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Mr. Scott Kent, ELA teacher and yearbook adviser, has launched a phenomenal campaign to revitalize and modernize his classroom. His story has been featured on the Huffington Post and can be found at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/a-revolutionary-classroom
His research into the importance of the students’ physical learning environment is inspired and potentially ground-breaking for our learning community!

Alec Mazzuckelli (Pictured with Kibbey Crumbley-Principal) won the High School level PTSA North Fulton scholarship for 2013. He was presented he award at the annual PTSA Presidents & Principals luncheon.

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In partnership with the PTSA, Chattahoochee High School utilized
their automotive students to have an automotive seminar for all their seniors
before they graduate.  The students learned to identify and check
important maintenance components of cars such as fluid levels, tire pressure,
and light checks.  Early in the year, Principal Duncan and his PTSA
brainstormed about important subjects that students should learn about before
they leave.  They organized several seminars around such subjects as
finance, citizenship, nutrition, and car maintenance.

Below is a picture from the Seminar:

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At the North Fulton Council PTA luncheon held last Friday April 26th, Johns Creek High School senior, Abby Gillen received a North Fulton PTA Sally Fitzgerald scholarship for $1,300.00.  Abby has been an integral part of the JCHS Theater Program for years, being the chief technician for lights and sound as well as an exemplary stage manager who mentors younger students.  Her leadership and volunteer efforts, in addition to her rigorous course selections and fine grades, make her a role model Fulton graduate.

We are also very proud of our JCHS PTSA.  At the same
council luncheon, the Johns Creek PTSA received three awards:

1)  Outstanding Local Unit, High School Division, 1st place 2012-2013

2)  Highest Membership Growth for high school level, then awarded the overall winner for membership from all three levels

3)  Connect with Council Award for participation in PTSA council and state events- Sharyl Dawes & Leslie Fox, Co-Presidents

The latest campus beautification project is a PTSA donation –turf in the parking lot median across the entire front of the school.  Wow, everyone appreciates not having to step in mud to walk in the building now!

Picture below:  From left to right: Buck Greene (Principal), Abby Gillen (JCHS senior), and Lynn Gillen (Abby’s mother)

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River Eves is piloting a technology coach to assist teachers who need help integrating the iPad and NetBook technology into their classroom in all subjects and to aid in the search and teaching of curriculum utilizing these products.

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Based on a school wide needs assessment completed in the fall, Abbotts Hill Elementary School’s Staff Development Team planned a course called “Technological Applications.”  Various courses were made available for all staff members to attend to learn about different programs and applications that they can use to enhance their daily tasks.  The classes were tailored to meet the staff’s specific needs.  For example, classes ranged from very basic to advanced levels and a variety of tools and strategies were taught (Excel, Prezi, Word, PowerPoint etc…).  Our very own teachers created the agendas and conducted the classes.  The entire staff LOVES it!  Also, our teachers held a Technology Night for our parents to introduce them to various programs that are being used in the classroom.

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The Johns Creek Foundation board of directors met last evening.  The board has approved your grant request for $2,793 to purchase additional iPads for the language arts department.

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Monday May 20th is "Principal and Assistant Principal for the day." This is a part of a PTA fund raiser.  Two students will be spending their entire day indulging in leadership activities. Also on that day,  Grade 5 Auction:  Students have been earning dollars and balancing a real check book for outstanding behavior and academic achievement throughout the semester. They have written letters to businesses around the area for auction items worth thousands of dollars.  Students will have a chance to bid on the items using the money they earned.

Professional Development at Northwood: CCGPS Tune Up Clinics: All teams will review and refine Math Units as grade levels as well as in vertical teams to the tone for next year.

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At SCBE, the administrative team is training all assistants on 2 important elements of TKES.  The courses are named Dining with Differentiation, Biscuits and BAS, and Raison Bran and Rigor.  During courses assistants are provided breakfast as they learn how to support students in the classroom.  We meet one Friday per month to accomplish our goal of ensuring that all personnel working with students have a common understanding of quality instruction.

On Thursday May 16th, our 5th graders are traveling over to Camp All-American on the Perimeter Church Campus for our annual survival/team-building event.  They will climb walls and go on a zip line as part of their completion ceremony.

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Two staff members who teach Pre-school Special Education and Kindergarten Special Education at Ocee ES, Laurie Maselli and Annemarie Hodge, really understand how hard it is for some children with sensory issues to adjust to a classroom full of noise, light, and lots of movement (often characteristics of classrooms with dynamic learning strategies in place). They wrote a proposal to create a “sensory room” for students at Ocee. The small space will provide soft and squeezable items, soothing music, and dim lighting. Students who may have difficulty learning if not given a chance to “cool down” can visit the sensory room for a few minutes with an adult for a sensory break.

