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!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Years of Service Appreciated
This coming Tuesday will be the last day for our Head Custodian Mr. Davis. Mr. Davis joined WCPSS 6 years ago at Fuquay Elementary. When Banks Road Elementary opened Mr. Davis took the opportunity to work at a new school. He unpacked many boxes, set up all of the classroom furniture and completed numerous other tasks in order to prepare the building to receive students on the first day of school. Mr. Davis was instrumental to the successful opening of BRES in 2009.
As a member of the school community Mr. Davis is always warm, welcoming and willing. Kindness can be seen in all he does. His interactions with staff members and students are always positive. There isn't a task that he hasn't done or won't do to ensure our school is safe and orderly!
The BRES family knows that Mr. Davis has been looking forward to this day for a long time, but we know we are losing a great staff member and friend! If you are on campus please take a moment to find Mr. Davis and thank him for his service. Thank you Mr. Davis!
As a member of the school community Mr. Davis is always warm, welcoming and willing. Kindness can be seen in all he does. His interactions with staff members and students are always positive. There isn't a task that he hasn't done or won't do to ensure our school is safe and orderly!
The BRES family knows that Mr. Davis has been looking forward to this day for a long time, but we know we are losing a great staff member and friend! If you are on campus please take a moment to find Mr. Davis and thank him for his service. Thank you Mr. Davis!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
January Updates
The end of the month is approaching and I want to share a few updates with you. This week we welcomed Track 4 back to school. We hope you enjoyed your break and are ready to get back into learning routines. Track 3 tracked out and we wish you rest, safe travels and continued learning over your time off.
This week we continued to showcase the wonderful learning and teaching process, our beautiful campus and our welcoming climate by giving tours both in the morning and in the evening. We have had great feedback from prospective parents about our school. I am proud to share the many outstanding learning opportunities that we are able to offer our students with newcomers in the community.
Additionally, our 3rd-5th graders participated in the district Benchmark assessment this week. The assessment will give teachers valuable information to consider as a grade level and in individual classrooms for instruction.
We will close out January with our second Schoolwide Title I planning meeting on Monday the 30th. Our Transition Team will meet for a half day to continue to plan for schoolwide implementation in the 2012-2013 school year. We are excited about the progress we are making in planning for the new school year.
In looking ahead to February, we have several important events coming up:
Book Fair (February 1st-16th), Moonlight Reading Family Night (February 9th from 5:30-8:00), the PTA Board meeting (February 14th at 6:30) and our first Early Release Day (February 17th: dismissal at 1:15) of the new year.
We continue to blaze trails here at BRES as we wrap up January! :) Mrs. Graf
This week we continued to showcase the wonderful learning and teaching process, our beautiful campus and our welcoming climate by giving tours both in the morning and in the evening. We have had great feedback from prospective parents about our school. I am proud to share the many outstanding learning opportunities that we are able to offer our students with newcomers in the community.
Additionally, our 3rd-5th graders participated in the district Benchmark assessment this week. The assessment will give teachers valuable information to consider as a grade level and in individual classrooms for instruction.
We will close out January with our second Schoolwide Title I planning meeting on Monday the 30th. Our Transition Team will meet for a half day to continue to plan for schoolwide implementation in the 2012-2013 school year. We are excited about the progress we are making in planning for the new school year.
In looking ahead to February, we have several important events coming up:
Book Fair (February 1st-16th), Moonlight Reading Family Night (February 9th from 5:30-8:00), the PTA Board meeting (February 14th at 6:30) and our first Early Release Day (February 17th: dismissal at 1:15) of the new year.
We continue to blaze trails here at BRES as we wrap up January! :) Mrs. Graf
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Round 1 of School Choice Begins Today and More
Happy Tuesday! Yesterday we observed the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. I hope that you were able to celebrate the holiday in your own way. Many classrooms discussed the work of Dr. King last week. Students were able to communicate how Dr. King's vision for the human race impacts our lives today.
Today marks the beginning of Round 1 of School Choice with the new school assignment plan. The first round of the choice selection period runs until Friday, Feb. 24. During that time, if you are new or returning to the school system, the parent of a rising kindergartner, or a parent who wants to change schools for next year, you may log onto the student assignment website, assignment.wcpss.net, investigate your options and make your choices. If you have any questions about this, please contact the school. We would be more than happy to help you.
Our General PTA Meeting on the 10th was a great success. Attendance was great and we were able to move forward with important budget items such as the Shade Structure for the 3-5 playground. It was wonderful to see both teacher and parent participation at the meeting. A big thank you goes out to all of those who came out to the meeting.
Our first community outreach was a great success! BRES partnered with the Kraft YMCA to collect gently used books to distribute to students and families in a local neighborhood. Several BRES staff members along with Y representatives traveled out the neighborhood, set up shop in the office and distributed books to children of all ages. Together we gave away over 500 books from board books to toddlers to chapter books for primary grade student and novels to middle school students. We also shared comprehension materials to the families to support the use of reading strategies when reading at home. We made this information available in Spanish so that all families could access the information. The students and families were very appreciative. It was a wonderful way to support our local community and impact student achievement.
