Garden City Elementary School

February 2010

“BEE” A STAR (SHINE) At Garden City

Be Involved in Your Child’s Education

Parents who attended the FCAT Night and Kindergarten Literacy Open House family involvement activities left Garden City armed with information and resources they can use to help their children experience school success!  Students in attendance received “resource/treat” bags containing tools to support our FCAT theme –

  Rested-Relaxed-Ready!    The reason that red check marks are posted throughout our school was finally revealed!  Thank you for your involvement in your children’s school.  Please plan to attend the remaining monthly family involvement activities. 

Feb. 9                      Grade 2 Program

Feb. 23                     Science Night

Mar. 4                      FCAT Variety Show (9:00 a.m.)

Mar. 9                      Kindergarten Program

Apr. 13                     Arts Showcase

Apr. 22                    Science Fair

May 1                       Grade 3 Program

 

Do Garden City Boys Own Belts?

I’ve been wondering why so many boys at Garden City Elementary choose not to wear belts to school.  The impetus for me wondering this was the day that I saw the plaid boxers of a five year old student.  He clumsily held his pants up with one hand and his backpack with the other.  “Pull your pants up, I yelled!”  “I can’t”, he yelled back. This choice to wear sagging pants is an on-going distraction at our school.  Many of our male students brazenly show their boxer shorts/underwear.  We keep string handy to “tie up” pants as needed.  We do this almost daily.  I began to wonder if my students knew how past history and current mandates in our prison system dictates who could/can wear belts. If they did, perhaps belts would become okay.  I found the following facts while researching this topic.  Please discuss the following information with your children.

• Wearing saggy pants was common during slavery times. The slaves were not permitted to wear belts mainly for three reasons:  belts could be used as a weapon against their owners, belts could be used by the slave to commit suicide, and saggy pants made it difficult for the slaves to run if they tried to escape.
• Sagging is commonly reported in the media as having originated from the prohibition of belts for inmates. Belts were banned because they could be used to commit suicide by hanging oneself, to strangle others, or as a weapon in fights.
• Sagging pants were popularized in the 1990s by hip-hop artists, many of which are idolized by our children.  Have you listened to the lyrics to some of their songs?

Sagging clothing is a violation of the Duval County Public School Code of Conduct.   Please have your children dress appropriately at school.  Additionally, if they know the “history” behind saggy pants, they may choose to abandon this “fashion statement!”    I know that I preach a lot.  I can’t help it.  I always want the best for my students.  Don’t you?

·      Congratulation to Mr. Joseph Johnson, our 2010 Employee of the Year.

• Kindergarten students will visit the Jacksonville Zoo this month.
• Ms. Bias’ kindergarten students will begin their study of report writing during Writers Workshop.
• Ms. Broughton’s and Ms. Turner’s kindergarten students will continue to practice persuasive writing during Writers Workshop.  They will collect, count and measure in Math.
•  Ms. Deckert’s kindergarten students will celebrate the 100^th day of school on February 4, 2010 with a day filled with 100^th day activities in reading, writing and math.
• Ms. Short’s kindergarten students will learn how to record data using pictures, words and graphs in Math.
• Ms. Walsh’s kindergarten students will continue working on the class’ science project.  They are beginning writing reports about animals in Writers Workshop.
• First grade students will learn about famous African Americans this month.
• Ms. Alexander’s second grade students will investigate temperature and habitats in Science.
• Ms. Cook’s second grade students will learn addition and subtraction with regrouping to help them solve word problems more accurately.
• Ms. Prophitt’s and Ms. Washington’s second grade students will begin book talk groups to help them deepen their understanding of text read.
• Ms. Small’s second grade students are studying the human body in Health.  They will focus on drawing conclusions and main idea and details in Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Solomon’s second grade students will study subtraction regrouping in Math.
• Ms. Blaylock’s and Ms. Sheffield’s third grade students will work on measurement and data analysis in Mathematics.  They are reviewing all skills and strategies is Reading.
• Ms. Cooper’s and Ms. Naccarato’s third grade students will focus on elements of genres to help determine what strategies to utilize.  They are conditioning themselves to read for extended amounts of time and staying focused.
• Ms. Rollins’ third graders will be focusing on FCAT test taking strategies.
• Ms. Bliss’ and Ms. Herbert’s fourth grade students will work with money, miles and large numbers in Mathematics. They will become expert problem solvers in Reading.
• Ms. Peterson’s fourth grade students will work on math and reading FCAT skills this month.
• Ms. Wilder’s fourth grade students will continue to focus on writing until the big day – February 9 (FCAT Writing).  They are studying strategies for reading comprehension in Readers Workshop.
• Mr. Betts’ and Ms. Young’s fifth graders will complete Black History report writing in Writers Workshop.  They will begin algebraic thinking and geometry in Math.
• Ms. Britt’s and Dawson’s fifth grade students will work on main idea, details and compare and contrast during Readers Workshop.  They are beginning a geometry unit in Math and an Earth & Space unit in Science.
• Ms. Greenfield’s fifth graders will study geometry concepts in Math.  They will continue to work on Ecosystems/Environment in Science.
• Garden City students are required to read at least 20 minutes every night.  Reading is important!  Remember to log your reading.
• Stay informed about your school…The Parent Portal is located at https://dcps.mygradeportal.com.   You can use your parent username and password to monitor your child’s grades, assignment completion and attendance.  You may also visit your child’s teacher’s webpage.

