December 11th

One week left before our December Break!

Collaboration 

Holiday Performance - K-2 from 9:30-10:00 and 3-5 from 10:15-11:00. Due to the time of the 3-5 performance, some adjustments will be made to the ER lunch schedule. Once these changes have been made, Mrs. Nance will send out an email.

Due to the Holiday performances and ER, coverage for classroom teachers will be for 15 minutes. Again, classroom teachers, make sure you touch base with your assigned specialist for times. 

Early Release Agenda --- Agenda - Cohorts

Critical Thinking

Any interest in school administration? I have information from ECU, Elon, UNC and NC State if you are interested in learning more about the programs.

I also have information about AIG certification. 

Creativity

- Thank you to 16 classes that have signed up to be a part of Community Partnership with UNC REX - Help us show our patients they are loved! Students at Underwood GT Magnet Elementary School will to make and write homemade Valentine’s Day cards for our patients who are recovering here at the hospital during the Valentine's holiday. 

Communication

Specialists will be sending out a weekly email through Memberhub to share things that are going on in their classroom. Classroom teachers, please feel free to add their announcements to your families. 

December 21st -- Teacher Workday - building will be open from 8:30-4:30. This will be the only day

Celebrations

Thank you to Ashley, Charlotte and Daphne for leading the parent cohort on utilizing Consensus Discipline at home. Great home to school connection. 

Thank you to Melanie, Melissa, and Victoria for working with Mitzi and the district PBIS leaders to review our PBIS progress as a school. We are doing great things to support students!

Do you have someone that you would like to celebrate? Add to our celebration wall - Celebration Wall!

December 4th Updates

Communication 

 - It has been great seeing the communication via Member Hub. 

  - Also great ideas and best practices shared via -- https://twitter.com/search/?q=%40underwoodgtm&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.

Collaboration 

 - What is the purpose of PLTs? We are looking forward to the discussion and dialogues from professional learning teams as we identify our purpose of meeting weekly!

 - What are the benefits of learning rounds to support collaboration -- Benefits of completing learning rounds

 - Early Release Meeting (No business meeting on the 17th). - Agenda - Business meeting and cohorts

Critical Thinking 

- NC School Report Card - information about Underwood Elementary

Creativity

- Excellent job on the hallway displays that exhibit grade level work with the grade level standards!

Celebrations

 - Lauren Mann has been approved to begin as our Art Teacher on January 2nd!

 - Stephanie Francis is our new kindergarten instructional assistant working with Mrs. O'Laughlin!

 - CONGRATS --- Underwood will be a part of PIECES of GOLD!

November 23rd

Communication

- Our business meeting notes -- minutes - Thank you Karen for letting us use your learning space, Thank you Heather and Jennifer for our Brain Smart Start... What is a committed sardine? Congratulations to Dawn and Amanda for being one, excited to hear who the next two are...

- 

Collaboration 

- I hope that everyone has a wonderful thanksgiving!  I am very thankful to be a place that puts students first and values each other as people! 

Critical Thinking 

- Difference between GRIT and Learned Helplessness

Creativity 

- Makerspace taking place at Underwood

- Reflection from a middle school maker space creator

Celebrations

- No school on Wednesday - The building will be open if you would like to take advantage of the workday. If you are choosing to do other things then be sure to put in your leave form. 

- Save the Date: Holiday celebration on December 11th. We will be at the Point starting at 4:30. 

Have a fantastic two day week with students!

November 9th

Communication - Pride in the Hallway - Reminder to work with your hallway team to have at least two staff members in the middle of the hallway to support students with walking on the right side.
- Carpool procedures - starting Monday the 9th - We will need for all inside and outside carpool supervising to come down to the cafeteria at 3:35. This will allow for better supervision and support in the cafeteria. Additional details have been sent to the carpool team.
- It is essential in our work with children that we maintain confidential information just that, be mindful with what you share with parents, substitutes, and students. 

Collaboration - What is a Makerspace and why are we creating one at Underwood? - http://blogs.wcpss.net/underwoodgt/2015/11/06/makerspace-being-created-at-underwood/.
- Big Thank you to --- Star, Daphne, Rhonda (thanks for offering), Ashley and Alexandria for their hard work in representing us at the Magnet Fair on Saturday! Underwood rocked it!
- PLTs for this week and the week of the 25th. Due to no school for both days, be sure to find time to collaborate on curriculum planning, kid talk and data review at a different time during the week.

Critical Thinking - Glass Half Full on Internet Safety - this is the presentation from our Director of Instructional Technology and Media Services - Presentation. Some great points to think about and tips...

Creativity - Kennan Fellows application- these are due January 18th. Click on the link for details.

