We're not only going outside the box but we are going to knock the box over and show it who da' BOSS is!

I love this quote.  I seriously do!  Since I have been at Erwin, I have always challenged the staff to get outside of the box.  Try something new!  If it fails...you learn something new.  If it succeeds, you stretch yourself and your understanding.  How awesome are both of those outcomes?!?  This year is no different.  Let's challenge each other to step outside of comfort and try new techniques and open ourselves up to "coaching" and feedback to improve our practices.

Thank you for being committed to your students and your craft during discussions in PLCs.  Conversations have been focused on student learning and I have enjoyed hearing your feedback and questions regarding Pam Allyn and Learning Focused.  I look forward to our future conversations with your regarding your upcoming observations as well as the 5x5 walk through administration will be doing starting this week.  Please look for verbal or written feedback within 24 hours of our walk through.  If you don't have this "proof", please contact either Mr. Backus or I to receive it.  Remember, Mr. Frye says that conversations move schools.  Let's start our move towards 70% proficiency in 2015!

Have an phenomenal week and if you need anything, please let me know!

Angela

Week of September 15-19

Monday, September 15

• Please make sure you have contacted Mrs. Hill to schedule your PDP/Self-Assessment by 9/17.
• Turn in all of your curriculum night sign ups ASAP.
• ALL Running Records completed and turned in to Mrs. Gay
• BOG Makeups

Tuesday, September 16

• Hill out for Erwin Chamber Mtg at 12:00 PM.
• 4th Grade PLC with Mrs. Gay
• We will have Team Building Sessions with Leading to Change in the PM for each grade level outside, in cafeteria, or in gym. Will hopefully have schedule by end of day Monday.
• Committee Mtgs. (EVERYONE PLEASE MEET IN MEDIA FIRST FOR 5 MINS)
• Benevolence in Conference Room
• MTAC in Media Center (bring laptop/notebook, writing tool, suggestions from grade level)
• Problem Solving in Mrs. Gay's Office (bring calendar)
• Curriculum Night/ Title I Mtg. 5:30-7:30 PM

Wednesday, September 17

• Hill out all day for READY Mtg. in Fayetteville
• 5th Grade PLC with Mrs. Gay
• Circle of Quality Mtg with Mr. Frye (Dunkins and Riley) at 2:30 PM

Thursday, September 18

• 3rd Grade PLC

Friday, September 19

• Jeans for A Cause
• Office Staff Meeting at 10 AM in Conference Room

A FEW REMINDERS

• Please read daily newsletter each day.
• Please make every effort to be on time each day to duty (we are short staffed and need everyone in place to ensure safety)
• If you spot a staff member doing something great, please stop by the office and write about the good deed on a dollar bill (play) and post on the If I Had A Million Dollars board.  You and the person you write about could win a prize at the end of the month.
• If you see a student soind something great, hand them a Redskins Buck
• If you see a class doing something great, give them an arrow outside of their room
• If you see a student, staff member, or parent doing something that goes against our mission/vision/ PBIS Rules, etc...extend Grace and Mercy and loving correct the individual.  We all represent EES so let's work together to improve (that includes me so thank you to those who remind me when I forget who I am and who I represent)!

We Must Not Lose Our Focus!

I know that we were ALL excited about the test results that proved that all of our hard work was not done in vain.  We had a 10% percent gain in proficiency for our school and reached all of the AMOs in Math and Science.  That is something to be excited about.  We now have results that can focus our instruction and help all students have a chance at success.  It feels good to have a guide to improvement and to know that we only need to change a few things to show greater results at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

When test results come out, talk begins to revolve around the scores on tests and comparisons begin to take place.  As I stated earlier, I am very impressed with our test results and know that we are headed in the right direction.  But I don't want us to lose our focus on the real reason why do what we do on a daily basis.  We should want to educate the students in our care because we want them to have a quality education that will afford them a worthwhile future.  So, fast forward 10 years forward... Where do you see the students we currently have in our building? In college? Participating in an internship? Providing a service for our community? I know we all want to see these examples in students' futures.

