AM Announcements - September 30

AM Announcements
September 30, 2008

1. Today is Day 26.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Tuesday: September 30
POY Interviews - Reichert off-campus - 8:00-12:00
All PEP's signed or documentation available to attempts
Box Tops for Education collected
Technology staff development - 2:45-4:15
A's and Bee's Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday: October 01
NCI Training -2:30-5:30 - Reichert, Powell, Grisard, and Tuttle
EC Caseload forms due to Reichert for signature

Thursday: October 02
Teacher of the Year Banquet - 4:30-6:30 Powell and Goliszek
Reichert off-campus all day
PTA Board Meeting - 5:30-6:30
Make It, Take It Night - 6:30-7:30

Friday: October 03
Reichert off-campus all day

4. The Dixie Classic Fair begins this Friday. Keep that in mind as you plan your assignments for the week of October 6.

5. Box Tops for Education will be collected today.

6. The PTA Membership dues are $3.50 per person. You can see Ms. Fletcher who will be happy to help you.

7. Just a reminder that Dr. Martin visits Speas next week on October 9. Be sure you know your data . He will be here from 10:00-12:00 and will most likely eat lunch in the cafeteria.

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. This benefits everyone, even those who do not pay. Please find it in your heart to contribute your dues of $25.

9. EC teachers should complete their caseload forms by tomorrow so I can sign them. I will be gone on Thursday and Friday and they are due Friday.

10. Family Night is November 7. All grade levels and specialists have been divided to handle certain areas, locations and activities. A successful Family Fun Night requires the help and assistance of every staff member. As each pulls their share of the load, everyone can enjoy the evening without anyone being over taxed. Each team needs to create a schedule for coverage for the entire event along with 30 minutes before hand for set-up and 30 minutes afterwards for clean up. Your schedule should be turned in to Ms. Fletcher by Friday, October 10, 2008 showing how your team will cover their given location. The teams and locations are listed below:

Friday, November 7, 2008 - 5:00-7:30
4th & 5th Grade - Haunted House
Pre - K - BINGO
2nd - Two Ticket Table Locations
Rose Rusch - Face Painting
Lowe,Starling, Hoots - Cake Walk
Mrs. Gerber - Animal Balloons
1st Grade - 5 Game Stations
Fussell, Powell, Reichert, Schwabe - Hot Dog Supper
K - Cotton Candy, Snow Cones, & Popcorn
Baby Gap Volunteers - Inflatable in the gym.
Salas, Clodfelter, Baker, Alston - Spin Art
Office and First Aid Center - Rhodes, Spaventa

11. There will be a PTA Board Meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 @ 5:30-6:30 p.m. before the Make-It-Take Night. We need two staff members to act as staff representatives and attend the monthly meeting. If you are interested please notify Cathy Smith and Shanta Fletcher. Thank you for your support.

12. Weekly newsletters are due to Ms. Powell every Monday by 2:30. If you choose to e-mail it, please send a copy to Ms. Powell and Ms. Rhodes.

13. When writing up a student for discipline, please include the child's NCWISE # and all the phone #'s you have for the child. Many times, teachers have updated phone numbers that are not yet in NCWISE.

14. Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.
Charles Kuralt

Save a little money each month and at the end of the year you'll be surprised at how little you have.
Ernest Haskins

Somebody has to do something, and it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us.
Jerry Garcia, (of the Grateful Dead)

The only difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the Democrats allow the poor to be corrupt, too.
Oscar Levant (1906 - 1972)

AM Announcements - September 29

AM Announcements
September 29, 2008

1. Today is Day 25.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Monday: September 29
Interim Progress Reports go home
WINGS Volunteers begin
W-S Symphony - Woodwinds - Grades 4-5 9:00-9:45 AM - Gym

Tuesday: September 30
POY Interviews - Reichert off-campus - 8:00-12:00
All PEP's signed or documentation available to attempts
Box Tops for Education collected
Technology staff development - 2:45-4:15
A's and Bee's Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday: October 01
No events as of this time
NCI Training -2:30-5:30 - Reichert, Powell, Grisard, and Tuttle
EC Caseload forms due to Reichert for signature

Thursday: October 02
Teacher of the Year Banquet - 4:30-6:30 Powell and Goliszek
Reichert off-campus all day
PTA Board Meeting - 5:30-6:30
Make It, Take It Night - 6:30-7:30

Friday: October 03
Reichert off-campus all day

4. The Dixie Classic Fair begins this Friday. Keep that in mind as you plan your assignments for the week of October 6.

5. Box Tops for Education will be collected tomorrow. Please remind your students today.

6. The PTA Membership dues are $3.50 per person. You can see Ms. Fletcher who will be happy to help you.

7. Just a reminder that Dr. Martin visits Speas next week on October 9. Be sure you know your data . He will be here from 10:00-12:00 and will most likely eat lunch in the cafeteria.

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. This benefits everyone, even those who do not pay. Please find it in your heart to contribute your dues of $25.

9. Ms. Powell, Ms. Marston and I are doing our walk-thru's as a team so that we can standardize what we are looking for

10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. EC teacher should complete their caseload forms by Wednesday so I can sign them. I will be gone on Thursday and Friday and they are due Friday.

12. Mr. Cokley was out sick yesterday and custodial services did not provide a substitute. Mr. Hummings (Gus) did the priorities which are bathrooms and pulling trash. There is the likelihood that your room may not have been swept. That is because he did not have enough time to get to it. Hopefully Mr. Cokley will be back with us today.

13. Thanks go out to all of you. Even with all the subs we had in the building yesterday, the day went very smoothly. Thanks for your contribution to the calm.

