Title I / School News Famon Whitfield III, Principal Shannon Berry, Assistant Principal 926 Perry Avenue Dillon, SC 29536 843-774-1227 January 30, 2015 Calendar of Events February February February February February February February February February February 2-6 9-25 10 & 24 11 11 13 18 19 19 Good 25 National School Counseling Week World’s Finest Chocolate Sale After School Clubs Progress Reports Lunch Buddies Teacher In-Service/Workday ELA Benchmark Math Benchmark PTO/Family Night Rectangles andSLAM Picture Day consistency in their nighttime routine, too. Kids benefit from a consistent homework routine, including a regular time of day and comfortable workplace. We will begin our World’s Finest Chocolate sale on February 9, 2015. Encourage your child to sale as much candy as they can; the proceeds benefit the students at GES. As always, feel free to call or come by the school to talk with your child’s teacher or myself. We are grateful to have good students and great families here at GES. Educationally Yours, Famon V. Whitfield, III From the Principal’s Desk… Dear Parents/Guardians: We are at the mid-point of the school year, and there are two nine weeks left in the school year. Encourage your child to finish the school year strong. Here are a few tips to help you and your child be successful: 1. Think Long Term We know students need to learn reading, writing and math skills in elementary school, but it is also needed throughout middle school, high school, college and life. 2. Have the Right Attitude Parents should show excitement and enthusiasm for their child’s school. This will put the child in a positive frame of mind to come to school and be successful. If you want your children to be interested in their school, you have to be interested in their school and in the subjects they are studying. 3. Communicate It is critically important to build a relationship with your child’s teacher(s). Communicate with the teacher often. The most important thing is that the parents approach the education of their child with the teacher as a team effort and a common goal. 4. Stick to Routines In the morning, make sure your children wake up at a consistent time every day and eat breakfast. Strive for P.A.W.S. Awards Congratulations to our Positive Attitudes and Working Students (P.A.W.S.) Award winners for January! These students were chosen by their teachers based on good grades and/or good behavior. Students received a certificate and pencil, along with recognition over the announcements and in The Dillon Herald. One student will be chosen from each class every month. 4th Grade Dezere Allen, Dayquan Adams, Kimonnie Page, Alexis Martin, Cajada McInnis, Aziana Williams, Mamie Grossetti, Alexus Williams, Anna Grant, Katelyn Mishue, and Elisha Williams 5th Grade TyAsia Manning, Teri Wise, Kyle Rowell, Edrianna Washington, Krishara Rhone, Lashod Baker, Makala Grimsley, Javarcus McGirt, Jairah Townsend, Leah Hamilton, and Shayla Thompson L. Page – Gage Norton M. Smith – Vanesa Pendo BETA CLUB …by G. Graham, Resource Teacher The Beta Club Induction Ceremony was held on December 18, 2014, in the GES Cafeteria. Officers were installed, and the following members were inducted: Angela Ball, Dai’Jah Breeden, David Ryan Camp (President), Chloe Dove, Ka’Ziah Evans, Nigel George, Doreen Harerimana, Jala Lewis (Vice President), Sinaayah Mathis, Jermaree McDaniel, Logan Miller, Francine Niyonyishu, Ja’Nia Owens (Secretary), Makenly Powers, Jada Reaves, Daniel Shepherd, William Simmons, Mo’Nazia Sowells (Treasurer), Mason Tompkins, Leslie Villagomez, and Caroline Williams. On January 15-16, 2015, the 5th grade Junior Beta Club of Gordon attended the 81st Annual SC Beta Club Convention in Myrtle Beach, SC. This year’s theme was “Betas, Rockin’ the Country.” The GES Beta Club entered participants in the Language Arts, Math, Quiz Bowl, Special Talent, and Speech competitions. Daniel Shepherd won the State Language Arts Competition and has been invited to compete at the National Level in June. The other Beta members that attended are: Cecelia Ball, Dai’Jah Breeden, David Ryan Camp, Chloe Dove, Ka’Ziah Evans, Nigel George, Jala Lewis, Sinaayah Mathis, Jermaree McDaniel, Logan Miller, Jada Reaves, Mo’Nazia Sowells, Mason Tompkins, Leslie Villagomez, and Caroline Williams. Mrs. Sandy Webster is the school sponsor of our Beta Club. To the chaperones that attended the convention with our Betas, a great BIG THANKS!!! **ATTENTION 4TH graders!! Would you like to become a Beta? Work hard and maintain an overall average of 93 or higher for the rest of the school year, and you may become eligible to be one!!