the challenge. The kids were awesome.  Miss Stevenson handmade the costumes for the dancers. They have learned many dances this year and we are very proud of all of them.  Thanks to all the faculty and staff in this school, for making our students shine in many many ways!  

Teacher Working Conditions Survey

The results of the Teacher Working Conditions Survey have been posted. Once again, we will discuss these results at SIT, faculty meetings and in a small group setting. Please pull up the results at  NC teacher working conditions survey 2014.  You may google results. Please familiarize yourself with our results.

Congratulations to our Third Graders and their Teachers, Mr. Friel, Ms. Green and Mrs. Wright

Our third graders and their teachers are working so hard, all but eighteen have progressed through the Read to Achieve process. 

Week at a Glance:

  • 5/26 Memorial Day-Please take a minute today to reflect on our serviceman and women past and present who make sacrifices for our country everyday.  We honor them this Memorial Day.
  • 5/27 Cannon-Conference call at 1:00 and 3:15 Star 3 Leader EOY Presentations
  • 5/28  Third Grade Testing/5th grade Guest Artist visit
  • 5/30 Evacuation Drill and "I CAN" celebration 1:30.
  • 6/2 and 6/3 Extend 2 ELA and Math/EOG Science 5th grade
  • 6/4  EOG Reading
  • 6/5  EOG Math
  • 6/6 EOG Makeups
  • 6/9-11 Remediation         Fifth Grade Skate Trips June 10 and 11.
  • 6/10 Faculty Meeting
  • 6/12 EOG Retest and Awards Assembly for k-4 at 1:00
  • 6/13 Student's last day and 5th grade Celebration 9:30.
  • 6/18 Celebration of 50 yrs WSFCS-Dr. Emory/10:30 Coliseum Wear your T-Shirt. If possible, we would like every faculty and staff member to have one.

Please be sure to follow-through with End of Year checklist:)





Sunday, May 11, 2014

Spring into the Week of May 12-16th




Happy Mother's Day!!!  

I hope that you all have a wonderful Mother's Day. You are very special and deserve a day of recognition and appreciation. Enjoy your day:)

New Title I Schools Within Our District for Next Year!The district will serve schools down to the 50% poverty threshold, which adds the following schools to our family;
  • Smith Farms
  • Moore
  • Kimmel Farm
  • Paisley
  • Brunson
  • Glenn High
  • Rural Hall
  • Union Cross

Title I Summer School 

Title I will offer a summer enrichment and acceleration camp from July 14-July 31, (12 days, no Fridays). This summer camp will be designated for  current Title I 2nd graders (rising 3rd graders). Invited will also be current Title I 1st graders (rising 2nd graders) to the Title I summer camp. The summer camps will be offered at certain Free Lunch sites (TBD) from 8:00-3:00 pm, piggybacking on transportation already set up with Read to Achieve. Save the date fliers will be mailed to parents of Title I students within a couple
of weeks.  It is my understanding that Title I will generate the lists of students invited to go but will hopefully consult us for input. 


ALL PDPs should be completed by this Friday, May 16th as Dr. Frazier and I will review your PDPs when we do your final Summative Evaluations. Your PEPs should also be completed and signed off on by parents. Enlist help from Home School Coordinator, Counselor and Social Worker if needed, to obtain signatures:) Be sure to be present at LTMs as we are also working on EVAAS Roster Verification. This needs to be completed ASAP.

 "I CAN" Can     
This ordinary can to the left will be transformed into a beautiful can which will include the signatures of our 3/4/5th graders on the lid.   We would like ALL of our students to think and brainstorm all of the things they CAN do. Write those things on a piece of paper (we will supply the I CAN papers) and add to a can. You can also
replicate the can by putting a small can you find and put it in your room. This is a motivational idea to encourage our students to list all the positive things they CAN do. After Field Day, we will have the 3/4/5 graders come through building B to be cheered on for the EOG by our pre-k to 2 kids!  More information to be given at Faculty Meeting.  Thank you Barbie for painting the can for us! We will also have a small "I Can-You Can" Rally from 1:45-2:20 on Friday May 30th. MARK YOUR CALENDARS. We would like the pep squad to perform a couple of cheers.

Family Fitness Night

Family Fitness Night was a huge success. Everyone had a wonderful time. Thank you Ross for a job well done. I would like to thank all of the teachers and staff who also came out and helped to make this night a huge family fitness success. We also thank Nancy Sutton our district PE Program Manager who came to visit and support DL.  Of course, all of our volunteers and community partners were awesome!!!!


Thank you Ms. Batten for an outstanding BOGO Book Fair! This was a huge undertaking. Great Success!!


