Tiger Talk With Joanne Robblee

Summer Time at Teasley Town

You might think that once the students leave at the end of the year that the school simply shuts down.  Believe it or not, there is a lot to accomplish over the summer.  The custodians have been and will continue to work hard cleaning the building.  Maintenance workers are here daily repairing broken items and servicing the school.  We have had Kindergarten and Fourth Grade summer camps.  Parents have been coming in to drop off registration documents, pay money that is still owed, and also to pick up the CRCT student test results.

So, things have been busy.  For me, I spend time reflecting back on the school year, preparing end of the year school reports, checking to see if Teasley made Adequate Yearly Progress (it's looking very good), and planning for next year. Every day I am busy getting ready for everyone to return.

Remember that if you know someone new to the Teasley neighborhood, registration is July 21st from 9:00am -6:00 pm. Parents, both old and new, will need to provide all required documents in order for students to be on class lists at Meet and Greet (Aug. 6th 4:30-5:30).  Students' names will not be added to class lists that night.  Updated class lists will be posted on Friday morning at 10:00.

The office is open in the summer from 7:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday.  Sometimes, due to meetings, lunch, and vacations, the office might be closed. My vacation is from June 24-July 6. Please call ahead to ensure someone will be here to assist you. 

As much as there is to accomplish before the teachers return on August 3rd, I look forward to seeing them again and also to welcome back the Teasley Families on August 6th at Meet and Greet.

Remember that the first day of school is Monday, August 10th.  If you are driving your child to school that morning, allow plenty of time to park at the church around the corner and to walk to school.  The tardy bell rings at 7:50. Parents can drop their children off in the classrooms (but don't linger), in the carpool line, or put them on the bus. There is a welcome coffee for parents beginning at 8:00 in the media center.

STAFF APPRECIATION WEEK

Each year the PTA organizes a very special week for the staff at Teasley.  The week prior to Spring Break is filled with treats, lunch, massages, and statements of appreciation for all the hard work everyone on the staff does every day.  All these different activities certainly do make the days before the long-awaited Spring Break a lot more fun.

I would be remiss if I didn't return the favor and express my deep appreciation for all that the parents at Teasley do to support the school.  This year I have a wonderful PTA Board, which is comprised of Rene Nelson, Stephanie Scalise, Diane Wickham, Lisa Williams, and Eshiquita Washington.  These ladies have worked tirelessly to organize fundraisers, volunteers, Partners in Education, and help the school on a daily basis. I truly believe that they have made a huge difference in the climate and quality of the school.

If you are relatively new to Teasley or one of our veteran parents, your involvement in supporting the PTA and the school is critical to the success of the school.  I hope that you will find ways to get involved and to support the many great activities that are planned each year.

Teasley Town Event

Last Tuesday, March 17th (St. Patrick's Day), there was a very special event at Cumberland Mall.  One of our very special Partners in Education, Chick-fil-A collaborated with us to have the Teasley Treble Tones chorus perform during the dinner hour.  Ms. Roxanne Smith, our magnificent choral director, organized a fun and enthusiastic performance, which entertained everyone in the Food Court. Ms. Trenia Gooden, a fourth grade teacher at Teasley, was our fantastic DJ.

Marshall McCabe, the manager of both the Cumberland and Akers Mill Chick-fil-A stores, had his staff wearing Teasley shirts and serving green ice cream in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The Chick-fil-A cow was there dancing to the music as the children sang.

What made the evening so special to me was the wonderful support of the parents and PTA officers, who came out for the performance.  Every where I looked parents were visiting with each other and everyone certainly enjoyed the children and their great performance.

It is events like this one that show what a special place Teasley really is.  We are so much more than just an elementary school.  We are truly a close knit family.

Math Night

Last night Teasley held its annual Math Night.  This was a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and share quality time doing different math activities and games.  The different grade level teams put together games and take home math kits for all the families who attended.  Our specialists organized a fun Estimation Station that had students estimating how many objects (candy) were in different containers.  It was wonderful to go to the different classes and see parents, children, and even grandparents totally enjoying math games and activities. 