** WE LOVE TO READ!!! … by L. Price, 4th Grade Teacher We are proud to say that we love to read! We KNOW that reading helps us to connect with others. We also know that reading can help us be the best person possible. Thinking about the difference that reading makes in our everyday lives… We are taking notes to share with others! We wanted to share some of our thoughts with our parents. Read! Read! Read! I think reading is very important because you learn lots of facts from nonfiction text. It makes me feel smarter when I read new things! It also teaches you how to write better. Reading is FUN! - Macie The subject I think is most important is my favorite subject – READING! It can be very hard sometimes, but that is why we have teachers! Thanks to all teachers! Reading is a great subject! - Daniel Shepherd won the State Language Arts Competition at the Beta Club Convention! Qua I think reading is important because you need to know new words and grammar skills so you can write and go to college. If you do not know how to read you will not be able to drive. How can we get a job if we do not know how to read? I think reading is important for all these reasons. I bet you can think of a few reasons it is important to you… - YaHyra I think reading is the most important subject out of all the subjects. If you do not know how to read you will not be able to write for other subjects. I try to read a lot so that I will be able to write when I go to high school. I want a good job after that! Reading is very important to me! It is FUN too! - Kailyn I think reading is very important because you can always learn more and more words so that you can be smarter and smarter! When you get interested in a book you will read more and more and more! Reading should be very important to everyone. I always want to be smarter! - Diamond I think that reading is important! When I grow up I want to be able to read an application or take a test to go to college. What would happen to me if I could not read? I am glad we have teachers to help us with the hard stuff! Now, we can read! That’s why I think reading is important. - Alexus I think reading is important because you can learn a lot of things that will help you when you grow up. Sometimes reading takes a lot of work. I’ve learned so many new words! Reading also helps me be a better writer. I want to be a better reader every year. These are only a few reasons why I think reading is important. - Shikeria Reading is the most important subject. We just learned about the Bill of Rights! I’m glad I can read! Being able to read information makes me feel very smart. Because I know how to read I will be able to go to high school and then college. I will also be able to take my test so I can drive a car. I can read a newspaper so I know what to buy at the grocery store. My life would be ruined if I didn’t know how to read. I think reading is very important! - Myah Notes from Music …by K. Cottingham, Music Teacher The Music classes have covered many skills this year. We began with expression in Music through dynamics (loud and soft sounds), tempo, and articulation. The students have identified the eight basic note values and rests and applied them to raps, singing, and playing instruments. Music History has been continued through a “composer of the month”. The students learn about a famous composer including the historic period in which they live and their input on world cultures. During February, the Music classes will be studying the role of music in celebrations and special events. Patriotic music will be performed for President’s Day. Spirituals and civil rights songs will be introduced throughout the month for Black History month. Library Media Center News …by G. Carter, Media Specialist Students have been busy reading the 20 South Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominees this year. They will vote for their favorite book during the week of February 23. Results of the vote will be sent to the South Carolina Association of School Librarians in Columbia where they will be tallied with votes from other schools. Have you ever wondered how a computer can allow you to type or play games? Students are learning about computer programming in library classes. Using activities from the website www.code.org/learn, students have been writing codes to make a game. They are also going to write a code to make a snowflake. The following are a few statistics for the library media center. For the past month, Ms. L. Price’s 4 th Grade class has checked out the most books. Mrs. Braswell’s 5th Grade class is close behind them! The most checked out book this month is This Journal Belongs to Ratchet. Almost 14,000 books have been checked out so far this school year. The roaring Twenties …by J. Dargan, 5th Grade Teacher 5th Grade is learning about the culture of the 1920’s in social studies, a time of rebellion and great artistic achievements. Babe Ruth was hitting homeruns, and Louis Armstrong was blowing the trumpet. Prohibition was in full effect with the passing of the 18th amendment, which lead to a rise in crime that included bootlegging, speakeasies, and gangsters. Women were becoming cheeky by cutting their hair and shortening their skirts. The times were changing, and everyone was on board for the ride! February Character Trait RESPECT Staying Healthy in the Write out your Plan for Success. The plan may include