Power of Words Part II

I know I have shared the importance of words spoken on this space before but there have been a few incidents recently that have caused this topic to come back to the front of my mind.

We all know that the saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is not accurate.  Words do hurt. And even if the person you are speaking negatively about is not around when you are saying these words, we all know that words influence our actions.  What we say and believe become who we are.  Please be careful about the words you say and the thoughts that you let into your minds.  Some times these words come out around company you believe you can trust and these "private" comments become public.  I tell the students over and over again that once you say something it is out of your hands to decide what the listener believes the intent of your message is.

I believe that message is appropriate for adults as well.  Let's remember the importance of our words on good and bad days.  Let's remember the power of our words when we are tired of Friday and when we are refreshed on Monday.  When we say things about students, would we want those things said about our own child or niece/ nephew?  When we say things about our co-workers, would we want those same things said about us?  Do we know all the ears listening to the remarks we say and do we know what they'll do with the words you shared?

Here's another visual to support this idea:

I wish you all an amazing week full of positive and kind verbal interactions!

Week of September 29th- October 3rd, 2014

Staff can wear jeans all week if paired with daily theme

Monday, September 29

• Technology classes resume
• Pride in our Past, Hope in Our Future Day
• Denim Days Writing Contest Theme Is Announced
• Denim Days Sign Up Sheet Posted in Office

Tuesday, September 30

• Pay Day!!!
• 3rd Grade PLC
• 4th Grade PLC
• Technology PD Afterschool
• Wear As Much Blue As Possible
• Staff Member of the Month Vote

Wednesday, October 1

• 5th Grade PLC
• School Mall Class Visits By Hill and T. Lee between 2:30-3:00
• School Mall Video Shown in Class
• Denim Through The Decade

Thursday, October 2

• Mentor/ Mentee Mtg. at 3:30
• Brunswick Stew Prep Meeting in Cafeteria- More hands make light work
• Most Denim You Can Wear Day

Friday, October 3

• Erwin History Room Visits
• Erwin Elementary Pride Day

Upcoming Events

• Walk to School Event- 10/21
• Makeup Picture Date- 10/6
• Student Led Conferences- 10/16
• Announcement of Book for the Year- 10/16
• Early Release Day- 10/16
• HCS Parent Academy- 10/16

The Importance of Equal Access to Success for ALL Students...

During the Summer Leadership Retreat for EES employees, I spoke to the group about what my title would be at our school if I couldn't use principal.  I shared that I would like to be called the Chief Match Maker because I believe that my main purpose in education is connecting people (students and staff members) to the right resources that would help them succeed or do their job more productively.  I know what teaming the right people together can do and should too! It causes a school that used to be listed at the bottom of county assessment to be in the middle or at the top of the list.  It causes parents to attend a Curriculum Night after hearing a teacher BRAVELY rap why they should be in attendance.  It causes me to get goose bumps while observing Ms. Skulsky and hearing ALL of her students discuss their guided reading books while using academic language.   The type of language that will allow all of her students a chance a success.

I believe that education is the only tool we can control that can aid oo hinder a student's access to success.  All students, no matter their race, culture, ability, etc. should have equal opportunity at accessing what we teach.  Nelson Mandela said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."  Lets equip our students with the weapons needed to eradicate poverty, hunger, war, and disease.  We can do that and it all starts NOW!

One key weapon we have to give our students is the LOVE of reading the ability to read for comprehension and meaning.  Many of the answers to the ills of our society can be found in books already written...they just must be opened and read.  Reading is a priority at EES and I need everyone to embrace it.  This is not a new FAD...as long as I am here that will be our focus so make it yours.

Enjoy this TED Talk about reading and I hope you have a remarkable week!


TED Talk


New Schedule to begin Monday, September 22nd.  Technology will hopefully begin next week.  Coverage will be arranged if Technology is during PLC or planning.

https://docs.google.com/a/harnettstudents.org/spreadsheets/d/1BPePCmrFslTFdFjEaXrlSWZmL9wQKFju_ENmYDB1H3o/edit?usp=sharing


I will be talking in PLCs about nonnegotiables for your schedule and answer any questions.  I will send out the Master Schedule Sheet for your to add your exact times later this week but if you see a PROBLEM, please let me know ASAP!

Week of September 22-26, 2014


Monday, September 22, 2014

• Jeans for a Cause
• Movement of Students for LLI during Reading Intervention begins
• PTO Board in Conference Room from 6:00-6:45 PM (would like at least one teacher at the meeting- would be even better to have one from EACH grade level)

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

• Benchmark Reading Assessment for 4th and 5th grade
• Enhancement Staff @ EES/ Follow New Schedule
• 3rd Grade PLC (due to not testing)
• 4th Grade PLC
• No enhancements at 2:25/ Enhancement Mtg Re: ASW at LSES at 3:00
• COGAT Test Training afterschool in Media Center/ Ms. Lee needs to speak to group at beginning of meeting

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

• Benchmark Math Assessment for 3rd-5th
• Enhancement PLC at 8:45-9:15
• Hill out at Leadership Harnett Meeting
• 5th Grade PLC

Thursday, September 25, 2014

• LLI Resumes during Reading Intervention Time
• Grandparents Lunch (please look your best and be flexible and patient)

Friday, September 26, 2014

• Jeans for A Cause Day
• NC Principal Fellow's Visit/ Shadowing Day

NEXT WEEK: DENIM DAYS CELEBRATION...

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 :)