The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: August 31, 2017
Principal's Corner: The First 20 Days!
Parents,
WELCOME Parents to the Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins! With welcoming you, I also want to encourage you to look at the extraordinary efforts of our Randolph Dolphins. We strive to offer students an opportunity to excel and provide a springboard for students to become successful, lifelong learners that serve as a resource to their community and make the world they live in a better place. At Randolph we “always put the little extra into all that we do” It’s what makes us extraordinary, it’s always just that little EXTRA.
These past twenty days have been extra special. Adjusting to the newness of our renovated building has been a pleasure. We have spent time meeting new friends, reuniting with old ones, learning new routines, and perfecting old routines. We also had a few surprises. On day one, we welcomed the Superintendent of Fulton County Schools, Dr. Jeff Rose and the Chief of Staff, Steve Smith . What a treat! We were the very first school they visited this school year. It was our pleasure to welcome Dr. Jeff Rose and Steve Smith to our extraordinary school!
The first newsletter of the year is filled with information. I sincerely do hope you will take the time to read each corner of expertise. There is no limit to what our students can accomplish with such a influential team of educators and parents. With your support and effort, we are more powerful than one could imagine.
As I often say, we appreciate you and we realize we need you to make our excellence a reality! We are committed to providing the best education for our students – Better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today! All it takes is just that little extra!
We are the Extraordinary Dolphins!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Miley, Proud Principal of Asa Philip Randolph ES
Assistant Principal's Corner
Welcome Back Parents! It is my pleasure to serve as your Assistant Principal & Testing Coordinator for the 2017-18 school year. I look forward to an amazing year.
Here are a few testing updates. I encourage all parents to remain engaged as we dive deeper in quality assessments, and an intentional focus on creating intentional consequences!
Georgia Milestones
On Thursday, August 17th, all current fourth and fifth grade students’ Spring Georgia Milestones Individual Student Reports were sent home in the VIP Folders. If you did not receive your child’s report or have any questions, please inform Ms. Grubbs, Assistant Principal/Test Coordinator.
IOWA Assessments
The 2017 IOWA Assessments (ITBS) will be administered for third and fifth grade students September 18th through September 29th.
About the Iowa Assessments
The Iowa Assessments help determine how students are performing on nationwide standards. These assessments measure achievement in several important content areas including Reading, English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
The Iowa Assessments help teachers identify a student’s strengths and areas that may need additional emphasis. The Iowa Assessments also measure student growth and progress in the content areas assessed from year to year. The assessments produce information that enables sound decision making and provides a focus for teachers to evaluate instruction.
Each test includes sample questions to help students become familiar with the content and format of the tests. Samples help students understand what to do—how to mark answers and move from question to question.
The Iowa Assessments are administered online in Fulton County. For most tests, students read the questions and mark their answers by clicking the correct answer for each question. All test questions are multiple choice, and the sub-tests last about 10 to 40 minutes each. Results from the IOWA Assessments will be available in November.
Curriculum Corner
Parents are their children’s first teachers. Through speaking, listening, and reading to their children, parents help them move along the path to literacy.
Here is how you can teach your child to LOVE TO READ!
Look for new books and authors that your child may enjoy.
Organize an area dedicated to reading and writing tools.
Visit the library for story time and book recommendations.
Encourage your child to talk about what he's read.
Talk to your child, and sprinkle interesting words into your conversation.
Offer a variety of books to read.
Read with your child every day.
Expand your home library to include magazines and nonfiction.
Ask questions if you're concerned about your child's development.
Decide to raise a reader!
Literacy Corner: From Readers to Writers
A. Philip Randolph Elementary is making writing an integral part of this year’s curriculum. Our vision for each writer is stated in our school’s Writers’ Bill of Rights.
Counseling Corner
Welcome to the Counselor’s Connection! My name is Kathleen Scott, and I serve as the school counselor at Randolph Elementary. I am looking forward to another S.W.I.M.-tastic year with my fellow Dolphins! Please continue to read on to find out more about Randolph’s school counseling program.
School counselors provide services to students, parents, school staff and the community in the following areas:
Direct Student Services
Direct services are in-person interactions between school counselors and students and include the following:
School counseling core curriculum:
The school counseling core curriculum is delivered throughout the school year to grades K – 5 by the school counselor. Lessons are designed around three domains, Social & Emotional Development, Academic Development and Career Development.
