KSE Administration

Friday Q and A

Friday Q & A

September 20, 2019

 

I am trying to access the Curiosity Club and Cobb Digital Resources but haven't been successful. I asked my kindergartener's teacher about credentials but the ones provided don't work. My husband and I read to our daughter every day, practice sight words, and play math games, but we don't know if those homework activities are enough for a five year-old so we wanted to check what other resources are out there. Please advise how we can take advantage of these offerings! Thanks!!!

My son is in kindergarten. I am told there are additional links on the site to help engage since there is no homework; however, I feel as though i clicked rack link and I haven't found it. I found a link for ebooks but no link for exercises, unless I'm am a total fool. Below is a link to a video that our media specialist, Susan McCurry, created that will show you how to access all the fabulous resources available to our students on the KSE website.

 https://youtu.be/QxrdxiSH4F4

P.S. Reading, practicing sight words and playing some math games is PLENTY to do with your child. Make sure to throw in extra time for talking, listening, playing, and belly laughing!

 

Hello, is there an issue with the Parent Vue portal for viewing grades? Progress reports for some classes went out incomplete.  Yes, we had some technical issues and user error issues!  To my knowledge everything has been fixed.  Please reach out to me, or better yet, Tiffany Jones (AP & Grade Book manager) with any questions.

Is it possible for teachers to send home more communication about what they are teaching? With no homework and very few graded papers, I’m not sure how to help my child at home.  The best source of information will be the grade level/teacher newsletters and email blasts.  All parents should be receiving graded papers weekly so that progress report and report card grades are not a surprise.  Thank you for the great reminder about our need to step up communication now that there is no homework.

 

My son mentioned that he was not able to have syrup with his french toast because he was not allowed to go back into the line to get additional items after he has already passed through the line. I understand the lunchroom can be crazy but it seems we are offering our students very little grace and understanding. He's only 6 years old so he might forget a time or two. So we force him to eat dry food when he could simply go get a condiment? It's concerning how rigid the rules have become. I'll gladly support the school with more donation money if that means additional staff to allow our littlest ones more friendliness in the lunch room. I know it may seem trivial to you but I feel like there is a standard of understanding/care with a 1st grader in a top tier school like KSE that is just not being met.  We would welcome parent volunteers to help out in the lunchroom.  It’s a very busy place.  Once students sit down we do not let them go back to get things off of the serving line.  The reasoning here is we would have students running back and forth to get things constantly.  If you have been to the cafeteria you know it’s a very busy, very loud space.  If a student needs something while they are in the lunchroom, they raise their hand and the lunchroom monitor or custodian come to assist them.  Most times that adult will go to get whatever they forgot at the end of the line. I truly apologize that your child had dry French toast sticks at lunch.  Again, we would welcome volunteers at lunch time, BYOEP (bring your own ear plugs!)   We will work on our customer service skills in the KSE Café so that we are not in this sticky situation again.

 

Are these questions really anonymous? Yep

 

 

From a teacher:

I’m getting emails from parents requesting that I send homework packets home.  Can you please help clarify this for everyone.  From the video above you can see that there are plenty of resources for students on the KSE website.  Teacher will not be providing homework packets.

 

Will you remind parents about our hallway expectations for students.

https://youtu.be/Ih39fSQLpRE

 

Commentary Submitted:

Please do not speed through the 3-5 campus trying to grab a parking space or be one of the first in line.  Nothing is that serious to risk the life of anyone.  I have lost two students in my time as an educator and one was to a speeding driver.  Slow down and think of others.  Thank you! 

I have always admired and understood the reason for Dr. Szwec's open communication and Q&A emails, especially during this incredibly challenging time as we go through the growing pains of getting a brand new, beautiful school. I have always thought she was brave for starting this type of communication. Now, I just feel bad for her, and bad for the KSE community as a whole. 

The questions and comments are becoming ridiculous and make me feel half sad and half sick. It makes me realize that we seem to have many entitled parents at our school who cannot zoom out and see the big picture. Then it makes me realize that these entitled parents could be breeding the same entitled kids who MY kids get the privilege of rubbing shoulders with each day. I think it's time to stop this ridiculousness and start being examples of people who can have empathy, who can realize that change is hard. With this change, we may have to be uncomfortable for a short time. Gracefully handling change is an invaluable lesson to pass on to our kids. 

