Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.

 John F. Kennedy

Nov 11 to Nov 15

Mon 11/11 Veteran’s Day – No School

Tues 11/12      8:00 PBIS Meeting Rm. 12 (CRAZY SOCK DAY)

Wed 11/13 8:15 Viking Support Team GR KG Rm. 4 (80’s DAY)

Thurs 11/14     PTA Pizza for students that sold

                       8 items or more

  3:30 Library – CSIP Meeting (Casey Cox,

  special guest) BACKWARDS DAY

Fri 11/15         Fundraiser pick-up (CRAZY HAIR DAY)

Nov 18 to Nov 22

Mon 11/18       Grade Level Meetings

  5:00 PTA Meeting

Tues 11/19      8:15 Safety Meeting

Wed 11/20       8:15 Viking Support Team GR 1/2 Rm. 4

                      Science Kit Pick-up all grades

Thurs 11/21     3:30 Staff Meeting

Fri 11/22         12:46 Early Dismissal

  United Way Campaign ENDS!

Parent Center (Please include in your newsletter)

We now have a Parent Work Center in our main foyer available to parents/guardians that need computer access for Edline, HAC (Home Access Center), registering to vote, etc.  Please stop by the office to find out more information.

Latino message line available to help Spanish-speaking families (Please include in your newsletter)

The Puyallup School District has set up a Latino telephone message line to help Spanish-speaking families with questions about topics ranging from grading and school registration to attendance boundaries and district policies.

The message line, offered through the district’s Office of Diversity Affairs, is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week from August 1 through June 30 at (253) 604-3300.

Rogers High School Spanish teacher Ramon Schussler-Paz will monitor the messages and call back families with answers to their questions.

Línea de mensajes para familias Latinas que hablan español

El Distrito Escolar de Puyallup ha puesto en marcha una línea  telefónica para las familias latinas que hablan español. Allí pueden dejar mensajes con preguntas sobre cualquier tema. Por ejemplo, preguntas sobre la matricula o registración, calificaciones, la escuela que le corresponde a su familia, las polizas del districto, etc. 

La línea de mensajes es ofrecida a través de la Oficina de

Asuntos de Diversidad del Distrito y  está abierta 24 horas del día, siete días a la semana del 1 de agosto al 30 de junio. Haga sus llamadas al número (253) 604-3300.

Ramón Schussler-Paz, profesor de español en Rogers High School, está encargado del seguimiento de los mensajes. El llamará a las familias con respuestas a sus preguntas.

Nominations Accepted for Classified School Employee of the Year

You are invited to nominate a staff member to be honored as a Classified School Employee of the Year. The nomination process is easy — simply complete the nomination form and send it to Brian Fox, executive director of communications, information, and arts education at ESC, or email foxbd@puyallup.k12.wa.us Forms must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2013. The form is available by clicking this link: http://www.puyallup.k12.wa.us/pages/Puyallup_School_District/Departments/Communications_and_Information/Classified_Employee_of_the_Year   The Classified School Employee of the Year awards program is designed to recognize the work of school and district classified staff members who have made a positive difference in their profession. All school and district employees who are categorized as “classified” are eligible for nomination. Nominees should be employees who consistently demonstrate outstanding work performance, professional leadership, and collaboration.   Up to three employees will be selected as Puyallup School District Classified Employees of the Year and will be recognized by the Puyallup School Board. The nomination packet for these staff members will be forwarded to the Puget Sound Educational Service District to be considered for the regional Classified School Employee of the Year selection. Each of the nine regional educational service districts (ESDs) will select one regional finalist to be considered for the Washington state award.   If you have questions, please contact Brian Fox at extension x8703.

Elementary Teachers,

We have posted instructions on our Technology Services website for how to enter Elementary Report Card marks in TAC.  Follow this link for the instructions (remember you must login to Edline to access the instructions).

https://www.edline.net/files/_uGEBJ_/53191a14b92955ba3745a49013852ec4/Elementary_Report_Cards_in_TAC.pdf

You can also get to all of the documentation relating to TAC within TAC by accessing Tools > Documentation.

