PARENT NEWSLETTER DEC 2016
"CREATING A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS"
FROM THE DESK OF MRS. HARRISON
I believe! Do you? Every year at this time, I revive my belief in Santa; this has come mostly because of my students here at Brooks. Each year at this time, as I see them enter the school in the morning with wide-eyed wonder at all the beautiful, decorated trees, I look into their eyes and I see a world that I once knew. A world that I've decided to re-enter if only once a year on Christmas Eve; a world where reindeer fly and wishes come true; a world of great surprise, great joy, great peace, and great love. At my house, yes, the milk and cookies will definitely be waiting because I know that Santa is real.
The world of Brooks is just as magical and for that I am eternally grateful. To the moms and dads who have spent long hours in our building decorating for Fall, and now for Christmas, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I speak for my entire staff that we appreciate all that you have done, because you not only did it out of commitment, but out of love for us. You enable us to shine and do what we do best: teach from our hearts and love your children unconditionally.
As the year 2016 draws to a close, 'tis the Season for me to reflect over what we have done well together. Not only did we do exceptionally well on our internal county evaluation, but we have been named as an exemplar school because of our commitment to excellence. This comes from a culture of collegiality, teamwork, positivity and enthusiasm. In other words, we are in this together! Whatever it takes to help children feel loved, whatever it takes to help them understand and excel, then that's what we do. From research-based practices to STEM, from Arts Integration to citing evidence through text, that's what we do. We are consistently looking for those best practices which will help our students understand concepts and then apply them.
In this season of thanksgiving, reflection, and counting our blessings, one of my greatest blessings is knowing that our staff has made a difference in the lives of children and their families. Laura Ingalls Wilder reflected that "our hearts grow tender with childhood memories of Christmas." This is certainly true -- mine grows especially tender this time of year, and it's made all the more poignant because of the precious children that we are all entrusted to care.
I hope each of you has a very, Merry Christmas!
Mrs. Amy Harrison, Ed.S
LEARNING AT BROOKS...
Native American Day
Going Global with Hour of Code
Students participated in an international "Hour of Code" by joining millions of students and teachers in over 180 countries, as they learned how to write computer code.
Comparing and Contrasting
Making jello after reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" -- #learningbydoing!
TINKERCAD with Mrs. Copeland - Tinkercad is an online 3D designing site that is used to design and create 3D prototypes to print on 3D printers. Tinkercad is used by adult professionals, teachers, and students to design just about anything from toys to tools, from models to jewelry. The potential is limitless! Our students love using the program -- see the pics below:
December News from the Media Center:
News from the Media Center - December
I would like to remind everyone that if you want to purchase a yearbook for this school year, they are on sale now. The price is $25 but the price will increase to $35 in January. Ordering is easy: you can order online at jostens.com or using the order form found on the site or our
Brooks Elementary website http://www.cowetaschools.org/brooks/
Parents who would like to purchase ads for their 5th grade student can do these online as well. Please keep in mind, ads are due on January 16, 2017. If you need assistance with assembling your ad, you can contact me or Anna Richardson.
sherry.copeland@cowetaschools.net
Many teachers have sent the new Home Connect link for parents to log in and monitor their child’s progress on Accelerated Reader. If you did not receive this information, the new link is as follows:
https://hosted408.renlearn.com/51144/HomeConnect/
The user name and password is the same one your child uses to log in to take the test. Hopefully this link will be helpful for parents.
Mark your calendars! Our next book fair arrives the end of January and will run through the first week of February. We plan to have our K.I.S.S (Kids Invite Someone Special) luncheons during the week of the book fair as well as our annual Valentine’s Day Promotion.
I have begun to print student designs on our 3D printer. I am amazed at how much students are learning and teaching others about what they have learned. Most students in 3rd-5th grades have tinkercad accounts so they can complete designs. If you have never seen a 3D printer in action, feel free to stop by our media center and take a look!
Birthday Book Club members will be recognized in March. There is still time for students to join. BBC forms can be downloaded from the Brooks website under the media center tab.
Thank you for your continued support of Brooks Media Program.
Sherry Copeland
Media Specialist, ED.S
"A child who reads will be an adult who thinks." author Unknown
Counselor's Corner
The Jr Beta Club will collect gently worn coats and jackets during the month of January. The coats and jackets will then be distributed to other elementary schools in Coweta County. Coats can be dropped off in Room 102.
Thank you,
Miss Jones
PARENT RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR CHILD(REN) BE SUCCESSFUL:
Here are a few sites to look at:
http://www.thebottletree.net/2012/08/02/5-steps-to-significantly-increase-your-childs-reading-level/
http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/11-ways-parents-can-help-their-children-read
https://lexile.com/using-lexile/lexile-at-home/
There are tons of activities and solid parent advice on the web, but I hope that this will get you started or give you some fresh insight on how to instill good reading habits at home.
~Mrs. Harrison
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Jan 11th: School Council @ 8:15
Jan 12th: Report Cards issued
Jan 16th: Holiday
Jan 18th: "Coffee and Conversation" @ 8:15 for parents
Jan 28th: Science Olympiad @ Poplar Rd
Feb 20-24: Winter Holidays
Mar 9th: Fine Arts Night
Mar 17th: Teacher Workday
Mar 24th: Sock Hop
Apr 17th-28th: MILESTONES Testing
May 5th: Fifth Grade play at the Performing Arts Centre