November 20

Celebrations 

• Our fantastic Instructional Assistants that have been flexible in covering classrooms due to shortage in substitutes and teacher absences. Thank you for your continued flexible and focus on the students. 
• Cindy, Karen and Holly for continuing to keep the front office organized, supportive and calm. 
• Andrea Trowell, Elizabeth Mankin and Megan DeLong (k and 3rd grade parent) in setting up the Book Fair (which looks amazing). 
• Fifth grade in collaborating with fourth grade to utilize Afternoon Scholars to support level 2 students with the goal of grade level proficient. 
• First and Second grade teams collaborating with AIG to support the KITS programs. 
• Second grade team welcoming their families to the Thanksgiving feasts. 
• First grade team for continue to utilize Stem Challenges on Friday. 

Critical Thinking 

Moonlight Reading -- Would you like to be a guest reader during Moonlight reading? Readers would be 6pm, 6:25 and 6:55.  2-3 readers per time slot if possible. If interested add your name to the list -- Sign up sheet. 

Magnet Materials -- Magnet money is available to enrich the Magnet content you teach. Use the Instruction Funds Form (Link ) to submit your request.

Feedback -- If you have more feedback (things that have worked or things that could be better throughout the school year) you would like for us to consider, please feel free to email, discuss or fill out this form. https://goo.gl/forms/XNwhdAo6gU8lOfck1

Feedback responses -- See Link to feedback to see responses to the staff's questions and feedback. This will continued to be updated monthly. 

PTA Stipend:  Just a reminder to spend your $100 PTA Stipend for instructional materials by December.  Provide a copy of your receipt attached to the reimbursement form found in the PTA Treasurer's mailbox. 

Communication 

Gates leading to the playground (K side and Glenwood Ave) will both now remain locked at all times.  We will notify parents and the community that that area is not to be used after school or on the weekend. If an emergency arises, the code is 0572.

Early Release-  We will be meeting from 2:00-4:00 on Tuesday.  Agenda can be found here.

Magnet Spotlight -When tours enter your classroom, if you (or a student!) are able to take 30 seconds or so to explain what is going on to parents they are better able to process what they are seeing. These short pop-in visit help prospective parents "see" our dynamic program in action to gain a better understanding of the Gifted and Talented program.

Staff Holiday Party
We are excited to invite our staff school family to a Holiday get together Friday, December 15th from 5-7 pm at Oak and Dagger at Seaboard station!  We will be sending out an Evite soon so that we can gather exact numbers.  Come join us for a time of joy, good friends and good food (beverages will be on your own but there will be a bar area in our semi private area).  We hope that many can attend this time to come together and celebrate the company of each other!

New, Free Conscious Discipline Webinars!  This week's free webinar is "Parent cliffnotes for Conscious Discipline."  It might be a great one to share with the parents in your class.  Visit here for the details.

Underwood staff shirts- Ashley has cleaned out the Magnet closet and several "old school"  Underwood staff shirts were found.  If you would like one, they are yours! The bag is in the IRT/Magnet office.

Collaboration 

NCTIES 2018 is getting geared up for another exciting conference year.  This year's conference theme is "What Box".  We hope NCTIES 2018 will help you leave the box behind. If you are interested in attending this conference that integrates technology with your daily work complete the following interest form by December 1st. The conference is March 1st and March 2nd (February 28th is a pre-conference) more information is available at http://www.ncties.org/.

Media Center --  Be sure to see Tanya or Andrea about reserving space in the media center. We have a ton of groups working in there this year (yea!!) and we want to make sure that the media center space is accessible, but also the calendar is as accurate as possible to avoid frustration. More info available at https://ugtmmediacenter.blogspot.com/. 

Accommodations for testing (IEP, 504, LEP) - Classroom teachers will need to review accommodations for students if - Testing accommodations --- submit settings form to secure a staff member that can administer the assessment in the appropriate setting per their plan

Creativity 

Friends and Family Board:  We will be creating a staff Friends and Family Board in the workroom.  Add your friends/family photo to the google folder here. We currently have 15% of our staff's photo.  Encourage your students to send in a picture of their friends/family to be displayed in your room on a bulletin board, book within your Safe Place, etc.  The Friends and Family Board builds community and connection, and links the home family with the School Family.

Student and Staff Awesomeness -- Check out what our team is doing in their classrooms -- via Twitter - @underwoodgtm -- #weareunderwood Keep up the great work! 

Calendar:

November 21st - Early Release, School Family Assembly 9:30

November 22nd - 24th - Vacation Day and Holidays 

November 27th - Book Fair 

November 28th - Moonlight Reading  
November 29th - Instructional Leadership Team meeting at Spring Forest Road 
December 5th - Business Meeting
December 15th-Staff Holiday Party 
December 21st - Early Release 
December 22nd - January 1st - Winter Break 

*Staff attended events listed here