Principal's Post: Parent Edition
Vanderlyn Elementary 2022-23: Vol.10
From The Principal’s Desk…
As we approach the fall season, we have accomplished quite a bit with our students already! Each classroom that I walk into, I hear student conversations and academic language that impresses me. Our teachers are making great strides in working with students to clearly and coherently state their thoughts and communicate on so many different topics. From learning to read, working on STEM/PBL projects, to learning their multiplication facts, our teachers and students are immersed in deep teaching and learning!
We have completed MAP testing. Teachers are currently reviewing scores, analyzing data, and developing a plan to differentiate instruction for all learners. At this time, we are unable to send home the official score reports until the district has verified all scores. However, teachers may discuss and review scores with you in parent/teacher conferences. Along with the MAP assessment, the ISIP (Istation's Indicators of Progress) assessment from Istation, will be given the first week of every month at school. From this assessment, teachers will be able to determine students' strengths and weaknesses, address learning loss, and close the gaps in learning. For gifted and high-achieving students, teachers are working to increase the rigor and accelerate the learning process so that students are engaged at the highest cognitive levels. In addition to ISIP, students in grades K-3 took a RAN (Rapid Automatized Naming) assessment over the past two weeks. This assessment is being piloted this year as a Dyslexia screener in the DeKalb County School District. Through the use of data, teachers are better equipped to determine the appropriate learning levels to match students' readiness and skill levels.
This month is packed with lots of fun activities, learning tasks, and parent engagement opportunities! Please see the details below and plan to join us for Passport to the World, Vocabulary Hat Parade, and other classroom festivities! We can't wait to see you!
As always, we welcome your voice, your energy, and your talents in our ongoing efforts to ensure every student has the opportunity for a premier learning experience at Vanderlyn. We are stronger together, and your presence and involvement in our school is both requested and welcomed as we share the tremendous responsibility of nurturing the next generation of responsible and contributing global citizens. Through our collaborative efforts, Vanderlyn students will have the opportunity to decide how they want to make their mark on our global society. Thank you for your continued support.
It's Grow Time!
Mrs. Crenshaw
Upcoming Dates
October 7: Fall Break (Students) Teachers’ Workday: Students Do Not Report
October 10: Columbus Day: All DCSD Schools Closed. Students and 10 Month Staff Do Not Report
October 12: Think Pink: Wear Pink
October 20: Unite Against Bullying: Wear Orange
October 24-28: Red Ribbon Week: See Activity Schedule Below
October 28: Vocabulary Hat Parade: Details below
Principal's Book of the Month (PBOM)
I am excited to kick off our Principal’s Book of the Month (PBOM). Each month, I will be suggesting a book for the entire school to read that has a special message or theme and reflect on how the selection connects to student experiences and the greater society. I will inform everyone prior to beginning the book and share the message behind the story. Every grade level will have access to the book and either the teacher or I will be reading it to the students. Upper grade students can read the selections independently in reading stations or literature circles. Mystery Readers are also encouraged to read the PBOM to the students. The goal of Principal’s Book of the Month is to foster a love of reading, promote literacy skills based on The Georgia Standards of Excellence, build community, promote a positive school culture and highlight character traits.
October’s Book of the Month is Miss Allaineous: A Vocabulary Disaster, by Debra Frazier. One of the funniest books I’ve ever read, Miss Alaineus, A Vocabulary Disaster is a hilarious romp through the usually not-so-funny world of vocabulary. Sage misses school due to a cold and from there the misunderstanding begins. Mistaking the word “miscellaneous” for the person, “Miss Alaineus” leads to a classroom catastrophe—vocabulary hilarity. But “miscellaneous” is finally revealed for the word it truly is, and Sage manages to redeem herself in a marvelous and inspiring creative leap when she arrives on the Vocabulary Parade school stage as Miss Alaineus, Queen of All Miscellaneous Things—and thereby proves that her mother was right. There IS gold to be found in every mistake! I chose this selection as a wonderful way to teach robust vocabulary, thoughtful word choice and as a fun and creative way designed for collecting words!
As a kick-off to our PBOM initiative, we will celebrate by hosting our Annual Vocabulary Parade on October 28 6th at 8:30a.m. Each student will be selecting a word which will become a costume. Put your thinking caps on! How would you show the word “adrift”, “shortsighted”? Or “zigzag”? From A to Z, consider the entire dictionary your playground! Help us make vocabulary-building into a Parade of Words! Specific details regarding student costumes can be found below.
The most important purpose for The Principal’s Book of the Month is to share exceptional books with students and enjoy them. Students learn to love reading when we love reading great books together! I hope you enjoy sharing this Principal’s Book of the Month with your students.
