Autrey Mill Faculty Focus        

December 19, 2011

Don’t wait for your ship to come in, swim out to it.

                                                                -Anonymous

News/Timelines/Due Dates

·   GREAT ITBS SCORES!!  We increased in every area!!!  Way to go!

Reading

79% up 4% from last yea

Math

85% up 7% from last year

Language

80% up to 4% from last year

Social Studies

79% up 6% from last year

Science

82% up 3% from last year

·      Help Wanted!!  We need someone to cover the front desk on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4:00 to 5:15 beginning in January.  This is a paid position.  See Stephanee Stephens or Kathleen Outlaw if you have questions.

·         Thanks for helping coordinate the PRIDE community service drive for homeless students in Fulton County Schools.  To date we have collected…

9 large boxes of hygiene items

4 large boxes of new hats and gloves

5 large boxes of new socks

The items will be delivered to Fulton County Schools Homeless Liaison before Winter Break.  Any last minute donations can be dropped off outside Fran Meredith’s office.

·      Please remember to code ELL students with 135 if you have made accommodations for them.  

·     Teams have $100 from PTA for student incentives or awards during the year.  You just need to submit the receipts to be reimbursed.

·         Please see the attached document that describes what parents need to do when requesting recommendations and evaluations related to private school, sports, medical evaluations, etc. (email version)

A mighty roar!

To Betsy Jacks for her welcoming demeanor in the front office and the way she supports all our students especially the “friends” that visit her daily.

To the sixth grade teachers use of learning style surveys with their students. During a discussion of differentiated learning at Ad Staff, a parent who also works with the county was commenting on how her son discusses this at home. 

To the connections department who gave such wonderful music performances last week but what really stood out to me was that the other teachers from the department were there to support the team!

 Where is Livingston?  This week’s recipient is Stephanie Haga who constantly reflects on her teaching and works hard to find new ways to engage students. (Her enthusiasm caused a broken foot!)  An example would be her identifying an area of growth through the self-assessment, and using a class to try some things to grow in that area.  Her use of Edmodo in response to her area of growth has been great and the response from the students has been wonderful. What deserving staff member will he visit next?

Happy Birthday

Deborah White 12/25

Lacie Resweber 12/25

Mandi Mitchell 12/26

Deborah White 12/25

Lacie Resweber 12/25

Mandi Mitchell 12/26

Kathleen Outlaw 12/27

Shail Workman 12/29

Stephanie Purcell 12/29

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year.  Here’s to a great 2012!!!!!

Meeting with Dr. Avossa

We had our first full meeting with our new superintendent and I must say I feel very good about his leadership.  He is very passionate and firmly believes  that all children can be successful.  His big question to us is what are we doing to make lessons relevant for children?  I am sure he will be visiting all schools and has already set up small group meetings with all principals.  I can tell you that it feels like a breath of fresh air where our opinions are important.  Of course I love the fact that he is eleven years younger than me!!!!!  We also heard from Dr. Jerry Weast, former superintendent of Montgomery County Schools (Maryland).  I will tell you more of thier fascinating story next week.

My first attempt at a blog!

Welcome to my blog.  I hope to use this to communicate with you throughout the year.  I am so excited about this upcoming school year and I hope you are also!