getting better grades, making new friends, studying harder, staying out of trouble, etc. New Year …by A. Blackmon, 5th Grade Teacher January is a great time to reflect on the areas in our live where we felt successful during the past year. It is also a time to consider how to make changes in areas where we would like to improve. Here are some tips to help students start the New Year off on a positive note. Get plenty of sleep. Scientists have found that students who do not get enough sleep have difficulty paying attention in class and do not do as well in school. Recommended amounts of sleep range from about 8½ to 11 hours a night for elementary students. Eat healthy. Eat more fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Drink at least 8 (8 oz.) glasses of water every day. Limit the amount of sodas and snack foods you eat. Exercise your body and your mind daily. Follow the Golden Rule - Treat others (children and adults) the way you would like to be treated. Time + Effort = Achievement –Take the time to carefully complete all assignments at school and home; ask questions when you do not understand a task; demonstrate perseverance (that means keep trying – even when the work is difficult), and eliminate the word “can’t” from your vocabulary. Make it a goal to do your personal best at school every day. Read, read, read – Success in school depends, in large part, on a student’s ability to read and understand what they have read. Students should read a variety of books, including folktales, poetry, biographies, fiction, and more. Read to get information, read for fun, read to someone in your family…just read! Attend school regularly and on time. How to Help Your Student Study …by S. Lynch, 4th Grade Teacher It has been proven that students with better study strategies score higher on their tests! Here are some tips that you can use with your student at home to help improve their test scores. Have your student review the material presented in class every night. Don’t cram! Find a quiet place for your students to study with great light and no distractions. Have your student take notes and write down a summary of the important ideas as you read through your study material. Quiz your child on the material that they are studying. This makes studying a little less boring. Make sure study breaks are short and often. Please remember that everyone is different! Find a strategy that works for your child and help them stick with it! Happy Studying! Important Reminders: World’s Finest Chocolate Sale will begin on February 9, 2015. Information will be sent home soon. Be on the lookout for it! Gordon Yearbook Sales are continuing. Last day to order a yearbook will be March 16, 2015. The cost is $25.00 for soft cover or $30.00 for hard cover. Orders can be placed at school or online at www.ybpay.lifetouch.com. The Yearbook ID Code: 7740615 Kindness Matters Challenge, and Upcoming Events. An overview of the Read to Succeed Initiative was presented by Jamilah Campbell, Literacy Coach. Our Title I Schoolwide Project is available for review Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 2:30 PM at 926 Perry Avenue (phone: 774-1227) in our school’s main office, media center, or Title I office. You may also view Gordon Elementary’s Title I Project and other Title I documents on the Gordon Elementary page at www.dillon.k12.sc.us. GES MISSION STATEMENT Gordon Elementary School has placed an emphasis this year on being kind to others. In October, students viewed a Taylor Swift webcast entitled, “This Is How I Shake It Off!”. An Usher webcast was seen in November entitled, “Bigger Than Words”. Both of these webcasts focused on how these musical stars dealt with bullying they had experienced as children. During the week of January 26-30, Gordon students participated in The Great Kindness Challenge. Schools across the country took part in this powerful and positive bullying prevention initiative aimed at creating more kindness, unity, and respect in the world. The Great Kindness Challenge is one week devoted to performing as many acts of kindness as possible. Students at Gordon were engaged in various activities throughout the week in an effort to make a lasting change in their lives; one that will make it safe for them to learn and thrive at school and beyond. The mission of Gordon Elementary School is to develop students who will be responsible citizens by providing a safe and secure environment where the students, staff, family and community work together. GES Motto One Team-One Mission! Dillon School District Four is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, immigrant status or English-speaking status. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Title I News… Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act The Title I Planning Team met on January 29, 2015. Discussion included a review of the Title I Project for 2015-2016, Title I Budget and Expenditures, Title I Audit, Parent Involvement Activities, Title III, The Great Kindness