East End Elementary News
October 17, 2022
Honoring Officer James Cheeks
Dear East End Families,
Report cards will be distributed today to note the progress of our students for the first quarter of the year at the end of the first nine weeks. This grading period is important in noting the success of our students as we work on the plans for the remainder of the year to assist our students in reaching their greatest potential. Many of you joined us for Parent Conference afternoon this past Thursday to meet with your child’s teacher. If you have any questions about your child’s work this year, please be sure to contact your child’s teacher or reach out to me or ask for support by our instructional team. We want to help. It is very important for us to work together with you in ensuring your child reaches his or her full potential this year with achievement and growth. Note this time as a review as if we were traveling on a trip and had finished one-fourth of the trip and looked back on our successes and worked towards our plans for the remaining three-fourths of the trip. The review at this time of the year will help ensure our students are on track for a successful year. Anything that notes less than satisfactory progress can be a focus as we continue the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year.
In addition, SC Ready and SC PASS scores from Spring 2022 are going home with report cards for fourth and fifth grade students from their third and fourth grade year. We use these measures to help plan for our students’ current year’s instruction and also reflect on the prior year’s successes and also areas of need. SC Ready is administered to students throughout the state of South Caroline to determine a child’s college and career readiness at each of the intervals of instruction beginning at grade three through grade eight. It is the hope that each year will not students at the Met or Exemplary level noting that they are on track for their future success in whatever endeavors they may chose. Scores of Approaching or Not Met indicate the child has not made the progress for that individual year. We welcome your questions and encourage you to reach out to us to assist. Research has shown that higher student achievement can result when: schools and families work closely together as a partnership. We need your partnership. Your child’s success is the very best when we work together for the goals each year. Each year’s progress matters. Each nine week’s progress matters. The academic success and well-being of our students is so vital. Please review your child’s success with the first nine weeks and for those of you with fourth and fifth graders, use the testing reports from Spring 2022 as another measure and indication of your child’s progress with the SC Career and College Readiness measures as an indication if they were at the Met or Exemplary level to note they had made the progress needed for that year in the journey for their future.
Second grade testing begins today. Information about the testing is included in this newsletter and in recent newsletters... These scores will be used for determining GT (Gifted and Talented) placement for the second graders for their third grade year. We hope all students have a full night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast and arrive to school on time with a “can do” attitude. There is no special preparation for the testing other than being well-rested, energized with a healthy breakfast and being at school ready for the test. Read the information shared in earlier newsletters and included again in today’s newsletter for additional information.
Join us in celebrating the service of Officer James Cheeks as East End’s School Resource Officer. The Easley Police Department has designated Officer Cheeks as the lead SRO in the Easley Area. As a result of some recent plans at the EPD, they have reassigned Officer Cheeks to another school as well as giving him oversight of all the Easley schools. EPD has been transitioning to place a new SRO (School Resource Officer) at East End. On Friday, we were told that Officer Cheeks will be assuming his new duties very soon and our new resource officer would begin full-time at East End. Officer Cheeks has been a wonderful asset to East End and we want to take a day in his honor to celebrate him and his service at East End. Please join us with celebrating Officer James Cheeks on Tuesday, October 18th with a day in his honor. If you and your family would like to send him a card, note or treat, we will add it to the basket we have prepared for our day of honoring him. We want to thank him for his dedicated service. Please join us in honoring him! Officer Samuel Byers with over twenty years in law enforcement will accept the full-time duties at East End once Officer Cheeks begins his new role. Officer Byers has been working alongside Officer Cheeks recently and we were told on Friday that the change will officially take place this next week. Please join us in celebrating Officer Cheeks.
I plan to host a Principal’s Chat on Friday, October 28th at 8:15 a.m. in the school cafeteria to have a time for parents to meet with me and ask questions. I would also like to take the opportunity at these times to share some updates and information to parents, as well. We’ll have coffee, tea, and beverages to share with you. I hope you can join me for what I hope to have as a monthly time on my calendar that I mark for parents to join me as we partner together this year. Hope to see you on Friday, October 28th at 8:15 a.m. We want to use these opportunities of staying in closer touch with our parents. I hope you can join me on Friday, October 28th at 8:15 a.m.
As always, thank you for your support of East End Elementary! Our work together ensure your child’s success.
We are looking forward to a wonderful week!
