Week 20

 

Happy Friday Team and Welcome to the new month of February!

This is the last Blog of the month of January and oh, what a month this has been...!

Out of the 19 days of instruction in this month, we have only had one complete week in school (the first one!), we have missed 7 days (due to a holiday and 6 extreme weather days) and we are ending with a Half Day.  But you persevered, made it though, and ensured that all of the Interim 2 Assessments and Common Assessments were completed and graded.  Well Done!  

Here we are entering a new month...February...the month of courage, love, and celebration of Black History.  What an amazing month!  I am looking forward to all of it! 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend...get some rest and have some fun!

Week 20 Instruction 

 

This week will be Week 20 of instruction. Make sure that your lesson plans are aligned with and reflect the correct instructional week, that they are annotated, and turned in by 3:00 pm on Fridays.

Heads Up

Please make sure to check the following items to make sure they are up to date.  We are anticipating a Drop in visit by Nick Sheltron, Chief Education Officer and Shawn Leonard, Executive Principal.  We want our school, students and staff to be represented well.

• Achievement Boards
• Moral Focus Boards
• Calendar (this should include every day of the month as it sets the pattern, not just the days we are in school)
• Number Corners Board

C & I Visit

Chelsea changed her day for the visit to Monday.  So, please be prepared to adjust to meet/prep with her then. 

GLTs/03s

So, we will have our GLT's on Tuesday this week.  Also, plan to come to me for your 03's this week. 

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

Next week, I will be pulling students to practice for the Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony.  

The ceremony has been re-scheduled for 8:30 am (BR) on Wednesday, February 4th.  

Classroom Newsletters

Please remember that it is an expectation for you to provide a weekly newsletter (via SchoolConnect) to the parents.  I need you to make sure that I am included on this, so that I receive it.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Ready to Learn Room Update

Please make sure that students are sent down to the RTL Room with the RTL Pass.  I do not want teachers escourting students down...it takes away from instruction.  If they need an escourt, please send them with a responsible Buddy.

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Please remember to relay to your parents via newsletter, that Thursday is our weekly test day and make ups occur on Friday if necessary.  Students need to be in attendance so that they can take these tests, as we will not provide unlimited time for students to make up missed tests.

SPED UPDATE

• STAFF WHO COMPLETE CASELOADS...please do not adjust caselads (students names and/or times).  Please see Dean Schofield to make adjustments.  (Even if you get an alert see Ms. Schofield first).
• ALL TEACHING STAFF - Snow Days are WORKING Days for IEP Reevaluations and Annuals.  You need to be available, even on snow days/school cancelation days, to attend the prescheduled meetings virtually.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday - Friday, February 2-6 - Black History Spirit Week

Monday, February 2 - Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15, 6-8 12:45; Staff Meeting 3:35

Monday, February 2 - C & I Visit for ELA. Chelsea will meet with individual teams in my office during your prep times.

Wednesday, February 4 - 8:30 BR Induction Ceremony (Gym); 10:00 NJHS Induction Ceremony (Gym)

Friday, February 6 - Mobile Dentist "Re-Visit" Day

Monday, February 9 - LATE START DAY. Doors open at 9:50.  No Breakfast.  Staff have to report at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, February 11 - COUNT DAY-FREE DRESS. Interim 2 Proficiency Incentive Day

Thursday, February 12 - Lockdown #2; Valentine Parties 2:00 pm

Friday - Tuesday, February 13-17 - Mid-Winter Break

Wednesday, February 18 - School Resumes

Friday, February 20 - Spring Pictures

Tuesday - Thursday, February 24-26 - Black History Wax Museum Week

Friday, February 27 - REGIONAL PD FOR STAFF; NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Week 19

 

Oh the weather outside is frightful...Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Well, here we are...another Friday at home...and I am not complaining!  I don't know what the snow storm predicted for Sunday will result in...but to quote DPS in their text to staff...plan accordingly for Monday so that you arrive safely and on time.  I will definitely let you know if the storm results in a closure as soon as a decision is made.  Otherwise...enjoy this long weekend!

Instructional Week 19

In order to stay aligned with the scope and sequence, will focus on Week 19 curriculum, to review and complete the Common Assessments for Week 17 & 18 during small group as we discussed, and to complete Interim 2 Make Ups for those students who were absent this week. Remember that Ms. Trolinger is available to help get Interim 2 Make Ups completed..."thank you"!                                         

Heads Up

Please make sure to check the following items to make sure they are up to date.  We are anticipating a Drop in visit by Nick Sheltron, Chief Education Officer and Shawn Leonard, Executive Principal.  We want our school, students and staff to be represented well.

