February brought valentines, a delayed school day for potential inclement weather and 70 degree spring like weather! What will March bring? I can't forecast the weather but I share with you many wonderful things we have planned at Banks Road Elementary School.
Every Thursday evening in March is BRES Spirit Night at Jersey Mike's Subs (McCuller's Crossroads Location: Food Lion Plaza on the corner of TenTen and 401). Join us from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. to eat in at Jersey Mike's or take out. 15% of all sales between 5-8 p.m. will be donated to our school to help pay for a shade structure by the playground! I will be there each Thursday night with my family and I hope to see you!
We welcome back Ms. Goodson, our wonderful Assistant Principal on March 1st. Ms. Goodson has enjoyed her time with her new baby boy. Please be sure to stop by to welcome her back and I am certain she will have a baby picture or two to share with you!
March 5th-9th is Severe Weather Week. In preparing for potential severe weather that the Spring months may bring we will have a school wide practice Tornado Drill on Wednesday the 7th.
Our PTA Board Meeting is scheduled for March 13th at 6:30 p.m. Our meetings are open to anyone interested! We meet in the Media Center.
Lastly, the month of March also brings Round 2 of School Assignment. Round 2 begins on March 19th. Current parents and prospective WCPSS families can visit the school assignment website at http://www.assignment.wcpss.net/ to learn more about the school assignment plan and the process for exercising school choice.
I hope that you can join us for one of our Spirit Nights and I look forward to seeing you at school in March!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Curriculum Changes in 2012-2013
Did you know that the curriculum in North Carolina will change in the new school year? It's true, all schools will begin to use the Common Core as the Standard Course of Study in the 2012-2013 school year. A new curriculum means changes in what we teach and how we teach students.
Banks Road Elementary has prepared all year for the upcoming changes by participating in staff development sessions on teacher workdays, during staff meetings and on Early Release Days to "unpack the standards." Teachers and staff members have worked hard to identify new standards to the grade level, small changes in wording or additional expectations attached to standards they are already familiar with.
We have spent a good amount of time discussing how students will learn and demonstrate understanding of the new curriculum. We have particularly focused on how the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy is embedded into the Common Core at all grade levels. This shift in higher ordering thinking will allow for students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
We are excited about this change and will continue to deepen our understanding of the Common Core in our staff development work.
Are you interested in learning more about the Common Core? We are currently planning a parent information on the Common Core for the Spring. Please check our website for the information session to be posted shortly.
Banks Road Elementary has prepared all year for the upcoming changes by participating in staff development sessions on teacher workdays, during staff meetings and on Early Release Days to "unpack the standards." Teachers and staff members have worked hard to identify new standards to the grade level, small changes in wording or additional expectations attached to standards they are already familiar with.
We have spent a good amount of time discussing how students will learn and demonstrate understanding of the new curriculum. We have particularly focused on how the Revised Bloom's Taxonomy is embedded into the Common Core at all grade levels. This shift in higher ordering thinking will allow for students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
We are excited about this change and will continue to deepen our understanding of the Common Core in our staff development work.
Are you interested in learning more about the Common Core? We are currently planning a parent information on the Common Core for the Spring. Please check our website for the information session to be posted shortly.
Round 1 of School Choice Ends on Friday
Round 1 of the school assignment process for the 2012-2013 school year ends this Friday. If you have a rising Kindergarten student or are interested in attending another WCPSS school please visit the school assignment website.
If you have specific questions, please call the front desk and we can support you in finding the answer you need to exercise school choice.
If you have specific questions, please call the front desk and we can support you in finding the answer you need to exercise school choice.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Transportation Survey Ends
Just a reminder to parents who want to give input on the bell change schedule and the transportation proposal to please take the online survey by visiting the WCPSS internet site at http://www.wcpss.net/ or click on the transportation survey icon listed on our BRES homepage. The survey closes today. Please call the school if you have any questions.
Friday, February 10, 2012
February 13th-17th Events
It's hard to believe we are looking at the middle of February already, but we are. On Monday the PTA Board will meet at 9:15 in the Media Center. We will discuss current items on the agenda. We welcome anyone who wants to attend and hear about the wonderful things the PTA is doing to engage and support the school community.
Tuesday is Valentine's Day! Please see your child's classroom newsletter or teacher blog to learn about events or learning activities that may be planned.
Friday is our first early release day of the new year. We will dismiss beginning at 1:15 in carpool. Buses will begin to leave campus shortly after the bell. Please call the office if your child will have a change in transportation on Early Release Friday.
Tuesday is Valentine's Day! Please see your child's classroom newsletter or teacher blog to learn about events or learning activities that may be planned.
Friday is our first early release day of the new year. We will dismiss beginning at 1:15 in carpool. Buses will begin to leave campus shortly after the bell. Please call the office if your child will have a change in transportation on Early Release Friday.
Bell Change Proposal and Parent Input Requested
Parents' Transportation Survey Now Online
From: Cris Mulder, Chief of Family & Community Engagement
Wake County parents may now participate in an online survey to gather public comment on proposed changes to bus routes and bell schedules for 2012-13. We encourage you to share this link with friends/neighbors with school-aged children in Wake.
