September 3rd

CELEBRATIONS!

• Finished our first week of school successfully!  Great job everyone!
• Lauren Man for taking pictures of staff groups!
• New staff for asking questions, seeking support for implementing Conscious Discipline, being such energy and positivity to our School Family!

Wish Well 

• Families that are or may be impacted by Hurricane Dorian. 

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Red Bags-  If you have not given Alexandria your red bag to be restocked, please do so Friday afternoon.  It is important that you have your red bag with you at all times. Listed are the expectations:

• Red bags should be with you at all times (teachers should only care the red bag)
• A class list should be printed after the 10th day and included in the heavy duty plastic sleeve
• Nothing should be in the red bag except the materials that are listed on the box
• Check your materials frequently and either restock in the workroom or ask for it to be restocked.  
• The maxipads purpose is to put on a bleeding (gushing) wound (but of course could be used for its purpose if necessary.  
• When there is a drill or real emergency, the green check should be displayed once all of your students have been counted and are with you.  If you are missing a student, display the red side.  

Cafeteria Update- Please send students with lunch money down first thing in the morning.  Dorothy is trying to have the line move faster and this will allow for it to happen.  

Silverware was purchased and will be left in where the napkins are for students and staff.  Once it runs out, we will be reaching out for people to contribute the re-stock.  

Need books?

One of my favorite things is getting LOTS of books into classrooms (and, thus, into students' hands.) If you would like me to pull library books to support your teaching and learning, please fill out this form - Book Requests  *This link can be found on "Quick Links" on this blog. Keep in mind that I am here on Mondays (1/2 day), Tuesdays, and Thursdays, so 2 -3 days notice is helpful. I look forward to supporting you!

~~Elizabeth

Farm to School Summit- With our Fuel Up to 60 Grant, we have allocated money for two staff members to attend the Farm to School Summit on September 20th.  The deadline to register for the conference is September 6th. If this is something you are interested in participating, please send Alexandria and email as soon as possible.  Here is a link to more information: https://www.farmtoschoolcoalitionnc.org/summit

Printers/Copiers-  The majority of printing should be done on the copiers.  If you need help adding a copier, please lte a teammate or Andrea know.  We can support 1 networked printer per grade level. Please indicate your grade level printer on this document-   http://bit.ly/2Uj4iUR

**I am working with Tech Services to get the upstairs copier connected correctly to the network.  Feel free to print to the media copier and I will hold your copies for you.  

Hand Santizer-  Hand sanitizer should not be in areas where students have access to it.  If you are using it, you should be distributing it and then it should be placed in an unreachable location.     

Upstairs Workroom-  In the past few weeks, it appears that the upstairs workroom has become a landing spot for things “unwanted.”  Please check to see if you dropped something in there and ask where the appropriate place this/these items could be placed.  Out of respect to the staff, please do not put stuff in this space unless it is elective curriculum or a science kit.

  

Who to Call List-  In case you needed this-  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13KKucDFmat3fZmGJ_hOAg4o77LbU0bn8OKRn8asJnWo/edit?usp=sharing

Sub notes-  We have had a ton of new subs and they are struggling to find the front entrance to the school.  Google and other mapping services takes them to Glenwood Avenue. In the notes section, please include the following note:

"Access to Underwood Elementary is from Scales Street.  The parking lot has limited spaces so you may need to park on the street in the neighborhood".

Custodial Request-  Do you have something that needs attention in your room or around the building?  Please fill out this request: https://forms.gle/6r3TS87g2Ssr8PAW8

Room Parent Memberhub Sign-Up-  The room parent sign-up on Memberhub is open.  Please make sure you have your room parent fill out this form so the PTA can provide the room parent with all the information they need through the year for the events.  

Back to School Worday’s Reflection- Thank you to the 9 people that have filled this survey out!  Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback! quick reflection 

Duty Schedule-  Please be sure you review your duties for the school year.  If you have any questions about expectations, please reach out to Alexandria.  If you are going to be out, it is your responsibility to find coverage for that specific area to ensure students are safe.  

Instructional Needs Form-  Do you need certain supplies, elective materials,  a sub to attend an event or anything to support your efforts in the school?  Underwood’s process for these types of things is to fill out this form.  Once submitted, the admin team will review these forms and then determine if either the PTA or the school will cover the cost.  There are times that we may put a specific thing on hold or deny it for this year. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

PTA Favorite Things-  23 people have filled this out!  Please fill this out atso they can provide them to the appropriate people.  All staff should fill this out!! https://forms.gle/XNSENpiBq8bmtAuG6

Electives...