United WAY…ends 11/22

Key components of this year’s campaign:

• There is no paperwork required.  You can sign up online using the information below.  If you prefer paperwork, contact your building campaign coordinator and they will make sure you get a form.
• If you go online, you can find out how to connect with your community through United Way Pierce County, watch a short video titled, “Meet Taylor,” and find other helpful information.
• Once online, click “Pledge Now” to see how to direct your contributions to specific programs or agencies that interest you personally.

Please don’t delay.  As stated above, this year’s campaign is very short and the process to sign up only takes a few minutes. 

How to participate
Click this link (https://donor.unitedeway.org) and then use the information below.  Note that we all use the same Campaign Code, but the Username and Password apply only to you.

GLAD TRAINING!!!

Sign up for GLAD in Bridges #5199

November 13^th from 4:00-7:00

GLAD Lab (located at Firgrove) Portable 33

Collaborate to gain new ideas

 

Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.  Confucius

Nov 4 to Nov 8

Mon 11/4  Principal Directed-Library

Tues 11/5 Picture Re-Takes (stage)

                            Student of the Month Luncheon

Wed 11/6  8:15 Viking Support Team GR 5/6 Rm. 4

Thurs 11/7 1:05 Veteran’s Day Choir Assembly

                 AVID Family Night 6:00 – 8:00

Fri 11/8     12:46 EARLY DISMISSAL Student Learning Day

 

Nov 11 to Nov 15

Mon 11/11 Veteran’s Day – No School

Tues 11/12      8:00 PBIS Meeting Rm. 12

Wed 11/13 8:15 Viking Support Team GR KG Rm. 4

Thurs 11/14     PTA Pizza for students that sold 8 items or more 3:30 Library – CSIP Meeting (Casey Cox, special guest)

Fri 11/15        

United WAY…ends 11/22

Key components of this year’s campaign:

• There is no paperwork required.  You can sign up online using the information below.  If you prefer paperwork, contact your building campaign coordinator and they will make sure you get a form.
• If you go online, you can find out how to connect with your community through United Way Pierce County, watch a short video titled, “Meet Taylor,” and find other helpful information.
• Once online, click “Pledge Now” to see how to direct your contributions to specific programs or agencies that interest you personally.

Please don’t delay.  As stated above, this year’s campaign is very short and the process to sign up only takes a few minutes. 

How to participate
Click this link (https://donor.unitedeway.org) and then use the information below.  Note that we all use the same Campaign Code, but the Username and Password apply only to you.

Family in need?

If you had a family or student that appears to need some extra food over the weekend and/or before/after school, please talk to Andre.

Report Card Information

It’s that time of year to start thinking about the first trimester’s report card timeline

December 2, 2013: Report cards due to building administrators for review (due in the morning)

December 4, 2013: Request for changes provided to teachers

December 5, 2013: Print report cards

December 6, 2013: Report cards sent home with students

There are a couple things to keep in mind regarding the above timeline. First, we have traditionally sent report cards home on the last day of the trimester; however, with a late Thanksgiving the “send home” date was pushed out. Secondly, with new report card comment guidelines coming out, the report card review time should not take as long as perhaps it once did. Just as a reminder, here are the Elementary Report Card Committee’s recommended changes to the report card as well as guidelines for writing comments:

 

Data Display

The committee recommends that a table containing a students’ most recent data for the current school year (information contained in Performance Plus) be placed on report cards. ITC is working on this and will determine if this is possible.

Guidelines for Elementary Report Card Comments

The definition of a report card comment is a minimum of 1 to 2 sentences or a drop down comment (drop down comments still under development and may not be available first trimester).

2.   When a student receives a 1, 2, or N as a mark for any grading period, a comment is required to explain why the student received the mark.

