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Important Dates
Early Release Day
August 28,2015- Dismissal begins at 1:00 p.m.
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| Family,
Not only is your Principal an old movie buff, but my taste in music is also a little outdated as well. There's a song by the Beatles called "Here Comes the Sun". In it, the songwriter declares that although it has been a long, cold winter and it seems like years since the sun has been here, it's on the way. And when it comes, the snow is going to melt and smiles are going to return to everyone's face because - "Here comes the sun, and I say, it's alright!"
In fact, everything is better than okay at KIPP Vision Primary School; things are EXCELLENT! We have gotten to the point in the year where we are ready to strap on our seat belts and kick this journey into full gear. How do I know? I know because not only have I been the leader of this powerhouse of a school for going on three glorious years, I've worked in several arenas and I have had the pleasure of leading multiple top performing teams with many stakeholders on their journey towards excellence. What I know to be true is that with all top-performing organizations, there are stages that all stakeholders go through on their way to Greatness. It's simply a natural part of the journey. Those stages are:
Forming
In this stage, most stakeholders are positive and polite. Some are anxious, as they haven't fully understood what work the team will do. Others are simply excited about the journey ahead. Does that sound familiar? This is exactly where we are during open house, orientation and even summer school. Families are giddy with anticipation and eager to face the challenge of empowering their scholars with the academic tools, character skills and scholarly habits essential to change their lives forever. You simply cannot wait to begin and you pledge to do what ever it takes for your scholar's journey to be a successful one and then comes the rain.
Storming
Next, we move into the storming phase where people start to push against the expectations communicated in the forming stage. "What do you mean my scholar has to wear all black shoes?" "I was only two minutes late?" " I am not going to follow the dismissal procedure. I have to get to work and the procedure is stupid to me!" "Do they really have to do homework each and every night and what is this character homework about anyway?" "Why can't we just go back to aftercare on-site. That would be so much easier for me." "They are just doing too much for me!" Does THAT sound familiar? During the storming phase stakeholders start to feel the stretch of having to incorporate the school's structures into their already existing lives. It takes some time and some work, but it's very doable. In weaker organizations, some stakeholders begin to leave during the storming phase. However, that does not happen at KIPP Vision Primary School. Fortunately, our partners realize that following established and clearly communicated policies and procedures are but a small price to pay to have their scholar in the top-performing elementary school in Atlanta. Wouldn't you agree? I do too. Fortunately, things begin to smooth out.
Norming
During the norming phase, everyone starts to resolve their differences; to remember why they chose the organization in the first place; to understand that just like any other business, schools have rules that are designed to ensure that the school runs effectively; to step out of their own individual wants and needs and to appreciate the larger picture; and to respect the authority and expertise of the leaders. This of course is my favorite phase. All stakeholders - teachers, parents/guardians, and scholars - develop a stronger commitment to the school's goals and you start to see good progress towards achieving those goals. This is the phase in the journey where you can really begin to takeoff. Fasten your seat belts.
Performing
Teachers, Parents/Guardians, Scholars, and Leaders reach the performing stage when hard work leads, without friction. This is the time when EVERYONE is working TOGETHER to ensure that all scholars not only meet, but exceed expectations. Family, I believe that we have arrived at performing and the stage has been set for us to show Georgia that we are not only the best school in Atlanta, but are a force to be reckoned with the whole state over. Will you join me please?
Fasten your seat belts because the journey continues.
With my whole heart,
Dr. Wheda A. Carletos, Ph.D.
Principal
KIPP Vision Primary School
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Visionary of the Week
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Kindergarten
Sanaa Russell - UWG
Laila Foster - Spelhouse
Janiya Robinson- GSU
Malia Powe- UGA
1st grade
Makela Sprattling- Spelhouse
Kayla Hill - Wesley
Angel Fielder - UNC
Mariah Jackson - UGA
2nd grade
Janiya Grant- Maryville
Pablo Soriano- Morris Brown
Taniya Wright - Clark Atlanta
Angelice Wood- Emory
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| Week At A Glance |  Here's an overview of what scholars will be learning the week of August 17 - 21, 2015 (click on the blue links below to view the documents).