Elective brochures will go home on Tuesday, September 3rd and are due back on Friday, September 6th for Grades 1-5.  All forms can be put in Ashley Cooper’s mailbox. Elective registration will be September 9-13. Electives begin September 16th.

WakeLearns is the new eSchools (powerpoint)

All WCPSS employees will use WakeLearns to register for, track, and evaluate their professional learning.  I have attached a powerpoint that gives more specifics, but once you get on you will see that the program is very easy to navigate. Here are some major highlights you need to know and pay close attention to:

-Access WakeLearns through your Wake ID portal
-You will have a trail of all the courses you take and will have a transcript
-All staff will be able to request credit for professional learning that they have completed outside of WCPSS (conferences, workshops, online courses, college/university courses) through WakeLearns.  This will now be done by you and can take from 8-10 weeks to get approved.
-You must drop courses you are not able to attend at least two working days before the start of the course.  If you do not, you will be marked as a “NO SHOW” which will appear on your transcript.
-Credits for professional learning will appear on your transcript upon completion of a WakeLearns course survey. If you do not complete the survey within sixty days you WILL NOT receive credit for the course.  You will also receive a follow up survey.  All responses are anonymous.  
-When searching for courses use quotation marks in your search so that it filters correctly and you don’t get useless results.  

**Remember if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

Calm App

This company is giving teachers access to their “Calm App” for free.  Check it out: https://www.kjrh.com/teachers-can-get-a-free-subscription-to-the-calm-app-60-value/?fbclid=IwAR0JCPk6PQrjPsm57qHw-UXhB2TXv8r-93aubz9C4Ky9OkRaVnA5K6psPXk

Curriculum Information-  

Mclass updates-  We will be doing mClass for BOY.  The window for grades 1-5 will be from September 3rd-30th. We will not be able to assess students after the 30th so please make sure you assess everyone prior to that date.

Math Resources:

NEW WCPSS K-12 Mathematics Parent Site:

• Looking for a way to share math resources with parents? Click HERE to visit the new WCPSS K-12 Mathematics Parent Site and share with parents. 

New for the 19-20 school year! Updated “I Can” Statements for grades K-5 aligned to the revised NC SCOS. You can find these documents linked on each grade level’s additional resources section. 

• I Can Statements- K
• I Can Statements- 1st
• I Can Statements- 2nd
• I Can Statements - 3rd
• I Can Statements- 4th
• I Can Statements- 5th

Science Updates and Resources-please click on the link and read carefully for some great resources (unpacking documents, curriculum maps, EL connections, guidelines on animals in the classroom, and UBD information)

Literacy Corner-  A note from Christine-  

Here's a quick read: 7 Common Myths about Dyslexia

Together we are better!  Feel free to share feedback/celebrations anytime here

Calendar/Important Links:

• September 2nd: Labor Day (No school) 
• September 3rd:  K first day of school; New Parent Coffee at 9:15am (Media Centre)
• September 5th:  Business Meeting at 7:45am
• September 6th:  Spirit Fun Friday-wear Camp/Vacation t-shirt
• September 10th:  Leadership Meeting at 7:45am
• September 16th:  Quarter 1 electives begin
• September 19th:  CDAT meeting at 7:45am; Open House 5:30-7:00pm
• September 20th:  Sunshine Squad will provide coffee/bagel breakfast for staff!
• September 24th:  Leadership Meeting at 7:45am;  Quarter 1 Interims home
• September 30th:  Protected Workday  (District-wide PD)

Literacy Corner-  A note from Christine-  
Here's a quick read: 7 Common Myths about Dyslexia

Together we are better!  Feel free to share feedback/celebrations anytime here

Calendar/Important Links:

September 2nd: Labor Day (No school) 

September 3rd:  K first day of school; New Parent Coffee at 9:15am (Media Centre)

September 5th:  Business Meeting at 7:45am

September 6th:  Spirit Fun Friday-wear Camp/Vacation t-shirt

September 10th:  Leadership Meeting at 7:45am

September 16th:  Quarter 1 electives begin

September 19th:  CDAT meeting at 7:45am; Open House 5:30-7:00pm

September 20th:  Sunshine Squad will provide coffee/bagel breakfast for staff!

September 24th:  Leadership Meeting at 7:45am;  Quarter 1 Interims home

September 30th:  Protected Workday  (District-wide PD)