Bullpup Bulletin
Week of January 22nd, 2024
Mission - Cultivate relationships. Empower individuals. Inspire growth.
Vision - East Albemarle Elementary School will educate, inspire, and empower every child to achieve their greatest academic and personal potential.
Welcome, Ms. Couick!
Ms. Sydney Couick has joined the second grade team and Mrs. Speights' class as a student teacher. Ms. Couick is finishing her degree at Pfeiffer University. She describes herself as a dog mom, an artist, wanna-be gym rat, and loves metal music. Ms. Couick is excited to begin teaching lessons and working with Mrs. Speights' class! Ms. Couick, welcome to East Albemarle! We are happy to have you here!
An additional MOY data point!
Jolene Graham attended a collaborative planning session this week and shared an additional MOY data point for us to review. This data is from mClass for K-3 reading, which includes 184 students. According to the composite score...
- 25.54% of our students demonstrated Below or Well Below growth
- 22.83% of our students demonstrated Average growth
- 51.63% of our students demonstrated Above or Well Above growth
We all know we have work to do, but it is encouraging to see average, above average, and well above average growth! Many thanks to you all for working so hard to achieve these results!
Goal Getters Bulletin Board - Updated!
The Goal Getters bulletin board, located in the main hallway, has been updated to reflect our current proficiency percentages (MOY) and goals for EOY. Our school-wide PDP goal states that we will increase proficiency percentages in reading and math by 10 percentage points on each benchmark/diagnostic assessment. This goal is reflected on the bulletin board. If your goal for EOY is more than 10 points over the MOY present level, this is because the MOY goal was not met and there is additional growth to make up. Draw student attention to this as it is important they know they must work with urgency during this spring semester.
Thank you for conducting data talks with your students to set goals for daily work, formative assessments, and the next round of diagnostics.
Title 1 Before-School Tutoring Update
I met with Nancy Hatley this week to discuss our remaining Title 1 funds and the possibility of launching a tutoring program this spring for select students in grades 3-5. We are moving forward with a program, but I am still waiting for a response from Hatley to answer several questions.
What I Know -
- Hours: staff 7:15 am - 8:15 am, students 7:30 - 8:15 am
- Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
- Pay: Certified staff $25/hr
- Resources: Funds are available to purchase additional curriculum resources for tutoring. Resources will be aligned to the EOG and will reduce the need for planning outside of the tutoring timeframe.
- The start date, and end date, for the tutoring program will depend on how quickly we can order materials and get staff in place. The duration of the program will be determined by the number of staff available to tutor each week - more staff available will increase the number of student groups and decrease the duration, less staff will decrease the number of student groups and increase the duration of the program. This is a moving target!
- The tutoring program must end at 8:15 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays to avoid staff "double dipping" or being compensated by Title 1 funds for tutoring AND regular payroll funds. Kimrey has agreed to welcome our tutoring kids into the cafe at 8:15 am each day. Once tutoring begins, the current morning duty schedule will be revised to include cafeteria supervision starting at 8:15 am on tutoring days.
Questions I Have Asked -
- Can classified staff serve as tutors?
When I have an answer as to whether classified staff can tutor, I will send out a message to request assistance from those eligible and interested in this opportunity. At this time, I have heard interest from 2 certified and 2 classified staff members (pending approval from Hatley). Many thanks to those who have reached out to express interest in supporting our students, and our school growth!
Restroom Supervision
Due to behavior incidents in/near the restrooms, it is very important that students be monitored at all times when using the facilities. You must position yourself in the best location to monitor restroom activity. This has always been an expectation, but a reminder is needed as we have recently experienced an increase in horseplay, aggressive behavior, etc. I know the restroom placement in our building is not ideal, but we must adjust to ensure student safety. Thank you for watching students closely.
Collaborative Planning - Week of January 22nd
Traditional collaborative planning sessions will not take place this week due to our 1/2-day MTSS student review sessions. Plan to meet in the planning room according to the schedule below to discuss student data, tiered support, and much more.
Homeroom teachers are responsible for preparing detailed substitute plans and plenty of activities for the subs that are scheduled to cover classes.
Hatcher will share a detailed agenda for these sessions soon. We will have a lot to discuss in a short amount of time. It will be very important that all teammates arrive at the planning room on time, with the necessary materials, and stay focused for the duration of the session. Instructional assistants assigned to grade levels are encouraged to attend as intervention groups will be the focus of conversation.
