Trailblazer Parents,
Here is information regarding the process and procedures for applying for free or reduced lunch meal program. There are firm dates and guidelines in place for this program, so please read carefully if this applies to you. Thank you, Mrs. Graf
June 27th: Family application packets are mailed to ALL Year Round and Modified School Students.
July 7th: Students approved for Free/Reduced meals in 2013-2014 are still eligible to eat at the same status as previous year or until a new application is processed. This ENDS on 10/08/2014.
July 7: Family application packets for free/reduced lunch meals are MADE AVAILABLE to all students who did not receive one in the mail.
July 25th: Free/reduced application packets mailed to parents of families at traditional schools.
August 25th: Family application packets for free/reduced lunch meals are MADE AVAILABLE to all students who did not receive one in the mail for traditional students.
October 8th: 2013-2014 status no longer applies after October 8, 2014. CNS will provide complimentary lunches of fruits and vegetables for students who failed to come to school with lunch money on 10/09/2014.
November 17th: Eligibility is terminated for students did not respond to the verification process.
Approval letters are mailed daily when students are approved. Student status us updated to the school cafeteria data base hourly by Child Nutrition Services electronically.
Free/Reduced meal eligibility is an ongoing process. Eligibility status is valid for the entire year, except if changed through the verification process. If denied, families may reapply at anytime. Child Nutrition Services is available to help families with any part of the process. Applications area available in the school cafeteria and office throughout the school year.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
School Messenger Monday June 16th, 2014
Happy Monday Trailblazers!
On Friday May 27th the 5th Graders on Track 1 celebrated their time in elementary school. What an honor it was see them shine as they walked across the stage! Students in Grades K-4 also celebrated a year of learning and success with classroom celebrations and grade level events. A big "thank you" goes out to parent volunteers and organizers of these events. Your efforts made the last day of school for these students so special.
This week we continue on with instruction for students on Tracks 2-4 along with EOG testing. Teachers are working on instruction with their final standards. Students are working to complete projects and learn as much as they can before our testing window begins. As a reminder, we are a tight schedule for EOG testing beginning tomorrow June 16th and ending on June 20th. These dates are students taking the regular EOG, as well as the NC Extend 2.
Remember that scores will be mailed home from the Testing Office this year due to the changes in the scoring from DPI. A Parent Letter will be included that explains the new scoring system. Scores and the parent letters will be sent home in June for students on Track 1 and early July for students on Tracks 2-4. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the EOG's or the score sheets.
This week:
Monday, June 16th: 3rd Grade ELA EOG Testing
Tuesday, June 17th: 3rd Grade Math EOG Testing & Math NC Extend 2 Testing
Wednesday, June 18th: 4th & 5th ELA EOG Testing
Thursday, June 19th: 4th & 5th Math EOG Testing
Friday, June 20th: 5th Grade Science EOG & NC Extend 2 Testing
Looking ahead:
Ask any Trailblazer student and they will tell you that Field Day is one of the most treasured school days of the year! Our BRES Field Day is scheduled for June 25th. The rain date is scheduled for June 26th. We need volunteers! Please sign up here to make this the best Field Day ever for our our students!
Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up
The last two weeks will be busy here at Banks. Please make sure if you are volunteering, planning to have lunch or attend a classroom activity that you check in with the office to secure a visitor's badge. Our safety and security measures are in place each day--even on the last day of school. :)
That's it Trailblazers! This information will go out on the Principal's Desk blog and be posted to the homepage of our school website. Please call the school if you have any questions about this information.
Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
On Friday May 27th the 5th Graders on Track 1 celebrated their time in elementary school. What an honor it was see them shine as they walked across the stage! Students in Grades K-4 also celebrated a year of learning and success with classroom celebrations and grade level events. A big "thank you" goes out to parent volunteers and organizers of these events. Your efforts made the last day of school for these students so special.
This week we continue on with instruction for students on Tracks 2-4 along with EOG testing. Teachers are working on instruction with their final standards. Students are working to complete projects and learn as much as they can before our testing window begins. As a reminder, we are a tight schedule for EOG testing beginning tomorrow June 16th and ending on June 20th. These dates are students taking the regular EOG, as well as the NC Extend 2.
Remember that scores will be mailed home from the Testing Office this year due to the changes in the scoring from DPI. A Parent Letter will be included that explains the new scoring system. Scores and the parent letters will be sent home in June for students on Track 1 and early July for students on Tracks 2-4. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions regarding the EOG's or the score sheets.
