PARENT NEWSLETTER SPRING 2016
"CREATING A COMMUNITY OF LEARNERS"
FROM THE DESK OF MRS. HARRISON...
Reinvention is a good thing...possibly even a GREAT thing! It motivates, inspires, and lifts us up. In education, we have to always, always think of new and innovative strategies, many of which springboard from old “tried and true” methodologies; however, to have value and substantive appeal, we must reinvent or at the very least reconfigure our approaches in the classroom in order to remain viable and relevant. For example, what would education look like if it were just invented today, using the latest scientific cognitive studies on the brain and how it learns, thinks and processes, along with the latest theories on behavioral science?
Would we even contemplate using paper and pencil? Or worksheets? Would it even cross our minds to let our children be passive in the learning process? I would posit that our practices and conclusions would be based on objective data rather than—as is frequently the case in education—anecdote or tradition. Fully immersing students in the science of active learning, of research and citing evidence, of being able to verbalize conclusions in a Socratic manner, well, I don’t know about reinventing ourselves, but I do know that this is the path that will give our students the clearest path to success at the secondary level. To be able to think, to process and to prove in the twenty-first century; that is the true challenge of our roles as teachers, educators, and parents. We owe it to our students if not to reinvent our methodologies, to research and to discover ways to be relevant. C.S. Lewis stated that "the task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." This is what we do each and every day at Brooks. Yes, it's a lot of work, but our children are worth it!
I know that I am totally recharged after our Spring break, and ready to end the year as strong as we began! Just think...only 5 weeks left, and look at all we have accomplished together and as one! As we finish this week of standardized testing, remember that all of us, together, have contributed heart, mind and soul to the development of our children. We have given our all. Together, we have nurtured hearts, as well as minds, and as your Principal, I couldn’t be more prouder, or happier, or satisfied. As we head into the magical month of May, please know that I have noticed, embraced, and appreciated all of our wonderful parent support. At Brooks, we are as strong as our community, and that is what makes us stand apart from other schools. Together, we have lighted a fire for learning in each of our children's hearts, and have hopefully developed a growth mindset in each of their minds.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me as a Principal, for supporting our amazing teachers who have often gone above and beyond, and for being there when we needed to call on you!
Mrs. Amy Harrison, Ed.S
“Education is not the filling of the pail, but the lighting of the fire”
~William Butler Yeats~
HANDS-ON LEARNING AT BROOKS:
MILESTONES PREP
Sound Lab in Mrs. Sas's class
Sound Lab - Hands-on Learning!
STEM CLUB
Students were given the challenge to harness the sun's thermal energy to design and build a solar oven that will "cook" S'mores (at a later date). They used Blendspace to research thermal energy, conductors & insulators which guided them with their design and building process. Hopefully, we'll have some yummy melted S'mores the next time they meet!
STEM CLUB
STEM CLUB
Our TRACK TEAM!
MEDIA CENTER NEWS:
I would like to thank all those who allowed their children to participate in the Birthday Book Club this year. Students chose their books last month and received their goodie bags! Because of your participation we were able to add 70 new books to our media collection :-)
Our BOGO book fair is coming up! Students and parents LOVE this book fair because everything is half price. The book fair is only three days; May 11th-13th from 7:30-3:00.
This is a great opportunity to get reading material for summer.
The Coweta Public Library will be visiting May 19th to share information with students about their summer reading program. These are wonderful programs for students to participate in for summer and they are FREE!
Thank you again for all your support of our media center this past year. We have some exciting changes coming in the fall. I can’t wait to share them with the students.
Enjoy your summer!
Sherry Copeland
Media Specialist
Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller
From Nurse DeAngelis:
Unfortunately, it cannot be kept for next school year.
Hope everyone has a safe and healthy Summer :-)
Nurse DeAngelis
EVENTS & HAPPENINGS AT BROOKS THIS MONTH:
*APRIL 28TH: SKATE NIGHT (LAST ONE OF THE YEAR-please come out and support us )
*APRIL 29TH: RELAY FOR LIFE
*MAY 2nd-6th: Pre-Register for ASP (After School Program) 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. This is for current and new families
*May 4th-May 29th: Kindergarten Registration for Coweta Co Schools. See www.cowetaschools.org for more information.
*MAY 5TH: FINE ARTS NIGHT -5:30 - 7:00: RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY, CHORUS AND ART SHOW
*MAY 6TH: FIELD DAY!
*MAY 10TH : SCHOOL COUNCIL
*MAY 13TH: WAX MUSEUM (4TH GRADE)
*MAY 20TH: SLIP-N-SLIDIN' INTO SUMMER ANNUAL EVENT
*MAY 23RD - 25TH: RETEST DATES FOR MILESTONES (if applicable) : 3RD & 5TH
*MAY 26TH: AWARDS CEREMONIES AS FOLLOWS:
KINDERGARTEN: 8:15
FIRST GRADE: 9:30
SECOND GRADE: 10:45
THIRD GRADE: 12:00
FOURTH GRADE: 1:15
*MAY 27TH: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL! FIFTH GRADE BREAKFAST @ 8:30 WITH CEREMONY TO FOLLOW IN THE GYM
NOTE TO ALL PARENTS: Our Brooks' website is continually being updated with our @BrooksBronco Twitter feed, as well as important parent information. Here is the link: http://www.cowetaschools.org/brooks/