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Monday, August 31, 2020

Important Update

We have had a great start to the school year, and we are now pros at our procedures and daily routine!

In an effort to streamline information at TPS, our class will be moving to Google Classroom for all homework effective immediately.  Each student in the class has been given an email account and password to log into the G Suite; I will share this information with you individually. To log into our Google Classroom follow these steps:

1. Go the the Google search engine.

2. Click the "add email" button. 

3. Type in your child's email and password

4. Once logged in, click on the G Suite (the array of 3x3 dots in the right corner of the screen). 

5. Click on classroom. 

I have already added our class to the student's accounts, so you will not need to put in any kind of code. Once in our class you will see the words stream, classwork, people & "grades on the top of the screen. We will mostly use stream and classwork for our class. 

Think of stream as our new "blog." This is where important announcements and updates will be listed. You can also leave comments in this section if you would like. Our class blog (Wallace's World of Primary) will no longer be updated. 

Think of classwork as homework. The reading log and all homework will be on here. Please note that paper homework will no longer be handed out or turned in. ALL homework is now virtual. 

Once in the classwork tab you will the topics reading, math, writing, social studies/ science, George & Scout only and Aiden, Elizabeth & Georgia only. 

At this time, the reading log is in the Reading section; and I will be able to monitor your child's progress individually directly from the Google Classroom, so there is nothing to copy or print out for reading at this time. 

Starting next Monday, the math section will contain math homework for the week. This will change weekly and contain sheets that will contain practice on topics that were covered the previous week. I recommend printing this out once on Monday, and you will have all the work you will need for the week. I suggest you spread the work out through the week instead of completing it all at once. There is no need to return completed homework unless your child needs that as a form of accountability. If you would like to return the work to me you can take a picture or scan in the work and email it to me. 

Please let me know if you have any questions or need help navigating the Classroom or G Suite. 

Sunday, August 9, 2020

Welcome to the 2020-2021 School Year!

 I'm so excited to be back at school! This year is going to be different, which means we have the opportunity to be creative and start something new! I look forward to starting the best school year yet! 

Important dates: 

  • 8/10-  9:00-9:30- Orientation for all primary families. We will meet in the commons (lunchroom) and end in the classroom. 
  • 8/11- teacher workday- no school for students
  • 8/12- first day of school! 
  • 8/28- teacher workday- no school for students
My notes from orientation: 
  • Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. My email is jwallace@thepiedmontschool.com. Also, don't forget to sign up for the remind app. Book bags are not checked daily, so If in doubt text me, many reminders from the office don't always pertain to primary. 
  • Please refrain from negative and personal comments about the other children at the school.
  • Primary is k-2, lower school is 3-5, upper school is 6-8. 
  • Keep homework simple and routine orientated
    • daily:
      • reading log
      • Xtramath (more information will follow next week) 
    • weekly/ multiple times a week
      • math sheet (this will start in a week or 2)
      • Fundations packet (this will start next week) 
  • Your child will have an account on Reading Eggs, Math Seeds, Lexia and Google Classroom. I will send home more information about this in your child's homework folder in the following weeks. 
  • Please complete and return the questionnaire from orientation.
  • Supplies this year are not communal, so your child will need the following:
    • facemask (please send in an extra mask to keep at school) 
    • pencil box
    • folder for homework
    • scissors
    • basic school supplies are provided by the school (crayons, pencils, glue stick, etc.)
    • (optional but recommended) extra set of clothes to keep in the office. Don't forget socks and underwear, and remember to keep it season neutral. Extra shoes would be great if possible. Please send clothes in a ziplock bag with your child's name on it. 
  • Please do NOT send the following: 
    • binder of any kind
    • liquid glue
    • permanent "Sharpie" markers
    • fidget spinners
    • toys/stuffed animals
  • Use back door if you want to bring your child in the building. 
  • We will have a snack in the classroom daily. Please keep this separate from lunch, and labeled with "snack." Unfortunately we will no longer hand out spoons/forks in the classroom. Please no drinks for snack other than water. 
  • Dismissal for primary is 2:20- We will always be the first to dismiss. Please do not feel bad about "jumping" the car line. 
Cheers!
-Mr. Wallace


Sunday, May 10, 2020

End of Year Announcements

What a wacky spring this has been! I want to give a huge "shout out" to all of you. I know these last few months have been difficult, and I don't think that any of us saw what was coming. I am very proud of all the kids in the class. The following are a few important dates:

5/11- FaceTime/ Zoom sessions with Mr. Wallace
5/13- Google Hangout with Miss. Rohl
5/18- Final FaceTime/ Zoom session for the 2019-2020 school year
5/19- 8:30-10:00 drive-through to pick up end-of-year packets for primary families

If you are not returning to TPS for the 2020-2021 school year please return the Fundations magnet boards, letters, dry-erase boards and any school owned books when picking up your end of year packets. If you are returning for the 2020-2021 school year, those supplies can be returned when we come back in the fall. If your child is missing any personal items at school please let me know before the 19th so that I can look for them and return them to you when you pick up your packets.

I very much look forward to seeing everyone again (even if it's from a distance)! Please have a fun and safe summer, and if there is anything you need please let me know!

