Randolph School’s End of the Week Notes for Sept. 14, 2007

Celebrations!

Happy Birthday to Christine Maas on September 19 and Susie Mahoney on September 20!

Reminders: 

1.  The PTA Fundraiser orders and money are due to the office by this Tuesday, Sept. 18.  The forecast is for wonderful weather, so make the most of the sales opportunities.  Again, the money raised by selling the Club Choice products helps fund our computers, field trips, and additional playground equipment.  Staff:  remember the incentive prizes and turn your orders in to Vicki!

2. Security procedures started by the district this school year may seem cumbersome, but they are necessary to follow all the time.  For example, all teachers and students using the East Wing must watch that the exterior doors are kept closed—even when you’re outside to recess.  For example, on nasty weather days when children come inside to line up in the hallways by their classrooms from 8:40-8:55, parents wanting to come inside also, need to go in door #10 and register at the security desk.  A system is only as effective as it’s practiced daily.  Thank you for your compliance with keeping our school secure.

3.  Remember to join Randolph PTA.  Dues are $10 for a couple and $6 for individuals.  Checks are payable to Randolph PTA and should be turned in to the office.

Curriculum and Instruction

Following is the schedule for instructional conferences:

Thursday, Sept. 20

8:10  grade 2 in the Media Center

9:15  grade 4 in room 200

11:05             grade 3 in room 211

Friday, Sept. 21

12:25  Kindergarten in room 125

1:50           grade 1 in room 122

2:45           grade 5 in room 205

Tuesday, Sept. 26

1:15           Expressive Arts teachers new to Randolph

Grade levels should have their tri-fold boards for reading and math up to date with student achievement data, using the color coding provided at the beginning of the year which designate interventions.

 “Fast Friends”

Next week’s Fast Friend (MVP) is Josie LeMere

“Thanks for doing a great job.  We feel very secure having you with us.”  Vicki

Judy,  Thanks for getting me the projector on such short notice!  Jeanie

Chris H.,  Thanks so much for continuing to adjust your schedule so that our fifth graders—now in three classes—can best use the Media Center.  Kelly, Gayle, and Patrick

Kindergarten and 2nd Grade Teachers—

Thank you so much for being flexible as I readjusted my schedule this week!  I’m ever so grateful for your patient willingness to help.  Chris H.

Thank you to the wonderful custodian(s) who fixed the squeaky library cart.  I can now proudly take it through the hallways.  Angela

Thanks so much to everyone who helped us solve the praying mantis mystery.  I was blown away by how many people helped!  Kristin C.

Meetings Held This Week

The Great Expectations Team met on Monday, September 10.  Complete notes are printed at the end of this memo.  The next GET meeting is Monday, October 1.

Upcoming Events

Sept. 17           Constitution Day:  Wear red, white, and blue

Sept. 18           staff meeting 8:10 in media center          

PTA fundraiser ends

Sept. 18           Runza Great Books Day:  Runza will make a contribution to Foundation for LPS for purchase of library books for all elementary schools for everyone that eats at Runza on Sept. 18th.

Sept. 20-21 Instructional Conferences for teachers to meet with Dr. B.and Mrs. Hale to discuss students’ progress.

Sept. 24           No Students at School

                      Randolph teachers’ staff development time 4-6:30 p.m.

Multi-school event held at Capitol City Christian Church

Sept. 25           Early Dismissal at 2:18 for Teachers’ PLC time

Oct. 1           GET meets in Media Center at 8:10 a.m.

Oct. 1-5           Grades 2 & 5 students take Cognitive Aptitude Tests

Oct. 2           PTA at 7:00 p.m.  Safety Night Activities for the whole family!

Sat., Oct. 6                      Pumpkin Run!

The Great Expectations Team (GET) met on Monday, September 10, 2007 in the Media Center.

Present were:  Lisa, Jean, Susan, Kathy, Jeanie, Kelly, Susie, Kiran, Pam, Lance and Wendy B.

The first agenda item was to sign up for the Wed., Sept. 12 meeting with the NSIG grant evaluators.  The meeting will be in our Media Center from 4-5:00 p.m.  Participants will be paid $50 from the state grant through the Nebraska Department of Education.

The GET members conducted a systems review, by going over the goals and steps planned for this fall, and assessing what needs improving and/or clarifying.

Leadership:

Susan and Kiran are working on student photos to go along with the Code of Conduct posters.  Wendy will give the posters to Susan, so she and Kiran will have ideas for the photos content and size.

Schoolwide:

GET members requested that Nicole V. email or copy the games and game rules she is teaching in PE (for playground use) to all staff, too.  Wendy will give Nicole the all staff email address.

GET members requested that Family Services personnel NOT let their before and after school students scream either indoors or outside.  Wendy will talk with Jill Tillinghast the site supervisor about this, as well as the children’s bathroom behavior.

Classroom:

A recommendation was made to check on the consistency of use of Think Time and other strategies.  Pam and Wendy will continue to watch and help with this. 

Wendy will get census forms to teachers by Tuesday.  Teachers should hand a new census form to any families who attend Curriculum Night but have not yet SIGNED the form and returned it.  Marcell will give teachers a separate pile of the forms which still need signatures to be official.

Non-classroom:

East wing bathrooms continue to be a hot spot for off task behavior.  Students are overusing soap and towels for fun.  Please remind all staff to monitor bathrooms.

Teachers should let Nicole V. know if their grade has a need for playground equipment.  She may be able to provide some basics, at least once a year.  This is not an endless supply, so children do need to be responsible with the playground equipment.

Wendy will investigate getting the outdoor bell to ring louder, as several members stated it could not be easily heard.

Pam will check that Melanie is staying outside to help get all Kdg. students indoors at arrival time.

Individual:

Each grade level is responsible for developing and communicating individual student plans for behavior.  (Example: if the student was on the list the teachers were given at the beginning of the year, check with last year’s teachers to see what did or did not work for that students’ behavior guidelines.)  We have many students new to Randolph this year, that some might need individual plans. Please keep Pam and Wendy informed of these.

Next GET meeting = Monday, October 1, 2007 at 8:10 in the Media Center