Week 36

 

Happy Friday Team...

Wow...how was this week only 4 days?  It felt to me like it was at least 10!  Thank goodness it's the weekend!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and get some rest.  Next week is our last full week of full days of school.  We are getting close!

Week 36  Instruction..."FINISH STRONG"

 

"Finish Strong" is our motto and focus for the remainder for the school year. Again, this is the time that you can provide review and reinforcement for our priority standards in ELA and Math, as well as, complete the Social Studies and Science instruction that was missed during the school year. 

Please remember...this is not a time to show movies just for the convience of showing a movie. 

It is very important during these last weeks to maintain a structure of teaching and learning.

Lesson Plans

You should have activities planned for in all content areas:  ELA/Writing, Math, Social Studies and Science.  They still need to be turned in on Fridays.  

Grading/Grade Book

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated.

***Grade Book closes for the trimester on Friday, June 5th.  DO NOT SHARE THIS WITH PARENTS AND STUDENTS!!!  We experienced a lot of issues with parents last year when it was publicized and we want to be able to provide you with time to complete your grading and report cards.  Work during the last week can be added in as "Participation" if needed.

Spring NWEA Testing 

2nd grade NWEA will occur June 1st-4th.  

PLEASE DO NOT SEND STUDENTS TO THE MEDIA CENTER TO COMPLETE TESTING!  Mr. Branson, Mrs. Trolinger and Mrs. Pankowski are not going to be proctoring NWEA make up testing.  This needs to occur in your homeroom.

***These test scores are VERY IMPORTANT to our Charter Authorizer, Bay Mills (who grants our charter to stay open).  They are looking for significant student growth in Math and ELA, so please emphasize the importance of focus, taking their time and putting forth their best effort to your students.

03's and GLTs

Next week I will be meeting with you for your 03s which will be reviewing your End of Year Evaluation.  Please make sure you come to my office.

Room Tear Down

Room Tear Down should not begin until Monday, June 8th.  That includes all classroom bulletin boards.  Rooms should remain intact with everything up and unchanged until that day.

Remember that classrooms will be having flooring replaced and some painting done, so you will need to take all items down from the walls.  Make sure that everything is boxed up, put away and/or taken home (personal items) for ease of removal by the flooring/painting/maintenance crew.

Final Class Lists, Grade Level Welcome Letters, Classroom Inventory and Supply Lists

These were due to your Dean by today, May 29th. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Dean.

Hallway Bulletin Board Welcome Letters to Incoming Students

It is a Laurus tradition that we create Summer Hallway Bulletin Boards that include Welcome Letters written by your students to the incoming grade level students.  Please plan to include that in your writing plans for the next couple of weeks.  These letters should talk about the best things that the students have done/experienced/liked about their year in your grade level.  Please allow time for the final draft to be neatly typed or written in their best handwriting, as these will be utilized for summer marketing purposes too.

Shoes: Slides, Sandals, and Crocs

We are having an influx of students wearing slides and crocs.  This is not acceptable.  Nor are students allowed to wear any type of sandals.  Please utilize your School Connect to remind parents and also tell your students that they cannot wear any type of slides, crocs, and any type of sandals.

Attendance

Please continue to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsibility to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  Also, make sure that you are inputting these behaviors in the system.  The ABSS's and Deans cannot move on these continual behaviors if there is no paper trail.

Also,  continue to remind students/parents that if students have been suspended since the beginning of Trimester 3 they may be unable to attend the field trips.  

Birthday Celebrations

Our next Birthday Celebration Friday is June 12th.  

Upcoming Events:                                       

June 1st - 6th - 8th Grade Spirit Week; Staff two week dress down begins (please be school appropriate); CHROME BOOK COLLECTION BEGINS

June 1 - Academic Proficiency Incentive Field Trip

June 3 - End of Year Grilling. Principal Bullard is providing the hot dogs and buns.  If you want to do a team lunch, simply bring in sides for yourselves and enjoy!

June 4 - 8th Grade Breakfast and Honor Awards; 8th Grade Prom 5:00-7:30 pm

June 5 - Summer Grade Level Post Cards Due; 8th grade last day

June 8 - 8th Grade Promotion 10:00 am at St. Johns Armenian Church; Room Tear Down can begin today.  Remember to pack up and take home personal items.

