Sunday, November 16, 2014

Two Week Blog - November 17-28th

Lunch With Your Grandparents

As always, all family members are very important to our students, so we thought it would be a great idea to invite our grandparents to have lunch with our students.  I am thankful for Ms. Kennedy who created the flier and will be doing a phone reminder with Ana,  and to Ms. Hubbard for working it out with Chartwells so we could do a $4 special lunch.  I hope that we have a lot of proud grandparents visiting.  Grandparents are special!

Why Reading Education Matters in Academics; It Might Not Be What You Think by Gregg Goodhart

Lisa Morris so generously shared this article with me a few weeks ago. It is a great article that talks about teaching the arts and brain function. The article talks about research which says that focused training in any of the arts whether it be music, dance or theater, strengthens the brain's attention system, which in turn can improve cognition. The article goes on to say that music training can indeed change brain circuitry and improve general cognition.  Anytime we improve focus and work through the frustration we sometimes have in learning something new, we improve self-discipline and cognitive functioning. This holds true for arts education and general academics. This article is worth reading and I am sure Lisa will share it.  It is from American String Teacher Journal Vol. 64 No. 3.
Thank Lisa for sharing! Another example of  Great Leadership.

nprED

Thank you Julie Magness for sharing an NPR audio clip on Common Core Reading:The High Achievers, November 13th, 2014.  This is one part of a four part series on Reading in the Common Core Era.  Please take 5 minutes to listen to this clip. It is very interesting and insightful.  You can hear students talk about learning with common core.   Another example of shared leadership, thank you Julie! Take a listen:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/11/13/356358135/common-core-reading-the-high-achievers

I will forward you the link Julie sent me in an email as well.



  • Dr. Frazier is doing well and sends her regards to all of you. I know we all miss her and she is in our thoughts and prayers.
  • Continue to keep Mrs. Hopson and Mrs. Gilliam and Bill (Maeretha's brother) from Budd Services in our prayers as they continue to go though therapy. Therapy and recovery are difficult processes. We miss them all very much.
  • The last update I had from Mrs. Asbury was to say that Emily did well with the transplant. The next three weeks will be a very critical time as doctors wait to see if her body accepts the new cells.  She is undergoing Chemotherapy.  Please send prayers to Emily and her entire family as they face this most difficult challenge!!!  She is so very young to undergo such a long series of procedures.   Her family will be at the Hospital until very close to Christmas or longer depending upon recovery time.  I am planning on putting together some type of basket with toys, socks, snacks, etc.. for the family. If you would like to contribute, drop your items off in my office and I will put the basket together the first week in December.
  • Prayers to all of our school family who have sick loved ones or who are facing difficult life challenges. We are here for you.
  • 4th/5th Grade Brass Assembly at 10:15.  Please be in the gym and ready to go no later than 10:10.
  • Cannon to Principal's Meeting Tuesday 11/18/14
  • Pre-K Night 11/18
  • Faculty Meeting 3:10
  • Eat with your Grandchildren 11/18 and 11/19
  • Staff Holiday Lunch on the 20th.  Make sure to sign-up to bring something and join in on the festivities.  Thank you Hospitality for organizing this:)
  • 11/19 Home Moravian Hoe Down!  5:30 Fellowship Hall
  • 11/21 Completion of Grade 3-5 Class Spelling Bees. 
  • 11/21 All Newsletters Due and Last day for UNCG Interns. Our Interns are AWESOME!!!

Last Chance - Please Let me know if you had Perfect Attendance for Quarter 1.  Also, let Mrs. Kennedy know which of your children made honor roll and principal's list for Q1, grades 3-5. She will ready their medals. We will also recognize Perfect Attendance.  We need to collaboratively come with an idea to recognize k-2.  We can talk about this at our faculty meeting. Please send me any ideas you might have:) I would love your feedback.


Kudos to Tryla Green for taking on the role of Tutoring Facilitator. This is an important job as is the role of a tutor. It is a critical position in which we target specific learning challenges for each child based on the data we have.  We will all need to collaborate to make sure the work we are doing after school is purposeful and data driven.  I know Tryla has called a meeting for this Thursday afternoon for tutors and subs. Thank you all for doing this very important work. You are appreciated.