Individual student planning:
The school counselor helps students establish personal goals and develop future plans.
Responsive services:
Responsive services are activities designed to meet students’ immediate needs and concerns. Responsive services may include counseling in individual or small-group settings or crisis response.
School counselors provide counseling sessions in individual or small-group settings that:
· help students overcome issues impeding achievement or success
· help students identify problems, causes, alternatives and possible consequences so they can make decisions and take appropriate action
· are planned and goal-focused and are short-termed in nature
School counselors do not provide therapy or long-term counseling in schools to address psychological disorders. When students require long-term counseling or therapy, school counselors make referrals to appropriate community resources (ASCA, 2012).
Indirect Student Services
Indirect services are provided on behalf of students as a result of the school counselors’ interactions with others including referrals for additional assistance, consultation and collaboration with parents, teachers, other educators and community organizations.
Sincerely,
Would you like to serve on the school counseling program’s Advisory Council?
The purpose of the Advisory Council is to review and make recommendations about our school counseling program activities and results. The Council will meet three times after school during the 2017 – 2018 academic year.
We welcome volunteers for the following positions:
· Parent of a student in grade K, 1st or 2nd
· Parent of a student in grade 3rd, 4th or 5th
· Community Member or Business Partner
If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Council, please email Ms. Scott (scottk@fultonschools.org) by Friday, September 8, 2017.
COMMUNITY RESOURCE (Grief Counseling)
Camp MAGIK/Camp Erin – Fall 2017 Announcement
--A Special Camp for Kids ages 7-18 Who Have Lost a Parent, Sibling or Other Close Loved One—
**October 13-15, Union Point, Georgia**
(1 hr+ west of Downtown Atlanta)
Camp MAGIK/Camp Erin is pleased to announce its 2017 fall schedule of healing camps for children and teens. Camp MAGIK (Mainly About Grief In Kids)/Erin serves children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member within the past three years. Camp MAGIK/Erin will provide an opportunity for children and teens to meet, talk, and process their grief with professional grief counselors. Time will also be spent on play and fun as a way to help the children heal from the experience of death in the family. Activities may include archery, canoeing, a ropes course, nature hikes, treasure hunts, hay rides, campfires, story-telling, and a talent show. Each camp will be divided into two groups, one for ages 7 - 11, and one for ages 12 - 18.
Camp MAGIK/Erin sessions are free of charge for the children who attend. Our Union Point camp is made possible through a generous grant from The Moyer Foundation and a generous donation from Jim McDonald in memory of his mother, Helen Agnes McDonald.
Applications can be found on our website: www.campmagik.org (under the “join us” tab) and need to be postmarked and sent to Camp MAGIK, 3377 Ridgewood Road, GA 30327 or faxed to the office at 404.355.6631 by Wednesday, October 4, 2017.
Due to the high demand for our camps, we cannot accept repeat campers.
Parents and guardians – There are three (3) options for parents/guardians:
- A retreat for parents/guardians which will be held at the same time as the children’s camp (October 13-15). The retreat will be facilitated by mental health professionals and will provide an opportunity for adults to process their own grief and be with others who have also had a significant loss. Parents/guardians will stay at a location close to, but separate from their children. Activities will include opportunities to relax, talk, provide and receive support, and learn more about grief and loss in a beautiful and peaceful setting. The registration fee for the retreat is $25.00, which includes room, meals, and all activities. Space for this option is limited. Your children attend FREE.
- For parents/guardians with more limited time, a special workshop will be held on Sunday October 15 from 9:00am to 3:00pm. This program will help you understand more about your child’s grief and will suggest healthy ways for your whole family to manage and cope with your loss. Activities will include a classroom lecture, a cook-out, and small group discussion. This option is free of charge. All events except the cook-out are adults only.
- Parents/guardians who do not have the time to participate in any of the two options above can still have their children attend camp. Drop your children off at the designated drop-off time on Friday and pick up at the designated pick-up time on Sunday. Again, children attend FREE OF CHARGE.