Ocee Elementary’s fourth grade students will be participating in the fourth annual Ocee Business Bonanza on Monday, May 20, 2013.  Each student will create plans to start his/her own business and come up with ideas for products. These
budding entrepreneurs will have to consider the cost of necessary materials, plan to arrange financing, submit business proposals to the teachers for approval, and develop advertisements. The project will address a variety of standards in social studies, math, and writing, and students will have fun while making connections to the “real world.

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MBES is hosting an
information session sponsored by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.  A representative of the GBI will speak to parents about Internet Safety, crime
trends and give advice on how to keep your children safe when they are online.

On May 4th  the Medlock Bridge fifth grade students will  participate in our first ever Battle of the Books Competition. Four teams of students will compete at school to determine who will represent our school at the Battle of the Books against Wilson Creek on May 9th.

The Medlock Bridge
Foundation purchased 15 additional netbooks for the Media Center and classroom checkout.  Students will use the netbooks every day to build information
literacy skills and become technology savvy, 21st century learners.
(photo below)

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We are taking a part our recently released SQR report.  Instead of looking at it as a whole, we are using protocols at our faculty and grade level meetings to address each topic.  We have taken off the ratings so that we are focused on the feedback and how it is applicable to where we are
and where we want to go rather than whether or not we agree with the label.

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As summer approaches, standard based learning is heating up at Holcomb Bridge Middle School. On Tuesday May 7th, 2013, Holcomb Bridge 6th Grade Navigators community is hosting an in-house field trip for all their students. The theme of the day is “Survival.” The all-day event will headline
Starlab III, brought to us by the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Starlab III is a portable planetarium dome that allows students to see the stars in the night sky. Teachers will lead students through a survival course of hands on activities. The courses include: Basic First Aid, Survival Skills, NASA Moon Survival, Starlab, and Team Building exercises. Each course is related to the 6th grade standards and content. For more information about the event, please contact Thomas Brent Rippy rippy@fultonschools.org or Rebecca Salvatore Salvatore@fultonschools.org.

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Andre Wright/

Area Executive Director 

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Andre Wright/

Area Executive Director 

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This year the Northeast Learning Community has implemented an Aspiring Assistant Principals program. Participating members have been assigned a mentor Assistant Principal from the Northeast Learning Community. This summer all of our Aspiring Assistant Principals will have the opportunity to participate in an internship which will expose them to the
following: Organizational Structures, Human Resource Management, Communication/Community Relations and Planning and Assessment. This initial
cohort of members will continue in this program through the first semester of
2013. Our ultimate goal is to build capacity amongst teacher leaders in the
Northeast Learning Community.

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The third grade classes at Wilson Creek will put on a Wax Museum simulation for parents and students on May 7th.  The students will choose one of the famous American heroes they have learned about this year and write a summary of the American's life, character traits, and
accomplishments.  Students will select props and costumes if they wish to accentuate their character. Students will share their summaries and character's lives when their "button" is pushed during the Wax Museum.

Wilson Creek participated in the ninth annual
Battle of the Books held at the school on Tuesday, April 23 (picture below) .  The
Battle of the Books is a fun reading incentive program, sponsored annually by Wilson Creek’s media center. Students begin preparing for the competition in the fall, tackling a list of eight books representing a wide range of genres.
Students were required to read at least six of the eight books to participate, but many of the participants read the entire list of eight books, a total of 2,175 pages.

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The Office of Student Discipline Prevention and Intervention is collaborating with
a team of FCS assistant principals and Program Specialist of Student Behavior
to review and revise the Student Code of Conduct.

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Math teachers are using http://www.tenmarks.com/! It is a great site that allows Math teachers to use technology so students can work at their own pace on assignments based on common core.  The teachers get scores and the students get immediate feedback and can get hints if they miss questions.  It is free although a more robust version is available at a cost. Check it out!

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We are excited that our very own Jen Sweigart will be presenting a course during the Summer Summit. She is an exemplary teacher leader within our building and we are excited that other teachers in the district will benefit from her leadership! The course is related to her expertise with Balanced Literacy!

Below is a picture of a collaborative work lesson with 2nd grade students at Hillside.

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On May 6th students at EJ will participate in a special field day experience enhanced by 3 distinct learning experiences.

1) Opening Ceremonies – modeled after the Olympics, students will gather at the flag pole for a brief assembly.  Coaches from Children’s Health Care’s Strong for Life Program will be recognized as special
guests.

2) Be Active EJ – exercise stations will be led by coaches from CHOA.

3)  Healthy Halls – a theatrical production sponsored by Kohl’s and CHOA to promote healthy choices.

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The media technology committee designed and implemented a three week Digital Citizenship Unit which taught our students about plagiarism, copyright and digital footprint.  During three team time classes each week, students watched a video, read an article, and responded to writing prompt scenario about the topic for the week.  Administration made morning announcements on our broadcast that included additional information about the digital citizenship topic of the week.  They shared additional videos, poems, and even a video rap about copyright performed by teachers and administrators.  Due to the diligence of the technology committee, our 21st Century Skills assessment showed gains in Digital Citizenship from 52% to 90% proficient.