To ensure a bright future for our students, we need to stay focused on providing a high quality, literacy rich environment each day.  We need to push our students and ourselves to a level of greatness that both invigorates and scares us.  We can NOT focus on students passing the EOG.  When that type of focus begins to seep into instruction we end up teaching to the test and that just produces a group of citizens that can answer test questions well but can not think or perform tasks that involve higher order thinking.

If we focus on giving students our best each day this school year, our level of proficiency will go up and students will display exceeded growth.

I challenge each of you to work at a high level than you did last year...no matter what role you play in our building.  If you need help in reaching that level or identifying the area where you want to focus, feel free to seek advice from your peers, students, administration, or the instructional coach.

Our goal for this year: BY PROVIDING THE STUDENTS OF EES WITH HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION EACH AND EVERY DAY WE WILL GET TO 70% PROFICIENCY (OVERALL).

I am looking forward to an amazing week and thanks for all you do for the students at Erwin Elementary!

Angela

This video is about the book Word Nerds.  This book is just one way we may be able to increase reading proficiency at EES.  Take a look and feel free to share feedback via email or during PLCs this week.

Word Nerds Clip

Week of September 8-12
ESL Begins This Week...
Monday, 9/8

• Can begin bringing in items for first responders*
• Work on sign in honor of 9/11**
• 10th Day of School (we could have changes in enhancements after today-will keep you informed and will be asking for input)
• Math LF Lesson Submitted 
• Pam Allyn Instruction Begins
• 5x5 Walk Through Begins

Tuesday, 9/9

• 4th grade PLC
• V. Jones Meeting with staff not in attendance at convocation
• Faculty Summit at 3:30 in Media Center (Mrs. Pearson will be speaking on bullying)

Wednesday, 9/10

• 5th Grade PLC
• 3rd Grade- BOG (Beginning of Grade) Assessment

Thursday, 9/11

• Patriots Day/ Delivery of First Responders Treats/ Encourage all staff and students to wear red, white, and blue
• 3rd Grade PLC

Friday, 9/12

• F&P Running Records Completed on ALL Students and Submitted to Mrs. Gay
• Hill at Principal PLC @ AES 8:00-10:30
• Jeans for a Cause ($5 for the month)

* I am inviting all staff to bring in goodies (Little Debbie Snacks, Cookies, Chips, etc.) for the Erwin First Responders beginning Monday- Thursday.  We will deliver Thursday morning to first responders during their program at 11 AM.

** I am in need of a class that can change the sign this month. I am thinking about putting up NEVER FORGET but am flexible.  See me for cups if you can help. Want sign up by Tuesday afternoon.

Looking Ahead

9/16: Committee Mtg Afterschool

9/16: Parent Academy (will be discussed in PLCs this week)

9/17: Circle of Quality Mtg. at 2:30 for Dunkins and Riley

9/19:Office Staff Mtg. at 10 AM

Ready? Get Set. Go!

Things are starting to pick up steam and we are moving fast forward into the 2014-2015 School Year. Thank you again for everything each of you have done to create a smooth opening.  There are many changes this year and the changes might not be over (we are below our predicted enrollment number so we might lose the 2.5 days of enhancement we currently have).  The way all of you have supported the changes we are working with has been nothing but professional.


Frank Zappa once said "Without deviation progress is not possible." We are making progress and I know that this year will be one of the best the school, town, and county have seen in years!

Hope everyone has an amazing week and please see me if you have any questions/concerns.

Week of September 1, 2014

Monday,  September 1
NO SCHOOL!

Tuesday, September 2
Enhancement Teachers will help in classes in AM for coverage during F&P
4th Grade PLC
SIT Mtg. at 3:30 (all staff based at EES should attend)

Wednesday, September 3
Enhancement Teachers will help in classes in AM for coverage during F&P
BOG Practice for 3rd Grade
5th grade PLC

Thursday, September 4
Picture Day
3rd Grade PLC
Quick (10 minutes) Meeting to Discuss Official Spring 2014 Test Results
Mentor Mtg at 3:50

Friday, September 5
Deadline for Science Lab Set Up
Please have checklist sent to you, late last week, completed by this day.

99 Problems, but change ain't one...

"Every miracle that has ever occurred began with a problem!"