Mark your calendars!
Vocabulary Hat Parade!
Date: October 28, 2022
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Front of the school: More details to come!
Upcoming Events
Vocabulary Hat Parade is Coming!
International Night - Passport to the World!
Save the Date for Vanderlyn's annual International Night entitled Passport to the World this fall on October 20, 2022!! Please consider donating a tent for use, or help set up/break down the event afterwards! Click HERE to sign up!
New to Vanderlyn? If you've never been to Passport to the World, then please click HERE to enjoy a video of our wonderful event from previous years!
Our Students Love the New Outdoor Learning Space!
A Note From Our After School Program Directors
Please note that the Vanderlyn After School Program has currently reached capacity for the 2022-23 school year. Therefore, we are not able to enroll any new students at this time. This also means that we are not able to provide drop-in services. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Demetreia Adderley and Julia Weiss
ASEDP Co-Directors
Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl Tryouts
Special announcement for Vanderlyn 4th and 5th grade readers!
The Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl (HRRB) Club is a competition reading team.
If your child is interested in learning more and possibly trying out for one of the 10 slots on the team, please fill out the interest survey. Students interested in trying out need to read the following 3 books (How to Disappear Completely by Ali Standish / The Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm / Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte). You can find more information about the team here: https://sites.google.com/view/vanderlynlibrary/helen-ruffin-reading-bowl
The tryouts consist of a pencil and paper test on the 3 tryout books and are scheduled for after school on Monday, October 17. Students who earn a spot on the team will attend meetings in the Vanderlyn library on select Mondays from 2:30-3:15. The tentative date for the county competition is Saturday, January 28. More details will be shared with students who express interest by completing our interest survey.
Mrs. Adderley and Mrs. Pansini are the co-sponsors. Please email Mrs. Pansini (gail_pansini@dekalbschoolsga.org) if you have any questions.
THE CURRICULUM FOR ALL DEKALB SCHOOLS
DeKalb’s curriculum for grades K-12 is aligned to the state-adopted Georgia standards of excellence in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. In addition to core studies, students in DeKalb County Schools are offered a variety of coursework to develop the whole child.
In our implementation of the curriculum, we use various resources to guide our work in each content area. The different resources allow us to meet and individualize student's learning needs. We invite parents to partner with us to reinforce skills and concepts while at home.
2022-2023 STUDENT/PARENT HANDBOOK
A comprehensive student/parent handbook is attached below that outlines our school policies procedures, and other helpful information.
Please download the handbook using the attachment below and save it for reference throughout the school year.
Updated COVID Guidelines
Please review and save the list below so you are aware who to contact when questions arise.
- PTO Membership Toolkit - PTO Co-Presidents: Sara Graviss or Whitney Gaines: vanderlynelemPTO@gmail.com
- Family ID Hang tags (carpool or walkers) - Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Reporting your child's absence from school - Email your child's homeroom teacher AND our school registrar, Ms. Andrea Gillett: andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Student illness, medicine requests, medical forms: Ms. Sumi: sumati_jayaraman@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Changes in transportation/dismissal - email your child's homeroom teacher AND our front office secretary, Andrea Gillett:andrea_gillett@dekalbschoolsga.org. This must be done by 12pm!
- Bus Transportation Concerns: Vernell Jackson at vernell_jackson@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions about school breakfast/lunch: Cafeteria Assistant Manager, Juliana Phipps: juliana_m_phipps@dekalbschoolsga.org
- School library resources, Chrome Book Requests: Gail Pansini: gail_pansini@dekalbschoolsga.org
- General questions pertaining to your child's class - email your child's homeroom teacher
- Questions regarding gifted eligibility - Gifted Liaison, Julia Weiss: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to ASEPD (After School Extended Day Program) - Co-directors Julia Weiss or Demetreia Adderley: julia_weiss@dekalbschoolsga.org and demetreia_head@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to class schedules, progress reports, grades, and report cards - Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to districtwide assessments (MAP, CogAT, GA Milestones, ACCESS) - School Test Coordinator/Assistant Principal, Griffin Nichols: griffin_nichols@dekalbschoolsga.org.
- Questions regarding counseling, social, emotional/behavioral concerns, bullying: Counselors: Grades 3rd-5th Jessica Lee: Jessica_lee@dekalbschoolsga.org or Grades Pre-K-2nd: Dr. Candice Norris-Brown: candice_norris-brown@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Questions pertaining to schoolwide operations - email Principal Tracey Crenshaw: tracey_crenshaw@dekalbschoolsga.org