Home Moravian Hoe-Down November 19th at 5:30

 Please make sure that you have signed the clipboard as to your intentions for coming by Monday Morning. Home Church needs a good count. Our students and our Arts Team will be performing. You are welcome to bring family and guests. Please add them to our clipboard list. I look forward to seeing you there. All donations come back to our school. We are very grateful to Home Church. Thank you for your time. It should be a fun evening and the food is delicious.

Thank You Ms. Beaver for putting up Bulletin Boards in the Office and outside of the Teacher's Lounge. You Rock! The boards are terrific!

 Giving Thanks........

This is my Fourth year at Diggs-Latham Elementary.  I feel this is a calling for me. I am passionate about working together with you all as a team to grow our students and give them the best start possible. We have had many challenges and many accomplishments during our past four years.  We have been recognized in our community as being a school that has a climate of collaboration and mutual respect. We love our students and it shows.  We seek out treasured community partners, and volunteers to support our students and staff. You all have done such a great job engaging our parents, whether it be academics or the arts. We all work hard everyday and I am extremely thankful for each and everyone of you. You are a staff that has fun, supports each other and sets high expectations for both yourselves and students. I love seeing the smiles everyday, even when you are leaving at the end of a long day or week. We all have the same vision and goals for our students. Besides our faculty and entire staff, I am thankful for our coaches, our cafeteria staff, our bus drivers, our central office program managers,  instructional support, and student services.  I am also thankful for Dr. Emory, Steve Oates and Kenneth Simington who support all of our endeavors.  Of course, I am very thankful for my family who are very understanding,  patient, and supportive as I do the job I love.  I know you feel the same way about your families.  Working in a school in any capacity takes dedication, hard work, and a big heart!

In two or three sentences, please comment at the end of the blog pertaining to what you are most thankful for at our school.










26 comments:

  1. In today's blog, I spoke of being so very thankful for our school family, partners, parents, students and our community in general. What are you thankful for in regards to Diggs-Latham? Take a minute to share your ideas as we get ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.

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  2. I am thankful for my co-workers. Everyone is so willing to share and collaborate, both within their grade level and across grade levels. It makes our jobs a little bit easier! I am also thankful for my intern! She takes the lead when she sees something that needs doing and is really great with our students. I know when it's time for her to take over the class for a few weeks that she will do a fabulous job!

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  3. I am thankful for attaining a job at the Best School in the District! I am thankful for our leaders Mrs. Cannon, Dr. Frazier, Katie McGregor, and Mrs. G Pubantz., I am extremely thankful for my outstanding Kindergarten co-workers that make it a joy to come to work each day! As a faculty you have supported and showed your love in more ways than one. Its always an exciting journey at DLE as our hearts beat to the "pulse " of our students! I am thankful to be part of the "village" for all our students.

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  4. One of the things I am most thankful for at Diggs-Latham is the great grade level team I get to work with everyday. As hard as we all work, it's easier because we really enjoy working together. Each one of them is passionate about what they do and it makes me remember why we are here. I am also especially thankful for Jo Ann and all the extra things she does to make our classroom run more smoothly. She too makes my job easier and I am thankful.

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  5. I am thankful for being on a team with so much experience. This makes it so much easier as I learn the 2nd grade curriculum. I am also thankful for the help that Ms. Almaguer gives me every day. Small group time is so important for our students, and I really appreciate having her support twice a day. I am also thankful for our administration. I really believe that this school runs smoothly, and that takes a lot of stress out of this job.

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  6. I am thankful for those I work with and the dedication they put into their jobs each and every day.

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  7. I have so much to be thankful for at Diggs-Latham. First to be part of a school that feels like an extended family. This is such a blessing. Second to all the wonderful teammates, interns, PRT, and volunteers that make our classroom a fantastic place to be every day. I am thankful that I am happy at my home away from home, Diggs-Latham.

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  8. I am so thankful to be a part of a school as wonderful as Diggs-Latham. I am thankful to be greeted by smiling faces every morning. I am thankful for the friendships I have made through working at Diggs-Latham. Lastly, I am SO thankful for a wonderful administration, all of the hard working faculty members, my mentor, and my wonderful 1st grade team!

