Announcements April 26

 This week wrapped up to be a great week.  STAAR went very well, and our kids worked extremely hard.  We should expect to see their results in late May.  We had our CHAMPs assemblies to recognize our students and classes for their hard work in attendance, behavior and learning.  We had patriotic musical performances and listened to students read their exemplary writing.  This week was a great week.

On Wednesday and Friday, we had a presentation from the Southwest Dairy Farmers association where students learned where milk comes from and why it is an important source of nutrition.  Students learned about the cow and how milk is taken from a cow and then processed all the way to the grocery store.  Below are some pictures of the events.  For more information on this organization, go to www.southwestdairyfarmers.com



Presenting to our 2nd graders



Presenting to our PK students



May is here and lots of events are about to begin.  We are having our last fservice project / fundraiser of the year for the American Cancer Society.  The students will raise funds to have their favorite coach dress up as a superhero.  Each coach that raises $500 will dress up for the kids on May 9.  If the campus raises $4000, Mr. Wink will dress as his favorite superhero as well.  If you would like to donate to our race for a cure, please send cash, coins or checks made out to the American Cancer Society.  We appreciate your support.

Here are events for the rest of the year.

April 29                   Mini Buck Cheer Camp 3:30-6:30 p.m.

April 30-                 1^st grade Field trip to the Caldwell Zoo

                                Mini Buck Cheer Camp 3:30-6:30 p.m.

May 1-                     Kindergarten Round Up 9-2

                                Perfect Attendance Inflatables during PE time

May 2-                    Kindergarten Round Up 9-2

                               Inflatables for all kids during PE time

                               Big Event for 3^rd and 4^th  grade

May 3-                    3^rd grade Field trip to Caldwell Zoo

                                4^th grade Field trip to the park

                                Special Education Field Day at Pine Tree High School

May 6-                    Site Based Committee Meeting   4-5p.m.

May 9-                    Balloon release for Relay Recess 10:00 a.m.

                               Teacher  Appreciation Luncheon Provided by First Baptist Church of Gilmer

May 13-                 Spring Book Fair  13^th-17^th

May 14-                 Family Night at the Book Fair 4:30-6:30 p.m.

May 16-                 Storyteller here for our students

May 17-                 PreK Field Trip to the Airport and Yamboree park

       Book Character Parade 8:15-9:00a.m.

May 27-                  No School (Memorial Day)

May 31-                  PK End of Year Celebration Field trip to Yamboree park

June 3-                   Book Celebration Picnic

June 4-                   Kindergarten Graduation 8:15  and 9:45 a.m.

Announcements, April 8

Great Job 4th Grade on STAAR

Last week our 4th graders took the STAAR writing test and did a fantastic job.  They worked hard, and I know that we will see amazing growth in our student achievement this year.  Thank you to our 4th grade teachers for their hard work in preparing the students for this test.

 

\STAAR Test for 3rd & 4th Grade

We have 10 more school days until our 3rd and 4th graders take the STAAR Math and Reading tests.  Students will take the math test on Tuesday, April 23 and the reading test on Wednesday, April 24.  On these days, we will have a closed campus to visitors due to the state requirements regarding testing procedures and security.

Here are some things that you need to know to help your child be prepared to do their best on the test.

• Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.  Make sure your child gets a good night's rest.
• Students are encouraged to take breaks when they become mentally tired.  When to break is up to each child because they all test at different speeds and tire in different ways.
• Showing work and proving answers is a great strategy to ensure getting the correct answer.  All children have been exposed to multiple strategies that they can use to get the right answer, but each child should select the strategies that work best for them.
• Have confidence.  Some test questions are going to be difficult, but encourage your child to not stress out if they can't get the question answered.  Let them know it's not the end of the world if they miss a problem. 

Promotion Criteria

As we get closer to the end of the year, it is important that you keep in mind the criteria that your children must attain to be promoted to the next grade level.  If your child does not reach the required academic levels or compulsory attendance requirements, he/she will be in danger of being retained or will need to go to summer school to be promoted to the next grade level.

Here are the requirements to be promoted to the next grade level.

• PK - Students will be promoted to Kindergarten
• K - Should have a reading level of 3 to be prepared for 1st grade.
• 1st - Should meet the following criteria
• Have an average of 70 in language arts, math and science or social studies
• Have a reading level of 16.  Students with a reading level of 14 or 15 would be required to attend summer school to be promoted to 2nd grade.
• 2nd - Should meet the following criteria
• Have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies
• Have a reading level of 22.  Students with a reading level of 20 or 21 would be required to attend summer school to be promoted to 2nd grade.
• 3rd - Students must have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies
• 4th - Students must have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies

 

Summer School

GISD will offer summer school from June 10 - July 12 for all grades.  Students who continue to be behind in their reading can take advantage of our summer reading program from July 15 - August 9.  Contact your child's assistant principal if you have questions.

Here are Upcoming Events

 

Friday, April 12

• PK Field Trip to KidsView in Longview

Friday, April 19

• CHAMPs Assembly at 8:15 for PK - 1st Grade & at 2:40 for 2nd - 4th Grade students.
• End of the 5th 6 Weeks grading period.  Report cards go out the next week.

Tuesday, April 23

• STAAR Math Test for 3rd and 4th graders
• Students will take the STAAR test from 8:00 - 12:30.  Please make sure that your child has a good night's rest (8 hours are preferable), a good breakfast and lots of encouragement from you.
• SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL STUDENTS - Since this will be a closed testing environment, we will not allow visitors for lunch for ALL GRADE LEVELS.

Wednesday, April 24

• STAAR Reading Test for 3rd and 4th graders
• Students will take the STAAR test from 8:00 - 12:30.  Please make sure that your child has a good night's rest (8 hours are preferable), a good breakfast and lots of encouragement from you.
• SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL STUDENTS - Since this will be a closed testing environment, we will not allow visitors for lunch for ALL GRADE LEVELS.