The Dolphin Newsletter
Home of the Extraordinary Dolphins: December 19
Principal's Pride
Hello Parents!
It comes as no surprise that children love school holidays! Being free of the restraints of going to school every day and being able to relax is a valuable part of growing up. The regular reading that is a part of many children’s school day suddenly comes to an end as there are far more interesting things to do on vacation than read a book, right?
Wrong! Research clearly shows that when kids put down school books on their break, their reading ability also drops with it. The term “summer slide” is well established in the United States and refers to children dropping in their reading ability following a lack of reading over the summer break. This is the case for any break. It is vital that we continue to encourage our children to read a wide variety of books and as often as possible. The reality is our students are measured by their ability to read information and make meaning of it. Reading is of optimal importance for several reasons:
1. Literacy is the ability to read, view, write, design, speak and listen in a way that allows you to communicate effectively. The power of literacy lies not just in the ability to read and write, but rather in a person’s capacity to apply these skills to effectively connect, interpret and discern the intricacies of the world in which they live.
2. Students who read fluently are prepared for the next grade level. A study released by the American Educational Research Association states that a student who can't read on grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time. Add poverty to the mix, and a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than his or her proficient, wealthier peer.
3. The Georgia Milestones Assessment System (Georgia Milestones) is a comprehensive summative assessment program spanning grades 3 through high school. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards in English Language Arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. The End of Grade assessment determines whether a student is a beginning learner, developing learning, proficient learner or distinguished learner. Proficient and distinguished learners have higher Lexile scores and do well on constructed responses.
Here are a few strategies to keep reading alive during the holiday break:
1. Make reading time real fun and real quick: You should aim for no more than ten minutes reading together – just enough to encourage the kids to come back tomorrow. Set a timer if you need to, it will encourage them to ask for a minute or two more when reading time comes to an end.
2. Visit bookstores and the local library: These trips are simple ways to drive reading passion. Bookstores often sell brand new popular kids’ books for less than $10, much less than a movie ticket. Many children are amazed when they discover that they can borrow sometimes up to twenty books from their local library for free (and probably will the first time).
3. Allow children to choose what they want to read: Book choice is a vital component of the reading process. As adults, we very rarely read anything that we either don’t love or enjoy. If we read a book and it takes a while to get going, or we lose interest, we simply put it down, or lend it to a friend. Why then do we insist that children must read cover to cover something that they don’t necessarily enjoy or like?
4. Have a ‘screen free night’ each week: Make a screen free night part of your family’s regular routine where everyone in the family picks up something to read. Having your children see you read and talk about books adds value to this reading time.
No matter your strategy, just keep them reading! It is guaranteed to improve their academic performance.
VIP NEWS-MARK YOUR CALENDARS
- Winter Break is approaching. The last day of school is this Thursday, December 22. Our students return on Tuesday, January 10th.
- Monday, January 09 is a scheduled Professional Release Day. Mark your calendars, as this date is not on the FCBOE calendar.
Let's Talk Testing!
Restorative Initiatives:
This month during our assembly, we addressed with our fifth grade students the importance of recognizing their personal characteristics. Students were asked to write and share what makes them great. It's exciting and inspiring to see how our students are focusing their attention on the positive attributes they see in one another. Our theme, You are Stronger than you Seem, Braver than you Believe, and Smarter than you Think is designed to focus our students attention to all the wonderful qualities they possess. Our goal is to eliminate any potential negative behaviors by concentrating our attention to the wonderful attributes we own, and how to impact others. We will move this effort to each grade level and thank you greatly for your support.
For more information or support, please contact: Victoria Grubbs, Assistant Principal.
Visit the Curriculum Corner
Build A Culture of Reading…By Giving Literacy Gifts!
‘Tis the season to think about gift giving! Why not consider literacy-based gifts this year! Here is a short shopping list of ideas to help build a culture of literacy for your child and other readers among you!
Magazine subscriptions
· National Geographic’s
· American Girl
· New Moon Girls
· Sports Illustrated for Kids
· Stone Soup
Games
· Apples to Apples
· Hedbanz
· Scrabble Jr.
· Words With Friends
· Chat Packs (great stocking stuffers!!)
· Stare Jr.
· Hangman
Book Themed gifts
Well-read kids can be “well-dressed”, too! Outofprintclothing.com features comfy-cotton t-shirts for all ages printed with classic book covers from Catch-22 to Charlotte’s Web! They have tote bags, too!
