The Academy Weekly Memo: October 16-20, 2023

 

Together: Innovation thrives in an environment where curiosity is nurtured, questions are celebrated, and 'Why not?' is the default response.

I. Praise and Thanks: 

I am grateful for the application of The Portrait of a Lab School Member from the following individuals. They demonstrated steps to grow our mini-Mountaineers in ways that inspired:

• Thanks to Brent Macrow, Alicia Kinzer, Emmy Anderson, Joy Hickman, and Caroline CasaSanta for demonstrating the Portrait element of "Collaborate with colleagues to maximize our strengths." During their PLT on Friday, I observed their sharing of their new personalized learning pathway that they had created together. It was such an uplifting experience and I loved seeing the positive team interaction. Looking forward to their "Hike Higher" Personalized Learning Experience for students!

• Thanks to Alexa McDonough for demonstrating the Portrait element of the "Use positive, encouraging language to foster a positive work and learning environment." I observed Alexa connecting with parents and colleagues during pivotal moments during IEP meetings this past week. Her leadership in support of our mini-Mountaineers is making such a positive impact!

• Thanks to Jazz Brown, Coach Phelps, Elif Erginer, and Darron Daniels go above and beyond the call of duty for our homeless students. Their sincere and selfless actions demonstrate the Portrait element of being "a team player who is committed to doing what is best for students."

• Thanks to Alix Denny for extending her learning from the NC AIM Conference and applying immediately to practice. I learned how Alix took an idea on Personalized Learning and shared it with others. This activity will be a game changer for our students! I appreciate how Alix demonstrated the Portrait element of "Seek out engaging and innovative ways to teach that are evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to all learners in the classroom."

• Thanks to Cathy Ryan for receiving a Clinical Educator Shoutout from Rebecca Pollard! Rebecca wrote the following about her student teaching experience: "Ms. Ryan has been so supportive and encouraging from the start. She is an amazing educator and it's a privilege to see the way she leads her classroom every day." Thanks to Cathy for demonstrating the Portrait element of "Demonstrating a passion for teaching, lifelong learning, and commitment to the mentoring of future teachers."

• Thanks to Sarah Macrow for sharing a fun, creative idea for our mini-Mountaineers. I appreciate Sarah's demonstrating the Portrait element of "seeing possibilities instead of limitations."

II. This Week's Events:

Monday, October 16:

• 8:15 a.m.-Leadership Team Weekly Planning Meeting

Tuesday, October 17:

• 7:15 a.m.-Academic Tutor Meeting
• 3:00 p.m.-Design Team Meeting 2
• Cultivation
• Finance
• Hospitality

Wednesday, October 18:

• Testing: Grades 3-5 Reading Check-In
• 9:30 a.m.-Care Team Meeting

Thursday, October 19:

• Testing: Grades 3-5 Math Check-In
• 8:00 a.m.-Schoolwide Morning Meeting via Zoom
• 12:00 p.m.-Lab School Assessment Team Meeting
• 3:00 p.m.-Mentor Check-In Meeting

Friday, October 20: Enrichment Friday

• EDU 2000 Visit
• Featured Events
• 8:30-10:00 a.m.-Hispanic Heritage Celebration
• 9:00 a.m.Lead Girls
• 9:00 a.m.-K-2 Excite Reading Training
• 9:00 a.m.-3-5 Excited Reading Training

III. Images of Possibility: Enrichment Friday: Learning Happens Everywhere!

"Mr. Gaillard, I am starting to love nature now."

This is what one of our 4th Grade mini-Mountaineers shared with me on our trail during the Minglewood Farms visit to the Academy. The student statement is one of the many reasons why Enrichment Friday is so worthwhile to me.

Our students were also engaged with the Walkertown Fire Department. It was inspiring to see our students enjoying opportunities to learn outside on Friday.

Learning happens everywhere at our Academy. There are possibilities in extending student learning beyond the classroom walls. Let's continue to shift the mindset of learning happening in just the classroom. The world is our classroom and there are so many possibilities for teachable moments.

