The Lion's Den

Welcome to a new week! Continue to focus on our motto this year: "Creating College and Career Ready Leaders....the AVID Way"!. Our theme this year is, "WICORing Our Way to Success" as we hone in on our schoolwide AVID framework for all grade levels PreK - 5th

Announcements

1. PreK and Newly Enrolled Kindergarten Registration Night

• We will host our registration night Feb. 26th (3:30pm - 6:30pm)
• PreK and Kindergarten teachers are asked to assist with this event. Thanks to those who have already confirmed.
• We do ask all teachers to please place announcement in their classroom WAGS for next week and communication tools for this week.
• The flyer is attached with details. (See flyers below).

2. Title One Audit.........Important******

• We will have a Title One Audit March 1st.
• Please check your records in the attendance office by Feb. 21st to ensure an enrollment survey for each student , along with your roster, is included in the files.
• This was communicated at the beginning of the year.

• Please sign off with Ms. Ingram once this is completed.

3. PD Registration

A. Feb. 15th : School Based PD

• • Our school based PD will occur Feb. 15th
  • The focus is school wide AVID.
  • Ms. Dowling will be the facilitator.
  • This is for all grades PreK - 5th
  • Due to the water shutting off at 12pm, we will have our PD at the annex. The PD will begin promptly at 1pm.
  • Annex: ROOM # 212 NOW THE CAFE ( UPSTAIRS )
    

  
  

B. Feb. 16: District PD

I. Sped: Per Dr. Newton Tabon: You have been sent several calendar invites related to SPED PD for February 16, 2024. Please govern yourselves accordingly. I do realize some teachers are doing LETRS which overrides the PDs below.

• N2Y-SCAlt Teachers only 8:30-9:30 a.m.
• Assessing IEP Present Level of Performance 9:00-12:00pm
• Goalbook 1:00-2:00 pm
• ESY 2:00-3:00 pm

II. Lemira Gen Ed. Staff

Per Levine and District:

• Friday, Feb. 16 Professional Learning Day:

Please register for all sessions in Unified Talent (UT) before 2/16. If you need assistance, please let me know.

• Elementary Schools finished with LETRS. Please use this link.

There are several sessions in person in the afternoon that include outside presenters from Discovery Education.

• Also, there are a few live virtual opportunities that include: Adobe Express and Cognia Learning Lab Q&A with Cognia.

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PD Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TFy5a0SmV4Q79Haxr2zb2MfybrVAPbZ2BOlh_4CrjBo/edit?usp=sharing

3. LETRS Transcript

• Please be sure to download your LETRS Transccripts, as they can be used for re-certification. The transcript will be no longer available after March 1st.

4. Academic Scholars Program

• We are looking for teacher candidates for the "Academic Scholars" After school program
• The Academic Scholars will begin the week of Feb. 27th - April 19th for students in grades 1st - 5th. The sessions will run on Tues and Thurs, in correlation to the FEV tutoring schedule. The students will be identified based on test scores. Teachers of the program will begin Feb. 20th and 22nd, which will be used as planning days. Curriculum will be provided (TCM After School Curriculum for Math and Reading). If you are interested in applying for the after school position, please complete the form by Monday, 2/12. Ms. Levine will be the coordinator the after school scholars program. The pay is $30.00 per hour. Teacher hours are 2 hours per week.
  

Link to Application: https://forms.gle/NKygdsXtGdgZgDNP9

5. Parent Conference Schedule Uploads

******Parent Conference Night (all students)

• For qtr. 3, we host parent conferences with all students. (Title One Sponsored)
• Therefore, we will host our parent conference night Tuesday, Feb. 13th.
• This is a required event. / Title One Requirement
• Please begin creating your parent night schedule and upload into the parent contact log.
• Third Grade: You would not need to meet with the R2S students again that you have already met with in Dec. Your next conference can be with them in qtr. 4 interim conference window.

Parent Conference Folder: Please ensure your schedule is uploaded https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ocgh1lxHAs6sUWo4rKuy5nk9PJeuwwhh?usp=drive_link

• You have the availability to conduct the conferences during your planning on Tues, Feb. 13th, as well. We will not have a planning day on this date to allow this time.
• Please upload your schedule to the folder by Monday, Feb.5

6. QUEST Testing (2/20)

• Quest testing will begin 2/20
• Teachers of the identified students have been notified.
• The testing will occur in the room across from Ms. Gleaton.
• We do ask for a quiet testing hallway environment.

7. MLL Testing

ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment mandated by law to be administered to Kindergarten through 12th grade students identified as English language learners (ELLs). It is given annually in WIDA Consortium member states to monitor students’ progress in acquiring academic English.

• The testing administration window for Lemira Elementary is from February 23rd to March 8th, 2024.
• The first grade hallway will be used. We are asking for a quiet testing hallway enviornment during this testing window.

