In April: All Things Poetry
Celebrating National Poetry Month-Dr. Crystal Cooper
Hello Parents/Guardians!
With several weeks left of school, I am sure you have many questions about closure. While some things can't be done due to our federal, local and district guidelines around Covid-19, I will try my best to give you updates periodically to answer questions you may have.
As I begin to give you updates, I want to preface that all student work should be done independently so that our teachers can have a clear account of your child's progress. If they are getting parent/older sibling help in completing assignments it doesn't allow for us to know their true ability. If teachers notice a child's grades changing drastically from their typical performance, that offers a red flag and we will need to discuss their true performance with you. Please allow them to work independently and without support on assignments so that teachers can give true grades with our D2L platform. Thank you!
Dr. Cooper's Contact Information: Crystal.Cooper@gcpsk12.org
Instructional Matters:
1.Digital Learning Assignments: All students are required to complete their assignments with no support (giving answers, taking tests for students, etc. Working on d2L is not optional and teachers are giving grades for work completed. You certainly can teach before they complete an assignment and in between, but please refrain from consuming the assignment with adult support.
2. Chromebooks: We have handed out most of the Chromebooks to families who were in need. We have a small amount left and if you are in need, please let your child's teacher know. We are hovering around 84% of our students working online with some not on at all. We don't want a device to be the reason our students aren't learning, so please speak up to your child's teacher so that we can assist.
3. Summer School: We don't have any information at this time regarding if summer school will be held. Any information I receive, I will inform you of.
4. Reading: Please make sure children are reading daily. Typically, in the summer there is a slope. We want to make sure they are staying as close to learning and reading daily. Let your child's teacher know if you need resources for reading.
5. Awards Days: We WILL have an end of year closing awards ceremony online. We will honor our classes and also give our awards. We won't honor attendance for the 2nd semester because it has all been put on hold at the federal level for schools. Either way, we will have each class show up on a Zoom to close out the year. Stay tuned for dates in May.
Management Matters:
1.Student Belongings: We have been advised to hold on planning pick up for items. Once schools get direction for this, I will certainly send you the plan.
2. Teacher Appreciation Week: (May 4-8) You are more than welcome to honor our staff by sending gift cards/cards by email or by mail to the school. Thank you for showing your appreciation to our staff in your own way. While it is Teacher Appreciation Week, it is a time to honor all of our staff (Lunch staff, Custodians, Paraprofessionals, Office, Administrators, Speech, Media/Tech team, Psychologists, Counselors,Teachers).
3. Class Pictures: We will not take class pictures at all for this school year. Class photos unfortunately will not happen this year for our yearbook.
4. Yearbooks: (Flyer below) Please continue to purchase a yearbook. While we won't have class pictures, the yearbook will be filled with great memories of the year.
5. Room Parents: Thanks for all you do. You won't have any formal duties due to the PTA and local school council meetings/duties being placed on hold.
6. Awards: We will have a final virtual meeting for each class. Please stay tuned for additional information from your teacher for May.
7. Summer School: We are awaiting guidance regarding this and will update you.
8. Chocolate Fundraiser: Please remember to go on MyPayments Plus and pay for the box of chocolate you checked out if you have not done so already. We are currently forming a safe way to distribute prizes to students, and want to make sure your child receives their prizes. Lack of payment would prevent this from happening. We also need to close out properly with the company. Thanks for understanding!
9.. National Field Day- May 8th We can participate! We will do it along with a company called Open affiliated through US games. It is optional, but a great way to participate in a world-wide event. Please check next week for more information on Coach Gibby's eCLASS page about supporting this event for May 8th.
Kindergarten Registration is underway! -Go to our website to register your rising Kindergartener
5th grade parents
Poetry at Home!
April is National Poetry Month, an initiative that allows us to explore language in new and beautiful forms. This newsletter shares some ways that you can explore poetry at home with your children.
Happy Spring!
Reading Poetry
Poetry is particularly fun to read to children. The whimsical use of language fires up kids' imaginations. Also, if you're tired, it can be a little easier to read three poems than three chapters of a book :)
Here are some links to child-friendly poetry to read aloud at home:
https://poets.org/text/poems-kids