• Achievement Boards
• Moral Focus Boards
• Calendar (this should include every day of the month as it sets the pattern, not just the days we are in school)
• Number Corners Board

GLTs/03s

GLT's will occur on Monday (or Tuesday if needed).  I will plan to hold 03s as well to start reviewing your Interim 2 data.  

I have a Dean Day scheduled for Wednesday, so I will not be at Laurus.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring (grades 2-8) begins this week....January 27th-29th (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  Tutoring will focus on our Bubble Students first and then parent request.  

Wing Meeting

We are scheduled to have a Wing Meeting on Monday.  

Half Day and Data Dig Day Information

Friday, January 30th is a scheduled half day with school dimissing at 11:00 am.  Dismissal will run from 11:00-11:30.  You will have 30 minutes for lunch so that we can begin our Meeting promptly at 12:00 pm.  We are doing this so that we can dismiss a littler earlier on Friday.  Please plan to have your lunch between 11:30-12:00.  If you step out, you are expected to be back and ready for the training at 12:00 pm.

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

Next week, I will be pulling students to practice for the Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony.  

The ceremonies are scheduled for 8:30 am (BR) on Monday, January 27th.  Student attire is SCHOOL UNIFORM.  

Classroom Newsletters

Please remember that it is an expectation for you to provide a weekly newsletter (via SchoolConnect) to the parents.  I need you to make sure that I am included on this, so that I receive it.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports need to be available for parents in the Parent Portal on Friday, January 30th.  

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Please remember to relay to your parents via newsletter, that Thursday is our weekly test day and make ups occur on Friday if necessary.  Students need to be in attendance so that they can take these tests, as we will not provide unlimited time for students to make up missed tests.

SPED UPDATE

• STAFF WHO COMPLETE CASELOADS...please do not adjust caselads (students names and/or times).  Please see Dean Schofield to make adjustments.  (Even if you get an alert see Ms. Schofield first).
• ALL TEACHING STAFF - Snow Days are WORKING Days for IEP Reevaluations and Annuals.  You need to be available, even on snow days/school cancelation days, to attend the prescheduled meetings virtually.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 26 - Wing Meeting 3:35

Tuesday, January 27 - Tutoring Begins 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, January 28 - Dean Day for Rowden and Rogers

Thursday, January 29 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Schofield  

Friday, January 30 - HALF DAY-FREE DRESS; DISMISSAL AT 11:00 am; Blue Ribbon Induction 8:30 am; National Junior Honor Society Induction 10:00 am; PROGRESS REPORT DAY; Staff Wing Meeting Day and Data Dig 12:00-2:30

Monday - Friday, February 2-6 - Black History Spirit Week

Monday, February 2 - Moral Focus Assemblies K-5 8:15, 6-8 12:45; Staff Meeting 3:35

Friday, February 6 - Mobile Dentist "Re-Visit" Day

Monday, February 9 - LATE START DAY. Doors open at 9:50.  No Breakfast.  Staff have to report at 9:00 am.

Wednesday, February 11 - COUNT DAY-FREE DRESS. Interim 2 Proficiency Incentive Day

Thursday, February 12 - Lockdown #2; Valentine Parties 2:00 pm

Friday - Tuesday, February 13-17 - Mid-Winter Break

Wednesday, February 18 - School Resumes

Friday, February 20 - Spring Pictures

Tuesday - Thursday, February 24-26 - Black History Wax Museum Week

Friday, February 27 - REGIONAL PD FOR STAFF; NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

Week 18

 

Hi Team and wishing you a blessed MLK,Jr. Day!

I hope that you have been enjoy this extra time home due to the holiday and the snow days. I am not sure what this week has in store, but we are still in the midst of our Interim 2 testing.  We will have to play it by ear with regard to a testing schedule.  

Instructional Week 18

This week grades 3-5 will focus on Week 17 curriculum due to our testing during week 17 (last week).  We will also work to finish testing for grades 3 and 5 (in the afternoons...see below), and to complete Interim 2 Make Ups.  Ms. Trolinger will be assisting to help get Interim 2 Make Ups completed..."thank you"!

Middle School will be testing in the mornings, as this is their test week.