14. Student Council Members - Teachers please make a note of which Student Council Members are in your class. Please keep in mind that the Student Council members are leaders of the school. If they are having problems in your class please bring it to my attention as soon as possible so that this can be brought to the student's attention that they are jeopardizing being taken off Student Council due to their actions and behavior. The Student Council Members will resume their meeting schedule in October that is on the school wide calendar.
Officers - (These attend the Executive Board Meetings)
President - Jason Jowers
Vice President - Tierra Wilson
1st Vice-President - Caryn Fletcher
Secretary - Ruby Cardenas
Assistant Secretary - Maya Williams
Treasurer - Sharissha Theodore
Assistant Treasurer - Dezaray Hickman
Historian - Mac Smith

Senate Board Members
Char'tayia Cunningham
Malik Neal
Nikeyta Parker
Christian Keltner
Fredrick King
Alejandro Nunez
Dillion Simmons
Taylor Thomas
Christa Fletcher
Amiya Stevenson
Dominic Tyler
Andre Walters
Tianna Wilson
Silva Lima
Danytza Cisneros
Dorain Stafford
Shipra Vaidya
Rhio Isa
Manuael Castillo
Gabrielle Tonsay
Kelly Ubabuike
Ana Guajardo
John McClurkin
Christopher McClurkin
David Mittelman
Nygel Young
Oscar Cisneros
Zechariah Gibson
Ruriko Isa
Lee Sales
Vincent Crosby
Josue Guzman
Dakota Pickney
Antonio Martinez
Alex Jones

15. Family Night is greatly approaching in November. This year all grade levels and specialists have been divided to handle certain areas and locations for Family Fun Night. As a team you need to create a schedule for coverage for the entire event along with 30 minutes before hand for set-up and 30 minutes afterwards for clean up. A schedule needs to be turned in to Ms. Fletcher by Friday, October 10, 2008 showing how your team will cover their given location. The teams and locations are listed below:

Friday, November 7, 2008 - 5:00-7:30
4th & 5th Grade - Haunted House
Pre - K - BINGO
2nd - Two Ticket Table Locations
Rose Rusch - Face Painting
Lowe,Starling, Hoots - Cake Walk
Mrs. Gerber - Animal Balloons
1st Grade - 5 Game Stations
Fussell, Powell, Reichert,Schwabe - Hot Dog Supper
K - Cotton Candy, Snow Cones, & Popcorn
Baby Gap Volunteers - Inflatable in the gym.
Salas, Clodfelter, Baker, Alston - Spin Art
Office and First Aid Center - Rhodes, Spaventa

16. PTA Board Meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2008 @ 5:30-6:30 p.m. before the Make-It-Take Night. We are asking for at least two staff members to act as staff representatives and attend a monthly meeting. If you are interested please notify Cathy Smith and Shanta Fletcher. Thank you for your support.

17. You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.
Jeannette Rankin (1880 - 1973)

If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done.
Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is.
Ellen DeGeneres

To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 - 1980)

AM Announcements - September 26

AM Announcements
September 26, 2008

1. Today is Day 24.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Friday: September 26
Dollar Dress Down Day
Free Hot Dogs - Cafeteria 10:30-12:30

4. Suspension notices go out today for Kindergarten students whose immunizations or health assessments are not in order.

5. Today is Dollar Dress Down Day.

6. The PTA Membership dues are $3.50 per person. You can see Ms. Fletcher who will be happy to help you.

7. Free hot dogs and chips wil;l be available in the cafeteria beginning at 10:30 for all teachers and staff members. Enjoy!

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. About half the staff has paid their dues. The Social Committee does many wonderful things for all of us. We need your support because you benefit. Social Committee dues are $25 for the year.

9. It appears that maintenance may begin the carpet replacement in the media center earlier that planned. We will keep you updated. It may necessitate the closing of the media center for up to a week. I am waiting for word about this from Kim Sutton.

10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. It has been a very long week. Make sure to get out of here early so you can enjoy your weekend with family and friends.

12. Mr. Cokley was out sick yesterday and custodial services did not provide a substitute. Mr. Hummings (Gus) did the priorities which are bathrooms and pulling trash. There is the likelihood that your room may not have been swept. That is because he did not have enough time to get to it. Hopefully Mr. Cokley will be back with us today.

13. Thanks go out to all of you. Even with all the subs we had in the building yesterday, the day went very smoothly. Thanks for your contribution to the calm.

14. Middle age is when you've met so many people that every new person you meet reminds you of someone else.
Ogden Nash (1902 - 1971)


The real problem is not whether machines think but whether men do.
B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990)

The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it's their fault.
Henry Kissinger (1923 - )

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.
Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650)

AM Announcements - September 25

AM Announcements
September 25, 2008

1. Today is Day 23.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Thursday: September 25
SAT Staff Development - SAT Team members
WINGS Volunteer Training - 8:00-9:00 AM

Friday: September 26
Dollar Dress Down Day

4. Ms. Powell, Ms. Marston, Ms. Clodfelter, Ms. Mincer and Ms. Smith are off campus today at a SAT training. They will return tomorrow.

5. Tomorrow is Dollar Dress Down Day. Please talk this up with your students. The money raised goes a long way toward funding student council and PTA projects.

6. The PTA Membership dues are $3.50 per person. You can see Ms. Fletcher who will be happy to help you.

7. There is a WINGS training taking place this morning at 8:00 AM in the tutoring room.

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. About half the staff has paid their dues. The Social Committee does many wonderful things for all of us. We need your support because you benefit. Social Committee dues are $25 for the year.

9. If you are interested in earning a Masters Degree in Reading, ASU is holding two meetings to discuss program information today. They are at the Yadkin Center - Room 202, 4649 Hwy 601 in Yadkinville, NC at 4:30 PM or UNC School of the Arts, Work[place West V (5) - Room 113 at 1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem at 7:00 PM.

10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. Ms. Fletcher will be off campus this afternoon.

12. We want to welcome Ms. Sara Kelly who joins our staff today as our new 4th grade teacher. We will open her new class next week. The day is yet to be determined.

