Garden City Elementary School

January 2010

“BEE” A STAR (SHINE) At Garden City

Be Involved in Your Child’s Education

The December PTA Program presentation, Jingle All The Way, starring our first grade students was magnificent!   We continue to be amazed about our students’ talents.  We were all humming holiday tunes for days afterwards.  Once again, there was standing room only in the audience!  Thank you for your involvement in your children’s school.  Please plan to attend the remaining monthly family involvement activities. 

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.

Our Students Must Care About Their Futures

I am concerned and bothered by the fact that so many of Garden City students act as if they just don’t care about their:

·        Grades

·        Achievement / progress

·        Promotion/retention

·        Behavior

·       Future

I’ve asked them why they appear to not care.  I’ve yet to receive an acceptable response.  However, actions speak louder than words!  Many of our students earned failing grades during the first grading period, fail to complete daily class assignments and homework, and refuse to obey school rules.  Our school staff has communicated with parents and students regarding my concerns.  Some positive changes have been realized as a result of our efforts.  However, a greater commitment and show of effort are needed from some students and parents.  We are determined that no Garden City student will be lost! We desperately want every Garden City student to be successful.  Success comes with hard work.  Please help your children to see the importance of effort and hard work.  They must desire to be successful in order for success to be achieved.  We have to help them care! 

• Ms. Bias’ kindergarten students will continue the counting unit in Math Investigations.  They are exploring how things move in Science.
• Ms. Broughton’s and Ms. Turner’s kindergarten students will continue to read and write everyday!
•  Ms. Deckert’s kindergarten students will continue functional writing by writing and illustrating “How to” books.
• Ms. Short’s kindergarten students will learn about sounds in Science.
• First grade students will begin persuasive writing.
• Ms. Alexander’s second grade students are working on problem solving and cause and effect in Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Cook’s second grade students will study our wonderful body in Science.
• Ms. McCray’s second grade students will continue working on readers’ response journals.
• Ms. Prophitt’s and Ms. Washington’s second grade students will continue reviewing and practicing reading strategies introduced thus far.
• Ms. Small’s second grade students will work on two digit addition and subtraction with regrouping in Mathematics.
• Ms. Solomon’s second grade students will study People at Work in Social Studies.
• Ms. Atkins’ and Ms. Tompkins’ third graders will study measurement in Mathematics.  Students will bring home a FCAT practice story every Tuesday which should be completed and returned to the teachers on Wednesday.
• Ms. Blaylock’s and Ms. Sheffield’s third grade students will work hard reviewing all reading skills in preparation for the FCAT.  They will focus on algebraic thinking and problem solving in Mathematics.
• Ms. Cooper’s and Ms. Naccarato’s third grade students will focus on locating information in fiction and non-fiction texts in Readers Workshop.
• Ms. Rollins’ third graders will learn about newcomers settling in the Midwestern United States during Social Studies.
• Ms. Bliss’ and Ms. Herbert’s fourth grade students will be shifting into high gear with their writing.  FCAT is coming!  They will begin graphing and data analysis in Mathematics.
• Ms. Joseph’s fourth grade students will interchange narrative and expository writing pieces this month.
• Ms. Peterson’s fourth grade students will begin a new unit in Mathematics – Data Analysis and Probability.
• Ms. Wilder’s fourth grade students will study electricity and magnetism in Science.
   

• ·        Mr. Betts’ and Ms. Young’s fifth graders will learn about the Declaration of Independence and events leading up to the Revolutionary War in Social Studies.

