Huff's Headlines

August 2010

Welcome to our new principal Dr. Renee Garriss

Sneak a Peek

 Grades 3-5 - Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Grades K-2 - Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm

 

May

Dear Parents,

            As we close out the 2009-2010 school year, I would like to thank you for your continued support and time that you have freely given our students and staff members.  My hat goes off to our PTA Executive Board for all the endless hours of work they have put in this year and also to our various committee chairs for their tireless work.  Secondly, I would also like to thank the Mountain View Foundation Executive Board for working diligently to fund our full time computer lab position.  Lastly, my thanks to our students for remaining focused and achieving great strides throughout the year. 

            At the end of the school year, we will lose some staff members due to moving or to pursue other personal and professional goals.  We wish them the best in their future endeavors.  In a later edition of the newsletter I will list those persons that will be joining the Mountain View family. 

            I would like to end this month’s entry with the “Thoughtful Thirty” from Hal Urban, author of Positive Words, Powerful Results, Simple Ways to Honor, Affirm, and Celebrate Life.

Over the years, Mr. Urban interviewed teenagers, adults, college students, teachers, and his personal friends and asked them; “What are the types of things we can say that make other people and ourselves feel good?”  Listed below are the results of his interviews.

 

1.      Give Encouragement.

2.      Express thanks.

3.      Acknowledge others.

4.      Extend greetings.

5.      Give a compliment.

6.      Congratulate someone.

7.      Teach, give instructions.

8.      Offer words of comfort.

9.      Inspire others.

10.  Celebrate and cheer.

11.  Inquire, express interest.

12.  Mend relationships.

13.  Make others laugh.

14.  Show faith and trust.

15.  Share good news.

16.  Praise, honor, build up.

17.  Express caring.

18.  Show understanding and empathy.

19.  Give approval.

20.  Extend an invitation.

21.  Show courtesy and respect.

22.  Give advice and counsel.

23.  Apologize.

24.  Forgive.

25.  Offer to help.

26.  Tell the truth.

27.  Point out the good.

28.  Use terms of affection.

29.  Provide valuable information.

30.  Communicate love.

 

During the month of May and the summer months, share something thoughtful with persons that you meet!  You may find that this might become one of your daily habits.  Have a great month of May with us at Mountain View

and enjoy your summer with your children, family and friends.  I’ll see you in July for Sneak-a-Peek!

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe, but it is the time of year that our thoughts turn to class placement for next year. The teachers and I take the placement process very seriously. With our understanding of each child, we will plan for classes that are heterogeneous; a combination and balance of boys, girls, abilities and learning styles. If you would like to submit placement concerns to administration, please read the Download Parentplacementinput . 

In our December/January newsletter, we shared our school improvement goals from Mountain View's School Strategic Plan.

1. Students will demonstrate proficiency at or above grade level in math.

2.      Teachers will increase the degree to which they either support or implement the instructional use of technology.

We also shared the many strategies we have implemented in order achieve these goals including Guided Math, grade level math goal setting, teacher trainings, Math Morning, and our Mountain View Foundation funded computer lab instructor. In support of our technology goal, we are excited to share with you that early this month the county will be installing SmartBoards in every classroom! SmartBoards are interactive white boards that allow teachers to create lessons that permit their students to collaborate, draw, and interact with information on the screen. Lessons and activities in the classroom setting become more engaging for students and increase overall retention of the lesson content.

Spring is quickly approaching and with it the CRCT. Please mark your calendars for April 14^th through the 23^rd, this year’s testing window. All students in grades 1 through 5 will test in Reading,English/Language Arts, and Mathematics. Students in third, fourth and fifth grade will test for two additional days in the areas of Science, Social Studies. Third graders must pass the reading portion of the CRCT in order to be promoted to fourth grade. Fifth graders must pass both the reading and math portions in order to move to middle school.

Parents might be interested in the CRCT page located at the Georgia Department of Education website: http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ci_testing.aspx?PageReq=CI_TESTING_CRCT  On this page, you can access information about the test, study guides and statewide scores.

In further support of this testing, we recently sent home access information for Online Assessment System (formerly known as CRCT Online) at https://www.georgiaoas.org  to families of first to fifth graders. The Georgia State Department of Education has developed this online assessment system containing practice tests for the CRCT that your child can take at home if he/she has access to the internet. We hope these resources will be helpful to you throughout the remainder of the school year.

