Sunday, December 2, 2018

Keep the Main Thing The Main Thing

This past week, I attended an appreciation dinner at our church.  Usually these events focus on giving gratitude to the volunteers that help our two campus church successfully complete 4 services each Sunday by setting up and breaking down our mobile location, greeting visitors, supporting the pastor team, leading services with children, parking, and all the "stuff".

This dinner was a bit different though because with all of the thank yous came a presentation on Customer Service and Leadership.  The speaker was Dave Anthony, former Director of Retail and Customer Care AT&T Mobility.  He shared a lot of nuggets but one the best stories he shared was the story of the pregnant deer.

Check it out here...




How do you think this relates to what we do at TCEA? I can see a lot of parallels, but would love to hear your reflections, so please feel free to comment at the bottom of this blog post if you wish! Thanks for all you do for TCEA and I'll see everyone tomorrow!!!      - Angela




Week of Monday, December 3- Friday, December 7
*EVAAS Meetings Begin This Week; Please contact me with available days to meet if you taught ELA/Math/Science at TCEA last year and have not scheduled a meeting with me yet*

Unannounced observations second round begins this week; BTs will be the first to have observations and hope to have all BT observations done by 12/19.

Monday, December 3
  • Grades due at 8 AM
  • 4th Grade to Library at 9 AM and 1:15 PM
  • 5th Grade Planning at 10 AM
  • Mr. Thomas Out 12-3 PM
  • Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3 PM
  • Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, and Connors) 2-3 PM
Tuesday, December 4
  • Instructional PLC 8:30-9:30 AM
  • Lanham Out
  • Sub Orientation Session 11-12 AM
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1 PM
  • Arts Integration 1-2 PM
    • 4th Grade
      • Majka- Riffle
      • McLaughlin- Akers
  • Hill Leaves at 2 PM
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3 PM
  • No PLCs this week
Wednesday, December 5
  • TSI-AT Letter Goes Home (please check your box when you arrive to school on Thursday)
  • 12th Day Before Christmas Break: Don't Be Blue- You can wear jeans each day until Christmas Break πŸ‘–
  • OPTIONAL: 4th Grade Trimester 1 ELA Check In
  • No PLCs this week
  • Middle School Department Mtg 2-2:30
Thursday, December 6
  • Parent Teacher Conferences (Hours are 10 AM - 6 PM); all TCEA staff (instructional, admin, EC, support staff, arts) will need to be in attendance from 10 AM- 6PM
    • Homeroom Teachers: Please make sure that you have a conference scheduled for each student in your homeroom; Documentation of all conferences being completed as well as a sample ISP (individual student plan) must be turned in to my box by 3:30 on 12/20
  • 11th Day Before Christmas Break: Y'all Are A SOUPER Staff- 🍜Soup, Chili, and Sides Lunch/Dinner will be provided and an email will go out with feed time ASAP
  • Literacy Training for Staff that signed up 8 AM- 2 PM in Theater
  • Hill at 

    Paul R. Brown Leadership Academy 8 AM- 10 AM for EVAAS Work

  • Uniform Swap 11 AM- 5 PM

Friday, December 7
  •  Parent Teacher Conferences (Hours are 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM); all TCEA staff (instructional, admin, EC, support staff, arts) will need to be in attendance from 7:30 AM -3:30 PM
    • Homeroom Teachers: Please make sure that you have a conference scheduled for each student in your homeroom; Documentation of all conferences being completed as well as a sample ISP (individual student plan) must be turned in to my box by 3:30 on 12/20
  • 10th Day Before Christmas Break: We Love You To Pizzas- πŸ•Pizza Lunch will be served in lounge at 12:00 PM (gluten free and vegetarian options will be available)
  • Barnes and Noble Book Fair Night 4-8 PM.  
    • The people below signed up to volunteer during that time.  Please make sure you complete this form to let us know when we can expect you.  You only have to serve for 1 hour BUT you'll find the time flies and you'll end up wanting to stay and shop longer.
Angela Hill
R. Brown
Connors
T.Johnson
Strimel
Majka
S. Person
Y. Williams
Haslem
Trojan
T. Brown
Acosta
Samuelson
Pond
Falls
Lanham
Clough
Fiore
Weir



πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘Chameleon ClapπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘
Thank you to Ms. Pond, Mr. Falls, and Ms. Lanham for their work on Student Development Day. I truly appreciate your vision and execution and I know that many parents were very pleased to hear about that day.

