Garden City Elementary School

September 2009

“BEE” A STAR (SHINE) At Garden City

 

Isn’t it amazing how a blanket of stars can light up a night sky?  Side by side they twinkle together to create a beautiful work of art.  When we shine together we light up our school.  Please join us this year as we strive to shine for our students.  Together, home and school, we can make an unforgettable difference in their lives.

 

Be Involved in Your Child’s Education

Attendance at the monthly family involvement activities improved greatly during the 2008-2009 school year.  We were thrilled that so many parents realized their importance in their children’s education.  Our goal this year is to exceed parent involvement over the previous year.  Additionally, we hope to triple PTA membership!  To achieve this goal we will need every family to join the PTA.  Remember… Garden City has an open door policy.  We strongly encourage our parents to be actively involved in their children’s school.  Research supports that students have greater school success when their parents are involved.  Your children need and want your involvement and support.  Please plan to attend the monthly parent/family involvement activities.

 

 

2009-2010 PARENT INVOLVEMENT ACTIVITIES ·      Open House                 September 3 ·      Literacy Night               September  15 ·      Math Night                   October 13 ·      Grades 4 & 5 Program    November 10 ·      Grade 1 Program            December 8 ·      Sing-along                     December 16 ·      FCAT/Science Night       January 12 ·      Kindergarten Literacy Night   January 26 ·      Grade 2 Program            February 9 ·      Kindergarten program     March 9 ·      Arts Showcase              April 13 ·      Science Fair                   April 22 ·      Grade 3 Program           May 11                  All activities/programs begin at 6:30 p.m.                                   Did you know????

Our superintendent is Mr. Ed Pratt-Dannals.

Our deputy superintendent is

Mrs. Patricia Willis.

Our school board member is

Mrs. Brenda Priestly-Jackson

Our Cluster 1 Chief is Dr. Amy Lingren.

 

		September Book of the Month Betty Lou Blue By Nancy Crocker   Betty Lou Blue had the world’s biggest feet.  Whackety, thwackety, flappety feet.  Being different isn’t easy, and the other kids often teased the doe-eyed child.  “If those feet were wings, they would yell, “you could fly!”  Although her mother tries to reassure her, telling her that everyone’s perfect and each living thing has a reason to be, Betty Lou doesn’t believe her.  Then one wintry day finds her tormentors trapped in waist-deep snow, and Betty Lou is conflicted about helping them.  Her mother’s words of wisdom come to mind: everything’s ugly that’s done in spite.  But you can be beautiful doing what’s right. The “stars” at Garden City choose to do the right thing….everyday!     Remember…OPEN HOUSE September 3, 2009 at 6:30 p.m.

• Ms. Bias’ kindergarten students are working on letter identification and sounds.  They are also learning how to be good citizens by practicing classroom and school rituals and routines.
• Ms. Deckert’s kindergarten students are learning how to choose books to read and the proper way to read books.  They are also learning the rituals and routines of Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Short’s kindergarten students are working in literacy centers during Readers Workshop.  During Math, they are learning about sequencing.  Students need to bring family pictures to complete a Social Studies project.
• Ms. Walsh’s kindergarten students are practicing rituals and routines.  They love Readers and Writers Workshops!  In Science, they are observing the world around them.  They check the weather every morning. 
• First grade students will be learning about our five senses.  In Reading, teachers’ will begin flexible groups to accommodate children’s varied needs and interests.
• Our second grade students will study severe weather - thunderstorms, hurricanes and tornadoes- in Science.  Narrative writing is the focus in Writers Workshop.  They will identify different strategies for addition and study place value in Math.  Predicting, inferring, and DRA and FAIR assessments will be done in Reading.
• Third graders will “Fall into Reading” on September 22.  They will celebrate the first day of autumn with activities that incorporate Math, Reading, Writing and Science.
• Ms. Bliss’ and Ms. Herbert’s fourth grade students’ month will be full of adventure as they journey into the solar system in Science and travel to foreign lands in Reading.
• Ms. Joseph’s fourth grade “stars” are shining bright on narrative writing.  They will have fun while learning to be better writers.
• Ms. Wilder’s fourth grade students will cover elements of writing during Writers Workshop.  Reading strategies and genre will be the focus in Reading.
• Ms. Peterson’s fourth grade students are studying multiplication and division with Math Investigations.  Students are soaring through the solar system in Science.
• Mr. Betts and Ms. Young fifth graders will study numbers in Math, properties of matter in Science, and reading and understanding maps in Social Studies.  They will begin with sequence of events and applying reading strategies in Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Britt’s fifth grade students will learn about sequence of events, text organization and predicting and inferring in Readers Workshop.  They will work on personal narratives in Writers Workshop.
• Ms. Dawson’s fifth graders have been reviewing basic math with computations.  They are learning about matter and the scientific method in Science.  Ms. Dawson says she loves her wonderful class.
• Ms. Greenfield’s fifth grade students have begun individualized testing to determine their Reading levels and are working in small groups.  The strategy focus will be on predicting and inferring.  All students should read at least 20 minutes at home nightly.  She looks forward to an excellent year with the great kids in room 19!
• Our guidance counselor, Ms. Mizelle, will be at our school on Mondays, Tuesdays and every other Wednesdays.  She looks forward to working with all teachers and parents to help Garden City students become successful learners.
• Ms. Karpus’ PE students are learning their roll lines and warm-ups and cool downs.  They will focus on healthy and safe ways to exercise.

