Rainbow Elementary School
Dr. Carolyn J. Benson, Principal
Notes from the Principal
Greetings, Rainbow Parents!
Let me begin by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!
This has been a very productive semester for us. We've administered MAP and Benchmark assessments. Students and teachers have celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Red Ribbon Week and Book Character Day here at the school. The 4.5, 9 and 13.5 week Progress Reports have gone home and opportunities to meet with teachers have been provided. Be reminded that your child's Progress Reports and teacher commentary can be found on your Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you have not created an account, please call the school. A staff member here will be happy to assist you.
Parents, I do need your help with one matter in particular. As I have shared before, all students in grades three, four and five must take the Georgia Milestone in April 2022. Third and fifth grade students must pass reading to be promoted to the next grade. Fifth-grade students must also pass math. Teachers have worked and continue to work extremely hard to improve students' academic performance in preparation for all assessments administered at the school. We need you to help with your child's attendance. Get them to school and on time. Why? Attendance is one of the indicators on the CCRPI. Our last published CCRPI score was a 73.1 with attendance at 92%. A low student attendance score could significantly lower our score. The slogan on the front of the school reads,
"Attend Today Achieve Tomorrow".
Student Attendance + Student Achievement =
Proud School, Proud Parents, Proud Community!
In closing, it appears that COVID cases reported to Rainbow are down. However, continue to observe COVID-19 Guidance posted to the RES and DCSD websites to help reduce the transmission of the virus. Please ensure your child is wearing a well-fitted mask when he/she leaves home and before entering the building. Let’s remain vigilant.
Important Dates
- Thanksgiving Break November 22 - 26. Students return November 29
- Parent Teacher Conferences November 30 - 3:30 - 5:30 (Virtual - Teachers will send links)
Announcements and Reminders
- As a reminder, school opens at 7:00 a.m. Student car riders cannot be dropped off prior to that time and left unsupervised. Students must remain inside of your cars until the doors open and then transition from your cars into the building.
- Breakfast is served from 7:00 – 7:30 a.m.
- Students dismissed to Homeroom at 7:30 a.m.
- The Instructional Day begins at 7:45 a.m.
- Student arrival after 7:45 is marked as tardy
- Car riders must be picked up by 2:30 p.m.
- MASKS are REQUIRED!
Sincerely,
Dr. Carolyn J. Benson
PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (PAC) ELECTED MEMBERS
Congratulations to our newly elected members! Myra Surratt-Walters (Chair), Eva Hall (Vice-Chair), Tamara Patrick (Secretary), Trinette McClain (Parent-Elect), Lenese Blake (Parent-Elect), and Tanjala Wright (Teacher-Elect).
The purpose of the Principal Advisory Council is to bring parents, school employees, students and community members together to create a better understanding of and mutual respect for each other’s perspectives and share ideas for increasing student achievement and performance.
The members of the Principal Advisory Council are accountable to the constituents they serve and shall:
· Maintain a school-wide perspective on issues;
· Act as a link between the school and the community;
· Encourage the engagement of parents and other stakeholders within the school community; and
· Work to increase student achievement and performance through transparent operations and shared best practices.
The Principal Advisory Council operates under the control and management of the DeKalb County School District and will follow Board of Education policies and procedures. The Principal Advisory Council provides advice and recommendations to the school principal, the local board of education and local school superintendent on matters related to school climate/culture, student achievement, and community partnerships.
PTA Officers
President, Mrs. Eva Hall
Co-President, Mrs. Sarah Corbin
Vice-President, Ms. Bridgette Harper
Secretary, Mrs. Trinette McClain
Membership for the PTA is $5.00. Please see link below to submit payment. There is a $0.68 transaction fee.
Thank you to all the faculty and parents who supported the Miss Chocolate fundraiser.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Counselor's Corner
Red Ribbon Week
On October 25-29th Rainbow celebrated Red Ribbon Week – Our school joined all the schools across the nation in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. This special week is to remind everyone about the dangers of drug usage. The red ribbon is the symbol behind the nation’s fight against drugs. Join us in celebrating by dressing up throughout the week
Social Emotional Learning Resources
The November Social Emotional Word for the month is Self-Management focusing on Self-Control and Motivation. Happy SEL!!!