13. Don't bring your lunch tomorrow. We will have hot dogs and the fixin's tomorrow available for all the staff.

14. The creator of the universe works in mysterious ways. But he uses a base ten counting system and likes round numbers.
Scott Adams (1957 - )

If all the girls who attended the Yale prom were laid end to end, I wouldn't be a bit surprised.
Dorothy Parker (1893 - 1967)

Rage is the only quality which has kept me, or anybody I have ever studied, writing columns for newspapers.
Jimmy Breslin

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626)

AM Announcements - September 24

AM Announcements
September 24, 2008

1. Today is Day 22.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Wednesday: September 24
Principal of the Year - Finalist Selection - 1:00-3:00 PM - Reichert off-campus

Thursday: September 25
SAT Staff Development - SAT Team members
WINGS Volunteer Training - 8:00-9:00 AM

Friday: September 26
Dollar Dress Down Day

4. Please be careful when carrying hot/cold drinks down the hallway. Mr. Ireland came over on the weekend to buff the hallways and there is a trail of coffee drips running u[p and down the halls from the cafeteria.

5. This Friday is Dollar Dress Down Day. Please talk this up with your students. The money raised goes a long way toward funding student council and PTA projects.

6. The PTA Membership dues are $3.50 per person. You can see Ms. Fletcher who will be happy to help you.

7. Dr. Martin has scheduled his visit to Speas on 10/9 from 10:00-12:00. He will be visiting classes and discussing data.

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. About half the staff has paid their dues. The Social Committee does many wonderful things for all of us. We need your support because you benefit. Social Committee dues are $25 for the year.

9. If you are interested in earning a Masters Degree in Reading, ASU is holding two meetings to discuss program information. They are at the Yadkin Center - Room 202, 4649 Hwy 601 in Yadkinville, NC at 4:30 PM or UNC School of the Arts, Work[place West V (5) - Room 113 at 1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem at 7:00 PM. Both sessions are this Thursday, September 25th.

10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. I will be off-campus today from 1:00-3:00 working with the Principal of the Year Selection Committee.

12. A display from Books are Fun is in the media center. The order will be called in today and delivered on Friday.

13. Ms. Powell has developed the afternoon bus duty schedule and Ms. Rhodes has placed it in teachers boxes. The teachers on duty are to load students on bus #175 and #74.

14. We have filled the vacant fourth grade position with Ms. Sara Kelly. She should join us later on in the week.

15. A motion to adjourn is always in order.
Robert Heinlein (1907 - 1988), Lazarus Long: Time Enough For Love

Trying to be a first-rate reporter on the average American newspaper is like trying to play Bach's 'St. Matthew's Passion' on a ukulele.
Bagdikian's Observation

When I meet a man I ask myself, 'Is this the man I want my children to spend their weekends with?'
Rita Rudner

A poem is never finished, only abandoned.
Paul Valery (1871 - 1945)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 22, 2008

1. Today is Day 21.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Tuesday: September 23
Technology staff development - 2:45-4:15
A's and Bees Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM
ESL Parent Meeting - 7:00-8:00

Wednesday: September 24
Principal of the Year - Finalist Selection - 1:00-3:00 PM - Reichert off-campus

Thursday: September 25
SAT Staff Development - SAT Team members
WINGS Volunteer Training - 8:00-9:00 AM

Friday: September 26
Dollar Dress Down Day

4. There will be an ESL Parent Meeting tonight from 7:00-8:00 PM. We will be having a Hot Dog Supper as well in the cafeteria.

5. This Friday is Dollar Dress Down Day. Please talk this up with your students. The money raised goes a long way toward funding student council and PTA projects.

6. The PTA Membership Drive ended on Friday. Only 32 members of the staff joined. This was probably an oversight for many people so we have extended the enrollment period just for staff members. There is still time to join. Dues are $3.50 per person.

7. EVAAS data has been uploaded to the website. If you need help in accessing it, please see Ms. Powell, Ms. Marston or me for assistance. Data is available for grades 4 and 5.

8. Social Committee dues are still being collected. About half the staff has paid their dues. The Social Committee does many wonderful things for all of us. We need your support because you benefit. Social Committee dues are $25 for the year.

9. If you are interested in earning a Masters Degree in Reading, ASU is holding two meetings to discuss program information. They are at the Yadkin Center - Room 202, 4649 Hwy 601 in Yadkinville, NC at 4:30 PM or UNC School of the Arts, Work[place West V (5) - Room 113 at 1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem at 7:00 PM. Both sessions are this Thursday, September 25th.

10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. Often students who are sent to the office wind up assigned to in-school suspension. Teachers who have students assigned should remember the following things:
a. Students should be sent immediately following morning broadcast
b. Ms. Summey leaves at q11:30 on Fridays
c. Teachers are individually responsible for planning the work for the entire day.
Ms. Summey does not provide work of any kind.
These are very important. If we do not follow through with what we say is going to happen, students think we are not serious and we all lose credibility.

12. A display from Books are Fun is in the media center. The order will be called in tomorrow and delivered on Friday.

13. Ms. Powell has developed the afternoon bus duty schedule and Ms. Rhodes has placed it in teachers boxes. The teachers on duty are to load students on bus #175 and #74.

14. I could prove God statistically.
George Gallup (1901 - 1984)

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.
Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.
Bertolt Brecht (1898 - 1956)

If you have any doubts that we live in a society controlled by men, try reading down the index of contributors to a volume of quotations, looking for women's names.
Elaine Gill

AM Announcements

AM Announcements

September 22, 2008


1. Today is Day 20.


2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.


3. Calendar items for this week:

Monday: September 22
Equity+ Principals' meeting - Reichert off-campus - 12:00-1:30
ESL Principals' meeting - Reichert off-campus - 3:30-5:00

Tuesday: September 23
Technology staff development - 2:45-4:15
A's and Bees Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM
ESL Parent Meeting - 7:00-8:00

Wednesday: September 24
No items at this time

Thursday: September 25
SAT Staff Development - SAT Team members
WINGS Volunteer Training - 8:00-9:00 AM

Friday: September 26
Dollar Dress Down Day

4. The media center is now open for business.

5. This Friday is Dollar Dress Down Day. Please talk this up with your students. The money raised goes a long way toward funding student council and PTA projects.


