The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: October 2, 2017
Principal's Corner: The Journey Continues!
Parents,
The month of October is perhaps one of my most favorite months, it is also one of my favorite seasons. I think of leaves changing, Halloween, pumpkins, and I also think of awareness. In October of this year, we will celebrate awareness of various forms, Mental Health Awareness Week, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a few more.
During this month, I am also inspired. I urge you to think of what inspires you. There are many things that provide inspiration-seeing other people accomplish great things, overcome challenges, face adversity, and even the sheer beauty of life can remind us just how lucky we are to be alive.
It inspires me that we are becoming increasingly aware of how to better care for ourselves. It is indicates an intentional effort to become better and to love ourselves.
Above all things, I am most proud to serve a school community and a staff that works daily to bring both awareness and inspiration into the walls of Randolph ES. I am inspired by your commitment and your endless efforts in looking for ways to improve the quality of education and the outcomes for students. Thank you for always being my inspiration and making me aware of the importance of the work we do everyday!
Happy October! Keep winning each and every day!
We are the Extraordinary Dolphins!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Miley, Proud Principal of Asa Philip Randolph ES
Parent-Teacher Conference Day is Friday, October 6!
An effective parent-teacher partnership can make a significant difference in your child’s education, and the start of a new semester is an ideal time to refocus this partnership.
A parent’s well-planned involvement in a child’s education can make a big difference.It is important to approach each parent-teacher conference as an opportunity to refine your child’s individual learning plan and to make sure the roles of teacher, student and parents are clear, specific and designed to bring out the best in your child.
A good conference can help a busy teacher focus on what your child needs.
Assistant Principal's Corner
Fulton County Schools Testing:
The administration of the IOWA Assessments (ITBS) have been completed. We thank all parents for your support. ITBS score reports are expected in late November and will be sent home with students. If you should need any assistance interpreting the results, please contact your child’s teacher or school administration.
Kindergarten teachers are completing their administration of the GKIDS Readiness Check to all kindergarten students. The goal and purpose of the Readiness Check, is to provide information about the skills of students entering kindergarten to guide teacher instruction. Results will be made available from your child’s teacher in late October.
Hearing and Vision Screening
The Fulton County School System recognizes the importance of hearing and vision to our children’s education. In an effort to identify children who may have a hearing or vision problem, Randolph students will be screened in the following: First grade: Hearing, Third grade: Hearing/Vision, and Fifth Grade: Vision. Please contact school clinician with any questions. Thank you.
Picture Day Retakes
In case students missed the initial picture day, or parents would like a retake; Lifetouch will be at Randolph on October 11th. Information will be provided in your students VIP Folders Thursday.
Curriculum Corner
Join us on Thursday, October 19, 2017 to be a part of the world’s largest shared reading experience—bringing together over 2 million people each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers, and homes across the U.S. This annual campaign was launched over a decade ago to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills for EVERY child, so that all children have the opportunity to enter kindergarten prepared to succeed.
This year’s campaign book, Quackers by Liz Wong, is a wonderful story that follows a kitten who grows up believing he is a duck. This tale is about understanding, acceptance, and learning it’s ok to be whoever you want to be. Every year, Jumpstart produces a special edition of its Read for the Record campaign book that features vocabulary tips, reading comprehension questions, and more resources to ‘jumpstart’ a child’s curiosity.
Jumpstart is an early education nonprofit organization fueled by the core belief that providing high-quality early learning opportunities to all children contributes to breaking the cycle of poverty. We provide language, literacy, and social-emotional programming for preschool children from under-resourced communities by recruiting and training college students and community members to serve in classrooms where the need is highest. Our volunteers help prepare children for kindergarten, and set them on a path for lifelong success.
Literacy Corner: From Readers to Writers
As parents, many times we want to help our child improve a piece of writing by solely making grammar corrections. The below prompts will allow for learning opportunities for students to become better planners of writing. ~ECB
BASIC PROMPTS
Parent Prompts to Help Kids Rehearse Their Writing
· How will your (story/essay/article) go?