 Instead of complaining about the carpool lines and portable classrooms, (sorry cottages)and asking about the possibility of a "rabid dog" on campus (which I hope was a joke), let's be people who support the teachers and staff at our school. And for heaven’s sake the comments and questions about children who learn differently are so incredibly hurtful....

 

We Need Your Support! Your Company's Sponsorship of the KSE Foundation

The KSE Foundation is seeking corporate sponsorship for it's fundraising efforts of the 2019/2020 school year. This is a brand new opportunity for a company or an organization to be a partner in the KSE Foundation.  The mission of the KSE Foundation is to provide resources to KSE beyond those currently provided by the Cobb County School District to supplement elements of enhanced education. By a being a corporate sponsor of the 2019/2020 Foundation, your company will have the opportunity to be highlighted as a major donor throughout the entire year. Additionally, all contributions are tax deductible! As a reminder, the KSE Foundation's Support the Pride Campaign to "Build Our Future" is from September 30th to October 31st. 

We are asking all the parents of KSE to help us identify potential corporate sponsors. Please contact our representative for Major Gifts and King Springs Elementary school parent Brett Horowitz if you are interested. Brett's contact info is: 404-295-7818 or brett.horowitz21@gmail.com. The additional details on KSE Foundation sponsorship are attached. Thank you in advance for your support!

 

Construction Updates are on the construction blog:

https://youtu.be/XBix4Re0rFk

 

 

 

Friday Q & A

Friday Q & A

September 13, 2019

 

Hi. I see an event for the Jr, Beta Club on the KS September 2019 calendar.  What is the Jr. Beta Club and how does my child join? Thank you! Here’s a link to Beta Club Information.  Students are invited to participate in Beta Club based upon grades. https://www.betaclub.org/

Hello, I am following the construction blog as updates are posted but wondering if there is any update if the project is moving along on schedule? I drove by last week mid-day and saw a worker asleep on a bulldozer (hoping it was his lunch break!). Thanks for any updates you can provide in reference to timeline.  Construction time line is on schedule!  Woo Hooooo!!!! All construction workers are bound by OSHA standards which require breaks during the day.  We also hope that they are being cautious to hydrate and take breaks during this excessive heat.

We are new here- will there be extra spirit shirts to buy or can we order one? Thanks!  All spirit wear orders go through our PTA.  Please visit their website for contact people.  You can access the website from the King Springs website.

Where is the link to get text notifications from the school? I signed up on all the parent contact forms this year but for some reason I am not receiving the texts. Can you share the link to enroll? Thank you!  Please use this link to let us know if you are not getting text alerts from the school. 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-x3OL5-ROEmquMR_D8kYLZDz5Je9dLpArrozkinp9iFUMkpQS1hOV1hBRFlGSFdSSFBXUjdGWFQzTi4u

How do we get access to Seesaw this year? I haven't seen a code from the art teacher yet. SeeSaw account information will be shared during Conference Week this year.

Did the school do a moment of silence in recognition of 9/11 this year? I realize it's not a mandatory district policy, but I thought we did it in past years and the gesture in my mind was appreciated.  Our flag remained at half staff in recognition of Patriots Day. As a school we did not discuss the events of September 11, 2001 with our children.

Can you remind us of what activities are happening during ASP? 1st grader HATES it this year (he loved it last year) and says all they do is sit in the cafeteria and the teachers "yell" at them to be quiet. Is there a structure/curriculum or should parents be sending activities for them? It's become an incredible source of contention with him so just want some insight on what's going on. Thank you!  At 5:15 all of the ASP students come to the cafeteria so that we can dismiss more efficiently during this busy time.  I’m sure that the ASP workers are trying to keep the children quiet so that they can hear names called. There is no ASP curriculum. There is a structured schedule each day where students have snack, outside time and game times. With the excessive heat we have limited the time outside to 10-15 minutes.  I’m sure that is very frustrating for the children. 

Thank you for facing the gas leak situation with a smile and understanding, Dr. Szwec! I was a little frantic when calling you/front office and just wanted to express my appreciation for your patience and pleasantries today. You rock!  My pleasure, I know the frustration and frantic feeling when you’re trying to get to your children.  Plus, as the mother of 3 boys, I’m very familiar with gas situations!