6. The PTA Membership Drive ended on Friday. Not all staff members have joined PTA. We have extended the enrollment period just for staff members. If you don't support the PTA how can we expect other to? Dues are $3.50 per person. How about joining today?

7. Important announcement for teachers in grades 2-5. Take a moment today to write a note in the agenda of two of your students inviting them to attend A's and Bee's tutoring tomorrow night. Then, this afternoon, call their parents and make a personal invitation. The tutors are excited to help but the students aren't coming on their own. This will only take a few minutes but the rewards will be great.

8. Social Committee dues are being collected. About half the staff has paid their dues. The Social Committee does many wonderful things. We need every one's support because everyone benefits. Social Committee dues are $25 for the year.

9. Are you interested in earning a Masters Degree in Reading. ASU is holding two meetings to discuss program information. They are at the Yadkin Center - Room 202, 4649 Hwy 601 in Yadkinville, NC at 4:30 PM or UNC School of the Arts, Work[place West V (5) - Room 113 at 1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem at 7:00 PM. Both sessions are next Thursday, September 25th.
10. Certified staff should remember to put October 2 on their calendars. This is "Make It, Take It" night and attendance is mandatory. This item has been in Bee Lines for several weeks and on the master calendar since mid-August. There should be no questions regarding attendance.

11. If you have not given Ms. Rhodes a copy of your schedule,please do so today before going home. These are essential for the front office.

12. When registering for a workshop, the only forms that need to be given to Ms. Higgins are those for staff development that require a sub or that we expend money for, such as hiring the speaker. If no money is involved, Ms. Higgins does not need you to print out the on-line registration form and give it to her. I verified this with our internal auditor, Pam Chisolm. We will try to apprise you of this when we post them. The Marzano and Technology workshops do not require the forms be given to Ms. Higgins.

13. A display from Books Are Fun is in the media center. The order will be called in on Thursday and delivered Friday.

14. I would like to meet with all 3-5 teachers, regular classroom and Tittle-1 in the medi center at 7:15. The meeting will last no more than 5 minutes.

15. Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.
Charles M. Schulz (1922 - 2000)

Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps.
Emo Phillips

Where humor is concerned there are no standards - no one can say what is good or bad, although you can be sure that everyone will.
John Kenneth Galbraith (1908 - 2006)

Exercise relieves stress. Nothing relieves exercise.
Takayuki Ikkaku, Arisa Hosaka and Toshihiro Kawabata, Animal Crossing: Wild World, 2005

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 18, 2008

1. Today is Day 18.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Thursday: September 18
Spirit Week - Patriotic Day
McDonalds Night - 5:00-8:00 PM

Friday: September 19
Spirit Week - College Gear Day
PTA Membership Drive ends

4. I have received paperwork from the last test results regarding Indoor Air Quality testing done Monday. They show that the levels of mold spores throughout the media center have returned to "normal" and are the same or lower than outdoor air.

5. Tonight is our first McDonalds Night at the North Point McDonalds. Here is an opportunity to support our school and get a night off from cooking in the bargain. Please stop by and you can eat in or go through the drive-thru. We get a portion of all sales during that time. Kids love to see their teachers and other staff members there. Please drop by if at all possible.

6. The PTA Membership Drive will end tomorrow. The goal is to have 100% staff participation. Dues are $3.50 per person. Every staff member should be a member of PTA.

7. Effective Monday, October 6, 2008 the current year data for the 08/09 Free/Reduced Meal program becomes effective. No longer will students be allowed to use last school year’s meal status for 07/08. A “Voucher Meal’ Policy Number [AR 3542.1] is available for
K-12 students without money. If a regular meal has been given to a child, it cannot be taken away from them by the cafeteria staff or the teacher/assistant. This is policy.

8. Don't forget to strut your favorite college teams colors tomorrow for College Gear Day.

9. Should you cover A's and Bees Tutoring on Tuesday nights, all the volunteer tutors may sign-in using the computer in the tutoring room. That way their service time can be logged.

10. Are you interested in earning a Masters Degree in Reading. ASU is holding two meetings to discuss program information. They are at the Yadkin Center - Room 202, 4649 Hwy 601 in Yadkinville, NC at 4:30 PM or UNC School of the Arts, Work[place West V (5) - Room 113 at 1922 S. Main St., Winston-Salem at 7:00 PM. Both sessions are next Thursday, September 25th.

11. Ms. Powell will call for new Safety Patrol members immediately following Morning Broadcast today.

12. Any time you need a sub, please call Ms. Marleen Logan to fill it. Her number is 997-1518 and her sub ID number is 4054. She has worked here as a staff member for a number of years, mostly as a long-term sub. We need to fill her dance card if possible.

13. This item should not have to be listed here but evidently some teachers still insist on not showing up to pick up their children from specials until the entire 40 minute allocation on the schedule has elapsed. We have said repeatedly that every 40 minute special is 35 minutes of class and 5 minutes between classes. This enables the class to get to its next special and the specialist to prepare for their next group. Teachers should be at the special in time to pick their class up after 35 minutes have elapsed. There are no exceptions. I have asked specialists to let me know if any teacher is late. Several individuals will be contacted today as a reminder of this. The entire school operates on the video clock. Every room has the exact same time. There is no excuse for arriving late. Please make sure that the first page in your sub folder identifies when your students have specials and when the children are to be picked up. Thank you for your cooperation. Perhaps we can put this issue to rest.

14. When new students are assigned to a K-1 class the teacher should prepare a Yellow Bus Name Tag immediately and then attach it to the book bag. Twice in the last two weeks, we have had K-1 students dropped off by bus drivers when their was no parent there to get them. In at least one of these cases, no yellow tag was on the child's book bag, so the driver would not recognize that this was a K-1 child. The office will provide the driver the transportation sheet on all new students and will emphasize with the driver whenever the child is K-1. Working together we can hopefully avert any future situations.

