Goal Setting "Olympics" Style

Yesterday I shared more about our theme for this school year "Going for the Gold." This year we are working to support students in achieving their potential. Each student has a growth target for reading, math and science standardized assessments (grades 3-5.) Additionally, we work to support the growth of good character and citizenship at BRES. Each student will be "Going for Gold" not only academically but personally. See below for examples of how our teachers are making direct connections for students between goal setting and achieving dreams-- just like our Olympic athletes!

Ms. Blackmon's class has talked about the qualities needed in being a good student and a character "warrior." Students created classroom academic and personal goals. This display is hanging outside Ms. Blackmon's class in the hallway.




Students in Ms. Sonntag's class compared themselves to the Olympians and developed Olympian Profiles. Each student discussed their goals for the school year. This display is out in front of Ms. Sonntag's classroom in the hall.

Feature Teacher: Ms. Blair

At the beginning of the school year, I shared that I would feature a teacher on the blog so that you can get to know the new members of our teaching staff. Here is my latest edition of my "feature teacher" section. Introducing Ms. Emily Blair, English Second Language (ESL) teacher at BRES!

This is Ms. Blair's seventh year of teaching, and she is excited that it's here at BRES! Her teaching experiences include third grade, elementary Spanish, ESL, and Global education in both Wake County and South Florida. She has a Bachelor’s in early childhood education from Ohio University with a minor in Spanish, and a Master’s in ESL from Arizona State University. Ms. Blair has spent time both teaching and studying in Mexico, and she is originally from Pittsburgh, PA. In her free time she loves to read, travel, spend time with friends and family, and cheer for the Steelers!

Ms. Blair has already made an impact at BRES. When you visit our school you may see labels up around the office, restrooms and in classrooms. Ms. Blair has shared resources with the staff and has an outstanding blog full of great information. Visit her blog at http://banksesl.weebly.com/ . Ms. Blair can be reached by calling the school or by email at eblair@wcpss.net. We are glad to have Ms. Blair join our BRES family this year!

New Olympic Sport: Teaching!

A few posts ago I shared with you our theme for the school year of "Going for the Gold in 2012." It is the year of the Olympics and already millions of people attended or watched the Summer Olympics. My favorite part of the Olympics are the features about the athletes. In the features, we get to see the personal side of the athlete, hear about their training schedules, meet their family and get to know the athlete as a person. I like to hear about their challenges and how their commitment to one single sport has changed their lives.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about teaching and how the teaching profession requires just as much dedication, perseverance and training! It's true! Let me explain further. Did you know that our teachers set professional development goals, just like the Olympians set personal goals? These goals are year long and require individual effort and independent learning on top of the regular work day.

Additionally, as a staff we have embarked on two professional development journeys this school year. The first is increasing what we call "rigor" in our small group instruction, particularly in reading. Our staff has already had two 3 hour sessions examining our reading practices and the Daily 5 literacy structure. Ask your child about the Daily 5 and the kinds of learning activities s/he participates in each day.

Our second staff development is specifically targeted at increasing academic language and vocabulary and it is called Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol or SIOP. (Stop by and look at the SIOP information posted in our glass display cases or call the school for more information.) It is researched based and includes various best practices that support the learning of all children in the classroom.

With both staff development focuses, each and every teacher is reflecting on their own instructional delivery and incorporating their new knowledge of skills or strategies into their instructional program. These two staff developments are similar in nature and both require teachers to think critically and comprehensively about the needs of our students. Similarities to an Olympic athlete? Athletes observe their opponents in races whether it is in an actual race, on a video or in a pool. Teachers observe their students each and every day multiple times during the school day. Our teachers informally and formally assess their students for learning. If learning isn't happening at high levels, our teachers change their teaching. The same can be said for the Olympic athletes, they must not only know their opponents, but also themselves and make changes based on the information they have.

So my question is really no longer is teaching an Olympic sport, rather when will it "officially" become an Olympic sport? I could certainly pass out gold medals here!

If you have been in school lately you should have seen our display cases shining with red, white and blue. Go up and down our halls to see how our teachers are carrying out our theme into student learning and classroom activities. Pictures of these great activities are coming soon!

Spirit Week Winners!

Fifth grade is leading the school with their Spirit! Mrs. Yanez, Ms. Daniel and now Mrs. Blackmon's class joined me for a popsicle and a photo this past Friday. You wouldn't believe the sea of blue and green here at school on a Friday! Great school spirit is coming from each and every class. This past Friday, Mr. Fisher and I went around and calculated the percentages of school spirit participation and there were 3 winners! Our first ever 3 way tie! Who were the winning classes? You will have to wait until Friday to see their pictures, but you can see Ms. Blackmon's class (above) and Ms. Daniel's class (below) right now!

Don't worry there is plenty of time to show your school spirit...check out the PTA website for our upcoming Spirit Week and daily activities, as well as EVERY Friday is an opportunity to show your spirit by wearing our Banks Road Elementary school colors of blue and green or your official BRES t-shirt!

Mark Your Calendars!

It is already the end of August and I want you to be able to mark your September calendars for important dates such as the CogAt testing dates, our spirit events and our next early release date. Please call the school should you have any questions about the information below.

Third graders on Track 1 will participate in the CogAt Testing this week, August 27th-31st. For questions regarding CogAt please call the school or email Mrs. Foxworth at sfoxworth@wcpss.net.

Monday, September 3rd: Labor Day-No School
Friday, September 7th-Friday, September 14th: Spirit Week (See previous entry for daily activities or the PTA website & newsletter)
Tuesday, September 11th: Fall Picture Day Make Ups Track 1
Tuesday, September 12th: Track 1 Track Out Begins & Welcome Back Track 2 Students
Thursday, September 13th: 5:00 PTA Meeting in the Media Center & School Spirit Night at McDonalds in Fuquay Varina
Monday, September 17th- 21st: CogAt Testing for Tracks 2, 3 & 4 Third Grade
Tuesday, September 25th: Fall Picture Make Ups for Tracks 2, 3, & 4
Friday, September 28th: Early Release at 1:15

Transportation Updates

Monday, August 27 marks the first day of school for all schools on the traditional calendar. While year-round schools have enjoyed "smooth sailing" for the last seven weeks we can anticipate possible bus delays and other ancillary issues next week. In the event buses are delayed our cafeteria staff has agreed to ensure that any students who are late will have an opportunity to have breakfast in the cafeteria. Any bus delays, if they occur, will be announced from the office to our classroom teacher. Thank you for your support of our students.

Attention Route 8 Parents,
Students assigned to the following stops should report ten minutes prior to the estimated stops indicated below. The change is due to saftery concerns on Fayetteville Road. Your assistance in making sure your child is familiar with the rules and regulations at the bus stop and on the bus. Remind your child to follow our BANKS Best code of conduct on the bus and while at the bus stop. The impacted bus tops are:

4528 South Ridge Drive 7:35 a.m.
Millcreek Dr. & Cross Lake Rd. 7:40 a.m.
High Rock Lake Rd. & Apalachia Lake 7:44 a.m.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these changes. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Garner Transportation Office at 919-662-2408.

Don't forget our PTA Spirit Night this Thursday

Just a reminder about our Spirit Night this Thursday at Pelican's Snoball this Thursday from 3-10 p.m.! Join us for a cool treat and support our PTA and BRES! I will be there around 5 p.m. for my sno cone. :)

Dont' forget school spirit on Friday! Wear blue and green or your official BRES t-shirt on Friday to support your class in showing school spirit and win a special treat with me!