Tammy Day, principal
Upcoming Dates
Monday, October 17th - Second Grade ITBS/CogAT Testing Begins- Verbal Battery (CogAT)
Monday, October 17th - Friday, October 21st - School Bus Safety Week
Monday, Octtober 17th - Friday, October 21st - National School Bus Safety Week
Monday, October 17th - Report Cards Distributed
Monday, October 17th at 2;00 p.m. - No Tardy Party for K3, K4, K5 and Brown
Tuesday, October 18th - Officer James Cheeks Day - Honoring Our East End School Resrouce Officer for His Service At East End
Tuesday, October 18th - Second Grade Testing Continues - Quantative Battery (CogAT)
Tuesday, October 18th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting In Cafeteria
Tuesday, October 18th - First Grade Field Trip to Denver Downs
Tuesday, October 18th at 2:00 p.m. - No Tardy Party for 1st Grade
Tuesday, October 18th - EEE PTO Spirit Night at Joe's From 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 19th - Second Grade Testing - NonVerbal Battery - (CogAT)
Wednesday, October 19th - School Pictures Made
Wednesday, October 19th at 2:00 p.m. - No Tardy Party for 3rd Grade and Behnke's Class
Wednesday, October 19th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, October 20th - Second Grade Testing - Reading (ITBS)
Thursday, October 20th - Great SouthEast ShakeOut Earthquake Drill - East End is joining with schools throughout the southeast to conduct an Earthquake Drill.
Thursday, October 20th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Thursday, October 20th at 10:20 a.m. - Great SouthEast ShakeOut Earthquake Drill
Thursdays, October 20th at 2;00 p.m. - No Tardy Party for 4th Grade
Friday, October 21st - Second Grade Testing Concludes - Math (ITBS)
Friday, October 21st - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, October 21st - Twin Day (Choose a partner and come dressed as twins) Spirit Day
Friday, October 21st at 2:00 p.m. - No Tardy Party for 5th Grade
Monday, October 24th - Friday, October 28th - Red Ribbon Week
Monday, October 24th - Wear Red Day for Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 25th - Camo Day for Red Ribbon Week
Tuesday, October 25th at 2:00 pm. - No Tardy Party for 2nd Grade
Wednesday, October 26th - Hat Day for Red Ribbon Week
Wednesday, October 26th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, October 27th - Crazy Hair/Crazy Socks Day for Red Ribbon Week
Thursday, October 27th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, October 28th - Mrs. Behnke's Class To Denver Downs
Friday, October 28th - Superhero Day for Red Ribbon Week
Friday, October 28th - 8:15 a.m. In The School Cafeteria - Principal's Chat - Inviting all parents and guardians to join Tammy Day, principal, in the school's cafeteria for a time to meet and talk.
Friday, October 28th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, October 28th - 11:00 a.m. - Pup Tales - Spooky Pookie - Preschoolers wear their costumes to this Preschool Pages Storytime sponsored by Women United Pickens County.
Monday, October 31st - Halloween Hat, Headband/Headgear or Shirt Spirit Day - (nothing violent or inappropriate for school) Spirit Day
Wednesday, November 2nd - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, November 3rd - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 4th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 4th - Farmers and Flannels Spirit Day
Friday, November 4th at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Monday, November 7th - Field Trip for 1st - 5th Graders to Education Day at Clemson University for Women's Basketball
Tuesday, November 8th - Election Day - School Closed
Wednesday, November 9th - 11:00 a.m. - Pup Tales Preschool Pages Storytime Sponsored by United Women Pickens County - Bear Says Thanks
Wednesday, November 9th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, November 10th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 11th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 11th - USA Veterans Day (Wear Red, White and Blue) Day
Tuesday, November 15th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Wednesday, November 16th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, November 17th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 18th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, November 18th - Workout Gear Spirit Day
Monday, November 21st - Friday, November 25th - School Closed - Thanksgiving Holidays
Wednesday, November 30th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, December 1st - Make-Up Picture Day for School Pictures
Thursday, December 1st - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA
Friday, December 2nd - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA - Last Date for Friday group
Friday, December 2nd at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Friday, December 2nd - "Not a creature was stirring... (Dress like an animal) Spirit Day
Monday, December 5th - Friday, December 9th - African Drumming Artist In Residence, Susan Natale, For 5th Grade
Wednesday, December 7th at 11:00 a.m. - Pup Tales Preschool Pages Storytime Sponsored by Women United Pickens County - I Think Grandpa Might be Santa
Wednesday, December 7th - 2:35 - 3:30 p.m. - East End Choir Practice
Thursday, December 8th - Swimming Lessons for 2nd Graders at PCYMCA - Last Date for Thursday group
Friday, December 9th - “Let it Snow” Whiteout Spirit Day
Monday, December 12th - Holiday Headgear Spirit Day
Tuesday, December 13th - Toasty Tuesday- Turtlenecks and Ugly Sweaters Spirit Day