15. While the media center doors are now open, no books may be checked out. The media center will open for business on Monday. Please do not come in and try to check anything out until that time.

16. One of the first duties of the physician is to educate the masses not to take medicine.
Sir William Osler (1849 - 1919), Aphorisms from his Bedside Teachings (1961) p. 105

I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places.
Henny Youngman (1906 - 1998)

I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves.
Bruce Grocott (1940 - )

If there were no God, there would be no Atheists.
G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936)

AM Announcements

September 17, 2008

I have not seen yestreday's announcements and don't know what I need to add today. We should be back up to sp-eed tomorrow morning.

1. Ms. Powell will be off-campus this morning from 7:45-12:00 at an Assistant Principals' Meeting.

2. I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.
Galileo Galilei (1564 - 1642)

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809 - 1849), "Eleonora"

A good listener is a good talker with a sore throat.
Katharine Whitehorn

Scandal is gossip made tedious by morality.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), Lady Windermere's Fan, 1892, Act III

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 12, 2008

1. Today is Day 14.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Friday: September 12

Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town

4. The media center remains closed and sealed. It will not be opened until it is certified safe for all personnel. They will be checking the area again today and determine if an additional cleaning crew will return this weekend. We will keep you posted.

5. PTA Membership Drive will end next Friday, September 19, 2008. The goal is to have 100% staff participation. Dues are $3.50 per person.

6. The PTA Car Wash and Yard Sale is scheduled for tomorrow, September 13, 2008 here at the school. Come out and support the Student Council and PTA. If you would like a table see Shanta before Thursday. The cost of the table is $25.00.

7. There are many classroom sets of books located in the book room/reading room where Ms. Starling resides. Ms. Hoots, Ms. Starling and Ms. Lowe have cleared out the area. Please come in the room today to take anything on THE FLOOR you would like for your room. We will allow students to begin taking the books next week.

8. We had two students and their parents here last night for the Title 1 meeting. We were quick and to the point with information. Thank you to the following teachers who came back out. Ms. Dagenbach, Ms. Fussell, Ms. Gifford, Ms. Goliszek, Ms. Linhart, Ms. A. Smith and Ms. Schwabe.

9. Monday and Tuesday AM announcements will be back by e-mail. I do not know enough about blogging yet to send them out. Today is help with Dr. Reichert.


HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND!!!

10.Estimated amount of glucose used by an adult human brain each day, expressed in M&Ms: 250
Harper's Index, October 1989

Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.
Tom Robbins (1936 - )

Faith is a cop-out. If the only way you can accept an assertion is by faith, then you are conceding that it can’t be taken on its own merits.
Dan Barker, "Losing Faith in Faith", 1992

In America, through pressure of conformity, there is freedom of choice, but nothing to choose from.
Peter Ustinov (1921 - 2004)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 11, 2008

1. Today is Day 13.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Thursday: September 11

Dr. Reichert - Out of Town
Ms. Powell Off campus - Elementary Principals' meeting - 7:30-12:00 PM
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
Annual Title-1 Meeting - 7:00-8:00 PM

Friday: September 12

Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town

4. A September 11 Remembrance will be telecast on Cable 2 today at 9:00; 9:30; 11:00; and 12:00.

5. The media center remains closed and sealed. It will not be opened until it is certified safe for all personnel. We have people asking about laminating. This was covered in Tuesday's AM Announcements. Please go back and check Tuesday's posting if you have questions.

6. PTA Membership Drive will end on Friday, September 19, 2008. The goal is to have 100% staff participation. Dues are $3.50 per person.

7. The PTA Car Wash and Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2008 here at the school. Come out and support the Student Council and PTA. If you would like a table see Shanta before Thursday. The cost of the table is $25.00.

8. The annual Title-1 meeting is this evening at 7:00. This meeting is required by federal law. It is informational in nature designed to let parents know about our programs and Title-1. Ms. Powell will conduct the meeting. It will be open to questions, comments and input from parents.

9. Eat a live toad the first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.
Unknown

A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy, but won't cross the street to vote in a national election.
Bill Vaughan

You can't find any true closeness in Hollywood, because everybody does the fake closeness so well.
Carrie Fisher (1956 - )

Although prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it be postponed.
Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 10, 2008

1. Today is Day 12.

2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Wednesday: September 10

Ms. Powell Off Campus
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues - Math - Inactive
APT Testing continues

Thursday: September 11

Dr. Reichert - Out of Town
Ms. Powell Off campus - Elementary Principals' meeting - 7:30-12:00 PM
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Annual Title-1 Meeting - 7:00-8:00 PM

Friday: September 12

Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town

4. Thanks to everyone for helping make our picture day run so smoothly. The photographers commented on the fact that everything went like clockwork.

5. I apologize for cancelling the staff meeting but we had a lost child and that took precedence over anything else. Special "Thanks" go to Ms. Larson, Ms. Gerber, Ms. Holman and Ms. Reynolds who helped us eliminate possible avenues the child may have taken. On a secondary note "Thanks" also go to Ms. Barbara Taylor for the donuts many of you enjoyed in the cafeteria.

6. The donuts in the lounge are courtesy of Krispy Kreme. Please enjoy!

7. All certified staff member IGP/PDP's are due today. Please place them in Ms. Powell's box. The forms are available on-line at the HR screen on the WS/FCS website.

8. A September 11 Remembrance will be telecast on Cable 2 tomorrow at 9:00; 9:30; 11:00; and 12:00.

9. The media center remains closed and sealed. It will not be opened until it is certified safe for all personnel. I know this makes Ms. Fussell's job especially difficult since she does not have access to any of her materials. It also means that we can't access the collection which makes if difficult on the classroom teachers. They brought in two additional HEPA filters this afternoon to clear mold spores from the air.

10. Ms. Marston is back and handling testing materials in Room #3.

11. PTA Membership Drive will end on Friday, September 19, 2008. The goal is to have 100% staff participation.

12. The PTA Car Wash and Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2008 here at the school. Come out and support the Student Council and PTA. If you would like a table see Shanta before Thursday. The cost of the table is $25.00.

