Be Involved in Your Child’s Education
Concerned and involved parents (Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Duncan and
others) told me that it’s time for me to write another
letter to Garden City parents! Some of you may recall a
letter I sent to parents last year “fussing” about the poor
attendance at our monthly parent/family involvement
activities. The letter did the job – parental involvement
increased tremendously. Well, I’m fussing once again. Even
though attendance at Open House was great, Literacy Night
lacked the same level of participation. Twenty-four Garden
City staff members attended. These teachers shared
information to parents and students about reading and
writing curricula including video clips of teachers and
students demonstrating the strategies discussed. Teachers
also provided childcare for younger children with popcorn
and a movie included! I wish that all of our parents had
attended. Please plan to attend the parent/family
activities scheduled for the 2009-2010 school year. Your
children need you.
Oct. 10 Math Night
Nov. 10 Grades 4 & 5 Program
Dec. 8 Grade 1 Program
Dec. 16 Holiday Sing-Along (9:00 a.m.)
Jan. 12 FCAT / Science Night
Jan. 26 Kindergarten Literacy Open House
Feb. 9 Grade 2 Program
Mar. 9 Kindergarten Program
Apr. 13 Arts Showcase
Apr. 22 Science Fair
May 1 Grade 3 Program
All
activities begin at 6:30 p.m.
The Parent Link Program, which goes live later this
month, will enable us to communicate even better with
parents. This system will call your home to remind you
about important school activities. Additionally, you will
be called each time that your children are absent from
school. Also, beginning later this month, parents will be
given a password that will enable you to assess your
children’s grades online. Tachers will each have a web site
to keep you abreast of what’s happening in their
classrooms. You can also visit our school’s website at
duvalschools.org/gardencity. Stay informed about
your school!
Welcome to our new team members…
teachers -Callie
Broughton (Kdg.), Rachel Murdoch (Speech), Tekka McCray (Gr.
2), Tara Turner (Kdg) AND paraprofessionals –
Sisteria Anderson. Stephanie Dunbar and Jenice Owens!!!
You’re so
fortunate to be at the BEST school!
October
Book of the Month
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
By Sally Grindley

In an old stone castle, surrounded by whispering trees,
lived a powerful sorcerer and his apprentice. The sorcerer
has promised that if the boy is patient and obedient, one
day he will teach him the art of magic.
The apprentice works hard, only sometimes sneaking into the
laboratory to gaze at the magic potions on the shelves. It
is difficult to be patient. Then one day the sorcerer goes
out, leaving his assistant behind to tidy the castle. The
apprentice thinks this is his chance to try a magic spell,
just a small one to help with his chores…but soon the castle
is in confusion, and there are buckets and broomsticks
flying out of control. Who will save the day?

-
Ms.
Bias’ kindergarten students
are
studying narrative writing in Writers Workshop. They
are learning how to select topics for writing and where
ideas come from.
-
Ms.
Short’s kindergarten students
are
studying narrative writing in Writers Workshop
using time order words – first, next and last.
-
Ms.
Walsh’s kindergarten students
have
started learning about the five senses. Ask your
children about which sense and body part used today to
learn.
-
First grade students
will study forces and motion - pushes, pulls and gravity
- in Science.
-
Ms. Alexander’s second grade students
are studying doubles, addition, subtraction, story
problems and skip counting in Math.
-
Ms. Cook’s second grade students
are learning strategies for adding and subtracting
numbers in Math. They are writing beautiful narratives
pieces during Writers Workshop.
-
Ms. Prophitt’s and Ms. Washington’s third grade students
are exploring the genres of realistic fiction and
fantasy in Readers Workshop.
-
Ms. Small’s second grade students
will work on multiples of 2, 5 and 10 in Math.
-
Ms. Solomon’s second grade students
will focus on fantasy and realism during Reader’s
Workshop.
-
Ms. Atkins’ third graders
are working on multiplication and skip counting in Math.
-
Ms. Blaylock’s and Ms. Sheffield’s third grade students
are working on narrative writing, multiplication facts
and reading strategies.
-
Ms. Cooper’s and Ms. Naccarato’s third grade students
will begin to focus on communities in Social Studies.
They will learn how people live, work and interact to
make a community thrive.
-
Ms. Ms. Rollins’ third graders
will be completing a mystery book report. Each student
will read a mystery book and complete a “story skeleton”
graphic organizer.
-
Ms. Tompkins’ third grade students
are studying sequencing and inferencing in Readers
Workshop.
-
Ms. Bliss’ and Ms. Herbert’s fourth grade students
will travel back in time to study Florida’s diverse and
intriguing history. They will continue perfecting their
writing skills by producing “jaw dropping” narratives.
-
Ms. Joseph’s fourth grade “stars”
will continue their study of the solar system at the
Museum of Science and History on October 1.
-
Ms. Peterson’s fourth grade students
are studying the early settlers in Social Studies.
-
Ms. Wilder’s fourth grade students
will “paint a picture with words” using vivid verbs and
similes to enhance their writing. They will begin their
first book study this month.
-
Mr. Betts’ and Ms. Young’s fifth graders
will study solutions and compounds in Science.
-
Ms. Britt’s fifth grade students
are continuing their study of narratives in Writers
Workshop.
-
Ms. Dawson’s fifth graders
are beginning to study decimals in Math. They are
learning how to add, subtract and multiply decimals.
-
Ms. Greenfield’s and hr new baby girl
are doing well.
-
Ms. Karpus’ PE students
are incorporating tug of war with safety rules.
-
Ms. Hampton’s music students
will be learning more about the families of
instruments as she brings in instruments from the brass
and percussion families.
-
Garden City
students are required to read at least 20 minutes every
night. Reading is important!
Faith-Based Connections
Garden City School is continually blessed by churches in
our community. We greatly appreciation the contribution
of school supplies from:
Gardenview Baptist Church
One Love Christian Church
Northside Presbyterian Church
Thank you!
Please continue to pray for our school.
The October character trait is
cooperation.
The Superintendent’s Book of the Month is
Stone Soup
by Jon J. Muth. This book focuses on this month’s
character trait -
cooperation – the willingness to work together for a common goal.

