The Week Ahead

We want to continue to support you in any way we can. Please consider “checking in” to let us know how you are feeling about the week ahead!

Upcoming Performance Area Learning Walk

On Monday December 2nd, Mint Hill will be hosting a Performance Area-B Math Learning Walk in 2nd and 4th Grade. On this day 4^th  grade will need to follow a modified schedule as the learning walk will take place during their regularly scheduled Enrichment time. The leadership team is asking that on this day- 4^th and 5^th grade switch Enrichment times to allow for Mrs. Kee, Mrs. Holman-Jeremie and Mrs. Reill additional time for their math lessons as their will be approximately 20 math teacher leaders observing the amazing things they are currently implementing. 

• Modified Enrichment Times for December 2nd:

  • 5^th  Grade: (9:35-10:25) 

  • 4^th  Grade (10:30-11:20)

iReady School Visit

As a part of CMS's new partnership with iReady, Curriculum Associates is partnering with schools to ensure that teachers are fully equipped and confident with every aspect of i-Ready. During this first year, they provide onsite professional learning sessions strategically designed to support implementation without overwhelming educators.

We have a trainer from iReady coming to Mint Hill Elementary next Friday, November 8th. We will be meeting during your PLC time with them. Session details are below. Teams will meet in the front conference room. Please bring your device and any questions you may have!

• Session Details:

  • Using Data to Plan Instruction: Using Data to Plan Instruction guides educators to use effective data practices to analyze their own students’ data from the first Universal Screener. Utilizing a data analysis process, educators uncover new insights and information about student performance to build on strengths and plan instructional scaffolds to maximize access to grade-level core content. As time permits, educators explore critical steps for monitoring and managing Personalized Instruction and/or how to engage students through data chats.

  • Focus Outcome: Analyze and use data to strategically plan next steps for small group instruction designed to support Core Curriculum. 

  • Secondary Outcomes

    • Monitor students’ progress in i-Ready Personalized Instruction and plan next steps to respond and support your students.

    • Implement data chats with students to support data-driven instruction and student ownership.

Fall Reading Challenge!

Copies of the fall reading challenge were distributed to team leads last week. Please hand them out to your students this Wednesday following our workdays. 

The challenge works like a Bingo board – make a line of four items in a row and return it to the library for a prize. Students can return them in the mornings during open checkout until Dec. 4^th, so they can use the boards throughout the Thanksgiving holiday to encourage reading, too. 

• Prize structure for students:

  • Four boxes completed in a row: one prize

  • Blackout board (all boxes completed): two prizes!

  • Teachers/staff who submit a blackout board can choose a $5 gift card as a reward!

FAC Notes & Updates

The FAC notes from the September/October 2024 meeting can be reviewed by using this link: September/October 2024 FAC.

Have a concern to submit? Review the image below and submit via this link: Nov./Dec. FAC Concern Form

Mid-Year Device Inventory

Beginning November 4^th , Ms. Hollensteiner will be conducting a Mid-Year Inventory check on all student devices. Please sign up for a time using the calendar link and she will come to your classroom to do the rest! Each slot is 30 minutes. If possible, please have all devices in the same general area so the process can go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

The verification process is designed to:

• Check the condition of each device,

• Make sure they're where they're supposed to be

• Find out about needed repairs

Our November First Friday Event will be a family gathering at Veteran’s Park in Mint Hill on November 11th beginning at 5:00pm. Each family would be responsible for bringing their own chairs, blankets, and picnic dinner. Social Committee will have items available such as balls, corn hole, frisbee, etc. for all to enjoy. (We will not be reserving a shelter, but picnic tables may be available depending on the amount of people at the park.) There is also a walking trail, disk golf course, softball field, tennis courts, a playground, and sand volleyball courts. Soccer and football fields are also available if they are not in use.  Please RSVP if you plan on attending: 

https://forms.gle/TpwXD3VuHV3B6P3G8

We want to continue to support you in any way we can. Please consider “checking in” to let us know how you are feeling about the week ahead!

PD Opportunity: Council Scholar Award Program

The Margaret Gragg Bissell Council Scholar Award Program recognizes the commitment of K-12 educators to international education in the greater Charlotte region. This program grants deserving educators a $3,500 award to support their participation in various international education opportunities abroad. These global experiences may include attending professional development conferences, teacher tours, and language immersion programs.

Click here to download the 2024-2025 Council Scholar Application

We take pride in celebrating the invaluable contributions of educators and nurturing their personal and professional growth in international education.

Council Scholars return from their international experiences with fresh perspectives and valuable insights on global education. They apply these newfound perspectives to enhance the classroom experience for their students, creating a more enriched and culturally diverse learning environment.