Each year we try to identify a curriculum night that supports our School Improvement Plan and also promotes the  engagement of the entire family.  Even though we had a lot of families attend, I wish that more parents and children had participated.  Quality time that focuses on fun ways to learn about and master critical skills can strengthen a family and improve student performance at the same time.

Next year, when you read about our curriculum night, I hope that you will make sure your entire family comes.

CONFERENCE WEEK

This is a very important week for both the parents and teachers.  It is conference week, when parents are asked to come in for individual conferences.  Although the conferences only last about 20 minutes each, teachers share a lot of critical information about how the student is doing both academically and behaviorally.  The parents receive individualized attention and can ask questions.

I hope all parents will make the effort to attend their conferences.  Your role in your child's education is a powerful one.

On Saturday, January 31st from 9:00-11:00 there is a special workshop on learning styles, study skills, and test preparation. All parents and students in 3rd -5th grade are invited.  Babysitting for younger children will be provided.  Hope to see you there.

WINTER WEATHER & CARPOOL

Despite the talk of global warming, Georgia is experiencing some mighty cold weather.  This impacts the school in several different ways.  First, more parents are driving their children to school rather than have them ride the school bus.  Although this is understandable, it is causing serious issues with the morning carpool line.  Unfortunately, more parents are avoiding the carpool line by stopping and dropping their child(ren) off out on Spring Hill Road.  Other parents are entering the school property purposely going the wrong way, dropping their child(ren) off and making a u-turn to exit.  Both situations are very dangerous and I need parents to reconsider what they are doing.  Yes, there is a wait if you go through the designated carpool line.  However, the alternate options could cause a serious accident and a child could get seriously hurt.  If everyone simply takes their turn, the morning carpool line is a safe effective way to drop your child(ren) off safely.

Another impact of the cold weather is that all children need to have appropriate weather gear and warm clothes to wear at school..  We still have students coming to school in light sweatshirts and flimsy tops.  This might be fine for riding in a warmed up car, but it isn't enough for students walking around the school or taking the bus home. Also, temperatures vary widely throughout the school.  Children need to dress in layers so that they can adjust and adapt to the different levels of cold while at school.  Each month our lost and found is packed full of "forgotten" items.  Parents and students alike need to check this regularly. All lost and found items are donated to local charities at the end of each month.

Finally, if there is extreme cold weather (10 degress or lower), there is a possibility that the school buses won't crank in the morning.  This could cause Cobb County to cancel school at the last minute.  Even is the weather is clear, very low temperatures could close the schools.  Please don't rely on calling the school to find out if school is closed.  Go to http://cobbk12.org and check for school cancellations.  Also, WSB750 and the television stations are good about reporting any school closings.

New Year's Resolution

Only educators get to enjoy two "new year's" days each year.  Obviously, at the beginning of the school year, everyone is excited about new beginnings and a commitment to having a successful school year.  Then again, when January 1st rolls by, we have a change to renew our commitment to doing our best.

Just as I have made the resolution to be out in the building more and away from all the paperwork on my desk, I ask that families make resolutions that will help the student and school be more successful.

1.  Make an effort to get to school on time with all the materials you need for the day.  Arriving at the last minute or late adds a layer of stress that impacts your child's success. The review work that is done from 7:20-7:50 helps students retain mastery of the skills already learned.

2.  Check book bags daily for your child's agenda/folder to ensure you are aware of how your child is performing. The school works are to communicate with you and papers are sent home daily that you need to read.

3.  Collect Educators for Boxtops and send them into the school.

4.  Use the Publix card (free) when you check out.  This allows the store to send money to Teasley.

5.  Follow the rules and procedures set forth in the Parent Handbook.  Simple rules like dropping your child off only in the carpool lane and not interrupting classroom instruction help us keep children safe and focused.  The handbook is filled with useful information and was shared at the beginning of the school year.  If you would like another copy, please  contact Becky Hayes, 770-437-5945.