-
Classroom parent (mom or dad) for
each class
-
Volunteers to assist in the
cafeteria during lunch time
-
Chaperones are needed for the
first grade fieldtrip to Where The Wild Things Are
on October 22, 2009. A volunteer card is required to
volunteer.
-
Volunteers are needed to assist
with PTA Carnival. Please call your child’s teacher if
you help with the class booth.
-
Chaperones are needed for the
fourth grade fieldtrip to MOSH on October 1, 2009. A
volunteer card is required to volunteer.
-
PTA MEMBERS ARE NEEDED…PLEASE JOIN!
Study Smarts
Studying is a skill that students will need throughout their
years of school. Help your children study effectively with
these tips.
·
Start a
habit.
Encourage your children to treat studying as a daily
assignment, not just something she or he does the evening
before a test. After he or she finishes regular homework,
he or she can spend a little time reviewing notes and
handouts.
·
Mix it
up.
If your child reviews information in several ways, he or she
will be more likely to remember it. He or she might use
colored pencils to copy each spelling word or math fact on a
separate index card. The cards can be shuffled to be
studied in a different order each time.
·
If no
homework is assigned, reading a book is always an
option.
·
Parents
should review and sign homework nightly.
It’s About Time
How long is a second? A minute? An hour? Here are ways to
help your children understand time.
·
Ask him
or her how many times he or she can clap his or her hands in
a second or how many somersaults he or she can do in a
minute. Then, time him or her. Have him or her think of
other things that can be done in a second (give you a hug)
or a minute (sing a song).
·
Teach
your child about “elapsed time” by making a schedule. On
poster board, list times (8:00, 8:30, 9:00), and help him or
her write in daily events (breakfast, football practice).
Use the poster to ask questions. Example: “You get home at
5:00 and dinner is at 6:00 p.m. How much time do you have
to play?
October 2009
Star Students of the Month
Kindergarten
B.
Cason
D.
Dunlap
A.
Feacher
E.
Igiehon-Osemwegie
A.
Littlejohn
Grade 1
K.
Floyd
F.
Means
K.
Moxey
J.
Scott
J.
Smith
D.
Uylee
Grade 2
L.
Ferguson
J.
Haynes
C.
Roberts
S.
Smith
J.
Washington
K.
Watson
Grade 3
A.
Butler
T.
Ellis
K.
Geiger
B.
Johnson
J. Lang
L.
McGauley
T.
Peterson
Grade 4
B.
Canady
A.
Skelton
R.
Thomas
C.
Wallace
P.
Wyaya
Grade 5
J.
Hancock
D.
Johnson
T.
Rollins
M.
Thrift
T.
Williams
Students of the Month Reception
October 29, 2009 – 1:45 p.m.
Media Center
·
Ayriah and Thaddeus, Ms. Bias’ class, love buddy reading
together. Their favorite book is The Three Little Pigs.
·
Alfred Chea, Ms. Cook’s class, is taking piano lessons. We
can’t wait to hear him play a song.
·
Ms. Prophitt and Ms. Washington look forward to being pen
pals with a classmate that just moved to Korea.
·
Our third grade students celebrated “Fall into Reading” Day
with a daylong focus on reading!
·
Ms. Dawson’s class has received several compliments on their
excellent behavior. She’s very proud of them and says,
“They rock!”

-
Parents who donated supplies and wish list items
·
Dollar General Store
·
Ms. Myra Freeman
·
Ms. Wynn
·
Mr. Roberts
·
Mr. Wilson Carley
·
Ms. Frances Strickland
·
Ms. Natalie Roberts
·
Ms. Marian Wesley
·
Ms. Pam Roberts
·
Ms. Glenn
·
Ms. Kirkland
·
Ms. Alice Belkowski
·
Ms. Tami Trice
·
Ms. Amy Merrills
·
Ms. Tonya Sanders
·
Ms. Lisa Tinsley
·
Mr. Arthur Perkins
·
Ms. Joi Hatcher
·
Ms. Murray
·
Ms. Fields
My/Our Parents Read the Beeline Prize
Certificate
Name[s] of Student[s]
___________________________________________________
Teacher[s]
________________________________________
Question: What was Betty Lou’s biggest problem?
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Parent’s Signature: ________________________________
Date: ____________________________________________
PLEASE RETURN TO MS. SAPP BY
October 9, 2009 TO RECEIVE A PRIZE.