The Academy at Middle Fork Memo Blog

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to Carla Clayton and Ayden Tackett for organizational leadership with our Book Fair! I appreciate the efforts promote a love of reading for our mini-Mountaineers.  Thanks to Suzanne Smith, Allison Phelps, Brent Macrow, and Matt Cooke for their interest in participating in Invention Convention. I look forward to the innovative approaches coming the pike for our mini-Mountaineers.  II. This Week's Events: Monday, September 26 8:30-9:30 a.m.-Leadership Team Meeting 10:00-11:00 a.m.-PD Planning Meeting 2:45-3:34 p.m.-EC/ESL PLT 3:00-3:30 p.m.-News Room Planning Meeting Tuesday, September 27 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 8:30-9:15 a.m.-5th Grade PLT-Open Way Learning Vision/Mission Planning 9:25-10:10 a.m.-4th Grade PLT-Open Way Learning Vision/Mission Planning 10:20-11:05 a.m.-2nd Grade PLT-Open Way Learning Vision/Mission Planning 11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m.-3rd Grade PLT Open Way Learning Vision/Mission Planning 12:35-1:20...

  I. Praise and Thanks: Thanks to Monique Johnson, Sarah Macrow, and Alix Shaver for their collaborative efforts in planning engaging and creative activities for Constitution Day!  Thanks to Matt Hamm & Stephanie Abass for the invitation to read to class! I am grateful for the invitation and the opportunity to be in a loving classroom environment! I look forward to decorating my office with artwork from the class! Thanks to Darron Daniels and Amie Snow for joyful and inspiring conversation in Morning Meeting! I am grateful for the opportunity to sing! Thanks to all of you for putting up with impromptu singing!  Thanks Rebecca Nieves, Tonya Langley, and Bernadette Sexton for fostering such a positive classroom culture! I loved being in their classroom for Morning Meeting! We were grooving to some Earth, Wind, & Fire!  II. Today's Events:  7:15-7:30 a.m.-Invention Convention Huddle-in Gaillard's Office 9:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.-EDU 2000 Students Visit 9:30-10:00...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to EVERYONE for excellent stewardship during our schoolwide events with the Office of Diversity Read Aloud and the Duke Energy Performance. I appreciate you welcoming our guests into our family and treating like family.  Thanks to Monique Johnson for the invitation to read aloud to her 4th Grade Class. I enjoyed the chance to share the Dr. Ellen Ochoa Book and few artifacts from my childhood. I was truly moved and touched by the questions/sharing for her class.  II. Today's Events: 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 11:20 a.m.-12:20 p.m.-3rd Grade BOG Data Dive with Kori Trainor III. Reminders and Updates: A. Instructional Reminder: We Will HIKE Higher! Please make sure that students are aware of the learning objective for every lesson.  We must maintain instruction aligned with standards for all students.  Remember to teach to standards in every lesson, every student, every day.  B. Invention Convention ...

 Good Morning! Here's a quick blog post for today. We have an action-packed day today! It's another great day to HIKE higher for our mini-Mountaineers! Today's Headline:  The Academy at Middle Fork Renewed! I. Today's Events: 8:45 -9:15 a.m.-K-2 Eco Guardians Duke Energy Performance 8:45-11:15 a.m.-Reading Day with Office of Diversity--Schedule Pending 9:10-10:10 a.m.-4th Grade PLT 9:45-10:15 a.m.-3-5 Eco Guardians Duke Energy Performance 10:00-11:00 a.m.-Care Team Meeting 11:20 a.m.-12:05 p.m.-3rd Grade PLT 1:30-2:15 p.m.-Kindergarten PLT 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Curriculum Team Meeting 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Inclusion/Excellece Team Meeting II. Reminders and Updates: A. Renewal: The Board of Governors unanimously voted for the Academy at Middle Fork to be renewed for an additional five years.  This is cause for great joy and celebration! Please be sure to see my email on this for details and next steps.  B.  Today's Read Aloud: University Partnership Opportunity! In addition to...