It's been a busy month thus far at BRES! I look forward to sharing more about the wonderful things we are doing here at school as we continue to blaze down the trail of success!
Today marks the beginning of Round 1 of School Choice with the new school assignment plan. The first round of the choice selection period runs until Friday, Feb. 24. During that time, if you are new or returning to the school system, the parent of a rising kindergartner, or a parent who wants to change schools for next year, you may log onto the student assignment website, assignment.wcpss.net, investigate your options and make your choices. If you have any questions about this, please contact the school. We would be more than happy to help you.
Our General PTA Meeting on the 10th was a great success. Attendance was great and we were able to move forward with important budget items such as the Shade Structure for the 3-5 playground. It was wonderful to see both teacher and parent participation at the meeting. A big thank you goes out to all of those who came out to the meeting.
Our first community outreach was a great success! BRES partnered with the Kraft YMCA to collect gently used books to distribute to students and families in a local neighborhood. Several BRES staff members along with Y representatives traveled out the neighborhood, set up shop in the office and distributed books to children of all ages. Together we gave away over 500 books from board books to toddlers to chapter books for primary grade student and novels to middle school students. We also shared comprehension materials to the families to support the use of reading strategies when reading at home. We made this information available in Spanish so that all families could access the information. The students and families were very appreciative. It was a wonderful way to support our local community and impact student achievement.
It's been a busy month thus far at BRES! I look forward to sharing more about the wonderful things we are doing here at school as we continue to blaze down the trail of success!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! I hope that you were able to enjoy time with friends and family, travel, cook and eat special family meals or celebrate the holidays with your own traditions over the past week. There is something special about beginning a new year. Here at Banks Road Elementary we are starting the new year by welcoming back students on Tracks 1-3 and our teachers today. Students were smiling and excited to be back at school as I opened doors this morning at carpool. There was a good deal of chitter-chatter about travels and fun times over the holidays between students as they headed down the hall. Staff members were sharing photos, videos and stories about time spent with family today as well.
January brings about a busy month at BRES. This month we will host the General PTA Meeting on January 10th. This is a great time to hear about the support the PTA is providing to BRES along with an opportunity for you to join the PTA if you haven't already done so.
On the 12th we will be doing outreach to a local neighborhood. We have have partnered with the Kraft YMCA to collect books and distribute them to students and families. Our staff and students collected over 200 books for distribution. We are excited to be able to share the love of literacy and the importance of reading out in the community.
Our Title I team will host a Resource Fair Night for Title I students and their families on January 17th. This session will be offered in Spanish. Information about the school assignment choice process and programs offered to Hispanic Families and students in Wake County will also be shared.
The 17th also marks the first day of Round 1 to exercise School Choice. If you have any questions about how to access information or need support please call or come into the school and we will be able to assist you.
On January 30th the School Wide Title I Transition Team will meet again to continue our planning for the 2012-2013 school year.
I hope this month brings many wonderful things to you as begin the New Year. Here at BRES we will continue to blaze down the trail to success!
January brings about a busy month at BRES. This month we will host the General PTA Meeting on January 10th. This is a great time to hear about the support the PTA is providing to BRES along with an opportunity for you to join the PTA if you haven't already done so.
On the 12th we will be doing outreach to a local neighborhood. We have have partnered with the Kraft YMCA to collect books and distribute them to students and families. Our staff and students collected over 200 books for distribution. We are excited to be able to share the love of literacy and the importance of reading out in the community.
Our Title I team will host a Resource Fair Night for Title I students and their families on January 17th. This session will be offered in Spanish. Information about the school assignment choice process and programs offered to Hispanic Families and students in Wake County will also be shared.
The 17th also marks the first day of Round 1 to exercise School Choice. If you have any questions about how to access information or need support please call or come into the school and we will be able to assist you.
On January 30th the School Wide Title I Transition Team will meet again to continue our planning for the 2012-2013 school year.
I hope this month brings many wonderful things to you as begin the New Year. Here at BRES we will continue to blaze down the trail to success!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Winter Break December 21st-January 2nd
Winter break begins today for students at Banks Road Elementary School. Teachers and students finished the day full of smiles thinking about some well deserved time with family as they headed to the bus or carpool lanes yesterday to begin Winter Break.
Students on Tracks 2-4 have report cards to share with their parents for second quarter. Students may also be bringing home many crafts, work pieces or projects that were made this month as teachers incorporated global awareness into their instructional plans by exploring how different people and cultures celebrate holidays.
BRES will welcome students on Track 1-3 back on January 2nd, 2012.
On behalf of the teachers and staff at BRES, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you safe travels, time with family and happy holidays. Mrs. Graf
Students on Tracks 2-4 have report cards to share with their parents for second quarter. Students may also be bringing home many crafts, work pieces or projects that were made this month as teachers incorporated global awareness into their instructional plans by exploring how different people and cultures celebrate holidays.
BRES will welcome students on Track 1-3 back on January 2nd, 2012.
On behalf of the teachers and staff at BRES, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you safe travels, time with family and happy holidays. Mrs. Graf
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