Principal Blog Mary Lin Elementary Principal blog http://www.marylinelementary.com/ en Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:14:59 -0400 TYPOlight webCMS Wrap-Up & Summer Update I truly hope you're enjoying the summer! Here is an update on what's happening at Lin:

  • We made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) per No Child Left Behind We met 88% of the Superintendent's targets, including attendance!

  • CRCT data will be available July/August - our students did extremely well on the CRCT!!!

  • Our teachers did an awesome job teaching the Georgia Performance Standards

  • Class lists will be posted on the front windows of school JULY 28th.

  • Open House will be Friday, August 8, from 3-5p. Come meet your teacher!

  • Our custodial staff has refinished the Auditorium floor and stage and they look incredible!

  • They're working hard to make Lin sparkle and shine

  • Replacement of the windows in the K-2 wing will begin in the next two weeks

  • Two new portables, one for Challenge and one for a 5th grade class, have been added

  • 4th grade students, along with three of the four 5th grade classes, will be in the portables

  • Most of the orange swingset will be relocated on the playground due to the new portables

  • Carpenters will install our new rock climbing wall in the gym soon

  • The PTA will move back into the Hall House, as it used to be

  • Hall House will serve the teachers/community as a staff development/meeting space

  • In 2008-09, Lin will have six K, five 1st-3rd, and four 4th-5th grade classes

  • Projected enrollment is 513 students

  • Lin will have 2 computer labs - one in the Media Center and one upstairs in Room 212

  • Teachers will participate in professional development in teaching best practices in the area of mathematics this year

  • I'll post the monthly Principal Coffee dates shortly. All are welcome!

  • We had a great 07-08 and I'm looking forward to an even better 08-09!!

  • On a personal note, I'm taking a family vacation to the North Georgia Mountains next week. I told the bears to head south...


Brian D. Mitchell, Ed.D.



]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/wrap-up-summer-update.html Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:52:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/wrap-up-summer-update.html The Last Day of School The last day of school is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the outstanding year we had at Lin. To list all of our accomplishments on this blog would be impossible!

 

I want to thank the community and parents for their hard work and dedication to the Lin students. Lin is a special place to learn because of the strong home/school connection.

 

I’m off to see our fifth grade students cross the Lin stage for the last time. Our fifth grade students are ready for middle school and soon high school, then college!

 

Thanks and have a safe summer!

 

Brian D. Mitchell, Ed.D.

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/the-last-day-of-school.html Fri, 23 May 2008 11:14:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/the-last-day-of-school.html We Love our Lin Teachers! Our Lin teachers are the best! I would like to thank the Lin PTA for a terrific lunch in honor of our teachers! Additionally, thanks are in order to Massage Envy on Ponce for treating the teachers to chair massages!

 

Thank you for the special way we wrapped up Teacher Appreciation week!

 

Brian D. Mitchell Ed.D.

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/we-love-our-lin-teachers.html Fri, 02 May 2008 13:43:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/we-love-our-lin-teachers.html Thin Client Update/We are on at Lin!
A big thank you goes to our Lin Technology Commitee and the Atlanta Public School System!

Thanks!

Brian Mitchell ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-updatewe-are-on-at-lin.html Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:21:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-updatewe-are-on-at-lin.html Attendance Update! We can do it! Attendance Update

 As of 4/21/08, 31 students have missed 10 or more days of school. 74 students have missed between seven and nine days of school.  

Lin’s target is to have less than 54 students miss 10 or more days of school. We can make this target! Please continue to send your children to school each day and on time.

 

Thanks!

 

Brian D. Mitchell

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/attendance-update-we-can-do-it.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:00:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/attendance-update-we-can-do-it.html CRCT is Here! Lin first through fifth grade students will be taking the CRCT from 4/22-4/28. The students are ready to EXCEED expectations on each component of the CRCT!

 

 Last year, 51% of our third through fifth grade students Exceeded expectations on the math component of the CRCT and 45% of the students Exceeded expectations on the reading component of the CRCT!

