Principal's Blog

November 29, 2012

The old Gene Autry song, sung be Roy Rogers,  has always been one of my favorites.  Titled "Happy Trails to You" the song has a great message fitting for this post.  Happy trails to you, until we meet again.  Happy trails to you, keep smiling until then.... some trails are happy trails, others are blue.  It's the way you ride the trail that counts, here's a happy one for YOU!    Thank you for the honor and privilege of serving the Addison Community.  We have made much progress together,  yet I look for even greater things from this school and community in the future.  My heart, eyes and ears will be watching and listening.

On Monday, December 1, 2012, your new Principal, Susan Hallmark, will be joining you.  Mrs. Hallmark is full of passion and excitement about this, her first Principalship.   She has been serving as Assistant Principal at Still Elementary.  Prior to that she has been an area lead teacher for Cobb County as well as a classroom teacher at Vaughan Elementary.  She has taught eighth grade math and pre-algebra at North Augusta Junior High as well as being a sixth grade teacher in Cumming, Georgia.  She was the Vaughn Teacher of the Year in 2008-09 as well as in 2001-02.  It does concern me that she is an Auburn grad, but once on board, that Addison Alligator spirit will dispel all that other orangish color, I am sure.

Make your trails happy - it is YOUR choice.  Ride them well!  May our trails cross again...fondly,

Karen C. Crowder

November 12, 2012

Today as I walk the building, I see a variety of learning goals unfolding.  I am thankful to see teachers highlighting Veteran's Day so that our young students begin to understand the importance of sacrifice which Veteran's have given for our country. I see students working together - one of the most important qualities that the business world encourages school's to instill in our learners.  The pictures below are of kindergarten with their buddy class creating Tacky Turkeys during their lunch time. 

 May your Thanksgiving be filled with wonderful moments, family and friends.  Happy Thanksgiving.

K Crowder

 

October 10, 2012 - Big News!

What a great turn out for our Walk to School Day on October 3, 2012.  Thanks to the more than 100 parents and students who joined Commissioner Joann Birrell, Coach Golden, and me to walk to school.  It was great to see the parents linger after the walk to visit and network with one another.  We will do a walk about the school each month in an effort to encourage students to exercise regularly.

Our wonderful Yaja Henderson who has served Addison for 24+ years will be retiring effective December 1, 2012.  I know you will want to wish her well as she begins another chapter of her life.  Yaja is an amazing person with unlimited talents - thank you Yaja, for all your years of service and dedication! 

Today I announced my retirement effective December 1, 2012 to the wonderful Addison Staff.  I believe it to be in the best interest of the school to have someone join  the community mid-year to plan  the governance model with all stakeholders for next school year.  It has been an honor to work alongside you all!  Addison is a golden nugget - a just right size school,  extremely knowledgeable teachers, smart students and involved parents.  All those qualities create a great school.  I hope to announce this news to students on Friday morning, allowing parents who would prefer to conference with their child that opportunity first.  May your steps ever be in a positive direction and may your children know joy within themselves.

September 13, 2012

We have just completed all CoGAT and IOWA testing for our students - YEAH!  back to teaching and learning for us all.

SAFETY REMINDERS for AFTERNOON CAR RIDERS:  Please remember to have your student's pick-up number showing in your car when you drive through the pick up lane.  If you choose to park, please wait outside with your number for your student.  Our lobby gets congested when parents come in and fellowship in the lobby as dismissal and announcements are happening.  We love to see our parents visit with one another and we hope that will continue outside at the pick up area.  The students will be walked to the dismissal area outside for pick-up.  Students may not be dismissed from the class line or at any other point on our grounds other than the designated front car pick up area.  Please help us keep our dismissal safe and consistent for students.  We will accept dismissal changes 30 minutes or longer before dismissal.   Last minute changes will need administrative approval. 

