The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: January 12
Principal's Pride
Hello Parents!
It's a New Year... How about a S.M.A.R.T start for you and your child(ren)?
I welcome students and their parents back to school from our winter break with renewed enthusiasm. I know that the new year will be an extraordinary one for the school community, students and their families. I am looking forward to finishing the second half of the school year, stronger than ever.
I was sitting and thinking about another new year and I thought about the concept behind a New Year's Resolution. We all know and understand the basic concept …come up with something that you can do, or stop doing to improve you in the New Year. I really like the idea but the realities of the success of this “magical self-improvement effort” are tenuous. The whole concept really comes down to setting goals and sticking to them.
This year, each teacher was empowered to set a SMART goal to support student achievement. There is so much power in setting goals that are S.M.A.R.T. Setting goals is an important tool when monitoring and promoting personal growth. It involves reflecting on one’s present capabilities and looking forward to how one would like to improve upon those capabilities. When setting goals, however, there are some criteria that can be used in order to maximize the probability of these goals being reached, i.e., making the goal very S.M.A.R.T.
What does SMART stand for?
When setting goals, keep the following criteria in mind:
- Specific: A specific goal addresses as many descriptor questions as possible (Who, What, When, Where, Why and How). It has a greater chance of being met if a specific plan is made for its completion.
- Measurable: This involves deciding what will measure when the goal is attained; a finish line has to be set before it can be crossed.
- Attainable: To properly set a goal, you must set the steps that are necessary to reach it. This scaffolding ensures that the goal actually is attainable, and therefore produces motivation as the goal’s completion has become a reality.
- Realistic: A goal must be set in the spirit of desiring its completion. In setting a goal, one can determine if it’s realistic by asking the following questions; am I capable of attaining this goal? Am I willing to work for this goal? Setting an unrealistic goal will often result in a decrease in motivation over time.
- Timely: Setting the goal within a time frame helps to motivate; without an end goal, there is no set limit to help drive the goal’s completion.
Imagine using the concept of the New Year’s Resolution to teach goal setting using the S.M.A.R.T. goal concept with you child(ren)? With primary and intermediate age children try to keep the concepts simple; find realistic topics to discuss. You may even use examples they have heard from you (maybe you are focused on exercising more, stop drinking sodas, saving more money, eliminating junk food from your diet, and other pensive goals). Allow them to set their goals for the new year, then discuss how to turn those open-ended goals into S.M.A.R.T. goals. Post the SMART acronym around your home and allow students to create VISION boards or other reminders. You may even want to consider more practical ways to set measurable goals to increase the chance of success. Having your child write down a personal goal (with help) and share it with other family members is a great way to reinforce this important concept.
Goal setting is a critical concept to teach to our children. Not only is it a foundational skill for improving academic success, it also is a great lifetime skill that can be used in many different areas that will have a positive impact on student development.
VIP NEWS-MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Monday, January 16 is a holiday, all school locations are closed: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
- Wednesday, January 18 all parents are invited to join Principal Miley for Coffee and Conversations: CCRPI Chat.
- School Uniforms: Beginning in August, 2017, Randolph Elementary School will enforce school uniforms. All students are required to wear school uniforms Monday-Thursday. Friday will remain a free dress day, which includes choice attire or spirit wear. If you have any questions regarding the new school uniform policy, effective August, 2017, please reach out to Mrs. Miley or Mrs. Rowell, School Governance Council Chair.
Let's Talk Testing!
Testing Calendar January-May 2017
Randolph students will begin Georgia Milestone diagnostics in preparation for the April statewide administration. Information gathered from these assessments will be used to improve instructional planning to meet the needs of all our students. Below are the types of diagnostic testing that will be administered to students during the month of February. All parents are encouraged to discuss the results with their child’s teacher. In addition, we will provide a date in March to provide Randolph parents an opportunity to view and discuss the framework of the Georgia Milestones.
ACCESS Testing (ELL Students)
Annual assessment for ELL students in speaking, listening, and writing.
Date: February 23, 2017
WRITE Score Reading Assessment (Reading/English Language Arts)
Diagnostic testing that is designed to mirror the Georgia Milestones English Language Arts exams. This test is comprised of reading comprehension, language arts, and constructed and extended response test items.