13.I'm not a real movie star. I've still got the same wife I started out with twenty-eight years ago.
Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

I think it would be a good idea.
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948), when asked what he thought of Western civilization
Democracy consists of choosing your dictators, after they've told you what you think it is you want to hear.
Alan Corenk

I was always taught to respect my elders and I've now reached the age when I don't have anybody to respect.
George Burns (1896 - 1996)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements

September 09, 2008


1. Today is Day 11.


2. It is the mission of Speas Elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.


3. Calendar items for this week:


Tuesday: September 09

Ms. Powell Off Campus - 7:30-4:00
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT Testing continues
Picture Day - 8:10 in the gym
Staff Meeting - 2:45-4:00 PM
Cub Scout Registration Event 7:00-8:00 PM - Cafeteria
A's and Bees Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday: September 10

Ms. Powell Off Campus
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT Testing continues

Thursday: September 11

Dr. Reichert - Out of Town
Ms. Powell Off campus - Elementary Principals' meeting - 7:30-12:00 PM
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Annual Title-1 Meeting - 7:00-8:00 PM

Friday: September 12

Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town

4. I will be out of town Thursday 9/11 through Tuesday 9/16. Ms. Powell will be in charge. My wife and I will be in Las Vegas visiting our daughter.

5. If you did not turn in your list of students with PEP's to Ms. Summey yesterday, please do so before leaving today.

6. The Cub Scouts will host a Cub Scout registration night here tonight at 7:00 PM.

7. A's and Bees tutoring begins tonight for students in grades 2-5. Students may work on homework. They should come ready to work for about an hour. They can come anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 PM.

8. Today is Picture Day. They are going to set up early and will be ready to begin with staff members at 7:45 and classrooms at 8:15. All staff members are to have their pictures made as these go on the Safety CD.

9. All certified staff member IGP/PDP's are due this Wednesday. They should be given to Ms. Powell for her review and signature. The forms are available on-line at the HR screen on the WS/FCS website.

10. A September 11 Remembrance will be telecast on Cable 2 Thursday at the following times: 9:00; 9:30; 11:00; and 12:00. Please take a moment to put this in context for your students before viewing.

11. The media center is closed completely. It will open as soon as it is certified safe for all personnel. This means that no laminating will be done and that which has been done and is still in the media center will not be passed out until we have the "All Clear."

12. Monday, October 6, is the date that students will no longer be able to eat lunch on last year's status.

13. I will be available in room #3 to pass out and receive testing materials today and tomorrow.

14. PTA Membership information is going out to parents. If you did not receive a PTA packet please come by Room #3 and pick one up. PTA Membership Drive will end on Friday, September 19, 2008. The goal is to have 100% staff participation.

15. The PTA Car Wash and Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2008 here at the school. Come out and support the Student Council and PTA. If you would like a table see Shanta before Thursday. The cost of the table is $25.00.

16. Last night I dreamed I ate a ten-pound marshmallow, and when I woke up the pillow was gone.
Tommy Cooper

Brass bands are all very well in their place - outdoors and several miles away.
Sir Thomas Beecham (1879 - 1961)

What we become depends on what we read after all of the professors have finished with us. The greatest university of all is a collection of books.
Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)

Some national parks have long waiting lists for camping reservations. When you have to wait a year to sleep next to a tree, something is wrong.
George Carlin (1937 - 2008)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 08, 2008

1. Today is Day 10.

2. It is the mission of Speas elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Monday: September 08
Ms. Powell Off Campus - 7:30-4:00
Interim Progress Reports go home
Third Grade EOG - Pre-Test Begins
APT Testing continues
Cub Scout Representative visits classrooms - Grades 1-5 1:00-2:00 PM


Tuesday: September 09
Ms. Powell Off Campus - 7:30-4:00
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT Testing continues
Picture Day - 8:10 in the gym
Staff Meeting - 2:45-4:00 PM
Cub Scout Registration Event 7:00-8:00 PM - Cafeteria
A's and Bees Tutoring - 6:00-8:00 PM

Wednesday: September 10
Ms. Powell Off Campus
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT Testing continues

Thursday: September 11
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town
Ms. Powell Off campus - Elementary Principals' meeting - 7:30-12:00 PM
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Annual Title-1 Meeting - 7:00-8:00 PM

Friday: September 12
Third Grade Pre-EOG continues
APT testing continues
Dr. Reichert - Out of Town

4. Starbucks is offering all our employees a tall cup of Pike Place Roast free of charge every Monday through 09/28/08. Just show them your badge and pick-up your free coffee.

5. I will be out of town Thursday 9/11 through Tuesday 9/16. Ms. Powell will be in charge. My wife and I will be in Las Vegas visiting our daughter.

6. Please turn in a list of all students who have PEP's to Ms. Summey. Indicate which have been signed. Update this with her each Monday. Please let her assist you with any hard to reach parents. All PEP's are to be signed by the end of September.

7. A representative of the Cub Scouts will stop by your classroom(Grade 1-5) today between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. He will be there less than 5:00 Min. and will invite your boys to the Cub Scout registration night here on Tuesday 9/9 at 7:00 PM.

8. Really talk up A's and Bees tutoring with your students. This is especially important for students with PEP's in grades 2-5. Students may work on homework. They should come ready to work for about an hour. They can come anytime between 6:00 and 8:00 PM

9. Tomorrow is Picture Day. We will have two photographers. They are going to set up early and will be ready to begin at 8:10. Teachers may go and have their pictures taken before classes begin or with their class, whichever is more convenient. Please follow the schedule prepared by Ms. Powell. All staff members are to have their pictures made as these go on the Safety CD.

10. All staff member IGP/PDP's are due on Wednesday of this week. They should be given to Ms. Powell for her review and signature. The forms are available on-line at the HR screen on the WS/FCS website.