Finally, we would like to share with you that based on last year’s scores Mountain View was one of only thirty-six Cobb County schools named as an award winner for student achievement by the Georgia Department of Education and the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Our school received the Gold Award with at least 97% of students meeting and exceeding standards on the CRCT, with a minimum of 30% exceeding. With your support and the hard work of our teachers, we can repeat or even improve that impressive success!

Thank you for your continued support of Mountain View Elementary School!

Angela M. Huff

December/January

Welcome to my first interactive blog entry!

In the October blog, I shared goals from Mountain View's School Strategic Plan.

1. Students will demonstate proficiency at or above grade level in math.

2. Teachers will increase the degree to which they either support or implement the instructional use of technology.

At Mountain View, we are working hard to achieve these goals and want to share some of the events and strategies we have implemented to make it happen! Please click on highlighted text to view the hard work our students and teachers are doing.

In the area of math, teachers have been trained in an instructional strategy called Guided Math. View this photo  In Guided Math, teachers differentiate work for students by increasing the use of small group instruction and varying tasks. As administration has walked the classrooms, we have noticed an increase in student engagement. Teachers have also been trained in Engagement Strategies and Higher Order Thinking Skills to be more effective in their planning and instruction. Teachers will continue to work collaboratively throughout the year as they meet in monthly sessions to effectively implement these strategies.

To motivate students, grade levels will set a math goal every nine weeks. Intermittently, teachers will assess student progress to the goal. Students mastering the goal for that nine weeks will be recognized on our "Math Masters Bulletin Board" located outside the media center. View this photo Another bulletin board which highlights student work and grade level math curriculum can be found towards the front of the school.View this photo Each month a different grade level will highlight their math curriculum and student work.

Throughout the year, we hope you will take advantage of the Math Mornings for each grade level. Parents will have the opportunity to experience some of the same activities as the students for one fabulous and engaging morning.

In the area of technology, we are excited about the new ceiling mounted LCD projectors and screens that have been recently installed in all classrooms. To date the school has acquired 9 Smartboards, including 1 in the computer lab that is accessible by all teachers in the building. View this photo Our School Council's goal is investigating ways to increase the number of SmartBoards in the building.

With ever changing technology, Mountain View recognizes the importance of teacher training and student use. On the March early release day, teachers will engage in technology training in an area of their choice. Another valuable resource to our students and teachers has been the Mountain View Foundation funded computer lab teacher, Mrs. Newhouse. Please visit Mrs. Newhouse's BLOG to see what our technology saavy students can do.

Finally, please know that each classroom teacher maintains a blog to communicate events, curriculum and other important information. Visit your child's classroom BLOG now! 
 

November

 
 

Dear Parents,

            October was quite an eventful month!  Our PTA had numerous successful events that included Fall Festival, Reflections, Walk to School Day, the Sally Foster Fundraiser and Red Ribbon Week.  Mountain View parents and committee chairs worked very hard to make these events great.  Many volunteers also helped to make these events spectacular.  Also, our Foundation president, Barry Wolfert is working diligently to get Foundation donations to be able to KEEP our full time computer lab teacher.  Cobb County School District does NOT fund such a position for elementary schools, and it is greatly important that if you have NOT donated to the Foundation, that you STRONGLY consider doing so very soon. 

            This month, please join your children for Thanksgiving lunches.  These will be held on November 10 for kindergarteners and fourth graders; November 11 for fifth and second graders; and November 12 for first and third graders.  Teachers will send home a note with specific classroom lunch times.  In addition, students will be out of school for Thanksgiving break from November 23 to 27. 

            As you share a week of family time at the end of this month, please consider ten ways that words can enrich family life.  These come from a book that I love, “Positive Words, Powerful Results,” by Hal Urban.

1.      Model the language you want your children to use.

2.      Read to your children.

3.      Have a meaningful conversation – parents need to make face-to-face, meaningful conversation a high priority.

4.      Ask good questions.  Instead of asking, “Did you learn anything today?” ask, “What was the best thing that happened to you today?” This question will garner better results, and you will probably find out what was learned.

