May 2, 2012: Wednesday

Cougar Claps

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Larocque for doing an outstanding job of organizing our Boosterthon Fun Run!

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Jennifer Pritchett for being elected our Teacher of the Year.

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Evans for doing a great job of organizing our Kindergarten Orientation.

Cougar Claps for the fourth grade team for helping a friend!

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Barton and Mrs. Miller for stepping up to help with the Junior Master Gardner program here at Kemp Elementary next year!!!  Anyone else interested, we need to send one more teacher this summer!  Please let me know ASAP!

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Clifford for going above and beyond to resolve a student incident.

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Ingram for going out of her way to make copies for Mrs. Hollis!

Cougar Claps for Mr. McCracken for helping out a first grade teacher this week!  They really appreciate the support!

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Larocque, Mrs. Cobb, Mrs. Hammond, Mrs. Bussell and Mrs. Vaccaro for ensuring that our Maymester is running smoothly!

Cougar Claps for the entire 2nd grade team for throwing such a wonderful wedding shower for Miss Stacy.  (Soon to be Mrs. Something???)

Cougar Claps for Mrs. Helton for always working so hard to make sure we have subs in the building!

What's Happening

Upcoming LFS Training

Just a reminder that we will have an LFS training the week of May 7th.  Please see the schedule below.

May 7th 1/2 day LFS Training: 4th grade teachers in the AM, 5th grade teachers in the PM 

May 9th  1/2 day LFS Training: K teachers in the AM, 1st grade teachers in the PM.   

May 11th  1/2 day LFS Training:  2nd grade teachers in the AM, 3rd grade teachers in the PM.

During this time, you will create an extension lesson for the 1st nine weeks.  You will have the option to focus on whichever subject you like.  Therefore, if your team is ready to start tackling the Common Core, then you can focus on a Math or ELA extension lesson.  If not, then you can focus on creating a SS or Sci LFS extension lesson.

 

Please do NOT get subs for this as Mrs. Helton is already working on this.  She will have it all set for you.

Instructional Portfolios

Teachers, please make sure you have an instructional portfolio for every student.  We will be using them this year and passing them to the next grade level.

Sack Lunches on Last Two Days of School....

Please plan for sack lunches on those last two days of school. We will need to have sack lunches and eat in the classroom because of planned 5th grade activities.  We will send out specific times for you to come by and pick up your lunch on that day.  Our modified Specials schedule will be the following for those last two days:

1^st – 8:00 – 8:30, K – 8:30 – 9:00, 4th  – 9:05 – 9:35, 5th – 9:35 – 10:05, 3^rd – 10:10 – 10:40, 2^nd – 10:40 – 11:10

One more thing, on the last day of school, 5th grade will be on the back field from 11 till 12.

End of the Year Checklist

It was sent out last week and is also attached to this email!  Let us know if you have any questions!

Coaching Endorsement

COACHING ENDORSEMENT PROGRAM Applications Now Being Accepted!
Professional Learning is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 Cobb County Coaching Endorsement Program. Visit the Coaching Endorsement website at: http://www.cobbk12.org/centraloffice/ProfessionalLearning/CoachingEndorsement.aspx to learn more about this year-long, advanced professional learning program and to access the online application. Deadline to apply is Monday, May 21st!

Teachers Leading Cobb
Save the date! The Second Annual Teachers Leading Cobb Conference will be held June 13 and 14 at McEachern High School. Information on sessions and speakers is forthcoming. Registration for the event will begin May 21!  Please see the attached Briefings with the Flyer for more information.  A stipened will be provided!

Common Core Updates
• ELA will be following the curriculum maps created by the state during the 2012-2013 school year. This is the link: https://www.georgiastandards.org/Common-Core/Pages/ELA-K-5.aspx
• GKIDS will be revised and provided by the DOE for the 2012-13 school year.
• May 29th and 30th- To support teachers as they begin next year with Common Core Standards, there will be four ½ day training sessions per grade level. These are post planning days and no substitutes will be required. Teachers only need to attend one session.

DRA Data Input
3rd grade teachers are required to document their students’ Spring DRA2 data results in CSIS this year. Local AA’s and AP’s have received training and training materials are provided on the Academic Portal. All teachers are encouraged to participate in adding this data. The window will open April 30th and end May 22nd. Please review the updated DRA2 chart on page 97 of the ELA Handbook on Picasso. 3rd grade changed to a CAP of 40 to follow the guidelines recommended by the author of the DRA2.

Social Stuides Update

June 4-6 PICASSO ENHANCEMENTS: Highly talented teacher “chefs” will be developing luscious appetizers to add to our PICASSO resources, especially emphasizing ideas for integrating social studies with the new ELA common core standards. We have already tapped teachers for this flavorful work!