Here is the testing schedule:

Grade Level:                Reading Interim:                 Math Interim:

3^rd Grade                                                                       Tuesday, January 20th

                                                                                                             12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

                                                                                                                              Math

5^th Grade                                                                                     Wednesday & Thursday, 

                                                                                                                              January 21st & 22nd 

                                                                                                                              12:30 pm - 2:30 pm 

                                                                                                                              Reading         

                                          

Interim 2 Procedure

Location:   In the gym.  Remind students to wear a sweater as the gym will be cool.

Proctor:  Rowden and grade level Deans

Desks:  We will continue to use the lunch tables

MSTEP Protocol:  No phones; iWatches; any electronics; no books; no work

Head Phones:    Rowden will provide

Timed:    ELA - 2.5 Hours    Math - 1.5 hours

Testing Accommodations:    

• Resource Room teachers will pull students (IEP and 504) to test in the Art Room
•      Grade Level Interventionists will hold students until they are pulled (Lexia/Dream Box)

Lunch

• Lunch for 4th & 5th grade will be in the classrooms this week.  

Specials:

• All Specials will be on a cart/in the classroom on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for this week as the Gym and Art Room will be used for testing on those days.

Heads Up

Please make sure to check the following items to make sure they are up to date.

• Achievement Boards
• Moral Focus Boards
• Calendar (this should include every day of the month as it sets the pattern, not just the days we are in school)
• Number Corners Board

GLTs/03s

We will hold these when/if we can depending on testing.  I am always available.

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring (grades 2-8) begins the week of January 27th (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  Tutoring will focus on our Bubble Students first and then parent request.  

PLEASE DO NOT MENTION TUTORING IN YOUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK.  I NEED TO SEE WHAT OPENINGS ARE AVAILABLE.

 

BR/NJHS Induction Practice & Ceremony

Next week, I will be pulling students to practice for the Blue Ribbon Induction ceremony.  

The ceremonies are scheduled for 8:30 am (BR) on Monday, January 27th.  Student attire is SCHOOL UNIFORM.  

Classroom Newsletters

Please remember that it is an expectation for you to provide a weekly newsletter (via SchoolConnect) to the parents.  I need you to make sure that I am included on this, so that I receive it.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports need to be available for parents in the Parent Portal on Friday, January 30th.  

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Please remember to relay to your parents via newsletter, that Thursday is our weekly test day and make ups occur on Friday if necessary.  Students need to be in attendance so that they can take these tests, as we will not provide unlimited time for students to make up missed tests.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 20 - Interim 2 Testing Begins - Grades 6-8; K-2 Numeracy Testing Begins

Tuesday - Thursday, January 20-22 - Specials (K-8) and Lunch (Gr. 4-5) in the Classroom

Friday, January 23 - Dress Down $ 2.00.  NO DRESS DOWN COUPONS CAN BE USED

Tuesday, January 27 - Tutoring Begins 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, January 28 - Dean Day for Rowden and Rogers

Thursday, January 29 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Schofield  

Friday, January 30 - HALF DAY-FREE DRESS; DISMISSAL AT 11:00 am; Blue Ribbon Induction 8:30 am; National Junior Honor Society Induction 10:00 am; PROGRESS REPORT DAY; Staff Wing Meeting Day and Data Dig 11:30-2:30

Week 17

 

Hi Team, Happy 2026...and Welcome Back...!

Congratulations on the completion of your first week of teaching in 2026!  I noticed so many good things happening in classrooms this week...a re-emphasis of expectations, routines and procedures, small group instruction, teachers up and circulating in the classroom, and interim 2 review and prep to name a few.  I truly appreciate the focus that you are all showing as we begin this half of the school year.  Everything we do now is focusing on preparing students for MSTEP. 

This is going to be a busy week as we continue to prepare for Interim 2 next week.  Hopefully, you have a great weekend and get some rest and relaxation!

Good News!

We have a couple of pieces of "good news" to share...

First of all...Congratulations to Mrs. (Avant) Doughton on her marriage.  I saw the pictures and you were a beautiful bride!  So very happy for you!

Also, we want to send a big "Welcome" to our new Interventionist/Para...Ms. Jessica Hinton.  Ms. Hinton will be working with Mrs. Doughton and Ms. Carthens will be with Ms. McDaniel full time.  We are sure blessed to have Ms. Hinton, Ms. Carthens, Ms. Miller, Mr. Griffin and Ms. Zbib providing student important and necessary student support!

