The Tyger Tymes
Anderson Mill Elementary School  Winter/Spring 2015  Issue 2
Dear Parents/Guardians,
positive contribution to our curriculum and overall
school program:
It seems as though our school year just began,
and here we are approaching springtime! It always
amazes me how quickly time flies during the school
year. Although, you must know our staff has been
working very hard to meet every child’s individual
needs as the school year progresses. The efforts of our
hard work were evident, as we
received an “Excellent” rating
on our state report card for the
fifth consecutive year! This is
quite an accomplishment due
to the rigorous testing
standards set forth by No
Child Left Behind.

Reading intervention is offered in grades K-3 on a
daily basis using a direct-instruction, research
based program.
 Math intervention is offered in
grades K-2 on a daily basis using a
direct-instruction, research based
program.
 The Read Well curriculum is
being utilized in kindergarten and
first grade classrooms to provide
small group reading instruction, as
well as whole group reading
lessons in kindergarten. We
started the program at AMES three
years ago and continue to see great
gains in our students’ reading
ability, as measured by DIBELS
and STAR reports.
 A large variety of before and
after school clubs are available to students.
 Our after-school care program, Beyond the Books,
provides free tutoring services to students in grades
1-5.
In July 2012, the South
Carolina Department of
Education was granted a
waiver from several
accountability requirements of
the federal Elementary and
Secondary Education Act
(ESEA). This waiver allowed
SC to replace the former
pass/fail system (AYP) with
one that utilizes more of the statewide assessments
already in place to determine if each school met the
target or made progress toward the target. This analysis
results in a letter grade for the school rather than the
pass/fail system of previous years (www.ed.sc.gov).
Under this new rating system, each school in South
Carolina was rated A-F, based on their performance on
the PASS Assessment. Anderson Mill earned an “A”
for the 2013-2014 school year. Way to go AMES!
We are also adding some new components
to our curriculum to ensure our students have the
problem solving and higher order thinking skills to
be competitive in college or the workplace. All of
our teachers are trained in Thinking Maps.
Thinking Maps offer students eight visual maps to
help organize their thinking. The maps teach
students how to organize their thoughts in a way
that promotes critical and analytical thinking
skills. The maps can be used across the curriculum
in every academic area. We also added a schoolwide writing curriculum: Write from the
This year we placed strong emphasis on
helping students become well-rounded individuals by
focusing on the following attributes: academic rigor,
physical fitness, and character development.
In order to be college and career ready, students must
be able to meet the academic challenges of a rigorous
curriculum. At AMES, we are continuing with the
following programs, as our data results show their
Beginning. The program is research based and has
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
Mrs. Rachel Johnson – SC
Palmetto Teachers of Excellence Award

Mrs. Rachel Johnson – Chosen
to Serve on the SC State Department of
Education African American History
Calendar Committee
 William Thomas – Geography Bee Winner
 Andrew Bettencourt – Geography Bee Runner-Up
 Sissy Ashley – Spelling Bee Winner
 Divya Srijay – Spelling Bee Runner-Up
 Peyton Rollins - Student Council President
 Divya Srijay – 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Math/Computer Science
 Divya Srijay – 3rd Place Piedmont Regional
Science Fair – Elementary Math/Computer Science
 Abby Jones – 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Behavioral/Social Science
 Dylan Layton – 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary General Science
 Maggie Thompson & Lillian Reid – 2nd Place
AMES Science Fair – Elementary General Science
 Maggie Thompson & Lillian Reid – Honorable
Mention Piedmont Regional Science Fair ––
Elementary General Science
 Michelle Velasquez – 3rd Place AMES Science Fair
– Elementary General Science
 Braeden Covan - 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Chemistry
 Braeden Covan – National Audobon Society
Award Piedmont Regional Science Fair
 Kaitlin Caughman – 2nd Place AMES Science Fair
– Elementary Chemistry
 Rayli Houghland – 3rd Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Chemistry
 Alex Googer - 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Physics
 Landon Waldrop – 2nd Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Physics
 Grayson Bryant – 3rd Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Physics
 Ambrie Gettys - 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Biology
 Destiny Martin – 2nd Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Biology
proven to be very successful in providing continuity
in the writing program from kindergarten through
fifth grade. Our teachers are already seeing
improvements in student writing samples this school
year.
To promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles,
we are continuing to focus on initiatives such as 100
Mile Club. Students are encouraged to walk or run
during the school day in attempt to meet the 100 mile
mark. We have several students that have already met
their goal and it is only March! Anderson Mill has
also received a First Tee grant that will allow us to
teach golf skills in conjunction with character
development through our PE program. This is our
second year of implementation and we are seeing great
success with the program. We are also in our second
year of participating in the Girls on the Run program
for girls in grades 3-5. The program is designed for
girls to work with a mentor to conquer the task of
running a 5K, but like First Tee, contains a character
development component. We are proud of the
initiatives we are taking to keep our children
physically fit and on the right track for developing
habits of a healthy lifestyle.
Character development is an important part of our
efforts to develop productive, well-rounded citizens.
We focus on good character every morning on our
WAME morning news show by highlighting the Good
School Citizen of the Day and going over Steven
Covey’s Essential 55 (traits of good character). In
addition, we have a guidance curriculum that connects
to our school-wide discipline code that emphasizes the
following characteristics: Positive Mental Attitude,
Perseverance, Cooperation, Compassion, Integrity,
Initiative, and Respect. These traits are taught in
guidance, class lessons, during our OLWEUS AntiBully meetings, and integrated into our related arts
curriculum. Students are reminded often that there is
no greater compliment than that of having good
character.
In addition to our school news, I would like to take
a moment to personally congratulate some of our
teachers and students for their accomplishments this
year. Congratulations to the following:


Mrs. Leslie Evatt – 1st Grade Teacher –
AMES Teacher of the Year 2015-2016
Ms. Mary Strickland – Custodian– AMES
Support Personnel of the Year 2015-2016
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Sam Bruce – 3rd Place AMES Science Fair –
Elementary Biology
Sam Bruce – Spartanburg Science Center Award
Piedmont Regional Science Fair
Anna Grace Fraley – 1st Place AMES Science
Fair – Middle School General Science
Carlee Yacoviello – 1st Place AMES Science Fair
– Middle School Chemistry
Ellen Jacobs – 1st Place AMES Science Fair - Middle School Physics
Katie Popkin – 1st Place AMES Science Fair –
Middle School Biology
Jake Lawson – 2nd Place AMES Science Fair –
Middle School Biology
Raquel Velasquez – 3rd Place AMES Science Fair
– Middle School Biology
Jasmine Hang – SC American Choral Directors
Association Elementary Honors Choir
Ravyn Mims – SC American Choral Directors
Association Elementary Honors Choir
Jesse Kraayenbrink – SC American Choral
Directors Association Elementary Honors Choir
Jaden Doiron – SC American Choral Directors
Association Elementary Honors Choir
Field Easler – SC American Choral Directors
Association Elementary Honors Choir
A note from Mrs.
Foster & Mr.
Rollins…
It seems like our school year
just began, but here we are in the
second semester of school. As we embrace the
next few months, we want to thank all of our
teachers and parents who have participated in our
PPP training sessions. The Triple P (Positive
Parenting Program) is an evidence-based parenting
program with over thirty years of research
supporting it (Triple P International, 2015). The
Triple P program provides parents with strategies
to assist them in dealing with their child’s
behaviors. The program also provides support to
prevent problems from arising and helps parents
build strong relationships with their children. Here
at Anderson Mill, we have provided three sessions
so far this year. We have another session planned
for the middle of March to conclude our series on
positive parenting. During these sessions, we
provide parents with the following information:
 Recognize the causes of common child behavior
problems
 Build a positive relationship with your child
 Praise and encourage behavior that you like
 Teach your child new skills
 Set rules and give instructions your child will follow
 Respond to misbehavior immediately, consistently
and decisively
 Use discipline strategies that work
 Take care of yourself as a parent (Sanders et.al.,
2005)
I hope this gives you an idea of the wonderful things going on at Anderson Mill. Our
initiatives are a collaborative effort to ensure
that our students are academically challenged
and prepared for college or the workplace. We
are proud of our teachers and students for their
accomplishments and hard work.
None of this would be possible without the
support of our families. We appreciate all that
you do to support our school, our staff, and our
programs at Anderson Mill as we continue in
the tradition of excellence. Please know that
you are always welcome here. If I can ever be
of service to you, please feel free to contact
me. I consider it an honor to serve the children
and families of our community.
Of course each parenting situation is different; so,
we have trained staff members to assist families
with their individual needs. If you have any
questions about the program, Bobby Rollins
(Assistant Principal) and (Teachers) Leslie Evatt
and Martha Frye will be glad to assist you. Being a
parent is so rewarding yet difficult at times. Just
remember… “We are ALL in this together.”
Parents, take care of yourselves and each other.
Always remember, if we can be of any assistance
to you, our doors are open. Feel free to call us or
come by the school. It is our privilege to serve your
Sincerely,
Elizabeth D. Haun
child at Anderson Mill.