Thank you to Ms. Akers for helping to get the FEO group off the ground again.


And the winner is...

The winner of the PLC Team Poster Competition is....



First Grade!!!

They were all awesome but this was the pick of a friend who's a E-Learning Developer based off of criteria.  Leading this PLC was the highlight of last week for me.

First Grade,
Please send me an email by close of week of what you wish for your prize.  Give me at least three options so I can try and make one work.

And one last thing....

Please check behind me to see if I missed you. I need to know by Wednesday if I did and where to search for the information.



Arts: Plan and execute an Arts Integration Lesson in Math and share out to staff in an email or social media post. Must include pictures and a piece for student work and if using on social media use the hashtag #tceaarts
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Jeans Pass.

Mission Accomplished By:
  • Ms. Ward

Academic: Complete and document at least one of the strategies shared by Ms. Covington. Please follow the directions in the memo to share.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a visit from the Hoot! Hoot! Cart

Mission Accomplished By:

  • None

Culture: Using the padlet write your own personal mission statement regarding the culture in your room/studio/space and post outside of your room. Take a picture of it and email to Mrs. Hill by 11/16. 
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a room service

Mission Accomplished By:
  • Ms. Bigler
  • Ms. Acosta
  • Ms. Covington

Personal: Think of someone at TCEA that deserves gratitude from you and send a Chameleon Clap to Mrs. Hill for the Sunday Blog.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Coffee/Tea Delivery to your room/office.

Mission Accomplished By:
  • Ms. Taylor Brown
  • Mr. Kline
  • Ms. Covington
  • Ms. Motsinger
  • Ms. Akers
  • Ms. Johnson
  • Mr. Thomas

Your mission rewards will be given after Wednesday to ensure I don't miss anyone.


Your Next Mission???




Please look for the December Bingo Board in the Lounge after 12/5.  Complete a row of activities and win BINGO and Complete Your Mission.







Sunday, November 25, 2018

Continue to be thankful...

For some people, the next four weeks are some of the best weeks they have each year.  They are filled with laughter, joy, fun, etc.  These coming weeks are also weeks filled with stress, deadlines, COLD WEATHER...all the things that can bring stress.



What can you do to combat this? You can say THANK YOU! You can genuinely thank people for what they do for you and for the people you care about.  And you can also have conversations with others if you feel you need feedback/praise from them for what you are doing well.  This quick TED Talk focuses on how important these Thank Yous can be.  I hope everyone read their Thank You card.  They were all written by me and I meant each and every word.  Each of you bring an unique and wonderful gift to our school and we're a better place because of what each of you brings.




Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving Break and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow!                        - Angela


Week of Monday, November 26- Friday, November 30

Monday, November 26
  • New Time: 7:45 AM Start Time and 3:10 PM End Time
  • Hill, Salisbury and Lanham at NCDPI How Technology Departments Support School Safety Mtg. 9 am-2:30 PM
  • New Arts Rotation Begins (K-8)
  • FEO Mtg in Cafe at 8 AM and 6:30 PM
  • 5th Grade Planning 10 AM- 11 AM
  • Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3 PM
  • Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, and Connors) 2-3 PM
Tuesday, November 27
  • End of 1st Trimester
  • SWYK 3rd Grade - Tuesday, November 27 from 7:45 - 8:15 in Cafe
  • Admin Mtg 9-10
  • Fall Middle School Student Development Day for 7th and 8th grades 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM
  • 5th Grade PLC (PD Focus- Facilitated by Hill) at 10 am
    • please bring your goal sheet for PDPs from October PLCs
  • Builder's Club Mtg 11:30-12:00
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
  • 4th Grade PLC (PD Focus- Facilitated by Hill) at 12 pm
    • please bring your goal sheet for PDPs from October PLCs
  • No AIT Meeting!
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) at 2-3 PM
Wednesday, November 28
  • 2nd Trimester Begins
  • SWYK 4th Grade -  Wednesday, November 28 from 7:45- 8:15 in Cafe
  • PLC (PD Focus- Facilitated by Hill) 
    • please bring your goal sheet for PDPs from October PLCs
      • 8-9: Kindergarten
      • 9-10: 2nd Grade
      • 10-11: 1st Grade
      • 12-1: 3rd Grade
      • 1-2: Arts PLC *if you do not have goal sheets that's okay
      • 2-3: Middle Schools
  • BT Meeting/ Parent Conference Meeting at 3:30-4:00 in Cane's Studio (all new homeroom teachers/arts staff and BT will need to attend)
Thursday, November 29
  • SWYK 5th Grade - Thursday, November 29 from 7:45-8:15 in Cafe
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9 AM
  • Second Grade Planning 9-10 AM
  • 4th Grade Planning 12-1 PM
  • No AIT Mtg!