This week:
Monday, June 16th: 3rd Grade ELA EOG Testing
Tuesday, June 17th: 3rd Grade Math EOG Testing & Math NC Extend 2 Testing
Wednesday, June 18th: 4th & 5th ELA EOG Testing
Thursday, June 19th: 4th & 5th Math EOG Testing
Friday, June 20th: 5th Grade Science EOG & NC Extend 2 Testing
Looking ahead:
Ask any Trailblazer student and they will tell you that Field Day is one of the most treasured school days of the year! Our BRES Field Day is scheduled for June 25th. The rain date is scheduled for June 26th. We need volunteers! Please sign up here to make this the best Field Day ever for our our students!
Field Day Volunteer Sign-Up
The last two weeks will be busy here at Banks. Please make sure if you are volunteering, planning to have lunch or attend a classroom activity that you check in with the office to secure a visitor's badge. Our safety and security measures are in place each day--even on the last day of school. :)
That's it Trailblazers! This information will go out on the Principal's Desk blog and be posted to the homepage of our school website. Please call the school if you have any questions about this information.
Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Monday, May 26, 2014
Information regarding Common Core...just an FYI
Trailblazers,
One of the consistent questions I get from parents is "Tell me about this Common Core. What is it all about?" I usually respond with "These are the Standards that our curriculum is designed around. There is an emphasis on non fiction, critical thinking skills and student centered learning." I am constantly reading and searching for information that may be helpful to you in building your understanding of the expectations that our children need to meet to be successful. I ran across this resource that I found helpful. I hope that you find it informational as well.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
(taken from the blog update: http://edge.ascd.org/_Ten-Resources-To-Support-a-Deeper-Understanding-of-the-Common-Core-State-Standards/blog/6564977/127586.html)
One of the consistent questions I get from parents is "Tell me about this Common Core. What is it all about?" I usually respond with "These are the Standards that our curriculum is designed around. There is an emphasis on non fiction, critical thinking skills and student centered learning." I am constantly reading and searching for information that may be helpful to you in building your understanding of the expectations that our children need to meet to be successful. I ran across this resource that I found helpful. I hope that you find it informational as well.
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
(taken from the blog update: http://edge.ascd.org/_Ten-Resources-To-Support-a-Deeper-Understanding-of-the-Common-Core-State-Standards/blog/6564977/127586.html)
1. Getting Curriculum Reform Right By Thomas Guskey
2. What’s the Difference? Standards versus Curriculum By Janet Hale
3. I Hate Testing, Not Standards By Erik Palmer
4. The Problem is Not the Standards By Michael Fisher
5. From Common Core Standards to Curriculum: Five Big Ideas By Jay McTighe and Grant Wiggins
6. Rigor Redefined By Tony Wagner
7. 50 States, 50 Standards By Diane Ravitch
8. The Case For Common Educational Standards By Jeb Bush and Joel Klein
9. North Carolina Businesses Have Critical Need For Common Core Success By Jim Whitehead, President and CEO of Red Hat, Inc.
Summer Camp...ONLINE!
We are always on the search for ways to extend learning for students at BRES. I just came across this learning opportunity that puts a whole new spin on "Summer Camp." Follow the link to learn more about this online camp for elementary and middle school students:
wonderopolis.org/camp-early-registration
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
wonderopolis.org/camp-early-registration
My Banks Best, Mrs. Graf
May 26-30, 2014
Good morning Trailblazers,
This morning is a time of reflection for me. As I sit here with my coffee it is really hitting me that this IS the last week of school of Track 1. Yes, we completed the EOG's last week and that was a clear sign that the end of school for some Trailblazers was approaching, but honestly as I figure out outfits for the twins to wear to the 5th Celebration, the Mom in me asked, "How did this happen? Where has the time gone?" As parents we often look at children and marvel at their wonder, their growth, their energy, their tenacity! This morning I looked at my children and the tears popped into my eyes before I realized it! It's funny how our biggest accomplishments in life are not the jobs we hold, but the children that grow up right in front of our eyes. :) I know I am sentimental this morning, but indulge me just a little...it's the last week of school for Track 1!
In putting on my principal and teacher hat, I am still amazed at the growth and progress of our students. In talking with Kindergarten team this week, the teachers were reflecting on the progress of our Trailblazers and how much knowledge they acquire and use here at school on a daily basis. What a huge amount of growth they make by the end of the Kindergarten year. Overall, Track 1 students and teachers have that feeling of closure, accomplishments and excitement as they begin their track out and then the next steps in their educational journey. It's a bittersweet time of year in a school.
