April 11

TEACHER and STAFF Appreciation Week
Monday - BB8 Breakfast
Tuesday - Han "Solo" Chair Massage
Wednesday - Storm Trooper Sweet and Savory Snack Bar
Thursday - Skywalker Smoothie
Friday - Light Saber Lunch (Dress up like your favorite Star War Character)

Collaboration 

PLT Focuses --- What do we want the student to learn (Curriculum), How will we know that they learned it (Assessment, Project, Lessons), and what will we do if they do/don't know it (reteach, extend). 

End of year Evaluations - You will be receiving a document to add additional artifact items to be used in your end of year reviews. Also you will need to complete your PDPs by May 6th. These will be discussed during your end of year review. A sign up schedule for end of year reviews will be coming out this week. Daphne and I will be completing these together. 

Communication 

Principal for the Day - Wednesday Molly Anderson will be joining me as principal for the day. We will be walking around the school from 9:30-10:30 and 2:00-3:00, she will be coming up to staff members asking if you all need anything and how she can help you.

What is happening at Underwood via Twitter

Creativity 

Student created videos

Minecraft 

 

Critical Thinking 

Class Lists - When grade levels are creating class lists it will be important for you all to create balanced classes that any teacher would want to teach. We are able to control the learning environment. Also, these will need to be completed outside of PLT meetings. PLT meetings are to focus on this year's work. 

April 4th Updates

"It is important to take time for yourself to rest, recharge and get inspired" - Paloma. 

Communication 

Electives - today starts quarter 4 electives, be sure to send out your newsletters for your new elective this week. It should contain contact information, elective objectives and any tentative information about any share outs.

Next Year's Class Lists - Holly will be sending out information this month for creating next year's classes based on input from current year's teachers. We are anticipating based on current numbers - 3 in k&1, 4 in 2nd, 3 in 3rd, 4 in 4&5.  Reminder these are preliminary numbers and we will have some teams make a plan b class lists. In creating the class lists, you are using your professional opinions to create positive classroom environments. 

Collaboration 

Artspleasure -- YouTube is apparently not a big fan of our video, here is the attempted download -- It Takes a Village. Thanks again to all of the staff members that helped out, participated, or came to ArtsPleasure. It was a great event.

Critical Thinking 

Teacher working Condition Survey -- we are currently at 33% (16/48) of our certified staff has not completed the teacher working condition survey. The state deadline has been continued to this afternoon. 

Creativity 

It is important to give details (w/ objectives) with hallway displays.

Have a wonderful week! Go Heels!

March 24th

Collaboration 

What a collaborative effort by the Specialists, staff volunteers and parents. Thanks to Julia Mastropalo and Lauren Urban! It Takes a Village

SIP Team is continuing to draft our 2016-18 plan. Team leaders will continue to seek input on Key Process and action steps. 

Be sure to complete your Teacher Working Condition Survey by April 1st. 

Creativity

It is a exciting to see the students created work in our hall displays. It is also great to see the creative collaboration that is occurring all over the building using vocabulary strategies from Dr. Harrington, technology integration, creation through science and social studies, and student creation through the arts!

 

 

Life Islands with description and standards (Mozingo)

Without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement. Those who initiate change will have a better opportunity to manage the change that is inevitable. William Pollard

Communication 

 Congratulations to Wendi McNevin for being recognized as our Spotlight on Student!

English and Spanish phrases describing teachers around the building.  - one child said, "Wow that is Jair's work, he is just learning English".

We need to continue to share with families about content that their students are learning in the classroom, as they are partners in the learning process. This is done via weekly or monthly newsletters.

Critical Thinking

What to do during Spring Break?

March 21st

Four day week..

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude." - Denis Waitley

Collaboration 

Arts Pleasure Wednesday March 23rd from 5:00-8:00.

I have been a part of  a principals' PLT focused on our core content in our electives. On March 22nd from 2:00-3:30, we will be walking the building with me to give feedback to our school's theme and how we are incorporating core in our electives. We are visiting all five schools (Powell, Poe, Hunter, Washington, and Underwood) this quarter. 

Science Olympiad Volunteers -- Anyone able to help at the Science Olympiad tournament should; go to sciencenc.com on the far right is a volunteer button, click on that fill out the form, when you get to the bottom of the form check Wake-Leesville Rd tournament.  Then you can check help where needed.

Kindergarten students collaboration in their writing about things North Carolina.

Critical Thinking 

Students express what's more important to them then a pot of gold?

Our Mission --- Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.

Creativity

Creating a Product in electives

Mobile for outer space

Students Reflections -- PTA Reflection!  Thank you Lauren for organizing these for our students. 

First in Fitness --- Way to go Athletes!  Thank you JaMika for working with the students and families to make this opportunity happen even with a change in dates. 

Communication 

Jennifer Wade and Heather Callahan have extended their maternity leaves until May. Sheryl Bryant and Laurie Cressman will continue as the long term substitutes. Please continued to support these two guest teachers! This information has been shared with families. 

Allisa Mozingo will be going out on maternity at the latest prior to Spring Break. Jennifer Page will be the long-term substitute with that class. This information has been shared with the families in Allisa's class. 

March 14th

Only two Mondays from Spring Break....

Communication 

Parent Portal -- Holly will be sending out information in April about the Parent Portal that will be opened through Power School. 5th graders will be the first to a chess this as they will be selecting their middle school electives.

Artpleasure is on March 23rd, please continue to publicize this fun event. Also if you are interested in joining the group that will be performing the surprise number we are looking for a few more people...

Laminating..reminder that items that are laminated should be be used for the entire year.

Creativity 

Read to Self outside in the Garden

WOW!!! Pieces of Gold performance was outstanding!  Thank you to Melissa, Rachel, and Karen for working with these students and kudos the performers!

UL 3rd Grade Field Trip

Personalized project 

Critical Thinking 

School improvement values:

#1 We will have high expectations for all students with multiple, varied opportunities to demonstrate growth. 

#2. We will reflect on best practices in order to continuously improve. 

#3 We will partner with our community to enhance all our programs 

#4 We will provide opportunities for parental involvement in their child’s learning.

 #5 We will personalize instructional practices to best meet the needs of all students. 

#6.We will analyze data to guide teaching and learning

learning through games (first grade)

Makerspace in the Ms. Gary's Class

Dancing through Go Noodle

Collaboration 

Please complete the "interruption chart" for the next eight days. Our MTSS team is proving or disproving our hypothesis of why we are not having more success with specific subgroups. 

What would we want our maker space look like at Underwood?

Team learning through play...

3rd Graders learning about safety