Thursday, September 6th, 2012

Good Morning!  We have had an eventful morning already!  Thanks to all the mentors and Mentees who met with me this morning.  Your job as a mentor is a very important one and we thank you for your service.  Also, thank you to everyone who attended the evaluations training.  I hope you found it beneficial,  The puppet show for 3rd grade is this morning. Be on stage and ready to go at 9:40.  Have a great day.

Wednesday, September 5th

Good Morning! 

Mr. Holmes had his surgery today and is doing well:)  He has a follow-up appointment tomorrow.  Keep him in your prayers.  Please keep Mrs. Martinez and her family in your prayers as well as she has flown to be with her father during his illness.  He is in Intensive Care.
I received information today from Connie Rogers concerning Star 3 Teacher Leader Positions and Application.  I will email you that information this week.

Walk-Throughs will continue today.  I have a Joint Principal's Meeting today so I will be out of the building.

Celebrate!!!  Home Moravian Benevolence Fund has approved $7000. in Funding for the Diggs-Latham Partnership. The funds will be used for Reading Incentives/Books, Fourth grade Trip to Raleigh on Amtrack, Parental Involvement, Teacher Wish-List Gift Cards and a Fifth Grade Celebration Trip TBD.  Hooray.

A Few More Items of Interest......

This is poor BOLT! Our students left him in the dust.  Fear not though, because I did pick him up! I took this picture last weekend at the Trinity Center's Dash for Cash Event.  We will be receiving our  check for winning first place this week.  We can discuss how to spend it at our next SIT Meeting.  I was also given a check for $50.00 in my honor made out to Diggs-Latham ES for speaking at First Presbyterian's Stop Hunger Event last week. We will put that money to good use as well.

The Flexible BENEFITS REPRESENTATIVE will be here to speak with you at our October Faculty Meeting for those interested.

Happy Birthday in September to Stephen Friel 9/4 TODAY!
Melissa Baccari-September 6th
Linda Studevent-September 9th
Kim Hall-September -13th
Dr. Madison-September 17th

I sent out updated events email so please add these items to your calendar.   As part of the School Boards Contract with Bell Summer Programs, we are required to have our building open for their Testing 3 Saturdays in September.  The rooms used will be all of the first and second grade rooms, and the cafeteria. Bell will be testing from 7:00-2:00 on Saturday, September 8,15, and 22nd.  There will be no need for us to cover walls.  Thank you for your patience.

There will be a quick Mentor Meeting this Thursday at 7:30am.  All mentors and Mentees, please attend.  If you have a conflict, please let me know.

Oh, what a busy week it will be!  Please read post below since I did two for today.

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Welcome Back!
I hope that everyone had a relaxing and wonderful long weekend. Now, once again, roll up your sleeves and let's start the hard work of meeting the needs of all our students.

• Ms. Studevent would like to remind Third Grade that you have the Junior League Puppet show on September 6th.  Meet on the stage at 9:40 sharp.
• Classroom Walk-Throughs start today/See email for assignments
• WAPT Testing Continues-Thank you Test Administrators-No ESL classes
• McRel Evaluation Training 3:10-4:00
• Mr. Holmes did not have surgery last week as planned but will have it this week.  We will keep you posted.
• I would like 100% of our faculty to join PTA, the fee is $6.00.  They do a lot for us and we are really working to build and strengthen our PTA this year. Also, don't forget to join Hospitality.  They are also wonderful:)

Everyone please be mindful of schedules and be on time for lunch and specials.

Have A Wonderful Day and Remember that you are the Difference in a Child's Life!

Friday, August 31, 2012

This month has come and gone very fast!  I would like to say Happy Birthday to Mrs. Faqih today and a Happy Birthday to Mr. Stover, Ms. Wynns, Mrs. Lizarazo, Mrs. Pubantz, Mrs. Washburn, and Mrs. Cutter who also celebrated August Birthdays!

REMINDER: First Announced Fire Drill today at 10:00. All staff and students should be on a level 0 when exiting the building.  Set a good example for our children.  We need tthe children to know that this is a serious matter.  Also, have a discussion with them today about not touching the red alarm pulls around the bldg. They can just lean on it and it will trigger.  Thank you so much for your help with this..

Please be on time to the cafeteria.  If just one class is late, it affects the whole schedule. 

We do have a substitute custodian in for Mr. Holmes. Her name is Miss Netta.  We will keep you updated on Mr. Holmes as soon as we hear something.  Ms. Almaguer should be back with us on the 10th.  She has had some medical problems over the summer but is on the mend.  Mr. Crookshank got a good report from his last doctors appt. so we are thrilled to hear that news. Still keep all of our DL Family in your prayers.

McCrel Evaluation System:

• Be sure to complete your sign-off for Record of Teacher Evaluations today!
• Each teacher will need to have PDP and self Assessment completed by Sept. 21, 2012. 
  There will be an Evaluation Training on either September 4th or September 5th from 3:10-4:00.  You can choose either day.  You only need to come once. We will meet in the technology lab.  Bring your UID numbers and passwords.
• We will also go over the standards and what they mean. This meeting will be informative and is not just a working meeting to complete your PDP.
  
  There will be a separate training for classified employees from 3-3:30 on Monday, Sept. 10th.

Have a wonderful 3 day weekend.  Get some rest, enjoy your families and have a little fun!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Happy Thursday.  Please keep Mr. Holmes in your prayers today as he will undergo cataract surgery in one eye today. He will be back on Tuesday.  I will be opening the bldg. at 6:00 each morning.

Are you interested in taking a Zumba class here at Diggs-Latham once a week?  The Y will offer our staff a weekly class on Mondays (3:15-4:00 or so)  for $2 a week.  Right now they are determining interest. .  I will put a sign up sheet in the lounge, if you are interested, sign up and I will pass the information on to Bonita Patton.  I will then let you know if and when the classes will start.  The instructor will be from the Y.

Some Things to Ponder:

• Treat everyone with dignity and respect.  
• Know how your children are getting to and from school.
• Never give a child to someone you don't know to be taken home, always call the office for verification.  It only takes a minute to check.  If someone does come to your door at the end of the day and has not signed in at the office, send them to the office for a badge.  Safety first! 
• Be on time (lunch, specials, dismissal  everywhere)
• Know your children's names.
• Be clear with communication between school and home.
• Remember this is the beginning.  If you set a positive tone and are consistent and pervasive  in your expectations for the first thirty days, Habits will be built that will last for the 150 days to follow.

  Be aware and  be.responsive to all forms of bullying.

Cheryl and I have been very visible this week and will continue to do so.  We have helped out in the cafeteria. We were backed up a bit yesterday due to the fact that we had all kindergartens here, not just 2 classes. Make sure kids have their numbers or you have your roster.  This will speed things up.  If you do not have a AM duty and are able, please join us in the cafeteria to help supervise breakfast and hallways.  

Challenge our students academically and create some differentiated assessments to build confidence in all students.  Thanks for all of your hard work.

It's A Beautiful Morning!

Welcome to the Third Day of School!  Yesterday was a good day.  I saw a lot of quality learning going on yesterday.  Thank you for your great teaching.  I also heard some great conversations concerning kids, common core and learning.

Ms. Frazier reports that transportation went much better yesterday.  HOORAY.  I know we are growing everyday and some of you have large classes.  We will keep watching numbers as will our Asst. Superintendent.  Counting pre-k, we just broke the 500 count.

Thanks for everything you do to make our kid's days just a little bit brighter!!!!!!