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Counselor’s Corner
What’s Happening in
Horizons?
“Alone we can do so little. Together
we can do so much.
-Helen Keller
There are a lot of exciting things
happening in Horizons! We
had a guest artist, Mr.
Mickey, who came to each
Horizons’ class in January.
Mr. Mickey specializes in
wood working, and each
grade level created a
different piece from wood to
take home. Third grade students built and
decorated bird houses. Fourth grade
students created catapults, and fifth grade
students made memory boxes. The students
had a great time planning, constructing, and
decorating their wooden pieces!
We also held our annual Horizons
Science Night here at AMES in February!
Mr. Garrison Hall, former
NASA scientist, was our
guest of honor. He put on
a fascinating, fun, and
entertaining science show
for the Horizons students
from around the district!
We had a great turnout and an even better
time!
Currently, our Horizons students are
working very hard on end of the year
projects that will be presented to their
parents in April! We’ve had some delays
with all of the snow and ice, but the projects
are coming along nicely, and we expect to
have them ready to show off in just a few
short weeks! We are looking forward to a
great end of the school year!
Mrs. Harrison and Ms. Gregory have
welcomed Mr. Ron Jolly to the guidance
department at AMES this semester. Mr.
Jolly is currently working to complete his
elementary school counseling internship.
Please join us in welcoming him to The
Mill!
Our fifth-grade students are being
prepared for the middle school orientations
and getting ready to be a Bearcat, a Buck, or
a Hornet! Be on the lookout for permission
forms to go visit the middle school your
child will be attending. Gable Orientation
will be on 3/20/15, Dawkins Orientation will
on 4/21/15, and Fairforest Orientation will
be on 4/3/15. Please feel free to contact us if
you have any questions about your child’s
transition to middle school!
We have stressed the importance of
consistently thinking of making good
choices at all times-not just when we are in
school! Our guidance lessons have focused
upon showing others that we care by
noticing others’ needs and doing something
about it! Compassion has been in action in
our classrooms! Also, we have learned
about taking the first step to do what we
know we should do without having to be
reminded. Showing initiative is a key to
being successful in all areas of our lives!
Please encourage your children at home to
be compassionate and to display initiative in
your daily home routines. Share how
character choices are important in adults’
lives, as well! Next up in classroom
guidance will be a study of cooperation and
how it benefits us all to develop this
important trait!
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Loggerheads in the Art
Room!
P.E.
PARADE
Each year, in the
art room, third graders
work on S.C. related
art works. We learn
about S.C. artists,
symbols of S.C. and famous places in S.C.
At the present time, third graders are
creating a collage of S.C.’s reptile, the
loggerhead turtle. Next, we will be making
a loggerhead from clay so that we
understand the detail in their textured shells,
their leathery skin, and the importance of
taking care of these majestic animals in their
habitat. South Carolina has some wonderful
places to explore. What a great place to
live!
We have been very busy in the gym!
Our units in throwing and catching, fitness
activities, rope jumping, basketball, striking
skills, and racket/modified tennis (2-5) have
given us a chance to develop skills that we
can take far beyond the PE class setting and
use for fun and fitness throughout our lives.
Kindergarten and first graders have
been working on a variety of skills in a
station format that include dribbling,
throwing, catching, rope jumping, hula
hoops, balance, and striking skills. They are
currently working on putting skills in the
First Tee Golf program.
Please encourage your child to be
physically active every day. Let’s work
together to model and encourage lifelong
fitness habits and activities for our children!
Drawing with
Detail in the
Fifth Grade
Fitnessgram
Fifth grades are
working on the Fitnessgram
Fitness test and have
completed the Pacer run,
which tests aerobic capacity,
the sit and reach component,
which tests flexibility, and
body mass index (BMI) which
is determined by height and weight. Sit-ups
and push-ups will be tested last. Students
have been taught the correct form required
for these tests. If you have a fifth grader,
please encourage them to work on their situps and push-ups in preparation for those
tests. Our goal is to complete testing by
spring break.
During the fifth grade year, students spend
their time in art learning to draw. Thus far
we’ve spent time learning to use a contour
line to draw and shade shapes and turn these
into space ships, robots or rockets. During
the fall, we drew using perspective. We
designed a front porch including steps, fall
leaves, front doors, and windows. We then
began learning to draw our hands in
different positions. Now, we’re drawing
contour lines of our shoes. Afterwards, we
are painting the shoes and background using
warm and cool colors. Many of these are on
display in the halls. We hope you enjoy
watching us learn to draw.
