Greetings TJ Family!
It is an honor to address you again. I have been really pleased with what I have seen in classrooms over the past few weeks. I have seen students in leadership roles during my visits - directing CHAMPS before instructional activities, serving as captains in small groups and centers, and acting as peer mentors. I have seen students share their writing in front of the class and receive praises and suggestions for next steps. I have seen teachers excite their students to the point that they could hardly keep their hands down. I have seen students in primary classrooms respond to teachers’ higher-level questions and formulate those types of questions themselves. I have seen teachers and students utilizing the internet, Smart Boards, and student response systems. There is amazing learning taking place in Thomas Jefferson’s classrooms.
There has also been life outside of the classroom. Our Green Team has been constantly working to protect our environment. Our WTJE news crew has kept us abreast of school activities. Our Student Council has been acting as the voice of the students. Our chorus has been practicing for another great musical performance. Our African-American History Brain Brawl Team placed second in a competition against six schools at Love Grove Elementary. Several of our students will be participating in the Gate River Run. We have had entertaining after-school programs, dances, tutoring, and activities that connect students to school life.
On another note, this is a critical time of the year because students will soon take the FCAT. Fourth graders have already taken the writing portion. Now the third, fourth, and fifth graders are preparing to take the reading and math portions of the test. Fifth graders also take a science portion. We want our students to perform as well as possible on the test without suffering undue stress. To help with this, they should be getting plenty of rest, eating nutritious meals, and coming to school every day on time. Developing these habits will give them an advantage during the actual testing period. The more they attend school, the more instruction they receive, and the more skills they will master. Mastery of skills greatly reduces student stress. Thank you for the support you have given all year long. You are outstanding parents, and I am proud to serve as your children’s principal. Have a wonderful day!
Lori Turner
