5 more days until Thanksgiving break!

Just FIVE more days until Thanksgiving break - how is that even possible!?  Next week will bring several field trips and LOTS of visitors to campus with Thanksgiving lunches & Kinder Thanksgiving play.  Our next instructional week is critical time as we inch closer to the end of the semester.  Continue to maximize instruction by keeping your days well-planned, protecting small group instruction in reading and math, and making progress through your content standards and modules/units.  Work together as a team to keep your days thoroughly and intentionally planned!

STINGER STORIES

Read the latest edition of Stinger Stories at the link below!

https://secure.smore.com/n/8s6ak

A NOTE ABOUT ABSENCES :)

Today was a matrix of subs and coverage, which becomes common during cold/flu season and the holiday months when subs are less likely to fill vacancies.  As we move closer to the holiday season, please be mindful when planning leave and requesting favor requests. Our students thrive most when their teacher is present and daily routines remain consistent. We also understand that illnesses and emergencies happen, and we will always support you in those situations. Please remember that it becomes increasingly difficult to secure sub coverage during this joyful time of year, so your presence makes a tremendous difference.  Thank you for all you do for our students and for each other!

UPCOMONG FACULTY MEETING, 11/19

We do have a faculty meeting on Wednesday.  On the agenda next week - Q2 Safety Brief; MOY Assessment Schedule (Amira, LDA); Winter MAP Training.

UPCOMING PLCs

• 11/18 - 3rd-5th HOLD for Write Score Data Review
• 12/1 - K-2nd Math Fact Fluency; 3rd-5th Grade Write Score Data Review Continued
• 12/4 - MTSS
• 12/9 - K-2nd Math Extension Activities; 3rd-5th EOG ELA Scoring Sampler Review
• 12/18 (Thursday) - Reading SG Data Review & Student Assignments

SOR CYCLE 5.2 RECAP
Thank you for bringing your professionalism to our SOR Cycle Week!  It is evident you have found value in the structure of the cycle weeks, providing time for planning activities to support the cycle focus.  Your active engagement and commitment is appreciated!  Students benefit from your efforts in developing thoughtful plans to support fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension skills.  Continue to prioritize the following: 

• Promote fluency by giving practice opportunities to students along all the steps of the fluency ramp - MOVING FROM WORD, SENTENCE, TEXT - and coupled with regular modeling of good intonation and expressive reading, 
• Create a strong vocabulary foundation by making new words understandable, familiar, and well-used - providing opportunities for students to SAY, READ & WRITE new vocabulary and foster vocabulary development with maintenance activities (Post & Tally, Sparkle/WOW Words, Vocabulary logs/walls)
• Create strong mental models around text structures by using text-specific queries generated through AI  

As you move forward with this work, you can access all resources used during Cycle 5.2 at the link HERE --> (WS Cycle 5.2 Resource Doc).

UPCOMING GIFTED DATES

Anna has sent to team leaders specific MILE schedule details for each grade level.  Schedule overview below for December.  If you have any questions regarding the MILE schedule for your grade level, please email Anna!

• November 17-December 5:  Normal MILE Schedule
• 12/1 - 5th Grade MILE Make-up due to FT on 12/5
• December 8-December 12:  Normal MILE Schedule for 1st/4th; Modified Schedule on MAP Days for 2nd/3rd
• December 15-19:  Normal MILE Schedule
• 12/15 - 5th Grade MILE Make-up due to FT on 12/12

KINDERGARTEN THANKSGIVING PLAY, 11/20

We look forward to welcoming our families and their guests to this year's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play on November 20th.  If families wish for WS siblings to attend the program, we will direct parents to pick-up the older student from his/her classroom between 9:45-10 AM.

NEW MATH ADOPTION INFORMATION - MESSAGE FROM OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Marietta City Schools is reviewing K-11 mathematics instructional/curriculum resources for adoption in the 2026-27 school year. On December 11 from 10AM-5PM, academics will host an open review of math vendor materials at Marietta High School. Any staff members that would like to drop by will need to bring their employee badge to MHS and will enter through the main building.

READING SMALL GROUPS

We are reaching the finish line for reading small groups this semester.  With few days left with current groups, continue to maximize your instructional time with PRACTICE!  Every STEPS, every day!

• 12/5 - Last day of reading small groups for 1st-2nd Grade
• 12/11 - Last day of reading small groups for K, 3rd-5th Grade

MOY AMIRA & LDAs

During the faculty meeting on Wednesday, we will provide an overview of Amira & MOY LDA schedules and dates.  You can view the calendar for important dates below.

REMINDERS FROM LAST WEEK ARE BELOW!

Q2 PROGRESS REPORTS

Look for email directions to come regarding Q2 Progress Reports.

