Little Things Matter
In education, the impact of small actions cannot be overstated. John Hattie's research emphasizes the significance of seemingly minor interventions and the cumulative effect they have on student learning. You play a pivotal role in this process by recognizing that every interaction, feedback, and engagement with students contributes to their academic and personal development.
Hattie's Visible Learning framework highlights the power of teacher-student relationships, effective feedback, and a focus on individual progress. Acknowledging the importance of these small but meaningful gestures fosters a positive learning environment, enhances student motivation, and ultimately contributes to overall educational success. You, by valuing the little things, become architects of significant and lasting impact.
Jan. 22nd will officially mark 3 months until the MAP testing window opens. As we celebrated growth in our APR (Annual Progress Report) from 22-23 to 23-24 in the areas of achievement and continuous growth, we want to keep that momentum going by focusing on the little things. By putting together enough small wins, we create positive momentum and an atmosphere of success.
GOOD-Things
Thank you PTSA for providing snacks on National Popcorn Day!! (Community)
Mrs. Fleetwood’s class participated in goal setting and had those individual goals displayed around the room.
Elementary Students participated in their 2 Quarter Celebrations
Kick-Off Slides 2023
Why collaborate- presentation HERE
October Staff Meeting Slides - HERE
December Staff Meeting Slides - HERE
How to mitigate and respond to name-calling
Instructional
Elementary
Science- Julie McClure’s room
ELA- Christina Burt’s room
Social Studies- Kevin Kleiner’s room
Math- Maria Grindstaff’s room
Elementary- Mrs. Fleetwood's room
ELL’s- ACCESS TEST
Students that participate in our English Language Learner (ELL) program will participate in the required ACCESS test this week. This will be done over three days this week and should take students 45 min- 1 hour to complete.
FY24 District Assessment Calendar HERE
Mid-Quarter Dates
September 22
November 17
February 2
April 19
Operational
Pershing Shout Out
Today we are launching our Pershing Shout-Out. This is a way for you to celebrate your colleagues by sharing with the school the great things you witness them doing. Click the link below to send in a celebration. We will publish celebrations weekly in the blog.Oracle
Communication about the new platform was pushed out through the district’s weekly publication, “The Latest”. In March all employees will be asked to review the following in the new Oracle self-service platform- Contacts
- Beneficiaries
- Benefits
- Self guided training and documentation will be available
Linda Luke Librarian of the Year Award - Lori Finke, SPS Foundation
Nominations for the FSPS Linda Luke Librarian of the Year Award are now open!
The nomination deadline is February 16.
To learn more or to nominate your choice for this award, visit:
https://www.supportsps.org/linda-luke-librarian-year-award/
All nominees must be school-level librarians. Previous recipients are eligible to receive the award again. Teachers, principals, peers, parents, students, PTA members, business partners and community members may submit nominations.
Middle School Seminar News
Teachers,
Click HERE to view slides for this week during seminar. Below is the breakdown of what slides should be shown and a link to the activity.
Week of January 22-26 (slides 18-20)
Critical Thinking
Activity - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1v8Y2MOD5Ht_wKqBCtHjGrXFaFxJUXLVrfOXuYv0uz-0/edit?usp=sharing
Copies will need to be made.
The Student Council will be visiting seminar classes early next week to announce the 7th and 8th grade dance. We will bring you a flyer to hang up in your room ASAP.
A few important things to know...
Students must have 90% attendance from 1/22-2/16 to attend
No students with referrals ISS or OSS from 1/22-2/16 may attend
Students need to be present the day of the dance to attend
Mercy can buy tickets during 8th hour the week of ticket sales
Please reach out if you would like to be added to the dance volunteer list! The more the merrier and we need all the help we can get. 🙂 We need helpers from 5:45-7:45 p.m.
Mrs. Pohlman
Positive Office Referrals- LINK
Ms. La’Tonya Douglas
Health Room Procedures
- No students should be sent to the Nurses office during passing period.
- When a student is sent to receive care, a blue pass must be filled out by the teacher that contains the teacher’s name, students name, reason to be seen and a time the student left the classroom.
Early Notification & Incentive Deadlines
All Eligible Employees
Eligible contracted and non-contracted employees may receive a $1,500 incentive if they provide notification of their intention to resign or retire by Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Please refer to Early Incentive-$1,500 Contracted/Non Contracted form for eligibility criteria.
Eligible Contracted Employees
Eligible contracted employees who do not take advantage of the $1,500 incentive may receive one of the following incentives if notification is provided to Human Resources by the stated deadline:
Friday, Jan. 5, 2024: $1,000 early notification incentive
Monday, Feb. 5, 2024: $750 early notification incentive
Tuesday, March 5, 2023: $500 early notification incentive
Note: Employee groups operating under a Collective Bargaining Agreement may have additional requirements for eligibility. Reviewing the “benefits” section of the respective CBA is recommended.
Eligible Non-Contracted Employees
Eligible non-contracted employees who do not take advantage of the $1,500 incentive may receive one of the following incentives contingent upon the number of days in advance they provide notice and their eligibility per Board Policy GCPB:
90 or more days in advance: $1,000 early notification incentive
60 – 89 days in advance: $750 early notification incentive
30 – 59 days in advance: $500 early notification incentive
Note: Some employee groups are required to work the entirety of the school year to be eligible. If applicable, this requirement will be noted in the respective Collective Bargaining Agreement for that group.
Elementary Parent Newsletter
Important Dates
1/1- Tom Cunningham
1/3- Stephanie Routh
1/4- Constance Bonner
1/5- April Barron
1/6- Robin Robertson
1/8- Kenny Ash
1/10 Julie McClure
1/23- Latonya Douglas
1/25- Ashley McCord
1/28- Tori Levesque
