Austinville Elementary School
July News
Summer Activities
The summer is flying by! As the summer days get hotter, teachers and students continue enjoying their time away from the classroom. From educational activities to just plain ole summer fun days, Austinville's students and teachers are engaged in something. Check out these Summer 2015 Fundays!
Austinville Duo Attends Engineering Camp
Mrs. Wendy Hamilton loves teaching Science to Austinville's fourth and fifth grade students. When the opportunity to assist in leading an engineering camp presented itself, Mrs. Hamilton jumped at the chance. Christy Allison-Williams from Eastwood Elementary also led the group.
The Decatur City Schools' four day workshop was held at Banks-Caddell with many interested elementary students attending. Soon to be Austinville fifth grader, Daniel Clark shows a love for science and math and was a great representative from Austinville.
The goal of the camp is to introduce students to engineering fields by presenting them with real life situations. This year's project was "How to Clean Water" with students working in groups to determine ways to filter water. Students heard from engineers before beginning their models. The Engineering Camp Students also toured the water treatment plant to observe how river water is converted to drinking water.
The Decatur City Schools' four day workshop was held at Banks-Caddell with many interested elementary students attending. Soon to be Austinville fifth grader, Daniel Clark shows a love for science and math and was a great representative from Austinville.
The goal of the camp is to introduce students to engineering fields by presenting them with real life situations. This year's project was "How to Clean Water" with students working in groups to determine ways to filter water. Students heard from engineers before beginning their models. The Engineering Camp Students also toured the water treatment plant to observe how river water is converted to drinking water.
Dr. G Attends ORFF Summer Training
Austinville's music teacher, Dr. Jeffrey Gilbreath recently spent two weeks in classes in which he believes will improve his music instruction. Dr. G as he is called by teachers and students, joined Krishanda Wooten (music teacher at Francis Nungaster) and Devin Lacy (choral and drama teacher at Cedar Ridge Middle) for the workshops at Samford University in Birmingham. Dr. G completed instruction in ORFF Level I.
Orff Schulwerk is a music teaching method that was founded by Carl Orff, a German musician and music educator. He wanted to create a method of teaching music that would allow the students the freedom to create music without fear of failure. The method has evolved into a system that uses recorders (simple woodwind instruments), movement, dance, singing, and malleted instruments (xylophones, metallophones, and drums). The malleted instruments are set up in a pentatonic scale (5 notes). This is done so that no matter which note a student hits, it sounds pleasing. The students learn how to read music and play the correct notes, but there is no pressure to hit the correct note since it all sounds good. Activities are designed to allow the students to create their own melodies to proverbs, poems, or passages of books. They are encouraged to improvise and explore what they can play on the instruments. It is also important to allow the students to move to the music. Body percussion (clapping, snapping, stomping, etc.) is used to help teach rhythm and the direction they will be playing with the mallets. Free movement (allowing them to move however they feel) and organized folk dances are used to make a complete performance. Some students can move and sing while others are playing the instruments. This music method was designed to reach all learning styles and to engage all students in a no-pressure environment.
It is exciting to have Dr. G complete this additional music training in order to assist Austinville's students in pursuit of deeper music instruction.
Orff Schulwerk is a music teaching method that was founded by Carl Orff, a German musician and music educator. He wanted to create a method of teaching music that would allow the students the freedom to create music without fear of failure. The method has evolved into a system that uses recorders (simple woodwind instruments), movement, dance, singing, and malleted instruments (xylophones, metallophones, and drums). The malleted instruments are set up in a pentatonic scale (5 notes). This is done so that no matter which note a student hits, it sounds pleasing. The students learn how to read music and play the correct notes, but there is no pressure to hit the correct note since it all sounds good. Activities are designed to allow the students to create their own melodies to proverbs, poems, or passages of books. They are encouraged to improvise and explore what they can play on the instruments. It is also important to allow the students to move to the music. Body percussion (clapping, snapping, stomping, etc.) is used to help teach rhythm and the direction they will be playing with the mallets. Free movement (allowing them to move however they feel) and organized folk dances are used to make a complete performance. Some students can move and sing while others are playing the instruments. This music method was designed to reach all learning styles and to engage all students in a no-pressure environment.
It is exciting to have Dr. G complete this additional music training in order to assist Austinville's students in pursuit of deeper music instruction.
Summer 2015 Fundays!
Mrs. Ellison & Family Visited Many Sights in Washington D.C.