June 9 - Kindergarten Fun Field Day

June 10 - Kindergarten Promotion; Lunch in Classrooms

June 11 - Field Day Gr. 1-7; Report Cards Home

June 12 - Last Day of School  8:00-11:00 am HALF DAY; Honor's Assemblies in Classrooms; June Birthday Celebrations;  Classrooms must be cleaned out for the summer's construction and painting.

 

Week 35

 

Happy Thursday Team...

Welcome to the LAST Holiday Break of the 25/26 School Year!  Wow...we are getting there!

I hope you all have a wonderful and well deserved holiday break, full of good food, good people, and good fun...and get some rest too, as it will be a 3 week whirlwind when we return.

Week 35  Instruction..."FINISH STRONG"

 

"Finish Strong" is our motto and focus for the remainder for the school year.  As such, this week begins our review period of instruction.  This is the time that you can provide review and reinforcement for our priority standards in ELA and Math, as well as, complete the Social Studies and Science instruction that was missed during the school year. 

Also, this is a great time to think about having the students do a Book Study and Book report; project based learning activities...a diorama, travel brochure, etc.  There are a lot of interactive learning activities that you can incorportate.

This is not a time to show movies just for the convience of showing a movie.  It should be used as a culmination of a book study or at the end of a unit of study. 

It is very important during these last weeks to maintain a structure of teaching and learning.

Lesson Plans

Your lesson plans should reflect the "Finish Strong" focus.  You can continue to provide a grade level plan or you can adapt the grade level plan to fit your year end plans.  You should have activities planned for in all content areas:  ELA/Writing, Math, Social Studies and Science.  They still need to be turned in on Fridays.  However, due to the holiday weekend, you can submit next weeks plans by 8:00 am on Tuesday, May 26th.

Grading/Grade Book

It is imperative that you keep up with grading students work.  Also, once student work is graded, please send any work/papers home.  This helps to keep parents informed and updated.

Spring NWEA Testing 

NWEA testing continues next week for grades 3-8 with the focus being on make ups.  We are looking for and expecting 100% test completion.

2nd grade NWEA will occur June 1st-4th.  

PLEASE DO NOT SEND STUDENTS TO THE MEDIA CENTER TO COMPLETE TESTING!  Mr. Branson, Mrs. Trolinger and Mrs. Pankowski are not going to be proctoring NWEA make up testing.  This needs to occur in your homeroom.

***These test scores are VERY IMPORTANT to our Charter Authorizer, Bay Mills (who grants our charter to stay open).  They are looking for significant student growth in Math and ELA, so please emphasize the importance of focus, taking their time and putting forth their best effort to your students.

03's and GLTs

This week will be the last required GLTS/03's.  On Wednesday, we will meet to finalize class lists for next year, as well as the other required tasks due on Friday, May 29th.  These will occur in an available grade level classroom.

03s will be reviewing your End of Year Evaluation.  Please make sure you come to my office.

AIMSWeb End of Year Benchmarking

AIMSWeb testing ends next week.  Please make sure to control the student noise level in the hallways so that the Intervention team can test.  

Room Tear Down

Room Tear Down should not begin until Monday, June 8th.  That includes all classroom bulletin boards.  Rooms should remain intact with everything up and unchanged until that day.

Remember that classrooms will be having flooring replaced and some painting done, so you will need to take all items down from the walls.  Make sure that everything is boxed up, put away and/or taken home (personal items) for ease of removal by the flooring/painting/maintenance crew.

Final Class Lists, Grade Level Welcome Letters, Classroom Inventory and Supply Lists

These are due to your Dean by next Friday, May 29th.   We will discuss the class lists during your LAST Grade Level Team meeting next week.  If you have any questions, please reach out to your Dean.

Hallway Bulletin Board Welcome Letters to Incoming Students

It is a Laurus tradition that we create Summer Hallway Bulletin Boards that include Welcome Letters written by your students to the incoming grade level students.  Please plan to include that in your writing plans for the next couple of weeks.  These letters should talk about the best things that the students have done/experienced/liked about their year in your grade level.  Please allow time for the final draft to be neatly typed or written in their best handwriting, as these will be utilized for summer marketing purposes too.

Housekeeping Issues

Arrival:  Please...we only have 3 weeks left.  I am noticing a large number of you arriving late to work.  I do not want to have to start having you sign in upon your arrival.  Please make sure that you are here and at your door at 7:35 each morning.  

