Gilliard Elementary
December Newsletter
WELCOME BACK
TARDIES/EARLY DISMISSALS
There are still too many students that are tardy for school and that get early dismissals each day. Instruction starts in each classroom at 8:15 a.m. and when your child is late, they are missing valuable instruction. This is the cause for some of your students poor grades due to missed instructional time. Students that have chronic attendance issues will not be allowed to participate in field trips or extracurricular activities. Please make sure your child is on time for school each day.
Remember we do not give early dismissals after 2:30p.m. with the exception of rainy days.
LATE FEES
Don't forget any student owing late fees will not be allowed to participate in any paid school activities. If your child is dropped off too early and is unattended, they will be taken to Gator Care and a $10 fee will be assessed for each child. Also, if your child is picked up after 3:20 p.m. they will be taken to Gator Care and a $10 fee per 30 minutes will be applied to each child. Please be sure you are dropping your child off at the correct time and picking them up on time.
STUDENT BEHAVIOR
Parents we are noticing an increase in student office and bus referrals. Students that disrupt instruction due to behavior will be sent home. We are doing our very best to protect the instructional time, and when student behavior gets in the way of this, a consequence will be given. Also, any students that misbehave on the bus will be suspended from riding. We will not be addressing bus behavior lightly. Riding the bus is a privilege and any student causing disruptions or compromising the safety of the other students will be suspended from the bus for an extensive amount of time. We know you have to work, so please help us by talking to your child about their behavior at school.
GATOR CARE
Parents please remember there will be no Gator Care on Friday, December 15, 2023. Please make arrangements to pick your child up from school. Thank you!
MID-YEAR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING
Beginning Monday, November 27th, students will begin taking their mid-year diagnostic tests. It is crucial that students are at school on time each day for testing. Below you will find testing dates for each diagnostic that will be administered. A Principal's Challenge has been put in place to celebrate the student's academic growth. See the flyer below with the information of the challenge that has been put in place for the students.
TESTING INFORMATION
HMH (math) testing- November 27 - December 1
iReady Reading testing- December 4 - December 8
iReady Math testing- December 11 - December 15
Literacy Screener testing - January 8 - January 22
PRINCIPAL'S CHALLENGE
VETERANS DAY PROGRAM
Thank you to all the men and women who served in all branches of the military. We appreciate you! Check out the video from our Veterans Day program that was held on Thursday, November 9, 2023.
FALL GATOR BASH
Our Fall Gator Bash was a HIT!! The students and teachers were able to go out and have lots of fun. Thank you to our food vendors, Taz's Shaved Ice, MySix , and Eiland's Creamery. Also, thank you to LaMarcus Gwinn for bringing the gaming truck! Check out some of the pictures from this day.
HAS YOUR CHILD FILLED SOMEONE'S BUCKET WITH KINDNESS?
"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." Amelia Earhart
CHECK OUT THESE GILLIARD ROCKSTAR TEACHERS
At least 85% of the students in these teacher's classes maintained an 85% or better pass rate on their reading lessons in iReady.
Class Christmas Parties
Christmas Lunch
Our school's Christmas lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Invitations will be sent home with students today. Please be sure and pay attention to the deadline listed on the form. This lunch will be for grades 3rd - 5th only. Should you have any questions or concerns, please call the school at (251) 221-1820.
💡 Reminders
1. IMPORTANT DATES 📆
HMH (math) testing- November 27 - December 1
iReady Reading testing- December 4 - December 8
Christmas lunch- December 6 (grades 3-5 INVITATION ONLY)
iReady Math testing- December 11 - December 15
Class Christmas Parties- December 14
Teacher Workday- December 18 (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
December 19 - January 3- Holiday Break
Literacy Screener testing- January 8 - January 22
GILLIARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Address: 2757 Dauphin Island Pwky.
Mobile, Al 36605
Phone: (251) 221-1820
Faith Belle-Lucy, Principal
Venetta Gray, Assistant Principal
Swanee Terry, Counselor