Dates: February 2nd (Grades 4 & 5), February 3rd (Grade 3)
Math and Science Georgia Milestones Diagnostic Assessments (Grade 3-5 Math, Grade 5 Math and Science)
Diagnostic tests that assesses students Math computation and problem solving skills, and the Science standards for grades 3-5.
Testing Window opens February 15
For more information or support, please contact: Victoria Grubbs, Assistant Principal.
Visit the Curriculum Corner
THREE WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD UNDERSTAND
WHAT THEY ARE LEARNING
The more ways your child learns something, the easier it will be for them to understand it. Encourage them to explore information and ideas by seeing, hearing, and doing.
1. Seeing
Drawing pictures can help your youngster visualize concepts. Have her make a comic strip based on a nonfiction book. Each frame could show one step in the water cycle or in the process by which a bill becomes a law. She can even add dialogue bubbles. (“I’m a raindrop falling from a cloud.”)
2. Hearing
Suggest that your youngster spell words or say addition or subtraction facts aloud. Also, ask her to talk about what she is learning. You might have her explain photosynthesis or long division to you or a sibling, for example. Idea: Ready to go Motivate your youngster to get ready for school on time by keeping a basket of activities (magazine, yo-yo, small puzzle) by your front door. Once he has his shoes and coat on, he can do an activity until it’s time to head out. Idea: Swap items frequently to keep his interest
3. Doing
Hands-on experiences help your child understand ideas. If she’s studying the solar system, pretend to be the sun, and have her be the earth. Tell her to spin her body (rotate) and walk in an orbit (revolve) around you. When she learns about pioneer times, she can do homework by candlelight or wash a shirt by hand — she’ll have a better idea of what life was like before modern conveniences.
I look forward to serving all of your curriculum needs. If you need additional support, please feel free to reach out to me, 470-254-6520.
The Counseling Connection
Character Word of the Month:
Fairness - Demonstrating impartial, unbiased and equitable treatment for all.
That’s not fair!!” Sound familiar? It’s commonly heard from people of all ages. We often think of situations that put us at a disadvantage as “unfair.” Although some decisions are clearly unfair, the fact is that there is usually more than one fair choice.
Being fair means you:
· Play by the rules
· Take turns and share
· Keep an open-mind and listen to others
· Avoid taking advantage of others
As your child gets older, issues of fairness will be a part of daily life. Help your child to understand that decisions should be made carefully, honestly and objectively. Make sure she understands that you want fairness from him/her just as he/she wants fairness from you and others.
Again, modeling fairness is one of the best ways to teach fairness to your child – no matter their age. Since applying the rules of fairness is not always easy or clear, it is important that your child see you making the effort to be open, honest and objective in making decisions.
December Dolphins of the Month
December Character Word of the Month: Caring - Showing concern for the well-being of others. Pre-K Bacon – Aubrie Simms Prather – Saliyah Holloman Kindergarten First Second Thornton – Cruz Scott Ross – James Williams Hagans – Maddisyn Price Naidoo – Darcee Hodo Johnson – Jamon Carter Baldwin – Grace Hutchison Moody – Kennadi Edwards Evans – Brianna Stephens Medlock – Tyla Gilmore Ellis – Joshua Dawkins – Lyles Cowan – Aneecia Jordan Jones – Madison Lock Third Fourth Fifth Pitts – Londyn Wilson Paschal – Chelsea Ellison Grant/ Small – Alexander Phillips Brown – Murry Jamison – Kailey Davis Williams – Taylor Fisher Carpenter – Imani Bashir Witzel – Azi Curry Solomon – Khalil Moton Griffith- Johnson – Amani Gore Knight – Aasiyah Staton Reid – Martha Echeverria Nash – Katelyn Perkins
Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
• Set a regular bed time and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Don’t let your child stay home unless she is truly sick. Keep in mind complaints of a stomach ache or headache can be a sign of anxiety and not a reason to stay home.
• If your child seems anxious about going to school, talk to teachers, school counselors, or other parents for advice on how to make her feel comfortable and excited about learning.
Monthly Attendance Program: Students in grade K -5 will be recognized for coming to school every day, on time for the previous month with a small token of appreciation. This acknowledgement will occur monthly.