· Tell me about the parts?
· How will it start?
· Then what will come next?
· How do you think you want to end?
· What will be the most important moment in the piece?
· What will be the tricky part-where might it get confusing?
Let me know when you’re at that part, and we can talk it out.
MORE ADVANCED PROMPTS
· Try out a couple of leads on me. Let’s see which ones
really get a reader interest.
· What are you thinking about pacing?
· What do you want your reader to wonder about?
· How are you going to tailor this piece to your audience?
~Excerpt from Mary Ehrenworth’s Parents as Writing Partners
Counseling Corner
Dear Randolph Family:
We are sponsoring a Career Day on Thursday, November 2 2017 at Asa Philip Randolph Elementary. In order for our students to learn more about careers, we are inviting parents, friends, and members of the community to share information about your career. As you know, one of our priorities at Asa Philip Randolph Elementary is to promote the importance of learning. In order to support this goal, we are requesting that our presenters share the following information:
· How do you use reading, writing, and math skills (or other school subjects) on your job?
· How do you use technology in your career field?
· What type of education and training is needed for advancement into the career area?
· Describe a typical work day.
· What talents and skills are necessary for success in your career field?
· What personality traits are helpful in your career?
If you are willing to participate in our Annual Career Day, and have not submitted a Career Day form, please click the link below to volunteer. For more information, please contact Ms. Scott at scottk@fultonschools.org.
Career Day Sign-up Link:
Student of the Month – September 2017
Learner Profile of the Month: THINKER
I am thoughtful. I think before I speak and act. I can solve problems creatively and make good decisions.
PreK
Bacon - Nylah Bashir-Jones
Prather – Essence Williams
Kindergarten
Gumbs - Khani Billingsley
Naidoo – Nia Bolding
Ross – Haven Riddick
Thornton – Obeshim Okpodu
First Grade
Baldwin – Mason Dishman
Dawkins – Zion Anderson
Evans – Princess Covington
Moody – Charlie Liferidge
Second Grade
Cowan - Kamaria Batts
Grant - Jesiah White
Johnson (Bridges) - Khadence Roberts
Jones – Aaron Mack
Third Grade
Blackley - Isaiah Clinkscale
Brown – Maya Hall
Marrow – Earl Gordan
Medlock – Devin Dawson
Fourth Grade
Carpenter – Robert Wilson
Cox - Kevin Hartley
Jamison/ Ali - Jurelz Darrington
Solomon - Treasure Billingsley
Fifth Grade
Griffith-Johnson – James Hartwell
Knight – Thaddeus Reid
Paschal - Kaitlyn Johnson
Smith – Akira Coulson
Media & Technology Corner
This month we will complete our Digital Citizenship lessons. Our students have been immersed in lessons that will empower them to think critically, behave safely, and participate responsibly in our digital world. The lessons are providing our students with essential skills to harness the full potential of being a technological learner. Our lessons have covered Privacy & Security, Self-Image, Cyberbullying & Digital Drama, Information Literacy, Internet Safety, Creative Credit & Copyright, Relationships & Communication, and Digital Footprint & Reputation. Please view the www.commonsense.org website for additional information on Digital Citizenship.
Teachers were given their Pizza Hut Book It! program materials for the 2017/2018 school year. The program lasts from October 1st to March 31st. It is an excellent program that encourages our students to read based upon their classroom goals. Students will be given a coupon for a free personal pan pizza each month as they complete their classroom reading goals. The teachers are also encouraged to use them as an additional behavior incentive. Please view www.bookitprogram.com for more information on the Book It! program.
Happy Reading!!!
Melanie B. Ellis
Media and Educational Technology Instructor
PBIS Corner: Let's Talk Positive Interventions!
