Bulldog Business
August 8, 2018
Welcome to the 2018-2019 School Year at HH Beam Elementary School!
Message from Principal Darice Irby
Greetings HH Beam Families! I am honored to begin the 2018-2019 school year as Principal of HH Beam Elementary School! It is my commitment to promote the success of all students by facilitating the development, articulation, implementation, and stewardship of a vision of learning that is shared and supported by the school community. These beliefs guide my connections with all students, families, and school staff; consistently building upon strengths in all. I believe that leading by example, treating all people with respect, feeds and facilitates growth.
As an instructional leader, I hold that all students can learn and achieve educational goals when meaningful relationships exist within their school and school-community. These beliefs and practices establish clear expectations and standards common for all.
After serving my country in the United States Army for 8 years, I began my 13-year career in education serving communities in the Charlotte Mecklenburg School District. At the high school level, I facilitated 11th & 12th grade Language Arts instruction for Exceptional and General Education students, served as the Exceptional Childrens Compliance Facilitator and 9th – 12th grades Dean of Students.
I served as Assistant Principal for a 6th – 12th grade Title I school where I led the 8th grade level and 9th – 12th grades one-to-one digital learning magnet program and led my team with presenting our Digital Learning “Student Success Model” at the NCTies conference held in Raleigh, NC.
At the Elementary School level, I served a Pre-K – 5th grades school assigned to the Beacon Learning Community School Turnaround initiative and I have proudly served the HH Beam Elementary School community with Gaston County Schools last school year as Assistant Principal. As the newly appointed Principal of this wonderful community, I look forward to continuing my reach with the development of all students and staff. I also look forward to continued partnership with parents and community businesses.
I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Fort Valley State University located in Fort Valley, GA; Master of Arts in Teaching Special Education Degree and Principal Certification at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte; Doctor of Education Leadership at Gardner-Web University (currently enrolled).
I enjoy interior designing, watching great movies, reading, traveling and spending quality time with my family.
WHO WE ARE
HH Beam Elementary School is a Kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school serving a diverse population of students in Gaston County’s Southwestern community. We are located in the Historic HH Beam Neighborhood, bordered by Highway 321, Davis Park Road and Gaston Park. Our community is home to both native Gastonians, new arrivals from across the United States, as well as a growing immigrant population.
HH Beam's Mission: The direction of H. H. Beam Elementary School is to foster a positive and respectful learning environment in which we as teachers, parents and community collaborate to challenge students to reach optimal academic potential reflecting 21st century skills thereby creating life-long learner.
HH Beam's Vision: The purpose of H.H. Beam Elementary is for each student to master the skills that will provide them with the foundation to become lifelong learners and to become contributing members to society.
GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION
School Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. (Effective 8/27)
School Phone: (704) 866-6618
School Fax: (704) 704-866-6320
School Colors: Blue, White & Silver
School Mascot: Bulldogs
Daily Schedule: Effective 8/27
7:00 a.m. Building opens for students
*Breakfast is served for students until 7:55 a.m.
*Children should not be dropped off before 7:00 a.m.
*There is no one on duty to provide supervision until 7:00 a.m.
*Front Office Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
7:55 a.m. First Bell rings
8:00 a.m. Tardy Bell (Students must be in class.)
8:00 a.m. WPAW Newscast - Announcements
*All students who are tardy have to be signed in by a parent.
8:10 a.m. Class Instruction Begins
*No Student Checkouts after 2:00 p.m.
Dismissal Bells: Effective 8/27
2:30 p.m. Dismissal (Car Riders)
2:35 p.m. Dismissal (Bus Riders)
2018-2019 School Supply List
Please access the School Supply List using the following URL:
What's New at HH Beam?
Let's Welcome our New Teachers at HH Beam
Beth Darby: Kindergarten
Carolyn Braswell: 1st Grade
Tanya Powe: 1st Grade
Shardai Hough: 3rd Grade
Chelsea Groleau: 3rd Grade
Ebony White: 4th Grade
Octavia Dorsey: 4th Grade
Morgan Ray: 5th Grade
Scott Crouse: Art Teacher
James Baker: Physical Education Teacher
Dana Verdino: ESL Teacher
Rachel Baginski: EC Teacher
New Playground at HH Beam
New Media Center at HH Beam
Stop by to visit our Media Center duirng Open House activities on August 23rd (see below for detailed information).
Open House for Kindergarten students
Kindergarten Entry Assessment at HH Beaam Elementary School
Are you ready for school?
The following are dates and times of which the Entry Assessments will be administered:
Date: Wednesday 8/15 & Thursday 8/16
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: HH Beam Elementary School
200 Davis Park Road
Gastonia, NC
Open House for 1st - 5th Grade Students (Drop-in)
HH Beam Elementary School
Email: dirby@gaston.k12.nc.us
Website: https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/hhbeam
Location: 200 Davis Park Road, Gastonia, NC, USA
Phone: 704-866-6618
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hhbeam
Instructional Leadership Team
Assistant Principal Dr. Shannon Long
My name is Shannon Long and I will be one of your new Assistant Principals this year.
I completed my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at Appalachian State (Go Apps!), and then both my Masters and Doctoral Degrees at Gardner Webb. I have lived in Gastonia my entire life and this will be my 26th year in the school system. I have had the opportunity to teach at the elementary school level, work in the Professional Development office, and am starting my 9th year as an AP. I serve on the Appalachian Alumni Council and the ASU Reich College of Education Advancement Board.
Personally, I have two children, and three stepsons. Holidays are packed at my house! My son, Andrew, starts this fall at CPCC and my other son, Alex, has enlisted in the Air Force. He is currently in San Antonio, Texas completing his technical school. In my spare time, I love to go to the beach.
I am very excited to meet each of you in August!
Go Bulldogs!
Assistant Principal Geoff Hogan
My name is Geoff Hogan. I am coming to H.H. Beam and Gaston County Schools having spent the last 11 years with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Most recently, I worked as an Intervention Team Specialist with CMS. In this role, I supported multiple schools through coaching, training, and consultation around the implementation of a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework. Prior to this I worked as an MTSS Academic Coach, a Response to Instruction (RtI) Coach, an Exceptional Children’s Teacher, and a Classroom Teacher. I look forward to taking the knowledge gained from these experiences to the role of a building leader.
I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University at Buffalo, a Master of Science degree in Childhood Special Education from D’Youville College, and a Master of Arts degree in Executive Leadership Studies from Gardner-Webb University.
I am originally from the Syracuse, New York area (Go Orange!), and I lived in Buffalo, New York for ten years while attending school and beginning my career in education. My wife and I moved to Charlotte in 2007 and then to Gastonia in 2012. We have three children (Danny age 7, Ellie age 4, and Trey 2 months). I love spending most of my time with family, but when I do have free time, I enjoy playing golf and watching college basketball.
I am super excited to move into this new role and to join the H.H. Beam Community. I look forward to meeting and working with all of you. I’ll officially begin with GCS on August 1st, and I can’t wait to get started!
Geoff