11. Just a reminder that we had another visit from the Title-1 staff today. That makes the third visit this year. Expect to see them in the building with great frequency. We also had a visit from instructional services today. Mr. Dennis Walker was here visiting classrooms with an eye toward providing assistance in mathematics. Instructional services is working with us on a consultative basis.

12. A September 11 Remembrance will be telecast on Cable 2 Thursday at the following times:
9:00; 9:30; 11:00; and 12:00. Please take a moment to put this in context for your students before viewing.

13. Dr. Martin reiterated in our last Joint Principals' Meeting the importance of continually updating your web pages. Information should be current. He has asked us to monitor this on a regular basis to ensure that these are changed and provide current information for parents. I have reviewed all our web pages and contacted teachers whose pages need completing or updating. Please take care of updating your page by Tuesday.

14. Monday, October 6, is the date that students will no longer be able to eat lunch on last year's status. They will have to file a new application prior to that date and have it approved. Only one application is needed per family. Voucher meals will be provided to students who do not have money and have not been approved for free/reduced lunch according to board policy. If a child has received a lunch and it is discovered that they do not qualify for free/reduced lunch, they will be allowed to keep the meal. It will not be taken away from them. Parents will be responsible to pay for the meal. Charging is not allowed for students or staff.

15. I will be available in room #3 to pass out and receive testing materials Monday through Wednesday.

16. A copy of our August financial statement has been posted on the bulletin board in the mail room. It shows all receipts and disbursements along with the balance in every account. If you have questions, please feel free to ask for an explanation. This is being posted to increase transparency and provide all staff members current information on our finances and budget.

17. The Health Department inspected the entire building for mold on Friday afternoon and found possible areas in rooms 18 and 22. They are asking us to clear the the tops of the cabinets under the HVAC units in order to improve circulation in the rooms and bring down the humidity. We are also having all the units serviced by maintenance.

18. PTA Membership information is going out to parents. If you did not receive a PTA packet please come by Room #3 and pick one up. PTA Membership Drive will end on Friday, September 19, 2008. The goal is to have 100% staff participation.

19. The PTA Car Wash and Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2008 here at the school. Come out and support the Student Council and PTA. If you would like a table see Shanta before Thursday. The cost of the table is $25.00.

14. I don't deserve this award, but I have arthritis and I don't deserve that either.
Jack Benny (1894 - 1974)

You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty.
Sacha Guitry (1885 - 1957)

I can't understand it. I can't even understand the people who can understand it.
Queen Juliana (1909 - 2004), of the Netherlands

When a person can no longer laugh at himself, it is time for others to laugh at him.
Thomas Szasz, "The Second Sin"

AM Announcements

AM Announcements

September 05, 2008

1. Today is Day 9.

2. It is the mission of Speas elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Friday: September 05

Initial APT for Language
Decisions on Title-1 due from Grade 3-5

4. Starbucks is offering all our employees a tall cup of Pike Place Roast free of charge every Monday through 09/28/08. Just show them your badge and pick-up your free coffee.

5. There will be a Gateway meeting tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM to review the gateway procedure for non-proficient students in grades 3 and 5. Teachers of these grades should get PEP's signed at this time as well.

6. Please remember to review all CUM folders and determine which children have PEP's. These PEP's must be signed by the end of September. Please contact parents to come in for a conference during the month so the PEP can be reviewed and parents can sign off. These PEP's are to be reviewed quarterly. Parents are to sign-off on any changes during the year. If you have trouble getting a parent in,please let Ms. Summey know. As our Home/School Coordinator she can help with this task.

7. If you have any students with diabetes, please let Ms. Rhodes know today.

8. The treats in the lounge Wednesday were courtesy of the folks at Hope Presbyterian Church. Thank you notes can be sent to:Hope Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 26932Winston-Salem, NC 27114-69329.

9. Thanks to the third and fifth grade teachers for their help last night with the Gateway meeting. I know it was a long day.

10. Two crews will be coming in on Friday night to take out the carpet in the media center and replace it with tile. They will reinstall a carpeted area where the media coordinator can share books with the students. While this is in process one crew will work on the floor while the other is cleaning all the books. They plan to work all weekend and be done in time for school on Monday morning. We are working very hard to resolve the indoor air quality issues that have plagued us recently. They are also looking for solutions in other parts of the building. They have recalibrated all thermostats to 74 degrees and they will be left there. If you want to reduce the humidity in your classroom, keep your door closed so that you do not draw in air from the hallways. This will make a significant difference.

11. Just a reminder that we had another visit from the Title-1 staff today. That makes the third visit this year. Expect to see them in the building with great frequency. We also had a visit from instructional services today. Mr. Dennis Walker was here visiting classrooms with an eye toward providing assistance in mathematics. Instructional services is working with us on a consultative basis.

12. Enjoy your weekend. Tropical Storm Hannah is supposed to bring rain on Saturday morning but those going to the Wake Forest - Mississppi game should find sunny skies at game time. We'll see if the weatherman can predict the path and amount of preciptation accurately. Time will tell.

I don't mind what language an opera is sung in so long as it is a language I don't understand.
Sir Edward Appleton (1892 - 1965)

The big thieves hang the little ones.
Czech Proverb

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

I have lost friends, some by death... others through sheer inability to cross the street.
Virginia Woolf (1882 - 1941), The Waves (1931)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements
September 04, 2008

1. Today is Day 8.

2. It is the mission of Speas elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Thursday: September 04Initial APT for Language
AR Training 2:45
Gateway Meeting - Grades 3 and 5 - 6:00-8:00 PM Media Center

Friday: September 05
Initial APT for Language
Decisions on Title-1 due from Grade 3-5

4. Starbucks is offering all our employees a tall cup of Pike Place Roast free of charge every Monday through 09/28/08. Just show them your badge and pick-up your free coffee.

5. There will be a Gateway meeting tonight from 6:00-8:00 PM to review the gateway procedure for non-proficient students in grades 3 and 5. Teachers of these grades should get PEP's signed at this time as well.

