Collective Commitments
As the school year quickly starts to wind down and we see the calendar days start to roll off of this school year, it is easy to get overwhelmed over the things still left to do. We must continue to focus on our Mission, Vision, and Collective Commitments of Pershing. These keep us grounded on the main thing and allow us to measure everything. Our collective commitments were created by achieving consensus around how must we behave in order for us to attain our vision and reach our mission.
Good things
Tuesday’s staff meeting consisted of learning around Processing and Chunking content from Dr. Martha Doennig. (Learning at High Levels)
Mrs. Burt, has posted a QSSSA. A tool to help students process and maximize engagement. (High Levels of Learning)
8th grade students listen to guest speaker Dr. Barber of MSU as he talks about the history of the African American experience. (Safe Community)
Students engaging in the implementation of the RACE writing strategy (Students learn at an High Level)
Mrs. Martin tracking student progress over time (High Levels of Learning)
7th and 8th grade students participated in the Winter Dance (Safe Community)
PBIS punch card drawings (Safe Community)
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
FY24 District Assessment Calendar HERE
September 22
November 17
February 2
April 19
DCA Testing Schedule
Operational
Professional Learning Advisory Membership Application
The PL Advisory exists as an advocacy and decision-making body for professional learning in SPS. There are open seats for the 2024-25 school year. If you are interested in serving this work, please review the organizational procedures and apply here by Wednesday, February 28. The election to fill these seats will be included in the annual Professional Learning Needs Assessment that is administered in March.
4th Quarter Learning Opportunity
Interested in engaging in paid professional learning from the comfort of your own space? Consider joining the New Art and Science of Teaching book club, hosted by the SPS Department of Professional Learning. Participants will receive a copy of their selected text and compensation at $25/hour for 2 hours of reading time and up to 4 hours of asynchronous Canvas engagement. Please sign up by February 29th to have your selected text delivered to your site.
Barriers, Increasing Belonging Training - Crystal Magers
The Minimizing Barriers, Increasing Belonging self-paced, online training module is ready for certified staff in Kick-up. This 1-hour training module is only required for certified staff and can be accessed by logging into the Kick-up portal. The deadline for completion of the training is the end of 3rd quarter (Friday, March 8th).
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
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.
Positive Office Referrals- LINK
Attendance News
This week’s attendance winner goes to the grade level with the most increased attendance percent.
The most increased homeroom for Elementary is….. Thomas’ class with an increase of 0.76%. Congratulations and your trophy will be delivered soon.
The most increased grade level percent goes to 7th grade with an increased attendance of 0.06%. The two seminars with the highest attendance percent will receive a sweet treat.
The STRIDE team winner goes to Ms. Hailey’s Seminar with 94.88% & the winner from the PRIDE team is Mrs. Martin’s Seminar with 93.75%. Your sweet treat will be delivered soon.
Ms. La’Tonya Douglas
If you are interested in being part of the Explore team this summer, hiring will begin in February. Depending on the Explore job you are interested in, you will either complete an Intent to Teach form or apply via TalentEd. The Intent to Teach form for most educator positions, including specials, librarians and counselors, opens
Feb. 1. A listing of Explore sites is also now posted.
Please share this information with your teachers. You can find all the information right HERE.
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Turner Reading Awards!
The deadline for nominations is February 29.*Nominees must be full-time, certified teachers employed by Springfield Public Schools. To learn more about this award and to nominate your choice, visit: https://www.supportsps.org/turner-reading-awards/
Nominations can be made by teachers, peers, parents, students, PTA members, business partners or interested community members! Please forward this to your staff and community so they can also make nominations.
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
5- Robert Kaiser
10- Vicki Steineke
23- Dolan Parnell
March Birthdays
2- Jenifer Coffman
5- Micheal Eyerman
6- Elanine Farr
9- Angie Cox
17- Megan Lannholm
19- Joe Cooper
23- Allison Holiman
28- Lauren Parrish
29- Jake Viele
6- Literacy Night Brentwood Library (6pm-8pm)
7- 100th Day of School
8- Incoming 6th grade Scheduling Night (5:30pm)
13- Staff Meeting 7:30-8:30
14- Valentines Day
16- 7th and 8th Grade Dance
19- Presidents Day (No School)
21- PTSA Meeting 6:30 pm
23- Principal for A Day- Visitor in the building
27- Staff Meeting
March
8- Professional Day (No School for Students) (2 Hour Professional Learning 8:30-10:30 am)
11-15 Spring Break