8. Classroom Library Order Request:

• As we prepare our ordering for classroom libraries, we ask that you complete your request using the following link: Classroom Library Request Form
• Please complete by Friday, Feb. 9th.
• Dr. Bellinger will submit Request to Core team and Ms. Moore for purchasing on 2/12.

9. The ELA Assessment Development Team

• The ELA Assessment Dev. Team is offering a one-time TDW Webinar on February 15, 2024 from 3:30-5:00 PM.
• This registration link will close on February 12th. his session is for ELA coaches, teachers, interventionists, content specialists, coordinators, and administrators.

10. Classified Evals

• Classified Evals will begin Feb. 26th
• A schedule will be sent closer to date.

11. Kindness Month "BINGO Challenge"

• Feb. 17th is "Random of Acts of Kindness" Day. The Author's book, presented last week, was centered around kindness for our kickoff,
• We will host a "Random Acts of Kindness Bingo Challenge" on Feb. 3 - Feb. 16 for students and staff.
• Ms. Jackson will share details. One prize per grade level per student and teacher

12. Girls in Pearls/Guys in Ties - Sign Up

• The dance will occur Thursday, Feb. 29th
• This is a required event.
• Please sign up: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oszsfFlv2oswfQO-UMnvyalRgAXzD2gHjYfXJsYnzN8/edit?usp=sharing
• Please do not add slots to the sign up sheet.

13. PLC Expectations:

• NO PLC this week
• No Faculty this week

14. Curriculum Updates

District Common Assessments

• Jan 16 - 19: Gr 3-5 Unit 3 Reading and Writing/TDA Common Assessment
• Jan 22 -26: Gr 1-2 Unit 3 Reading Common Assessment
• Jan 29 - Feb 2: Kg Unit 3 Reading Common Assessment (Oral Admin)
• Spring OAS ELA Standards Webinar Series

Spring 2024 Webinars

• The OAS ELA Standards team is pleased to announce free webinars via Microsoft Teams to support implementation and instruction around the 2023 SC CCR ELA Standards.
• Please secure your spot via the form linked here. Attendance confirmation will be sent via email.

Grade 4 SC READY Science Waiver Approved.

• To be clear, this does not cancel the requirement for all 4th-grade students to complete the SC READY Science assessment.

Casual Conversations in Social Studies are coming back!

• Join members of the SS team virtually on the second Tuesday of the month for standards-based casual conversations with Social Studies colleagues from around the state to help with instruction. Casual Conversations require participants to use this link to register with their school email address.

15. Please see calendar of events for upcoming activities.

16. Semster 2 Budget

• Semster 2 Budget has now opened.
• Please coordinate with Ms. Moore (Bookkeeper).
• You will be given $200.00 (each) for grades PreK - 5.
• Related Arts, please coordinate with Ms. Moore for your current accounts.
• Sped - You will filter in with gen ed. teachers. - Please coordinate with Ms. Moore

Grades PreK - 2: We will host our board member, Ms. Tarah Cousar, on this date. She will participate in the "Celebration of Learning" Programs. Before we begin recognizing our students, we will do a board member presentation at the beginning of both programs. When creating your programs for the day, please list "Board Presentaton" after the pledges and welcome. I will take care of the board presentation prep. However, please train students to stand and say the following (after the introduction of Ms. Cousar" - "Welcome Ms. Cousar to our Lemira Family".

17. SLO / GBE and 4.0

A> 4.0 Eval and Recertification Staff:

• The window is opened for the 4.0 cycle. Please remember the observations are unannounced. Please be prepared at all times.

• Please check your calendar invites and the link below for your SLO / GBE conference date.
• We are on a tight calendar schedule, so please abide by your date and time.
• Please ensure you have all data input in to the SCLEAD system.
• Please ensure your chart (w/ post data and section that states if each student has or has not met their goal) is updated in SCLEAD.
• During the conference, we will go over your SLO / GBE results, along with your overall Winter MAP data results for your particular students on your roster.

Link to SLO and GBE Schedule:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1u4hxLHrOtjkK2Fklb6QMScZrTDyH1yoVTiYue2xHOew/edit?usp=sharing

• Remember there should be two grades added to the gradebook every week for each subject,
• We will begin gradebook checks Friday weekly to ensure we are following district protocol.

• NSGRA: The window for completion will be April 8-12, 2024.
• PLC - Thursday Jan. 18 - Please bring MAP data for Math / Focus: Small Group Intervention Planning

Reminders

Project Based Inquiries (SAVAAS Units)

• Please ensure you are completing the SAVAAS tasks

Poster Maker

• We purchased a poster maker using our title one 22-23 allocations.
• Due to the expenses of the paper and ink, we will allot the following for teacher use:

4 posters per semester per teacher

*If you have a student club organization and would like to make school wide annoucements, you have an allottment of 2 posters per quarter.

Ms. Jackson and Mr. Ray will create a "Poster Maker" request form for you to use if and when you need a poster made. Ms. Jackson and/or Mr. Ray will print the requested poster for you.