• Ms. Britt’s and Dawson’s fifth grade students will work on making inferences and noting details during Readers Workshop.  They will begin a probability unit in Mathematics.
• Ms. Greenfield’s fifth graders will begin working on Ecosystems and learning about marine life, food chains and the ocean in Science.  Students will need to make an animal out of a milk jug.  Details soon!
• Ms. Fraser’s media classes will begin working on research skills/report writing using non-fiction books.
• Ms. Gibson’s kindergarten art classes will finish their fish art work.  Look for them swimming down the halls.  First graders are continuing their multi-media projects.  Second graders are finishing up their seascapes.  Grades three, four and five students are continuing their work with color.
• Ms. Hampton’s kindergarten and first grades music students will continue working on dynamics.  Second and third graders will be introduced to syncopation.  Fourth and fifth graders will begin to work on recorder techniques.
• Ms. Karpus’ PE students will work on basic tennis skills.
• Ms. Mizelle, guidance counselor, will work with students on focus and following teacher directions.
• Garden City students are required to read at least 20 minutes every night.  Reading is important!  Remember to log your reading.

Promotional Requirements

Your child must do the following to be promoted to the next grade level:

• Grades K – 2 … Students must pass Reading and Mathematics
• Grade 3 … Students must pass Reading and Mathematics and must score at Level 2 or higher on the FCAT Reading component
• Grades 4 & 5 … Students must pass Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies and/or Language Arts

January Book of the Month

Mole’s Journey

 E.T.W. Igel

One day Mole caught a cold.   He felt terrible, shivering and sneezing one minute, burning with fever and all stuffed up the next.  As he snuggles into bed, he thinks about his dream of traveling the world, and before he knows it, that’s just what he does!  Strangely enough, Mole’s cold symptoms are reflected in his journey through underground tunnels to the frigid North Pole, the sweltering desert, the tallest mountains where the air is thin and dry, the deep jungle so steamy and humid.  By journey’s end, Mole’s cold is cured and he has discovered that there’s no place like home – especially when it’s filled with good friends.

         

Family support is extremely important at all grade levels and at all ages. Families have a major influence on their children’s academic achievement in school and throughout their lifetime of learning. We all want our children to succeed, further their education or career and make sure they live healthy and happy lives. Students with involved parents, no matter what income or background, stay in school longer, like school better and do better in school.

1.  Set aside time each day and talk about school.

2.  Ask, “What was the most important thing you learned today?”

3.  Ask, “What did you have fun doing today?”

4.  Ask, “What new assignments did you get today?” and note the due date of the big assignments on a family calendar.

5.  Ask, “What do you think your ____ teacher (Math, Social Studies, etc.) will ask on a test?

6.  Ask, “How can I help you study for the test?”

 

Reading Is Fun

 

The simple act of reading out loud to your child, of all ages, and having them read out loud to you, everyday, is one of the best ways to help them develop reading skills and increase in self-confidence. Encourage your child to ask about words he or she doesn’t understand. Use a dictionary to look up difficult words. Children who develop a love of reading generally do better in school throughout their academic years and into their careers.  Garden City students are required to read at least 20 minutes each night.  Remember to log your reading!

Florida Comprehension Assessment Test (FCAT)

Writing - February 9, 2010 - Grade 4

Reading and Mathematics (Grades 3-5) / Science (Grade 5)

March 9-16, 2010

 

A test is like a snapshot—a one-time look at a child’s performance. All children have skills and knowledge that tests do not measure—there is more to every child then a single score can report. Here are some ways to help your child succeed on standardized tests.

In the months before the test:

o Find out when the tests are to be given. Write the date and time on the family calendar. Avoid scheduling appointments or trips during these times.

o Ask your child’s teacher what you can do at home to review for the test.

o Read, Read, Read. This is the easiest way to prepare your child to taking tests. Read to them and have them read to you.

 

Right before the test:

o Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast every morning.

o Have your child dress in layers because kids do better if they don’t have to think about how hot or cold they are while they take the test.

 

Test Day:

o Remind your child to take deep breaths and relax before starting the test.

o Remind your child to check his or her answers carefully.

o Remind your child that you love him or her and that you are proud of him or her, just because!