Brian Mitchell

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/crct-is-here.73.html Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:10:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/crct-is-here.73.html Let Me Brag About Lin...
Since 1980, the Duke Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) has been a world leader in identifying academically talented students and providing innovative programs to support the development of their optimal potential. See the link for more details on the Duke TIP http://www.tip.duke.edu/talent_searches/grade_7/
  • Of the 14 Inman students who qualified for awards this year (meaning that they scored in the top 30% of the test takers), 6 are Mary Lin alums (43%)
  • This is even more remarkable when you consider that Inman's 7th grade is only comprised of approximately 55 Mary Lin alums out of 270 total students (20%)
  • Furthermore, of the top three students who qualified for the Grand Recognition (the top 2% of test scores), two are Mary Lin alums!
Thanks Lila Bradley for the percentages.   ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/let-me-brag-about-lin.html Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:10:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/let-me-brag-about-lin.html Requests for Best Learning Environment Believe it or not, we are in the process of planning for the 2008-2009 school year. That said all parents are invited to request the best learning environment for their child. Your feedback is valued! Please do not request a specific teacher.

 

Send all requests to bdmitchell@atlanta.k12.ga.us

 

Requests must be received by May 16th.

   ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/requests-for-best-learning-environment.html Mon, 14 Apr 2008 14:10:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/requests-for-best-learning-environment.html The CRCT is Right Around the Corner Welcome back from Spring Break! We have a busy April and May ahead of us. Please continue to read the Rocket, refer to Lin’s website, and this blog for current information.

 

The CRCT will begin on Tuesday, April 22nd and end on Monday, April 28th. All first through fifth grade students will take the CRCT. The CRCT measures the strength of Lin’s instructional program. Our goal is to see steady growth in the number of students exceeding expectations in all subject areas.

 

Arriving to school on time is critical during the CRCT testing window. Please be sure your child is well rested and eats a healthy breakfast. I am confident that our students will excel on the CRCT! Thanks for all you do!

   ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/id--the-crct-is-right-around-the-corner.html Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:49:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/id--the-crct-is-right-around-the-corner.html Redistricting Update 4/3/2008

On Tuesday April 1st, Cecily Harsch-Kinnane, APS Board Member and Jere Smith, Director of Construction for APS discussed the New Northeast Elementary School (currently the Morningside Kindergarten Annex) with our community.

 

At this point, we do not know how the new school will affect Mary Lin’s attendance zones. As you are aware, Lin does have an overcrowding issue. We currently have six classrooms in portables. I can assure you that APS is fully aware of Lin’s overcrowding issue. Please refer to our home page for more details.

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/redistricting-update-432008.html Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:33:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/redistricting-update-432008.html Thin Client Update/Ben Carson Scholar/Principal's Weekend
The District is currently working on the issue that is preventing the students from using our new Thin Client technology. There appears to be a problem with the new server not allowing more than 30 Thin Clients to work concurrently. This issue has the full attention of the District.

Winston Taylor, fifth grade Lin student, was the recipient of the Ben Carson Scholarship. With the honor of being a 2008 Carson Scholar, Winston will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for his college education. In addition to the scholarship monies, Winston will receive a medal and a certificate. Winston is among a very special group of over 3,400 students from across the country that have been named a Carson Scholar. Winston’s academic achievements and service to his community make him stand out as a future leader of tomorrow.


I had a terrific weekend! I spent Friday evening at the Lin Auction. What a tremendous turnout! Thanks to all the volunteers and participants form making this year's auction a success!

To top of the weekend, I played golf on Saturday morning with the Greater Atlanta Men's Barbeque and Support Group. I would rather not discuss my golf game! I would like to thank the Greater Atlanta Men's Barbeque and Support Group for donating $425.00 to the Lin students.

I am very flattered and humbled by the tremendous parent and community support for the students at Lin!


Brian D. Mitchell

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-updateben-carson-scholarprincipals-weekend.html Mon, 31 Mar 2008 10:40:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-updateben-carson-scholarprincipals-weekend.html Attendance Update

As of 3/25/2008:


25 students have missed 10 or more days of school

11 students have missed 9 days of school

15 students have missed 8 days of school

21 students have missed 7 days of school


Lin's target is to have no more than 54 students miss 10 or more days of school.

 

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/attendance-update.html Tue, 25 Mar 2008 13:38:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/attendance-update.html Thin Client Update We are experiencing technical configuration issues with our new Thin Clients and server. The issues have the full attention of the District. We hope to have the issues resolved this week so that our students can begin using the new technology.


I appreciate your patience! I will update my blog when I receive new information pertaining to the current configuration issues.

Thanks!
Brian D. Mitchell


]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-update.html Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-client-update.html Thin Clients are Here! 262 new Thin Clients arrived Friday afternoon. The computers were set up on Friday and over the weekend. We are in the process of verifying student user names and passwords. Upon completion of this task, we will be operational!

