May 29th - June 1st

May 29th - June 1st

Lock Down

Our practice lock down will be on Tuesday, May 29th.  Refer to the May 23rd e-mail from Travis with more information concerning the lock down.  If you have not had the time to view the video, please review the 7 minute link before the lock down begins.  http://www2.wcpss.net/departments/security/emergency/lockdown.htm

Congrats to Track 1 students and staff

2011-12 school year ends for Track 1 on Friday.  There will be several activities going on throughout the week to celebrate the end of year.  Friday morning at 9:30 the 5th grade will have their celebration in the gym.  Please remind the students to continue to SAIL at all times.

Lead Team Retreat

Lead Team Retreat will be held next Monday, June 4 at Progress Energy Center for Performing Arts.  Agenda and directions will be sent to the 2012-13 Lead Team members this week.

School-Wide Events

Tuesday - Landlubbers will be completing their first 5k run at school.  The run will be from 3:50-4:40 in the OCE neighborhood area, so if you have some time come on out and cheer us on.  We have 45 students that will be participating.  Staff, please talk to your students about not moving any cones, signs, etc that will be put out prior to the end of the school day to mark the course.  This will start around 3:30.  

Thursday (May 31) classes need to eat in their rooms.  The parents want to get in and set up for the celebration.  This will be the same for the Tracks 2,3,4 celebration.

EOGs

Yes, we are still in taking EOGs at OCE!  Tracks 3 and 4 will begin this week.  5th grade will take their Science EOG on Friday.  Please remember to SAIL at all times.  Track 1 staff...please remind parents of your students we have EOGs going on Friday.  We know it is an exciting time for Track 1 and as staff we understand, but the others will need a reminder.  Thank you in advance for your help with this.

Thank you PTA!  NEW SHIRTS for 2012-13

The PTA is getting the staff new shirts to for the 2012-13 school year.  Kathy Evan is organizing the ordering and delivery of the shirts.  Not an easy task with a staff our side.  Track 1...PLEASE make certain you make your shirt size decision this week and let Kathy know either Thursday or Friday. (Look for the poster in the workroom concerning sizes.)

Teacher Resources
http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/05/can-ted-talks-really-work-in-a-classroom/ - TED ED - site that has videos, speeches, etc on various topics.


Teacher Links
http://www.21stcenturyfluency.com/blogpost.cfm?blogID=2702 - Kids speak out on Student Engagement

http://theeconomyofmeaning.com/2012/05/21/sometimes-i-just-want-to-start-throwing-things-myths-in-education/ - interest study on ways students retain information - 90% success rate if they teach others, 75% practice doing, 50% discussion, read on for more.

Captain's Log 5-21/25

May 21- 25

Boosterthon 

Please refer to the e-mail sent from Marie Cohen on 5/18/2012 concerning the last few outstanding pledges from the Boosterthon.  The PTA does not want to continue to call the student's families and ask for the pledges if we know that circumstances have changed since making the pledge.  We are trying to be sensitive to the needs of the student and family.  IF you have been told something confidentially, you do not need to break confidentiality, but just let the PTA know that your class has completed the collections.  If you have any questions, please see me.

Meet the Teacher

The date for Meet the Teacher for all tracks will be JULY 5 from 5-6 Thank you to the 52 teachers who responded to the survey by Friday.

End of Year

End of Year check out sheet will be coming out this week.  The final edits were completed on Friday afternoon. 

Report Cards:  Track One----Grade levels have them to Administration by Wednesday, May 30.  If you get them completed prior to Wednesday it's ok to send them earlier.  Remember for us, for every one you write multiply by 4 or more. Thank you for making certain your comments continue to address academics and work habits.

EOGs

Thank you to everyone who continued to honor the quiet zones during EOGs.  Our students have done well, so far, with their EOGs.  There will be a few students who will be retaking the EOGs this week from Track 1, so we need to continue to practice the hallway SAIL expectations at all times.

Thank you to John for his organization for the EOGs.  Also to all teachers, teacher assistants, cafeteria and office staff.  EOGs is a whole school effort and each of you did a fantastic job of being a team player during the first two administrations!  One more to go with Tracks 3 and 4!

PLTs

PLTs will meet their normal times this week.

Specials and Lunch Schedule

All schedules are back to normal this week.  Enjoy having a "regular" schedule.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Megan and Pete for receiving a grant for: Check This Out! : Using QR Codes to Access Student-Created Video Book Talks and Book Trailers.  This is another example of the great work going on at OCE!

Check out the Picnic Tables!

Check out the picnic tables on the Kindergarten and First Grade playground.  One of OCE's alumni Chris Eakes, built four "little" kid size picnic tables for his Eagle Scout project.  The project has been approximately a year in the making and this past weekend he was able to finally make the picnic tables!  Congratulations to Chris for making Eagle Scout and to our school for being a part of it!