Door Security

• Please ensure you check the doors behind you after you leave from the playgrounds.
• For safety reasons, it is imporant that the doors are locked at all times.
• Please do not leave any objects in the door to keep it open.
• Please utilize the grade level key.
  
• Please ensure grade level key is kept in a secured spot at all times.

District Protocols

• Please ensure before any trips are planned you have completed Field Trip approval or Travel approval paperwork
• Please ensure paperwork is completed three months ahead for travel conferences
• Please ensure paperwork is completed three weeks ahead for field trip paperwork.
• If you will have guest speakers or classroom volunteers, volunteer paperwork must also be completed. Please see myself or Ms. Carter for details/paperwork.

Staff Attendance

A. As our calendar kick into full gear, just wanted to send a few reminders about our 23-24 "Non Negotiables".

Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QbfdFLA_UKmUX4d7D6Q5ijUFvNZkvRIN3V_G-fPLR9A/edit?usp=sharing

This year, we are requiring that all certified staff attend at least one after school activity per quarter (4 total); this does not include parent conferences. As we know students seeing their teachers actively involved in their afterschool events/programs is an essential part of relationship building.

• After the "required" event is documted on the sign in sheet / school's spreadsheet, the remaining events for the quarter will turn into comp time (which can be used to replace your time out).

Tardy / Calling In

• If you will be calling out due to being sick the morning of, please follow the school's procedures of calling Ms. Dowling as she is tasked with paperwork of submitting leave forms. Ms. Dowling will then text me to inform me of who is out for the day.

• However, if you are going running late, it is important that you text or call Ms. Gregg to make her aware.

Signing In

• As a reminder, all staff are required to sign in through the front office.
• Certified: Please ensure you sign into system.
• Long Term Subs: Please make sure you sign in through the Kelley's Services Book
• Classified: Please make sure you sign in through timeclock

Grades:

• Remember there should be two grades added to the gradebook every week for each subject,

Please ensure you are utilizing Mastery Connect and the Savaas questions / assessments throughout your lessson planning.

• The question stems are rigourous and will expose students to the questioning they will need for standardized testing prep.
• The mastery connect should be used to track your SLO data, as well.

Testing Calendar:

Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j-SLUMWirSPEfPiIYekWRQaumwTh0TEe/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108821057649549208857&rtpof=true&sd=true

• Please view for MAP and Common Assessment Administration Dates

School Activity Calendar:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12L0zyVGH_rbjaeQrNXje-wKDJYLNupfRVAdp9oeSkz0/edit?usp=sharing

Active Licenses

• Please check your rosters for EXACT Path, Reading Eggs, Progress Learning (USA Test Prep), and Flocabulary. All accounts should show active. We are working on renewing RAZ kids.

Staff Mentee Support Sessions w/ Levine - 4th Wed, of Each Month

Restrooms and Traveling Buddies

• Please be mindful when sending students out of the room.
• We do not want them to gather in the restroom.
• Students should sign in and out on your classroom restroom log.
• When students are going to and from the building (PreK - 2), please ensure they have a travel buddy.

Spirit Fridays:

* Please mark on your calendars the following Days

• 2nd Fridays (Spirit Fridays) - Lemira T-shirts or "Blue and White" colors
• 4th Fridays (Creating College and Career Ready Leaders, the AVID Way) - Wear your favorite college T-shirt

District Updates will be sent once released from district.

Important Calendar Dates

Feb. 2nd

Author Visit: Author Anne Ferguson

(During School Hours) / PreK - 2

Feb. 5th - 9th

Scholastic Book Fair

Feb. 9th

"Championship Chowdown" Parent Luncheon

Feb. 13

Title One sponosred "Parent Conference Night"

3:00pm - 7:30pm (Individually Scheduled)

Feb. 15th

Half Day for Students

Students will dismiss at 11am

PBIS Celebration (During School Hours)

Feb. 16th

No School for Students

Feb. 17th

Random Acts of Kindness Day

Feb. 19th

Presidents' Day Holiday

No School for Students

Feb. 20th

McDonald's Spirit Night

Feb. 22

Black History Program (Arts Showcase)

Feb. 26th

PREK and Kind (New students) Registration Night

3:30pm - 6:30pm

Feb.26th - 29th

Read Across America School Events

Feb. 29th

Author Kevin Kurtz PreK - 5th

(During School Hours)

Girls in Pearls and Guys in Ties Family Dance

6pm

Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and our School Website for the latest updates to our community. The links are in the box below.

Mrs. Stephanie Gregg, Ed.S

Proud Principal of Lemira Elementary School

Email: step8636@hotmail.com
Website: https://lme.sumterschools.net/
Location: 952 Fulton Street, Sumter, SC, USA
Phone: 803-775-0658
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LemiraLionDynasty
Twitter: @LemiraSchool