The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: Back From Spring Break!
Principal's Pride
Welcome Back Dolphins!
Hopefully everyone had a fun and safe spring break! Whether you spent time relaxing, traveling, or simply soaking up the pleasure of the sun, I hope your break was the best it could be. We return to school to a very busy few weeks. This is perhaps the mad rush of the school year. Many important events are happening for all of the grade levels. One of the most important culminating events of the year is the Georgia Milestone Assessment. Our students have spent the entire year preparing for the next grade level. The assessment helps us to determine if they are ready. We kindly ask our parents to provide unyielding support during testing. A few testing tips are shown below. Please review the schedule and testing tips for a successful testing administration.
Next, parents we are moving out for the summer. Our building is receiving a face-lift. A much more extensive face-lift than last year. We are undergoing major renovations this summer. The school will be closed for the summer. The last day of school is our last official day in the building. We will resume summer work hours off-site. Our off-site location is Sandtown MS, our feeder middle school. We will begin to share office hours and summer information with you soon.
As we prepare for many of the upcoming events, we will need and require your support. We need volunteers! Please help us pack up Randolph and start fresh! The sign-up link is below. You may also reach out to Sandra Mack, Parent Liaison to sign up to volunteer. We need your support!
Sign-up Genius: School Volunteer
As always parents, thanks for all that you do! I look forward to seeing you around campus very soon!
Let's Talk Testing!
Randolph Elementary School Test Administration Dates
Thursday, April 13 ELA Section 3 Writing 3rd, 4th and 5th
Monday, April 17 ELA Sections I & 2 4th and 5th
Tuesday, April 18 ELA Sections 1 & 2 3
Wednesday, April 19 Math Sections 1 & 2 4th and 5th
Thursday, April 20 Math Sections 1 & 2 3rd
April 21st Make-up
April 24 Science Sections 1 & 2 5th grade only
April 25 Social Studies Sections 1 & 2 5th grade only
For more information or support, please contact: Victoria Grubbs, Assistant Principal.
Visit the Curriculum Corner
Spring Break & Summer to Keep Kids Reading!
Summer is around the corner, and whether your family is relaxing at the beach, hiking in the mountains, or spending time on the home front, Spring Break and Summer time can and should be a time for reading, and fun reading at that!
Inviting children to help with travel planning is an often-overlooked opportunity for reading. Together, research and read about where you plan to go, having your child help with decision-making when it comes to restaurants, activities, and travel ideas.
While traveling, opportunities for reading are abundant. Street signs, maps, menus, travel guides, and brochures offer tons of reading material for families with readers of every level. Pick these up whenever possible because they not only make great souvenirs but they can help your child with post-travel writing!
Don’t fret if you’re not going anywhere during vacation reading can be made fun even on your “Stay-cation”. Often we neglect the spots in our hometown that other people travel miles to see. Take a day to visit the places of interest near you even if you’ve driven by them a thousand times. Give yourself time to read the fliers and historic information in and around the building, and talk to the tour guide or docent. Encourage your family to listen and ask questions.
No matter where you spend your out-of-school time, a key to really making the most of the time away is to prepare. Gather books, websites, and information about where you are going and read them together before you leave. You’re “activating schema” for your child, or helping to prepare them for what they’ll learn on the road. When he or she sees in person something that was read about prior to the trip, it will make the experience that much more exciting and memorable.
Theresa Revels-Burston, Curriculum Support Teacher
The Counseling Connection
Dear 5th Grade Students and Parents,
The 5th Career Portfolio, listed as an indicator on the College and Career Ready Performance Index, has been developed as a culminating activity to assists students with developing career awareness. The portfolio provides opportunities for students to utilize and improve their reading, research, and writing skills. In addition, oral presentations about careers permits opportunities for students to practice and improve public speaking skills.
Description of the Portfolio
Every fifth grade student is required to complete a Career Portfolio, and should have received an informational packet from their Language Arts/ Social Studies Teacher. Each student’s Career Portfolio will consist of two components: an essay and a presentation. Students will explore various careers at www.mynextmove.org, www.GAcollege411.org (Career Planning: Explore Careers), http://careers.stateuniversity.com and/or other electronic or paper resources which assist in their selection of career choices for further research. (Students will not have to create an account in GAcollege411 to complete this activity)
After completing the essay, students will create one of the following five products to showcase their career choice:
Presentation Products (Select one.)
