Monday, March 25, 2013

Faculty News March 24


Autrey Mill Faculty News    
March 24, 2013

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them.  They went out and happened to things.”

-Elinor Smith


News/Timelines/Due Dates

Have a Wonderful Spring Break!  Since tomorrow is the walk-a-thon, you can wear jeans.  Since Wednesday is the day after the walk-a-thon, you can wear jeans.  Since Thursday is the last Thursday that will ever happen in March of 2013, you can wear jeans.  Of course, you can wear jeans on Friday.
 
PRIDE –Friday, March 29th PRIDE will be an advisement class.  First, we need the students to fill out a quick survey asking their input on a possible new connections class.  The topic will be the CRCT.  Each grade level has a different lesson to help prepare them for this upcoming testing event.  The 6th grade will discuss what the CRCT is about and the mechanics of the test including testing length, studying for the test, and common testing mistakes.  There is a power point presentation that 6th grade PRIDE teachers will need.  It is located in the PRIDE folder under CRCT.  Ask your PRIDE liaisons to help you locate it if you need assistance.  7th grade will review background information about the CRCT and take a preparation for testing quiz.  8th grade will discuss more about how to relax during the test and avoid testing anxiety as well as following directions.  ALL students will be writing the testing dates in their agendas.
 
Noteworthy News:  Congratulations to both the 7th & 8th grade bands for outstanding performances at this year’s LGPE event.  This performance is the equivalent of the CRCT for Bands.  It is a really big deal!  Both ensembles received straight superiors on the stage performance and in sight reading.  This is the highest rating that you can receive.  Please congratulate these students when you see them for their hard work and great.

Science Fair: Sophie Spiegel attended the state science fair in Athens at UGA this past weekend. She was awarded 2nd place honors.

Writing Scores:  Eight grade writing scores are back and 98% of our students met or exceeded the standards.  That is the highest percentage in the last four years.  Twenty one percent of students exceeded the standards.

 

Where is Livingston?  Deborah White says” Natalie Smith is the person I want to pass Livingston to.  One of the best things about Livingston is that it is an opportunity to recognize those who quietly and tirelessly do a great job every day regardless of who is watching.  The person I pass Livingston to is soft-spoken, but firm, patient beyond words, and remains positive while working with some of our most frustrating students.  She is always quick to smile, and is more flexible than anybody I know on staff.  She has taught math, social studies, study skills, and reading sometimes all in the same school year, as well as multiple grade levels.  This year to help her students she sought additional instruction in early childhood reading strategies and has implemented, The Café approach to literacy in her resources classes.  If you visit one of her resource reading classes you will be blown away.  She will be conferencing with students on their reading goals while other students are working in stations to improve their literacy, some listening to works on tape, others using the computer to practice their fluency and measure their progress.

I am proud to pass Livingston on to Natalie Smith who truly deserves to be recognized for going above and beyond in pursuit of meaningful instruction for her students.
Happy Birthday
Fran Meredith           March 26
Ingrid Hedlund          March 27
Liz Grage                    March 29
Morgan Jacobs          March 31
Maria Purwin             April 5

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