The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: September 01, 2016
Principal's Pride
Welcome back Dolphins! I am so excited about this year. The hallways look amazing, the classrooms are student-centered, and my staff is remarkable. We have all spent the last couple of weeks learning routines and expectations of Extraordinary Dolphins as well as getting reacquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.
There are many expectations that you should also have from your child’s teacher and the administrators in the building. You can always expect top notch customer service with a servant attitude, as we pride ourselves on being servant leaders. But among many things you can expect a very high level of communication.
You can expect a bi-monthly newsletter starting the first week in September. In years past the newsletter was distributed via paper. This year, the newsletter is 100% online. I will send it out on scheduled Thursday’s via a SMORE link.
A Thursday VIP folder will go home each and every Thursday with your important papers from your child's teacher and administration. Simply remove and review the papers, sign the VIP form and have your child return the empty folder on Friday. We will rarely send notices home separately, however at times an urgent note may need to go out. I encourage you to always check your child’s agenda book for any attached notes.
Homework will always be a review of material covered in class. Expect daily homework assignments that are rigorous and aligned with the learning target. Students are required to read each night, so please encourage reading at every opportune moment. During our upcoming Curriculum Night on September 15 at 6:30 p.m., we will discuss the curriculum expectation in more detail as well as the yearlong plan for each grade level. Suggested student fees, inclusive of trip fees and end of year celebration costs, will also be shared with you during this time.
Student planners were provided to your child to record assigned homework and important events. Your child will ask you to sign their planner each night after they complete their homework. They may need your help in reminding them of this for the first few weeks of school. Your help is appreciated. Replacement planners are $5 each.
Lunch fees can be submitted online or delivered to the front office in a sealed envelope. Ms. Johnson, Professional Assistant, will ensure all monies are deposited and uploaded to your child’s account. You may also send money with your child. Please do not enter the cafeteria during breakfast to pay for lunch, as this is a very busy time for our cafeteria staff. The easiest way to pay for your child’s lunch is to submit your payment online: https://www.mypaymentsplus.com. If you have any questions, you may contact our cafeteria manager, Carla Slaughter, SlaughterCL@fultonschools.org.
As in years past, all transportation changes must be submitted in writing. This is an important safety rule, and we cannot waiver from this requirement. You may communicate changes with your child’s teacher, in writing. It is very helpful if communication changes are over-communicated to your child’s teacher. Our number one priority is your child’s safety.
Curriculum Night is scheduled for Thursday, Sept.15th at 6:30 p.m., immediately following the Annual Title One Meeting at 5:30 p.m.. This night is a great time to learn more about Title One and our annual plan, as well as curriculum expectations. You may ask any questions that you may have during curriculum night. I look forward to meeting and visiting with all of you on this very important night.
Smile! School picture day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7th.
As always, it is my pleasure to lead and most of all, it is my pleasure to serve you. If you have any questions or concerns during the year, please communicate them to me. You may always email me at anytime, and I will do my best to respond to you within 24 hours.
Lastly, please remember, extraordinary dolphins, do extraordinary things! The only difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little EXTRA!
Sincerely,
Principal Miley
Randolphprincipal@fultonschools.org
Parents we have three release days that are on the calendar. The students will not attend school on these dates, as the dates are reserved for Professional Development for teachers. We will focus on Project Based Learning and STEM activities during our professional development sessions.
Friday, October 07
Monday, November 28
Monday, January 09
Let's Talk Testing!
Testing Updates:
Georgia Milestones
Students in grades 3-5 are administered the End-of Grade exams in the Spring of each school year. Georgia Milestones results from the Spring 2015-2016 administration have been mailed to all current fourth and fifth grade parents. Please review your student’s scores, and if you should need assistance with the score or your child’s performance, please contact us at Randolph.
Though one test doesn’t give a full depiction of your child’s learning abilities, the Georgia Milestones are designed to provide information about how well students are mastering the state-adopted content standards and aid teachers as they plan instruction. These tests include a wide variety of questions such as multiple choice and constructed response that require students to explain how they solve problems, think critically, and write analytically. The skills take time and effort to master, but our students will need them to succeed in the future.
Resources to help your student prepare for Georgia Milestones are available on the Georgia Department of Education’s website at www.testing.gadoe.org.To see what online testing is like, you and your student may visit the Experience Online Testing Georgia website at www.gaexperienceonline.com. The items on the demonstration tests are general and represent multiple grade levels. Here at Randolph Elementary, we will provide opportunities for parents and students to engage in practice sessions with Georgia Milestones as they school year progresses. In addition, our teachers work collaboratively each week, planning instructions and devising formative and summative assessments to ensure our students are prepared to succeed on the exams. We are confident our students will be well prepared for next Spring’s administration of the Georgia Milestones Assessments which will be April 17-May 5, 2017.
For more information or support, please contact: Victoria Grubbs, Assistant Principal.
Visit the Curriculum Corner
BALANCED LITERACY – What is it?
This year one of our initiatives here at Randolph is to focus on Literacy. One way to incorporate this initiative is through “Balanced Literacy". The table below shows what Balanced Literacy Looks Like and how teachers will incorporate it daily through instruction to help students grow academically.
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
Greetings! My name is Kathleen Scott, and I have served as the school counselor at Randolph Elementary for 12 years. As your school counselor, I look forward to helping your children become the best they can be academically and socially!
