Diggs-Latham Has A Lot To Be Thankful For.........November 25-29

 Diggs-Latham Has A Lot To Be Thankful For:  Here are just a few who come to mind for me...........

• Dedicated and Hard Working Staff who care about each other!
• Teachers that talk the talk and get the job done.
• Teachers who want to be here at Diggs-Latham!
• Teachers and staff who work many long hours to help students succeed.
• Faculty and students who put their hearts and souls into their jobs.
• Joyful students who want to learn and try their best!
• The humor you exude and the power of your smiles.
• Students who are talented in Academics and the Arts!
• Our own families who sometimes have to sacrifice so we can do what we do:)
• Parents who care and support us!
• Generous and kind Community and Business Partners that we couldn't do without:)
• Volunteers who go above and beyond everyday!
• An Assistant Principal who is smart, kind, caring and devoted to Diggs-Latham students and staff.
• DL winning a state award that has shed some positive light on what we have been doing for years!
• UNCG Interns WSSU  and UNCC Student Teachers who are great at what they do!
• An office staff who work so very hard. They are all amazing!
• Our nurse, social worker, guidance counselor, speech teacher, and our volunteer coordinator who go above and beyond and behind the scenes to serve our kids.
• A Custodial staff that keep our building shining and a cafeteria team that keep our students fed!
• I am thankful for each and everyone of you for helping to build shared leadership and a shared vision in which we take Diggs-Latham to a level in which all of our students are proficient or higher in all academics. We can do it. I believe in the power of  "us".
• On a funny note, I am thankful for "Diet Coke and little Hershey bars" because they sometimes get me through my busy day!!!  and you thought I was naturally bionic!

I hope you take time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. We have a lot to celebrate.

"It Takes A Village Goes to Barnes and Noble!"

What a wonderful trip. Each of our students were able to pick out approximately $85.00 in books. The smiles on their faces said it all. This has been a wonderful program and we hate to see it end.  The students showed growth and have a renewed interest in reading!!!  I am so proud of all our students big and little!  Thank you UNCG, Sue Mercier, Barbie Brown, Nohora Martinez and all the Interns and students who participated!

 Home Moravian's "Hoe Down" for Diggs-Latham - A Great Success!

 Over 200 people were in attendance for this special event planned just for our school. there was delicious home made soup, bread, rolls and yummy desserts. The tables were decorated beautifully and it was a wonderful event.  I hardly had words to describe how moved and touched we were by Home Moravian's generosity.  The band was talented, funny and eager to play. Our own John Powelson did an outstanding job playing the "fiddle"!
We had about 35 staff members attend  and I thank each and every one of you who came. The church was very impressed. They do so much for us and we truly appreciate them. Thank you for coming out to support Home Moravian as they support us!  It was an incredible night and the soup was delicious!!!!!!!!

Who is MaDonna Anyway?!!!!!!

We had a wonderful time dancing with the principal. Classes who collected the most change were rewarded with a dance party from the 80s.  We played the Electric Slide, Chicken Dance, and on and on. It was great fun!!!!!!  Thank you kids for getting my blood pumping! I had a blast!

Reminders for Monday and Tuesday......

Let's be sure to bring our "A" game and stay focused on Instruction for the next two days. Keep things on target and make sure you are well planned and do not change your schedule.  Our commitment to educating our students is our top priority.  Give it your all the next two days as you challenge your students, we will have time to relax and spend time with our families over Thanksgiving Break after dismissal on Tuesday!

• All Spelling Bee Class Winners should have their names given to Mrs. Pubantz by Tuesday.
• CWT Grade Level Action Plans due to Cannon on December 2nd. I have received a few already. Thank you!
• 12/4 Melissa (Technology)  will hold a wkshp. on setting up 2nd qtr. grade book for teachers in grades 3/4/5 in the Media Center 3:15-4:00.
• 12/5 IC Meeting 3:30 Focus on Data
• 12/6 Newsletters, translated, copied and due.

We will once again be packing up 150 bags of food (Room 200 3:15 December 9th) to be given away at the Holiday Concert 7:00 on December 12th.  Please come on the 9th and help us fill the bags. Home Moravian has donated all of the food.

Please take a moment to comment on what you are thankful for:)

Diggs-Latham Honored With Kennedy Center Award - Week of Novemeber 18th

Diggs-Latham Elementary School and Reynolds High School are two of only 5 schools in North Carolina receiving a John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts School of Excellence in Arts Education Award.  The Award recognizes schools that have done a superior job of incorporating Arts into a quality education for all students.

It really is time to take a minute to enjoy and celebrate this prestigious honor.  The credit is yours.  I am so very proud of what we have been able to accomplish in creating a learning environment rich in the arts that is integrated throughout the curriculum, school and community!  With limited resources, we have been able to keep the arts alive here at Diggs-Latham, thanks to an incredible faculty and staff, volunteers, community partners and of course talented students with a passion for the Arts! 

