Announcements June 3 - Last Week of School

Summer Learning Connection 
If you are interested in participating with your child in our Summer Learning Connection on Wednesdays during the summer, CLICK ON THIS 

HERE ARE THE END OF YEAR EVENTS

June 3-                   Book Celebration Picnic (This is for students only.)

June 4-                   Kindergarten Graduation will be at the following times:

• 8:15 a.m. - Windham, Lander, Watson, & Troell homeroom classes
• 9:45 a.m. - O’Neal, Lopez, Nichols, Bagley, Griffin homeroom classes

Class parties will immediately follow graduation.  Due to fire occupancy code, no more than 2 visitors are allowed in the classroom.

June 5-                   Last day of school.  Early release will begin at 12:30 p.m.                              

End of Year Assemblies and parties will be at the following times:

• PK & K will NOT have assembly or parties on this day.
• 1st & 2nd grade
• 8:30 - Award Ceremony
• 9:30 - Class Parties
• 3rd & 4th grade
• 9:30 - Award Ceremony
• 10:30 - Class Parties

Announcements, May 23, 2013

Summer Learning Connection
If you are interested in participating with your child in our Summer Learning Connection on Wednesdays during the summer, CLICK ON THIS LINK.

School Survey 
Please take time to give us your feedback on our work this year. 
CLICK HERE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY & HELP US GET BETTER!

HERE ARE THE END OF YEAR EVENTS
May 27-                  No School (Memorial Day)

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

June 3-                   Book Celebration Picnic (This is for students only.)

June 4-                   Kindergarten Graduation will be at the following times:

• 8:15 a.m. - Windham, Lander, Watson, & Troell homeroom classes
• 9:45 a.m. - O’Neal, Lopez, Nichols, Bagley, Griffin homeroom classes

Class parties will immediately follow graduation.  Due to fire occupancy code, no more than 2 visitors are allowed in the classroom.

June 5-                   Last day of school.  Early release will begin at 12:30 p.m.                             

End of Year Assemblies and parties will be at the following times:

• PK & K will NOT have assembly or parties on this day.
• 1st & 2nd grade
• 8:30 - Award Ceremony
• 9:30 - Class Parties
• 3rd & 4th grade
• 9:30 - Award Ceremony
• 10:30 - Class Parties

To ensure that you do not have to wait in line to get your visitor badge, please click the follow link to get the form to request your visitor badge in advance.  Complete the form and send it to school with your child by Friday, May 24.

Summer Learning Connection

Gilmer Elementary values the impact that parent/child relationships have on education.  Join us Wednesdays, this summer, for an opportunity to spend quality time with your child!  Summer Learning Connection is a fun-filled hour and a half activity workshop led by the school counselor, Mrs. Winkler.  This workshop is free and will provide fun and learning for both paretns and children!  In order to receive the full benefit of the relationship-building activities, every child is required to have a parent present during the entire workshop.  Sign up today in the office or on the link below.

Summer Connection Sign Up Form

Sessions will be based around the following books or themes:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
• Rainbow Fish
• Bartholomew & the Oobleck
• Plant Life Cycle
• Sea Turtles
• Japanese Koi Fish
• Butterflies
• Insect Creations

If you have questions about the Summer Learning Connection, please contact Stacy Winkler at 903-841-7700.

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.

Announcements, March 21

The Importance of Reading at Home

Spring Break is over, and we are almost into April.  The kids are in full swing with sports and outside activities.  As we press through the spring months, I hope you will make time to ensure that your child continues to read throughout the rest of the school year.  Taking 15 minutes to read at home each day will prepare your child to finish the school year ahead of where the should be for their reading level,  as well as develop their much needed vocabulary.  Reading is the foundational skill that every child needs to be successful in every subject.

Here are some events that you need to be prepared for.

Monday, March 25

Spring Pictures will be taken in the morning.
 

Wednesday, March 27

Kindergarten Field Trip to Civic Center

 

Thursday, March 28

End of 3 Week Grading Period

Friday, March 29

Good Friday Holiday for all students and staff.

Tuesday and Wednesday, April 2 & 3

• STAAR Writing Test for all 4th grade students
• 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.

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.

Announcements March 1

Here are some events that are taking place for the month of March.

Check out our latest Buckeye Banner by our 4th grade students.

Friday, March 1

End of the 4th 6 Weeks.  Report cards will be sent home the following week.

Tuesday, March 5

3rd and 4th grade students will take the Mock STAAR Math Test.  The test will be given in the same format and 4 hour time frame that the actual test will be given.  This will help students be prepared to take the real test in April.

Wednesday, March 6

3rd and 4th grade students will take the Mock STAAR Reading Test.  The test will be given in the same format and 4 hour time frame that the actual test will be given.  This will help students be prepared to take the real test in April.

Thursday, March 7

Report cards will be sent home.

Friday, March 8

CHAMPs Assemblies will be at 8:15 for PK - 1st grades and at 9:10 for 2nd - 4th grades.
School will release early at 12:30 for all students.

Monday - Friday, March 11 - 15

Spring Break.  Have a great week off.

Monday, March 18 - Friday, March 22

Students return to school and Texas Public School Week begins.

Bring your Parent to School Days will occur on this week.  Breakfast will be from 7:30 - 7:55 and parents will receive a free breakfast.  Parents can join us in the classroom for a lesson from 8:00 - 8:30.  Each grade level will have their Bring your Parent to School Day on the following days.

• Tuesday, March 19 -       PK & Kindergarten
• Wednesday, March 20 - 1st & 2nd Grade
• Thursday, March 21 -     3rd & 4th Grade

Monday, March 25

Spring Pictures will be taken in the morning.  Information will come later.

Wednesday, March 27

Kindergarten Field Trip to Civic Center

Friday, March 29

End of 3 Week Grading Period