Student Highlights
August Birthdays!
D Mills [8/02/2013]
D. Dillihunt [8/03/2012]
A. Tekle [8/04/2017]
A. Chikwara [8/04/2017]
M. Coleman [8/06/2015]
I. Hargett [8/08/2014]
D. Barber [8/09/2012]
S. Wilson [8/9/2013]
A. McDonald [8/11/2014]
K. Burns [8/13/2015]
A. Copeland [8/15/2014]
D. Simms [8/15/2014]
T. Walker [8/15/2013]
K. Brown [8/16/2013]
C. Whitfield [8/19/2011]
L. Martinez Torres [8/19/2015]
Z. Lovett [8/19/2016]
D. Wood [8/21/2012]
A. Busby [8/21/2014]
R. Wood [8/23/2013]
J. Hale [8/25/2012]
A. Anderson [8/25/2017]
E. Pittman [8/27/2013]
M. Montoya [8/27/2015]
K. Maldonado [8/28/2012]
T. Weaver [8/30/2012]
R. Foster [8/31/2010]
C. Anderton [8/31/2012]
September Birthdays!
R. Terry [9/03/2013]
M. Burns [9/05/2013]
R. Jackson [9/06/2011]
H. Myree [9/06/2015]
N. Perez [9/06/2015]
P. Haidara [9/08/2016]
C. Manley [9/12/2010]
B. Tooley [9/13/2009]
I. Smith [9/14/2012]
E. Smith [9/15/2010]
A. Price [9/17/2014]
J. Tinsley [9/20/2011]
S. Royster [9/21/2013]
M. Jackson [9/23/2010]
J. Harp [9/25/2010]
K. Kelly-Wright [9/25/2010]
D. McNain [9/28/2014]
October Birthdays!
A. Kelly [10/03/2012]
D. Mills [10/03/2014]
N. Grady [10/04/2010]
S. Davis [10/04/2011]
H. Hargett [10/04/2016]
D. Myree [10/08/2013]
J. DaCosta [10/09/2013]
S. Jiskoot [10/14/2015]
K. Skinner [10/16/2010]
G. Gillespie [10/16/2012]
J. Rachell [10/17/2012]
J. Hill [10/18/2013]
M. Harris [10/18/2014]
Z. Tooley [10/19/2010]
A. Bess [10/19/2011]
S. Thomas [10/19/2011]
D. Griffin [10/20/2014]
A. Baa-Ang [10/21/2016]
L. Harris [10/22/2012]
N. Alfardi [10/22/2014]
Z. Richardson [10/23/2010]
C. Pritchett [10/23/2015]
C. Longpre [10/23/2015]
M. Burnett [10/27/2015]
A. Pittman [10/29/2010]
A. Bryant [10/30/2014]
K. Walker [10/31/2012]
M. Platt [10/31/2014]
J. Taylor [10/31/2012]
November Birthdays!
K. Weaver [11/01/2013]
S. Jackson [11/04/2015]
K. Davis [11/05/2012]
N. Perkins [11/06/2012]
C. Saavedra [11/06/2015]
J. Joseph [11/07/2013]
M. Johnson [11/08/2013]
A. Anderson [11/09/2013]
S. Sims [11/09/2016]
P. Collins [11/09/2015]
D. Lucas [11/09/2011]
J. Pearson [11/10/2010]
N. Harris [11/10/2014]
E. Rodriguez [11/12/2013]
L. Phung [11/13/2010]
S. Dozier [11/17/2010]
N. Craig [11/19/2012]
J. Price [11/20/2010]
A. Torres Diaz [11/20/2014]
T. Todd [11/21/2012]
M. Ealey [11/21/2009]
K. Canty [11/22/2013]
A. Royal [11/24/2012]
R. Adem [11/29/2012]
C. Wright [11/30/2015]
A. Nelson [11/30/2014]
J. Price [11/30/2015]
S. Robinson [11/30/2015]
August/September Students of the Month!
