Registration Dates

Please take note of upcoming Gilmer Elementary Registration dates:

Pre-K Registration:

August 5th & 6th : 9:00am-3:00pm

K-4th New Enrollment:

August 7th-21st: 8:00am-4:00pm

Meet The Teacher will be August 21st: 5:00pm-7:00pm (Two Sessions).

The FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL is AUGUST 25th!

Announcements April 7 - May 2

We are in the final months of school.  Can you believe it?  The kids are doing so well.  Their behavior is very good, and they are doing amazing things in the classroom to be ready for next year.  We have a lot of events coming up, so let's enjoy this spring weather and finish the school year on a strong note.

Date	Event	Information
Tue, April 8	Kindergarten and Head Start Registration	We will have Kindergarten and Head Start registration from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on this day.
Wed, April 9	Kindergarten and Head Start Registration	We will have Kindergarten and Head Start registration from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on this day.
Thu, April 10	Buckeye Book Club	Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Rash, and Mrs. Morris classes, girls only, will meet in the library from 4:00-5:15
Fri, April 11	Spring Pictures	Interstate studio will be here to take spring pictures.  See below for picture schedule.
	Head Start Male Involvement day	There will be a Head Start Parent Meeting in the Staff Development room at 12:00 followed by Kite flying in the front of the school for Head Start students.
Thu, April 17	PK and Head Start Field trip	PK will be taking a field trip to Kid’s Station on this day.  Head Start will be taking a Field trip to Discovery Science Place on this day.
	Buckeye Book Club	Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Rash, and Mrs. Morris classes, girls only, will meet in the library from 4:00-5:15
	College Day	Wear your college gear to school.
Fri, April 18	School Holiday	Good Friday Holiday.  NO SCHOOL!!!!!
Tue, April 22	3rd and 4th grade Math STAAR test	3rd and 4th grade will be taking their Math STAAR test on this day.  NO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS.
Wed, April 23	3rd and 4th grade Reading STAAR test	3rd and 4th grade will be taking their Reading STAAR test on this day.  NO VISITORS WILL BE ALLOWED ON CAMPUS.
Thu, April 24	Buckeye Book Club	Mrs. Jackson, Mrs. Rash, and Mrs. Morris classes, girls only, will meet in the library from 4:00-5:15
Fri, April 25	Kindergarten Graduation pictures
	End of 5th 6 weeks	Report Cards go out the following week.
Mon, April 28	Stranger Danger presentation	There will be a Stranger Danger presentation in the gym on this day. 2nd-4th grade will be 8:30-9:15 PK-1st grade will be 9:45-10:30
Wed, April 30	Bounce House Day	Kids will enjoy bounce houses to celebrate hard work on STAAR and improving in reading.
Thu, May 1	Bounce House Day	Kids will enjoy bounce houses to celebrate hard work on STAAR and improving in reading.
	College Day	Wear your college gear to school.
Fri, May 2	CHAMPs Assembly	PK-1st     8:15 2nd-4th    2:40
	4th  grade field trip	4th grade will be taking a field trip to Jefferson on this day.

Announcements Monday, March 17

Welcome back from Spring Break.  I hope you had a wonderful time with your children.  As we come back from break, our students will be taking benchmark tests in all grade levels.  The 4th 6 weeks has come to an end and we are beginning the 5th six weeks.  Please make sure your child is at school every day.

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 17

• Students return from Spring Break

Tuesday, March 18

• Benchmark testing begins in all grade levels.
• Fundraisers Orders and Money are Due

Wednesday, March 19

• Last day to turn in Fundraiser Orders and Money.

Thursday, March 20

• College Day - Wear your college jerseys
• Parent Day for PK - 1st grade from 7:30 - 8:30
• Breakfast will be from 7:20 - 8:00
• Gym and science lab will be open for student displays of work & music performances.
• Report cards will be sent home.

Friday, March 21

• Parent Day for 2nd - 4th grade from 7:30 - 8:30
• Breakfast will be from 7:20 - 8:00
• Gym and science lab will be open for student displays of work & music performances.
• CHAMPs Assembly for PK-1st will be at 9:15 in the gym.
• CHAMPs Assembly for 2nd - 4th will be at 2:35 in the gym.