5.      Celebrate the day at the dinner table.

6.      Catch your kids doing something right.

7.      Correct gently.

8.      Use and teach the magic words “please” and “thank you.”  For hundreds of years, these magic words, along with other terms of courtesy, were taught and modeled in virtually every home.  This began to change in the mid -1960’s for a variety of reasons.  While good manners are still stressed by many parents, it is no longer assumed that most children are learning them in the home.

9.      Write a family mission statement about words in the home:  a brief declaration of purpose that helps keep its members focused and reminds them of their responsibilities.

10.   Schedule a family night, and keep in mind four simple rules:

a.       Have it the same time and day each week.

b.      Hold family night even if a family member is absent.

c.       Make sure it is at least one hour long.

d.      Ensure conversation takes place during the activity.

As always, thanks for what you do for me and the staff at Mountain View Elementary.  I appreciate each of you!

Angela M. Huff

October

Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe that we are in the third month of school.  We had a great opening, and all students are settled in their classes.

Each year, every school in the Cobb County school district, has to develop student achievement and school performance goals.  These goals are determined by the use of many local, state and national assessments.  Mountain View Elementary’s School Strategic goals for the 2009-2010 school year are:

1.       Students will demonstrate proficiency at or above grade level in math.

2.      Teachers will increase the degree to which they either support or implement the instructional use of technology in their classroom.

As a staff, we will collect data on these goals to determine our strengths and weaknesses.  This data will guide our instruction with students throughout the school year. 

Mountain View Elementary traditionally performs well on State and National assessments.  However, we know that this would not have been possible without the strong home/school connection that exists at Mountain View.

To be able to reach these goals in the School Strategic Plan successfully, one of the activities planned will be continual staff developments.  If you did not participate in the parent trainings to volunteer in classrooms on September 1^st or 2^nd, please consider participating in the training on October 2^nd or 5^th at 10:00 a.m.

As always, thank you for supporting your children and our school.   

 

                                                    Angela M. Huff

September

Dear Parents,

A few weeks ago, The Atlanta Journal Constitution printed an article “Space where kids can work.”  After reading the article, I felt it would be important for me to share with you.

Experts say students need a designated place at home to study.  A well-lighted area and a system to keep the paper and projects in order, can be just as important to a child’s success in school as eating a healthy breakfast and getting a good night’s rest.  If the student is organized and the family is organized, the rest is easy.  In today’s highly wired, fast-paced lifestyle, experts continue to say parents need to be purposeful in creating a quiet place for schoolwork. 

Here are eight tips for getting your home back in shape for school:

1. Carve out homework spot:  whether it is a bedroom or family office, find an area where your child can work distraction-free and make it a designated work space.  Stock the area with all of the supplies and tools needed to complete the homework.
2. Organize:  Use separate, labeled notebooks for each class or subject area.  Create files for each subject.  Use a calendar to keep track of important dates and deadlines.
3. Lighting:  Take advantage of natural lighting and use an overhead light, but also add desk lamps.
4. Storage:  Storage bins and pullout trays keep items neat and organized and yet easy to transport.  Use clear ones so you can see what’s inside or label them.
5. Don’t commingle:  School work books, library books should be stored separately from family books and papers.  This way it will be much easier to keep track of where everything is.
6. Artwork:  Hang your child’s artwork with pride; consider framing it in interchangeable mattes.  It’s inspiring and sends the message to your child you value his or her creativity.
7. Label everything:  With more than one child, it can be easy to get kids’ stuff mixed up.  And this will also prevent your child’s stuff from getting lost at school.
8. Noise:  Avoid loud music, but remember not all kids like it silent.  Some like background music.  If so, go with instrumental, not Top 40 songs.

As always, I look forward to seeing you in the building, have a super September!

Sincerely,

Angela M. Huff

July/August

Dear Parents,

 

I can hardly believe that it is almost time to begin the 2009-2010 School Year.  August 10^th, the first day of school, will be here before we know it.  I hope that you are having a great summer vacation.

 

During the months of June and July, we have had a new air conditioning system placed in the kitchen area, gotten a new fire alarm system and the custodians have been working extremely hard to get the building ready for everyone’s return.

 

Below is a listing of new staff members joining our school as well as staff members that have been reassigned to other areas within the building.