During mid-year conferences with my co-workers, the word conversation came up frequently.  We discussed the importance of adults, especially parents, having regular conversations with children.  Finding out how things are going in your child's life sometimes takes a bit of strategizing.   These tips and questions can help you get the conversation started.  For many parents, the information they receive about what’s happening at school ebbs and flows, especially once their kids hit 10 or 11 years of age. Even younger children may be reluctant sometimes to share the details of school life.

It doesn’t mean that something’s wrong or that you’re somehow missing a key piece of the parenting puzzle.  It may simply be that your child is asserting independence and craving a little privacy. Don’t interrogate. Children don’t want to be grilled. Be subtle; be patient. Learn to listen intently to the words your child does offer. Watch your child’s body language and demeanor. Avoid yes-or-no questions if possible, and be specific. Try escalating—starting with simple questions and gradually delving into more sensitive topics.

If all else fails, wait it out. Try again later with a different approach, such as choosing a different time of day to start a conversation or taking your child out for a burger before asking questions. In a place where she’s comfortable, she might feel more talkative.  Here are some questions that can help you get started.

1.  “I’m really proud of how well you’re doing in school. What are you studying these days that really interests you?”

2. “You seem to have some good teachers this year. Which one is your favorite?”

3. “If you could make up a teacher from scratch, a perfect teacher, what would he or she be like?”

4.  “What’s your favorite time of day at school?”

5. “What do you think about your grades? How does your report card compare with what you were expecting?”

6. “We used to have the meanest boy in my class when I was your age. I still remember what a bully he was. Do you have anyone like that in your class?”

7. “I’ve been reading a lot in the news about kids picking on other kids. What about at your school? Is that happening?”

8.  “I noticed a few new kids in your class. Which ones have you been able to get to know? What are they like?”

9. “I know it was hard for you when Kenny transferred to a different school. How’s it going without your best friend around?”

10.                  “Who did you sit with at lunch today?”

11.                  “I really like the way you choose such nice friends. What qualities do you look for in a friend?”

12.                  “I know you really like your new friend Caroline, but whenever I see her she’s being disrespectful to adults. Why don’t you tell me what I’m missing? What do you like about her that I’m not seeing?”

13.                  “I can tell it embarrasses you when I insist on meeting your friends’ parents before letting you go to their house, but it’s something I need to do as your mom. Is there a way I could do it that would make you feel more comfortable?”

14.                  “How’s it going with your activities and schoolwork? What would make it easier for you to manage your schedule and responsibilities?”

15.                  “I feel like I haven’t talked to you in ages. How about we go for a walk and catch up?”

16.                  “I’m sure I do things that embarrass you. What do I do that embarrasses you the most?”

I talked (grilled) with my children a lot when they in school. I searched backpack, pockets, purses and dresser drawers.  They called me Inspector Gadget!  I considered this a compliment.  I still have frequent conversations with my children now that they adults.  I talk with my granddaughter as well.  I need to know what was going on in their lives.  I believe that I’m helping them become better people and it makes me a better parent and grandparent.  TALK WITH YOUR CHILDREN.   

