January 1 Announcements

Happy New Year.  We finished 2013 in grand fashion with lots of great improvement in our learning and excellent parent involvement.  Before we know it, the semester will end on January 17.  Wow!

Parent Night - Tuesday, January 14 from 6:00 - 7:30

All parents are invited to see the great things the kids have done in their music, art, science and social studies specials classes and meet with their child's homeroom teacher to learn what students will be learning in the spring semester.  3rd and 4th grade parents will learn important information about the STAAR test and what students will need to do to pass the tests.  More information will come out next week.

What do Reading Levels Mean?

By the end of the semester, I want to show you where students should be at this time of the year in respect to their reading level.  Before you look at the table below, please know that reading growth differs from child to child.  The most important thing we must consider in reference to reading is that growth is just as important as the reading level.  If your child is below level, the question that must be asked is whether or not your child is making growth each six weeks.

Grade Level	2nd 6 Weeks Reading Level Range	Growth from previous 6 Weeks if reading level is below level
K	0 - 1
1st	6-8	Students should make 3-4 levels growth
2nd	18-20	Students should make 1-2 levels growth
3rd	23-24	Students should make 1-2 levels growth
4th	27-28	Students should make 1-2 levels growth

* Special Note - 30 is the highest reading level possible.

How can parents help their child improve in their reading?

• PK - 1st grade 
• Work with your child to help them know their letters, the sounds that they make, and be able to identify them quickly wherever you are. (grocery store, signs, cereal boxes, etc.)
• Students should practice reading every day for 10-20 minutes.
• Sight words are taught every day.  Ask your child's teacher for a list of sight-words.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary in regular conversation.  Vocabulary exposure is  key component to improving reading.
• Encourage your child to write.  Writing reinforces reading and vice-versa.
• 2nd - 4th grade
• Students should practice reading every day for 15-30 minutes.
• Spelling words are taught every week.  Ask your child's teacher for a list of spelling words.
• Use a wide range of vocabulary in regular conversation with your child.  Vocabulary exposure is a key component to improving reading.
• Encourage your child to write.  Writing reinforces reading and vice-versa.

Upcoming Events

Date	Event	Information
Mon, Jan 6	School  Resumes
Thu, Jan 9	Buckeye Book Club	Ms. Hooton, Mrs. Henry, and Ms. Scott’s classes, boys only, will meet in the Library from 4:00-5:15.
	College Day Progress Reports	Wear your college attire. Progress reports will be sent home.
Tue, Jan 14	Benchmark Week Parent Night	All students will be taking benchmark tests We will have a parent night from 6:00 - 7:30.
Thu, Jan 16	Early Release	Students will be released at 12:30 on this day.  Staff will work a full day.
	College Day	Wear your college attire.
Fri, Jan 17	Early Release	Students will be released at 12:30 on this day.  Staff will work a full day.
Mon, Jan 20	Martin Luther King Day	No School for students and staff
Tue, Jan 21	School Resumes	All students and staff will return to school.

Gilmer Elementary School Cafeteria Receives Superior Rating

This past Tuesday, Michael Olivas, a State monitor for the Texas Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Division for School Operations visited our campus.  During his visit, he audited all of our cafeteria functions from food preparation all the way to the end of the line when students throw their trash away.  His audit evaluates our adherence to federal and state food laws, and we are excited to report that Gilmer Elementary School received a perfect 100%.

Mr. Olivas said that a perfect score is rarely given to schools.  He also said that we would be receiving a congratulatory award from Texas Department of Agriculture for having an excellent review.  

Congratulations to Roberta Jones, GISD Food Director, Genise Maberry, GES Cafeteria Manager and all of our cafeteria workers for their commitment and dedication to providing all students and staff the healthiest meals in the cleanest cafeteria in East Texas.  Job well done!