Discipline Dynamics
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
It’s here!!! The Inauguration of PBIS
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support)
Teaching School-wide Expectations by modeling
PBIS Kick Off: October 5, 2017
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.
Patrice Givens, Administrative Assistant
PBIS Coach/ Discipline Support
RTI/ SST Chair
Corner of Exploration: IB Primary Years Programme
Creating International Mindedness
We are proud that Randolph Elementary is a community of learners and families that value lifelong education. The move to expand Fulton’s IB offering is a part of the school districts overall plan to provide more school choice. For the past few years, Fulton has expanded school options for families, offering magnet programs, charter schools and increased virtual learning. The International Baccalaureate (IB) offers significant benefits to schools.
If A. Philip Randolph choose to become an IB world school we will gain access to:
- high quality programs of education, which support development of knowledgeable and inquiring students
- professional development that supports effective educators and collaborative professional learning communities
- A worldwide network of highly respected IB World Schools, working together to share best practice.
Over the past month the IB Focus group of teachers met to discuss what is IB? During this discovery we also compared IB’s mission and Randolph Mission. Many of the teachers are excited about IB and what it has to offer to our student body. Over the next month it’s important that the governing body and administrative and pedagogical leadership and staff demonstrate understanding of IB philosophy. You can learn more about the IB and PYP by: • Visiting the IB website at www.ibo.org • Attend school meetings and events • Speaking with your school’s PYP coordinator
Yours truly,
Ms. Small
IB Coordinator
School Liaison's Corner: Parent Resources
2017-18 Course Schedule
Important Information
10/25/17
The Right Click: What Parents Need to Keep Their Children Safe
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Media Center
11/4/17
Talented and Gifted Testing: The Process of Identifying Children of Exceptional Ability
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Media Center
12/13/17
Preparing for the Georgia Milestones: Focusing on Reading & Writing
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Media Center
1/9/18
Teaching Foreign Language in Elementary School: A Hands on Experience with Middlebury Languages
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Media Center
1/24/18
Equipping Our Children for the 21st Century: A Primer on the IB Early Years Programme
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Media Center
2/21/18
Diving Into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Media Center
3/16/18
College Starts Now: Laying the Foundation in Elementary School
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Media Center
Lunch Provided
Have You Paid a Visit to Randolph’s Parent Resource Center?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Dr. Catherine Foster Rowell, Title 1 School Liaison @ 470-254-9945.
The Clinician's Corner
Keep a Sick Child at Home if You See the Following:
- Fever - This is one symptom that automatically rules out school, no questions. (Anywhere from 100 to 101 degrees or higher is the usual guideline used by most schools.) Your sick child should be fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours before you send him back to school.
- Diarrhea - This could be a sign of a viral infection, so it’s best to keep your child at home. It’s also important to keep rehydrating him with an oral rehydrating solution when he has diarrhea, and the best way to do that is by keeping him at home.
- Vomiting - Aside from the fact that your child won’t be comfortable, he could vomit again. Keep him home until he has gone 24 hours without throwing up although some parents and doctors say it’s fine to send a child to school if he hasn’t vomited since the night before.
- Cough - This depends on how severe the cough is. Coughs can spread the infection to other students. A serious cough can also keep a child from getting a good night’s rest, which means he’ll be too tired for school in the morning. As a general rule, if your child has a serious cough, particularly if it’s accompanied by breathing troubles, call your doctor and keep him home. But if it’s just a mild cough and he has no other symptoms, he can probably go to school.
- Rashes - Skin rashes could be a sign of a contagious infection, such as impetigo. You should have a rash evaluated by a doctor before sending your child to school.
- Pinkeye - (conjunctivitis) - This infection can quickly and easily spread from one child to another, as many parents of grade-school age children already know all too well. Keep your child home until the doctor says he is no longer contagious.
We are always accepting donations for the following clothing items: new under wear for boys and girls all sizes, socks, and belts too.
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