1) Brochure
2) PowerPoint
3) Prezi
4) Map using Brain pop
5) Movie using Brain pop
Item(s)
Due Date
1) Essay
2) Presentation Product
Thursday, April 12, 2017
Presentations
April 13th, April 17th, and April 19th
Please make sure your child has submitted their Career Portfolio! Please contact Ms. Scott, School Counselor if you need additional support.
Character Word of the Month for April: PERSEVERANCE
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Our Character Word of the Month for April is Perseverance. Perseverance means not giving up. Perseverance means to continue to try, even though something is difficult or hard.
As we enter into the remaining 9 weeks of school, we must encourage our students to remain focused and persevere. Report cards are coming home today, which will provide a great opportunity to discuss perseverance. Sit down and review your child’s grades for Quarter 3, as well as his/her grades for the previous semester. Together look to see if your child’s grades reflect his/her ability as well as growth. Afterwards set academic and/or behavioral goals. As we approach the finish line, focus and discipline is still needed. Please continue to have discussions with your child on the importance of working hard, hanging in there, and not giving up until they complete the task they have started.
Ideas for Family Discussion (Source: OCPS Character Development Initiative)
· Adjust the family language: Use language at home with each other that show your family is filled with winners who never give up. Phrases such as “I can do it” and “I’ll never give up” should be heard often in your home.
· When someone in your family exhibits perseverance, take notice and let them know you’re proud. (Example: “I know this was difficult, but you stuck with it and accomplished your goal.”
2017: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Asa Philip Randolph Contest Opportunities
In celebration of the life and legacy of Asa Philip Randolph, civil rights and labor leader, Randolph Elementary and the Amalgamated Transit Union #732- Retirees’ Education Committee are sponsoring a poster contest for Randolph students in grades K – 2, and an essay contest for students in grades 3 – 5. A winner will be selected from each grade level.
Poster Contest (K – 2)
Essay Contest (3 – 5)
Theme:
“Why do you think it was important for our school to be named after
Asa Philip Randolph?”
Eligibility: Contestants must be in grades K – 2. Each student may enter only one poster.
Eligibility: Contestants must be in grades 3 – 5. Each student may enter only one essay that is no longer than 500 words.
Posters should not be larger than 12”x 18” on white paper.
COMPUTER GENERATED ART WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
The essay MUST be written/typed on a separate sheet of paper.
Labeling Requirements: Posters must include student’s first and last name, grade level, teacher, and title.
Labeling Requirements: Essays must include student’s first and last name, grade level, teacher and title.
Entry Dates: Entries can be submitted to the front office. All entries must be received no later than 2:00 pm on Thursday, March 30, 2017.
Winners announced on Friday, April 14, 2017
The Importance of School Attendance
Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.
When students are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, setting them up for a strong future.
Encouraging regular school attendance is one of the most powerful ways you can prepare your child for success—both in school and in life. When you make school attendance a priority, you help your child get better grades, develop healthy life habits, avoid dangerous behavior and have a better chance of graduating from high school.
When students are absent for fewer days, their grades and reading skills often improve—even among those students who are struggling in school. Students who attend school regularly also feel more connected to their community, develop important social skills and friendships, and are significantly more likely to graduate from high school, setting them up for a strong future.
But when kids are absent for an average of just two days of school per month—even when the absences are excused– it can have a negative impact. These absences can affect kids as early as Kindergarten.
For example, young elementary school students who miss an average of just two school days per month often have difficulty keeping up with their peers academically and tend to fall behind in reading. But when students are able to read on grade level by the end of third grade, which is when kids transition from learning to read to reading to learn, they are three to four times more likely to graduate high school and attend college, post-graduate, or professional development classes than their peers who struggle with reading.
As a parent, you can prepare your child for a lifetime of success by making regular school attendance a priority.