 

Editorials Submitted:

I'm going to do my best to rephrase the individual's question/comment from last weekend:  Additional insight into the general decline of test scores would be helpful - which you've previously said you'd provide at an upcoming mtg.  However, I'm not going to lose sleep about general movements in test scores of 10 year olds.  They are stubborn, they don't listen to anything I say, they can barely wipe their own butts, and who knows what variables are driving test scores.  What I would like to learn more about are the strategies utilized by teachers that have children in their classes on a wide range of academic levels.  For example, in a 20 kid class, you have (a hypothetical) 3 kids ahead a grade level, 14 kids on-grade, and 3 kids behind a grade.  With such a wide range of academic skills in a single classroom, how does a teacher successfully challenge the kids that are a grade ahead while successfully getting the other kids up to grade level.  I would imagine that this would be a difficult task.  (Yes, I know about Target, but i'm thinking day-to-day in the classroom.)  Interested in your thoughts and the actual strategies that are implemented.  Finally.  I want to remind my fellow parents that responsibility for their child's education is on them.  100% delegation of that responsibility often (not always) results in disappointment and failure.  My children attend KS and I trust them to educate my children, but educating them is a responsibility that I own.  

 

How do you respond politely to these questions about children who learn differently "dumbing down" classrooms for the kids with parents that think they are more intelligent?  As a parent of a child who learns differently, I cannot begin to express how hurtful and ugly it is to read at least once a month how some parents don't want their child "mixed" with mine.  Can we make the KSE parents sign a kindness pledge?  A little compassion for the children who are struggling to find what works for them and for the parents and teachers exhausting every technique and resource available would go a long way. If children can treat their classmates with kindness and respect, it'd be nice if some of these KSE parents could as well. 

 

If the parents who feel, no wait, are convinced KSE is going down the toilet because A. their child is in a class with "different" types of learners B. they think their child's teacher doesn't know how to differentiate instruction so that ALL children can learn  or C. they think the administration is purposely sabotaging the school's reputation, why don't they choose a better option for their child? I guess this is more of a rhetorical question and maybe one I should have kept to myself, but I am tired.  I'm tired of reading what seems to be prejudice, malicious, and hurtful questions about our children, teachers, and administration.  WOW!  I am actually thinking of taking MY child out of this school because of the people who are spewing their hateful agendas, not just through these anonymous Q&As, but most likely at home too.  People, please!  Please for the love of the children band together.  We work better as a team.  We don't need to see any studies about that because we KNOW that is the truth.  Because I had nothing better to do this evening (my child already did their homework that I provided, so I am free at the moment), I have compiled a list of tips on how to improve the school: Get involved.  Don't just join the PTA, BE the PTA.  Work WITH your child's teacher, not against them.  I continue to hear how parents had to go straight to administration because they thought their child's teacher wasn't doing XYZ. Have you ever thought to ASK the teacher?  You catch more flies with honey than vinegar!  Help your child at home.  We don't need the teachers to give us homework, WE need to provide our children with work they can do at home. DUH!  It takes a village to raise a child, but each village member must do their share of work (remember Y-M-C-A...each member had their part).  Encourage your child to befriend students they normally don't interact within your own personal circles.  We are responsible for making this world better and that happens through our choices and through our children.  Let's work together people.  BUT, if you feel that you can't do this or that you don't want your child around the "other" or "different" children, then please reexamine whether or not KSE is the right school for you and your child.  We would hate to see you go, but we will wish you well on your way out.  Peace and blessings!

To the person who wrote the comment about Dr. Szwec “dumbing down” our students:  Have you ever been a teacher?  I have for 10+ years.  My entire masters thesis for was how ineffective homework is.  Do you read with your child?  That’s homework and it is more meaningful than a worksheet.  Ever go over math problems, skip counting or multiplication tables while driving to or from activities? That’s homework and it helps.  Worried about the school?  Do you volunteer in your child’s classroom?  What about other events?  Parental involvement is crucial.  Until you are ready to become principal and put in the hours it takes to become one maybe you should stop before you judge.  Don’t we teach our children not to judge? 

I really hope that the negative nancys that complain every week do not speak poorly about the school in front of their children.  Please be sure to set a positive tone about school and about King Springs at home!  I for one am sick of all the complaining on the Q & A.  Thank you to the teachers and staff for all you do for our students during a difficult year of construction! 

Thank you to everyone who is so passionate about the success of King Springs.  Have a great weekend.

Friday Q & A

 

Friday Q & A

September 6, 2019

 Why aren't parents allowed to go in the halls during ASP? I would like to be able to see my child interacting sometimes. ASP is an extension of the school day.  Parents are allowed to observe with an appointment for 30 minutes.