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Fitness Club
Our Fitness Club has been hampered
by the winter weather, but we have finally
gotten back on track and hopefully spring is
here!! Our members have
enjoyed playing fun
fitness games that include
Drain the Bucket, Ice
Castles, Clean the Yard,
and Powerball. Our
fitness challenge was the
wall sit that develops
strength in the quadriceps.
We participated in the Jingle Bell Fun Run
at Wofford College on December 16th. Our
next run is the Spring Fling run at the South
Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind.
Wonderful Walk at
School Day
Our annual South Carolina Walk at
School Day was held on March 4th. All of
our students walked a mile on campus to
promote safe routes at school and fitness.
Jump Rope For
Heart
Hooray for 100 Mile
Club
In February our
students participated in
The American Heart Association’s Jump
Rope For Heart program. This organization
raises money to fight heart disease, which is
the number one cause of death in the U.S.
Our school-wide goal was $2000.00. Our
students went above and beyond our goal to
raise $3,101.38 for this worthy cause! The
money raised goes to fund research that
touches the lives of our families and our
community. Congratulations to Mrs.
Brown’s third grade class for bringing in the
most donations overall! Your class will get
to sign our 2015 Jump Rope For Heart
Banner. Our top class in grades K-2 was
Mrs. Hardy’s class and the top class in
grades 3-5 was Mrs. Brown’s class. These
two classes will receive a fine dining
experience at lunch with a delicious and
healthy menu served by our principals! Our
top three contributors were Taylor Nelson,
Congratulations to 100 Mile Club
members Ashcer Schlichting, J’Bori Peake,
Ally Wilson, Jonathan Ocampo, Anna Kay
Pitts, and Jacob Wyatt for running 100
miles! Congratulations also go to Mrs.
Rachel Johnson, Mrs. Beth Foster, and Mrs.
Beth Haun for running 100 miles!
Hopefully, the winter weather is over and
our students can begin working toward their
milestones of 25, 50, 75, and 100 miles and
earning their incentives. We are excited to
see how many members will reach their
goal. Run, Run, Run!!!
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Cayden King, and Grayson Bryant. They
will get to “mummy wrap” our principals
with toilet paper on WAME!
A special thank you to our parents for
helping your children to collect donations
and for coming to our Jump Rope For Heart
event to support your children!!!
melodies move by steps, skips and repeats.
Now we will get to hear a concert featuring
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony, Strauss’s Blue
Danube, and other selections that feature
melodies moving in all these different ways.
Fifth grade Honors Chorus rose to the
occasion to present some great choral works
at the new Fine Arts Center at Dorman on
Tuesday, Mar. 3rd, as part of the district’s
choral festival. They enjoyed especially
singing songs with the middle and high
school singers. The concert was a
wonderful way to show the progression of
the choral arts program in our district. So
proud of our AMES Honors Chorus! Also,
all 5th grade classes will present their spring
choral program on April 20th, Music of the
20th Century, featuring a script written by
our own 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Johnson.
This is a great musical follow-up to their
social studies units this year. We are really
excited about this program. Band and
Strings classes will also perform that
evening. More information will be coming
home soon.
First grade share time is coming up
next week, Mar. 23-27. Parents may come
observe and participate in their child’s first
grade music class. We will sing, dance and
play instruments, and most importantly,
have fun! Can’t wait to see all the parents of
our first graders, be ready to do the Chicken
Dance!
Second and Third graders have been
learning how to read pitches and sing in
tune. We have been working on the pitches
of the pentatonic scale, do, re, mi, so, and la.
We have played games, improvised on
xylophones, and additionally enjoyed
singing songs about Valentine’s Day and St.
Patrick’s Day.
Early Bird
Gym
Our first, second,
and third graders have
enjoyed coming to early
bird gym during the
months of December,
January, February, and March for physical
activity. We provide a variety of activities
to promote a healthy lifestyle including hula
hoops, rope jumping, basketball and
champions and challengers. It’s a great way
to start the day!
Music
Minutes
We have had
great fun making music at the Mill! So
proud of our 4th graders, who really rallied
in the middle of all the snow days to pull off
a fantastic Lewis and Clark program. Two
performances on the Wednesday we were
here, Feb. 25th, and an encore for parents on
Mar. 12th in the evening. Way to go
students! You were outstanding! Also, we
are looking forward to taking all our 4th
graders and Music Visions students to
Twichell for the Link Up Concert, the
Orchestra moves on Wednesday, Mar 25th.
All year we have studied about how
Have a great spring!
Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. Stansell
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Connect the Dots!
Color Andy
Anderson!
The Joke Spot
Q: What season is it when you
are on a trampoline?
Q: What flower grows on
faces?
A: Tulips (Two Lips  )
A: Spring- Time!
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