December 2 Announcements

Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is around the corner.  I sincerely hope that each of you had a great week off from school with your friends and family.  Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks for all the great things in our lives, and Christmas is a time show our thanks with our gifts and glad tidings.  We have a busy 3 weeks ahead and it will be very exciting for the kids and the staff. Some of the events for the next 3 weeks are listed below.  There will be additional dates listed.

Wed, Dec 4	Buckeye Store	The Buckeye Store will be coming to the PreK-1st classrooms.
Thu, Dec 5	Buckeye Store	The Buckeye Store will be coming to the 2nd-4th classrooms.
	Report Cards go home
Fri, Dec 6	CHAMPs Assembly	There will be a CHAMPs Assembly in the gym on this day. PreK-1st     8:15 (starting time) 2nd-4th        2:40 (starting time) Parents are invited to attend.
	Mobile Dentist	“Smiles of Tomorrow” mobile dentistry will be performing dental exams in the Staff Development room from  8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Tue, Dec 10	Dental Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
Wed, Dec 11	College Day	Wear your college gear.
Thu, Dec 12	Dental Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
Fri, Dec 13	Dental Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
Tue, Dec 16	Dental  Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
Thu, Dec 19	Dental Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
Fri, Dec 20	Dental Cleaning	“Smiles of Tomorrow” hygienist will be performing dental cleanings in the Staff Development room.
	Christmas Parties	11:30 – 12:15 PK & 2nd grade 12:15 – 1:00   1st & 3rd grade 1:00 – 1:45   K & 4th grade
Mon, Dec 23- Fri, Jan 3	Christmas Break	Have a wonderful Christmas! School resumes Monday, January 6, 2014
Mon, Jan 6	Students and staff return to school.

Announcements November 7

Smiles of Tomorrow coming to Gilmer ISD

We are very excited that Smiles of Tomorrow is coming to Gilmer ISD to provide dental services to our students.  For more information on this awesome service, CLICK HERE to see the link.

Monday, November 11 is Veteran's Day

On Monday, we will observe Veteran's Day by learning about Veteran's Day and we encourage all staff and students to show their patriotism by wearing Red, White and Blue to school.

Thanksgiving Lunch on Wednesday, November 13

Come join us as we have our annual Thanksgiving Lunch.  The lunch times will be at the usual times:

• 10:40 - PK and 2nd Grade
• 11:20 - 1st and 3rd Grade
• 12:10 - K and 4th Grade

Come early as we anticipate a big crowd and every visitor must come through the office to receive a visitor badge.

Thursday, November 14

College Day - We want every student and staff member wearing their college gear on Thursday as well promote college readiness.

Kindergarten Field Trip - the students will be going to the pumpkin patch.

Friday, November 15

PK will be going to the fire station on this day.

Last Week of the 2nd 6 Weeks - November 18 - 22

This will be the final week of the 2nd 6 weeks.  Every student will need to get their work in and make up any assignments that they are missing or failing.  If you have questions about your child's grades, please contact your child's teacher.  Progress reports were sent out this past Thursday.

Thanksgiving Break - November 25 - 29            

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Welcome to Deputy Laughlin

Welcome to Deputy Toby Laughlin (pronounced as LOF-lin).  He is our new school resource officer at Gilmer Elementary School.  Deputy Laughlin retired from Longview Police Department where he served for over 20 years and gained many experiences including serving as the school resource officer for Pine Tree Independent School District.  He is very excited to be a part of our campus, and we are very fortunate to have him and his experience protecting and serving the staff, students and parents at Gilmer Elementary.  If you ever have any questions about school safety and what we do to protect our children, please give Deputy Laughlin a call.

Red Ribbon Week begins Monday, October 28

RED RIBBON WEEK

OCTOBER 28-November 1, 2013

Friday, October 25, 2013

Next week we will celebrate Red Ribbon Week.  Red Ribbon Week is a nationwide anti-drug campaign that usually takes place in the last week of October. Its focus is on the prevention of drug use through education.  This year’s Red Ribbon Week theme is “A Healthy Me Is Drug Free”. During the morning announcements Mr. Wink will announce ideas to help kids recognize good choices and healthy behavior.  Today, teachers will send home a red note to inform parents and kids of the activities that we will be having at school next week to promote a drug free life style.  On Monday, let’s all wear bright neon colors to kick off Red Ribbon Week!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Today is the first day of Red Ribbon Week at GES.  We are definitely “Too Bright to do Drugs!  Always take care of your body.  Never smoke, drink alcohol, or take drugs.  