We want to hear from parents who are both in support of the proposed plan, as well as those with concerns.
Parents may review the potential changes for their school, answer survey questions and leave their own comments and suggestions by clicking on the large "Transportation Survey" button on the WCPSS website's front page.
BRES will be impacted by 10 minutes in the morning and the afternoon. Currently, our instructional bell rings at 9:15 a.m. This means that students are expected to be in their classrooms so instruction can begin. With the new proposal, our instructional bell would ring at 9:25 a.m. and our dismissal bell would ring at 3:55 p.m. Carpool would begin by 4:00 p.m. Buses would be on campus ready for loading at 3:55 p.m.
Please call the front desk if you have any questions about the proposal.
From: Cris Mulder, Chief of Family & Community Engagement
Wake County parents may now participate in an online survey to gather public comment on proposed changes to bus routes and bell schedules for 2012-13. We encourage you to share this link with friends/neighbors with school-aged children in Wake.
We want to hear from parents who are both in support of the proposed plan, as well as those with concerns.
Parents may review the potential changes for their school, answer survey questions and leave their own comments and suggestions by clicking on the large "Transportation Survey" button on the WCPSS website's front page.
BRES will be impacted by 10 minutes in the morning and the afternoon. Currently, our instructional bell rings at 9:15 a.m. This means that students are expected to be in their classrooms so instruction can begin. With the new proposal, our instructional bell would ring at 9:25 a.m. and our dismissal bell would ring at 3:55 p.m. Carpool would begin by 4:00 p.m. Buses would be on campus ready for loading at 3:55 p.m.
Please call the front desk if you have any questions about the proposal.
WRAL Teacher of the Week: Mr. Tart!
We have a superstar here at BRES! Today, Gerald Owens from WRAL surprised Mr. Tart by walking into his classroom with a camera man filming to announce that he was named Teacher of the Week. Mr. Tart was completely unaware and was genuinely flustered by the surprise visit.
Stayed tuned to WRAL for on Wednesday, February 15th to see Mr. Tart sit down for an interview with Gerald Owens to discuss teaching and technology. Ms. Talley's class may also be shown on t.v.! The segment will air at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and the Noon news.
Congratulations Mr. Tart and thank you for all you do to support student learning at BRES!
Stayed tuned to WRAL for on Wednesday, February 15th to see Mr. Tart sit down for an interview with Gerald Owens to discuss teaching and technology. Ms. Talley's class may also be shown on t.v.! The segment will air at 5 a.m., 6 a.m., 7 a.m. and the Noon news.
Congratulations Mr. Tart and thank you for all you do to support student learning at BRES!
Family Book Fair Night a HUGE Success!
Congratulations to Ms. DiBona, the staff and the PTA members for successfully implementing another Family Book Fair Night! We had a great turn out of students and families. PTA offered a wonderful pizza dinner including salad, garlic knots, and lemonade. Ms. Stephenson had the Multipurpose Room rocking with the Wii and Dance Central. Ms. Glasgow manned the Flashlight Reading Room supporting several students with reading in the dark. Several staff members conducted read alouds for students and their families. I read two new books (available for purchase at the Book Fair) called If You Give a Dog a Donut by Laura Numeroff and Teeny Tiny Animals. The students loved both texts! It's not too late to visit the Book Fair. Ms. DiBona has the Media Center staffed with helpful volunteers all next Monday-Thursday. Stop in and browse the wide selection and make a purchase to support BRES!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Continued work in our Schoolwide Planning Meeting
On Monday, the Title I Transition Team met for a half day session to continue our work towards moving from a "targeted" model Title I school to a "schoolwide" model. The team consists of a K-2 teacher representative, a 3-5 teacher representative, a Title I teacher, a representative from the Title I Central Office, a special education teacher, our instructional resource teacher, a parent and administration.
Our work was focused on completing 2 addendums: The Planning Matrix and the Integration and Coordination of Funds. We spent our time discussing the process in which we teach literacy, the resources needed by teachers to support students in making progress towards academic success and the ways in which student learning will be assessed. The team also talked about the ways instruction could look in the classroom and what teacher support could look like in the new program model. We drafted a plan to share with the staff at our March meeting.
I am proud of the work that the team was able to accomplish on Monday. We have a solid start to how we will move forward with our Title I program in the new school year!
Our work was focused on completing 2 addendums: The Planning Matrix and the Integration and Coordination of Funds. We spent our time discussing the process in which we teach literacy, the resources needed by teachers to support students in making progress towards academic success and the ways in which student learning will be assessed. The team also talked about the ways instruction could look in the classroom and what teacher support could look like in the new program model. We drafted a plan to share with the staff at our March meeting.
I am proud of the work that the team was able to accomplish on Monday. We have a solid start to how we will move forward with our Title I program in the new school year!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
February Events
February brings events to BRES! The Media Center is now the Luau Book Fair. Ms. DiBona, Ms. Davis and our parent volunteers have prepared the Media Center for classes to come through and preview the great classics, the hot new books (Justin Beiber and Taylor Swift biographies are sure to be hits this year) and many other wonderful books and materials from the Scholastic Company.