Or create your own book-themed gift. For example:
· a new pair of mittens attached to a copy of The Mitten by Jan Brett
· Any Eric Carle book with tickets to the Eric Carle museum attached (http://www.carlemuseum.org/Home)
· A copy of From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler E.L. Konigsberg and tickets to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art
· Create a writing box filled with markers, different paper options, stapler and colored pencils for the budding writer at your house December Book
Wishing Everybody a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!
I look forward to serving all of your curriculum needs. If you need additional support, please feel free to reach out to me, 470-254-6520.
The Counseling Connection
Character Word of the Month:
Character Word of the Month: Caring - Showing concern for the well-being of others.
Caring people love, help, give and are kind. They are caretakers of people, pets, plants, possessions and even the planet. Caring people show their concerns for others in active ways.
Caring people are:
· Kind
· Compassionate and show they care
· Express gratitude
· Forgive others
· Help people in need
Help your school-age child understand caring with the following activities.
Thank You Note Activity
Even little ones can tell someone “thank you”. Help your child decorate a piece of paper with crayons or paints – you might want to add a footprint or hand print of your infant. Ask her what she would like to say to that special person and then read back what you have written. Include your child in mailing the note.
How I Can Help Activity
Give him a piece of paper and pencil or crayon and help him draw a gingerbread type figure on the paper. Or have your child lie on a large piece of paper and trace around them.
· Have him tell you five things he can do to help someone else. List those on the fingers
· Have him tell you five places he can go to help someone else. List those on the feet.
· Have him draw a shirt pocket on the figure and think of five things he can give to someone else to show he cares. List those on the pocket.
November Dolphins of the Month
Character Word of the Month: Caring - Showing concern for the well-being of others.
Pre-K
Bacon – Zaria Glass
Kindergarten
First
Second
Hagans – Jordan Clark
Naidoo – Raquel Lyons
Ross – Kenya Knight
Thornton – Bailey Daniels
Baldwin – Jackson Brock
Johnson – Orion Ellard
Moody – Nyah Bolden
Ellis – Earl Gordan
Cowan – Terrence Burkes
Jones – Mikari Tate
Medlock – Justice Tillman
Third
Fourth
Fifth
Pitts – Azariah Wallace
Paschal – Kamyrn Person
Grant/Small – Iman Mbley
Brown – Tresure Billingsley
Jamison – Jalieah Thomas
Carpenter – Morgan Tinch
Solomon/Baxter – Paris Shelton
Williams – Mariah Gore
Witzel – Aiden Gobin
Reid – Semaya Roque
Griffith-Johnson – Acacia Turner
Knight – Jamarcus Greene
Nash – Chaniya Thompson
Build the Habit of Good Attendance Early School success goes hand in hand with good attendance!
DID YOU KNOW?
• Starting in kindergarten, too many absences can cause children to fall behind in school.
• Missing 10 percent (or about 18 days) can make it harder to learn to read.
• Students can still fall behind if they miss just a day or two days every few weeks.
• Being late to school may lead to poor attendance.
• Absences can affect the whole classroom if the teacher has to slow down learning to help children catch up.
Attending school regularly helps children feel better about school—and themselves. Start building this habit in preschool so they learn right away that going to school on time, every day is important. Good attendance will help children do well in high school, college, and at work.
Monthly Attendance Program: Students in grade K -5 will be recognized for coming to school every day, on time for the previous month with a small token of appreciation. This acknowledgement will occur monthly.
Discipline Dynamics
December: Tips for Behavior Management
Getting ready for PBIS (Positive Behaviorial Interventions and Support)
Think about….Social and Emotional Growth Ideas:
Between the pressure of keeping up with the school curriculum, meeting with parents and running daily classes, it can be hard to make time for creativity in the classroom. With such little time to spare, it can be easy to think – does it make a difference?
The short answer is: absolutely. Creative classrooms don’t just look different, they feel different. They provide an environment where students are more likely to express their ideas, think outside the box, challenge problems with innovative solutions and most importantly – learn faster and more effectively.