  I. Praise and Thanks: Thanks to Kim Britt and Jessica Hill for integrating Music in their classroom. I heard joyful sounds from our Kinder students! I appreciate the intentional efforts to uplift and motivate our mini-Mountaineers.  Thanks to Carla Clayton and Ayden Tackett for their efforts with our Book Fair! I appreciate the teachable moment they provided to our students on how sales tax is figured in a purchase. What a great way to make learning relevant in support of our Math SIT Goal! II. Today's Events:  8:00-8:20 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 8:15-9:30 a.m.-5th Grade PLT 10:20-11:35 a.m.-2nd Grade PLT 12:05-1:20 p.m.-1st Grade PLT 3:00-4:00 p.m.-MTSS Meeting III. Reminders and Updates: A. Add To Your "To Do" List:  EC Department Survey Due Today Performance Goals Due Tomorrow B. Scheduling Pre-Observations/Goals Review: I sent out an email with communication on upcoming pre-observation conferences/goals review.  Dr. Snow and I will send an i...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to Denisse Alvarez for her leadership in providing an overview of Hispanic Heritage Month during Thursday's Morning Meeting! I am grateful for her energetic communication in kicking off schoolwide awareness of this important month.  Thanks again to Cindy Hall for her sincere, inspiring, and uplifting words during our Academy at Middle Fork Advisory Board Meeting! I appreciate her leadership and empathy for our mini-Mountaineers!  II. Today's Events: 7:55-8:25 a.m.-Specialists PLT 8:30-10:00 a.m.-3rd Grade Math BOG III. Second Chance Drawing! 2 Tickets for this Saturday's App State vs. Troy Football Game are up for grabs. Tickets include early access into the stadium along with access to the sidelines during warm-up time.  I will be in the office from 7:00-7:30 a.m. to collect names to be entered into the drawing. Good luck!  IV. Reminders and Updates A. Hispanic Heritage Month: Be on the lookout for more news on activities an...

  Today Is The First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month! I have a copy of the amazing picture book, The Astronaut With A Song For The Stars: The Story of Dr. Ellen Ochoa.  Please let me know if you would like for me to visit your classroom and read it to our students. It's a wonderful and inspiring book about an inspiring Space Pioneer.  See below for the book cover and a sample page from the book: I. Prasie and Thanks:  Thanks to Elif Erginer  and Darron Daniels for compassionate and empathetic communication with one of our parents! I appreciate their restorative efforts for others.  Thanks to Monique Johnson, Sarah Macrow, and Alix Shaver for their student engagement efforts! I appreciate seeing our mini-Mountaineers using outdoor space to work on scientific inquiry for photosynthesis!  II. Today's Events: 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 8:30-9:15 a.m.-5th Grade PLT w/ERG 9:25-10:10 a.m.-4th Grade PLT w/ERG 10:20-11:05 a.m.-2nd Grade P...

Thanks for your efforts to HIKE higher for our mini-Mountaineers! I am so impressed with the classroom communities and connections you are building for all of our students!  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to Marla Cantrell, Alicia Kinzer, Allison Phelps, and Kaitlyn Marshall for being stellar stewards during the Newton-Conover School Visit to their respective classrooms! Thanks to Denisse Alvarez, Jean Carlos Garcia Reyes,  Robin Phelps, and RaChelle Wood for participating in the Teacher Focus Group with our visitors from Newton-Conover Schools! I appreciate their leadership and sharing.  II. Today's Events:  10:00-11:00 a.m.-Care Team Meeting--Room 207 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Mentor Training Meeting via Zoom III. Reminders and Updates: A. Leave Request Follow-Up Please be sure to provide clear details on the reason for your leave request in the space provided on the form.  It is important that every effort is made to schedule appointments before or after school hour...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to Matt Hamm and Stephanie Abass for the invitation to visit their classroom for the first compliment party! I enjoyed seeing students engaged and energized in a positive classroom culture. It was wonderful seeing HIKE in action.  II. Today's Events:  8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 9:00-11:00 a.m.-Newton-Conover Schools Visit 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Faculty Meeting/Alix Shaver Wedding Shower III. Reminders and Updates: A. Faculty Meeting Today: We will meet at 3:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Here's the agenda: Praise & Thanks: Sean Gaillard EC Survey: Desteney Greene Homeless Student Support: Jazz Brown Federal Funding Requests: Amie Brown Celebration!-Shaver Wedding Shower! 🎉🎉🎉 B. Professional Goal Setting:  Please be sure to read the email I sent regarding Institutional and Individual Goal-Setting and complete by this Friday.  C. Safety Reminder: Darron Daniels sent a detailed email with directions and remi...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to Leroy Sexton and Bernadette Sexton for their participation in last week's Solutions Building Session. My apologies to them for forgetting to mention them in the previous blog post! I am grateful for them sharing their time and ideas.  II. This Week's Events:  Monday, September 12: 8:30-9:30 a.m.-Leadership Team Meeting 10:15-11:15 a.m.-4th Grade BOG 2:45-3:45 p.m.-EC/ESL PLT 3:00-3:45 p.m.-Student News Room Discussion Meeting with Darron Daniels Tuesday, September 13: 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom  9:00-11:00 a.m.-Newton-Conover Schools Visit 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Faculty Meeting featuring Alix Shaver's Bridal Shower Wednesday, September 14: 10:00-11:00 a.m.-Care Team Meeting 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Mentor Training Meeting via Zoom 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Hispanic Heritage Month Committee Planning Meeting Thursday, September 15-1st Day of Hispanic Heritage Month: 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom 8:30-9:15 a.m.-5th...