6.  Communicate consistently to your child the importance of education and accepting responsibility for doing his/her work.  School is their job and it is critical that they learn the life skills needed to be successful.

My commitment to you is try my best to ensure that a quality instructional program is provided for each and every student.  Join me in this commitment and the second semester will be a great one.

Winter Holiday

December has been filled with many wonderful activities that you can't help but get into the holiday spirit.  The angels on the Angel Tree were all adopted and soon presents will be given out to special Teasley families. It was so touching to see our children bringing in gifts they had helped select.  Once again the generosity of our community was impressive and touching.

After much hard work and many rehearsals, the fifth grade performance, "Humbug," was a delight. Because of the commitment of Ms. Smith (our choral director), the fifth grade team, and our specialists, the students did a magnificent job.  The music was clever and entertaining, but I have to say that the best part was watching the children sing and dance.

Last Saturday the Holiday Breakfast was a great success. All morning the school was filled with holiday cheer.  Everyone enjoyed the breakfast, the sing-a-long, the Santa Shop, and the crafts. 

I am so very grateful for the wonderful PTA and staff volunteers, who donate their time, talents, and energy to making these special events possible.  As I approach Winter Break, I want to express my deep gratitude for the wonderful folks that make Teasley such a special place to be.

Remember the last day of school is Friday December 19th and students return on Tuesday January 6th.  Have a very safe, restful, and happy holiday.

Holiday Happenings

Just as we return from Thanksgiving Break, we find ourselves with only three weeks until school is out again for Winter Break.  Even though it is only fifteen days, there are many wonderful events scheduled.

The Angel Tree is set up and soon families can adopt an angel and purchase toys, books, clothes, or gift cards for some Teasley families that need a little extra help this holiday season.  I hope you will help your child understand the true meaning of giving by taking an angel and buying a present for someone, who will really appreciate your generosity.

On Monday Dec. 1st the Treble Tones performed at the Smyrna Community Center just before the lighting of the Christmas Tree.  They did such a great job.  On Thursday evening they will sing again at the lighting of the Vinings Christmas Tree down at the Jubilee.  What a great way to get into the holiday spirit.

Another special evening is when the 5th grade students present their holiday performance (6:30) following the PTA meeting (6:00) on Thursday Dec. 11th.  This is always one of the highlights of the season for me as the students do such a great job.

Flyers should have gone home about the Holiday Breakfast that is scheduled for Saturday, December 13th 9:00-11:30.  This is a very special family event.  A delicious breakfast will be served (please make reservations $4) and then there will be different crafts and activities for everyone to enjoy.  There is also a Santa Shop where students can purchase gifts for friends and family members.  It is so much fun to see the children select the "perfect" gift for mom or dad. As always the PTA needs help with the different activities. You can contact dianewickham@att.net with any questions.

The last day before Winter Break is Friday December 18.  On that day we have our class parties and the school is filled with sugar and excitement.

As you can see the next few weeks will be packed with many great events. I hope that you will join us for some of these special occasions.

The Season of Thanksgiving

There are only two days left before we are off for the week of Thanksgiving. It doesn't seem possible that when we return to school on December 1st that all the Winter Holiday festivities will begin. I hope that everyone takes advantage of this holiday week to relax and enjoy time with family.

Before I leave for the Turkey Day break, I just wanted to thank each and every one of you for making our Food Drive such a success.  Yesterday Kate Strother (our school counselor), along with PTA moms Gaylin Allen, Lee Daniel and Lydia O'Berry, sorted through all the different items that were donated.  It was amazing to see how much food had been collected and also what wonderful Food Boxes will be sent home to some of our families. 

Above and beyond that, there was enough Turkey money donated to provide each family with a gift card to purchase the meat of their choice for Thanksgiving day.

Things might look pretty dismal economically across the country and the world.  Fortunately for Teasley, the generosity and caring of our community still makes this a great place to be. The Teasley family is truly  something we need to be thankful for at this special time of the year and as well as throughout the year.