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| Partners In Action |
KVP Online
Grab your "Journey Card" and join us on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 5:30 - 6:30 PM in the KVC Auditorium for, "Click, Type, Reply: Navigating the Technology Demands of KVP". Come learn how to submit the required forms, explore the homeroom pages, and get more comfortable with KVP's online communication.
Girl Scouts at KVP
If your daughter is interested in being a Girl Scout or is already a Girl Scout, please plan to attend our registration meeting on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at 3:30 PM. At this meeting, you will be completing the necessary paperwork to participate in the program for the 2015-2016 school year. Stay tuned for more details on the homeroom webpages and in next week's bulletin.
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| PTA News | Let your voice be heard! Please join us for our first PTA general body meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 from 6:00 - 7:00 PM. During this meeting, we will welcome all new members, give an overview about the role of the KVP Parent/Teacher Association, discuss ways every KVP supporter can become involved and review upcoming events.
It is our commitment as active supporters of all KVP scholars, to be committed to excellence, love and honor by serving as advocates for every child in our school and community. Together, we can achieve more!
Membership dues for the year are $10.00. Scholars are also able to join as paid members.
**Childcare will not be available during the meeting. Please make proper arrangements or scholars will need to sit respectfully during the meeting. Thank you for your partnership.
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| Early Dismissal (Checking Scholars Out Early) | |
In order to ensure that our transition for dismissal is smooth and all scholars are accounted for, early dismissals (checking scholars out early before dismissal starts) will end at the following times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday- 3:00 p.m. Wednesday- 2:00 p.m. Early Release Days- 12:30 p.m.
If you are checking your scholar out early, you or a person from your scholar's authorized pick-up list, will come to the front office with a state/government-issued ID and use the kiosk to check them out. A staff member will use the ID to confirm that you (or your designee) are on the authorized pick-up list. Once identity has been confirmed, the scholar will be called to the front office to be released to their parent or an individual on the authorized pick-up list.
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| Annual Student Fee | |
The annual student fee is required and is due by September 11, 2015. Payments can be made during school hours in the main office. We accept cash, checks, credit/debit cards, and money orders. There was some confusion during orientation regarding what is included in the fee. Listed below are the items included in the fee.
KIPP Vision Primary Annual Student Fee- $80.00
- 5 Field trips
- 1 Drawstring cinch sack
- 1 Cardigan
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| August Menu |
Click here for the August breakfast and lunch menu.
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| Counselor's & Social Worker's Corner | |
7 Natural Ways to Boost Endorphins and Feel Better
1. Smell vanilla or lavender - While doing this won't give you the exact same feeling as lying in bed with your significant other all day, it will cause the brain to release some of these feel good chemicals to boost your mood. In fact, vanilla is said to be an aphrodisiac to men, and can promote feelings of love and connection. You can add vanilla-extract to recipes or even your morning coffee and inhale deeply. Lavender oil added to a bath can make it absolutely heavenly.
2. Laugh - A little laughter can go a long way to boost those feel-good chemicals in your brain. Studies are showing that even 'fake' laughter can alter chemical responses in the brain, too. An Oxford professor says it isn't the intellectual act of laughter but the physical one that makes those endorphins flow. Smiling can do the same for you.
3. Partake of Ginseng - This ancient herb Siberian herb has been used since the 6th century BC. It has even been known to help those with schizophrenia to calm their mental terrors. Take a little ginseng to help boost endorphin release by the brain.
4. Eat Dark Chocolate - Eating this one food can make your brain's bliss-creating chemical cocktail go into overdrive. In addition to being an anti-depressant food, dark chocolate is also a natural analgesic, or pain killer - just a few dark chocolate health benefits.
5. Participate in Group Fitness - Exercise alone can help you to feel great, but studies are showing that getting physical with a group of people can boost endorphins even more than exercising solo. If you do exercise alone, make it vigorous. A good, hard workout can release more endorphins than a leisurely one.
6. Increase your Hot Pepper Use - Spicy foods have been known to release feel-good chemicals. They also naturally reduce the pain response.
7. Change Your Thoughts - Changing your thoughts doesn't necessarily change the outcome of a situation, but it can change the way you feel on a day-to-day basis. Thinking positively can actually help to re-create the chemicals your brain most often creates and disseminates to the blood stream. Even science has proven that the way you think is the cornerstone to happiness and pushing through "negative" events.
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