Pre K - Mrs. Kennedy - August/September/A. Anderson
Kindergarten - Mrs. High - August/I. Porter September/M. Burnett
Kindergarten - Ms. Chase - August/J. Phillips September/C. Saavedra
First Grade - Ms. Singleton - August/N. Alfardi September/A. Nelson
First Grade - Mrs. Onasanya - August/C. Johnson September/ Z. Dorval
Second Grade - Ms. P. Wood - August/M. Burns September/R. Terry
Second Grade - Mrs. Broxton-Fowler - August/K. Canty September/J. Jones
Third Grade - Mrs. Sharpe - August/D. Swing
Third Grade - Ms. Holland - August/ R. Adem September/N. Craig
Third Grade - Mrs. Hall - August/O. Dorval September/K. Davis
Fourth Grade - Mrs. Devine - August/September/D. Brown
Fourth Grade - Mrs. Rudd - August/T. Tucker September/M. Kamara
Fourth Grade - Ms. Harper - August/A. Guzman September/A. Lewis
Fourth Grade - Ms. Swarns - August/S. Davis September/ I. White
Fifth Grade - Mrs. Corbin - August/R. Foster September/A. Bowden
Fifth Grade - Mrs. Stroud - August/T. Riggins September/A. Morton
Fifth Grade - Ms. Muhammad - August/M. Allen September/I. Passmore
Fifth Grade - Ms. Dennard - August/N. Carpenter September/C. Walker
October/November Students of the Month!
Pre-K/Kindergarten --- P. Haidara & A. Chiwara (Mrs. Smith)
J. Grooms & L. Jiskoot (Mrs. High)
S. Robinson & C. Hines (Ms. Chase)
1st Grade --- C. Gray & A. Wiley (Mrs. Onasanya)
M. Coleman (Ms. Singleton)
2nd Grade --- D. Vincent & S. Patrick (Ms. P. Wood)
A. Busby & L. Collins (Mrs. Broxton-Fowler)
3rd Grade --- S. Wilson & L. Harris (Mrs. Hall)
M. Roper & N. Vaughn (Ms. Holland)
K. Griggs (Mrs. Sharpe)
4th Grade --- N. Spencer & K. Walters (Mrs. Rudd)
V. McMiller & D. Lucus (Ms. Harper)
S. Gates & A. Hunter (Ms. Swarns)
5th Grade --- E. Cornwall & R. Jackson (Mrs. Stroud)
S. Blanton & D. Smith (Ms. Muhammad)
D. Love & T. Chambers (Ms. Dennard)
ID Class --- C. Langford (Ms. Nicholson)
A. Bowden & E. Smith (Mrs. Corbin)
Faculty and Staff Highlights
Farewell Mrs. Kennedy
Welcome to Rainbow Elementary School
Ms. Letrisha Chatman, Special Education Paraprofessional
Ms. Tamara Patrick, Special Education IRR Teacher
Ms. Jamikka Wood, Pre-K Paraprofessional
Mr. Samuel Lucas, Part-time Custodian
Welcome Aboard!
Congratulations on your Promotions!
Ms. Greta Houston, promoted to Assistant Cafeteria Manager at Rainbow
Ms. Vernita Johnson, promoted to Parent Liaison at MGHS
Mr. Emmanuel Whitaker-Hicks, promoted to DCSD IT Department
Ms. Tamara Patrick, promoted to teacher position at Rainbow
25 Book Campaign
September Principal's Book of the MonthPK-2, Special Education
Grades 3-5 September Principal's Book of the Month
October Principal's Book of the Month Grades 3-5
PreK-2 November Principal's Book of the Month
Grades 3-5 November Principal's Book of the Month
Events Corner
Virtual Book Fair
Book Character Day
Clubs Corner
Girl Scouts Troop #9635
Ms. Crawford - Troop Leader
Ms. Gordon - Assistant Troop Leader
Mrs. Chatman - Communication Coordinator.
PARENT PORTAL DIRECTIONS
It is our goal to have every parent access the parent Infinite Campus portal. You can review MAP results, GA Milestones, register for school each fall, view grades & attendance, in addition to update phone numbers and email addresses. Please email Pamala Williams at pamela_j_williams@dekalbschoolsga.org for your activation key.
Rainbow Elementary School
Email: carolyn_benson@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: https://rainbowes.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 2801 Kelley Chapel Rd, Decatur, GA 30034, USA
Phone: (678) 874-1702