  Good Morning and Happy Friday! Thanks for Hiking Higher This Week! Let's reach the summit on an uplifting and upbeat note together for our mini-Mountaineers!  I. Praise and Thanks: Thanks to Elif Erginer for building solutions for starting a student kindness club! I am grateful for proactive ways to empower kindness for others! Thanks to Brent Macrow for sharing a proactive solution for enhancing our math achievement! His email was a daymaker! I love the hearing new ideas to support our children! Thanks to Suzanne Smith, Brent Macrow, Joy Hickman, Claire Little, Chantae Reynolds, Joseph Fewell, Heather Wham, Ayden Tackett, Leroy Sexton, Marisol Guzman, and Chelsea Beamer for solid teamwork in administering and proctoring our 3rd Grade Reading BOG!  II. Today's Events:  Possible 3rd Grade BOG Make-Ups 9:00 a.m.-LB the Poet Visit-This is an educator-poet bandmate of mine who is visiting the Academy today. You may see him and I hope you get to meet this engaging and u...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to the following who volunteered their time to participate and share ideas in our first Solutions Building Session! I am grateful for the proactive discussion and active listening during Solutions Building from: Heather Wham, Darron Daniels, Elif Erginer, Rebecca Nieves, Liliana Martinez, Joy Hickman, Suzanne Smith, Brent Macrow, Allison Phelps, Sarah Macrow, Emmy Anderson, Kaitlyn Marshall, April Whitfield, Tonya Langley, Carla Clayton, and Alix Shaver. Thanks to Alix Shaver for the invitation to read aloud to your class!  II. Today's Events:  8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting (Check calendar invitation for Zoom link.) 8:15-11:00 a.m.-BOG Testing 9:10 a.m.-4th Grade PLT 10:50 a.m.-3rd Grade PLT 1:00 p.m.-Kindergarten PLT 3:00 p.m.-DIBELS Refresher-Media Center III. Reminders and Updates:  A. Our EC Students If you have any EC Students on your class roster, then please be sure that you are fully aware of their IEP modifica...

  I. Praise and Thanks:  Welcome to Zane Gibson! Please join me in welcoming Zane to the Academy at Middle Fork as our new EC Teacher! We are grateful to have him here sharing his expertise and gifts in helping our students hike higher!  Dr. Hannah Reeder celebrated a birthday on Tuesday! We are grateful for the gift of her advocacy and leadership for both Academies in Middle Fork and Elkin!  II. Today's Events:  10:00 -11:00a.m.-Care Team Meeting in Room 207 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.-Senator Paul Lowe Visit 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Solutions Building Session in the Media Center III. Reminders and Updates: A. A Special Note on Today:  I will start my morning at the WS/FCS South Area Principals' Meeting from 7:00-9:00 a.m. My return to the Academy will be around 9:30 a.m. in time for our special visitor. I will miss starting the day with you! B. Senator Paul Lowe Visit: North Carolina State Senator Lowe visits the Academy today!  Please be ready for a possible meet ...

This is another week for us to embrace opportunities to HIKE higher for our mini-Mountaineers!  I. Praise and Thanks:  Welcome back to a new week! This is a new chance to embrace opportunities, build solutions, and demonstrate our gifts. I am grateful to being with you for another week as we H.I.K.E. higher as one band, one sound at the Academy.  Thanks to Carla Clayton and Darron Daniels for collaborative efforts in getting the weekly message out to our families. We are still having some challenges with the new all-call system and I appreciate their collaborative efforts to build solutions.  II. This Week's Events: Monday, September 5: Labor Day Holiday: No School  Tuesday, September 6: Founder's Day ⛰🎉😀⛰ #CelebrateAppalachianState! 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom ( Check your email for the calendar invitation with the Zoom Link.) 8:15-9:30 a.m.-5th Grade PLT 10:20-11:35 a.m.-2nd Grade PLT 12:05-1:20 p.m.-1st Grade PLT 3:00-4:00 p.m.-SIT Me...

  I Thought That This Quote Was Fitting Since I Referenced Katherine Johnson during our Faculty Meeting.  I. Praise and Thanks:  Thanks to everyone for a positive and uplifting week! Thank you for being that supportive presence for our mini-Mountaineers! I have observed so many wonderful things happening for our mini-Mountaineers. Please enjoy the long weekend and take time to relax, refresh, and recharge!  Thanks for the positive texts and invitations to visit your class! Please keep those coming! I will try to make every invitation. I LOVE being in your classrooms!  II. Today's Events:  8:45-9:45 a.m.-BOG Practice III. Reminders and Updates:  A. Leave Day Submission and Going Off Campus Please be sure to contact me as soon as possible if you know you are going to absent during the school day. That also includes if you have to leave school during work hours. By letting me know, I can ensure you have coverage and our students are supervised.  Reme...