The Final Countdown

...and my final blog of this school year.  I think I can, I think I can....  I know you can, I know you can...  I know we can all do this.  Just 5 MORE DAYS!!  

Most important thing to remember is to keep to routines.  The students need routines and consistency to help manage behavior.  

Monday, the people who sponsor the Shining Light award will be here to present a basket to Lisa for being among the finalists.  Lisa is truly a Shining Light among us and I appreciate all she does for our students.  

Teachers have a faculty meeting on Monday in Heather's room.  Our plan is to review some of the key points of the end-of-year requirements.  Please bring your questions.  We hope to keep it brief so that you have time to work on the tasks.

Grades are due on Wednesday at 8 am.  Please be sure to include ATLs and Conduct grades.

Our talent show will take place in the FLC on Thursday.  All students should be seated by 1:00 pm.  Thank you Heather for putting this together!!

On Friday, parents may begin picking their children up at 11:30 to take them to the End of Year Bash.  Because our PA system is not working and to keep things simple, please prop open the Angel's Wing gate and doors at 11:30 and allow parents to take their children.  If you are unsure who someone is, please ask them to show their ID.  We will continue with classroom pick-up at noon.  Any student  still remaining in your classroom at 12:15 should be sent to the office as we will not have Extended Day.  

Please DO NOT pass out yearbooks until Friday.  If there are families who have not met their financial obligations, we will come get their yearbook and test scores envelope.  If any parent asks, tell them to come to the office.  

Please head out to the FLC on Friday between 12:15-12:30.  Grab some lunch, take a shot at Coach Green in the dunk tank, and wave goodbye to your students.  The afternoon is for finalizing report cards and completing cum folders (instructions will be given at the faculty meeting).

Have a great week.  Thank you everyone for making it to the end of a challenging year.  Thank you for laughing with me as we navigated through the year.  

Happy Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week

 This week we celebrate everyone!  PTCO has put together a number of treats for you and Gina and I have put together some FUN!!  It is called SURVIVOR - The Game You Didn't Know You Were Preparing for ALL YEAR!  If the word survivor were to apply to any school year, this certainly would be the one.  I want to thank all of you who have held in there knowing that this will get better!  I also appreciate your commitment to the students because they are who we are here for.  No back to Survivor.  No, we won't be sending people home early ... sorry... but there will be dares, challenges, riddles, and ridiculousness of all kinds.  Mostly, thought, this is going to be an excuse to hand out tons of prizes and show as much appreciation for everything you all do around here.

You may have noticed some decorations in the office cubicles last week.  THAT is where the fun happens.  The game feels like a combination of Wheel of Fortune (because there is a Wheel and there is Big Money - well some money) and Survivor because you will have tasks to complete for your prize.  The game will take place over three days - Monday through Wednesday - during which you will earn points.  Those who earn enough points will go onto the Bonus Round on Thursday and that's where you will find the really cool prizes.  The Bonus Round prizes consist of themed tote bags and the themes are:  Beach Fun, Self-Care, and Family Game Night.  There is also a very nice Grand Prize for the person who earns the most points.  So how does it work?  Here are the directions:

• Come to the cubicles near the office copy machine
• Everyone can spin the wheel ONE time each day
• Ring the bell near the computer to alert staff in the office someone is spinning.  We will come out and cheer you on.
• Using the computer, Spin the Wheel (directions on how to do that are on the desk)
• It will land on a number.  Look that number up in the binder.
• If you complete the challenge next to that number, you get points.  Be sure you put the challenge number you completed and the points earned on the score sheet.  NO CHEATING - We have cameras :)
• If you have to take a picture or send a video, send it to both Gina and me by email.
• Some spaces on the wheel include a Grab Bag Prize (all the little brown bags on the desks)
• Some spaces say Big Prize and we have special bags for that.  If you land on Big Prize, see Karen, Flo, Gina or me and we will get you your prize.
• If you earn 600 points by the end of day Wednesday, you will be able to compete in the Bonus Round.
• If you are going on a field trip this week, be sure to stop by the Wheel before you go home that day.

Who's ready to spin??  I hope you all enjoy this and have a wonderful week.

Now for the serious side of the week.  Here is what is happening:

• Catapult visitors Patty, Sarah, and Maureen will be here on Monday to see how we are doing with our Math instruction.  Please have two chairs somewhere in the room for them to use.  Ken can grab some chairs from the music room in the morning if you need them.
• May crowning on Wednesday.  There will be some seat adjustments for grades 2, 3, 4 and 8.  I will send a separate email.
• i-Ready testing on Wed. and Thurs. 
• Marvelous Mustang on Friday
• Professional Development on Friday.  Gina will finish up the Evolving Learner Presentation

Have a great week!