Hello, November!
STINGER STORIES
Read the latest edition of Stinger Stories, shared with families yesterday!
DECATUR CITY SCHOOLS VISITS WEST SIDE, 11/6
We will have 7 district and school leaders from Decatur City Schools on campus Monday, 11/6 to learn about our science of reading & structured literacy journey. If you see new faces on campus, give them a warm West Side welcome!
PARRISH ON CAMPUS, 11/7
We will have several contractors on campus on Tuesday, 11/7. They should not interfere with your work, but you may see them working in the hallways throughout the day.
3RD GRADE WAX MUESUEM, 11/8
- 8:40-9:00 - 2ND GRADE
- 9:05-9:25 - PARENTS
- 1:15-1:25 - KINDER
- 1:30-1:50 - 1ST GRADE
- 1:55-2:15 - 4TH GRADE
- 2:20-2:40 - 5TH GRADE
- All progress reports should be emailed to families by 11/10.
- Complete Q2 Progress Report record by 11/13 indicating students who received a progress report.
VETERANS DAY, 11/10
Our 3rd grade students and Singing Stingers are performing for our upcoming Veterans Day program. Students with Veterans in attendance will join the program. Look for a list to be emailed on Thursday, 11/9 with students from your class who will attend the program.
4th & 5th Grade - Will will confirm attendance for your entire grade level by 11/9, based on remaining capacity.
THANKSGIVING LUNCH, 11/15 & 11/16
- 11/15 – 1st, 2nd & 4th Grade Eat Turkey Lunch in cafeteria; K, 3rd & 5th eat lunch in classroom (sack lunches delivered to classrooms)
- 11/16 – K, 3rd & 5th Grade Eat Turkey Lunch in cafeteria; 1st, 2nd & 4th eat lunch in classroom (sack lunches delivered to classrooms)
- NO change to lunch times!
- Please be mindful and vigilant these days with so many visitors on campus. Remember, all visitors should have a visitor sticker when on campus. If you do not see a visitor sticker, escort the person to the office to sign-in.
MESSAGES FROM THE PTA - SILENT AUCTION ON 11/29!
1. Silent Auction Teacher Experiences
The Silent Auction is one of the largest PTA fundraising events of the year! Each year, teachers and staff give their time and talents for experiences with our students. The WS Staff Experiences are the BIGGEST success of our Silent Auction. The PTA is now gathering staff experiences to include in this year's Silent Auction! Please submit your experience at the link below by November 17. Thank you for the many ways you support our PTA!
PTA Silent Auction Staff Experience!
2. Silent Auction Staff Tickets!
This year, the Silent Auction will be held at the new Sessions Stand with live music, appetizers, and cash bar. The PTA is offering a staff discount for tickets. ONE adult ticket for $40 or TWO adult tickets for $70. We hope that you will join us for this fun adults-only evening. We will have ticket order forms for you to complete and pay by cash/check in the front office. Because we need to be mindful of venue capacity, we are able to offer this discount through next Friday, November 10.
REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK!
SOR WEEK RECAP - INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS TO PUT NEW KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE!
1. Use kernel sentences & sentence expansion as an after reading activity one time per week.
2. Use "because... but... so..." as an after reading activity one time per week.
3. Keep a perky pace during phonics whole group & small group instruction. Students should have at least 30 practice opportunities reading/writing at the word or phrase level, before moving into decodable text. Maintaining a perky pace will help you cover all parts of the STEPS lesson EVERY DAY!! Preparation of lesson materials is one key to keeping this pace. Expert tip: Prepare your small group lesson materials in advanced by writing words used for the lesson index cards, or on a fluency grid.
WRITING & ORAL LANGUAGE
This week, we were reminded of the importance of oral language not only in our student's reading comprehension but also in their writing. Expert tips to keep oral language at the forefront:
1. Use oral rehearsal as a strategy to support student writing.
2. Model precise academic vocabulary for students and expect students to use this precise language in speaking.
3. Use total participation to engage all students in speaking/listening. (pick sticks, turn & talk)
4. Explicit instruction in vocabulary can occur across all content areas - not just in reading!
DISTRICT PL DAY, 11/7
We have a district PL day coming soon! The following things are planned for this date:
- New SOR Teachers: 8:00-11:00 @ MHS
- MLT: You will receive (or have received) an email with meeting times
- 4th & 5th Grade: Sara will meet with teams to conduct Assesslet data review & plan instructional needs based on this data.
OTHER FALL/WINTER MILE & TD DATES
- No MILE 10/30-11/17 due to gifted testing
- 10/27 - TD Session 1 ends
- 12/15 - MILE ends
- 11/17 - Gifted testing window closes
- Between late December/early January - Gifted testing results returned and eligibility determined.
- 1/8 - MILE resumes; MILE begins for newly identified gifted students
- 1/22 - TD Session 2 begins
UPCOMING PARENT EVENTS!
We have several upcoming parent events. These topics were planned in collaboration with SGT to address common parent needs and questions. Please advertise each of these events in your upcoming newsletters. Invitations will be sent home in Beelines!
- 11/8 Parent-2-Parent Series Marietta Middle School Years for 5th Grade Families, 6:30-8:00 PM in the WS Auditorium, featuring MSGA & MMS principals
- 11/9 Parent-2-Parent Series Sensational Homes: How sensory integration techniques can support child development and families, 6:30-8:00 PM in the WS Auditorium, featuring Stephanie Young
FIELD TRIP PAYMENTS
The RevTrak store is NOW live! Please include in your next several weekly newsletters reminders to families regarding field trip payments. Field trips can be paid for the year, or before each trip. It is important we gather field trip payments from as many students as possible to ensure these experiences can be provided to our students.
TEAM EXTENDED PLANNING TIME
All team extended planning has been planned for the year. All coverage invites have been sent by Carla. You can access the complete schedule here (Extended Planning tab).
UPCOMING DATES (Dates added since last week)
- 11/4 - Nothing Bundt Cakes WS PTA Spirit Day 10 am - 7 pm
- 11/7 - PL Day
- 11/8 - 3rd Grade Wax Museum
- 11/8 - Parent-2-Parent Series 6:30-8:00 PM with MSGA/MMS principals
- 11/8 - 2nd Grade Safety Village Visit
- 11/8 - Faculty Meeting
- 11/9 - Parent-2-Parent Series 6:30-8:00 PM with Stephanie Young, OT
- 11/10 - Veterans Day Program
- 11/10 - Q2 Progress Reports DUE
- 11/13-11/16 - SOR Coaching Week (Kendra on Campus)
- 11/15 - Vertical Team Meeting (SOR & MLT)
- 11/15 - Thanksgiving Lunch: 1st, 2nd, 4th (K, 3rd & 5th sack lunch in class)
- 11/16 - Thanksgiving Lunch: K, 3rd, 5th (1st, 2nd & 4th sack lunch in class)
- 11/16 - Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play 10:15 AM
- 11/16 - PTA Staff Chili Luncheon
- 11/20-11/24 - Thanksgiving Break!!
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