Schedule for MTSS Student Review Sessions:
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: 5th Grade Team
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm: 3rd Grade Team
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: 2nd Grade Team (Herlocker & Speights only)
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm: 4th Grade
Thursday, January 25, 2024
- 8:00 am - 12:00 pm: Kindergarten Team
- 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm: 1st Grade Team
Click here to view our Collaborative Planning map for the quarter.
Health / PE Lesson Plans - Week of January 22nd
Coach DeSalle will return to East Albemarle this coming week! Coverage for her classes will not be needed.
Tuesday Folder - January 23rd
What should go home in Tuesday folders this week?
- Classroom work samples with a standards-based rubric attached for specific feedback.
Professional Development Plan (PDP) Updates - Due January 26th
Now that the mid-year diagnostic window has closed, certified staff members must update their NCEES Professional Development Plan (PDP) by Friday, January 26th. This is a firm deadline as it was originally set for January 12th, but I requested an extension from Dr. Carter to allow us the opportunity to analyze mid-year diagnostic data.
This worksheet has been designed to walk you through the update process. Make an electronic copy, or print a hard copy, to help you draft your PDP goal updates. Then follow the directions on the worksheet to update your goals within the NCEES platform. I do not need a hardcopy of your drafted goals, I will only check content that is submitted in NCEES on Friday, January 26th.
Mentees - Let your mentor know when you have updated your PDP; they must acknowledge it before Friday, January 26th.
Thank you for making this goal-setting task a priority!
Pierce Group Open Enrollment - February 13-14
UPDATED INFORMATION!!!
The annual benefits enrollment period for Stanly County Schools will be February 5 - March 22, 2024. Benefits available to SCS employees during this time are the add-ons, including but not limited to, vision, dental, life insurance (individual term/whole), cancer plans, critical illness, disability, etc. All faculty and staff will be encouraged to sign up for a session with a benefits counselor following a group briefing.
Tuesday, February 13th @ 8:10 am
Benefits Overview Staff Meeting (for all SCS Employees, except cafe team)
Wednesday, February 14th - throughout the day
Personal benefits meetings with a Pierce Group enrollment specialist. ALL SCS staff will be able to sign up for a time to meet sometime on this day.
Wednesday, February 14th @ 10:00 am
Benefits Overview Staff Meeting for Cafe Teammates
Professional Development Follow-Up - Due May 31st
The Abbreviated Walkthrough Form may be considered as you observe classroom management and instructional practices, but it is not required that you fill out and submit the form.
Once your observation is complete, give the teacher you observed a positive note, email, or shoutout to recognize the strengths you noted. Then, complete this reflection form.
Each certified teacher must complete two peer walkthroughs during the spring semester of 2024. They should be completed during your planning time.
Conserve Custodial Supplies
As mentioned in an email earlier this week, it is important that we conserve paper towels. I know this is difficult to do, but monitor your students closely at the sinks to ensure they are not using excess amounts of towels. We also need to conserve soap, remind students that 1 squirt will do the job. Thank you for your help with this request.
Tasks to Complete
Homeroom Teachers -
- IRP letters, for students in grades K-3, will go home in late January.
- LETRS Cohort 2 Survey - All Cohort 2 teachers will receive a LETRS survey on Wednesday, January 10th, 2024. The survey should take approximately 20 minutes to complete and will request your thoughts about attending LETRS training in addition to the implementation of LETRS practices in your classroom or at East Albemarle. Your data will NOT be used for any sort of evaluative purpose. Complete the survey promptly; your feedback is important.
Certified Staff -
- Prepare for Student-Led Conferences, February 15th, 5:30-7:00 pm
- Due by May 31st - Each certified teacher must complete two peer walkthroughs during the spring semester of 2024. They should be completed during your planning time. Complete this reflection form after each observation to reflect and document task completion.
Important Dates
SCS Traditional Calendar 2023-2024
Week of January 22nd - Art & PE Week
Monday 1/22
10:00 am - coach / admin meeting (Hatcher & Taylor)
3:45 pm - Mini Medley practice
Tuesday 1/23
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - 5th grade MTSS student review meeting
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - 3rd grade MTSS student review meeting
Wednesday 1/24
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - 2nd grade MTSS student review meeting (Herlocker & Speights only)
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - 4th grade MTSS student review meeting
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm - Stanly Dragons practice (East Albemarle gym)
Thursday 1/25
8:00 am - 12:00 pm - Kindergarten MTSS student review meeting
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm - 1st grade MTSS student review meeting
1:30 pm - Taylor at Albemarle Schools meeting at AHS
Friday 1/26
NCEES MOY PDP update due for certified staff
1:40 pm - Prize Cart for students who have earned 40 or more Class Dojo points!