3.   When a student receives a 3 or a 4 as a mark for any grading period, a comment is encouraged, but not required.

4.   Every student will receive at least two comments for the final grading period regardless of the marks received.

 Elementary report cards will be open in Teacher Access Center for grade entry beginning Monday, November 4.   A help guide to assist teachers with the entry of grades will be provided later next week.

With the new requirement of scheduling elementary students in eSchoolPLUS and TAC, the report card entry process has changed and we must do some preliminary work to ensure teacher gradebooks are up-to-date and ready for report cards.  

Clock Hours

Historically, clock hours & credits had to be earned by August 31st and turned in to the Human Resources Department by September 30th to be counted towards salary advancement for the current school year. 

Beginning the 2013-14 school year, all credits must be earned on or before October 1st and all paperwork must be turned in to the Human Resources Department by November 1st to be counted for the current years’ salary advancement.

College credits/continuing education credits - require an official transcript

In-service forms – require the employees’ original signature, no copies will be accepted

The College Credit/Clock Hour Approval Form can be downloaded from the district website. This form must be completed and turned in with all credits and clock hours.  Credits and clock hours must meet one of the state required criteria and must be offered by an accredited institution or an approved provider.

If you have questions please contact:

Region III & PSS based PEA – Holly Jette, jetteha@puyallup.k12.wa.us

Preferred Sub

You can let the sub office know if you have a preferred substitute that will be called first if they are available on that particular day to sub.

Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome.  Booker T. Washington

Oct 28 to Nov 1

Mon 10/28       Individual Planning

Tues 10/29      Pizza with the Principal

                     Health screening (see schedule in the staffroom)

Wed 10/30 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 3/4 Rm. 4

                     9:00 School Board Member Visits

Thurs 10/31     3:30 CSIP Meeting Library

Fri 11/01         End of Daylight Savings this weekend…(fall back)

Nov 4 to Nov 8

Mon 11/4  Principal Directed-Library

Tues 11/5 Picture Re-Takes

Student of the Month Luncheon

Wed 11/6  8:15 Viking Support Team GR 5/6 Rm. 4

Thurs 11/7       1:05 Veteran’s Day Choir Assembly

                     AVID Family Night 6:00 – 8:00

Fri 11/8           12:46 EARLY DISMISSAL Student Learning Day

 

Please include in your Newsletter

On Thursday, November 7th at 1:05 pm, The Spinning 5^th and 6^th grade students will be performing with the Kalles Junior High Choir at our Veteran’s Day Celebration.  All students will be attending this event.

Spinning would like to honor Veteran’s on this day.  Please feel free to invite close friends and family who are veterans to our performance.

Health Screening
Please take a look at the schedule on the staff lounge table for the time you have been assigned.  Vision, hearing and dental will occur for our K, 1, 2, 3, and 5 grade students.  A volunteer will come to your classroom to get you for your appointed time.

Nurse’s Office Update

We have a nurse at Spinning on Tuesday and a health assistant on Friday.  On average we see about 15 students a day for various reasons, many that we have rest and return to class.  Our resources are limited to Band-Aids, ice pack, water, rest, and/or a call home.  Please remember to have student rest head on desk for ten minutes unless they are throwing up or bleeding.  Right after recess is when we see the most traffic and hope that teachers would use the same “10 minute rule” before sending to the office.  We appreciate your support with remembering that the “first aid” boxes in your classroom and waiting period. 

Destiny Training

There will be a Destiny Library training offered Thursday November 7thth at Ballou Junior High Library from 4:15-5:15PM.

This training is offered to current District subs who are interested in library subbing.

Please RSVP to Jolene Sichmeller prior to November 6th to ensure registration.

Rolling Computer Lab

They are here and available by check-out.  Reserve now, or sign-up to use today.  How does it work?

Teacher reserves time/date

Teacher check out lab from office

Teacher rolls lab/labs to room (20 per cart)

Teacher/student use lab

Teacher follows instruction on lab to return laptops to cart

Teacher rolls lab/labs back and checks them in to the office.

Photos

Dorian Studios has sent us an electronic version of the staff photos and they can be used for your Edline. 