I feel we have been successful because of your collaborations with each other. You respect each other and offer resources as needed. I hear music in the classrooms and see kids dancing to math! Kids are learning fractions in dance, art, music, and PE. The Arts abound in every classroom. As an A+ school, that is what we are all about!

CONGRATULATIONS DIGGS-LATHAM ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL! You are the best!  We will be visited by the Education Editor and a photographer from the Winston-Salem Journal today around 10:00. They are doing a story on our school's accomplishment.

Congratulations as well to Jacqueline Pullen who passed her PRAXIS EXAM. We are so very proud of you.  She and Allison  (pre-k) both have a lot to be proud of as this is not an easy feat! Way to GO!!!!

Conferences Scheduled for the Next Few Weeks:

The next two weeks are dedicated to your completing conferences with your parents. Please note that it is a Best Practice to hold a conference with every student's parent/guardian.  However, if you have already met with that parent this year, and you feel you do not need to meet again now, then you will not need to.  You should try to meet with parents as often as needed but at least 3 times a year. I have sent you an important email with an attachment that gives you an abundance of tips concerning conferences. Whether it is your first conference or your one hundred and first, these guidelines should help.  Please make sure you document your conference, bullet important topics and strategies and possible solutions.  I wish you positive and successful conferences!

November 20th-Community Walk-In

WSFCS has a campaign running in which they invite the community to "Walk-In" our schools on November 20th anytime between 9:00-11:00.  Parents, grandparents, school board members, superintendents, neighbors, community partners and others are invited in to visit. We want the community to see the great work being done in our schools everyday.  November 18-22 is American Educator Week, and what a great way to thank an educator!  Visitors will need to stop in the office to sign in between 9 and 11. You'll be guided to a classroom by a staff member.  Visitors may visit several schools if they wish.  This campaign has been advertised. The school system has also created blank Thank you Cards that can be filled out by the visitor to thank a teacher or staff member for all they do.  I know you will be welcoming and encouraging.  Please talk to the students about this special day.

Home Moravian "Hoe Down"!

This Wednesday from 5:45 to 7:30, Home Moravian Church will host a fundraiser in our name to benefit our school. I cannot encourage you enough to bring your families out for some homemade food and great music. Mr. Powelson will be playing his "fiddle".  The cost is just a donation of whatever you want to give.  They will have homemade soup, breads, and delicious goodies.  This takes a lot of work and they are doing it for us. Please plan on coming and mingling with their members to thank them for all they do for us.  We really need to show our appreciation for what they do everyday for us as a school.

"It Takes A Village" Comes To A Close This Week

Our collaboration with UNCG has been very successful and this Wednesday it will come to a close with all students taking a field trip to Barnes and Noble. Each family will receive $75.00 worth of their choice of books. We have seen progress in the students and we are very proud of the UNCG students, as well as our students and parents. Thank you Nohora for assisting with translations and general help. Thank you to all staff members for being so collaborative in this effort.

MAKE-UP PICTURE DAY AND PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE 19TH.

 

 

November is Flying By:) Week of November 11th-15th

Happy Veteran's Day!

 I would like to take this opportunity to thank and recognize all of our Veterans for their sacrifices for our country.

Classified Employee of the Year-

Below you will find all the information needed to nominate a Classified Employee from our school. We will honor all our nominees this year instead of choosing just one in cooperation with the protocol sent to us. Please take a minute to read the directions below and nominate one of our outstanding Classified Employees. They all work so very very hard for us and all deserve to be nominated.  It won't take long to do this and you will be glad you did. 

2014 - 2015 Classified Employee of the Year Nomination Process and Criteria

The purpose of the Classified Employee of the Year Award  is to annually honor a Classified Employee who displays exemplary characteristics while carrying out the duties of his or her job
 The Nomination window will open up and run starting on Nov. 1st, 2013 - November 30, 2013. .

Some characteristics for nominees to be considered include but are not limited to include the following:

• Displays self improvement
• Displays outstanding leadership
• Uses work methods to increase efficiency
• Is reliable and cooperative
• Takes initiative/ going beyond their job description requirements 

C.E.Y Process - Frequently Asked Questions:

1) Should there only be one classified nomination per school/work location? No

2) Should my school/work location conduct an in-house election and only submit the name of our chosen C.E.Y nominee? No

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.

NOMINATIONS SHALL BE OPEN, WHEREAS ANY EMPLOYEE OF THE WS/FC SCHOOLS (Certified or Classified) CAN NOMINATE ANY CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE FOR THE CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FROM ANY WORK LOCATION ACROSS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

****THIS MEANS THAT THERE CAN BE MORE THAN ONE NOMINEE AT A SCHOOL OR WORK LOCATION****

Requirements for Nominating an Classified Employee

• THE NOMINEE MAY BE A FULL OR PART TIME EMPLOYEE OF THE WS/FC SCHOOLS.