 

Please join me in welcoming these new staff members:

 

            Tiffany Davis – Intermediate Counselor (grades 3-5)

            Debra Dance – ½ time ESL teacher

            Patricia Bartz – Interrelated Special Education Teacher

            Cathy Martin – Inclusion Special Education Teacher

           

Staff Changes:

 

            Ashley Montejo – First Grade

            Patty Kanwisher – Third Grade

            Gayla Roland – Fourth Grade

            Stephanie Clatterbaugh – Target

            Rebecca Wells – Teacher/Autism (Primary Grades)

 

To alleviate congestion with all parents and students in the building at the same time, we have planned two opportunities for our Sneak –a – Peek.  The date has been set for Thursday, August 6th :    grades levels K – 2 will visit classrooms from 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m. and grades 3-5 will visit classrooms from 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

 

As always, thanks for what you do for Mountain View Elementary’s students and staff. 

 

Continue to have a safe and restful summer vacation.

 

Sincerely,

 

Angela M. Huff

 

Dear Parents,

 

Thank you for your constant support of Mountain View Elementary and the investments you make in your children’s lives.  We are grateful that we have such a supportive parent base that is willing to help in so many ways.  We have a great opportunity once again to make a difference in our children’s lives with this spring’s fundraiser the Boosterthon Fun Run.

 

            We will be kicking off the Boosterthon Fun Run on April 28^th.  Please look for your child’s “pledgebook” and informational DVD on how you can help.  Please watch the “D.R.E.A.M. Big” DVD to hear about this great program and feel free to also visit www.funrun.com

 

            The Boosterthon Fun Run is interactive, community-based and promotes three specific values: FITNESS, EDUCATION & CHARACTER.  Students are challenged to get 10 pledges for the laps they will be running on May 6^th.  Students will run for 30 minutes and average 25-35 laps with a “lap cap” of 35.

 

            The Boosterthon Fun Run is for every student regardless of financial giving.  All students receive an All-Star T-Shirt and we invite all parents to come to the Boosterthon Fun Run and share this great event with them!

 

Our goal is to raise $40,000 for  Technology.

We will be keeping 52% of the monies collected

 

We ask you to help Mountain View Elementary in the following four ways:

 

1.         Please help connect your child to potential sponsors and help them acquire pledges from family, friends and contacts.

 

2.         Ask your child about the “D.R.E.A.M. Big” character trait they learn at school each day during the Boosterthon Fun Run program.

 

3.         Please come to the Boosterthon Fun Run on May 6^th  and don’t forget to invite others to attend our fun community event.

 

4.         Help us promote thankfulness in our community by encouraging students to thank their sponsors for their support to our school!

 

Thank you again for being such a wonderful group of parents!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Angela M. Huff

April

Dear Parents,

 

Wow, it is April; the year is truly almost over.  My mother always told me “as you get older, the years would pass by faster” and I am starting to believe that there was a lot of truth in her words. 

In this troubled economy with many people experiencing job loss, I thought it would be great to devote this month’s entry to a selection that I read in a book entitled Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff… and it’s all small stuff written by Richard Carlson, Ph.D.

 

 

Make Peace with Imperfection

 

I’ve yet to meet an absolute perfectionist whose life was filled with inner peace.  The need for perfection and the desire for inner tranquility conflict with each other.  Whenever we are attached to having something a certain way, better than it already is, we are, almost by definition engaged in a losing battle.  Rather than being content and grateful for what we have, we are focused on what’s wrong with something and our need to fix it.  When we are zeroed in on what’s wrong, it implies that we are dissatisfied, discontent.

Whether it’s related to ourselves; a disorganized closet, a scratch on the car, an imperfect accomplishment, a few pounds we would like to lose, or someone else’s “imperfections”, the way someone looks, behaves, or lives their life; the very act of focusing on imperfection pulls away from our goal of being kind and gentle.  This strategy has nothing to do with ceasing to do your very best but with being overly attached and focused on what’s wrong with life.  It’s about realizing that while there’s always a better way to do something, this doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy and appreciate the way things already are.

The solution here is to catch yourself when you fall into your habit of insisting that things should be other than they are.  Gently remind yourself that life is okay the way it is, right now.  In the absence of your judgment, everything would be fine.  As you begin to eliminate your need for perfection in all areas of your life, you’ll begin to discover the perfection in life itself.

 

Thanks for all you do and I will see you at school!

 

Angela M. Huff