Our new computer lab is located in room 212. The lab is equipped with 30 new computers! The new technology will enhance our instructional program by providing the teachers with another resource to plan and implement quality lessons.

Thanks for your continued support! Great things are happening at Lin!

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-clients-are-here.61.html Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:22:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thin-clients-are-here.61.html Third & Fifth Grade Students Working Hard! The Lin third and fifth grade students are working hard on the ITBS! I am very proud of the students for having a positive attitude and trying their best this week! Our last day of testing will be on Monday, 3/17.

The CRCT is right around the corner! Testing for the CRCT will begin on April 21st. Grades 1-5 will participate in taking the CRCT. Grades 3-5 are the target grades for the District's academic goals and Adequate Yearly Progress. I know that our students will do a great job on the CRCT!

As I write this blog entry, I am anxiously waiting for our Thin Clients to arrive...

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/third-fifth-grade-students-working-hard.html Fri, 14 Mar 2008 07:57:00 -0400 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/third-fifth-grade-students-working-hard.html Third/Fifth Grade Promotion and Retention
http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/3rd%20Grade%20Promotion%20Retention%20Handout%20side-by-side.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6BAD62CF7A1B6AA57D47D13550F5196C2D603927FCBC60766&Type=D http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/5th%20Grade%20Promotion%20Retention%20Handout%20side-by-side.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6D3FFEAFFCBFFDE49337A5D36CF64439539EB140E0A5073CF&Type=D ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thirdfifth-grade-promotion-and-retention.html Tue, 04 Mar 2008 10:09:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/thirdfifth-grade-promotion-and-retention.html CINS Meeting/Grady Cluster I hope everyone enjoyed their three-day weekend! Many of you are aware of the new Howard School that is currently the Kindergarten Annex for Morningside Elementary. The Annex will become a K-5 school for the 2009-2010 school year. We are uncertain at this time if Mary Lin will be affected by the new school. Below is information pertaining to the next CINS meeting in March, which will focus on the changing demographics of the Grady Cluster. See you there!


CINS' March  Meeting - "Chaing Demographis within the Grady Cluster” - Noon at C.W. Hill Elementary School  The Grady Cluster continues to grow and shrink at various schools making-up a diverse and ever changing system.  Featured during this luncheon will be the new demographer for Atlanta Public Schools providing future projections for enrollments at the various schools.  Questions to be discussed are how will these trends effect the enrollment at Grady over the next five years?  What schools will be gaining and losing teachers?  How these numbers are projected and supported?  How are the projections correlated to future housing construction projects such as the Belt Line, the redevelopment of Grady Homes and the Pratt Pullman Yard?  These questions and other exciting trends will be discussed on Wednesday, March 12th, 2008. This meeting will take place at noon at C.W. Hill Elementary, 386 Pine Street, NE  30308.   Lunch will be served for $7. CINS is a not-for-profit organization working to empower public schools in the Grady cluster.  For more information on CINS and its mission, please visit www.cinsatlanta.org.  ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/cins-meeting-redistricting.html Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:12:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/cins-meeting-redistricting.html EARLY RELEASE DAY Please remember that ALL students will be dismissed at 11:30 tomorrow, 2/12/2008.


Thank you,


Brian Mitchell

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/early-release-day.html Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:53:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/early-release-day.html Black History Month Diversity is an important part of Mary Lin and the Mary Lin community. We embrace diversity and multicultural education throughout the year.February is recognized nationally as Black History Month. During the month of February, our teachers make a deliberate attempt to incorporate the contributions African Americans have made, are making, and will continue to make to our world.

On February 26th, we will have our culminating Black History Program in the gym. I am sure our students will have lots to say about what they are learning about this month.

Thanks for all you do for Mary Lin!
]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/black-history-month.html Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:36:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/black-history-month.html How was your day? I often fall into the trap of asking students (and my four-year-old daughter) how was school today? The response "good", is usually the answer. "Good" is certainly better than "bad", but I was still seeking a way to get more information.

 

I recently began to tell my four-year-old daughter, Gabriella how I helped people at work prior to asking about her day at school. The strategy worked! Gabriella was able to tell me how she helped her teacher and other students throughout the course of the day. Mission accomplished! I am now able to have a simple, yet meaningful conversation about school that goes beyond the response "good". Try this at home.

