Learning about Schoology

Dear Staff,

                 As some of you might have heard, the school division is in the process of implementing a new comprehensive learning management system. The system, Schoology, is a cloud-based platform that will allow staff members to access class curriculum, assessments and homework dropboxes all from one single site. Currently, the Anchor Schools are field testing the system, but if you would like to learn more about Schoology, you can read about it now on Kaleidoscope. As you will see, there will be more information coming soon about how you can access and explore the system. In addition, you can also visit the Learning Management System page on vbcps.com to see more materials and information about Schoology.

Thank you,

Department of School Leadership

November Media Report

December 4th PAC Meeting Notes

Click here for notes.

I Make a Difference

Mary-Ellen Davis

"It was a huge honor to receive the I make a difference award.  The only way this was possible was by working with amazing staff.  Everyone engaged in the daunting task of 1-to-1 technology with enthusiasm, vigor, and dedication.  Additionally, my transition into the ITS position has been an amazing experience.  Whether it is attempting to change a lesson to incorporate technology, move into google classroom, or even try something new, the staff at Windsor Woods Elementary welcomes the challenge with a smile on their face.  Most importantly, everyone understands and works with my "Timness".  However, I can only choose one.  That being said, I would like to pass this award off to Mary-Ellen Davis for her guidance with my transition, tireless dedication through this transition time, and continued work to translate my Timness (or Traskocracy if you prefer) to all.  Mary-Ellen, you make a difference."

-Tim Trask

November 6th 2017 PAC Meeting Notes

November 6th 2017 Meeting Notes

October Media Report

On Thursday, October 05, 2017, the Virginian Pilot The Beacon posted the following:  

Ice Cream Social 

  Kaleidoscope posted the following pictures on October 9, 2017:  The Windsor Woods Elementary School's SCA celebrated "Give A Boot to Bullying" on Friday, October 6, 2017.

 Kaleidoscope posted the following picture on October 16, 2017:  Firefighters from Station 16 on S. Plaza Trail, Virginia Beach, gave David Lanier a ride to Windsor Woods Elementary School on Wednesday, October 11th.  David's home escape plan design won first place in a contest by Station 16 which earned him the privilege of riding the fire truck ride to school.

  Kaleidoscope posted the following pictures on October 23, 2017:  Fifth grade students in the Geocaching Club at Windsor Woods Elementary School utilized Morse code to figure out where to find their next clue.  After finding their next clue, they assembled a Virginia State Seal puzzle, which, once fully assembled, contained a code in all four corners of the puzzle that enabled them to unlock their breakout box, which contained a candy snack treat.

   Gabe Mocco has an interview (by his mother) that initially appeared in the “We are VB Schools” link on the vbschools.com website on October 24, 2017:

Mom: "What states have you been to?"

Gabe: "Carolina-the north one, Indiana, West Virginia, Virginia-not just where we live, and           Maryland"

Mom: "What is the coolest place you've been to?"

Gabe: "The Safari Park" (Natural Bridge, VA)

Mom: "Why?"

Gabe: "Because the crazy llamas were attacking us and trying to steal all the food from our buckets! They even bit daddy's bucket and it made food fly all over the place! It was a total mess!"

Mom: "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you want to go and why?"

Gabe: "India because my best friend from preschool is from there and I want to ride a camel with him!" 

Windsor Woods United Way Campaign

Don't be these people.

Happy Flowers

October 2nd PAC meeting notes

Angie Barone I make a Difference

I Make a Difference!

I am writing to nominate Angie Barone as our first I Make a Difference recipient.  Angie has transitioned beautifully from the classroom to the Windsor Woods office.  Angie has assumed the drop-off and pick-up duties effortlessly.   She has been a tremendous help even while attending multiple classes and learning new many new VBCPS applications.  Her new addition has been a welcome addition to the office!   

Cheryl Stone

September Media Report

September Media Report

The Virginian Pilot The Beacon on September 28, 2017 posted the following picture:

Magical Mal, Apex Fun Run Leader, got slimed by Windsor Woods Elementary students in Alex Cameron’s third grade class after they got the most pledges overnight toward their Apex Fun Run fundraiser, held on September 14^th.  Pictured are Isabella Kitchen Mills, Carmella Karner, and Logan Snider slimming Magical Mal.

Kaleidoscope’s This Week in Photos September 18-22 posted the following picture: 

After broadcasting the SCA officer installation on the morning announcements, the 2017-18 Windsor Woods Elementary SCA Officers – Colby Dove, Kyla Peele, Sydnee Ashley, Brielle Davis and Abby Farley – posed for a group photo with their SCA advisers, Marcia Clothier and Pam Pruitt, and principal, Matthew Orebaugh.

Welcome Back

The Virginian Pilot The Beacon posted the following picture on May 25, 2017:

WAVY Channel 10 ran a news story on May 18^th and 19^th on numerous broadcasts detailing the return of the father of Chay Blackwood after being deployed for a year.  Mr. Blackwood surprised his son during his lunch at Windsor Woods Elementary School.

