May 17, 2013

...in case you didn't get the SM-email Wednesday afternoon...

I have exciting news to share with all of you. Trina Graen has accepted an internal transfer from Shuler (reading lab) to Maple Grove for the 2013-14 school year as our ESL teacher! Trina brings a ton of knowledge and experience with how to effectively work with struggling readers. Before teaching at Shuler, she had taught "Title One" at MGE with intermediate level students. Take time to welcome Trina this spring or summer.

...we are also excited to announce Kim Wolf as our assistant principal for the upcoming school year. Kim is currently a 1st grade teacher in ADM and has had many leadership roles and responsibilities during her time there. She comes with wonderful recommendations and will hit the ground running this summer as she supports MGE and Shuler this fall. Kim will be visiting MGE on Monday so if you are able to stick around the building after school, I will be taking her around the building and introducing her to staff informally.

PBIS posters should remain in the classroom even if you are "moving next door." If you arrive in the room and cannot find the posters, let me know.

TODAY - please return Love and Logic books to Doug if they belong to Walnut Hills. They need them by Monday. By checkout, those leaving MGE should please bring to Doug's office any other book-study books (except Leader in Me) you have been given through BLT, PBIS, etc. 

Related Arts progress statements will be done by no later than 4pm Wednesday. You may print your end of year reports for the cum folder when those are entered. Print a copy to send home on the last day if the family does not have internet access. This will not be done from the office so please do this for your own students.

Check list reminder from Perrigo...
1) Schedule a time with Leslie to check out materials if you are leaving the building. 

2) All benchmarking kits need to be returned to Leslie's office by Tuesday 5/21. 

Check list - not on the list, but you do need to move over your folders over to Google-mail (waukeeschools.org) before too long in to the summer. IT has provided a "how-to" video to help. 

Next week items to note...

• 5th Grade track and field is on Tuesday
• Associate reviews will take place on Wednesday. If you have not signed up, please do so today outside the appropriate office (Diann or Doug)
• Early out schedule on Wednesday with the all school assembly beginning at 2:45p. Kindergarten should begin heading to the gym at 2:35p and will will announce each grade following.
• Everyone, please be out in the hallways before and after school each day next week to help reteach expected behaviors and reinforce positive behaviors.
• Clap-out for our 5th graders will begin at 3:25pm on Friday. Please have all students sitting outside their classrooms by that time. Our 5th grade students will parade through the hallways starting from 4th grade down through the kindergarten hallway. When all 5th graders have left the west entrance, we will make an announcement that school is dismissed for the 2012-13 school year! 
• All staff should be in the hallways and walk out with the students on Friday. Your team should send two of your team members with students to parent pick-up and the rest should be with students waiting for and going to the buses. It is always fun to say good-bye outside! :-) 

Real Men Do Cry...

I didn't say it well enough during PD on Wednesday because it is challenging for
me to say good bye or good luck or see-you-later to so many staff members and 
students at the end of the school year. I joked that "real men do cry" and although
I consider myself a pretty emotionally-in-check person, it does sadden me to see
so many good kids, parents, teachers and staff move on this year. I truly wish each
of you the very best. Teachers and staff leaving - please know how much I appreciate
all you have done during your time at MGE to make it THE place to learn, grow,
laugh, love and live. Other buildings, colleagues, parents and kids are fortunate to have
you in their lives next year. May continued success and happiness find you each morning.