Friday, November 30
  • 2nd Grade ELA Unit 3: Nonfiction Post Assessment
  • Hill Out
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9 AM
  • 1st Grade Planning 10-11 AM
  • MTSS Team Monthly Meeting 1-3 PM
  • Give 5: Please complete the sheet for any students by Noon!


Don't forget...

Grades Are Due Monday, December 3rd at 8 AM!!!

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Count Your Blessings

Can you believe that we have completed 1/3 of the 2018-2019 school year?  😲Some days it feels like we have been in school for 100 days and then there are moments like right now that I feel that it has flown by. Maybe I have that feeling because I know we have only one fun filled PD day and then we're off for almost a week of fun and relaxation. 

I have FIVE QUICK things to share with you before the break...

1. If you have not completed and submitted needed artifacts for the October Missions you can do so up until November 22, 2018.

2. Tomorrow is a Mandatory Workday.  We will begin at 8 AM with TLaC Training in the Cafe and then begin A+ Training with some of wonderful A+ Fellows at 9 AM. Lunch break will be 11:30-12:30 and we will conclude by 3 PM.  Please dress comfortably so jeans are fine. 

3.

4. There will be a small token of appreciation and thankfulness in your box tomorrow.  Please check it after lunch or on your way out tomorrow.

5. Enjoy these few minutes of laughter to kick off this holiday season (video below).  Hope you don't have any 🐘 at your meal this Thursday!






Enjoy your Sunday and see you tomorrow at 8 AM!                                                   - Angela


Week of Monday, November 19- Friday, November 23

Monday, November 19
  • Mandatory Teacher Workday
      • 8:00-8:10   Enrollment Conversation with Joe
      • 8:10-9:00    TLaC
      • 9-3              A+ Training
        • Lunch Break 11:30-12:30
  • TCEA Board Mtg at 5:15 PM in Scriven's Studio
Tuesday, November 20
  • Optional Teacher Workday
Wednesday, November 21
  • School Closed for Students and Staff
Thursday, November 22: Thanksgiving
  • School Closed for Students and Staff
Friday, November 23:
  • Dickens Festival- please see Mr. Kline if you want to volunteer and help out

**** To make up lost time to storms, the students' days will be extended beginning Monday, November 26th.  It will not affect your hours.  We will still open the doors at 7:30 but will begin announcements and stop carpool at 7:45.  We will begin dismissal at 3:10 and at 3:20 each dismissal area will shrink to only essential staff to complete dismissal.  Please be flexible as we adjust to this new time and if you have any questions, please see me.******


πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘Chameleon ClapsπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘

From Ms. Motsinger:
Shout out to Ms. Covington: Any time I have a question, or she senses I am off, she is quick to positively respond. She's a valuable asset!!!

From Ms. Brown:

Thank you to Ms. Akers for popping / bagging all the popcorn for the movie night. 

Thank you Mr. Kline for helping 1st & 3rd grade team organize the movie night. We exceeded our goal and raised $700 to fund our field trip! 

