Changes on Website: Parent Page

Trailblazer Parents,We have cleaned up some items on our website. Our new and improved Parent Page is perfect for you! You can access all of the School Messengers from me, click on the link that will take you to the PTA website, or peruse the other links to learn about how to volunteer at Banks, etc. Please take a moment to visit our website "new and improved" Parent Page at http://banksroades.wcpss.net/?page_id=29 :) Mrs. Graf

School Messenger August 19, 2013

Good evening Trailblazers,

This is Mrs. Graf the Proud Principal of Banks Road Elementary School! I have a few announcements for you:

First things first, I want to thank everyone who came out for Open House this past Thursday evening. I hope that you learned more about your child’s classroom and the grade-level classroom expectations.

If you came out last Thursday, you were given our Banks Book of the Year! We have a book for every family to have in their hands and in their homes. Our teachers and staff will use this text in multiple ways throughout the school year. This is a text that you can read with your child and discuss in numerous ways. We will share more about Ms. Smith’s Incredible Storybook as the year progresses.

Picture Day is this Wednesday, August 21st for students on Tracks 3 & 4. Wear your Sunday best or your favorite outfit and be sure to bring your best smile!

Mark your calendars for this Thursday. It’s our very first Spirit Night sponsored by our PTA. Come on out to Pelican’s Sno-Balls and have a cool treat. You can come out anytime between 3-9 p.m. Don’t forget to mention that you are supporting Banks Road when you make your purchase. If it’s raining on Thursday, mark your calendars for our rain-date of the August 27th.

This Friday is our very first Early Release Day. Dismissal will begin at 1:15 for all students carpool and bus. Please be sure you call the school to notify us of any transportation changes.

Also, this is the last call regarding our PTA Clothing Drive. We are in need of several items to support students who have a spill or accident at school. A small flyer was sent home this past Friday outlining the details of our needs. Our clothing drive ends this Friday. Feel free to drop off the items in the box in the lobby, in the carpool line to one of our staff members or send in with your child.

That’s it Trailblazers! I have posted this information on the school website and on the Principal's Desk blog. Please call the school if you have any questions. Have a great evening!
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf

Open House Success

Thank you for coming out to our 2013-14 Open House last night! We had a great evening with you. Every family that attended Open House last night received our Banks Book of the Year, Ms. Smith's Incredible Storybook and attended classroom presentations. Parents also attended the administration session on basic Banks practices for attendance, our new PBIS initiative, and school safety. Classroom teachers shared information on classroom/grade level expectations, the Common Core curriculum and classroom expectations. Home School Compacts were also distributed last night. The Compacts share our school commitments to our students and you regarding student academic growth and success. These Compacts were developed with teacher and parent input from a session held in June. Our PTA was on hand to share about upcoming events and sell Spirit Wear items.  Check out the photos below from last nights event! Thanks again for coming out! 

Mural Club is coming!

Ms. Stephenson is creating a Mural Club at BRES. The club is open to 5th grade students that have earned and maintained a level 3 in conduct in Art Class and have completed the application form and application research page. The club is an opportunity for students to work together as a team to create murals throughout the school building. The club will meet on Tuesday afternoons from 4-5 p.m. during Quarters 2 and 3. Students do not have to attend meetings during their track out. Students need to be able to commit to attend all meetings when tracked in. 

If you are interested in joining the Mural Club you may pick up an application from  Ms Stephenson. Due dates are as follows:  Tracks 1& 4 is September 9th. 

Track 3 is September 23rd. Track 2 is TBD. 

Professional Development Snapshot

This year our staff is connecting the DOTS!  We are using data, strategically using opportunities to collaborate, have a tight alignment to the Common Core curriculum, and a Strategic Focus on what our students need instructionally to succeed. We will be delving deeper into the Common Core with a whole staff book study using the text The Common Core ~Teaching K-5 Students to Meet the Reading Standards.

Ms. Stephenson is decorating our halls!

Ms. Stephenson is at it again! Our main hall is bursting with color down by the art room. Please be sure to check out the display where students learned about individuality, differences in people and how collaboration and teamwork can result in a beautiful piece of art. Thanks Ms. Stephenson for this project and all that you do for our students! 

School Messenger August 13, 2013

Good evening Trailblazers, This is Mrs. Graf the Proud Principal of Banks Road Elementary School! I have a few announcements for you: The month of August is well under way. This Thursday we will host our Open House for the new school year. Teachers are busily preparing their parent presentations. Here are the Open House times. Don’t worry if you don’t have a pen to jot this down, it is posted on the School Website and I sent it out for the posting tonight on the Principal’s Desk Blog. 2013-14 Open House: Thursday, August 15th- Tracks 1 & 3: 5:00p.m. Principal Presentation in the Multipurpose Room 5:30-6:30 p.m. Session 1 & 2 Classroom Presentations (approximately 25 minutes) Tracks 2 & 4: Principal Presentation in the Multipurpose Room at 6:00 p.m. Classroom Presentations Session 1 & 2 6:30-7:30 p.m. (approximately 25 minutes) LEP Parent Academy Presentation 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the ESL Room AIG 3rd Grade Parent Presentation: Session 1 6:30-7:00 p.m. Tracks 1 & 3; Session 2 7:30-8:00 p.m. Tracks 2 & 4 Mark your calendars for the upcoming dates: • This Friday, August 16th Track 2 students track out! Have a great break and we will see you back at school on September 11th. • Track 1 3rd Grade students begin the CogAt testing next Tuesday, August 20th. The 20th is also the Beginning of the Year EOG (BOG) for 3rd graders on Track 4. • Next Wednesday, the 21st is Picture Day for students on Tracks 3 & 4. Wear your Sunday best and your beautiful smile. • And next Friday, August 23rd is our first Early Release Day. Dismissal will begin at 1:15 for all bus riders and carpool students. It’s important for your child to know how they are getting home. If you plan on having a change of transportation, please call the office or send in a note to your child’s teacher. That’s it Trailblazers! I have posted this information on the school website and on the Principal's Desk blog. Please call the school if you have any questions. Have a great evening! Your Proud Principal, Mrs. Graf