Together: "Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought." - Dr. Albert Szent-Györgyi

I. Praise and Thanks:

Thanks to Elif Erginer and Darron Daniels for visiting our former mini-Mountaineers at Mineral Springs Middle and Walkertown Middle. Their compassion for our kids is truly inspiring. I appreciate them demonstrating the Portrait of a Lab School Team Member Element of having "... a proactive and responsive nature."

Thanks to Shuler Stemper for her continued commitment to our mini-Mountaineers. I observed Shuler demonstrate visible belief in our 1st Grade mini-Mountaineers during a Math Small Group Instruction. I appreciate Shuler demonstrating the Portrait of a Lab School Educator Element of having a "...{belief} that all children can learn and should have equitable access to knowledge"

Thanks to Ashley McKenzie for supporting a colleague in need. I appreciate Ashley demonstrating the Portrait of a Lab School Team Member Element of "{being} a team player..."

Thanks to Megan Garner for her collaborative efforts with colleagues and inspiring creativity for our mini-Mountaineers. I appreciate Megan demonstrating the Portrait of a Lab School Educator Element of Work of "...engaging in collaborative teams and take collective responsibility for student learning."

Thanks to Chantae Reynolds for her behind-the-scenes efforts in planning the Hispanie Hertiage Month Event. I appreciate Chantae demonstrating the Portrait of a Lab School Team Member Element of "seeing possibilities instead of limitations."

Thanks to Officer Chris Shew for being such a supportive and empathetic SRO for our Academy community. Chris is a true player who not only keeps all of us safe, but also values building relationships and connections with all Academy stakeholders. He demonstrates so many elements of The Portrait of a Lab School Team Members on a daily and consistent basis. I appreciate in particular how Officer Shew demonstrates the Portrait of a Lab School Team Member Element of "being willing to a part of something that is different and innovative."

II. This Week's Events:

Monday, October 23

Tuesday, October 24

Wednesday, October 25

9:00-11:00 a.m.-App State IT Team Visit
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.-Principal Fellows Cohort Visit (Media Center and Learning Lab Closed)
9:45 a.m.-Care Team Meeting
1:00-2:00 p.m.-K-1 Fall Festival
3:00 p.m.-Curriculum Coaches' Meeting

Thursday, October 26

Friday, October 27-End of Quarter 1

9:30 a.m.-Specialists PLT
10:15-11:00 a.m.-K-1 Thematic/Project Based Planning with Open Way Learning
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.-Teacher Leadership Cadre
11:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m.-2-3 Thematic/Project Based Planning with Open Way Learning
12:15-1:00 p.m.-4-5 Thematic/Project Based Planning with Open Way Learning

III. Updates and Reminders

A. From the Hospitality Design Team:

Please be sure to pay your Hospitality Dues. The cost is $20. If you pay the dues by November 3rd, then you will be entered into a $10 Sheetz Gift Card Drawing.
The Hospitality Design Team will be making a donation in memory of Suzanne Smith's father to Triad Baptist Church. If you anyone would like to make a donation, then money can given to Melanie Hicks-Lane or Jessica Hill. Donations can also be made online at tbcnow.org/give.

B. Staff Picture Re-Take

C. Design Team Meetings on Tuesday

Design Team Meetings for Curriculum, Culture/Climate, and Personnel/Human Capital will take place on Tuesday from 3:00-4:00 p.m.
If you are already serving on SIT or Design Team 2, then you are not required to participate in Design Team 1 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).

D. Security Awareness Training: Due This Friday

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.

IV. Past Important Reminders:

A. Mental Health Training:

B. 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.

C. 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.

The Academy at Middle Fork Memo Blog