Celebrations!
- NC State Basketball Tickets for Teacher Appreciation - Discounted tickets - Code: TEACHER.  (I haven't seen anything from the 'HEELS!)
-  In your morning meeting please share --- This week is National School Psychologist Awareness Week. Did you know that we have a School Psychologist?  Our School Psychologist is Mrs. Charlotte Nagy. She works with you to help you do your best.  The School Psychologist may work with you in her office or may come and visit your classroom.  You may work with her/him by yourself or in a group.  She may help you with your reading, writing or math or may help you with friendships and following rules. Your school psychologist may talk with your teacher and your parents and wants to help you reach your goals.  School Psychologists are here to support you and help make school a fun place to learn and grow!
Kid President + Peanuts// Life is a Comic Have a great week!

10/27/15

Weekly Updates and wonders...

Communication

 - Thank you to all that have added Daphne and I to your Memberhub page, it is great to see all the wonderful things going on in your classroom. Currently we have been added to 18 hubs. 

 - Twitter users (non Twitter users - How to Twitter 101) please include @underwoodgtm when tweeting out the great things going on in your classroom. These are visual on our school website (http://wcpss.net/underwoodes) 

 - Please tell your parents, friends, families to vote...also your peer educators. Last election only 25% of teachers/educators voted, strength in numbers.

Critical Thinking 

 - How can we learn from each other to increase vertical conversation and collaboration among staff?

 - How do we integrate the arts in our daily learning and literacy?

Collaboration 

 - This is a focus on our leadership team learning sessions to increase our collaboration in PLTs, ER, etc. 

 - Magnet Fair is November 7th. If you would be able to participate, the sign up is in the mailroom. 

 - 2nd Quarter Planning Days have been set to increase collaboration and dialogue on learning outcomes. See Alex or Ashley on dates. 

Creativity 

 - How do we support our School Improvement Plan?

 - First attempt at a iMovie Trailer to share our story through electives - GT Electives

10/19/15

Fantastic job last week of teaching our students in what I know was a tough time to teach with all of the spirit days and the Unicorn Trot! It was a very fun event and I thought the students had a great time. We will be seeking feedback about the event and the week of, more information to come. 

Tonight - Underwood Foundation "Kick-off" Celebration Monday October 19th 7:30pm

The Foundation Board welcomes your attendance at a Monday Night "Kick-Off" event on October 19th at 7:30pm at the brand new Carolina Ale House on Glenwood South.  Come join fellow parents and alumni in celebrating our past success and the upcoming Fall campaign. The Ale House is providing appetizers for us and a private room to celebrate and watch the game.  If you would like to attend, please RSVP to: underwoodgtf@gmail.com 

Wednesday 21st - Wear Orange - please celebrate respect for diversity, kindness, and unity as a school by wearing ORANGE that day!

Thursday 22nd - Business meeting at 7:45 - 10/22 - Agenda. I will be at a principals meeting all day. 

Next week:

Monday 26th - Teacher Workday (you may take annual leave) - Work on report cards and other responsibilities. 

FYI (Please share with families) Tuesday, October 27 at 5:30 in the media center for our BYOD Kickoff and Parent Meeting.

Powerful message -- https://www.ted.com/talks/lisa_bu_how_books_can_open_your_mind

10/9/15

Unicorn Trot and Spirit Week - We are encouraging all staff and students to participate in the spirit days. The schedule for Friday has been sent out. 
Twitter Fun focused on Underwood Happenings - http://www.tweetbeam.com/show?query=%40underwoodgtm
Learning Cohorts - We will have our first learning cohorts opportunity at our early release next Friday. The purpose of these learning cohorts are to learn together, to collaborate on topics of interest and ask/find answers to questions through sites, articles, and books. We are not expecting presentations and power points. Thank you to all of the facilitators. Also, thank you Alex for sending out a sample agenda to the facilitators of the groups. Here is the cohort sign ups so you can see who you will be working with, if your name is not on the list complete the form.   

Health Care Enrollment 

As required by the IRS regulations, employees will not be allowed to enroll or make changes to their plans after the enrollment period ends unless there is an approved qualifying event.

Also, the effective date of coverage for selected plans begins January 1, 2016, and runs through December 31, 2016. For additional details, please visit the Compensation Services’ website at http://www2.wcpss.net/departments/compservices/.

Health Care Plan - Open Enrollment - October 15, 2015 – November 18, 2015 (NEW DATES) The State Health Plan: (888) 234-2416 or www.shpnc.org

•» Health Care Coverage (70/30, 80/20, or CDH plans)Flexible Benefit Plans - Open Enrollment - September 7, 2015 - November 13, 2015

Ameritas: (877) 647-6683 or www.ameritas.com/group/olbc/WCPSS •» Dental Coverage (Ameritas)

The Pierce Group: (919) 577-0700 or www.piercegroupbenefits.com

FINANCE      

•» Medical Reimbursement Accounts (AmeriFlex)•» Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (AmeriFlex) •» Disability Supplemental Coverage (Colonial)•» Medical Bridge Indemnity Coverage (Colonial)•» Critical Illness Coverage (Colonial)