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  9. I am thankful to be a part of a school that is open to a new class for special needs. Everyone here welcomes our kids with your activities throughout the building. I feel this not only helps our special needs students but also exposes our Regular Ed. students to those who are different. Thank you kindergarten classes for inviting our students on the field trip to the Childrens Museum. We had a good time. I look forward to more exiting times with everyone this year.

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  10. I am thankful for a staff who comes to work each day to create a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for our students. I am thankful for all of the dedicated staff members who work hard each day.

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  11. I am thankful for the children, their parents, the volunteers and entire community that we work with. I am also very thankful for our administration and our awesome staff. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with all of you!!!!

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  12. I am thankful for my co-workers and my first grade team because they always make my job more enjoyable and easier. I am thankful for the parents that are always willing to learn and help their children be better students.

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  13. I am thankful for each year I have been at Diggs Latham since I started in 2008 at the Latham. I have wonderful memories and lessons that I have learned that make me the educator and individual that I am. I am thankful for all of the friendships that I've made, pass and present students, parents and staff here. What a GREAT place to be!

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  14. I am thankful for each time a student reminds me of why I became a teacher. From a student showing growth, telling you about their day, or just making me laugh. Its these students that keep me coming back every day and looking forward to the next.

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  15. I am thankful for many things at this school, but one thing I am particularly thankful for is our first year teachers. They bring new ideas and positive energy to Diggs-Latham. Teaching is not easy, especially the first year. So, Ms. Shoaf, Ms. White, Ms. Bostian, Ms. Prato, and Ms. Mathis: Thank you for being YOU and for joining our family with an open mind. I'm glad you're here!

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  16. I am thankful that I am on a team that works together so well! Bostian and Hart are great to work with and have helped me so much this year. I am also thankful for the students and the things they teach me everyday. Diggs-Latham is a great school and I'm glad to be a part of it.

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  17. I am so thankful that I am part of such a great staff. Everyone has been so welcoming during my first few months of teaching. It has been difficult but I would not make it without all the positive energy and support from each and every staff member. I am extremely blessed to be part of a staff and grade level that genuinely cares for one another.

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  18. I am thankful for my energetic team who is always willing to do what it takes to support each other and all of our Fifth Graders! I am also thankful to be at a school where we all want the best for the whole school, not just our specific areas.

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  19. I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful, supportive, and caring staff! I'm especially blessed to have a great team to work with as well! I'm thankful for my students and families who work hard to learn and grow in thier skills!

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  20. I am thankful to be a part of such a wonderful program for HI students. The school is supportive and accepting of my students and me. Thank you for welcoming me into this family.

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  21. I am thankful to have a great group of teachers in third grade that motivate me and challenge me to be my best everyday. I am thankful for a supportive administration that understands the challenges that face teachers.

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  22. I am thankful to be part of such a great team of teachers. We always support one another on a daily basis. It makes my job a bit easier to be part of such a collaborative team. I am thankful for my students. They remind me of why I wanted to become a teacher in the first place. I am thankful to be part of such a dedicated, caring and helpful staff and to the administration for all the support they give us.

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  23. I am thankful for being in a school full of teachers and administrators that are really committed to getting better, and better, and better. I know that there are places out there where I wouldn't feel a push or see what it looks like to really work toward goals and never become complacent. It is NOT easy but we are all trying and I am so glad to be with teachers who are giving their all, who I can watch and learn from, and who I can feel the support of, everywhere in every grade and specialty. I'm always watching and noticing cool things everyone does and thinking man I should do that or how can I be like that or incorporate that LOL

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  24. I am thankful for working as a language facilitator in Mrs Asbury's classroom along with Maria Lallave and the positive and supportive work atmosphere from Administrative/office staff and co workers here at Diggs Latham.

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  25. I am thankful that our school works as a team---we all have our general area of focus but we truly try to work as one. I'm grateful each day as I visit classrooms and other work locations --to see people really giving more than 100%. The reality is for me---we never truly know our individual impact and our impact as a team on the lives of our students. I always say---they will not stay a first grader forever. We must continue to focus on our service to them.

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  26. I am thankful for the Specials team who demonstrate true professionalism every day and keep me laughing simultaneously. I am also thankful for the BEST media assistant in the county, Veronica Piper, who gets more done in her two days/week at DLES than I do in a month. I have ideas and dreams for the media center but she puts them into action which is what matters most.

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