Tuesday, December 13th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Wednesday, December 14th Christmas Socks Spirit Day
Thursday, December 1th - “Long Winters Nap” (pajamas) Spirit Day
Friday, December 16th - Santa and His Helpers- Wear Christmas gear Spirit Day
Friday, December 16th - 8:30 a.m. Christmas Assembly at EFBC
Friday, December 17th - 10:00 a.m. - Christmas Parties
Monday, December 19th - Friday, December 30th - School Closed - Christmas Holidays
Monday, January 2nd - Professional Development Day - No School For Students
Friday, January 6th - Winter Wonderland Blue-out (Wear blue from head to toe)Spirit Day
Friday, January 6th at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Friday, January 13th - Hat Day
Monday, January 16th - Martin Luther King Holiday - School Closed
Tuesday, January 17th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Friday, January 20th - Inside Out Spirit Day
Friday, February 3rd at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Monday, February 13th and Tuesday, February 14th - Digital Learning Make-Up Days
Tuesday, February 21st at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Friday, March 3rd at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Monday, March 13th and Tuesday, March 14th - School Holiday
Wednesday, March 14th - Professional Development Day - No School For Students
Tuesday, March 21st at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Tuesday, April 4th - Spring Pictures Made
Friday, April 21st at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Friday, April 7th - Digital Learning Make-Up Day
Monday, April 10th - Friday, April 14th - Spring Break Holidays
Tuesday, April 18th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Friday, May 5th at 8:15 a.m. - School Improvement Council in Mrs. Byars' GT Classroom
Tuesday, May 16th at 8:30 a.m. - PTO Meeting in Cafeteria
Thursday, May 25th - Half-Day
Friday, May 26th - Half Day - Last Day of School
Friday, May 26th - Last Day of 2022-2023 School Year
School Pictures Made On Wednesday, October 19th
Upcoming PTO October Events
Amazon Smile For EEE PTO
Amazon Smile For the EEE PTO - use Amazon Smile for East End Elementary PTO of Pickens Cnty
Go to www.smile.amazon.com
Enter your username and password
Search for East End Elementary PTO of Pickens Cnty
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GT Performance Information About Second Grade Testing October 17 - 21, 2022
September 30, 2022
Dear Second Grade Parents,
Many of you have asked how a child qualifies for services in GT for third grade based on the testing that will have beginning on October 14th. The testing takes place during the second grade year in preparation for the third grade placement.
The CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) score alone will qualify a child for GT beginning in third grade if their score is 96% or higher. The information from our training for the administering of the testing shares:
• “Students may be eligible for placement into the district Gifted and Talented program on the basis of their aptitude score alone.
• A composite score on the CogAT® at or above the 96th national age percentile.
Students can also qualify for services in GT based on 2 of 3 dimensions which include:
• Students are also identified for services by demonstrating high performance in two of the following dimensions:
• Dimension A (Reasoning Abilities)
• Dimension B (High Achievement in Reading and/or Mathematics)
• Dimension C (Intellectual/Academics)
These scores are further explained by:
• Dimension A – COGAT aptitude (93rd national age percentile) in one or more of the following areas:
- verbal/linguistic
- quantitative/mathematical
- nonverbal
- and/or a composite of the three
• Dimension B – IOWA achievement (94th percentile and above)
• Dimension C –Score of 16 on either the verbal or nonverbal component of the Performance Task Assessments (This assessment is administered as a re-test for students who do not qualify during the original testing in 2nd grade, but have a qualifying score in Dimension A or B that indicates they can participate in the Performance Tasks Assessment.)
This is further explained by the following,
• If a student meets the criteria for Dimensions A and B, the student qualifies for Gifted & Talented services without taking the Performance Tasks Assessment.
• If a student meets the criteria for Dimensions A or B, but not both, the student will take the Performance Tasks Assessment.
The Performance Task Assessments will be administered in the spring based on the scores of students who meet the requirement for Dimension A or B, but do not meet the requirement for both. GT placement begins in 3rd grade. Parents are notified at the conclusion of the second grade year if their child qualifies for GT placement to begin in 2022-2023.
Sincerely,
Tammy Day, principal
Second Grade Testing For CogAT and ITBS On October 17 - 21, 2022
Dear Second Grade Parents,
Our East End second graders will be taking the CogAT (Cognitive Abilities Test) and ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) beginning Monday, October 17th. Second grade students throughout the state of South Carolina are required by the state to participate in an aptitude test (CogAT) and an achievement test (ITBS) to identify the students for gifted and talented classes that will begin in the third grade. The School District of Pickens County will be administering these tests Monday, October 17th - Friday, October 21st.