Picture below is of Robotics Students teaching Seniors how to use Skype and other technological tools. This was to support their research question this year focused on Solutions for Seniors.

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Reading Workshop Cohort for Dolvin Teachers:

The goal is to teach students the strategies good readers use to comprehend text and provide the time necessary to practice them.  Research shows that the more time a student spends reading the better reader he/she becomes.  The workshop model affords students with the guidance and encouragement to choose their own books and time for daily independent reading.  Through individual reading conferences, the teacher is able to provide instruction and goal setting to meet each student’s reading needs.  Mini-lessons, read-a louds, and flexible guided and shared reading groups are also incorporated into the Reading Workshop Method.

Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) Program: (Picture Below)

In this program, sponsored by our PTA, dads volunteer in the school for the entire day.  They interact with the students in many ways, such as helping at carpool, being a cafeteria monitor, reading in classrooms, assisting in PE and other specials, etc.  The program promotes positive male role models in the school.

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Over the next three weeks, the Title I Lead ELA and Math Specialist will conduct an end-of-the-year assessment (needs assessment) that will help inform and guide their instructional work for next year. Title I Specialists will engage teacher groups in a structured activity to reflect, generate ideas, develop projects and/or solve problems. This needs assessment activity will give teacher groups and school leadership teams a change of pace and encourage thoughtful collaboration.

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We have some wonderful writers in the Northeast Learning Community!

In February, schools could participate in the Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. The NELC did a great job in representation for the district. Each winner will move on to the state level Young Georgia Authors Writing Competition. The state level winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 17, 2013 on the Georgia DOE English Language Arts website at http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/English-Language-Arts-Program.aspx and on the website for the Georgia Council of Teachers of English at http://www.gcte.net/home.html. Congratulations to all that entered!

Here are the district winners:

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Some NELC Principals have been visiting STEM School and getting some great ideas for their schools.

Planning for Continuous Achievement for Math will be taking place throughout this summer.

STEM Content Café’s will begin in the fall.  Teachers will be invited to join and learn specific content and strategies related to STEM education.

CCGPS Teacher Planning Sessions for Middle School Math, Coordinate Algebra, and Analytic Geometry will continue throughout next year.

Fulton will be following the Georgia Scope and Sequence next year for K-5 math. Revisions and updates will take place throughout the summer.

Abby May spent a day doing model STEM lessons at Shakerag Elementary School on March 25th :

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Exceptional Children’s Week was celebrated March 11-15. In
Fulton, Exceptional Children’s Week is celebrated for the month of March and includes the Special Olympics in April and Yes I Can Awards in May. It gives schools the chance to recognize students with special needs and provide the opportunity for all students to learn how to embrace differences. This could include activities for students to identify famous celebrities who have special needs or an event such as students participating in a sensory room. The picture below was taken at Ocee Elementary during Exceptional Children's Week.

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Our 5th grade team has been piloting “Bring Your Own Technology” since March. Over 100 students bring in their iPods, Kindles, Nooks and other devices several times each week as a tool for learning. Students are utilizing Google Drive, researching their “Famous American” and compiling their informational research/writing through this technology.

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Eighth grade students on the Kimba team have been piloting
Android tablets since the end of January.  These tablets come from a
company called Amplify that provides an interactive classroom management
software along with the ability for teachers to develop lessons and upload
content for students.  Though there are always bugs with a pilot, the
tablets have been a success.  One student stated that it makes him more
organized and a teacher commented that students who do not typically volunteer to respond in class will use the feature on the tablet that allows him to respond anonymously.

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Barnwell Teachers recently completed an all-day staff development with nationally renowned early literacy educator, Jennifer Jones. The title of the presentation was “50 Shades of the Common Core.” Over the course of two days, the entire Barnwell teaching staff engaged in a highly structured, interactive, innovative professional learning experience that allowed them to become more familiar with higher order thinking activities, greater depth of differentiated instruction, and balanced literacy across the curriculum, all through the lens of the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards.

Below is a picture of Traditional African Dance and Drum on Artist Day at Barnwell Friday April 19, 2013

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Our Northeast Learning Community is about nine months old, and we are learning a lot during this first year.  One of our main lessons is that information about the Community is powerful, but it is in short supply
for stakeholders.  We want to rectify that: to provide valuable information to important groups of people who have an interest in our Community.  Thus, our first issue of NELC News & Notes.

We will be putting this out monthly, using the next few months to get an effective process in place, so please be patient with us as we work to provide what will be useful for you.  And, as always, we welcome any input you might have.

In our News & Notes will be some brief information from me, from Andre Wright (our Area Executive Director), from our four Program Specialists, and from our 22 schools.  We have asked the schools to share something unique that they are doing in the area of teaching and learning, and to highlight one event that is exclusive to their school that will be occurring in the upcoming month.

You can view News & Notes online or you can download it to a PDF.  We hope these formats are helpful and that you get information you can use.  Enjoy!