Dear Baggett Family,

Wow! It's May already, and before we know it the end of the school year will be upon us. Still there is so much on the calendar between now and May 24th, our last day of school! I do hope that you're planning to join us for all of the festivities. It's so much more fun when you, are families are here with us. Check out the calendar below for specifics.

This year our theme has been "Growing Greatness". As I met with School Council late last month, I communicated with them all of the great things that we have added to Baggett Elementary this school year alone:

• Dance Program
• 2nd Music Class focused on our upper elementary students
• Athletics Program - basketball, cheerleading, dance/step team
• Talent Show
• Aquaponics System - Fish and Plants
• Greenhouses and Expanded Gardens
• Trout Lab - where we are currently raising 2,500 trout from egg stage to small fry stage
• School Musical - Blast Off!
• Three-Bin Compost System
• Freeing Freddie - social-emotional learning program
• PTA events - Trunk or Treat, Mother/Son, Father/Daughter Dances

And the list goes on and on. Right now, 11 chicks recently hatched from their shells in Ms. Baron's class. With district approval and grants already received, our plan is to keep the chicks here and allow our students the chance to raise them and care for them. Each day just keeps getting better. We have lots of wonderful things planned for next year as well! Want to know what? You have to come back next year to find out! : )

As we head into the summer months, please take every opportunity to engage your children in authentic learning experiences. Set aside the technology and try these activities found on a simply Google search: https://educationtothecore.com/2021/06/25-summer-learning-activities-for-kids/

We all know that learning doesn't need to take place in a classroom. With a little planning and preparation, this summer can be a great time for you to connect and find the joy in learning right alongside your child. In this, we appreciate your partnership.

To Meaningful Collaboration!

Mitch Green

Principal

Baggett Elementary School

May 1 - 5 - Buy One Get One Book Fair - Great opportunity to plan for summer reading

May 1 - 5 - Teacher Appreciation Week at Baggett Elementary School

May 1 & 2 - GMAS Math for 3rd-5th Grades

May 4 - GMAS Science for 5th Grade

May 5 - Coffee & Conversation - Join me in the Family Center at 8:45 AM for an open discussion

May 5 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - Chattahoochee River

May 8 - 12 - End of Year Assessments in all non-GMAS subjects for 1st-5th graders

May 9 - Area V Board of Education Meeting at McClure Health Science High School

May 11 - Pre-K End of Year Ceremony - 2:30 PM

May 12 - Movie Night and PTA Elections - 6 PM

May 17 - Field Day - 1st/2nd Grades in the AM, 3rd/4th in the PM

May 18 - Field Day - Kindergarten in the AM

May 18 - Informances - 3rd Grade 10:15 AM, 4th Grade - 1:10 PM, 5th Grade 8:45 AM

May 19 - Informances - Kindergarten 11:20 AM, 1st Grade - 9:00 AM, 2nd Grade 1:00 PM

May 19 - 5th Grade Celebration

May 19 - 3rd Grade Field Trip - Chattahoochee River - Trout Release

May 22 - Award Ceremonies 1st-4th Grades - By Invitation

May 22 - Class End Of Year Celebrations 1st - 4th Grades

May 23 - 5th Grade Ceremony 8:45 - 10:45 AM

May 23 - Kindergarten End of Year Ceremony and Ice Cream Social - 12:30 PM

May 24 - Last Day of School

June 12 - 1st Day of Summer Enrichment and Achievement Program (SEA - Summer School)

Items in bold print denote opportunities for family participation.

As a parent or teacher, one of the most important things you can teach kids is the value of persistence. Teaching kids to persist through challenges and obstacles can help them build resilience, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Encouraging persistence can be as simple as:

Praising effort and hard work, rather than just focusing on the outcome.

Research shows that kids who learn persistence are more likely to succeed. They’re also better equipped to handle setbacks and failures, which are an inevitable part of life.

So, next time your child faces a challenge, remind them to keep trying, and celebrate their progress along the way.

With your help, they can learn the importance of persistence in their lives.

The Baggett Counseling Department is planning our Career Day and would love to have presenters from our community! Career Day is Tuesday, May 16th from 8:00-11:30 and lunch will be provided. If you are interested in sharing your career with our students, please contact one of the counselors:

Lindsey Hicks (K/1), email: lindsey.w.hicks@gcpsk12.org;

Xandra Schlechte (2/3)(she/her/hers), email: alexandra.schlechte@gcpsk12.org;

Yasirah Powers-Kouassi (4/5), email: yasirah.powers.kouassi@gcpsk12.org.

Our Media Center is holding our typical late spring Buy One, Get One Book Fair during the 1st week of May (1st-5th). This is a great way to ensure that your child has books to read over the summer. As we build a culture of literacy at Baggett, every child should have a book in their backpack every single day. Continue to invest in your child's future by purchasing books to keep them reading.

Sometimes, when children have a problem, they really need their parents' help.

But other times, your child most needs understanding, and to hear you to say, “I can imagine how upset you must be.” In those few words, you acknowledge that your elementary schooler is feeling some real anger, sadness or frustration.

Your understanding gives your child some choices. Now, instead of continuing to try to convey emotions, your child can tell you more about the problem. Your child can ask for your help, or decide to look for a solution independently.