You may be asking yourself how in the world we are already nearing the end of October. I am asking the same exact thing. To be honest, it makes me a little nervous to think we are getting really close to the half way point of the school year. There are only about 7 weeks until Christmas break. That being said, I want to challenge you to stay focused and diligent with your students. Every day is important and our students not only need our best each day, they deserve it!

I am excited to continue learning alongside you at our Benchmark training tomorrow and to keep the conversations going in grade level plannings. Please take advantage of having Kayla, our Benchmark trainer, in the building and ask her the questions that are keeping you up at night! 

The i3 Showcase is just around the corner and I know your students will be thrilled to share their learning with their families. Let's promote this event and get your students excited about showing off the inquiries, investigations, and innovations that they have been involved in so far this year. Afterall, that is what our school is anchored around! 💡

We have a lot of things coming up over the next several weeks, so please mark your calendars and plan accordingly. Reach out if you have any questions and let me know how I can support you! 🤝

Wow! Time is flying and the midyear point is coming fast! There is a lot of information this week so please take the time to read it and write down the important dates on your calendar!

MAP Growth Assessments: We are about 6 weeks away from the MOY MAP Growth Assessment. Students will take the MAP Growth Reading Assessment on Tuesday, December 10th, and the MAP Growth Math Assessment on Wednesday, December 11th. 

MAP Reading Fluency: ALL K-3 students should complete progress monitoring on the MAP Reading Fluency platform EVERY month (the last working week of the month). Grade Chairs, please make sure this is discussed during your planning. The district is requesting this data from us and is required! All K-3 students will complete the Dyslexia screener the week of January 13th. More details will come!

Ga Literacy Academy Transcripts: Many teachers are showing Ga Literacy Academy courses as still “in progress”. This is happening because teachers are not clicking “next” after the trophy/congratulations screen. In order for courses to show as complete on their Ga Learns transcript, educators must click next to advance past the trophy screen. Doing this will mark the course as complete. Teachers, please be sure you have courses 1 and 2 marked as complete before 10/31/24. If you need assistance, reach out to Kate or me. 

Safety: Please remember that ALL classroom doors MUST remain locked and closed during instructional time, with NO obstructions covering the window on the classroom door. We know that LOCKED DOORS saves lives. 

Professional Development: If you are interested in getting your Gifted endorsement, please check out this flyer. The Gifted Endorsement Course has recently been revamped and is more conducive to teacher's schedules. The information you learn is wonderful for ALL students. Please reach out to Lorrie or me if you have any questions.    

Bright Spots: We love reading and sharing the comments about how employees are "Rocking their Role" through the TOTM and SMOM surveys! Positive affirmations bring each of us joy. You are all doing such amazing things for your students and each other. Please vote for the November TOTM and SMOM here by Friday, October 25. 

Please send up those PAWS'itive Office Referrals! Seeing the bright spots in our students helps make a positive impact on student behaviors and truly brightens their day and ours!