Teaching School-wide Expectations
"We Are... Showing Respect, Working hard, Including Kindness and Making Responsible Choices"
Bathroom Expectations
Hallway Expectations
Cafeteria Expectations
Classroom Expectations
Bus Expectations
Recess Expectations
Assembly Expectations
Visualize goals with timelines
Empowering students to set their own goals is an incredible motivator. Goals can be decided on a project or term basis and should always be achievable. By giving students a clear vision for where they want their learning to take them, they become naturally more inclined to find creative solutions to get them there.
School-wide Behavioral Initiatives
S.W.I.M
S = Show Respect
W = Work Hard
I = Include Kindness
M = Make Responsible Choices
S.W.I.M Reminders
Sometimes we need a reminder to follow the rules and make better choices. In this instance, teachers and staff will give your student a citation referred to as, “S.W.I.M reminder.
Dolphin Dollar Store: Reward System
We love to reward students for extraordinary dolphin behavior! Your student can earn as many Dolphin Dollars as they want. At a designated time of the month, Ms. Scott, guidance counselor will open the Dolphin Dollar Store that is filled with all kinds of prizes. Purchases can be made with Dolphin $$ only.
Patrice Gives, RTI Coordinator/Administrative Assistant
mailto:givensP1@fultonschools.orgMedia Matters
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
Keyboarding
Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl
Parent Connections
Randolph Parent University
Last week we held our 3rd Parent University Session. If you were unable to attend, you really missed a great session. The presentation is attached. We hope to see you at our next session!
Session 3
TOPIC – Understanding Lexile Scores and Literacy Strategies
Facilitator: Ms. Kelly Webb
All parents, grandparents and guardians of Randolph students are encouraged to participate in the class. As a reminder, Parent University seminars take place once per month. Video links to recorded seminars will be available online after the program. Parent University participants are eligible for incentives and to participate in the Spring graduation ceremony. We look forward to seeing you!
Parent Liaison: Sandra Mack
To Register as a Volunteer:
http://www.fultonschools.org/en/divisions/sup/comm/Pages/partnersvolunteers.aspx
SPIRIT NIGHT
Wellness Corner
Get check-ups and vaccinations.
Routine check-ups, including dental and eye exams, help identify ways to stay healthy, provide the opportunity to receive preventive services, and help find health problems early, when chances for treatment are better. Vaccinations help prevent many diseases and save lives. Keep track of your and your family’s check-ups and vaccinations to make sure they stay current.
- Parents: What You Need to Know about Vaccines and Immunizations(http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/parents.htm)
Protect your kids.
Take steps to make sure your home, car, school, and other areas are safe. Use car seats and seat belts for appropriate ages and sizes. Keep harmful substances and objects out of children’s reach. Be aware of signs of maltreatment, including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse. Ask a trusted friend or family member to watch your kids if you feel yourself losing control and need a break.
Injuries among Children and Adolescents(http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/children.htm)Stephanie Warren, Clinician
Science Week Has Ended, Now What?
December 5-11 was Computer Science Week and we had a major emphasis on coding. Randolph Dolphins participated in the Hour of Code activities this year. During the month of December, all students from Pre-K through 5th grade engaged in opportunities to participate in coding and robot programming activities. The students were delighted to learn to code using some familiar characters such as Moana (the new Disney princess), Angry Birds, Minecraft, Flappy Birds, Star Wars, and many more. We also used a variety of robots including Dot and Dash, Cubelets, and Beebots.
Parents are encouraged to spend time engaging in the coding activities at home with your students. Learning to code teaches students to think critically, problem solve, and work collaboratively. It also teaches students to preserve while trying to achieve a goal. In the United States, there are more than 1 million tech jobs open because not enough applicants have the skills necessary to fill the jobs. We would like to begin preparing our Randolph Dolphins for the ever evolving world of tech in which we live. You never know the next Bill Gates or Mark Zuckerberg may be wearing a Randolph dolphin t-shirt this year.
The following websites are excellent resources as you begin your coding quest!
A Google sponsored website with a variety of coding activities for girls
Hour of Code official website with tons of activities for all ages (Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School and adults)
The following websites are great resources for your child to practice coding.
Upcoming Events
Winter Break
The Fulton County School System, including all schools and administrative offices, will be closed for the winter break between December 23 and January 6. Administrative offices and schools will re-open January 5, with teacher workdays planned for January 5-6. Classes resume for second semester on January 09.
Randolph ES students will return on January 10th. January 09 is a professional release day for all teachers at Randolph Elementary.
We look forward to seeing all of our dolphins back on January 10.