There are several subtests included in the testing. The schedule of subtests is as follows:
October 17 - Verbal Battery (CogAT)
October 18 – Quantitative Battery (CogAT)
October 19 - NonVerbal Battery (CogAT)
October 20- Reading (Iowa)
October 21 – Math (Iowa)
The screening process for gifted and talented identification is a multi-step process. The first part of that process begins with the administration of the ITBS and the CogAT. These scores provide us information to help in selection for our gifted and talented program, which begins in 3rd grade, as well as gives us important information about the students' aptitude and achievement as measured by each of these tests.
There is no special preparation for each day’s testing. The most important thing is for students to be well-rested. Parents are asked to ensure that students have a full night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast each morning, and arrive to school on time. A breakfast that includes some type of protein seems to help students concentrate better than a breakfast of sugary foods. It is important that students arrive at school on time especially during testing. Research also shows that hydration is important, too. Having plenty of fluids is important for the brain to be able to be alert and allow each child to do his or her best.
Thank you for your help as we administer these tests to our students. A reminder that there is no special preparation. Students need to have a “Can Do” attitude and arrive to school with a full night’s sleep. We will remind them at school to do their best and not worry about the test. Our district’s GT Coordinator will confirm student placements in May 2023 as the GT scoring process is completed.
If you have any questions, please feel free to call the school.
We will be glad to assist you.
Sincerely,
Tammy Day, principal
Education Day At Clemson University On Monday, November 7th
Red Ribbon Week - October 24 - 29, 2022
Red Ribbon Week Activities Preview
October 24 – 29, 2022
Monday 10-24: Wear Red Day- lifeskill/ Truthfulness and Trustworthyness. How can we always be honest and counted upon to make right decisions about being drug free/bully free? Students can wear as much red as they want.
Tuesday 10-25: Camo Day- lifeskill/ friendship. How we can make and keep friends by both encouraging and growing friendships while making good choices about drugs? Students will wear “Camo” to Join in the Hunt to find more drug free/bully free friends!
Wednesday 10-26: Hat Day- lifeskill/ responsibility. How can we always make responsible choices and appropriately respond in drug free/bully free situations? Students will wear their favorite hat. “Hats off” to respecting our right to be responsible at all times.
Thursday 10-27: Crazy hair/crazy socks day. Lifeskill/ sense of humor. How can we show others that we are serious about being drug free/bully free, and at the same time have fun with a sense of humor, showing the world we are comfortable/cool with our good choices?
Friday 10-28: Superhero day. Lifeskill/ cooperation. We all may have different superheros, but we have the same special FAMILY here when it comes to being drug free/bully free in our hearts and minds! Students wear their favorite teams’ items.
East End's Misson and Beliefs
Mission
Excelling in Academics
Encouraging Character
Embracing the Community
Seeking Success for each Student
Beliefs
Students are our first priority and are given equitable educational opportunities.
Education is the shared responsibility of parent, child, and teacher.
Learning and education must be life-long in order to prepare students for a successful future.
All people can learn and contribute to society in a unique and valuable way.
Cultural diversity promotes full development of the individual and society.
Calendar for 2022-2023 School Year
EEE PTO Boo Grams For Sale Through October 24th
COVID Information - Reporting Student Positives for COVID
What if my student is Positive for COVID-19?
A Positive COVID-19 test for a STUDENT must be reported on the Google Form as detailed below.
Any SDPC student that has tested positive for COVID will need to enter their information on the SDPC Student COVID Reporting Form.
· Please answer all the questions about your student's COVID circumstance.
· Please, do not send your student to school until you have heard from someone at the school. (this will be during work hours)
· Once the positive test result is reported, someone from the school will be back in touch with you with your student’s return to work date.
Celebrating Our Amazing East Enders And All Their Accomplishments and Activities!
Link To October 10th Edition of East End Elementary News
Link to September 30th East End Elementary News
Link to September 26th Edition of East End Elementary News
Check out the East End Facebook Page for Updates And Information
Be sure to check out the East End Facebook page both now and over the summer for updates and information about EEE. You can locate the East End Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/East-End-Elementary-School-516098308484782
All About East End
Email: TammyDay@pickens.k12.sc.us
Website: eee.pickens.k12.sc.us
Location: 505 East 2nd Avenue, Easley, SC, USA
Phone: (864) 397-1700
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/East-End-Elementary-School-516098308484782