 

 Kindergarten

J. Broomfield

M. Carlson

D. Feeney

D. Greene

S. Moore

K. Williams

T. Williams

Grade 1

R. Acosta

G. Evans

F. Frazier

F. Jalloh

B. Rogers

N. Turner

 

Grade 2

L. DeGraffread

K. Geiger

E. Jovel

D. Nickson

A. Richardson

A. Stinchcomb

I. Williams

Grade 3

E. Bisbee

K. Chavez

V. Houston

K. Merritt

K. Muldrow

T. Skelton

K. Williams

Grade 4

K. Floyd

D. Glover

P. Gray

K. Hooper

K. Perez

Grade 5

L. Brown

M. Channelle

C. Granger

J. Murray

C. Reed

 

 

·        R. and R. Duncan were special guest in the play A Christmas Road Trip.

·        Ms. Cooper and Ms. Naccarato are very proud of their students’ writing reports which culminates their study of Native American tribes.

·        J. Turner’s cheerleading squad, North Jax Jaguars, won second place in a national competition.

·        T. Rollins finished reading the enormous Harry Potter book.  Way to go Terence!

·        PTA Board Members

·        Volunteers who assisted with the PTA Holiday Shop Fundraiser

·        Parents who sent items for holiday parties

·        Parents who sent in wish list items

·        Cross Creek Restaurant                        Mr. Means                        Alice Shaw

·        Ms. Lang                                              Rachel McCafferty

·        Julia Hardcastle                                   Ms. Poore

·        Jacquenee Wynn                                  Mr. Wade

·        Brandi Hopkins                                    Ms. Skelton

·        Sylvia Powell                                        Ms. Walker

·        Melvina Alvin                                        Ms. Knight

·        Kalundra Feachers                               Ms. Wallace

·        Olivia Murray                                       Ms. Horne

·        Carrie Thrift                                         Ms. Mayes

·        Paul Moise                                           Ms. Passley

·        Tasha Royal                                          Ms. Jakaway & her mom

·        Francis Strickland                               Ms. Floyd

·        Loretta Roberts                                   Ms. Johnson

·        Patrice Williams                                   Ms. Bowens

·        Latonia Bellamy                                    Ms. Cruzen

·        June Tessner                                       Ms. Bradley

·        Sherry Bobbett                                    Ms. Wanda Brown

·        Marianela DeJesus                                Arthur Perkins

·        Lynne Hancock                                     Lechala Tremble                                  

·        Shontisia Gillyard                                Felecia Hancock

·        Meshun Richardson                             Ms. Miller

·        Sylvia Young                                        Mr. Michael Harris

·        Mrs. Wilson                                         Carol Perry

·        Deborah Hopkins                                 Kishia Allen

Wish List         

·        Ms. Bias wishes for donations of individually wrapped snacks, tissue and hand sanitizer.

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

·        Ms. Carley and Ms. Frison wish for donations of tissue and hand sanitizer.

·        Ms. McCray wishes for donations of snacks.

·        Ms. Small wishes for donations of tissue, pencils and hand soap.

·        Ms. Solomon wishes for donations of notebook paper, copy paper, pencils and glue sticks.

·        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, liquid soap and hand sanitizer.

·        Ms. Cooper and Ms. Naccarato wish for donations of pencils and an electric pencil sharpener.

·        Ms. Rollins wishes for a donation of an electric pencil sharpener.

·        Ms. Bliss and Ms. Herbert wish for donations of pencils, tissue and hand sanitizer.

·         Ms. Wilder wishes for donations of tissue, Clorox wipes and copy paper.

·        Mr. Betts and Ms. Young wish for donations of pencils, tissue, Clorox wipes and copy paper.

·        Ms. Britt and Ms. Dawson wish for donations of copy paper, liquid soap and hand sanitizer.

·        Ms. Greenfield wishes for donations of pencils.

·        Ms. Fraser wishes for donations of white construction paper.

·        Ms. Gibson wishes for donations of egg cartons, butter tubs, lids, fabric scraps, yarn, and cereal boxes.

·        Ms. Hampton wishes for donations of individually wrapped alcohol swabs.

·        Mrs. Sapp wishes that all families would join the PTA ($5.00 per family) and attend our monthly Family Involvement activities!