Camp Location:
· The Union Point camp will be held at the Swamp, located in Union Point, Georgia, approximately an hour west of Downtown Atlanta.
Free transportation from Atlanta, Duluth, Norcross, Cleveland, Gainesville, Athens, and Augusta
Specific Camp MAGIK/Camp Erin details (maps, directions, what to bring, etc.) will be mailed to all accepted camp participants approximately two weeks before camp. If you have any questions, please call Dr. Rene Searles McClatchey at 404.790.0140 or email campmagik@gmail.com.
Media & Technology Corner
Welcome Back Randolph Families!!!
We are very excited to come back to a newly renovated library media center! I first would like to thank all of our very special parents and volunteers that helped pack up the media center last May and unpack the media center this August. We could not have done it without you! If you have not seen the media center please stop by to see the newly painted walls, carpet, shelves, and the lights, the lights, the lights are so bright and pretty! We were very fortunate to have this done to make our media center more welcoming and user friendly.
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. Our Focus on Literacy is Digital Citizenship. Students learn that we all are Digital Citizens and how important it is to continue to be safe and responsible while using the internet on various devices.
Please feel free to drop by the media center and see all the new things we have to offer. We are still completing set up of our resource rooms, so please feel free to volunteer if you get a chance! I look forward to working with you all this year!
Sincerely,
Melanie B. Ellis
Media and Educational Technology Instructor
PBIS Corner: Let's Talk Positive Interventions!
Discipline Dynamics
Welcome Randolph Parents! My name is Patrice Givens. This year I have the pleasure of
leading and serving in the following capacities:
Response to Intervention/ Student Support Team Chair
Assist with and lead SST meetings for students, with parents and teachers.
Provide strategies for instructional and behavior support for RTI.
Discipline: PBIS Coach
Assist with implementation of school wide “PBIS”, Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports. A.A. utilizes the Discipline Cycle to investigate and address office conduct referrals.
It’s here!!! The Inauguration of PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support)
Teaching School-wide Expectations by modeling
How we... Show Respect, Work hard, Include Kindness and Make Responsible Choices"
Bathroom Expectations
Hallway Expectations
Cafeteria Expectations
Classroom Expectations
Playground Expectations
Recess Expectations
Assembly Expectations Bus Expectations
Patrice Givens, Administrative Assistant
PBIS Coach/ Discipline Support
RTI/ SST Chair
10 POSITIVE BEHAVIOR REWARDS THAT AREN’T FOOD
1. Extra GoNoodle – Celebrate your class’s accomplishment over the course of the ENTIRE day. Decide on a number of extra GoNoodle breaks and sprinkle them throughout the day. It’s the perfect way to build suspense into your learning!
2. Class Read-In – (PK-5)A reward that celebrates and promotes reading is always a win-win. Have students bring in their favorite pillow, a blanket, and a favorite book to share. Camp out on the floor and enjoy lots of extra reading moments! (Read more here.)
3. Stinky Feet – (PK-2)Take off those shoes and rock learning in socks. This is a classic choice that brings out the 5-year old in any student!
4. Hat Day – Rock that favorite pilot’s day and teach the day in style!
5. Class Walk – (PK-2)Have you ever taken a silly walk? We love making sure our tennis shoes are extra-tight and putting them to work. We walk outside our school in all different kinds of styles – robots, ninjas (low to the ground), bunny (hoping), granny (tiny steps), race car (arms out straight with quick walking feet), gymnast on a tight rope. After you’ve modeled a few, put a student in charge and see what types of walking-style they can create!
6. Dance Workout – (PK-5)Turn on KidsBop on Pandora and jam. Make a whole-class dance circle and give every friend a moment to showcase their favorite move!
7. Directed Draws – Art matters and there is never enough time for it! Directed draws are the perfect reward for awesome choices. From turkeys to snowmen to Dr.Seuss, we are all about showcasing our listening and art skills!
8. Guest Readers – From a favorite custodian to a friendly secretary, we love inviting special guests into our classroom.
9. Bubble Party – A set of 24 mini wedding bubbles can be purchased from hobby Lobby for $3.99 (If you don’t have a Hobby Lobby you can snag them on Amazon using my affiliate link). They are the perfect size, ridiculously fun, and a great excuse to visit outside for an extra 10-15 minutes!