August 29, 2012

Feels like routine has settled in at Addison; we have gotten our classrooms evened out and students are showing comfort with  learning expectations for the school year.  Our school number has reached 601 today - that is about 50 more students than last year at this time.  Now that your students are comfortable with their room locations, we will ask that you sign in at the front office from 7:15 -2:40 if you plan to go into the building.  Please remember that your teachers are busy greeting your students and getting them right into instruction in the mornings.  If you "drop in" to speak with them, it takes them away from their focus on your students and instruction.  Just email or call for an appointment and they will be happy to schedule a time to meet.

Last week Donna Lowry came to visit Addison.  One of our fabulous parents had written to her about an outstanding teacher, Mrs. Susan Becker.  After reviewing the information 11 Alive selected Mrs. Becker as the Class Act Teacher of the Week!  Here is the link to see what was aired on TV:

http://www.11alive.com/news/education/classact/default.aspx

Enjoy your Labor Day Holiday - see you back at Addison on Tuesday, September 4!

2012-2013 First Day of School is Magical!

Today we had 588 students report to Addison for their first day of school.  Students were amazing all day showing great manners and an eargerness to learn combined with leadership choices.  Thank you for sending us students who each have magic within - they are ready to grow and flourish.

Look for your first day folders.  Please fill out the information cards and return them to school at your earliest convenience.  Hereafter, information will come home in Thursday folders each week.

Looking forward to day 2....

"The Choking Game" - Have you heard of it?

First, let me start by sharing what a great job all of our students have done during testing.  Students have been present, on time, focused, and putting forth their personal best during each day of testing.  The days have been long and hard, but the students have shown great perseverance.  Parents,  thank you for providing grapes and mints on test days - this means so much to our students.

It has come to my attention that we have had a couple of students who are aware of and trying something called "the choking game".  This is a very serious activity with many adverse possiblities.  I was not aware of what the choking game was about, so I wanted to make sure that each of you are in the know on this potentially harmful activity.  The link below is very graphic but gives a full explanation of what could happen if children participate in the choking game.  Please review the video  before you share with your students. 

http://www.gaspinfo.com/en/home.html

March 29, 2012

Here's hoping you and your family are set to enjoy a wonderful Spring Break next week, April 2-6, 2012!  Students have told me of exciting plans ranging from taking a cruise, traveling abroad, and simply staying home to enjoy a relaxing week.  What ever your plans are, please travel safely and return to Addison refresehed. 

The last two months of school are packed full of learning as well as a myriad of activities culminating our year.  Our CRCT testing for grades 3-5 will begin April 18th.  Please arrange for students to get to bed on time, start each day with a hearty breakfast and arrive on time for class.  Our 1st and 2nd graders will be taking their assessments on April 26th and 27th.  Amongst all our busy April events, Boosterthon will be coming April 24th  raising funds to continue our Science Lab next year.  Thank you for providing your students with this important enrichment resource - let's keep it going and increase the amount of time Mrs. Knobbe can be present in the lab for all students.  Your support and involvement make this possible through our Addison Foundation.

Writing Fair Winners, March 8, 2012

Congratulations to the following Addison Writing Fair Winners! 

Kindergarten:  Peter Brown            First Grade:  Piper Shook        

Second Grade:  Ann Briscoe Pongonis

Third Grade:  Rachel Lawrence        Fourth Grade:  Niles Fool       

Fifth Grade:  Shaun Cunningham

Keep writing, students!  Addison gators are awesome authors!

 

February 21, 2012

It's the FAMILY DANCE;  yes, this Friday evening at 6:00 our Gator Rock Dance will be going strong in the gym.  What a great start to the weekend - bring your entire family (maximum cost is $15.00) for a great time.  You will be supporting your PTA  while getting to know the other members of your school community.  The 5th grade will be sponsoring the Gator Rock Cafe in our Dining Hall with all funds going to support 5th grade end of year activities as well as next year's Rock Eagle Trip. The Cafe will open at 5:30 with pizza, sweets and other treats to keep your toes rocking.  

Our school pictures were just made on Friday but you and your family will have the opportunity for a family portrait during the evening.  With a little planning, you could check that holiday family photo off your list for December 2012!  Group friend pictures will be offered as well.

Hope to see you at the Gator Rock Dance - food ends at 7:30 with the dance closing down at 8:00.