Field Trips

Continue to include in weekly newsletters the following information:

"If students have been suspended since April 7th, they will not be able to attend the grade level field trips.  This is a school policy."

Career Day

 

On Wednesday, May 27th we will be having our annual Career Day.  

Please remind parents if they are interested in participating as a presenter, to please reach out to Ms. Schofield or Ms. Robinson.

Shoes: Slides, Sandals, and Crocs

We are having an influx of students wearing slides and crocs.  This is not acceptable.  Nor are students allowed to wear any type of sandals.  Please utilize your School Connect to remind parents and also tell your students that they cannot wear any type of slides, crocs, and any type of sandals.

Attendance

Please continue to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsibility to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Bathroom Reminders

Just a few additional reminders:

1.  If students have a history of fighting, please do not let them go with a group into the bathroom during a bathroom break. They need to go by themselves.

2. Please diligently monitor your bathroom breaks.

3. Only allow one student out of the room at a time for an emergency bathroom break.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  Also, make sure that you are inputting these behaviors in the system.  The ABSS's and Deans cannot move on these continual behaviors if there is no paper trail.

Also,  continue to remind students/parents that if students have been suspended since the beginning of Trimester 3 they may be unable to attend the field trips.  

Birthday Celebrations

Our next Birthday Celebration Friday is May 29th.  We will hold June Birthday Celebrations on the last day of school.

Upcoming Events:                                       

May 26 - School Resumes; Kindergarten and 5th grade T-Shirt forms and money due

May 27 - Career Day

May 29 - Class Lists; Supply Lists; Welcome Letters Due; Inventory Sheets Due; May Birthday Celebration Day

June 1 - Big Smiles Dental Visit

June 4 - 8th Grade Breakfast and Honor Awards; 8th Grade Prom 5:00-7:30 pm

June 8 - 8th Grade Promotion 10:00 am at St. Johns Armenian Church; Room Tear Down can begin today.  Remember to pack up and take home personal items.

June 9 - Kindergarten Fun Field Day

June 10 - Kindergarten Promotion; Lunch in Classrooms

June 11 - Field Day Gr. 1-7; Report Cards Home

June 12 - Last Day of School  8:00-11:00 am HALF DAY; Honor's Assemblies in Classrooms; June Birthday Celebrations

 

Week 34

Happy Friday Team...

We did it...we made it through another week amid some successes and some challenges.  I don't know about you, but sometimes it feels like this month will never end...and other times, it feels like it's flying!  I realize the struggle is getting really real...but we can do it.  We are down to 4 weeks...and the absolute most important thing is to maintain structure.  I know this time of the year can really feel like "baby sitting"...but now is the time to really be creative and engaging with your lesson planning and instruction, yet maintain the highest expectations and structure.  Please continue to implement this, and stress it with your students.

I hope each of you have a wonderful weekend...that you treat yourself to some well deserved rest and relaxation!  I appreciate each and every one of you!

Week 34 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 34 of instruction. We are quickly coming to a close of the NHA Scope and Sequence Curriculum.  During our GLT meetings, we will discuss your plans for end of the year instruction.

MSTEP Continues for Make Ups

MSTEP testing continues this week for make up testing.  It officially ends Thursday, May 21st.   

Make Up testing will occur in the Media Center for this last week of testing.

Specials and Lunch

On Monday, May 11th, Specials will return to their respective classrooms and 4th-8th Grade  lunch will return to the gym.  A GREAT BIG THANK YOU to the Specials teachers for giving up their space for our MSTEP testing!  It was truly appreciated!

Spring NWEA Testing 

NWEA testing will begin this week.  Please refer to the schedule below for your days and subjects.

Mon. 5-18:     6th - 8th    ELA

Tues. 5-19:    3rd - 5th    ELA

Wed. 5-20:     6th - 8th    Math

Thurs. 5-21:   3rd - 5th    Math   

This will occur in your specific classrooms; however, 8th grade will test in their Math and ELA classrooms.  Just like in the Fall NWEA testing, you will be proctoring these tests yourself.  If you have questions about creating your test sessions and proctoring the tests, please reach out to your veteran team members or your Dean.

These test scores are VERY IMPORTANT to our Charter Authorizer, Bay Mills (who grants our charter to stay open).  They are looking for significant student growth in Math and ELA, so please emphasize the importance of focus, taking their time and putting forth their best effort to your students.

