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!
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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!
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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…
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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
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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