I make a difference

https://sites.google.com/vbschools.com/pacmeeting05082017

Google Teacher Day

I Make a Difference

I Make a Difference

Media Report

On April 27, 2017, the Virginian Pilot The Beacon posted our Wacky Wednesday picture:  Leyla Chafin, guidance counselor at Windsor Woods Elementary School, and her daughter, Analiese, a second-grade student, dressed up for the school’s Wacky Wednesday Spirit Day.

On April 27, 2017, the Virginian Pilot The Beacon posted the picture of Cameryn Heath and Brogan Wells at the Little Feet competition.  (Not my picture, but still our students).

VBCPS used the Underground Railroad submissions in Week in Photos (http://www.vbcpsblogs.com/kaleidoscope/2017/04/23/week-photos-april-15-21/) and/or on the Kaleidoscope homepage slideshow (http://www.vbcpsblogs.com/kaleidoscope/).

I make a Difference

PAC Agenda notes April 3rd 2017

Purple up for kids

I make a Difference

Teacher Assembly Notes

        At the third Teacher Assembly meeting, we focused on building awareness of “Transformational Learning.”  Be aware that this is a new concept that the school system is pursuing with our Compass to 2020 goals.  Right now, the planning is in its infancy and we were told that the “nuts  and bolts” of this will be coming to our schools through our own administrators.  So stay tuned… 

Dr. Spence spoke and confirmed that there will be no healthcare increases next year and that City Council was asked to include a 2% raise for teachers.  40 new positions are being hired at the secondary level to reduce class sizes next year, and 6 new ITS positions are being added in the city so that schools do not have to share an ITS person.  City council is still discussing the full day kindergarten issue and the schools are waiting to see how much might be funded for next year.  Dr. Spence estimates that 10 full day K classes might be added next year to the schools deemed most in need.  In the year following, they will fund more as the money becomes available.  On a somewhat grim note, Dr. Spence added that there is a proposed 9 billion dollar cut to education in the works with the new federal administration.  Further, the new ESSA regulations that gave the states more authority in testing matters are now in jeopardy.  He said that Virginia Beach will be in heavy communication with the state as we wait on what may happen.   

PTA Minutes 3/9/17

Click here for the PTA Minutes for 3/9/17

I Make a Difference

Have you heard that Jamie Frederick is making PDs personal?  Check out this video that explains it all!

When you’re ready to personalize your PD, head over to my website!

I Make a Difference

February Media Report

I Make a Difference

School Safety Notes

Wear ID badge.

• Maintain control of building keys. Do NOT give keys to students.

• Ensure personal belongings (wallet, cell phone, etc.) are secured.

• Ensure doors are locked during instruction.

• Ensure unoccupied areas are locked.

• Escort/direct persons without a visitor’s badge to sign-in location.

• Supervise students during class changes.

• Follow proper procedures for logging off computers.

• Follow proper procedures when accessing building after hours and on

weekend (e.g. alarm log sheet).

• Maintain updated class rosters and know your responsibilities during

an emergency.

• Include all pertinent safety information in your sub folder.

• Report any suspicious activity or person to school administration.

If You See Something…Say Something

Things That Make You Go "Hmmmmm"

I thought this was kind of funny, but after thinking about it, I decided to share this E-mail thread with everyone. The more you know . . . 

So…

I just had a 2^nd grade student tell his teacher he took the Social Studies Assessment through schoolnet at home and "rest assure…its already done".  Should that even be possible?  He told her he went through Clever and took the test.   

Well, it’s not like the pass-codes would be hard to figure out….

Bwa hahahahah!  Ok, that is just plain out funny.  Like Rhonda said, if the kiddo is really good with patterns, I’d definitely believe he could guess it.

Kids these days are getting a little too clever…  We had one student here realize he could backtrack on a math assessment so that he could re-access the calculator tool available on an earlier question…  It was really hard to stay mad at that student for thinking outside the box and using the tools available to him, especially since he wasn’t explicitly told he couldn’t…

Hmm…  Best bet is to probably delete the results and ask the student to retake the exam in a school environment.  And then explain that attempting to take any other tests at home will land him in a heap of trouble.

Thanks yall!  I spoke to the student myself and he said he didn’t have any help or anything.  He remembered the code from 1^st quarter and changed the 1 to a 2. 

2^nd grade I’m thinking to myself “you over achiever you”.  LoL

I make a Difference

I make a Difference

PTA/SPC Meeting Notes from 2/9/17

PAC Meeting notes from 2/6/2017 (Click on notes to enlarge)

Teacher Assembly notes

At the teacher assembly on Wednesday evening, we were warmly greeted by Dr. Spence.  He spoke of the need to familiarize ourselves with several bills in Richmond going before the General Assembly.  He is highly concerned with some of the proposed changes for Virginia education.  For example, there is a bill to provide private “virtual” K-12 education with the state paying.  Dr. Spence encouraged us to share that he wants educators to call our local delegates and use our VBEA platform if you are a member.  He says that it is time to “advocate” for education and children.  He also discussed the budget for next year, and promised that the School Board will TRY to ensure an unencumbered raise for next year.  He knows that this would be the first “real” raise in years.  The health care premiums will NOT increase next year.  That was already negotiated.  The other top concerns facing the board are reduction in class sizes and providing full day kindergarten across the system.  The remainder of our time was spent in an EdCamp model discussion with other educators concerning our Compass to 2020 objectives. 