Report Cards

That time is nearing again…Report cards are handed out on Dec. 3^rd, so please be aware that the day will get here before you know it.
 

Daylight Savings ENDS

Sunday, November 3^rd at 2:00 AM set your clocks back 1 hour.

Longshoreman’s Fund

The Longshoremen Union provides a $200 gift card to help one family from each school with the holidays.  Here is the criteria: family in need, student demonstrating effort towards growth, positive attitude at school.  If you have a student that comes to mind, please fill out the nomination form (sent via email) and give it to our counselor by Thursday the 31st. 

 

“Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their players and motivate.”    Vince Lombardi

Oct 21 to Oct 25

Mon 10/21       Bus Safety WEEK

Grade Level Meetings

Tues 10/22      12:46 Early Dismissal Conferences

Wed 10/23 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 1/2 Rm. 4

                     12:46 Early Dismissal (EVENING CONFERENCES)

Thurs 10/24     12:46 Early Dismissal Conferences

Fri 10/25         9:15 Marge Salmon Relays 5^th and 6^th

Math Relay (Sparks)

                     6:30 – 8:30 PTA Dance and Trick or Trunk

 Oct 28 to Nov 1

Mon 10/28       Individual Planning

Tues 10/29      Pizza with the Principal

                     Health Screening (see schedule in the staffroom)

Wed 10/30 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 3/4 Rm. 4

Thurs 10/31     3:30 CSIP Meeting Library

Fri 11/01         End of Daylight Savings this weekend…(fall back)

 

Conference Schedules

Please make sure that you give a copy of your conference schedule to the office as soon as possible.  Hopefully by Monday for parents that forget or misplace time and date.

Wednesday Evening Conferences

Our wonderful PTA will be providing a Baked Potato Bar from 5:00 to 6:00.

Nurse’s Office Update

We have a nurse at Spinning on Tuesday and a health assistant on Friday.  On average we see about 15 students a day for various reasons, many that we have rest and return to class.  Our resources are limited to Band-Aids, ice pack, water, rest, and/or a call home.  Please remember to have student rest head on desk for ten minutes unless they are throwing up or bleeding.  Right after recess is when we see the most traffic and hope that teachers would use the same “10 minute rule” before sending to the office.  We appreciate your support with remembering that the “first aid” boxes in your classroom and waiting period. 

 

Donations

Over the last few months, we have received donations of school supplies, snacks, clothing items, and other helpful assistance from a variety of groups and families.  Walmart (Lakewood), St. Francis House, Peace Lutheran Church, Community in Schools, and some of our Spinning Families have been very supportive of our needs and wanted you to know.  Our Leadership students have created “Thank You” cards for us to send to some of them. 

 

Speaking of donations

We have some snacks in the office for students that have not received breakfast and/or need a little extra in their lunch or an afterschool snack. 

 

Translation
Did you know that we are able to have report cards, newsletters, and other important information translated for our families that need their information in a different language?  There is a bit of a turnaround time, however, send it to me in an attachment and I forward it to be translated and return it to you when I have received it back.
 

Volunteers

Another reminder that the current list of Spinning volunteers can be found on the Y drive or you can chat with your favorite volunteer coordinator.  If you have someone that is interested and you do not see them on the list, please ask.
 

Health Screening

Vision, Hearing and other screening will occur for K,1,2,3 and 5^th grade on 10/29.  Schedule is in the staff lounge.

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  Confucius

Oct 14 to Oct 18

Mon 10/14       National School Lunch WEEK

                     Grade Level Meetings

Tues 10/15      3:30 Safety Meeting

                     6:00 Region 3 ELL Family Night AT SPINNING

Wed 10/16 8:15 Viking Support Team KG GR Rm. 4

Thurs 10/17     10:17 THE Great Shake-out

3:30 BERC Group Meeting (TIMESHEETS)