You will have an opportunity to join in the Luau fun by attending our Family Book Fair Night. You can pre-purchase a ticket for a meal provided by the PTA, listen to Moonlight Reading, peruse the beautiful new books and make a purchase all to support our Media Center. Family Book Fair Night is February 9th from 5:30-8:00. I hope you can come out as it is sure to be a hit!
Friday brings a Cultural Awareness Program to BRES. Our PTA has sponsored several programs for our students to participate in this school year. We are excited to hear "Transit" a band that makes wonderful music--all with only one instrument--their voice! I have had the opportunity to see this group before and can tell you that the students and teachers are in for a real treat!
The PTA Board Meeting has been rescheduled for the 13th at 9:30 a.m. This is a change from the 14th at 6:30. We always welcome you to attend and hear the wonderful things that the PTA is working on to support the school. We meet in the Media Center.
Early Release is scheduled for Friday, February 17th. We will begin dismissal at 1:15. Please call the school early or send in a note if your child will need a change in transportation.
We will continue to blaze down the trail to success here at Banks as we move into February!
You will have an opportunity to join in the Luau fun by attending our Family Book Fair Night. You can pre-purchase a ticket for a meal provided by the PTA, listen to Moonlight Reading, peruse the beautiful new books and make a purchase all to support our Media Center. Family Book Fair Night is February 9th from 5:30-8:00. I hope you can come out as it is sure to be a hit!
Friday brings a Cultural Awareness Program to BRES. Our PTA has sponsored several programs for our students to participate in this school year. We are excited to hear "Transit" a band that makes wonderful music--all with only one instrument--their voice! I have had the opportunity to see this group before and can tell you that the students and teachers are in for a real treat!
The PTA Board Meeting has been rescheduled for the 13th at 9:30 a.m. This is a change from the 14th at 6:30. We always welcome you to attend and hear the wonderful things that the PTA is working on to support the school. We meet in the Media Center.
Early Release is scheduled for Friday, February 17th. We will begin dismissal at 1:15. Please call the school early or send in a note if your child will need a change in transportation.
We will continue to blaze down the trail to success here at Banks as we move into February!
Mid Year Data Review
January came...and went! The New Year doesn't waste time and neither do we here at BRES, not when it comes to learning and teaching! I am pleased to share with you the data from our MidYear Review. The staff and I met after returning from Winter Break to review the proficiency data from quarter 2 report cards. We have much to celebrate as we are on track for student success!
Kindergarten (received 1st report card in December)
Reading: 82% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 79% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 97% of students are performing at or above grade level
First Grade
Reading: 69% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 63% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 92% of students are performing at or above grade level
Second Grade
Reading: 80% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 66% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 95% of students are performing at or above grade level
Third Grade
Reading: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 69% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 80% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 90% of students are performing at or above grade level
Fourth Grade
Reading: 73% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 64% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 88% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Fifth Grade:
Reading: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 75% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 83% of students are performing at or above grade level
Schoolwide Data Snapshot
As a school, K-5, this is what our data looks like based on the midyear report card grades:
Reading: 75% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 62% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 93% of students are performing at or above grade level
During our schoolwide data review session we celebrated the successes we are having with many of our students reaching benchmark in content areas. We also focused on students who made "growth" or progress towards proficiency. We celebrated that many of these students made great leaps in their progress, but have not yet reached proficiency. As professional learning teams, our teachers reviewed grade level and individual student data and discuss strategies they were implementing already in their classrooms to support student achievement or made plans for instruction during Team Time to support our students in increasing achievement.
Our entire staff is dedicated to the learning success of each and every student here at Banks. We have much to celebrate with our student success and equally as much work ahead of us as we enter the second half of the school year!
Kindergarten (received 1st report card in December)
Reading: 82% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 79% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 97% of students are performing at or above grade level
First Grade
Reading: 69% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 63% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 92% of students are performing at or above grade level
Second Grade
Reading: 80% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 66% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 95% of students are performing at or above grade level
Third Grade
Reading: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 69% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 80% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 90% of students are performing at or above grade level
Fourth Grade
Reading: 73% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 64% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 88% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 77% of students are performing at or above grade level
Fifth Grade:
Reading: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 75% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 83% of students are performing at or above grade level
Schoolwide Data Snapshot
As a school, K-5, this is what our data looks like based on the midyear report card grades:
Reading: 75% of students are performing at or above grade level
Writing: 62% of students are performing at or above grade level
Math: 81% of students are performing at or above grade level
Science: 93% of students are performing at or above grade level
During our schoolwide data review session we celebrated the successes we are having with many of our students reaching benchmark in content areas. We also focused on students who made "growth" or progress towards proficiency. We celebrated that many of these students made great leaps in their progress, but have not yet reached proficiency. As professional learning teams, our teachers reviewed grade level and individual student data and discuss strategies they were implementing already in their classrooms to support student achievement or made plans for instruction during Team Time to support our students in increasing achievement.
Our entire staff is dedicated to the learning success of each and every student here at Banks. We have much to celebrate with our student success and equally as much work ahead of us as we enter the second half of the school year!
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