Panther Press
New Prospect Elementary School Newsletter
Nurture-Personalize-Engage-Succeed
NPES STEAM Day
We had an absolute blast at our 1st annual STEAM Day a few weeks ago! We built, we played, we experimented but most of all we learned! So much thanks goes to Mr. & Mrs. Kovarovics for sending all students and staff home with an NPES STEAM Day 2019 Badge printed on a 3D printer! Students had grade level science experiments with their teachers, built roller coasters with Builder Bunch, worked on their problem solving with Mathnasium of Johns Creek, saw a Drone in action with STREM HQ, and learned all about the company Project FDL. We are so thankful for the community/PTA for helping us pay for materials and for so many amazing volunteers! Please see the pictures below to see all the fun we had!
Have a great week!
Amy Lemons
Upcoming Events
February 28th-Spring Picture Day
March 8th-RFF Day-No School for Students
March 11th-Teacher Workday-No School for Students
March 12th-Kindergarten Round Up
March 15th-Shamrockin' Shindig 6pm
April 1st-5th-Spring Break
Spring Photos
From Your CST… Ms. Z!
Hello Panther Parents!
This past month we have been providing our staff professional development on interactive read alouds in the classroom. Reading aloud to your child is one of the best things you can do at home to help support your child’s language development, vocabulary, and comprehension. It is critical for students to hear books read aloud to help them access material they may not be able to independently and see how you model thinking about, beyond, and within the text itself. Below is a great article for you on the benefits of reading aloud, how to choose a good book, and then how to model your own thinking to help support your child’s comprehension.
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/reading-aloud-build-comprehension
As always, please reach out with any questions!
~Ms. Diana Zarzour
Georgia Milestones Study Guide
During the months of April and May, grade 3-5 students will participate in the Georgia Milestones End of Grade Assessments, sometimes referred to as EOGs. Georgia Milestones measures how well students have learned the knowledge and skills outlined in the state-adopted content standards. Statewide, students in grades 3 through 8 are assessed in English Language Arts and mathematics while students in grades 5 and 8 are also assessed in science and social studies.
It is important to know that state law requires that students in grade 3 earn an At/Above Grade Level designation in reading to be promoted to fourth grade. In grades 5 and 8, state law requires that students earn an At/Above Grade Level designation in reading as well as score in the Developing Learner achievement level or above in mathematics to be promoted to the next grade.
Georgia Milestones is designed to provide students with critical information about their own achievement and their readiness for their next level of learning – be it the next grade, the next course, or endeavor (college or career). Your child is learning the content on these tests each day he/she comes to school. Students do not need to study for the Milestones Assessments, but doing practice questions to improve their test taking skills can be helpful. Our teachers will do this work in the classroom as well, but if you are interested in providing additional support to your child at home, the Georgia Department of Education has provided some resources to help you better understand the tests and to give you sample tasks you can practice with your child. These resources are linked below.
· Grade 3 EOG Study/Resource Guide
· Grade 4 EOG Study/Resource Guide
· Grade 5 EOG Study/Resource Guide
The best thing you can do to get your child prepared for the test is have them increase the amount of time they are reading each night. Their stamina for reading is very important!
As a reminder, the calendar for Milestones testing is linked above. It has changed significantly for our 4th graders this year, so please take a look and try to avoid making doctor appointments or travel plans during your child’s testing times.
From Ms. Bercher in the Media Center
In Brain Building:
In 4th grade we read, "Roberto the Insect Architect". Students reflected that the main character showed persistence, optimism, resilience, and empathy in the book. Afterward, they built structures mentioned in the book and/or used imagination to build their own structures; and had time to check out books.
In 5th grade, we reviewed pie charts, line and bar graphs to understand and interpret information. Afterward, students had Makerspace time and time to check out books.
In Typing, students continued to work on their keyboarding skills.
Six Flags Read to Succeed Update: 76 students have sent in their completed reading logs to Ms. Bercher. Ms. May’s class has the most, with 15! Thursday, Feb. 28th at 12 noon is the deadline. If I Ms. Bercher doesn’t receive them in the media center at that time, the forms will not be included. Six Flags tickets will be distributed around May 15th.
The Clinic Needs your Help
If you have any children's clothing that you don't need anymore, send it our way!
We are running low on clothes that we keep in the clinic for emergencies.
All sizes are welcome, but we especially need small and medium pants, shorts and shirts and
new socks and underwear. Thank you for your help!
Steps to become a Volunteer
Fulton County Schools values and promotes active engagement of the community in all of our schools. Thousands of individuals serve as volunteers in our schools each year. Volunteer opportunities may include:
* Serving as tutors, mentors, or guest speakers
* Providing assistance in classrooms, cafeteria, library, or main office
* Organizing student enrichment and recognition activities
* Supporting special events, athletics, and school planning councils
How do I become a volunteer?
1. Register at the Fulton County Schools Volunteer Page. (Link Below)
2. Complete the mandatory online training.
3. Complete the volunteer application.
Please allow 48 hours for your application to be processed before you visit the school to volunteer. Volunteers must complete this process EVERY year.
When you arrive at the school for your first volunteer assignment, please present your government identification (i.e. driver's license, state issued ID cards, Mexican consular cards, green cards, military ID) to verify your identity.
Transportation & Absence Notes
No Student is allowed in the school until 7:10 am. There is no supervision until that time.
We have had a lot of students who are tardy to school. Please make sure your children are here before 7:40.