Services the School Counselor provides:
Classroom Lessons
Small Group Counseling
Individual Counseling
Consultation with Staff and Parents
Character Word of the Month:
RESPECT
Showing regard for self, others and property.
Character Home Link:
Discuss the meaning of the word RESPECT. Explain that respect means treating others as you want to be treated. Talk to your child about the importance of respecting oneself and others. Together make a list of synonyms (words that mean the same) for the word respect. Encourage your child to demonstrate these words by their actions.
Tip of the Week:Get Organized
Make sure that your child is using their agenda to record homework assignments, projects, tests and/or upcoming events. Make it a habit for you and your child to review his or her planner daily. Let’s develop good habits early!
Draw Your Destiny
Draw Your Destiny
On August 18th, students in grades 3 – 5 were visited by cartoonist, Duane M. Abel, creator of the comic strip ZED. The program entitled, Draw Your Destiny, emphasized the importance of establishing goals, reading, and the value of education.
WORK – STUDY – LEARN - TRY
Career Day
Save the Date:
Friday, November 4, 2016
Career Day
Details are forthcoming.
Meet Your Counselor
Contact the School Counselor:
Discipline Dynamics
Patrice Givens, Administrative Assistant
RTI/ SST Chair and Discipline Support
Response to Intervention/ Student Support Team Chair
- Assist with and lead SST meetings for students, parents and teachers.
- Provide strategies for instructional and behavior support for Response to Intervention (RTI).
Discipline
- Assist with implementation of school wide “PBIS”, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports.
- Utilizes the Discipline Cycle to investigate and address office conduct referrals.
Dining With Dolphins Initiative
All staff members will eat with students each Friday throughout the school year to hold conversations with students, model appropriate table manners and continue building positive relationships.
Student Behavioral Expectations:
Cafeteria- Safety first, accountable for your actions and respect for yourself and others.
Hallway- Walk silently and single file on the blue tile on the right side, hands to yourself and look ahead.
Restroom- Use the restroom appropriately: quiet, quick, safe, and respectful
Discipline strategies:
Positive Behavior Management Tips:
http://minds-in-bloom.com/2015/03/positive-behavior-management-strategies.html
Coping Strategies and Problem Solving for Kids:
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.
Media Matters
Accelerated Reader is up and running! Kudos to Ms. Pitts’ class for logging in and taking their tests! Awesome job Randolph Readers!!! Please access Accelerated Reader at the following address: https://renaissance.fultonschools.org/rpstaff/ADLogin.aspx
Students are learning and reviewing Media Center rules, policies, and procedures for the month of August. We are discussing different areas of the media center and how to handle their books as circulation begins.
Strategies for Successful Reading: Read at least 20 minutes a day in addition to your homework. For additional resources please check out the following websites: https://fulton.mackinvia.com
Parent Reading Tips: Instill a love of reading. Your example demonstrates that reading is important, pleasurable, and valuable. Continue to bond with your child by reading together.
Focus on Literacy: Digital Citizenship where students learn how to continue to be safe and responsible while using the internet on various devices. National Public Library Sign Up will begin in September. We will have a visit from the Wolf Creek Branch Public Librarian in September. Check out the fun things that they offer at http://www.afpls.org/wolf-creek-branch .
Parent Connections
Parent Liaison: Sandra Mack
Parent Resource Center Information
Welcome Randolph families to the 2016-2017 school year. A Philip Randolph is a Title I School. The mission of Title I is to ensure that students successfully achieve on all levels. Feel free to stop by the Parent Resource Center, located in room 35 on the corner of Achievement Ave. Our center is stocked with a variety of academic tools and resources to assist with learning at home. We have new IPads for use in the Resource Center. Also, Study Buddy hand held games, Hot Dots, educational board games, informational pamphlets, and a selection of books for all reading levels. Items may be checked out for two (2) weeks.
The Resource Center has a computer center for convenient access to Fulton School District information and also houses gently used uniforms.
Stop by when you are on campus and let me know how we may assist you. Operational hours: Monday thru Friday 7:40am-2:10pm daily.
Volunteer opportunities and workshop announcements will be coming soon!
Register to Be a Volunteer
Randolph Families:
Fulton County Schools requires ALL volunteers to register at the start of the new school year. Even if you completed the online registration in the 2015-2016 school year, it is necessary to register for the 2016-2017 school year.
A few important things to note:
- Please allow 10-15 minutes for the training and application process.
- In accordance with State Law, all volunteers must be current with the Child Abuse Reporting Protocol Training before being allowed to volunteer in our schools.
- It is very important that volunteers enter their full legal name as it appears on their government issued ID (please do not use nicknames or “go by” names on the application).
- All applicants must allow 24 hours after applying for approval.
- The Registration link is provided on the Randolph Website
- You are welcome to use the Parent Computer in the Resource Center Room #35.
- Please pick up a copy of Randolph’s Volunteer Guide from the front office information shelf, or the Parent Resource Center Room #35.
To Register as a Volunteer:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
Fall Picture Day
Wednesday, Sep 7, 2016, 08:00 AM
A Philip Randolph School, Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Hearing and Vision Screenings
Thursday, Sep 8, 2016, 08:30 AM
A Philip Randolph School, Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Grandparents' Celebration
Hosted by PTA
Contact: Monica Manning