The Academy at Middle Fork Weekly Memo: September 5-9, 2022

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 Meeting

Wednesday, September 7

• 10:00-11:00 a.m.-Care Team Meeting-Room 207
• 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.-Senator Paul Lowe Visit to The Academy
• 3:00-4:00 p.m.-Solutions Building with Gaillard-Media Center

Thursday, September 8

• 8:00-8:25 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom (Check your email for the calendar invitation with the Zoom Link.)
• 8:15-11:00 a.m.-BOG Testing
• 9:10-10:25 a.m.-4th Grade PLT
• 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m.-3rd Grade PLT
• 1:00-2:00 p.m.-Kindergarten PLT
• 3:00-4:00 p.m.-DIBELS Refresher

Friday, September 9

• 9:00-10:00 a.m.-LB the Poet Visit
• 12:05-12:35 p.m.-Specialists PLT

III. Reminders and Updates:

A. Fire Safety Reminders: 

Darron Daniels went by to inspect rooms this past Friday and observed the following issues. Please keep the following in mind for everyone's safety: 

•  Powerstrips and overloaded outlets cannot be used
• All emergency rescue windows should have a clear path with no objects in front of them
• No lights or objects should hang from ceilings or windows in classrooms.
• Please avoid stacking items too high on shelves near ceilings
• Remove scented plug-in warmers

B. Founder's Day

• Tuesday is commemoration of Appalachian State University's Founder's Day. 
• All are encouraged to wear our school colors of Black & Gold and/or App State Wear. 
• I have been invited by our Chancellor to participate in Founder's Day Events in Boone with a couple of our Academy students. I will be inducted into the Bell Ringer's Society along Emma Hatfield-Sidden, principal at the App State Lab School in Elkin. We are excited to represent our lab schools in Boone for this momentous occasion! 
• We will make reference to Founder's Day during Morning Meeting on Tuesday. 

C. Solutions Building

• As we continue to make H.I.K.E,, all are invited to join me for our first Solutions Building Session this Wednesday from 3:00-4:00 p.m. in the Media Center.
• We will build solutions for our "We will H.I.K.E. higher plan in the following areas: 
• High Expectations
• Intentional Instructional Areas
• Innovative Approaches
• Focused PLTs
• Come prepared to share, contribute, and collaborate! 

E. Instructional Focus Points

• Amie Snow has created a blog site for Lab School Curriculum Updates. Click HERE to see link for updates and opportunities. 
• Remember to focus on the following: 
• Evidence of Standards Based Instruction
• Student Engagement with meaningful activities
• Time On Task: following the master schedule
• Make sure that you are implementing your planned lessons with particular attention to differentiating instruction for our EC and ML students. 
• Remember to have your planned lessons for next week uploaded onto Google Drive by 4:30 p.m. on Friday. 
• PLTs start this week. Please reference the email that was sent by Heather Wham regarding coverage during these pivotal times. 

F. Classroom Walkthroughs Coming Soon

• We will start Classroom Walkthroughs soon. 
• Be on the lookout for a video that provides an overview of the process along with the "Why?' behind walkthroughs. 

G. Optional Book Study Opportunity 

• The front cover of Innovate Inside the Box by Katie Novak and George Couros has the following quote endorsement from Daniel Pink on the front cover: "If you're looking to bring creativity to student learning amid all the constraints educators face, this is the book for you."
• All are invited to participate in this book with partners from Appalachian State University, Elkin, WS/FCS and other community partners. 
• We plan to meet four times via Zoom during the following dates and times: 
• Wednesday, October 5, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, November 2, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 7, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 18, 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• Click Here to sign up so we can order books for you. Friday, September 9 is the last day to sign-up. 
• This is great opportunity to share and discuss ideas on applying innovative approaches to our lab school. 

H. IRI-TBA

• Stay tuned for more details about this upcoming and important assessment. 

I. Attendance

• Please continue efforts to maintain accurate student attendance. 
• Remember to complete attendance by 9:00 a.m. daily.

J. Senator Lowe Visit

• North Carolina State Senator Paul Lowe will visit the Academy this Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Be prepared for an impromptu classroom visit. 

K. For Your Toolbox: 

• Elisabeth Bostwick is a multi-award winning educator, speaker, and author. 
• Her excellent book is entitled Take the L.E.A.P: Ignite a Culture of Innovation.
• Lis is a good friend and thought partner of mine. Her latest blog post is timely, insightful, and inspiration. 
• Click HERE for Lis' latest. I hope you enjoy it!