End of Year Celebrations:
  • Pre-K classes will hold their own celebration in their rooms.
  • June 12-Awards for K-4 at 1:00
  • June 13 @ 9:30 Fifth Grade Celebration and Reception
Upcoming Events:
  • May 13-Faculty Meeting w/ packed Agenda, see you in your seats and ready to go at 3:15. I sent the agenda out last week so please print off and bring to meeting.
  • May 14-Pre-K to Sci-Works
  • May 16th-Kindergarten Field Trip

  • May 17th Kids Fun Run at Winston-Lake 8:00
  • May 19th-We will have your End of the Year Check-list to you in your boxes.
  • May 19th Kindergarten Screening TRAINING at 3:10
  • May 20 and May 21 8-2 or (longer if needed)
  • May 22-3/4/5 grade concert at 6:30
  • May 23-Field Day
  • May 26-No School
  • May 27-SIT Meeting (WE need ALL members there)
  • May 28th-Guest Artist
  • May 30-Rain Date for Field Day and "I CAN" assembly at 1:45
  • June 2-Extend 2 ELA
  • June 3-Extend 2 Math and 5th Grade EOG SCIENCE
  • June 4-EOG Reading 3/4/5
  • June 5-EOG Math
  • June 6-EOG Make-Ups
  • Week of June 9th-RTA Testing 3rd Grade
  • Remediation and Retesting all week
  • The week of June 16 and on, we will work on class lists for next year/Getting Cumulative Folders in order. We will do this differently this year. We will also meet to work on scheduling for next year on the 23rd and 24th.


May 1-Dr. Frazier
May 7-Alisha Taylor
May 14-Abadesa Ochoa
May 18-Maria Lallave
May 20-Julissa Knight
May 23-Roberto Thimann
May 24-Jennifer Kennedy

Sunday, May 4, 2014

A Week of Celebration...May 5th-May 9th

Election Day on Tuesday, May 6th

The Voting Machines will be delivered on Monday afternoon to the Toyota Literacy Room in Building B. Election Day is Tuesday. Voters will be entering through the side door of building B and will only be in that room. We will add cones to the hallway to make sure that  voters do not utilize any other part of the school. The Election Workers will be using staff bathrooms if necessary, voters will not. Please keep your eyes open and be vigilant if you see someone in a part of the building in which they do not belong. Alert the office immediately. As always, Look for badges. Talk to your students about the election. What a great real-world lesson.  FYI... We are in the process of having our security cameras installed. You might have noticed electricians working last week.


We will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Monday with a traveling celebration!!!  Thanks to Mrs. Ochoa and her team for organizing and implementing this great event! Our respect and recognition for all of our cultures is so important!



Teacher  and Staff Appreciation Cook-Out on Friday!

This week we will recognize you  for all your hard work and dedication.  Our teachers and all faculty members plus our cafeteria workers are the best! Mr. Cannon will be bringing the grill to cook hamburgers and hot dogs this Friday during your lunchtime.  Cheryl and I will serve you.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, chips, cake and more!  This is just a small token of the appreciation that we feel for all you do to make our school so special.  If you need a veggie burger, please let me know.




 "Honors Dance" to Perform Monday Night at PTA District Spring Council Dinner!

Our Honors Dance Students stole the show this weekend at the HS Showcase of Dance at Mt. Tabor.  They will also be dancing in front of at least 400 people Monday Night in Clemmons. Congratulations to Miss Stevenson and the girls.  They have been working so hard and deserve this recognition. They will be dancing to a selection from the Lion King. Please let them all know how proud we are of them.  This is also the event that Mr. Schorer and Home Moravian will be honored for their volunteerism.



This Week is also School Nutrition Employee Week (May 5-9)
Please have the children make pictures or cards if you have time and encourage them to thank our wonderful School Nutrition Workers. They are AWESOME and really care about our students! I will ask them to join us for our cookout on Friday:)  We appreciate their efforts everyday!



Buy One, Get One Book Fair This Week!

Ms. Batten has worked very hard to get the Book Fair set up and ready to go.  This takes a lot of time and effort. The Book Fair will be located in the room to the left of Room 200. Please give her your encouragement and cooperation as the Book Fair Kicks-Off.  I appreciate your understanding and professionalism as her schedule changes this week. We are a team!


Star 3 Leadership Positions for Next Year

As we fine tune our Comprehensive Needs Assessment, and work on our School Improvement Plan, it is time to start thinking about the Star 3 Leadership Positions for next year. With a focus on Early Literacy, Parental Involvement, Education and Engagement, Teacher Leadership, Operations and Math, there are a myriad of Leadership Positions that could be created.  I will ask Connie to send out the information on applying for a position for next year. Be Creative and target our school's needs. 


Field Day is fast approaching!  The date is May 23rd.  If you would like to plan your class picnics for this day, you certainly may.  Please be sure that if you will not be eating in the cafeteria for any reason between now and the end of school, you will need to let our Cafeteria Manager, Mrs. Hubbard know well in advance.  This includes not eating lunch because of Field Trips.  Ross will inform you of details for Field Day.

Family Fitness Night is Thursday, May 8th!

Family Fitness Night is this Thursday. It is sure to be a spectacular event. Ross has been working very hard to plan this evening. He has lots of community support and fabulous give-aways. Can't wait to see you all there and helping!  6:00-7:30



Instrument "Petting Zoo" A Big Success!

Our students were treated to a special event last Friday afternoon as volunteers taught them about all kinds of instruments.  Planned by our Music Corp Intern, Alaina, this was a huge success. The children were engaged and excited.  Just another great event at DLE.

OK, if you read all the way to here, I have a question for you that I would like you to answer in the comments section. Please respond to this question.....How can we continue to sustain our school's ability to have a shared vision?  A couple of sentences in response will do:)  Thank you!