Last year brought many challenges to Erwin Elementary.  We had to more with less.  We had many new faces and I know it was challenging for them to learn how to do things the unwritten "Erwin Way".  But, we survived and not only that we thrived!  We grew from 38% to 48% proficiency.  We tackled Read to Achieve and as the year progressed, more and more students showed proficiency in reading.

This summer has been FULL of changes and challenges.  But if you look at our challenges like the quote at the top of the page...a miracle year is on the way! I wanted to update you and keep you informed to help ease some of the anxiety that comes with beginning a new school year.

In the last post, I shared the teaching assignments.  Last Thursday, I learned that Mrs. Busch was moved to HPS and we are now sharing enhancement staff with Buies Creek.  I'd like to welcome Ms. Milton (music) and Mr. Grieder (music).  They share this position so for 1 day Ms. Milton will be with us and the other 1.5 Mr. Grieder will be with us.  Welcome to Shannon Smith (PE) and Joseph Felice (Art).  We also got a very late addition...a 20% technology facilitator.  We will be sharing Jennifer Ennis with Buies Creek and we could afford her enough to do 11 enhancement classes for us. It is definitely not as good as having Ms. Dunkins full time but we can now have quality instruction in the area of technology and give classroom teachers an additional planning period!

I am currently working on our enhancement/ daily schedules and will have that available for viewing and comments on Goggle after the Planning Retreat next week.

Speaking of the retreat, I am attaching to the update email a copy of the retreat schedule.  Please view the agenda and sign up for any day(s) you can come out and help us solidify plans for the 2014-2015 school year.  Please click on the link below to sign up or edit your response from June.  I need to know numbers to pay for lunch and have handouts so please try to do so by noon on Tuesday, July 22nd.  

RETREAT (Page 3)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Db-YSr4lrgtUj9LFApER2TJQoYyajM1E0eE0T3kNRyM/edit?usp=sharing

Also, do not forget about our staff yard sale.  All money raised will go straight back to you.  We will be holding it Saturday, July 26 in our gym from 7-10 AM.  If you are interested in selling some of your old items to make money to buy more stuff, you will need to email me by Tuesday, July 22nd to reserve a table (or 2) and please let me know what you are planning to sell.  Right now I have the following people down to participate:

Johnson
Dunkins
Hill
Riley
Lemon
Gaines

The last important item of interest is...our students are reading.  The post cards are coming in and books going out on a daily basis.  Right now, our rising 4th graders are in the lead, followed by our rising 5th graders, and then our rising 6th graders.  I do need help creating a database of these students and how many postcards they have sent back in with the dates postmarked on it.  I am planning to use this data for a future research project on the effects of reading on summer slide and am way too busy right now to calculate.  It will only take probably 1 hour to do but between the staff assignments, scheduling, and county meetings...I am not finding time to create this.  I also want us to be able to type in their F&P level in fall and use this in our conversations with parents in the fall.  If you'd like to earn comp time and have an hour to spare, please email me and we'll set something up.

I think that's it.  Miss y'all bunches and when I say stay away from your room it doesn't mean stay away from us. Riley, Ms. Parker, Ms. Tammy, and I are up here Monday-Thursday 7 AM-5:30 PM and we'd love to have some company :)

See you soon!
Angela

Summer is ANYTHING but quiet here at EES!

This will be a quick post to update you on what's happening on the home front.  I have decided to look at them under two headings: EASY and DIFFICULT.


So here goes:

Easy

1. Getting postcards/ books out to students: We've had probably about 30 postcards returned (10% of student body); Not too happy about that but it's better than nothing!
2. We were 44th in the state for collecting books for GIVE 5, READ 5.  If you only look at schools with 350 students or less, we were 5th in the state for the number of books collected at 4th for the number of books we collected per student. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS VISION.
3. Checking out at the county level. THANKS AGAIN FOR EVERYONE COMPLETING WHAT THEY OWED ME IN A TIMELY FASHION.
4. Reading your suggestions for the upcoming school year.  Thank you for sharing your ideas with me! I appreciate it.
5. Please welcome Mr. Caro to our staff!!! He will be replacing Mrs. Roberts as our ESL teacher!