-Mr. Wallace

*I hope you enjoy this little slideshow I put together to celebrate the end of the year!



Monday, April 6, 2020

April in the Know

Our class at the HP library on the "set" of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid."

 
 Greetings Primary TPS Families! It's been 3 weeks since we have been on campus, but to me it feels like so much longer! I miss seeing the kid's bright faces in the morning, but I agree that we need to respect the CDC guidelines for social distancing during this uncertain time. I will do my best to keep you updated through the blog, texts and FaceTime.

I have throughly enjoyed FaceTiming with your kids this month. We will continue our FaceTime appointments beginning April 20th. Unfortunately many of you were not able to meet this morning, but if you would like a make-up session this week, please let me know. At this point, please plan on a FaceTime/Zoom session during your time slot every Monday for the remainder of the school year:

  • April 20th
  • April 27th
  • May 4th
  • May 11th
  • May 18th
We made raindrop "stained glass" during our unit on weather. 

Next week we are encouraging families to take a break from distance learning, and enjoy some down time. Of course, if you ever have any questions, or need anything please feel free to reach out to me!

I'm excited to announce that Miss. Rohl will also host a Zoom math/science class every Wednesday as well, so please be on the look-out for an email from her on how to log-in! 

Congratulations to our Panther of the Month, Emmitt! Way to go, Emmitt!


The following are some pictures from our trip to Arabian Nights and our impromptu side trip to Yum Yum's at UNCG. Please be keep healthy and safe! 






Monday, March 2, 2020

March in the Know

This month our themes are family, community, neighbors, transportation  & of course Ireland and St. Patrick. We had a fantastic day at Greenhill Art Gallery; it was a wonderful break from school on a chilly and drizzly day. The kids in this class never cease to amaze me with their creativity! Be sure to check out the pictures below taken on this fun day. 

Congratulations to Lawson for being our Panther of the Month; he was also chosen to take the National Mythology Exam! He was only one of a few from K-12 to be chosen! 

There is a drama field trip planned for Wednesday, March 11th. and a school trip on Wednesday, 3/25. Please keep in mind these are not trips planned my me and permission forms will NOT be sent home. If you would like your child to remain at school these days please let me know directly. 

The Dinosaur group has just started unit 9 in Fundations, so please look for the new homework packet in their bookbags. The Pandas are working on encoding CVC words and writing upper case letters. Please continue to reinforce correct letter formation at home, and even as part of a homework routine. If you would like any materials to assist with this, please let me know. 

Important Dates:
3/5- library books due
3/11- drama field trip "Arabian Nights" at UNCG
3/12- library trip 
3/13- 11:00 dismissal 
3/25- Millis Center field trip 
4/2- library trip 
4/9- school-wide production of "The Lion King" 
4/10/-4/17- school closed for Easter vacation 
5/7- 11:00 dismissal 
5/8- teacher workday
5/21- field trip to the Transportation Museum
5/22- last day of school/ primary graduation 












Monday, February 10, 2020

February in the Know

I enjoyed meeting with those of you who signed up for the optional mid-year conference. We will meet again in May for end of year conferences. Our theme this month is weather, which seemed especially appropriate last week! We have some fun trips planned this month including a trip to Greenhill Art Gallery in Greensboro.

Valentine's Day is this Friday; contrary to what was mentioned in the Panther's Den, we are distributing Valentines to our class ONLY.  If you decide to participate, your child will only need 10 Valentines. Writing "to" and "from" is optional.

Please continue to work on Xtramath and read daily with your child. The reading log may seem to be unnecessary, but I have tried to make it as simple as possible. However, doing this homework is a critical step to teach accountability. Learning this now will save a lot of heartache next year especially if they are transitioning out of primary. 


We have been working with some JYA (9th-12th grade) students on Friday who have been teaching us some Latin! We are currently practicing numbers 1-10. It has been so neat to see how excited our class gets when these big kids come in, and the JYA kids are great with our class.




Please note the following dates:
  • 2/13 library trip 
  • 2/14 11:00 dismissal
  • 2/17 school closed for President's Day
  • 2/25 field trip to Greenhill Art Gallery








Our kids are showing off the necklaces they made while learning the Roman numerals for I-X

Keegan and Kendall are showing their school spirit on the 100th day of school. 

Friday, January 3, 2020

January in the Know

I hope that everyone had a wonderful break! January is always a good time to reflect as well as set goals for the future. This month I will start mid-year assessments and make goals for the remainder of the year. We are also switching up our schedule just a bit to allow for more individualized time with the kids. Since the first day of school we have been counting down to the 100th day of school; we will make it to the 100th day this month, and we will have a special day packed with "hundred" themed activities including a trip to the Dollar Tree. Our themes for January are: house and home, Asian culture & Chinese New year. The following are a few important dates:

  • Mon. 1/6 first day back for students
  • Thurs. 1/9 library trip
  • Mon. 1/20 school closed
  • Tues. 1/28 100th day- field trip to the Dollar Tree 
A huge thank you to Mrs. Montgomery and Mrs. Garner for planning our class Christmas party, and thank you to Mrs. Tapia for teaching a lesson on Christmas in Mexico. The time and effort you put into making a special event for our kids is very much appreciated, and I know the kids had a blast!