 

 

• Classroom parent (mom or dad) for each class
• Volunteers to assist in the cafeteria during lunch time

 

Please join the PTA.  The family membership fee is $5.00.

 

 

 

• Ms. Deckert wishes for donations of snacks.
• Ms. Short wishes for donations of snacks.
• Ms. Walsh wishes for donations of snacks.
• First grade teachers wish for donations of treats.
• Ms. Lampkin wishes for donations of anti-bacterial soap.
• 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 “cheap” paper plates for a Reading project.
• Ms. Small wishes for donations of Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Solomon wishes for donations of Fun Friday treats and colored folders with prongs.
• Third grade teachers wish for donations of individually wrapped candy and snacks.
•  Ms. Wilder wishes for donations of liquid starch.
• Mr. Betts and Ms. Young wish for donations of tissue and Clorox or Lysol wipes.  They also wish for 100% PTA membership.
• Ms. Britt wishes for donations of tissue and copy paper.
• Ms. Dawson wishes for donations of snacks.
• Ms. Greenfield wishes for donations of tissue, copy paper and individually wrapped snacks.

 

 

       

 

There is nothing more important than your children and contributing to their achievements. Become a player.

 

Make time each day to be a part of your children’s educational and social activities. Help your children study. Make sure they complete and understand their homework. Review the work that they are doing. Play a game, watch television or read a book together. Know your children's friends. Learn what motivates your children, in and out of school. Help your children set goals and measure their progress. Praise achievement. Talk with your children every day. Talk to your children’s teachers about any teacher conference concerns before they become a problem.

 

There are many resources offering effective parenting tips and providing more ideas for increasing your participation and enhancing your satisfaction in sharing your children’s education.

The helpful links provided below can be accessed via the Duval County Public Schools website – duvalschools@org. 

• Academic Looking Glass
• National Coalition for Parent
• Florida Department of Education
• National PTA
• The Partnership
• National Parenting Center
• Partnership for Family Involvement in Education
• Strengthening Families Network

 

Kindergarten

I. Dickerson

D. Griffis

M. Hatcher

D. Kierce

Z. Mincey

 

Grade 1

S. Green

J. Jackson

L. Richardson

A. Roberts

D. Stephens

C. Wallace

 

Grade 2

N. Anderson

B. Current

K. Mack

A. Mixson

A. Warren

A. Williams

 

Grade 3

D. Argrett

D. David

K. Fowler

M. Khanpha

K. Melvin

J. Roberts

S. Williams

 

Grade 4

D. Armstrong

T. Fleming

T. McCray

D. Richards

K. Williams

 

Grade 5

M. Freeman

T. Means

J. Sims

S. Tyler

C. Watkins

 

 

 

 

• Joshua C., Ms. Dawson’s class, passed his piano exam.
• Jamie R., Ms. Dawson’s class, won first place and a trophy in a go-cart race.

 

• Parents who donated supplies

·        Parents who assisted with school opening

·        Mr. Roberts

·        Ms. Katrina Duncan

·        Ms.  Yolanda Hall

·        Ms. Amy Merrill

·        Ms. Lisa Tinsley

·        Mr. Lawrence Sapp

·        Mr. Herman Wynn

·        Ms. Nancy Barnett

 

 

 

Garden City students are required to read at least 20 minutes every night.  Reading is important!