Q2 Progress Reports DUE Dates
Progress Reports EMAILED	November 18th
Progress Report Record Completed	November 18th

STINGERS SERVE COLLECTION WEEK, 11/17-11/21

PTA is planning another impactful Stingers Serve Day, a day of community service at West Side. During the week of 11/17-11/21, PTA will collect donations for Stingers Serve. Collection boxes will be placed outside your grade level on 11/17 for Stinger Serve Collection Week.  Stingers Serve event is on 12/12. 

 

Kindergarten 8:45-9:15	SafePath (Stuffed Animal Drive)
1st Grade 10:45-11:15	MUST Ministries (Hygiene Kits)
2nd Grade 12:30-1:00	Cobb Collaborative (New & Gently Used Books)
3rd Grade 11:30-12:15	Blue Skies (Christmas in July)
4th Grade 9:30-10:00	Center for Family Resources (child snack bags)
5th Grade Depart 9:00; Return 11:00	Park Street Winter Festival

THANKSGIVING LUNCHES, 11/19 & 11/20

Mrs. Sharlene and her staff are excited to welcome our families for the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.  You can find the lunch schedule below.  Please check the link for your specific class start time and other lunch time specifics for 11/19 & 11/20.

	THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON *Check HERE for the specific start time for your class and other lunch details!	SACK LUNCH DELIVERED TO CLASSROOMS @ 10:30 EAT DURING REGULAR LUNCH TIME IN CLASSROOM OR OUTDOORS
Wednesday, 11/19	2nd, 5th & 4th Grades	K, 1st & 3rd Grades
Thursday, 11/20	K, 1st & 3rd Grades	2nd, 5th & 4th Grades

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR VISITORS DINING WITH THEIR STINGER FOR THANKSGIVING LUNCH:

• Adult Lunches are $6.00, if paid by LINQ Connect student account or cash.
• Adult Lunches are $6.60, if paid by credit card the DAY OF the luncheon.
• Adults purchasing a Thanksgiving lunch will be required to confirm or submit payment BEFORE entering the cafeteria.
• We STRONGLY encourage families to ensure their child's balance on LINQ Connect has adequate funds to purchase ALL adult/student lunches.  This is the quickest and easiest form of payment.

WSSN!  HOW CAN I ACCESS THE WSSN EACH WEEK?

We have created a show page for teachers to easily access WSSN each week from your ViewBoard.  Follow these steps to create a shortcut to keep the show page one click away:

1. Open the WSSN Show Page
2. Click 3 dots on Google Toolbar
3. Choose Cast, Save and Share
4. Create Shortcut (It will appear on the Desktop)
5. When you open the Shortcut, click on the Monday morning date to access WSSN for that week!
6. Watch with your class. :)

STAFF ABSENCE REMINDERS!

There are THREE steps to follow, if you are going to out unexpectedly.

1. Text both Carla and Lindsay.
2. Fill out Employee Leave Yellow form (DIGITAL FORM HERE).
3. Complete absence in Kelly/Frontline.

UPCOMING DATES (Dates added since last week)

• 11/17-11/21 - Stingers Serve Collection Week
• 11/17 - Kinder FT (Atlanta History Center)
• 11/18 - 3rd & 4th Grade FT (Christmas Carol)
• 11/18 - PLCs
• 11/19-11/20 - Thanksgiving Luncheon
• 11/19 - Parent-2-Parent Series: The Marietta Middle School Years, 11:45 AM
• 11/19 - Faculty Meeting
• 11/20 - Dress Down Day
• 11/20 - Kinder Thanksgiving Play
• 11/21 - 5th Grade FT (High Museum)
• 11/24-11/28 - Thanksgiving Break!
• 12/1-12/5 - Amira Test Window (K-2nd Grade)
• 12/2 - PLCs
• 12/3 - Orange County Visit
• 12/3 - Leadership Meeting
• 12/4 - 5th Grade 1/2-day planning AM; Kinder 1/2-day planning PM
• 12/4 - MTSS Meeting
• 12/5 - 3rd 1/2-day planning AM; 1st 1/2-day planning PM
• 12/5 - 5th Grade FT (Holocaust Museum)
• 12/5 - Last day for Reading Small Group (1st-2nd grade)
• 12/8-12/17 - MOY LDAs
• 12/8-12/12 - Winter MAP Testing
• 12/8 - 2nd Grade FT (Safety Village)
• 12/8-12/9 - SOR Facilitator on Campus
• 12/9 - PLCs
• 12/9 & 12/11 - Painting with Parents
• 12/10 - 4th Grade 1/2-day planning AM; 2nd grade 1/2-day planning PM
• 12/10 - Faculty Meeting
• 12/11 - Spelling Bee
• 12/11 - Last day for Reading Small Group (K & 3rd-5th grade)
• 12/12 - Stingers Serve
• 12/16 - PLCs
• 12/17 - 1st Grade FT (Nutcracker)
• 12/18 - Dress Down Day
• 12/18 - 2nd Grade FT (Puppetry Arts)
• 12/19 - Class Holiday Parties