2024-2025 Council Scholars will receive: 

• Recognition at our 2025 World Citizen Award Dinner

• Invitations to special WACC programs and dinner receptions

• Lifetime WACC membership

• The opportunity to coordinate seminars and roundtable discussions with past scholars

• A grant of up to $3500 for: 

  • Formal study abroad program or self-guided professional development itinerary with a teacher-centered and/or student-centered focus

  • International conference attendance

  • International seminars or workshops abroad

  • Professional development programs in another country

  • Teaching abroad (e.g., teaching English abroad, providing training for teachers in the developing world, etc.)

  • Language immersion classes or workshops in another country

Learn More from Recent Grant Recipients

• Hannah Goforth (Albemarle Elementary School) - Link

• Amanda Watkins (Mint Hill Elementary School) - Link

• Kinga Zay (Providence Day School) - Link

• Carina Brossy (Arborbrook Christian Academy) - Link

• Meredith Sumrell (Carmel Middle) - Link

Application Deadline: Friday, January 10, 2025

Submit Electronically to [email protected]

Click here for “Frequently Asked Questions” about the program.

PD Opportunity: PACE Winter Institute

Join us for the Personalized Academic Command of English (P.A.C.E.) Winter Institute hosted by the Learning and Language Acquisition department. This in-person professional learning opportunity, grounded in the P.A.C.E. Principles, will equip educators to successfully support equitable access for Multilingual Learners to core curriculum. Participants will engage in hands-on instructional strategies, effective ways to support the whole child, and long range planning to employ best practices for Multilingual Learner instruction. 

The P.A.C.E. Winter Institute will be held at E.E. Waddell High School on Saturday, November 23rd, 8:30 - 3:30. To register, please reference our P.A.C.E. Winter Institute flyer and Course Catalog (bit.ly/PACEWinter24)

All current 10-month and 11-month certified CMS staff members are eligible to receive a stipend for their participation and completion of course requirements, as well as course credit through MyTalent.

Session topics include: 

• Accelerating English Language Growth with A.I.

• Engaging Families in Literacy Development:

• Equitable Scheduling and Grading Practices: The New CMS ML High School Grade Placement Guidebook

• Giving New Meaning to Long-Term MLs

• Supporting Newcomer Multilingual Learners

• Utilizing Data & Effective Feedback to Support Multilingual Learners’ Growth with Authentic Linguistic Formative Assessment (ALFA):

Grant Opportunity: Meck County Farm Bureau

Mecklenburg County FARM BUREAU 2025 “Friend of a Farmer” Grant Program

Three Grant Options

1. Raised Garden and a Monthly Book Subscription

   —Grant recipients will receive one 4’x8’ raised garden bed with soil installed in late January, and a year's subscription to the NC Farm Bureau ATIC monthly book program, The Book Planter, valued at $60.00 (one copy from The Book Planter will be sent to you each month).

2. Monthly Book Subscription

   —Grant recipients will receive a year's subscription to the NC Farm Bureau ATIC monthly book program, The Book Planter, valued at $60.00 (one copy from The Book Planter will be sent to you each month).

3. Friend of a Farmer Open Resource Grant & Monthly Book Subscription

   —Grant recipients will receive a check up to $150 that can be spent on classroom resources that support NC Agriculture education. Recipients will be required to email ([email protected] ) copies of receipts, along with an explanation of monies spent. It will also include a year's subscription to the NC Farm Bureau ATIC monthly book program, The Book Planter, valued at $60.00 (one copy from The Book Planter will be sent to you each month).

WHO SHOULD APPLY

• Schools that serve elementary age (Pre-K thru 5) youth in Mecklenburg County

• Must have administrative support and a site to garden in 2025 (if applying for the raised bed grant).

• Must serve a minimum of 10 youth

• Must submit documentation of grant implementation. Pictures of your projects in action (garden beds in use, reading book of the month in class, other agricultural project) should be emailed ([email protected] ) to be included in a slideshow during the annual meeting.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

• The goal of this grant is for your students to have a better understanding of the role that farmers play in their daily lives. Learning where their food and clothing comes from and what resources are used to grow or make them, will better equip your students to appreciate and be a “Friend of a Farmer”.

• If chosen as a grant recipient, you are strongly encouraged to attend the Mecklenburg County Farm Bureau annual meeting in October 2025 where you will be recognized.

• Grant recipients will be invited to a Teacher Appreciation Dinner that will be held in April 2025. If selected for the grant you will be notified of the date, time and location.

• Deadline to apply is November 15, 2024.

Recipients of the grant will be notified by January 2025.

Grant period is January 1 – December 31. If you have any questions please email us at [email protected].

Click Here to apply

Updates & Information

Good Things!