Below is a small sample of the Images of Possibility from Enrichment Friday.

IV. Reminders and Updates:

A. Collaborative Opportunity Still Looking:

• Please let me know if you are interesting in sharing ideas with our Pre-K neighbors for the re-design of the 100 Hallway Teacher Workroom. I haven't heard from anyone yet and I would love for us to work the Pre-K on re-imagining that space into a true shared place of tranquility for our faculty/staff.

B. Design Team Meetings II This Tuesday:

• The second set of Design Team Meetings (Cultivation, Hospitality, Finance) will take place on Tuesday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
• If you are already serving on SIT or Design Team 1, then you are not required to participate in Design Team 2 Meetings.
• Refer to the individual email that was sent earlier this year that revealed your Design Team Meeting assignment.
• If you are unsure of what Design Team Meeting you are on, then please contact me (Gaillard).

C. Check-In Testing This Week

• Testing is taking place this Wednesday and Thursday for Grades 3-5.
• For those that are administering, please be sure to carefully review the directions set by Kori Trainor.

D. H.I.K.E. Positive Office Referrals Coming Soon!

• I am bringing back a practice I started briefly at the Academy last year.
• We will celebrating and surprising our mini-Mountaineers who demonstrated H.I.K.E. in a special way by calling them to the office and making a positive phone call home. Stay tuned for more details!

E. Mastery Connect Updates for Classroom and Specialist Teachers

• Selected teachers who received an email from Amie Snow regarding Mastery Connect are reminded to follow up on the information shared.
• This is our first usage with Mastery Connect and it's important that all teachers are staying on top of any communication shared so we may meet the October 31st report card deadline.

F. For Your Toolbox:

• Engageable is an mindfulness resource that is an app that you can use in the classroom or for your own personal use. Click link for more information on this intentional #edtech resource.

• Digital Citizenship Week: This week, schools all over the world are celebrating Digital Citizenship Week. Check the Padlet link for more information and resources that you can use in the classroom.

• ISTE Free Membership: Did you know that all North Carolina Teachers get a free 1 Year Membership to ISTE? ISTE stands for International Society for Technology in Education. It is an amazing resource that will help support efforts with things like technology integration, personalized learning, and global education. Go to NC Ed Cloud to claim your free membership.

IV. Past Important Reminders:

A. Security Awareness Training:

• As I have previously shared, all App State Employees must complete the Security Awareness Training by October 27, 2023. 
• This is a mandatory task for all employees at the Academy at Middle Fork. 
• Please see previous communication on this or refer to the email sent to all employees from the university. 

B. Mental Health Training:

• Remember to complete the required online Mental Health Trainings. 
• Previous communication has sent to all faculty/staff on this. 
• There is one online session that is due by the end of November. 
• See the link for more details. This was previously sent.

C. Attendance:

• Please remember to complete the leave request form well in advance if you know you will be absent from school. This also goes for when you have an unexpected absence as well. 
• It is also imperative that sincere efforts are made to schedule appointment either before or after the school day. 
• Refer to the Staff Handbook for more details on App State's employee attendance policy. (Pages 9-11)
• As supervisor, I am required to monitor and uphold the employee attendance policy. The university is also monitoring Academy employee attendance as well. 
• Let's do our best to be at work on time and as consistently as possible for our mini-Mountaineers. 

D. October 30 & 31 Teacher Workdays

• There are no required meetings or events scheduled for the October 30-31 workdays. 
• Teachers may opt to take a leave day provided that report cards and grades have been completed either prior to or by October 30. Teacher Assistants, Academic Tutors, Part-Time Tutors are to follow regular leave day procedures as done in the past. 
• Please notify Melanie Hicks-Lane of your intentions for those days. 
• The October workdays are great opportunities to catch up on lesson plans, finalize grades with the new Mastery Connect platform, and do any classroom setup. Working from home is not option for these days if you choose to work. 
• IMPORTANT: Due to October 30-31 being teacher workdays, we will NOT have Enrichment Friday on November 3. That Friday will be a regular day of instruction.