03's and GLTs

GLTS/03's will be in the Media Center during this last week of MSTEP. 

AIMSWeb End of Year Benchmarking

AIMSWeb testing is occurring throughout the school for TWO more weeks.  Please make sure to control the student noise level in the hallways so that the Intervention team can test.  

Field Trips

Continue to include in weekly newsletters the following information:

"If students have been suspended since April 7th, they will not be able to attend the grade level field trips.  This is a school policy."

Career Day

 

On Wednesday, May 27th we will be having our annual Career Day.  

Please remind parents if they are interested in participating as a presenter, to please reach out to Ms. Schofield or Ms. Robinson.

Shoes: Slides, Sandals, and Crocs

We are having an influx of students wearing slides and crocs.  This is not acceptable.  Nor are students allowed to wear any type of sandals.  Please utilize your School Connect to remind parents and also tell your students that they cannot wear any type of slides, crocs, and any type of sandals.

Attendance

Please continue to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsibility to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Bathroom Reminders

Just a few additional reminders:

1.  If students have a history of fighting, please do not let them go with a group into the bathroom during a bathroom break. They need to go by themselves.

2. Please diligently monitor your bathroom breaks.

3. Only allow one student out of the room at a time for an emergency bathroom break.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  Also, make sure that you are inputting these behaviors in the system.  The ABSS's and Deans cannot move on these continual behaviors if there is no paper trail.

Also,  continue to remind students/parents that if students have been suspended since the beginning of Trimester 3 they may be unable to attend the field trips.  

Birthday Celebrations

Our next Birthday Celebration Friday is May 29th.  We will hold June Birthday Celebrations on the last day of school.

Upcoming Events:                                       

May 18 - NWEA Spring Testing Cycle begins

May 19 - Kindergarten/8th Grade Promotion Pictures

May 21 - MSTEP ENDS; Fire Drill #5

May 22 - 25 - Memorial Day Weekend - No School

May 26 - School Resumes

May 27 - Career Day

May 29 - Class Lists; Supply Lists; Welcome Letters Due; Inventory Sheets Due; May Birthday Celebration Day

June 1 - Big Smiles Dental Visit

June 4 - 8th Grade Breakfast and Honor Awards; 8th Grade Prom 5:00-7:30 pm

June 8 - 8th Grade Promotion 10:00 am at St. Johns Armenian Church

June 9 - Kindergarten Fun Field Day

June 10 - Kindergarten Promotion; Lunch in Classrooms

June 11 - Field Day Gr. 1-7; Report Cards Home

June 12 - Last Day of School  8:00-11:00 am HALF DAY; Honor's Assemblies in Classrooms

 

Week 33

Happy Friday Team, 

Welcome to another "well deserved" weekend!  

This weekend is Mother's Day weekend.  

I hope that you remember that whether you are a mother to biological children, or like me, a mother to my school children, I want to honor you for your your time, love, dedication, commitment, and care to your children.  You plant seeds that you may never see bloom...you provide a safe and loving haven for children who may desperately need it...you spend 180 days loving and caring for children that belong to someone else.  For that and so much more, I honor you.  Thank you for all you give, for all you do, for all that you are in the lives of the Laurus students.

I hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend...celebrating your mom and yourself.💕

Teacher Appreciation Week...

What an amazing week of fun...but most importantly, a week to honor you...for all you are, for all you do, and for all that you encourage and nuture your students to become...you are appreciated so very, very much!  

Here is a list of our 3-5 "Oscar Awards"...in case you were not able to hear all of the them through the PA system.  Congratulations! 

• Director of the Year (classroom management/leadership) - Ms. Winter 
• Best Classroom Production (most engaging class) - Ms. Glass
• Scene Stealer Award (big personality, unforgettable) - Mrs. Doughton
• Master of the Script (lesson planning queen) - Mrs. Ragin
• Best Plot Twist (keeps students on their toes ) - Mrs. Todd; Ms. McDaniel
• The Blockbuster Impact Award - Ms. Trolinger
• Rising Star Award - Mrs. Scott; Ms. Gordon
• Lifetime Achievement Award - Ms. Gray
• Email, What Email? - Mr. Griffin; Mr. Kinsey
• Most Likely to Brighten Your Day - Mr. Orlando; Ms. Zbib
• Best Dressed on the Red Carpet - Ms. Gray; Ms. Glass
• Most Likely to Go Viral in Class - Mr. Powell
• Attendance Excellence Award (submitting their attendance consistently) - Ms. Winter
• Bring positive energy every day- Ms. Hinton
• Go the extra mile for their students- Ms. Carthens
• Keep learning fun and engaging - Ms. Miller

Week 33 Instruction 

 

This week is Week 33 of instruction. Even though you are reviewing/preparing for MSTEP and administering NWEA, it is very important that we maintain our scope and sequence rigorously, and that we are up to date with the weekly Common Assessments.