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Wear red today? Are you Red-Y to be Healthy and Drug free?  Tonight everyone wearing red will get into the GHS Volleyball game at a discount price.  Let’s support the volleyball team!  

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Wear Crazy socks so we can Sock It To Drugs!  GES students will definitely Sock It To Drugs!  Stick up for what you believe.  If someone offers you drugs say “No” and walk away.  Some ways to say “No” are:  “No thanks”, “I don’t like it”, “It’s against the law”, “I’ve got to go now”, “No way!”, or “My parents won’t let me”. 

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Team Up Against Drugs so wear your favorite college or professional team shirt.  It’s not too early to start thinking about what college you would like to attend.  Tonight is Halloween, and it is traditionally a night filled with lots of fun. Here are some ideas to help you stay healthy and safe.

     1.  Only go trick or treating with a responsible adult.
     2.  Do not eat any treats until you bring them home to be examined by your parent. 
     3.  Never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. 
     4.  Make sure your carry a flashlight, glow stick or have reflective tape on your costume to make yourself more visible to cars.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Friday is the last day of Red Ribbon Week.  Wear orange or your Gilmer spirit shirt to show your support for the Buckeyes!  “Orrrange You Glad to be Drug Free”? 

We hope your child learned a lot this week about staying drug free and being healthy.  During this week children signed a pledge to stay in school and keep themselves drug free.  This pledge isn’t just for a week; we must always make good healthy choices and not smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal drugs.  “Be free like me. Gilmer Buckeyes are drug free!”

The Great Pumpkin Palooza is set for Monday, October 28

                                                                                                         

Gilmer Elementary will host a Parent Night on

Monday, October 28th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

         

If your child had art and social studies specials, their work will be on display in both cafeterias. 

If your child had science specials, you and your child can participate in interactive science labs in the Science Labs.

 

Grade	Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade
Class	Bagley & Nichols	Gee & Harrison	White/Perry & Clair	Vestal & Morris	Bowman & Collie
Time	6:05-6:30 5 minute sessions	6:30-7:00 5 minute sessions	6:30-7:00 5 minute sessions	7:00-7:30 5 minute sessions	7:00- 7:30 5 minute sessions

If your child participated in music this 9 weeks, they will put on a musical productions in the gym.  See below for your times.

Grade	Kindergarten	1st  Grade	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade
Class	Troell & Watson	Martinez & Becerra	Branch & Barton	Meza & Broadwell	Van Sandt & Menadier
Time	6:05-6:15	6:15-6:25	6:25-6:40	6;40-6:55	6:55-7:10

Teachers will be have information to hand out to you about ways to help your child with their academics.  Times for you to visit the classroom are listed below.

Grade	Pre-K	Kindergarten	1st Grade	2nd Grade	3rd Grade	4th Grade
Activity	Parent come & go	Parent Meeting	Parent come & go	Parent come & go	Parent come & go	Parent come & go
Time	6:00 – 7:30	At 6:30 in the classroom	6:00 – 7:30	6:00 – 7:30	6:00 – 7:30	6:00 – 7:30

Gilmer ISD Bond Election

·        From 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., Gilmer ISD residents can vote in the bond election in the library.  Voters must provide identification to vote in the election.

 

Pumpkin Palooza Election

·        Each class will decorate a pumpkin based on a book read to the class.  The pumpkins and books will be on display for parents to vote on their 3 favorite class pumpkins throughout the campus. Parents can pick up dots at the front of the school and place the dots on the pumpkins that you feel are the best in the school.

                                                           Your students have been working hard.  Come check out their progress.