Garden City Elementary School

October 2009

“BEE” A STAR (SHINE) At Garden City

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!!!

 

 

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!

 

 

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!

• Ms. Bias wishes for donations of snacks and wet wipes.
• Ms. Short wishes for donations of snacks and brown paper bags.
• Ms. Walsh wishes for donations of tissue and hand sanitizer.
• First grade teachers wish for donations of treats.
• Ms. Jackson wishes for donations of wet wipes.
• Ms. Lampkin wishes for donations of tissue and erasers.
• Ms. Lynch wishes for donations of anti-bacterial wipes.
• Ms. Wills wishes for donations of tissue.
• Ms. Alexander wishes for donations of Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Prophitt and Ms. Washington wish for donations of Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Small wishes for donations of Fun Friday treats and liquid soap.
• Ms. Solomon wishes for donations of Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Atkins and Ms. Tompkins wish for donations of empty ink cartridges.
• Ms. Bliss and Ms. Herbert wish for donations of individually wrapped candy
• .Ms. Joseph wishes for donations of Clorox wipes.
•  Ms. Wilder wishes for donations of Clorox wipes.
• Mr. Betts and Ms. Young wish for donations of copy paper, pencils and treats.
• Ms. Britt wishes for donations of tissue, copy paper and Clorox wipes.
• Ms. Dawson wishes for donations of Clorox wipes.

       

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?

 

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

 

 

·        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