Students Take a Break From The ACES Program at Point Mallard
Mrs. Fernandez Celebrated Her Climb Atop This Idaho Mountain
Friends Like Riding Bikes in the AV Neighborhood
Ms. Clark Had Fun Hiking & Ziplining in Alaska
Mrs. Hayes & Family Have Enjoyed Time at Smith Lake
Mrs. Gloria & Her Family Spent Time Together at The Beach
Mrs. McCollum & Her Family Made a Trip to the Beach
Mrs. Batchelder & Her Family Traveled to Costa Rica
Mrs. Westbrook & Family Paused for a Family Picture in Gulf Shores
Ms. Hales & Family Attended Her Stepson's High School Graduation
Mrs. Murphree Ran in Several Races Around the Tennessee Valley
Coach & His Family Proudly Watched His Son's Graduation
Mrs. Dempsey and Her Family Welcomed Baby Cooper
Mrs. Lindsay & Her Husband Cheered on the Cubs in Chicago
Mrs. Vickers & Her Family Relaxed at the Beach
Mrs. Williams & Her Husband Traveled to Africa on a Mission Trip
Mrs. Gonzalez & Family Held a BIG July 4th Celebration
Updated Utiliy Bills Due for Coming School Year
In order for new class lists to be ready by August, Ms. Hales needs your help. Turn in current utility bills for proof of residence as soon as possible. Remember, before you tear off the bottom, the office needs a copy of the entire bill. As soon as it is turned in and your address confirmed, your child's name will be placed on a class list. You'll find Ms. Hales in the school office Monday through Thursday from 8 to 4.
School Supply Lists for 2015
This list is also available on the Austinville FB page, the Austinville website, and in the school office.
School Supply Giveaway To Be Held August 8th
This year's school supply giveaway will be held in the Austinville cafeteria on August 8th at 9:00 a.m. Come meet the Friends of Austinville as they strive to help our students by providing some much needed supplies to begin the schoolyear. Austinville teachers and families appreciate the time and effort from our Friends.
Annual Meet and Greet Scheduled for August 12th
Parents and Students,
You are cordially invited to Austinville's annual Meet & Greet at 1:00 p.m. on August 12th. Teachers will be on hand to meet all parents and their new students. Please feel free to bring supplies and leave them in your classroom.
You are cordially invited to Austinville's annual Meet & Greet at 1:00 p.m. on August 12th. Teachers will be on hand to meet all parents and their new students. Please feel free to bring supplies and leave them in your classroom.
DHCA Invites Austinville Students to Attend July Classes
Director Jeremy Jones and the staff of Decatur Heritage Christian Academy have once again included Austinville students in their program. Almost forty students participated in these after school activities this past year. During the month of July, students may select from painting, robotics, tumbling, sports and more. If interested, students may call 256-351-4275 to asked about times and available scholarships.
Teachers Scheduled to Attend ARI Workshops
Austinville teachers will be attending a two day workshop on the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) at the end of July. As stated on the ARI website, "ARI has become known for its clear, committed, and widespread focus on a deep-rooted problem for many students—namely, poor reading achievement."
According to the ALSDE, the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is a statewide K-12 initiative managed by the Department of Education. The goal of the ARI is to significantly improve reading instruction and ultimately achieve 100% literacy among public school students. The Alabama Reading Initiative provides differentiated levels of support, including professional development, onsite support, and school coaches to over 1,000 schools. The initiative focuses intensely on three aspects of the teaching of reading: preventing reading difficulties, identifying struggling readers and intervening to help them become proficient readers, and expanding the reading power of all students.
These July workshops will be a great refresher for teachers who have already been through the ARI training in years past. For Austinville's new and younger teachers, this will provide a clearer understanding of the programs we have in place to assist struggling readers.
According to the ALSDE, the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) is a statewide K-12 initiative managed by the Department of Education. The goal of the ARI is to significantly improve reading instruction and ultimately achieve 100% literacy among public school students. The Alabama Reading Initiative provides differentiated levels of support, including professional development, onsite support, and school coaches to over 1,000 schools. The initiative focuses intensely on three aspects of the teaching of reading: preventing reading difficulties, identifying struggling readers and intervening to help them become proficient readers, and expanding the reading power of all students.
These July workshops will be a great refresher for teachers who have already been through the ARI training in years past. For Austinville's new and younger teachers, this will provide a clearer understanding of the programs we have in place to assist struggling readers.
2015 - 2016 Schoolyear
- August 8 - School Supply Giveaway - 9 am Cafeteria
- August 10 - Teacher Workday/Professional Development
- August 11 - Teacher Workday/Professional Development
- August 12 - Teacher Institute Day
- August 12 - Meet and Greet for Parents and Students at 1:00 p.m.
- August 13 - First Day for Students
- August 13 - Half Day for Kindergarten Students
- August 14 - Half Day for Kindergarten Students
- September 7 - Labor Day - School Closed