 

 

Kindergarten

S. Davis

J. Dickerson

K. Jones

R. Lindsey

D. Smith

H. Smith

X. Williams

Grade 1

L. Dawkins

Q. Jackson

M. Manigault

T. Moise

F. Ross

K. Williams

Grade 2

N. Alvin

N. Bowens

A. Feder

J. Ray

M. Sheffield

S. Thompson

P. Williams

 Grade 3

X. Bradley

F. Greendeer-Dollison

N. Hilson

D. McGauley

P. Ragland

J. Stamper

B. Wimberly

Grade 4

T. Davis

K. Glenna

J. Lusco

J. Marsh

V. Thomas

Grade 5

A. Paden

A. Perkins

J. Smith

J. Turner

M. Vivas

·        D. Dunlap and K. Clark, kindergarten, can write complete and detailed sentences independently.

·        Ms. Peterson’s entire class passed their reading test on the story Heat Wave.  Congratulations!

·        J. Hancock, grade 5, is showing improvement in all academic areas.

·        T. Shaw, fifth grade, won the milk jug contest during the fieldtrip to the Marine science Center.  Way to go!

·        Ms. Greenfield says that all of her students did an awesome job with their marine animal reports and mobiles.  She was so impressed with their creativity.

·        Our fifth graders are behaving more responsibly and have resumed their leadership roles in our school.

 

·        Parents who sent in wish list items

·        Parents who attended a family involvement activity

·        Parents/families that donated to Haiti

·        Ms. Strickland

·        Ms. Wynn

·        Ms. Shaw

·        Ms. Rolland

·        Ms. Wilder

·        Ms. Robin

·        Ms. Williams

·        Ms. Fulton

·        Ms. Fields

·        Ms. Newby

·        Ms. Jacquenee Wynn

·        Ms. Brandi Hopkins

·        Ms. Carol Perry

·        Ms. Delia Winston

·        Ms. Thomas

·        Ms. Charayma Medina

·        Ms. Felicia Current

·        Ms. June Tessner

·        Ms. Julia O. Wilson

·        Ms. Charlene Dawston

·        Thomas & Bonnie Watson

·        Ms. Derema Waldron

·        Ms. Nicole McDonald

·        Ms. Jackie Brooks

·        Ms. Robin Troup

·        Ms. Tia Crumpler

·        Ms. Venus Brenton

·        Ms. Lisa Tinsley

·        Ms. Kenya Small

·        Ms. Gwen DeVaughn

·        Ms. Alicia Smith

·        Mr. George Henry

·        Chaperones for the kindergarten fieldtrip to the Zoo – February 5, 2010.  A volunteer card is required.

·        Chaperones for the second grade fieldtrip to the Zoo – March 4, 2010.  A volunteer card is required.

·        Tutors are always needed.  Call Ms. Tarkington at 924-3130 if you can assist.

Wish List          

·        Ms. Broughton and Ms. Turner wish for donations of hand sanitizer.

• Ms. Deckert wishes for donations of snacks.
• Ms. Short wishes for donations of Clorox wipes and tissue.
• Ms. Walsh wishes for donations of tissue, baby wipes, snacks and juice boxes.
• Ms. Carley and Ms. Frison wish for donations of hand sanitizer.
• Ms. Lampkin wishes for donations of baby wipes, tissue, Lysol and plastic spoons.
• Ms. McCray wishes for donations of snacks, address labels and hand sanitizer.
• Ms. Prophitt and Ms. Washington wish for donations of marble composition books, erasers, wire hangers, shoe boxes and treats.
• Ms. Small wishes for donations of pencils, hand soap, snacks and Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Solomon wishes for donations of pencils, glue sticks, anti-bacterial soap and Fun Friday treats.
• Ms. Atkins and Ms. Tompkins wish for donations of pencils and an electric pencil sharpener.
• Ms. Blaylock and Ms. Sheffield wish for donations of pencils, an electric pencil sharpener and liquid soap.
• Ms. Bliss and Ms. Herbert wish for donations of pencils, cap erasers and hand sanitizer.
• Ms. Joseph wishes for donations of dry erase markers.
• Ms. Peterson wishes for donations of tissue and pencils.
• Ms. Wilder wishes for donations of tissue, anti-bacterial wipes and Lysol spray.
• Mr. Betts and Ms. Young wish for donations of pencils, tissue, and clean-up wipes.
• Ms. Britt and Ms. Dawson wish for donations of Clorox wipes.
• Ms. Greenfield wishes for donations of pencils.
• Mrs. Sapp wishes that all families would join the PTA ($5.00 per family) and attend our monthly Family Involvement activities!

We greatly appreciation donations!