                     5:15 PTA Board Meeting

Fri 10/18        

Oct 21 to Oct 25

Mon 10/21       Bus Safety WEEK

Grade Level Meetings

Tues 10/22      12:46 Early Dismissal

Wed 10/23 8:15 Viking Support Team GR 1/2 Rm. 4

                     12:46 Early Dismissal (EVENING CONFS)

Thurs 10/24    

Fri 10/25         9:15 Marge Salmon Relays 5^th and 6^th

Math Relay (Sparks)

                     6:30 – 8:30 PTA Dance and Trick or Trunk

The Great Shake OUT

The 2013 Great Shakeout (a state-wide earthquake drill) is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 at 10:17.  Let’s have 100% of our schools participate!  Go to http://www.shakeout.org/washington/schools/  for posters and resources and to register to participate.

Wednesday Evening Conferences

Our wonderful PTA will be providing a Baked Potato Bar from 5:00 to 6:00.

VOICEMAIL

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE update your voicemail.  Instructions are on the Y drive or you can stop by and borrow the office copy.  It’s so important to have this information updated so parents and our community get the correct person when we dispatch a call to your room if you are not available.

Professional Development Opportunities

The following professional development opportunities in the month of October for our elementary staff. If you are interested, please sign up on the professional development website.

Kindergarten
·         Read Well Training

·         Who: For those new to Kindergarten

·         When: October 22^nd (4pm-6pm) and November 14^th (4pm-5pm)

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary Portable 32

·         Additional Information: Clock hours and pay provided. (class 5074)

·         Kindergarten Math Training

·         Who: All Kindergarten teachers that have half day kindergarten classes

·         When: October 28^th choose 8am-11am or 12pm-3pm

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary Portable 32

·         Additional Information: Clock hours and sub provided. Please sign up on the Pro Dev site and send your sub request to Cynthia Russell russecm@puyallup.k12.wa.us by October 15^th. (class 5119 or 5121)

·         Full Day Kindergarten Math Training

·         Who: Full Day Kindergarten teachers

·         When: October 28^th from 4pm-7pm

·         Where: Firgrove Portable 32

·         Additional Information: Pay, clock hours, and dinner will be provided. (Class 5123)

First Grade

·         Read Well Training

·         Who: For those new to Kindergarten

·         When: October 22nd (4pm-6pm) and November 14th (4pm-5pm)

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary Portable 32

·         Additional Information: Clock hours and pay provided. (class 5074)

·         New to Grade Bridges Training

·         Who: New 1st Grade Teachers

·         When: October 15th (4pm-7pm)

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary, Melissa Ryan’s room

·         Additional Information: Clock hours and pay provided, please bring your Bridges and Number Corner teachers guides. (Class 5113)

·         Lucy Calkins 1stGrade Writing Workshop

·         Who: First Grade teachers who have not taken the class yet

·         When: October 16th 4pm-6pm (follow up date in January)

·         Where: Firgrove Portable 32

·         Additional Information: All teachers attending will get clock hours, and a set of Lucy Calkins teacher materials.

6th Grade

·         KEMS Training

·         Who: 6th grade teachers never trained in KEMS who are teaching math this year

·         When: November 18th and 19th (8am-3pm)

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary Portable 32

·         Additional Information: Please email your preferred sub to Cynthia Russell russecm@puyallup.k12.wa.us by November 1st. (class 5125)

K-6

·         Qwizdom Training

·         Who: All teachers

·         When: October 17^th Beginners October 28^th Advanced 4pm-5:30pm

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary October 17^th (portable 32) October 28^th (portable 33)

·         Additional Information: Please bring your laptops with Qwizdom downloaded on them to the training. (Class 5048 Oct 17^th) (Class 5050 Oct 28^th)

·         Math Cadre

·         Who: Elementary Cadre Members

·         When: October 29th K-2nd (8am-11am) 3rd-5th (12pm-3pm)

·         Where: Firgrove Elementary Portable 32

·         Additional Information: For Cadre Members Only, please email your preferred sub to Cynthia Russell russecm@puyallup.k12.wa.us by October 15th. (Class 5126 K-2) and (Class 5127 3-5)