 

Does your child know what you do at work? The examples you provide may provide a framework for your child to describe his/her school day using more details.

 

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/february.33.html Thu, 31 Jan 2008 22:24:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/february.33.html Attendance Update Greetings! Our goal is to have no more than 54 students miss 10 or more days of school. To date:

  • 9 have missed 10+ days of school

  • 2 have missed 9 days

  • 9 have missed 8 days

  • 10 have missed 7 days

  • 14 have missed 6 days

  • 24 have missed 5 days

Thank you for all that you do for Mary Lin and please continue to help us reach our attendance target!

Brian Mitchell

principal@marylinelementary.com

 

]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/id-357-.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 22:25:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/id-357-.html Happy New Year! Happy New Year! The Mary Lin Team is looking forward to a terrific second semester. The start of a new semester is an excellent opportunity to review goals and expectations. Our Superintendent, Dr. Hall has set specific academic and attendance targets for each school. The targets are set high, yet attainable.

 

Our attendance target requires that no more than 54 students can miss 10 or more days of school. To date, 68 students have missed four or more days of school. Researchers have demonstrated important correlations between attendance and academic success. Additionally, researchers have found that schools with higher rates of daily attendance tend to generate students who perform better on achievement tests than do schools with lower daily attendance rates. Being present and punctual also teaches and reinforces important life skills.

 

Each week, we acknowledge the class with the highest percentage of students on time and present over the morning announcements. The announced class gets to have lunch with me! I have had some interesting experiences eating lunch in the cafeteria. I have also had a lot of fun!

 

Thank you for all that you do for Mary Lin and please continue to help us reach our attendance target!

Brian Mitchell

principal@marylinelementary.com


]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/happy-new-year-headline.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 22:24:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/happy-new-year-headline.html Fab 4 As we draw nearer to the December Holidays, I would like to provide an update on the four key areas of focus this year. The areas are math, writing, the Penny harvest, and best teaching practices.

 

Our teachers have been engaged in professional development in the areas of math and writing. The math professional development focuses on infusing literature into math and providing students with a variety of strategies to solve problems. For example, students learn how to use arrays to solve multiplication problems. The professional development in writing is couched in providing a consistent approach to teaching writer’s workshop across each grade level. A critical component of the professional development for math and writing is the opportunity for teachers to observe demonstration lessons. The demonstration lessons provide the teachers with the opportunity to have an up-close look at effective lesson implementation.

 

The students have done an outstanding job collecting pennies for the Penny Harvest. The culminating assembly today will focus on counting the number of sacks filled with pennies! The next phase of Common Cents will provide opportunities for students to collaborate across grade levels in the Round Table discussions. Details on the Round Table discussions will be forthcoming.

 

All certified teachers at Lin develop and implement instructional lessons that are based on research-based best teaching practices. The best practices consist of higher-level questioning, using technology, differentiating instruction, and relating learning experiences to real life. Grounding instruction in research-based practices provides more opportunities for the teachers to meet the academic needs of all students. Additionally, the best teaching practices assist teachers in making connections to learning across different content areas of the curriculum.


Thank for all you do for Lin!
Brian Mitchell
principal@marylinelementary.com

 ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/number-4-headline.html Sat, 01 Dec 2007 22:23:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/number-4-headline.html Pennies A-Plenty Click to hear a message from Mr. Mitchell


We would like to thank all of the students, parents, and members of the community who have helped Mary Lin successfully implement the Penny Harvest. In true Mary Lin fashion, we are now ready to exceed our original expectations!

We easily met the 25-sack challenge on November 9, in just half the time we’d set to achieve this goal! The questions came: Stop the harvest early? Or stretch ourselves to the next level – 50 sacks? Stop now and address a few causes on the Wheel of Caring? Or keep going and help our students effect even more issues and needs?

The decision? Go for it! Setting a challenging goal to do great things for someone other than ourselves is an excellent life lesson to incorporate in our daily learning at Mary Lin. To that end, we’re extending the collection period of the Penny Harvest to November 30. We hope you’ll support your children in their new goal and help them carry our first harvest to a strong finish.

Thanks!
Brian Mitchell & Paula Kupersmith
Click HERE for more info on the wonderful PENNY HARVEST ]]> http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/pta-no-way.html Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:38:00 -0500 http://www.marylinelementary.com/articles/items/pta-no-way.html