Teacher Resources

Teacher Links

Quick read article for Teacher Tips and Technology Time Savers for Teachers.  http://www.the-teachers-lounge.com/blog/2012/03/technology-timesavers-for-teacher/

IPad Academy--  http://ipadacademy.com/

May 14 - 18th

Captain's Log

Artapalooza!

WOW what a night!

Everything was fantastic for Artapalooza!  Thank you for everyone who either stayed and helped on Friday evening or came Saturday and volunteered your time.  It was noticed and mentioned by the PTA.  Parents were clicking pictures with their children in front of their masterpieces.  What a wonderful memory made for so many families!  Gussie...thank you for all your hard work in making our school an Art Museum for the evening. 

I have an App for that!   Monday May 21st at 8:00

Right now there were nine people that will be attending this work session.  (As we begin getting more tools for teaching it would be beneficial for more professionals to begin developing their skills by attending the professional development opportunities.) Prior to our work session, think about what kind of apps you would like to know more about (what will it do for me) and what you would like to share (i.e. an app that has made your life easier or have seen success with your students.)

EOG Testing: Track 1

Tuesday, May 15:  Reading
Wednesday, May 16: Math Calculator Active
Thursday, May 17: Math, Calculator Inactive

Testing takes place in rooms throughout the building, so please make certain that everyone does an EXTRA great job of SAILing in the halls and outside. (Adults included)

Remember...ALL tracks are involved in the "swapping" of Specials.  We will also use the TV monitor to inform of when testing has completed. (RED, YELLOW, GREEN)

Teacher Resources 

Great resources for Daily Five (all grades) - Thanks Rahnesia for sharing this - http://www.sanjuan.edu/webpages/gguthrie/balanced_literacy.cfm?subpage=127464 (there is a lot of resources, so be sure to have some time to explore).

Going out with a bang - as Track 1 closes their year and we wall our in the home stretch here are some good end of the year things to do (I like the last one - visit next year's class) http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/classroom-solutions/2012/05/going-out-bang-%E2%80%94-ending-year-positive-note?eml=Teachers/e/20120507/twitter///SMO/teachers/CSblog/Addie/

Teacher Links

4 secrets of the most productive people -  http://business.time.com/2012/04/17/4-secrets-of-the-most-productive-people/?iid=biz-main-lede

Survival Skills - http://doug-johnson.squarespace.com/blue-skunk-blog/2012/5/4/a-better-name-than-21st-century-skills.html (thanks @pcaggia) 

May 7th -11th

Captain's Log

"Good teaching is more a giving of right questions than a giving of right answers."
Josef Albers

Meetings-Mandatory Staff Meeting

Mandatory Staff meeting - Friday, May 11 8:00-8:40- Agenda items include: End of the Year procedures, nice to knows/need to knows, Staffing for 2012-13, Budget update.

Artapalooza-Date/Time/Volunteer

Saturday, May 12 from 5-8. The PTA does a great deal for our school. This year alone they have provided gift cards for each teacher, breakfast and snacks, provided volunteers throughout the year and have supported our technology vision. It is an expectation that every staff member will sign up to work.

EOG and PLTs--the expectation and explanation

EOGs for Track 2 - Ms. Coward, Mr. Jacques, and Mr. Roach. Track 2 specials will be flipped for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There will be no calling from the intercom until the EOGs are completed. When moving about the building, it is very important for everyone to SAIL.

Thank you to those of you who have asked for clarification on PLTs and EOGs, and to teams who continued to plan on meeting. The information in a previous Captain's Log seemed very clear to us, however, it has caused some confusion. PLTs begin at 8:00, so each grade level should expect to meet until 8:40 for their PLT. The "no PLTs" referenced times and coverage, since teachers "giving" and teacher assistants "proctoring" would need to be available prior to the 9:10 normal ending time. Proctors need to be in the classroom at 8:45, so the teacher can pick up the test from John.

Professional Development Opportunity: Collaboration

"I have an APP for that"...http://www.doodle.com/vaa9bpb84sc2zn6x. Please complete the Doodle survey (click on the days and times that you would be able to swap App ideas and usages). The 1-2 dates that have the most people that are able to attend we will have a work session with our iPads, iTouches, or phones to share out ideas.

Teacher Resources

Shel Silverstein poems put to motion - 9 poems that have animated http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_pb9lqoz2E

Teacher Links

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/21st-century-skills-pbl-suzie-boss - Project Based Learning Builds 21st Century Learning - some great things to think about as we continue to tweak what we do in our classrooms...

Some virtual field trip http://www.edutopia.org/virtual-field-trips to take your students on during the day.

Relationship with parents - some things to think about - http://www.edutopia.org/blog/parent-teacher-collaboration-richard-curwin?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29 -