Hard

1. Losing three classroom teachers! The county decided to transfer the last three hired (no input from me).  Ms. Hewlett has been transferred to AES and Ms. Jados & Mr. Miller have been transferred to HES.
2. Losing our Art teacher.  Ms. Lopes has been transferred to OHS. I DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING!
3. Having to move staff around and try to be as creative as possible.
4. Not knowing about enhancements...therefore no schedule...therefore hard to move forward...

I am including a hilarious clip to help you get back to your happy place....

Zora and I LAUGH so hard at this! I need to practice rapping this summer!

Now, on to what everyone wants to know.  This is the tentative list of teacher assignments for the 2014-2015 school year.

3rd Grade

Hayes

Johnson

Parker

Skulsky

4th Grade

Callanan

Dunkins

Licary

5th Grade

Cowan

Lee

Manship 

Moore

If you have questions about why I moved some, please feel free to ask me.  I have spoken to all involved in moves and they are OK...I promise!

I do need to know if you want to stay in your own room or move to another location.  Currently, I am planning on having planning rooms for each grade level and placing all teacher desks in those rooms and giving each department money to decorate and furnish as you wish (that is if PTO approves this) and these rooms are where you'll be when students are not in their rooms.  The classrooms will be a place where students decorate and own.  You will be treated as the professional you should be with shared office space.  I will have EC, ESL, enhancement, etc. spread among those rooms as well.

So, please let me know your wishes by completing the form linked below (only for classroom teachers).  I WILL ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO MOVE BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT NEXT YEAR HOLDS!!!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1anAtf-GOp1MgcqhkadjvZsG86GayyFYmqgsW0JFu5RU/viewform?usp=send_form

Please do not plan to begin working on your room until after July 21st.  More information on an exact date will be sent later.

Please take time for you this summer and remember to READ...READ...READ!

Angela

By the way...

Please put the following dates on your calendar.

• July 23-25: Leadership Team Summit at CU (only for staff who've signed up to participate)
• August 15: Optional Teacher Workday
• August 18: Mandatory Teacher Workday/ Convocation in AM
• August 19: Home Visits
• August 20: Reading Workshop PD at EES (Mandatory for all certified instructional staff)
• August 21: Open House
• August 22: Learning Focused Day #3 at AES for Staff Who've Attended Day 1 and 2 in June (Excluding Early Adopters)
• August 25: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL :)

Speak Life!

And the count down begins!  On Thursday, June 12 at 12:30 PM we will complete the 2013-2014 school year!  And, wow...what a year it has been!  I want to extend a HUGE thank you to each of you for not getting distracted by all of the noise and commotion and staying focused on on our students.  Although they don't express it often, for many of them we are their safe harbor.  A place where they can go and know that they are loved, appreciated, and will be kept safe.

For the next eight weeks some of our babies will be without the"comforts" our school brings to them.  We can keep that feeling going though by encouraging our students these last four days and being fully attuned to them and their feelings.  Be present (and I don't mean attendance wise).   Listen to your students and try to impart wisdom these last days.  As Maya Angelou says, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”   What an awesome gift we can give the young ones we've been given the honor of working with for 10 months.  One of my favorite teachers EVER is Ms. Brenda Peregoy at Triton High School.  She teaches French and was the Newspaper Sponsor.  Anyone who talks to me for a few minutes can imagine how I massacred French in her class and how outspoken I could been in our newspaper class.  I can't remember many of the French terms she taught me (sorry Ms. Peregoy!).  But you do know what I remember?  How she made me feel like I was the smartest, prettiest, most important student she ever taught!  Since I left her classroom, there has been many times where I did not feel smart, pretty, or important.  But one reason why I won't give up or give in is because I feel I would be letting her down.  Now that was 19 years ago...I can't believe that!

Leave that type of legacy.  You do not have to be a classroom teacher.  Everyone in our building as the responsibility to make a child's life better...why not do it now so you will not have to live with regret when you read in the paper about another young person who makes an unwise decision.  Maybe you could have spoken something into that child's life that made them think twice before doing something unwise!

Say something positive NOW!

Have a wonderful week and THANK YOU...THANK YOU... THANK YOU!!!!

