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  • 2013-2014 Fourth and Fifth Grade Staffing/Class Size Limits

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 5/14/2013

    Greetings:

    Next year we will have five 4th grade classes and four 5thgrade classes. The average class size in the portables will remain under 25 students. More information on staffing for the rest of the grade levels will be forthcoming. The assignment of teachers for each grade level is also forthcoming.

    Here are the class size limits the district has set for 2013-2014.
     
    Kindergarten:   One teacher and one para   25 students

    First Grade through Third Grades:   One teacher   26 students   
     
    Fourth and Fifth Grades: One teacher:   33 students in a regular classroom
     
    Fourth and Fifth Grades:   One teacher   25 students in a portable
     
     

    Thanks! Brian
    Comments (0)

  • Difference Makers

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 5/9/2013

    Please view the fifth installment of Difference Makers, which features our own Lindsay Wyczalkowski! Run time is 59 minutes. Thanks, Brian

     
    Comments (0)

  • CCRPI (the new AYP)

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 5/7/2013

    The state just released the CCRPI scores from 2011-2012, and Mary Lin had the 2nd highest elementary score in the district!!!  Please see the report here: http://ccrpi.gadoe.org/2012/

     

    Attached, you will find an overview of the CCRPI and what the scores mean.
     
     

     

    Thanks!

    Ashley and Brian
    Comments (0)

  • CRCT and Writing Trend Data

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 5/1/2013
    Please reference the below links to view our trend data for fifth grade writing and the CRCT for grades 3-5. Thanks, Brian
     
     
    Comments (2)

  • Bell Schedule Update

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 4/25/2013

    Greetings! Below is an update on the proposed bell schedule for next year. It appears that the elementary bell schedule will not change. Thanks! Brian

     

    CurrentBell Schedule

    Elementary

    8:00

    2:30

    High

    8:15

    3:15

    Middle

    8:45

    3:45

     

    ProposedBell Schedule for 2013-2014

    Elementary

    8:00

    2:30

    High

    8:30

    3:30

    Middle

    9:05

    4:05

     
    Comments (0)

  • X Marks the Spot

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 4/15/2013
    You may have noticed several trees marked with an orange X. These trees have been marked to be cut down to prepare for our addition and renovation. The architects have taken into account the number of trees that will be cut down and have included new trees in the drawings. Thanks for all you do! Brian
     
     
    Click on the link to access the drawings. http://www.atlantapublicschools.us/Page/28843 
    Comments (4)

  • Coffee Summary about the Self-contained Structure

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 4/5/2013
    Click here to view the PowerPoint that was used to capture this morning's conversation. The Mary Lin administration is committed to supporting the teachers, students and community. We appreciate the honest feedback and will use your thoughts and ideas as we plan for next year.   
     
    Thanks for all you do! Brian and Ashley
     
     
     
     
    Excerpt
     
     
    Research about math-no significant difference-National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
     
     
     
    Comments (12)

  • An Interesting Read

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 3/29/2013

    Thank you so much for the questions and comments about the decision to move to a self-contained structure for our fourth and fifth grade classes next year! Attached is an interesting read about the self-contained structure and the departmentalization structure. Remember, this is not a novel debate and research shows that both structures can work. Ultimately, it boils down to the administration building the capacity to hire smart, instructionally sound teachers. Mary Lin has smart, instructionally sound teachers across the board. Below are some key reasons why we are shifting to the self-contained structure.

    • The Common Core Georgia Performance Standards cannot be taught in isolation. The standards must be integrated into all subject areas.
    • The bond between the teacher and student will become stronger.
    • The teacher will now be able to focus on 20-25 students for the entire day.
    • Parent/teacher communication will improve and be more effective.
    • Teachers will form tight learning communities that foster professional growth in all subject areas.

    Enjoy the weekend! Brian and Ashley

     
    Comments (0)

  • The Self-contained Organizational Structure

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 3/23/2013

    Greetings! What a fantastic time we had when First Lady and Governor Deal visited Mary Lin on Friday! The First Lady read to Mrs. Green's first grade class and Governor Deal spoke with our fourth grade boys and girls. Mr. Rice, one of our fourth grade teachers, did an outstanding job preparing the students for this visit. Georgia State donated 41 new books to our Media Center on behalf of First Lady Deal. Dr. Johnson, our Media Specialist also played an instrumental role in making Friday a great day!

    Self-contained Organizational Structure
     
    The purpose of this blog entry is to inform the Mary Lin community that our fourth and fifth grade classes will be organized in a self-contained organizational structure next year. Research on classes being self-contained (students having one teacher) versus classes being departmentalized (students having more than one teacher) dates back to the 1950's! That's right, this is not a novel debate and research indicates that both organizational structures work.
     
    Digging deeper though, we are finding that a self-contained K-5 organizational structure would be more effective at Mary Lin for several reasons. The new Common Core Georgia Performance Standards require teachers to integrate subject matter. The integration of subjects (science and writing, reading and social studies...) can be done more successfully in a self-contained organizational structure.
     
    The self-contained organizational structure also provides the students with an undisrupted routine and a more structured environment. Too, the self-contained organizational structure maximizes instructional time due to the fewer times students have to transition to different classrooms. 

    Developing the whole child is an important concept that the Mary Lin administration embraces. The self-contained organizational structure allows the teacher to form a strong bond with the students he or she teaches. This bond is the foundation on which the teacher can provide his or her students with the social and emotional needs they require, while stressing the importance of reaching their fullest academic potential.  

    The Mary Lin fourth and fifth grade teachers have different views on this debate. Some teachers like being departmentalized because they can become specialists in two-three subject areas. Some teachers like the self-contained organizational structure because it provides them with flexibility in scheduling their instructional day. In addition, the teachers would "really get to know" the students in a self-contained organizational structure. 

    We know that many parents and students like the departmentalized organizational structure. The students think it is neat to have multiple teachers and so do the parents. Ultimately, we are charged with making the best decision for the students. Change is not easy, however; we believe our teachers can make a smooth transition to the self-contained organizational structure with the support of the Mary Lin administration and the Mary Lin community. We look forward to seeing you at the next coffee, which will take place on Friday, April 5. 

    Thanks for all you do! Brian and Ashley

     
    Comments (5)

  • myBackpack Project

    Posted by BRIAN MITCHELL at 3/13/2013

    Parents,

     
    Mary Lin, with the support from the district is taking the next steps to prepare our students to be 21st Century Learners. Below is an excerpt from the letter that the district will be sending to all stakeholders. On April 5, the next coffee, we will have district personnel present to describe how the myBackpack project will be beneficial for all of our students. If you have any questions after reading the attached letter, please fell free to contact me. Thanks for all you do! Brian

    Click Here to View Letter

    Excerpt from Letter
    All students have been given access to a district-issued student email account. As we continue to work towards creating a 21st Century Learning Environment in our schools, student email is a valuable resource. The district will be phasing in several tools, including access to Microsoft Web Applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, online storage, and a virtual academy. Student email allows for students to use the features of these resources more efficiently and effectively.
    Comments (0)

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