Leading & Learning: March 4

Getting to know you: Heather Callahan (AIG Teacher)

In 2004, when I first started working at Underwood ES as a 4th-grade teacher, my name was Ms. Gartz. I had just moved here from Rochester, NY after receiving my Master's Degree in Elementary Education (my Bachelor's degree is in Psychology) to begin my 1st year of teaching. I was DONE with the SNOW! In 2009, I married my best friend, Shaun Callahan, and became Mrs. Callahan. Our first year of marriage was spent with me locking myself in our office as I was taking Master's classes to receive my AIG certification online through UNCC while writing papers for my National Boards. In 2010 I became Underwood's AIG teacher, working with grades K-6 (then I taught a 5-6 compacted math class to a handful of 5th-grade students). Shaun and I had our daughter, Hadley (now 3), in December of 2015. We decided to change my teaching status to part-time so I could stay home and work. It was better for us financially and really the best of both worlds for me as I adore spending time with her and still get to continue educating/"making a difference". My parents drive here from Wilmington every Sunday evening to babysit Mondays and Tuesdays then drive home Tuesday evenings to babysit my nephews (Camden (5), Maddox (almost 4), and Tatum (almost 2) on Wednesdays and Fridays. This past March, my son Rylan was born on my Dad's birthday (3/5). I can't believe he'll be 1 in a matter of weeks! He is crawling all over the place, pulling himself up, waving and babbling. Hadley LOVES him and enjoys giving him hugs (holding him down while wrapping her arms around him), if he likes it or not. She really is a great big sister and enjoys her role. At the moment, Hadley is taking swim lessons and different dance classes through Cary Recreation.

I enjoy spending time with my little family of 4 and our extended family. We have so much fun when my side gets together with all the kids within a year of each other (5, 4, 3, 2, 1 years old). They all adore each other and we just pour more wine 😉 Someone is always yelling or crying. Ha! Shaun's brother just moved here with his family from South Dakota, so now we have family in the same city. It's been over 15 years since we've been able to say that. My niece and nephew just started at Root ES in K and 1st grade. As a family we LOVE the beach, swimming, walking to Starbucks, arts & crafts and socializing.

CELEBRATIONS!

Foundation Gala was a fun and well attended event!
42 magnet students were selected to attend Underwood next school year, which is an increase in previous years.
Intervention team has met with all six grade levels and discussed instructional practices in ELA to provide a plan to support all students growth. The strategies will be discussed at leadership team meetings to determine next steps in Professional Development and budgeting for next year.
We will have our last early release for at least a year since next year there will be no early releases in the 2019-20 school year
PTA will be providing MOES for lunch on Friday
PTA stipends ($125 a semester), here is the link if you don’t know if you have spent it this year - Staff - Stipend

Wish Well

Ashley’s brother
Rachel Frasier
Allisa and family
Lauren and family
Sherry and family
Travis and family

Equity Team updates:

There is a one-man play called, The Talk. The 75 minute show is a poignant portrayal of a parent's

struggle to protect and prepare his child for the racially divided world we live in, written and powerfully

performed by Sonny Kelly. The show is followed by a facilitated conversation with the audience.

I am happy to announce that the Enloe High School PTSA is bringing Sonny and his show to Raleigh

on Thursday, April 4, 7:00-9:00PM, which includes the talk-back. The performance will take place in the

Enloe

auditorium, 128 Clarendon Crescent.

Here is the link for tickets, and please note various price points: https://enloe.memberhub.store/shopping/categories/12532

Below is a video trailer about the show, an article that appeared in the Herald Sun, and a link to The

State of Things interview with Sonny Kelly.

Also, there is an excellent free podcast on Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell about the beginning

of integration in schools and explains why we have less African American teachers. It is about 34 minutes

long. Miss Buchanan's Period of Adjustment.

Business Meeting and PLT Reminder:

There is a business meeting this Tuesday at 7:45!

For PLT’s, please bring your CD power/skill/structure rubrics for review

Early Release:
Reminder that we have our last early release for Friday March 8th Early Release. The expectation is that all staff members are in these PD sessions on Trauma (series 2). Here is the agenda - Agenda . PTA will be providing MOEs for lunch in the media center.

Miles for Wellness

Miles for Wellness will start back this Spring on March 25th for 8 weeks! Are you interested in working together as a team to track steps? Let Alexandria know if you are interested in joining the team and/or leading the team!

NCCAT

NCCAT has released their summer programming-

https://www.nccat.org/programs/calendar-seminars

Library Notices

This year library notices have been given to classroom teachers 1 - 2 times a month. Hopefully this has helped students to keep up with what books they have checked out and overdue. Beginning this week, we are piloting a program in which families will receive a biweekly email with their student(s)' overdue book(s). Students are encouraged to come talk with us immediately if they have a lost book - we are happy to help find the book or schedule time to "work off" a fine. Our goal is to have all students able to check out books!

ArtsPleasure Oh the Places You Will Go! T-Shirts are on sale for $10 until Tuesday! Lauren Mann created the shirts!

CAM Did you miss the post to volunteer as a teacher rep for CAM? If so, we still have open slots!! We would love to have you volunteer! Link

Winter Carnival -- Thank you again to all of you that are willing to give your time for the Winter Carnival - here are the winners and their contact information - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qHyhmsoTD1oFmyoURsMsRWMQxcyHThTTUsPmpjqxIFI/edit?usp=sharing . Have a great time making a memory with our students!

March 28th -We will be protecting the morning of March 29th workday. We will be having professional development from 10 - 12 am. We will be doing part 3 of the Trauma series along with additional conversations.

Behavior Support Meeting: -Join us on Tuesday, March 19th at 8:00 AM for a behavior 911 session! We will provide an "ed-camp" style session to support your needs. Come learn more about using EASi and inputting incident reports, gather ideas for supporting fidgety students, or brainstorm ways to strengthen connections with your students. You're also welcome to come with other concerns to brainstorm solutions for tricky problems! Feel free to RSVP to Mary English or just show up! We hope you will join us! This is open to all staff!

Just a reminder to be mindful when responding to group messages. Reply vs. reply all helps eliminate filling inboxes with unnecessary emails. Thanks for your attention to this detail!

PTA Stipends- If you have needs or requests, the PTA has asked that you spend the money prior to May 1st. Before submitting a request through our Instructional Needs Form, please spend this money first. Please let us know if you have any questions.

RTA Summer Camp - Our Summer Camp will be at Brentwood Road Elementary and we will be with Brentwood and Joyner. Summer Camp will run from July 15-30th for 12 student days. The teacher workdays are July 11, 12, and half-day on July 31. Staff interested in serving as the Lead Teacher will need to apply for the position in Applitrack. Each host site has a posting for the Lead Teacher position.

A Great Resource- Have you heard of Unite for Literacy? It is free and allows you to choose books that students can read (and also listen to in their own language). Read more here to learn about the program. Please share it

Friday Wind Downs- Come wind down after a busy week at one of the businesses in Five Points (The Pointe, Lola's Beach Bar, NOFO, etc). Come have a snack and/or drink and chat with your friends outside of school. Use this link to sign up so we know if there people going and who all will be there. Sunshine Squad may buy a snack every once in awhile, but we will not be able to provide a snack each time. Join whatever Friday you can! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eYhsNkOmF2W8KsiXgbABB3zq2LfTGGX44zOb69hyAiA/edit?usp=sharing

Check the Underwood Calendar often….

Check the shared Underwood google team drive, folder-Daily absences and info for the preferred sub list.