 How do we know there is a parade going on? my child told me I never go to the parades but I only knew about one.  Friday’s parade was the kindergarten Community Helpers parade.  All information about school parades will come from the classroom teachers.  Please make sure to read everything from your child’s teacher…so that you stay out of trouble with your children!

 I've asked the question a few times now and hasn't made it to the Q&A yet.  I lot of families are questioning or concerned that the school has dropped from an A score in 2014 to a C now for the latest 2018 score.  Are there plans to turn the slide in the ratings around and what can we do as parents to help out?  What do you think has been the cause of the slippage and is the school open to suggestions from parents?  We would definitely like to understand the cause and offer up potential best practices to turn it around. Thanks.  Our “State of the School” meeting is scheduled for September19th at 6:30 at the K-2 campus. 

Here is the question and answer from the August 9^th Q & A

 On the school report it shows that King Springs is now a 'C' for CCRPI and has been trending down for the last 5 years (and A in 2014, B in 2015, B  (88) in 2016, B (83) in 2017, and now C (79) in 2018).  The 'C' is not as concerning as the trend. What efforts are being done to turn around the trend going forward?  Thanks.  We are absolutely concerned about the trend, however, we need to recognize that we are comparing apples and oranges with the CCRPI each year.  Every time we think we know what the measures and benchmarks will be, the state changes something.  We will have a “State of the School” meeting in September where I will dig into this data and provide a true picture of the school performance.  Stay tuned!

Can we pay EXTRA to get better snacks for the students in the ASP?  Fruit Loops and other snacks currently served, may not be the best choices for the kids. Snacks for ASP are purchased by the school district.  You are welcome to send a different snack for your child.

What is a typical day like in ASP? My daughter tells me she just spends almost all of the time in the cafeteria. Do they go in to the classrooms at all for less stimulation? Do they do anything in the library?  Roll Call, Games, Reading, Snack, and Recess happen every day in ASP.  All students do come to the cafeteria at 5:15 so that we can try to expedite dismissal.

In case I need to pick up my child early from school, at what time will my child be considered for a "full-day" attendance? 11:05 is the magic time.

Please UPDATE the KSE Council page on the site; the information currently available is very outdated.  I am sure sources are limited... but if possible, can we consider UPDATING the school's website at all?  We will certainly get that UPDATED. All school district websites will have a makeover within the next 24 months.  Colors and logos have been submitted and we are excited to see the big reveal…not as excited as we are about the new building, or the fabulous new parking lot, or the playgrounds, or the track, or the kids making academic growth…but we’re still looking forward to a fresh website.

I saw on the Next Door app that there is going to be a prayer service for the 37 trees that were cut down to make the new school.  Will you be sending out more information about the service?  Ummm no.  The school will not be involved in a prayer service for trees.  We would welcome all prayers for the safety of our students, staff, community and construction crews.

When will grades begin to show in ParentVue? My child is in the 4th grade, I activated my ParentVue login, and I do not see any grades.  We’ve had some scheduling challenges with the online platform. You will be able to view grades beginning next week.  Progress Reports will go home next Friday.

Head’s Up Information: Due to the extremely limited parking and space on both campuses, we will not have family Thanksgiving Dinners this year.  I know many families plan ahead to include aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends for this annual event.  We promise to invite everyone next year!  I await your critique of this decision in next week’s edition of Q & A.

 Is the below grade level of the new building for kindergarten only or kindergarten and first grade?  Having worked for several years in a facility with little/no access to outdoor lighting, I understand the importance of having natural lighting. However, my children are so excited to attend a school that they can watch being built as we drive past on a daily basis. My older child has told them that they will be in classrooms underground with no windows. They are more than thrilled. They call it their secret lair and couldn’t be happier. As long as there is daily outdoor recess, activities and possibly longer walks to the cafeteria, they will be fine. The bigger issue than how to change something that has already been approved and set in motion is how to best light the rooms (ie types of bulbs, lamps versus overhead, etc) as there will not be natural light to diffuse or enhance the artificial light that will be used. Thank you to the staff for providing a school my children want to attend.

 

 

Thank you to the graphic artist for this giggle!  Let’s go ahead and label it Szwec being swept away after announcing decisions about Thanksgiving Dinners and 2^nd semester PTA Enrichment Clubs.