Discipline Dynamics
Building a More Positive Culture at Randolph: Discipline
Randolph is in the beginning stages of implementing PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention System) for the 2017-2018 school year. PBIS is a research-based framework that has been proven to improve school climate, reduce challenging behaviors, and increase academic instructional time in schools. Two primary areas of emphasis in PBIS are instruction of social behavior and prevention of problem behavior. PBIS is based on the idea that when students are taught clearly defined behavioral expectations and provided with predictable responses to their behavior, both positive and corrective, all students are more likely to meet those expectations.
Recently, a team comprised of teachers and administrators have been trained on the essential elements of PBIS, and have begun redelivering to the staff. Randolph staff are excited to learn how to develop additional methods and interventions to build a more positive culture within our building.
For additional information on PBIS please visit www.pbis.org
PBIS Rewards Chart
Teaching School-wide Expectations
"We Are... Showing Respect, Working hard, Including Kindness and Making Responsible Choices"
Bathroom Expectations
Hallway Expectations
Cafeteria Expectations
Classroom Expectations
Bus Expectations
Recess Expectations
Assembly Expectations
PBIS Calm Down Strategy
School-wide Behavioral Initiatives
S.W.I.M
S = Show Respect
W = Work Hard
I = Include Kindness
M = Make Responsible Choices
S.W.I.M Reminders
Sometimes we need a reminder to follow the rules and make better choices. In this instance, teachers and staff will give your student a citation referred to as, “S.W.I.M reminder.
Dolphin Dollar Store: Reward System
We love to reward students for extraordinary dolphin behavior! Your student can earn as many Dolphin Dollars as they want. At a designated time of the month, Ms. Scott, guidance counselor will open the Dolphin Dollar Store that is filled with all kinds of prizes. Purchases can be made with Dolphin $$ only.
Patrice Gives, RTI Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
mailto:givensP1@fultonschools.orgMedia Matters
Tips on Reading Comprehension
To help aid your children with their reading comprehension, encourage your child to become a skillful reader. Skillful readers ask themselves questions before, during, and after they read. You can help students become more proficient by modeling this process for them and encouraging them to use it when they read independently.
How can you help? Ask questions such as:
"What clues does the title give me about the story?"
"Is this a real or imaginary story?"
"Why am I reading this?"
"What do I already know about this subject?"
"What predictions can I make?"
Continue to read daily with your child everywhere you go!
Mackin Via
Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
Parent Connections
SAVE THE DATE
January 25, 2017 8:00AM – 9:00AM
Randolph Parent University 4th Session
TOPIC – Understanding Early Intervention and Support Services
All parents, grandparents and guardians of Randolph students are encouraged to participate in the class. As a reminder, Parent University seminars take place once per month. Video links to recorded seminars will be available online after the program. Parent University participants are eligible for incentives and to participate in the Spring graduation ceremony. We look forward to seeing you!
Parent Liaison: Sandra Mack
To Register as a Volunteer:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
Wellness Corner
Provide healthy meals and snacks.
Eating right will help provide the nutrients needed to have energy, build strong bones, and fight diseases and conditions. For babies, breastfeeding is best. As children grow, help them choose healthy meals and snacks. Pay attention to what and how much they eat. You’ll help them stay on track and may uncover problems of which you were unaware.
Keep your kids active.
Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day. Include activities that raise their breathing and heart rates and that strengthen their muscles and bones. Find fun, safe, and active things you can do with your kids to help keep the whole family healthy.
Stephanie Warren, Clinician
Upcoming Events
January 13: Student of the Month (December Recognition)
Friday, Jan 6, 2017, 07:30 AM
A Philip Randolph School, Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Linda Bryant's Community Meeting
Tuesday, Jan 17, 2017, 06:00 PM
Bear Creek Middle School, Herndon Road, Fairburn, GA, United States
Coffee and Conversations with Principal Miley: CCRPI Chat
Wednesday, Jan 18, 2017, 07:45 PM
5320 Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Honor Roll Celebration K- 2
Celebration for honor roll students only!
Wednesday, Jan 18, 2017, 12:00 PM
A Philip Randolph School, Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Honor Roll Celebration 3 - 5
Celebration for honor roll students only!