Thank you Mrs. Hill for being outside my door at the right time and stepping in to help with a student and tell me I’m where I need to be. 

Thank you K-4 for an awesome pot luck lunch!

From Mr. Kline
To the Arts team (and Mr. Thomas)for Tuesday’s and Thursday’s successful Middle School Arts Night!  πŸŽΆπŸŽ¨πŸ’ƒπŸΎπŸš€πŸ₯πŸŽ­πŸŽ₯

From Ms. Covington:
Huge Chameleon Claps to K-2 teachers have taken and implemented feedback into their lesson plans
Weir for going above and beyond with getting things together for the foster children that I support.





Sunday, November 11, 2018

In observance of the brave...


In honor or our veterans and those still serving our country, please enjoy this video.  I know that many of you have served our country and/or have a family members that have served or are serving. Please know that your service is appreciated and your sacrifices will never be forgotten.



Below is one of my most favorite veterans...my grandfather.  He passed away 18 years ago but I will never forget his stories of Vietnam and his band of brothers he served with. He was so strong yet allowed us grand kids to get away with so much! He fought for the freedoms I am blessed with today and for that...I thank Grandpa Troop Tiger (his nickname).
KOREAN WAR..(segregated barracks ) VIETNAM WAR.
2 PURPLE HEARTS...OVER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE. 


Don't forget....
Here are the challenges for October 15- November 16:


Arts: Plan and execute an Arts Integration Lesson in Math and share out to staff in an email or social media post. Must include pictures and a piece for student work and if using on social media use the hashtag #tceaarts
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Jeans Pass.



Academic: Complete and document at least one of the strategies shared by Ms. Covington. Please follow the directions in the memo to share.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a visit from the Hoot! Hoot! Cart

Culture: Using the padlet write your own personal mission statement regarding the culture in your room/studio/space and post outside of your room. Take a picture of it and email to Mrs. Hill by 11/16. 
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a room service

Personal: Think of someone at TCEA that deserves gratitude from you and send a Chameleon Clap to Mrs. Hill for the Sunday Blog.
Mission Completed: Earns a Mission Accomplished Stamp on your Mission File and a Coffee/Tea Delivery to your room/office.




Quick Picks:



Week of Monday, November 12- Friday, November 16
Monday, November 12
  • No School- Veterans Day
  • Lesson Plans due at 8 AM
Tuesday, November 13
  • Mr. Thomas at Test Coordinator Mtg in AM
  • Admin Mtg 9-10
  • MTSS PLC (facilitated by Ms. Samuelson)
    • 5th Grade 10-11
    • 4th Grade 12-1
  • Builder's Club at 11:30-12
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
  • Arts Integration Team Planning 1-2
    • Cane- Pond
    • Acosta- Strimel
    • Marshall-Lanham Hill
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3
  • Trimester 1 Middle School Electives Performance 6-7:30 PM
    • Visual Arts, Music, STEAM
    • Hill administrator on duty
Wednesday, November 14
  • Vision Screening 1st & 3rd
  • MTSS PLC (K-2: Pond Facilitator; 3-5: Samuelson; Middle School: Falls)
    • K: 8-9
    • 2nd: 9-10
    • 1st: 10-11
    • 3rd: 12-1
    • Middle Grades: 2-3
  • Hill leaves at 3:30 PM
Thursday, November 15
  • 1st Grade Math Cluster 2 Post Assessment
  • 3rd Grade Math Cluster 3 Post Assessment
  • 7th Grade Math Cluster 2 Rational Numbers Post Assessment
  • 8th Grade Math Cluster 2 Functional Reasoning Post Assessment
  • Kinder Math Cluster 2 Post Assessment
  • Hill at Principal Consortium @ Triangle Math & Science 8-3
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • 2nd grade planning 9-10
  • Make- up fall pictures - carlton hubbard 10-10:30
  • 4th grade planning 12-1
  • Arts Integration Team Mtg 1-2
    • DeNoble- Riffle
    • Weir- Thomas
    • Miller-Covington
Friday, November 16
  • 4th Grade ELA Unit 2 Post Assessment
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • 1st Grade Planning 10-11
  • 1st trimester Potluck (sponsored by K, 1, 2, 3, 4) 11-12:30
  • Hill leaves at 3:45 pm

