Friday Summer Post #7

What an amazing couple of weeks of administrator training. To give you the flavor of the shift in our conversations about learning, I sat in a tech session with Dr. Martin on Twitter. The instructor was none other than out great friend Emory. I am not yet able to discern how to implement that tool into our school, but am ever so convinced that technology is the avenue to "disrupt" the patterns of teaching and learning into new and joyful places. Speaking of Joyful places, field trip grants are being accepted by Target. follow the link. http://tinyurl.com/5kpwkd

Lots of News to share about goings on here at Brunson.

Deb Fidali is recovering from her Knee surgery and is "resting" at home. She is undergoing extensive physical therapy and slowly weaning herself from the pain meds. We anticipate her return near the end of September. Our LTS for the media center will be Brierley Ash,a certified media specialist who last served in that role at Kernersville Elementary.

We have hired Suzanne Sarfert as a Third Grade HAG teacher. She has most recently served the AG populations at both Southwest and Meadowlark Elementary Schools. I am thrilled about our new staff members and want to encourage all of us to welcome them to Brunson. We all want to asses and shape the culture and climate of our school and the new teachers will bring a fresh perspective that will add value.

The Floors are shiny! Please be careful with you movement of furniture and belongings. Mr. Guerra is out next week on vacation, but Mr. Sawyers would be glad to help rather than have to clean them again.

I am working on our back to school meeting on August 17th and want you all to have the time details so you can prepare before our open house on Wednesday evening.

Monday, August 17th
8:00am light breakfast, coffee and juice - Ice breaker activity
9:00-12:00 faculty meeting - topics may include:
-Professional Learning Communities-PLC
-Literacy updates
-Math updates
-SIOP and ESL updates
-CWT and TeachScape updates
-Marzano High Yield Strategies updates
-Technology updates
-World View updates
12:00-3:30 Lunch on your own and work in your rooms

Tuesday, August 18th
8:00 - 3:30 Free to work in the rooms except for the 15 minute scheduled PLC meetings. These meeting will be held in the media center and will be facilitated by Andy Karon and myself.

8:20 - Kindergarten
8:40 - First Grade
9:00 - Second Grade

9:40 - Fifth Grade Residential
10:00- Fifth Grade HAG
10:20- Fourth Grade Residential
10:40- Fourth Grade HAG

12:20- Third Grade Residential
12:40- Third Grade HAG
1:00 - Specialists
1:20 - Intervention Teachers

2:00 - Classified Employees

Wednesday, August 19th
Report to school by 12:30 and work until 8:00 pm for our Open House. We are staggering our times for parking and to accommodate our families who need additional help due to language concerns. All staff are expected to remain and help for the duration of the event.
3:00 - 4:00 Faculty meeting in the media center
4:00 - 5:00 Dinner break
5:00 - 6:00 Kindergarten & 3rd Grade Open House
6:00 - 7:00 1st & 4th Grade open House
7:00 - 8:00 2nd & 5th Grade Open House

Thursday & Friday, August 19th-20th.
Reserved for Central office. We will review with each PLC the required staff development sessions for these two days.

Monday August 24th.
Reserved for School vote. This day is to be determined by the majority vote of the staff. We will look over our options and vote at our opening staff meeting on Monday the 17th.

I know this has been a long Blog with lots of details. I want to move toward a sustainable and paperless office, hence the Blog versus a letter. Mariela and I will be calling each of you this week to ensure the delivery of the first week schedule and to make sure you know HOW MUCH I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING YOU BACK. This school is only great with your presence and dedication toward excellence in leading our students.

Enjoy the ramaining week of Summer and I will see you all soon.