It seems that we might be back to normal.  Educating students is so much easier when there is a plan to follow and you can execute the plan.  Kinda of impossible to have a plan when we only had a chance to execute it one out of the five days we had planned on.  Thank you for being flexible and for embracing the crazy that happens when events have to be made up.  Since this is the last week of February, I want to share a clip with you about how I would like for people to teach about famous African Americans.  In the past, I would read a sentence or two about famous black inventors each morning to highlight achievements of important African Americans.  This month, I did not.  There were two reasons for this...(1) the snow kinda cut into the time I would have spent pulling materials to do so and (2) it would go against everything I preach to the staff at EES.  I tell you to integrate and make things relevant for our students.  Why should you wait to discuss famous African American writers, musicians, inventors, etc until February when you could integrate them into your science, social studies, and music lessons?  So to practice what I preach, I leave this to you to do.  Celebrate the contributions of all Americans and especially those that traditional text books leave out (women, Asian American, Native Americans, African Americans, etc).  The school board request the information each year in February but I'd love to submit a list of things we do all year to celebrate African Americans as well as other Americans next year!

How amazing would it be if we featured famous Americans throughout the year and helped it be relevant by stating Because of them, you can do/be this?

Week of February 24-28, 2014

Monday

• 3rd Grade and 4th Grade PLCs
• Dental Van Visit: some students will participate in this screening and will be called for throughout the day.
• Vertical Planning After school: Please report to Media Center for whole group activity before splitting up into same groups from last month.
• Jeans for A Cause Makeup Day (we will have one more to make up for 2/14)
• State of Erwin Address: Please attend this event.  I expect every certified staff member will be there unless I hear from you via email. 6:30-7:00 PM Erwin Town Hall
• I will be out of building for Learning Focused Administrator training but can be contacted via email and cell.

Tuesday

• 5th Grade PLC
• PBIS Store Visits: Please ensure you have helped students count money before sending them to store.
• Meeting at 7:30 AM for tutoring informational meeting in Mrs. Hill's office
• Club Pictures in the auditorium
• Mr. Troutman Retirement Party at BOE Building 3-5 PM
• RtA Assessments

Wednesday

• Learning Focused Meetings with AES for those interested (please email Hill if interested in attending)
• CU Program in Auditorium from 1:30-2:30 for 4th and 5th graders
• RtA Assessments
• All grades updated in PowerSchool

Thursday

• Spelling Bee at CU: Depending on whether our winner rides the bus with us or not, we will be sending our winner off with a celebration. More information to come but please feel free to make posters and signs to help with the send off.
• RtA Assessments
• Tail Waggin' in Media Center

Friday

• Read the Most Coast to Coast: Students and Staff may wear Pjs to school but can not wear bedroom shoes.  More information will be sent out regarding various activities that will take place during the day.
• County Payday
• RtA Makeup Assessments

I hope everyone has a great week and thanks for all you do! Remember, WE ARE ERWIN!!