Austinville Elementary
September 22 - 26 News
Grandparents' Day Lunch; Highlight of Week
It was hard to tell whether the students or the grandparents were the center of attention at lunch on Friday! Everyone enjoyed the day, teachers included. Students are always so proud to host family visitors in the building. It is gratifying to see them so proud of Austinville.
Sharing Lunch with Grandparents!
Grandparents were everywhere on the Austinville campus as they arrived to share lunch with their grandchildren. Many of these grandparents make this a yearly tradition to spend this special day with the grandchildren. It's certainly a favorite day among Austinville students and teachers!
Picture Fundraiser
What better way to savor a special occasion than with a picture! Grandparents were only too happy to pay for a picture of their day. All of the proceeds from picture sales will go in on the purchase of a new marquee.
Computer Time
Teachers Mrs. Jennifer Fernandez and Mrs. Sharon Paradise were all too happy to assist parents and grandparents in signing up for the new Austinville e-news. This digital newsletter will keep families abreast of activities during the week as well as informed of upcoming events.
Fifth Graders Enjoy End of Unit on Solar Day
Surfer "dude" was a popular item at Mrs. Wendy Hamilton's Solar Day this week. Students enjoyed watching his rotating head and covering the solar panel to bring it to a stop. Other activities were solar tea, cooking eggs, and solar car races. Students made notes on the activities to share conclusions in the classroom.
Early Release Allows Parents to Conference with Teachers
Beginning with the first conference at 1:00 pm, teachers and parents met, discussed grades, test scores, and student performance with families until 7:00 pm. Austinville teachers enjoy meeting with parents to share news with them about their child. Teachers stressed the importance of the school compact to each parent. This document explains the shared responsibility of the student's success between students, parents, teachers, and the principal. Teachers discussed students' strengths as well as weaknesses and ways to overcome any deficiencies. Over 317 parent and guardian conferences were held at the school this week. To assist with the fifty-six percent Hispanic population at Austinville, there were eight translators on campus to assist teachers and parents in their discussions. It is our belief that communication is the key to success!
Second Grade
Mrs. Bengy Ellison, second grade teacher and translator and former Austinville student, Mardeli Gonzalez, meet with a student and family at this week's Conference Day.
Third Grade
Third grade teacher, Ms. Mary Alice Cagle, enjoyed sharing conference time to talk about third grade skills and to suggest the use of flash cards for math to a grandparent.
Pre-K
There were smiles all around as Pre-K teacher, Mrs. Leah Archer and office aide and translator, Mrs. Gloria Rodriguez, shared a child's improvements with the parent.
Austinville Kindergarten Visits Gullion Farms
Smiles represent an awesome time by every kindergarten on the field trip to the farm! Students were able to play in the corn, milk a cow and ride a pony. A first for many of our students!
Area Churches Going the Extra Mile in Support of Austinville
For several years, Austinville has been fortunate to have the support of the community's churches. What an excellent role model these members are for the students and a wonderful example of the 7 Habits at work. Austinville plans to highlight all of the community churches and businesses that contribute to the school during the year. As they say, "It takes a village."
This week we are spotlighting Lifebridge Christian, Central Park Baptist, and Ninth Street Methodist.
Ninth Street Methodist
Every Friday for the past three years, a team of ladies from Ninth Street Methodist have ensured there is food at Austinville for the Backpack Program. It is a worthwhile program. Now, other churches have joined in this effort.
Lifebridge Christian
Lifebridge Christian Church has helped teachers kick off the year with a Teacher Lunch at the church for the past three years. For two years, they have assisted with the Pre-K and Kindergarten Egg Hunt bringing smiles to little faces. This group also contributed two bicycles during our Testing Celebration's prize give-away. Last year, upper grade students enjoyed a visiting missionary's perspective on life in Africa.
Central Park Baptist
For two years, the members of this local congregation hosted lunch for the faculty during Teacher Appreciation Week. They have also contributed to the School Suppy Drive for the students each year. Last year, members provided and spread mulch on the playground.
Mark Your Calendars!
Oct 8 Fall Pictures
Oct 13-14 Fall Holidays - Schools Closed
Parent Survey
Decatur City Schools is in the process of conducting an evaluation of our Title I parental involvement program, and we would like to know what you think. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. The responses will be used to improve next year’s parental involvement program.