Monday, November 19
  • Mandatory Teacher Workday 8-3
    • 8-9: TLaC Wrap Up in Theater
    • 9-3: A+ Training
      • Lunch is 11:30-12:30
Tuesday, November 20
  • Optional Teacher Workday: Please add your name to the correct column on whether you will be working or not on Tuesday, November 20.  This list is just to know who'll be in the building and when on Tuesday so no one is locked in with alarm on (this has happened πŸ˜’)
πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘Chameleon ClapπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘

From Mrs. Hill and Ms. Akers to TCEA Staff: 100% lunch accuracy on 11/8/18. THANK YOU!

From Mrs. Hill to Ms. Covington:
Thank you for your leadership in getting Lesson Planner up and running at TCEA.



Sunday, November 4, 2018

My Truth

 I have struggled with what to share this week because I can honestly say that these past 9 days have been some of the hardest I have had to walk through as a school administrator...and that is saying a lot.

I have experienced deaths of students and staff members (or their family members), threats of litigation, multiple staff resignations or promotions that caused a great person to leave our midst.  I have been threatened physically and have even been bitten, hit, kicked, and almost run over by an angry parent.

But these past days have been different...they have been harder...they have been a struggle.

And I know that most of you have or will have those days that make you question what you have always thought was true.

So, what do you do? You turn to YouTube for a reminder of what your TRUTH is.  I know I am a good leader (I promise I have worked for and with some that did not pass the good leader test).  I know I still need to grow and improve. That has not died in me.  So I turned to a proven leader who I do not always agree with but definitely has enough wins to prove he knows what he's talking about. And Falls please do not EVER mention to anyone I am sharing wise words for them coach!!

His main line: Do your job. And do your job well!
That is what a good leader does and expects from those he/she leads.  

That is my truth as a leader.  Is that your truth as an educator or support staff member at TCEA?








Week of Monday, November 5- Friday, November 9, 2018

Monday, November 5

  • Kindergarten Math Cluster
  • 4th Grade to library (9 and 1:15)
  • 5th Grade Planning 10-11
  • Hill at CSI/TCI Meeting 9 AM-1 PM
  • Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, and Connors) 2-3
  • Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3
  • SIT Mtg at 3:30-4:30
Tuesday, November 6
  • 2nd Grade Math Addition & Subtraction Post Assessment
  • 7th Grade Math Cluster 3 Pre Assessment
  • Election Day!
  • Data & Intervention PLC with Covington
    • 5th Grade: 10-11
    • 4th Grade: 12-1
    • MS Humanities: 2-3
  • Instructional Leadership PLC 8:30-9:30
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
  • Kindergarten AI Team Meeting 1-2
    • Caudle-Akers
    • Johnson- Strimel
    • Williams-Pond
  • Hill @ Appt 1-2
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3

Wednesday, November 7

  • Hill cover Johnson for birthday
  • Thomas covers Strimel for birthday
  • Data & Intervention PLC with Covington
    • Kindergarten 8-9
    • 2nd Grade: 9-10
    • 1st Grade: 10-11
    • 3rd Grade: 12-1
    • Middle Grades Science/Math: 2-3
  • 1st Grade Math Cluster 3 Pre-Assessment
Thursday, November 8
  • 3rd Grade Math Cluster 4 Pre-Assessment
  • 5th Grade Math Cluster 2 Post Assessment
  • Hill out for Birthday
  • Kindergarten Planning- 8-9
  • Second Grade Planning 9-10
  • 4th Grade Planning 12-1
  • 1st Grade AI Team Meeting 1-2
    • Person- Falls
    • Campagna- Samuelson
    • Brown- Hill
  • Department Chair Mtg 3:30-4:00

Friday, November 9
  • 3rd Grade ELA Unit 2 Assessment
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • First Grade Planning 10-11
  • Hill and Cane at Regional Beginning Teacher Support Collaborative Meeting 9:30-11:30
  • Kindergarten Field Trip to Fascinate-U 12-2
  • Submit Give 5 Names HERE before 3 PM Today

Don't forget our Day of Service on Saturday, November 11th.  Learn more here!


πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘Chameleon ClapsπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘

From Ms. Akers:  Thank you Mr. Kline for allowing us to use the theater for the book fair and for always going the extra mile to make things happen that benefit our school!

From Mr. Thomas: Thank you to Mr. Falls, Mrs. Pond, Mrs. Covington, and Mrs. Clough for helping clean the cafe, monitor students, and clean the cafe again.
Ms. Aker, Mrs. Lanham, and Mrs. Hill for helping me with popping and bagging popcorn. 

Saturday, October 27, 2018

You can learn a lot...


Below is a little observation humor. Enjoy and see everyone Monday!   - Angela
 




Week of Monday, October 29- Friday, November 2
*no arts integration this week
*no plc this week

Monday, October 29
  • Mandatory Teacher Workday
    • 8-9: Committee Meetings (meet in theater & then break out)
    • 9-10: Differentiation Training in Theater (classroom teachers and EC teachers) and Lesson Plan Tweaks- please bring your plans for the week (arts staff) 
    • 10-12: TLaC Training in Theater
    • 12-1: Lunch Break (lunch will be paid for Admin, EC, Support Staff for supply drive)
    • 1-3: Pick your own adventure
      • Session I: 1-2 PM
        • Seesaw: Mr. Haslem's Room
        • Guided Reading: Mrs. Samuelson (Theater)
      • Session II: 2-3 PM
        • Technology: Ms. Brown (Location TBD)
        • Think Tank: Various Staff Members (Theater)
Tuesday, October 30
  • Builder's Club 11:30-12:00
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3
  • Hill leaves at 3:30 PM
Wednesday, October 31
  • TCEA hosts CPI Training in Theater 9 am-4 pm
Thursday, November 1
  • Scholastic Book fair in Theater
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • 2nd Grade Planning 9-10
  • 4th Grade Planning 12-1
  • Admin Mtg 1-2
  • Faculty Mtg 3:30-3:45 (mandatory)
Friday, November 2
  • Scholastic Book fair in Theater
  • 1st Grade ELA Unit 2: Stories & Characters Post Assessment
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • 1st Grade Planning 10-11
  • Middle School Glow Party 1-2

πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘Chameleon ClapπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘
From Mrs. Hill:
  • Thanks to Mr. Salisbury and all of the staff that helped put on a successful wrestling event.
  • Thanks to Mr. Kline for giving up his theater this week (in advance).
  • Thanks to Ms. Akers for allowing our kids to have a chance at good books by hosting the Book Fair.
  • Thanks to Mr. Thomas, Ms. Covington, Ms. Samuelson, Ms. Hughes, Mr. Haslem, Ms. Brown, Mr. Falls, Ms. Pond, Ms. R. Brown, and my Think-Tank Crew for making Monday happen.

Sunday, October 21, 2018

Feeling Down and Out??? It Can Happen In October!



I used to be reminded every October how tough certain points of the year can be in a teacher's life by Trish Brownlee, our former Visual Arts Teacher.   Trish had a knack for truly "feeling" a space and had no issue letting me know what was going on.  

At Erwin Elementary, I had this amazing 3rd Grade teacher, Susan Johnson, that would remind me to celebrate the little things because people were feeling down or stressed or overwhelmed.  She could "feel" a space as well.

Now please know that I care and feel but I am usually just like this duck pictured below...


But as Dory says..."I just keep swimming" 🐟.  And I can say this because I have been in this NC Educational System since 2001.  Seriously...I have almost seen and done it all and I have seen that it does get better.  It always has.  

But for many of you...you don't know this truth yet! You only learn this by doing the work.  And I hate to say this to you but the work is HARD.  As you know, or I hope you already do, anything worth having is HARD.  So, let's all do the HARD together.  Together all things are possible!



If you don't do anything else, please listen to this podcast if you're experiencing the October Blues.  It is 13 minutes and 29 seconds (maybe listen during your commute to work).