10. Science Experiments – Science just for the sake of science is THE best. From Making Music to the Great Candy Cane Experiment, the magic and joy of science is unstoppable. Plus, experiments are always the perfect chance to revisit how-to/procedural writing.
Corner of Exploration: IB Primary Years Programme
Creating International Mindedness
The Primary Years Program (PYP) is a curriculum framework for young learners ages 3-12 designed by International Baccalaureate. (IB) Randolph Elementary is conducting a feasibility study in which it is analyzing the IB philosophy , structure and requirements. We will compare its finding with the situation of the school and define the needs in order to implement the Primary Years Program. As a result of the feasibility study Randolph Elementary will decide whether to become an IB world School . We strongly encourage teachers , parents, and community members to join us as we start this incredible journey to become lifelong learners. If you have any questions relating to the IB feasibility study please feel free to reach out to me .
Yours Truly,
School Liaison's Corner: Parent Resources
Have You Paid a Visit to Randolph’s Parent Resource Center?
If the answer is NO, then you are invited to stop by Room 33 and checkout the resources that are available for families to support the academic success of your children. Our Parent Resource Center is funded by the federal Title 1 Program to ensure that students experience success on all levels. Our center is stocked with a variety of academic materials and resources to assist with learning at home. We stock Study Buddy hand held games, hot dot cards, educational board games, and informational pamphlets. Most items in the resource center are available for you to checkout at our library, and practice and reinforce the skills being taught in the classroom. We encourage you to stop by, this is your home inside the school.
Again, welcome to all our new and returning Randolph families, as we kickoff the 2017-18 school year. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell, Title 1 School Liaison @ 470-254-9945.
Upcoming Dates
8/9 @ 8:00 am – Coffee & Conversation with Principal Miley
8/22 @ 6:30 pm – PTA & Opening Literacy Night
9/1 @ 8:00 am – Room Parent Kickoff Meeting
9/8 @ 8:00 am – Grandparent’s Day Celebration
9/12 @ 6:30 pm – PTA & 3rd Grade Performance
9/13 @ 8:00 pm- Cluster Principals’ Coffee
10/4 @ 8:00 am – Georgia Milestone Assessment Workshop
10/11 @ 8:00 am – Dads & Donuts
10/17 @ 6:30 pm – PTA & 2nd Grade Performance
11/3 – No School – Teacher & Staff Professional Development Day
11/14 @ 5:30 pm – Parenting Your Talented & Gifted Student Workshop
11/14 @ 6:30 pm – PTA & 1st Grade Performance
11/15 @ 6:00 pm – Transitioning to Middle School: 5th Grade Parent Night
12/3 – No School – Teacher & Staff Professional Development Day
12/1 @ 6:30 pm – PTA & Holiday Concert Celebration
The Clinician's Corner
We are always accepting donations of clothing new under wear all sizes boys and girls, socks, belts.
Very Important Information & Reminders
School Uniforms:
The School Governance Council has approved the School Uniform Policy. Our students wear school uniforms Monday-Thursday. Friday remains our spirit day/free dress. We are pleased to align our expectations with our feeder Middle School: Sandtown Middle School, as both councils have voted to support the School Uniform Policy.
The original uniform policy was initiated in 1994. The uniform policy creates an environment of uniformity and discipline, and encourage the students of A. Philip Randolph to feel pride in their school and focus solely on academics in an unformed environment.
Our School Uniforms will consist of:
• Top: Yellow, White, or Blue • Bottom: Khaki or Blue
Preferred Vendors
*Vendors offer logo patch services
- Prestige Apparel
- Get School Uniforms for Less
- 3D Printing and Accessories, LLC
Upcoming Events
A. Philip Randolph Elementary School
Annual Title One Parent Meeting: We invite all of our families to attend!
Come out to learn about Title One initiatives, budget plans, federal requirements, and school-related events.
Wednesday, Sep 6, 2017, 05:30 PM
A Philip Randolph School, Campbellton Road Southwest, Atlanta, GA, United States
Curriculum Night 2018
*Come out and learn about your child's learning expectations, new curriculum standards, and grade-level expectations.
*Grade-Level Fees
*Field Trips