Week of January 29th - Music Week
Monday 1/29
10:00 am - coach / admin meeting (Hatcher & Taylor)
3:45 pm - Mini Medley practice
Tuesday 1/30
Yearbook pre-sale begins!
Wednesday 1/31
9:30 am - Safety team meeting (Hudson, Russell, Aldridge, Taylor)
Thursday 2/1
6:00 pm - Harlem Wizards game at Pfeiffer's Merner Gym
Friday 2/2
1:40 pm - Prize Cart for students who have earned 40 or more Class Dojo points!
Celebration Wall
- Jessica Strausser & Nia Liverman - Thank you ladies for jumping in and covering my class for Malakhi's unexpected doctor's appt. You are awesome! ~Emily Huneycutt
- East Staff - Thank you so much for the prayers, support, messages, class coverages and love you have all shown me through this most difficult time. I love and appreciate each one of you. ~Sandy Summerlin
- Dawn Hildreth - Dawn was rocking a small group for math, while Kindergarten students were transitioning through the pod. The Kindergarten team did a great job of moving as quietly as possible, but despite the movement Dawn just kept teaching! Thanks for focusing on small group instruction and your first grade friends!
- Courtney Speights - I made a mistake when calculating class averages for growth. Courtney's second grade kiddos earned the "Top Growth" recognition for math! Congrats to the little Speights, and thanks for catching my mistake! Courtney also welcomed a student teacher to her classroom this week. I appreciate her taking on this leadership opportunity and representing our school!
- Madison Morgan - Thank you so so so much for taking time out of your day to help one of my 5th grade kids with his math work. I appreciate you so much! ~Bridget Smallwood
- Nicole Ashton - Thank you for your support with my 2nd grade friend. :) ~Bridget Smallwood
- Bridget Smallwood - Your passion for supporting students and teachers is admirable. You are willing to do anything to see a student succeed, and you treat them as your own with high expectations and real-world advice. Thank you for all you do!
- Brandon Bowden - You facilitated an awesome intervention block this week! You delivered reading and math instruction while flexing students out to other teachers for differentiated support. Thank you for working with your teammates to meet the needs of your students.
- Brandon Bowden & Jaime Whitley - Thank you both for working so hard each day with our students. Your dedication, support, and love for the students are exactly what they need. I appreciate you both, your willingness to adjust on a moment's notice, but most importantly your ability to agree to disagree in a professional manner. ~Jamie Underwood
- Sharon Stephens knocked out THREE IEP meetings in under an hour, and did not skip one detail! She is awesome at providing differentiated instruction, interventions, and keeping up with EC paperwork (which is a BEAST!). Thanks, Sharon!
- Kia Davis, Lori Hudson, Kennedy Kirby, Bridget Smallwood - Thank you for working tirelessly to get a second grade friend back to class each day this week. You all have such patience and love for our kids, and it definitely shows!
News from Previous Bulletins
Q3 Title 1 Event - February 15th
We are just 1 month away from our third quarter Title 1 family engagement event - Student-Led Conferences! Conferences will be held the evening of February 15th, 5:30-7:00 pm. All certified staff are required to attend this event as it is part of our Title 1 family engagement plan and overall plan for improving student achievement.
Student-led conferences are intended to give families the opportunity to SEE how their child is performing as they complete academic tasks TOGETHER. Homeroom teachers serve as a facilitator during the event, simply monitoring conferences and informally conversing with families.
A third quarter parent/student/teacher conference is REQUIRED for each student, per Stanly County Schools. A parent and student's attendance at this event will satisfy this requirement. If all students in a class attend, a homeroom teacher can walk out the evening of February 15th with third quarter conferences complete! A student-led conference does not count as a retention conference, which is mandatory at the end of third quarter (in early March).
Yearbook Photos are Needed!
We need your photos! We are in the process of creating the collage pages for the 2023-2024 East Albemarle yearbook and we need any candid photos you have of your students. Before uploading photos, please review them to make sure you do not share any that include students on the Yearbook Do Not Photograph List 23-24.
Upload photos to your grade level's folder, within this Yearbook 2023-2024 Google Folder.
Thank you in advance for adding memories to the yearbook!
Help us recruit substitutes!
Rachel Turner stopped by to let us know about a referral incentive for those who assist us with recruiting new substitute teachers. And, as you all know, we need them! If you know of anyone looking for employment, please ask them if they would be willing to serve as a sub!
Helpful Links for Staff
East Albemarle Elementary Principal judith.taylor@stanlycountyschools.org