The Stoffle Gazette
March 3, 2017
News from this week
Dear Parents,
The students really enjoyed the in house field trip this week. Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution came in to present to the 4th grade. They always do an amazing job relaying facts and vocabulary from that era while in costume and in character. Please ask your child to tell you about the presentation.
Students were also excited to dress as their favorite book characters. We had a volunteer come from Cannon Church to read to our class this afternoon. Students also will receive a new/gently used book to take home. It was a great day for reading!
Our DA (District Assessments) for the 3rd 9 weeks start next week. The dates for the DA's are listed below.
Math-March 7th (Tuesday)
Reading-March 8 (Wednesday)
Science-March 15 (Wednesday)
Social Studies-March 17 (Friday)
Georgia Milestones dates have been posted (see below). Please try to make sure that these dates are on your calendar to avoid scheduling appointments or trips on these testing days. It is always best that your child takes these tests with their class.
Don't forget that typing and reading logs are due every Monday. The links to the typing websites are on my e-class page.
I hope everyone had a great weekend!
Sabine Stoffle
Other Important Information
We are excited to announce that for the 2017-2018 school year we will have the WATCH D.O.G.S. program here at Gwin Oaks Elementary School.
WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative father involvement, educational initiative of the National Center For Fathering. There are two primary goals of the WATCH D.O.G.S. program.
1) To provide positive male role models for the students, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
2) To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
WATCH D.O.G.S. began in 1998 in a single school in Springdale, Arkansas and has since grown into a national recognized program that has brought hundreds of thousands of fathers and father figures into the school classrooms and hallways across the country, creating millions of hours of “in school” volunteer time and having a tremendously positive impact on the educational process. Today there are more than 5,707 registered WATCH D.O.G.S. schools in 47 states plus DC. Currently, there are WATCH D.O.G.S. programs in China, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Barbados, Italy, and Germany.
Who Are WatchDOGS?
WatchDOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and other father-figures who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. During the day, WatchDOGS may read and work on flash cards with students, play at recess, eat lunch with students, watch the school entrances and hallways, assist with traffic flow and any other assigned activities where they actively engage with not only their own students, but other students as well. Many school principals have reported that the mere presence of a WatchDOG dramatically reduces reports of bullying. On the day of their participation, WatchDOGS are given a brief review of their involvement and they wear an official WATCH D.O.G.S. t-shirt with a disposable ‘Dog Tag’ identifying them as WATCHDOGS.
Daniel Fraga. will be heading up the male role model volunteer program at Gwin Oaks Elementary. Please contact him at:
watchdogdanielfraga@gmail.com
Parent Survey Request
The GSHS 2.0 is an anonymous, statewide survey instrument developed by many divisions within the GaDOE including the Assessment and Accountability Division and in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Public Health and Georgia State University. The GSHS 2.0 identifies safety and health issues that have a negative impact on student achievement and school climate.
Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphones or tablet. For parents that do not have access to the Internet, there will be computers set up in the front lobby at Gwin Oaks during February Parent/Teacher Conferences. All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis. Individual data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.
Georgia Parent Survey:
Coming up next week
Reading: We will look at firsthand and secondhand accounts.
Writing: We will start our new writing unit on the Literary essay.
Grammar: We will have a grammar daily grade.
Math: We will continue our unit on Measurement.
Science: We will continue our unit on Force and Motion/Simple Machines.
Social Studies: We will start our unit on Westward Expansion after our unit on Force and Motion/Simple Machines.
Spelling Words and Root of the Week
A complete list of roots that students are expected to know for the year can be found on my e-class page. We are currently in Unit 3. These roots are tested on a regular basis. Once the root is introduced it can, and will, appear from time to time on weekly daily grades.
Spelling Words of the Week:
Every week students will receive a list of sight words for review. Once these words have been introduced, students are responsible for spelling them correctly in their writing.
explain
single
window
tiny
main
begin
within
winter
mind
finally
instead
fine
certain
behind
wind
Important Dates
3/06 Good News Club
Art Club
Math League
Yearbook Publishing Party
PM Robotics
3/07 AM Robotics
Sparkles Skate Night
Math DA (District Assessment)
3/08 Wittzle Pro
Math League
Reading DA (District Asseessment)
3/09 Chick Fil A Night
3/10 No School-Snow make up day
3/13 Good News Club
Art Club
Math League
Yearbook Club
Student Council
3/14 Dogwood Pizza Night
3/15 Science DA (District Assessment)
Wittzle Pro
Math League
3/17 Spring Picture Day (10:28)
Social Studies DA (District Assessment)
Wittzle Pro
3/22 Book Fair Browsing
3/24 Book Fair Buying
Reminders
* Please study Math Multiplication facts every night
* Students have HW every night (Mon-Thurs.).* Reading logs are due every Monday.
* Ice cream is sold on Fridays for $1.00
Birthdays
March
Dalia - 14
Ryan - 27
Malik - 30
News from the Media Center
Reading is My Super Power
This year’s school wide reading program is Reading is My Super Power. The program started on Friday, August 19th. Students will answer super hero related trivia questions in the Media Center each week to hone their research skills. At home each child is expected to read for at least 20 minutes each night and return their reading logs each Friday or Monday (depending on your child’s teacher’s schedule).
Students who turn in their reading logs every week will attend a reading celebration at the end of the school year. In order for a log to be counted for the week it needs to be submitted on time.
To assist with the reading logs please do the following:
1. PLEASE make sure your child’s FIRST and most importantly LAST name are on the log. We have to enter data for almost 1000 students. If even 10% don’t have their full name this omission adds an extra hour to our data entry.
2. PLEASE turn logs in when they are due. Your teacher will tell you the due date.
3. PLEASE add your child’s reading time in MINUTES. To understand why this is important read request #1.
You may also submit your child’s reading log electronically through the Gwin Oaks website. Fill in information with your child’s information (including your child’s teachers and grade from the drop down menu) and click submit. Email your child’s teacher to let him/her know log was submitted electronically to the Media Center. If you have any questions please email Mrs. Amolo at sharon_amolo@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
The Library Now Has E-books!
Access them from your smartphone, tablet, Kindle, Nook, Mac and Windows computer! There are also several audiobooks available. Download the Brytewave app on your device and see the directions below.
Accessing eBooks From a Device
Step #1: Search for the Follett Brytewave K-12 App in your store
Step #2: Open up the app and enter your State, School name and then login using your
student number and password.***Make sure you select the “Stay logged in” option.
Accessing eBooks From a Computer
From a computer- Login to your eClass page and click on “Media Catalog” (see picture below). Then, you can login to our catalog using your username and password. To search for an ebook type the title or type ebook to see a list of all available ebooks.