Angela

Week of June 9-13, 2014
MONDAY

• No enhancements
• COL Events
• No After school Meeting
• Trail Mix On Sale :)

TUESDAY

• Field Day
• No enhancements

WEDNESDAY

• No enhancements
• 5th Grade Celebration at 1:30 (3rd and 4th can attend if they want)

THURSDAY

• No enhancement
• Fun Time Outside for Students Who Do Not Owe Any Money or Books
• Dismissal at 12:30 (all staff at either bus or carpool duty for summer sendoff)
• Staff can leave at 1:00 if they have comp time

FRIDAY

• End of Year Cookout at Lunch
• Bridal Shower for Ms. Lopes at Lunch

Building will be open, if their is interest, on Saturday or Sunday.  You will need to sign up on Google Doc (to be sent later on this week) to help guide me in if or when to open building.

What Are The Students Worth?

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.

Desmond Tutu

Although we have nine days left this school year, I am already moving forward to the 2014-2015 school year.  I know that this seems silly but I have always believed that you must have a plan to be successful.  I have had a plan since the first day I entered ECU in August of 1997.  I have achieved all of the major goals I had for myself except 2.5:)

Graduate from ECU in Spring of 2001   Check

 Join Peace Corp and got to Africa           Not Checked YET

Teach in for at least 4 years in NC and teach at least two of those years in Harnett County  Check

Get Married     Check

Have on child and adopt one child    Check and 1/2

Get the Principal Fellows Scholarship      Check

Become a Principal                            Check

Open my own school                  Check

I am not listing my goals to brag.  I am listing my goals because I believe that life is too short to live it apathetically.  You have to know what's right and what's wrong.  You have to stand up against things that you do not believe in.  My high school government teacher helped instill in me that I am not "unimportant" and my beliefs are to be respected just as everyone's should be.  With that being said... "Where is your life headed and what do you believe in so passionately that you actually have an educated opinion about?"

Are you a follower?  Are you someone who just lets life happen or do you make things happen?

I know that some say they are TOO busy living their lives, raising their children, paying bills...that they do not have time to speak out against the injustices in the world. 

That's a bunch of bull! The real reason why they do not speak out is because: (1) they are uneducated about the situation, (2) they are apathetic, or (3) they are afraid.  

I will leave you with one of the BEST quotes ever...

“First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out—

because I was not a communist;

Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—

because I was not a socialist;

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—

because I was not a trade unionist;

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—

because I was not a Jew;

Then they came for me—

and there was no one left to speak out for me.” 

― Martin Niemöller

You were not made to be like everyone else...you were made to stand out.  Stand out and stand up for what's right.  It's not a political thing...it's a human right thing.  We all know that ALL of our student deserve a high quality education and we know that for most of our students...we are the only option.  Please read about some of these decisions made in Raleigh and form an opinion and work towards ensuring a successful future for all of our kids (I will email you the proposed budget and an article on some issues).

I challenge you! Educators must be not only character role models but also role models for how students must challenge the status quo the right way!

“If I look at the mass I will never act.” ― Mother Teresa

June 2-6, 2014

*Enhancement Schedule will be as normal; No technology/ media but Mrs. Hill will do activity with students during that time (more info to follow)

Monday, June 2

• 5th grade planning (use time to complete testing letters)
• 3rd and 4th PLC ((use time to complete testing letters)
• PBL Lessons Begin
• Makeup Testing (3 Settings and Locations will be announced)
• Hold EC Students and teachers will call for them
• Testing Letters Home (make sure you share test results with students as well)
• Quick Meeting After school (Less than 15 minutes)

Tuesday, June 3

• 5th Grade Science Testing
• 5th Grade PLC in PM 
• 3rd Grade Planning in AM
• Rising 3rd Grader Open House 5:30-7:00 PM

Wednesday, June 4

• Begin Summer Reading Check-out (more details to follow)
• Practice for Dance Off After School from 3:30-4:15 (will ask for volunteers for one special scene at Monday's Meeting)

Thursday, June 5

• Keep Calm & Camp On Event (more info to follow)
• RtA Test
• Principal Dance Off at CEMS 6:30-7:30

Friday, June 6

• IXL/ AR Field Trip Leaves at 7:00 AM
• No Enhancement PLC
• Craft Night at Licary's House at 7 PM (Bring your favorite beverage and snack/ cost for your craft will be in your box by Tuesday)

School will be open Sunday afternoon. Exact times will be posted later this week!