Instructional Alignment

Over the years, we have been talking a lot about unpacking standards, and aligning our instruction. This is one of our key indicators for our School Improvement Plan. What is important to note is that there is overlap between this and our other indicator, Parent and Family Engagement.
We all understand the importance of understanding what the standard is asking students to be able to know and do. However, it is important to also understand the "why". Understanding the standard, allows us to create assessments that will show us if a student really has mastered it. However, it doesn't stop there. If a student has not yet met a standard, what do they need to do in order to master it? How can we in collaboration with their parents help them get there? It is helpful to parents as they work with their student at home to know what it was that kept them from mastery? The more the printed, taught, and tested curriculum align, the more helpful and effective our feedback can be for students and parents.

Upcoming Events:
Monday, March 2nd- 2nd grade field trip
Tuesday, March 3rd- 8:00 am Leadership Team Meeting; 2nd grade field trip
Wednesday, March 4th- "Wacky Wednesday" PLTS 7:55 in the Media Center
Thursday, March 5th-
Friday, March 6th-
Click here for this week's READ ACROSS THE WORLD Festivities

Pics from around the school:

 
Thanks to our amazing PTA and parent community and of course our fabulous AFM, James, for our new water bottle filling station.

Read Across the World!!

Thank you for all your hard work. The building looks amazing!!!

Surprising Mrs. Dunk, GHE TOY with her new laptop!

Love and Kindness are in the air at GHE!

What a fun week we have had! Thank you to our Student Counsel and Ms. Gardner for planning such fun and meaningful activities for this week!

I want to thank you for your engagement this week in beginning to provide feedback to district leadership regarding the direction of the new strategic plan. Again, this is a bridge year. There are many things included in the plan that we are all still working on. I will be sending an email out with the remaining codes so that you can provide input on some of the other items.

Going through that process made me think of the importance of engaging student voices in the classroom. Thought Exchange and apps like it are one way, but it can be as simple as having students write their thoughts or opinions about something on a chart paper and then having other students read those thoughts and comment or annotate with question marks or exclamation points on things they agree with or have questions on. Discussion beforehand helps them generate ideas and helps those that might not have the language initially to engage as well.

Upcoming Events:

Monday- February 17th- President's Day holiday 

Tuesday - February 18th- Teacher Workday (See Sharon's email)

Wednesday- February 19th- "Wacky Wednesday"7:55 Media Center

Thursday- February 20th-

Friday - February 21st- IEP Meeting Day 

                                          2nd Grade Economics Fair

Thank you to Mrs. Gehrett's class for making my day with their practice letter writing!

100 Days of Cuteness in K and 1!

     

K Economics Fair! They promised to give Mrs. Walker lessons on saving!😁

Ms. Jessica's cutie working on a Valentine painting. (so focused)

Welcome Ms. Shelley officially to our CCK Family!

There are no words!

Congratulations to Coach Gursslin for being voted the PTA volunteer of the year! 

Thanks for all you do for our school Coach! We are so grateful!

We're Famous!

Watch WRAL tonight (4:45 and 10:00 pm) for a story highlighting the deeds of some special members of our GHE family!

Thanks for pulling together!

We definitely had an interesting end to our week. You all did an amazing job being flexible and pitching in as we were had our little weather surprise. Below are two emails that I received on Thursday evening. I wanted to pass this along because it is important for us to know that it is noticed and it is part of what makes families so happy to be at GHE.

"Mrs. Walker, 

I just wanted to take a moment to compliment your staff for their heroic work at carpool today in difficult conditions. Jackson was literally walking down the sidewalk towards my car when the storm hit. Your staff did an AMAZING job of getting the children back inside safely and kept them safe until the worst of the weather passed. My wife and I also appreciate your communication with parents throughout the afternoon. Special kudos to Mrs. Driggers and several other staff members, whom I do not know by name, for looking out for Jackson and all the other children who were outside when the storm rolled in. Their efforts were very much appreciated. Thanks for all you do. "

And...

"Hello Ms Walker

I would  like to thank and really appreciate all the carpool teachers for today's dismissal. 

We love GHE !!"

I guarantee they wish they had these coats yesterday!

Upcoming Events:

Kindness Week!

Report Cards go home on Monday, February 10th

Tuesday- 8:00 am in the Media Center Staff Meeting

Wednesday- 7:55 Wacky Wednesday PLTs

Class pictures rescheduled for February 21st.