I see you and all you're doing for the students.  I appreciate what you're doing for the students.  Remember the work is hard and more importantly it is worth it!

Hope you have had a great weekend!                                                     - Angela M. Hill




Week of Monday, October 22- Friday, October 23
Red Ribbon Week 2018

Monday, October 22: Sock it to Drugs Day (Wear crazy socks)
  • 4th Grade Library 9-10
  • 5th Grade Planning 10-11
  • 4th Grade Library 1:15-2:15
  • Planning for Middle Grades ELA/Humanities (Motsinger, Fiore, and Connors) 2-3
  • Planning for Middle Grades Math (Ezell and Clough) 2-3
  • Hill at Appt 2-3
Tuesday, October 23: Drugs are Wacky (Wear something tacky to school)
  • Read to Achieve Testing (4th grade with reading retention label)
  • PLCs: PD Strand Facilitated by Hill (Please check you email the morning of your PLC for your assignment)
    • 10-11 am: 5th Grade
    • 12-1 pm: 4th Grade
  • 4th Grade Math Cluster 4 Pre-Assessment
  • 5th Grade Math Cluster 3 Pre-Assessment
  • Hill covers Riffle for Birthday
  • 3rd Grade Planning 12-1
  • Planning for Middle Grades Science (Ezell and Hughes) 2-3
Wednesday, October 24: Red Out! Wear Red
  • PLCs: PD Strand Facilitated by Hill (Please check you email the morning of your PLC for your assignment)
    • 8-9 am: Kindergarten
    • 9-10 am: 2nd Grade
    • 10-11 am: 1st Grade
    • 12-1 pm: 3rd Grade
    • 2-3 pm: Middle School
  • RTA Make Up Day
  • Instructional PLC 8:45-9:30
Thursday, October 25: Follow Your Dreams...Don't Do Drugs (School Appropriate PJ)
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9
  • 2nd Grade Planning 9-10
  • 4th Grade Planning 12-1
  • Arts Integration Team Planning 1-2 pm
    • Motsinger- Falls
    • Fiore- Hill
    • Conners- Thomas
    • Hughes- Lanham
    • Ezell- Covington
Friday, October 26: United We Stand Against Drugs- Patriotic Day
  • 2nd Grade Math Clusters 3 & 4 Pre-Assessments
  • 4th Grade Math Cluster 3 Post Assessment
  • 6th Grade Math Ratio Cluster Post Assessment
  • Kindergarten Planning 8-9 am
  • First Grade 10-11 am
  • MTSS Mtg 1-3 pm
  • Wrestiling Event 5-9 pm
  • 4th Friday 5-7 pm
    • Staff Working: Salisbury, Johnson, Motsinger, Strimel, Trojan, Lanham, Falls
Saturday, October 27

  • Wrestling Show 5-9 pm

Monday, October 29: Mandatory Teacher Workday
  • 8-9: Committee Meetings
  • 9-10: MTSS Training and Arts Training (More Info Later)
  • 10-12: TLaC Training
  • 12-1: Lunch
  • 1-3: Pick your adventure (Courses will open up on Tuesday, via email, and you have until Thursday to pick)

πŸ¦ŽπŸ‘ Chameleon ClapπŸ¦ŽπŸ‘
From Mrs. Hill- Thank you to everyone who worked together to make the schedule work for our visitors this past Friday. I appreciate all you do!

Thank you to 1st grade and Middle School for consistently teaching the 2nd Step Lessons when scheduled to be taught.  The state has a new requirement of SEL (Social Emotional Learning) being taught and this helps us maintain our good status with the state and empowers our students for the 21st century.

Thanks to the Admin Team for holding it down while I was away last week.

Congratulations to Mr. Kline for a wonderful production of Sleepy Hollow and thank you to all that came out to support the show! The Hill ladies enjoyed it very much and no bad dreams so a win-win!

From Mrs. Hill and Ms. Akers- Thanks to the following staff for having perfect lunch counts last week:
Williams, Brown, Johnson, Person, Campagna,Weir, DeNoble, Miller, Marshall, Cane, 
Scriven, Motsinger, Hughes