Instructional Week 17

As you can see by the title of this blog, we are in Instructional Week 17.  However, rather than following the Scope and Sequence, Week 17 will be our official Interim 2 Week.  We will cover Week 17 Curriculum during Week 18.

Here is the testing schedule:

Grade Level:                Reading Interim:                 Math Interim:

3^rd Grade                   Tuesday, January 13^th             Thursday, January 15th

                                                           8:30 am - 11:00 am                1:00 pm - 2:45 pm

4^th Grade                   Wednesday, January 14            Tuesday, January 13th

                            8:30 am - 11:00 am                1:00 pm - 2:45 pm

5^th Grade                   Thursday, January 15th            Wednesday, January 14th

                            8:30 am - 11:00 am                1:00 pm - 2:45 pm

Interim 2 Procedure

Location:   In the gym

Proctor:  Rowden and grade level Deans

Desks:  Take down 30 minutes prior to beginning of testing; no academic support documents on desk

MSTEP Protocol:  No phones; iWatches; any electronics; no books; no work

Head Phones:    Rowden will provide

Timed:    ELA - 2.5 Hours    Math - 1.5 hours

Testing Accommodations:    

• Resource Room teachers will pull students (IEP and 504) to test in the Art Room
• Grade Level Interventionists will hold students until they are pulled (Lexia/Dream Box)

Lunch:

• Lunch for 4th & 5th grade will be in the classroom on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the week of January 12th and January 19th. 

Specials:

• All Specials will be on a cart/in the classroom on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for the Weeks of January 12th and January 19th as the Gym and Art Room will be used for testing on those days.

Heads Up

Please make sure to check the following items to make sure they are up to date.

• Achievement Boards
• Moral Focus Boards
• Calendar (this should include every day of the month as it sets the pattern, not just the days we are in school)
• Number Corners Board

GLTs/03s

We will be having Grade Level Team Meetings and 03s next week.  I will have to do some flexing due to test proctoring

Winter Tutoring

Winter Tutoring (grades 2-8) begins the week of January 27th (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday).  Tutoring will focus on our Bubble Students first and then parent request.  I am sending out invites next week (1/13-1/15).  

PLEASE DO NOT MENTION TUTORING IN YOUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER THIS WEEK.  I NEED TO SEND OUT THE INFORMATION FIRST.

Eating During Instruction

We are noticing an increasing number of staff who are eating in front of students during instruction.  Please make sure you cease this.  We are not allowed to eat in front of students. 

Classroom Newsletters

Please remember that it is an expectation for you to provide a weekly newsletter (via SchoolConnect) to the parents.  I need you to make sure that I am included on this, so that I receive it.

Gradebook

Make sure grades are up to date by Mondays at 8:00 am.

Progress Reports

Progress Reports need to be available for parents in the Parent Portal on Friday, January 30th.  

COMMON ASSESSMENTS

Please remember to relate to your parents via newsletter, that Thursday is our weekly test day and make ups occur on Friday if necessary.  Students need to be in attendance so that they can take these tests, as we will not provide unlimited time for students to make up missed tests.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Monday, January 12 - Staff Meeting - Safety Reboot 3:35; Vision Testing Begins - Grades 1, 3, 5 & 7

Tuesday, January 13 - Interim 2 Testing Begins - Grades 3-5

Tuesday - Thursday, January 13-15 - Specials (k-8) and Lunch (Gr. 4-8) in the Classroom; Tutoring Invites for Grades 2-8 will go out.

Monday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance - NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 20 - Interim 2 Testing Begins - Grades 6-8; K-2 Numeracy Testing Begins

Tuesday - Thursday, January 20-22 - Specials (K-8) and Lunch (Gr. 4-5) in the Classroom

Friday, January 23 - Dress Down $ 2.00.  NO DRESS DOWN COUPONS CAN BE USED

Tuesday, January 27 - Tutoring Begins 3:30-4:30

Wednesday, January 28 - Dean Day for Rowden and Rogers

Thursday, January 29 - Dean Day for Wheeler and Schofield  

Friday, January 30 - HALF DAY-FREE DRESS; DISMISSAL AT 11:00 am; Blue Ribbon Induction 8:30 am; National Junior Honor Society Induction 10:00 am; PROGRESS REPORT DAY; Staff Wing Meeting Day and Data Dig 11:30-2:30