Tharptown Elementary School

As we embark on the 2020-21 school year, we all begin with uncertainty, yet anticipation. We are unsure as to what this school year will hold and how we will teach our students. We may ask ourselves, "Why am I here?" As I read an encouraging article on the passage above, it also spoke volumes to me about focusing on the "why" rather than the unknown!

As educators, we have been uniquely placed in the position to provide hope to a child who feels hopeless. This is especially true this year as we navigate into unknown educational territory. The message above is a reminder to us that it is our responsibility, as educators, to lead our students and be the light in a dark journey.

As a child's teacher, you must be the rock in unstable environment. You must serve as the mustard seed of hope for a child who feels overwhelmed and hopeless. We must shine the light of hope with a great deal of resilency and resolve while continuing to be a pathway of encouragement. Let us constantly remind our students that they are wanted, appreciated, and loved...even in a time when things are unsure. Let us be able to calm the fears of the fearful and help build their confidence in their unlimited future.

Let us continue to focus on the "why" so that each of does not lose sight of the things that are important. Our "why" is the success of our students that drives us each day and the reason we are willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen!

I am so thankful to have all of your on our amazing TES team and together we will do great things!

We would like to welcome all of our new faculty members to the Tharptown Elementary School family!

• Molly King
• Lorena Hernandez
• Hanna Malone
• Bailey Phillips
• Heath Boyd
• Sharon Stacey

We are thankful to have you as part of our team!

Although we are not currently doing our safety drills in the normal way, please make sure you go over safety procedures with your students so they will know what to do in case of an emergency. With potential bad weather coming in this week, it is even more important for teachers and students to be prepared.

Friday dismissal went much better than Thursday; however, we still have some things to iron out to improve the process:

Bus Dismissal -

• When a student comes in with a bus sticker, 19-35 2 for example, the student will be a 19-35 2 at the end of the day and should come to the bus when that bus is called. There seems to be some confusion about the 1s and 2s. If a student is a 1 in the morning, they are 1 in the afternoon. If the student is a 2 in the morning, they are a 2 in the afternoon. We are having several students who are coming out at the wrong time and it would help us greatly if the correct students come out at the correct time.
• Please make sure students are quiet and paying attention so that you and your students can hear when their bus number is called.

Car Dismissal -

• All grade level teachers should stand by their doors during car dismissal so you can hear the names that are being announced. Teachers who are in charge of the radios each day should stand in areas that allow teachers to hear their students being called. Please make sure students are ready to leave when their name is called!

Thanks so much for your help!

I love the changes that have been made over the past few weeks! The school has been transformed and it has come alive again! It as if the school is blooming! Thank you for all of your hard work in getting your classrooms, doors, and hallways ready to meet our students. Everything looks amazing!

Preparing for this school year was probably the most difficult that any of us have every faced. While preparing to meet your in-person students, you were also preparing for meeting the needs of your remote learners. Many of you served on committees, assisted in registrations, made numerous phone calls, and worked endless hours so that everything was ready. Thank you, thank you, for all of you help and dedication to our students and school. We couldn't do it without you!

Don't forget that the cutoff date to get a PO and place an order using your state fee money is Wednesday, August 26th. If you have any funds left, please make sure to get those spent no later than August 26th!