·         THE NOMINEE MUST HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH WS/FC SCHOOLS FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR

·         SELF NOMINATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED

PLEASE USE THE LINK BELOW TO NOMINATE A CLASSIFIED EMPLOYEE THAT YOU FEEL DISPLAYS EXEMPLARY CHARACTERISTICS WHILE CARRYING OUT THE DUTIES OF HIS OR HIS/HER JOB.

http://intranet.wsfcs.k12.nc.us/CEY.nsf/NomMenu?OpenForm

Home Moravian to host HOE DOWN FUNDRAISER for Diggs-Latham!

On November 20th (5:45-7:30), our wonderful Home Moravian Church will host a Hoe Down Supper with Bluegrass Music to benefit our school. Please plan on attending if you are able. They do a lot for our school as you know and it will be a fun event for all. Bring your families. I would love to see you all there at this great event.  Thank you all who have volunteered to work at Candle Tea. Please make sure you contact Mrs. Yarbrough to schedule your time:)

Spotlight on A Great Night.....Math Night for Moms! Thank you Mrs. Ochoa

Last Thursday night, Mrs. Ochoa met with many of her moms to help them help their children. It was a successful nightand the moms learned a lot. They worked problems and asked questions. They learned how to use manipulatives. This was a very successful night.  A very special thank you to the Y who volunteered to babysit students. Maybe next time we will get some dads!

Congratulations Julissa Knight!

Julissa was honored along with other Teachers of the Year last Thursday Night at the Annual TOY Banquet. We are all so proud of her!

Congratulations Amanda on your very first Art Show!

We are very proud of you. Your artwork was marvelous!!!

Items of Interest and Importance:

• No School on Monday in observance of Veteran's Day
• 11/12-Report Cards Go Home and Faculty Mtg. at 3:10 (Please be in your seats and ready to go at 3:10)
• Fire Drill sometime this week in which some entrances will be blocked and you will have to exit another way in a calm fashion. Please talk with your students about this. They need to be able to do this in case this scenario would become a reality.
• 11/14-TOY Reception at Old Salem 4:00-Congratulations Julissa!
• 11/15-2nd round of Classroom Walk-Throughs end. You will get new walk-through schedule and a plan of action for you to respond to this round's results.
• Observations continue
• Please be sure to schedule parent conferences and get parent signatures on PEPs.  Ask our social worker, Mrs. Barger if you need assistance with transportation.  Ms. Studevent and Dr. Madison could also help.
• 11/20 Hoe Down Fundraiser for Diggs-Latham 5:45-7:30
• 11/26 Classroom Spelling Bee Info. turned into Mrs. Pubantz today.

Comments Encouraged.......

Take a minute to give a "Shout Out" to a fellow faculty/staff member who you believe earns a pat on the back or recognition for going above and beyond or just for being there. It is hard, to just choose one, so when I comment, I might have to choose you all.

Monday, November 4th

Happy November Birthdays!  We have several November Birthdays. 

• Rti Training today during LTM and all grade level meetings.
• Classroom Observations and walkthroughs continue...
• Star 3 Observations continue...
• Tuesday-Joint Principals' and Read to Achieve Mtg. for Cannon
• It is Election Day on Tuesday. Our building will be used as a voter's polling place. (Toyota Literacy Room)
• Tuesday-Report Cards to Administrators by 3:00
• K-2 Report Cards to Cannon/3-5 Report Cards to Frazier
• Please have a colleague read over your report cards for omissions, misspellings, etc... before you turn them in,
• Wednesday-It Takes A Village
• We should have every grade level's newsletter:)
• Mrs. Ochoa-Parent Workshop-6:00
• Systems Thinking Observations  on the 7th as well as TOY Fall Council PTA Dinner.  Our TOY Julissa will be honored along with TOYs all over the district. Hooray Julissa!
• Make sure you are up to date with PEPs and have conferenced with all parents.  Talk to Robyn today if you have PEP questions.
• Our faculty meeting is next week/If you need to be on the agenda, lease let me know.  
• Have a wonderful week!

The First Week of November!

INCREDIBLE COMMENTS! MONDAY OCTOBER 28TH

I LOVE THE COMMENTS THAT YOU POSTED.  THEY WERE ON-POINT AND VERY REFLECTIVE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO POST.  YOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN COMMENTING TO ME ALL DAY ABOUT HOW MUCH THEY HAVE ENJOYED READING THEM.  IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO YET, POST!!!!!  YOUR THOUGHTS MATTER.

Fall Festival A Huge Success! Go Team:)

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!