The Grammys of Winter

Taylor Swift may have won her 14th Grammy on Sunday, but West Side also has some amazing staff bringing home the accolades.  What Travis Kelce says about Taylor Swift is true, she's unbelievable and re-writing the history books.  I would argue the same for the West Side staff too!

In the last month(ish), we have recognized phenomenal West Side staff!  Some recognition is shared at school, while others are shared off campus at district events.  These teachers continually go above and beyond in all they do!  They represent the amazing quality of teachers we have at West Side!  Each of you continue to push the standard of excellence and give reason to why we all say, "there's no place like West Side!"  I present you, the Grammys of Winter!

MAYOR'S BE SOMEBODY AWARD, Mrs. Carden!


WINTER GEM (GOING THE EXTRA MILE) AWARD, Mrs. Beaman!

TEACHER OF THE YEAR, Mrs. English!

212 AWARD, RECOGNIZED BY OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT FOR INSTRUCTIONAL COACH STAFF, Mrs. Eason!

STINGER STORIES

Read the latest edition of Stinger Stories HERE.

TEACHING EXPECTATIONS MID-YEAR 
While the break is just around the corner, we have valuable instructional time ahead. We all contribute maintaining high expectations (and teaching these expectations) for student behavior throughout the school.  As Anita Archer would say, “if you can expect it, pre-correct it.”  This goes for all things – reading, math & behavior.  Just like with any skill, students require frequent spiraling of explicit instruction of behavior expectations paired with positive reinforcement (and loss of privileges, if warranted).  All classes would benefit from a proactive spiral of behavior expectations for recess, hallway, cafeteria.  

If we can support in providing lessons to assist in this area, please let us know!  We are happy to help facilitate a whole class lesson to address a problem area for your class.  Thank you for ALL that you are doing to make it a smooth entry into the break!

NOTES FROM THE NURSE!

Illness Trends:  Like in most winter months, we are seeing community wide uptick in strep and flu (as reported by CD/DPH).  West Side is not exclusive to this trend, as numbers are reported across Cobb/Douglas counties. Nurse Nunez maintains a close watch of our absentee rate.  She regularly communicates with DPH to report illness activity and DPH will provide our school with guidance if cluster cases are documented.  This guidance typically consists of additional cleaning to high touch areas, and providing families with reminders to keep children home from school when symptomatic.  DPH advised we provide these reminders to families, which was included in Stinger Stories yesterday afternoon.
 
Handwashing:  Continue to reinforce proper handwashing with your students, in effort to stay healthy.  Han sanitizer is helpful, but should not be used as a replacement to handwashing.  Nurse Nunez is happy to lead hand washing lessons in your classroom, if this is needed!

Reporting illness/absences:  Often times, classroom teachers are the first school-based personnel to know when a student is sick.  Please remind parents to communicate excused absences (such as illness) to WSattendance@marietta-city.k12.ga.us, as this provides Nurse Nunez with accurate information.

Q3 PROGRESS REPORTS, DUE 2/8
Update the Progress Report record here to indicate any student who received a progress report.

KENDRA ON CAMPUS 2/13 & 2/14
Kendra will be back on campus next week.  LJFA walk throughs will continue on 2/13.  Feel free to reach out to me, Sara, or Kendra if she can support your team in any way next week!

BOOSTER FUN RUN DATES
  • 2/26 - Kick-off pep rally during specials (auditorium)
  • 2/26 - BRIEF Faculty Meeting @ 3:30 (learning commons)
  • 2/27-3/5 - Daily Huddles during first 5 minutes of specials (auditorium)
  • 3/6 - Fun Run
GIFTED TESTING, 2/28-3/22
GES forms will be in teacher boxes on 2/28.  These must be returned to Denise by 3/5.

TALENT DEVELOPMENT DATES
  • 2/26 - TD Session 2 Ends
  • 3/25-5/17 - TD Session 3 (K-2 ONLY)
NEXT PARENT 2 PARENT SERIES, FEATURING BRITTANY OSBORNE, 2/29 AT 6:00 PM
All families are welcome to join us at our next Parent 2 Parent series, featuring Brittany Osborne of Oakleaf Counseling Services. Brittany specializes in serving children with ADHD, anxiety, OCD, depression and grief/loss. Brittany will provide families with a basic understanding of how executive functioning impacts learning, as well as providing practical strategies for support executive functioning development at home. 

INFORMATION BELOW IS A REPEAT FROM LAST WEEK!

UPCOMING SCHOOL-WIDE PROGRAMS
We have two upcoming school-wide programs.
  • 2/15 - School-wide trip to see The Little Mermaid, Jr. @ MPAC
    • Buses will leave campus with 3rd-5th + 2A/2B grade students at 9:30
    • Buses will leave campus with K-1st + 2C/2D/2E at 9:45
    • Showtime begins at 10:00 AM
    • 2nd Grade & Kinder will eat lunch in the classroom (if weather is nice, outdoor picnic tables can be used by Kinder)
  • 2/16 - Black History Program at 10:00 AM in the auditorium
    • No changes to lunch

Q3 PROGRESS REPORTS, DUE 2/8

Update the Progress Report record here to indicate any student who received a progress report.

SPRING MUSICAL, THE LITTLE MERMAID, JR.
Come out to support our talented 3rd-5th grade students at this year's spring musical, The Little Mermaid, Jr.  Tickets can be purchased online at the link below.  Show times:  February 14 at 7PM and February 15 at 7PM.  These students have worked SO hard, let's pack the MPAC!

PURCHASE LITTLE MERMAID TICKETS HERE

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)

  • 2/13 - PLCs
  • 2/14 - PTA Staff Treats
  • 2/14 - WS Spring Musical, The Little Mermaid Jr. 7:00 PM
  • 2/15 - Dress Down Day
  • 2/15 - WS Spring Musical, The Little Mermaid Jr. school-wide FT 10:00 AM
  • 2/15 - WS Spring Musical, The Little Mermaid Jr. 7:00 PM
  • 2/16 - Black History Month Program, 10:00 AM
  • 2/19-2/23 - Mid-winter Break
  • 2/26-2/29 - SOR Week
  • 2/26 - Booster Kick-off
  • 2/26 - Booster Kick-off Staff Meeting 3:30 PM
  • 2/28 - Vertical Team
  • 3/4 - 4th Grade FT
  • 3/5 - PLCs
  • 3/6 - Booster Fun Run
  • 3/6 - Lunch & Learn:  Supporting Math at Home
  • 3/7 - MTSS Planning
  • 3/8 - 3rd Grade FT

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