MSTEP Testing Schedule

MSTEP testing continues next week week.  The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, 5/11 -  4th Grade Math
• Tuesday, 5/12 - 5th Grade Science
• Wednesday, 5/13 - 3rd Grade Math
• Thursday, 5/14 - 6th Grade Math
• Friday 5/15 - 5th Grade Social Studies

Make Ups will continue to be pulled throughout each day.

Also, everyone remember to be mindful of the testing occurring as your students move in the hallways. They should be quiet, with no talking.

Specials and Lunch continue in the classrooms. 

03's and GLTs

GLTS/03's will be drop in in the gym during the MSTEP testing season. 

Field Trips

Continue to include in weekly newsletters the following information:

"If students have been suspended since April 7th, they will not be able to attend the grade level field trips.  This is a school policy."

Time Off, ESTA Entry and Frontline Input

When you know that you are going to be out or take a day, please enter your absence into Frontline as soon as possible.  We are experiencing a growing number of absences and no subs are picking up due to the lateness with which the absences are being entered.  At that point, the only recourse we have to ensure coverage is to split your class between your colleagues, or we have to cancel specials/your prep... and this puts a hardship on everyone. 

Please, as you are planning your time out, remember to be considerate.

Just some reminders:

• You are able to only use 72 hours of ESTA time each year, no matter how much you have accrued.  This is a state law.
• If you go into Non-Policy Time, accruing more than 16 hours will result in Level Write Ups with our Business Partner.

Mother Son Dance

"Mambo with Mama" will occur on Friday, May 15th from 5:00-7:00 pm.  

This dance is for current Laurus students.  The cost is $20.00 per ticket ($40.00/couple) and $5.00 for each additional "son".  

Monday, May 11th.  Sale hours are 7:30-8:00 am and 2:30-3:15 at Door 7.

Career Day

 

On Wednesday, May 27th we will be having our annual Career Day.  

Please remind parents if they are interested in participating as a presenter, to please reach out to Ms. Schofield or Ms. Robinson.

Attendance

Please continue to be up to date with your daily attendance and grid submission. It is your responsibility to make sure that your attendance is submitted for AM/PM each day and that your grids are submitted for every week of the school year..  Please check your folder.

Bathroom Reminders

Just a few additional reminders:

1.  If students have a history of fighting, please do not let them go with a group into the bathroom during a bathroom break. They need to go by themselves.

2. Please diligently monitor your bathroom breaks.

3. Only allow one student out of the room at a time for an emergency bathroom break.

Behaviors

If a student is misbehaving or having issues in the classroom, you need to be the first contact with the parent (Phone Call, Email, SchoolConnect, etc.).  Also, make sure that you are inputting these behaviors in the system.  The ABSS's and Deans cannot move on these continual behaviors if there is no paper trail.

Also,  continue to remind students/parents that if students have been suspended since the beginning of Trimester 3 they may be unable to attend the field trips.  

Birthday Celebrations

Our next Birthday Celebration Friday is May 29th.  We will hold June Birthday Celebrations on the last day of school.

Upcoming Events:                                       

May 11 - Staff Meeting 3:35

May 15 - "Mambo with Mama" Mother/Son Dance - 5:00-7:00 pm.  If you need Parent Involvement Volunteer days...this is a great way to gain them.  See Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Schofield or Ms. Rowden to volunteer.

May 18 - NWEA Spring Testing Cycle begins

May 19 - Kindergarten/8th Grade Promotion Pictures

May 21st - MSTEP ENDS; Fire Drill #5

May 22 - 25 - Memorial Day Weekend - No School

May 26 - School Resumes

May 27 - Career Day

May 29 - Class Lists; Supply Lists; Welcome Letters Due; May Birthday Celebration Day

June 11 - Field Day Gr. 1-7

June 12 - Last Day of School  8:00-11:00 am HALF DAY