Source: http://absencesaddup.org/importance-of-school-attendance/
Think First Stay Safe Program (3 – 5)
Dear Parents and/or Guardians,
We all share a common and critical goal for our children to be safe and protected from all things harmful. In support of this goal, elementary school teachers and counselors will soon present annual lessons to students in grade 3 -5. The lessons are designed to increase their personal safety and protection. The Think First & Stay Safe™ program is a research-based program that teaches specific personal safety education by way of interactive classroom lessons, classroom posters, role-plays and corresponding activities. Think First & Stay Safe™ enables students to take an active and necessary role in protecting themselves from harassment, abduction, bullying, exploitation, and various forms of abuse (physical, sexual, emotional).
The Health Advisory Committee reviewed and approved this program and selected components will be implemented through the elementary health curriculum by teachers and schools counselors.
Due to the importance of this topic, I want you to know when and how you may preview Think First & Stay Safe™ materials and when classroom teachers/counselors will be presenting this information to your child's class. Please contact your child's counselor, Ms. Scott at scottk@fultonschools.org to schedule a preview or if you have any questions. From November to May, Think First & Stay Safe™ prevention lessons will be implemented for all K-5 students.
You can also learn more about the detailed lesson plans and research behind this program at www.childluresprevention.com. Please be aware that more information is provided on the website than is actually used in Fulton County Schools. The plan for Fulton includes: the key concepts taught at all grade levels; each grade reviews what was learned in the previous grade(s) and then learns additional lures or tricks. Specifics are provided below:
You can use your built-in computer and make safe choices.
People are like the weather. Most are safe, but they can change.
Lures are tricks used to get children away from safe adults and safe place.
Laws help protect children and there are adults who can help you.
Your instincts help keep you safe.
A stranger is someone you don’t know.
Someone may even use threats to trick you.
No one can take away your dignity.
Review key concepts
Kdg
Pet Lure
Name Lure
Review key concepts
1st
Assistance Lure
Fun & Games Lure
Affection Lure
Review key concepts
2nd
Bribery Lure
Friendship Lure
Review key concepts
3rd
Emergency Lure
Authority Lure
Hero Lure
4th
Review key concepts
Job Lure
Ego/Fame Lure
Online Lure
5th
Review key concepts
Review All Lures
Video – Luring: What would you do?
If you prefer that your child NOT participate in the Think First & Stay Safe™ program, please email Ms. Scott at scottk@fultonschools.org. She will send home or forward an opt-out letter for you to sign and return. As always, our administration and counselor(s) are available to discuss any questions you may have about the Think First & Stay Safe™ curriculum. Unless written opt out documentation is received by Monday, April 17, your child will participate in the Think First & Stay Safe™ program.
Discipline Dynamics
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 Givens, RTI Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
mailto:givensP1@fultonschools.orgMedia Matters
Remember to continue to read, read, read ! A great activity to do during testing week(s) is to visit the public library.When you take your child to the library, introduce yourself and your child to the librarian. Ask the librarian to show you around the library and tell you about the services it has to offer. For example, in addition to all kinds of books, your library most likely will have magazines of interest to both your child and to you. It will likely have newspapers from many different places as well.
Also monitor the amount of time that your child spends online. Internet surfing can be just as time consuming as watching TV. Don’t let it take over your child’s life. Have him/ her place a clock near the computer and keep track of how much time he/she is spending online. Get out side and enjoy some fresh air and remember to take a book with you!
Happy Testing!
Parent Connections
Randolph’s Spring Parent Involvement Survey
Dear Randolph Families,
Please take a few minutes to open the link below and complete the survey on parent involvement. We appreciate all of your participation and look forward to providing exciting family engagement opportunities in the 2017-2018 school year.
The link may also be accessed thru the aphiliprandolph.org/about/title 1/Parent survey.
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Parent Liaison: Sandra Mack
To Register as a Volunteer:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
Wellness Corner: How do I properly wash my hands?
For effective hand washing, follow these steps:
- Remove any rings or other jewelry.
- Use water and wet your hands thoroughly.
- Use soap (1-3 mL) and lather very well.
- Scrub your hands, between your fingers, wrists, and forearms with soap for 15 seconds.
- Scrub under your nails.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry your hands with a single use towel or air dryer.
- Turn off the taps/faucets with a paper towel.
- Protect your hands from touching dirty surfaces as you leave the bathroom.