6. Please remember to review all CUM folders and determine which children have PEP's. These PEP's must be signed by the end of September. Please contact parents to come in for a conference during the month so the PEP can be reviewed and parents can sign off. These PEP's are to be reviewed quarterly. Parents are to sign-off on any changes during the year. If you have trouble getting a parent in,please let Ms. Summey know. As our Home/School Coordinator she can help with this task.

7. Today is an Orange Air Quality Action Day. That means that sensitive groups should limit outdoor exertion as the air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups.

8. The treats in the lounge yesterday were courtesy of the folks at Hope Presbyterian Church. Thank you notes can be sent to:

Hope Presbyterian Church
P.O. Box 26932
Winston-Salem, NC 27114-6932

9. What if everything is an illusion and nothing exists? In that case, I definitely overpaid for my carpet.
Woody Allen (1935-)

An author is a fool who, not content with boring those he lives with, insists on boring future generations.
Charles de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

In politics, absurdity is not a handicap.
Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

An Idealist is a person who helps other people to be prospersous.
Henry Ford (1863-1947)

AM Announcements

AM Announcements

September 03, 2008

1. Today is Day 7.

2. It is the mission of Speas elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Wednesday: September 03

Initial APT for Language
Grades 3-5 Teachers and Title-1 staff meet in media center 2:45 PM

Thursday: September 04

Initial APT for Language
Gateway Meeting - Grades 3 and 5 - 6:00-8:00 PM Media Center

Friday: September 05

Initial APT for Language

4. Starbucks is offering all our employees a tall cup of Pike Place Roast free of charge every Monday through 09/28/08. Just show them your badge and pick-up your free coffee.

5. There will be a Gateway meeting this Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM to review the gateway procedure for non-proficient students in grades 3 and 5. Teachers of these grades should get PEP's signed at this time as well.

6. Please remember to review all CUM folders and determine which children have PEP's. These PEP's must be signed by the end of September. Please contact parents to come in for a conference during the month so the PEP can be reviewed and parents can sign off. These PEP's are to be reviewed quarterly. Parents are to sign-off on any changes during the year. If you have trouble getting a parent in,please let Ms. Summey know. As our Home/School Coordinator she can help with this task.

7. There will be a brief meeting this afternoon of teachers in grades 3-5 and Title-1 staff members to discuss the Title-1 teaching assignments for this school year.

8. Please check with your SIT Team representative following each SIT meeting for an update on what took place.

9. Broadcast will be moving from PM to AM effective on Thursday morning. Announcements regarding changes in how children go home will still be made in the afternoon at 2:15 PM.

10. The Survival Guide (Staff Handbook) will be placed on the Speas Blog on Thursday morning.

11. Ms. Powell would like all students who ride bus 175 and board at Delmonte and Yellowstone to be set aside in the grass. They will ride the SPARE bus. The other students on 175 should go to the end of the breezeway and sit down quietly. Students on bus # 71 should have a seat across from the Teachers clip board and wait quietly.

12. There is no safety in numbers, or in anything else.
James Thurber (1894 - 1961), New Yorker, Feb. 4, 1939, "The Fairly Intelligent Fly"

You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.
Olin Miller

Try to learn something about everything and everything about something.
Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)

If you're not scared or angry at the thought of a human brain being controlled remotely, then it could be this prototype of mine is finally starting to work.
John Alejandro King, My War On Terror!

AM Announcements

September 02, 2008

1. Today is Day 6.

2. It is the mission of Speas elementary School to provide its students with the tools necessary to successfully meet the challenges they will face in a diverse world.

3. Calendar items for this week:

Tuesday: September 02

School-wide Job applications go out
Principal's Challenge Determined and Announced
APT Testing begins
PTA Fundraiser Assembly - 1:30-2:15SIT - 2:45

Wednesday: September 03

Initial APT for Language
Grades 3-5 Teachers and Title-1 staff meet in media center 2:45 PM

Thursday: September 04

Initial APT for Language
Gateway Meeting - Grades 3 and 5 - 6:00-8:00 PM Media Center

Friday: September 05

Initial APT for Language

4. All grade levels, specialists and classified staff should have selected a SIT representative who will attend the meetings on your behalf. If you have not as of yet, please gather immediately after bus dismissal and select one. The meeting will begin at 2:45 and last until approximately 4:00. On the agenda is the revision of the SIP/Title-1 plan. We will also discuss budget allotments, grade level planning sessions and walk-through's. All staff members are welcome to attend and express their opinions. Please join us.

5. There will be a Gateway meeting this Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00 PM to review the gateway procedure for non-proficient students in grades 3 and 5. Teachers of these grades should get PEP's signed at this time as well.

6. Please remember to review all CUM folders and determine which children have PEP's. These PEP's must be signed by the end of September. Please contact parents to come in for a conference during the month so the PEP can be reviewed and parents can sign off. These PEP's are to be reviewed quarterly. Parents are to sign-off on any changes during the year. If you have trouble getting a parent in,please let Ms. Summey know. As our Home/School Coordinator she can help with this task.

7. There will be a brief meeting on Wednesday afternoon of teachers in grades 3-5 and Title-1 staff members to discuss the Title-1 teaching assignments for this school year.

8. When you print your weekly newsletters for parents, please place a copy in Ms. Powell's box for Title-1 documentation. Any communication you send home to all parents should be copied and placed in Ms. Powell's box.

9. All teachers should keep a log of all parent communications. Every time you send a note home, call home, or have a conference should be documented in the log. The log should list the date, time and reason for communication. A spiral bound notebook is the easiest way to do this. If you need a notebook, please let me know. I'll be happy to provide it. These become invaluable when parents say they were never informed about a given problem.

10. Please place a hard copy of your classroom newsletter in Ms. Powell's box on the first school day of each week.

11. I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
Groucho Marx (1890 - 1977)

Why is this thus? What is the reason for this thusness?
Artemus Ward (1834 - 1867)

Men have become the tools of their tools.
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language.
Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889 - 1951)