I Make a Difference

I Make a Difference

PAC Meeting Notes

Beach Girls Rock: Leyla Chafin has coordinated this. 10 5th grade girls will attend this leadership workshop.

Literacy Month: Matt has liked the events that have occurred so far. Kristen will email teachers to ask for guest readers for next week. Rashard Wright wants to come back on Jan. 26 from 11:30-12:30 (20 minutes).

“High Fives”/The Great Kindness Challenge - SCA: The spirit day next week will be tye dye. A kindness tree will be displayed outside of the cafeteria. Students/Staff may write a “high-five” to another students/staff. Cut out hands will be available for students/staff to write an act of kindness, SCA will review the hands, then place them on the trees. Teachers asked for students to write the hands in class before turning them in.  Debra Huggins suggested for anchors on WBS to read 5ish hands on WBS daily.

After-school Academy: ILT meets on Thursday. ILT will use SOL, RI, etc. reports to identify students. ASA tutoring starts on Feb. 1. Teachers have been asked for their input on students who most need the tutoring. Look for that email to come from Michelle Rousselow. Tutors are still needed-let Michelle Rousselow know if you’re interested.

Achieve 3000 visit - (rescheduled from 1/24): March 16th. She will be here to visit classrooms, model lessons, etc. PLease let Matt or the coaches know what you’d like to discuss.

MinecraftEDU: Laura Boulier called to get a quote ($517.86). 7 teachers were interested. Tim Trask: there’s a lot of work behind the scenes and it’s similar to a digital worksheet. Matt thinks we should pilot it in a few classrooms before putting money into it. Debra Huggins suggested having Minecraft EDU as a club option.

IPT Results- form due January 20th: 4th grade analyzed the IPT results with administration and the coaches. IPT are scored within the division. The teachers, coaches, and admin will share the results with ILT.  

Friday Morning Meetings: These will continue to be on Fridays (starting Jan. 27) but will be at the end of the day. Travis will add the minutes from these meetings to the blog/newsletter.

Field Trips: Laura Boulier will send out how much PTA has allocated for each grade level.

Digital Readiness: VBCPS wants feedback  on our digital readiness for a 1:1 technology school. Matt will send out a Google Doc survey for all instructional staff. Look for that in your inbox.

BOF Collection Plan: Friday meetings will continue. There will be a K-2, 3-5 cycle. Teachers will be made aware of when to turn in their BOFs.

Starfall.com funding: $75 per class.Please let Matt know if you’d like this for your classroom.   

Staff baked potato (lunch): If you’d like a baked potato to be added back onto the staff menu please let Matt/Janet know.

Snow Make-up days: A memo has been sent out. Please let Matt/Laura know if you have questions. Teachers are required to log 14.66 hours starting now and ending by June 1.  Log your additional hours on your timesheet. Please log any additional time in 15 minute increments.

• Schedule
• Documenting hours
• Reminder - Jan. 30th - Thursday Schedule

MTSS-B :

• Site visitsWe’ve had a few site visits. They are most interested in students. A groups of MTSS-B staff will be here Feb. 27-March 3 to observe.  
• Professional Development: Matt will send a PowerPoint to all instructional staff to watch and reflect on. This is NOT mandatory but an opportunity for instructional staff to get additional points.

APEX Fun Run

• 2/13/17 3:10pm Cafeteria APEX team meets with staff at a staff meeting (30 minutes) to coach teachers/staff on how to be the coaches for the students, get materials needed, pass out t-shirts etc.
• 2/14/17 1:30pm Cafeteria Pep Rally (45 minutes): Students (ID, PM K-5) are introduced to character lessons, pledging, and pledge kits. APEX will bring tunnels, sound system, etc. to get the students excited. (8:30am Pre-K AM, 9:15 Cafeteria Pre-K & AM Kindergarten, 11:45am Pre-K PM SPED meet in their classrooms)
• 2/15-22/17 Team Days: APEX coaches do character lessons (5-6 minute videos) for 6 days to teach students to be mentally and physically strong. Coaches visit the classrooms to help students work as a team.These will be scheduled by grade level.
• 2/23/17 RUN: Thursday of 2^nd week. 2 tracks set up. 100-110 students/staff per track. Students run for 30 minutes, total of 36 laps (1 lap=1/16 of a mile) Every students gets a t-shirt and a bag. The bag is a lap counter. Volunteers mark each student’s bag as they complete a lap. Lee will work on a schedule for outside and inside.

Technology class tomorrow: At WWES after school with Jamie Frederick from 3:10-4:10. 

I make a Difference

January 13th Office staff meeting notes

January 12th PTA Board Meeting Notes

I Make a Difference

Layla Chafin

Pre-kindergarteners receive gifts and joy from The Noblemen << CLICK TO KEEP READING >>