This past week we were busy! We had Track 1 EOG's and 5th Grade celebrated their learning in the GREAT Program. This program came out of our partnership with Fuquay Varina Police Department. All elementary schools in Fuquay Varina participate in the GREAT Program and on Friday Detective McDonald, Patrol Captain Jeff Dunn and Chief of Police Larry Smith presented BRES with an official GREAT school sign for the two years of program participation. Students and teachers also were rewarded with cake, fruit and juice.
Also on Friday we celebrated reaching our FUN RUN Goal by having the top grossing class SPRAY COLOR Ms. Livengood and my hair NC State red and UNC Blue. I donned a State shirt all day (it was a challenge but I did it!) and Ms. Livengood wore UNC...she looked GREAT! We stood outside at the flagpole and thanked our families and students as they drove by in carpool or and waved to our students as the buses pulled away! We raised over $18,000 that will be used to purchase additional technology in our classrooms! Awesome Trailblazers!!! Check out the photo of the action at the flagpole:
Please mark your calendars for these important dates this week:
May 27th-30th: Read to Achieve Camp Track 2
May 28th: 4th Grade Track 3 & 4 In-House Field Trip
May 29th: Track 1 Testing Make Ups
May 30th: Track 1 5th Grade Celebration in the Multipurpose Room at 9:45 a.m. & 2nd Annual Family Fancy Dance. Admission is FREE, family photographs will be taken by our Trailblazer parent Diane McKinney, a photo booth will be available, DJ will be spinning music, light refreshments and FUN from 5:45-7:45 p.m. What a way to end the year for Track 1! Tracks 2-4, what a way to kick off the last few weeks of school! Remember that all students must be accompanied by a Trailblazer parent! Please call the school if you have any questions.
Upcoming Dates:
June 2nd: Track 2 Track In
June 2nd: No Internet ALL Day due to Server Update
June 9th: 2nd Grade ELA Case Benchmark Assessments & 5th Grade Tracks 3 & 4 Science Benchmark
June 10th: 2nd Grade Math Case Benchmark
June 16th: 3rd Grade ELA EOG, NC Extend 2
June 17th: 3rd Grade Math EOG, NC Extend 2
June 18th: 4th & 5th Grade ELA EOG
June 19th: 4th & 5th Grade Math EOG
June 20th: 5th Grade Science EOG
Remember that last week I shared that Parent Student Reports would be mailed out by WCPSS in June for Track 1 families and traditional and then again in July for students on Tracks 2-4 due to the changes with the testing window and the state's certification of the results.
That's it Trailblazers! Please call the school if you have any questions.
Always Trailblazer Proud, Mrs. Graf
Thursday, May 22, 2014
School Messenger Kindergarten Orientation this coming Tuesday, May 27th
Good afternoon Trailblazers,
This is Mrs. Graf, the Principal at Banks Road Elementary School.
This message is for ALL rising Kindergarten students and families for the 2014-2015 school year. You are receiving this phone message because you are assigned to Banks Road Elementary for Kindergarten beginning this July. Welcome to the Trailblazer family! All families should have received a bright pink post card in the mail with your track assignment. If you have not received a card, please call the school and ask to speak with our Data Manager, Ms. Smith.
Our 2nd Kindergarten Orientation is scheduled for this Tuesday, May 27th from 6-7 in the Multipurpose Room. Please join the Kindergarten Team and me to learn more about the Kindergarten expectations, a day in the life of Kindergarten student and general information about Banks Road Elementary.
You will have an opportunity to hear from our PTA and supplemental services department as well.
Please call the school at 919-890-7333 if you have any questions.
That’s it Trailblazers! This information will be sent out on the Principal’s Desk blog and posted to our school website.
Always Trailblazer Proud,
Mrs. Graf
Title I Parent Survey
Trailblazers,
Here is a link to the Parent Survey for Title I. Remember this year BRES operated on the school wide model. All of our Parents Are Connected Nights, our Banks Book of the Year and related actitivies, the purchase of additional guided reading leveled books and technology resources were all due to the funds available to us through the federal Title I program.
Please follow this link to take a quick survey regarding Title I here at BRES. This information will go directly to Central Office Title I. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you.
Make it a great day...on purpose Trailblazers! Mrs. Graf
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