AM Announcements - November 02

AM Announcements
November 02, 2009

1. Today is Day 47.

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: November 02
2nd Quarter begins

Tuesday: November 03
Joint Principals Meeting - 7:30-12:00 - Reichert off-campus
SIT meeting - 2:40-4:00
A's and Bees Tutoring

Wednesday: November 04
Little Symphony of Forsyth County - 9:00-9:45 - Grades K-5 - gym
Reichert off-campus 11:30-on
CogAT Testing - 8:00-12:00 - Grade 2 and select Grade 5

Thursday: November 05
Student Council Nursing Home visit
CogAT Testing - 8:00-12:00 - Grade 2 and select Grade 5

Friday: November 06
CogAT Testing - 8:00-12:00 - Grade 2 and select Grade 5

4. Upcoming Calendar Items:
a. 11/11 - Veteran's Day - No School (Holiday for staff)
b. 11/12 - Make It, Take It Night - Reading - 6:00
c. 11/12 - PTA Council Dinner honoring Teachers of the Year - Village Inn - 6:30-8:30
d. 11/13 - Honor Roll Assembly - 1:00 PM
e. 11/16 - Interim Reports go home
f. 11/24 - Dollar Dress Down Day
g. 11/25-27 - Thanksgiving Holiday
h. 12/01 - Winter Concert
i. 12/04 - Dollar Dress Down Day
j. 12/04 - Speas Spelling Bee
k. 12/05 - Holiday Open House - The Reicherts

5. We have not had good attendance at A's and Bees Tutoring so far. Second through fifth grade teachers, please think of two students who really need it based on first quarter performance and call their parents asking them to bring their child on Tuesday nights.

6. If your children sit at a given table or in the Honey Pot Cafe, please make certain that the tables are cleaned and the floor is swept when your class departs. Right now this is not happening and subsequent classes must clean up before they can sit down to eat. Also remember that the Honey Pot Cafe tables are meant for 4 persons, no more.

7. Great New!! Speas exceeded its United Way goal of $ 3,375 and its stretch goal of $3544. Staff members contributed $$3,660. Thanks to everyone, especially Ms. Clodfelter for such a successful campaign.

8. Student Council Information:
* The Student Council will be collecting items each month for Samaritan Ministries. If you would like to contribute there will be a box in room 3. This months items are: Sugar, Soap (Sample Size), or Disposable Razors.
* Thanksgiving Can Food Drive Begins: Monday, November 9, 2009 - Friday, November 13, 2009 - Please take a look at the flyer that is going home on Monday to see what items your grade level will be collecting.
* Student Council has a Nursing Home Visit on Thursday, November 5, 2009.

9. Blue Diamond data is now available as are the testing materials from the first quarter. Now is the time to address the issues identified by the the tests with your students. Look at your data and form targeted small groups to deal with specific issues. Research has shown that if all you do is go over the entire test with the entire class, you are wasting your time and there's. This is a time for giving them only what they need.

10. This is always a very difficult quarter for children. There are so many breaks, distractions and the excitement surrounding the holidays is pervasive. Think carefully about your assignments. Maintain your high standards and expectations, but remember what it was like as you anticipated the holidays.

11. A CD of Veterans Day activities has been placed in the media center. Please check with Ms. Childers if you would like to use it as we approach Veterans Day on November 11.

12. The Little Symphony of Forsyth County will be here on Wednesday to perform for our K-5 students in the gym from 9:00-9:45. Classes will be called by grade level once the symphony is set up and ready.

13. We want to welcome Mr. Ireland back. He has really been missed. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as his older brother has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Ms. Bryant talked with Gus over the break and and he is doing well. She said his voice had his old spunk back. That is truly good news. Continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers as well. We don't know who Gus's substitute will be. We would love to have been able to keep Mr. Willie, but that is up to custodial services.

14. As I was walking up the stair I met a man who wasn't there. He wasn't there again today. I wish, I wish he'd stay away.
Hughes Mearns

To be willing to die for an idea is to set a rather high price on conjecture.
Anatole France (1844 - 1924)

The significance of man is that he is insignificant and is aware of it.
Carl Becker

The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)