Morning Drop Off Procedures

With spring break around the corner, I need to remind you of our drop off procedures in the morning time.  Here are 3 things that all parents must remember to ensure the safety of our kids.  Please know that the purpose of our drop off procedures in place to ensure the following.

1. The Safety of All Kids - We do not want a single child hurt or injured.
2. The Efficiency of the Process - We want to help you drop your child off in a quick manner.

The 3 Rules for Morning Drop-Off

1. The Front of the School (Parent Drop Off)

Students may only be dropped off from their car in front of the school under the awning.  This is the only place that parents can let their kids out of the car to walk into school alone.  This drop area is monitored by school personnel.

2. The Gravel Parking Lot is for Parents Walking their Children to School

The Gravel Parking Lot is NOT a place to drop
kids off at school.  Parents who drive through
the gravel lot are required to walk their child
up to the building.

The gravel parking lot is reserved only for parents who want to walk their child into school.  This is NOT a second drop off location.  Parents who use the gravel lot are required to walk their children across the cross walk and up to the building where duty personnel can take over the supervision of your child. Children are not allowed to walk across the cross walk or up the sidewalk alone.  Parents must accompany children across the crosswalk and up the sidewalk to Pole F.

3. The Earliest You May Drop Off Kids...

The earliest that parents can drop children off at school is 7:20.  Parents may not drop off children before 7:20.  At 7:20, school personnel will open the doors, and you may let your children out of your car at that time.

Safety is our 1st Priority

At Gilmer Elementary School, our first priority is to guarantee a safe environment for every child.  In order to ensure this priority is attained, we need all parents to follow our morning drop off procedures, so that we can ensure the safety of every child.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to give us a call.  We appreciate your continued support and teamwork.

Sincerely,

John Wink, Principal

Parent Days Postponed due to Changes in Mock Testing

I hope you had a good day off yesterday.  We are having to make changes because we were not able to give 3rd and 4th graders the Mock STAAR test in the format that it will be on STAAR in April.

Here are the schedule changes.

Wednesday, March 5

• Mock STAAR Math Test for 3rd and 4th Grade
• No visitors permitted to eat lunch.

Thursday, March 6

• Mock STAAR Reading Test for 3rd and 4th Grade
• No visitors permitted to eat lunch.
• Parent Day for PK - 1st grade is cancelled.

Friday, March 7

• Early Release begins at 12:30 (Spring Break is Next Week!)
• Parent Day for 2nd - 4th grade is cancelled.

Monday, March 17

• Students return from Spring Break

Thursday, March 18

• Parent Day for PK - 1st grade from 7:30 - 8:30
• Breakfast will be from 7:20 - 8:00
• Gym and science lab will be open for student displays of work & music performances.

Friday, March 21

• Parent Day for 2nd - 4th grade from 7:30 - 8:30
• Breakfast will be from 7:20 - 8:00
• Gym and science lab will be open for student displays of work & music performances.

Announcements February 28

Buckeye Excellence Channel

We are launching our very own YouTube channel, The Buckeye Excellence Channel.  The goal of the own YouTube station is that we will be able to show you the great things that our teachers are doing to make instruction awesome.  We also hope to show you exemplary examples of student work.  Finally, we also plan to give parents instructional videos of strategies to help your child with their learning.

Bring your Parent to School Day

We hope to see everyone on Thursday and Friday, March 6 & 7 as we have our "Bring your Parent to School Day".  It is an opportunity to eat a free breakfast with your child and see your child's work.

• Thursday, March 6 from 7:20 - 8:30 will be for grades PK, K, 1
• Friday, March 7 from 7:20 - 8:30 will be for grades 2, 3, 4
• Free breakfast will be in the cafeterias from 7:20 - 8:00
• Students in music will give performances in the gym from 8:10 - 8:30
• Students in art and social studies specials will have work displayed for you in the gym.
• Students in science specials will have work on display in the science labs.

Date	Event	Information
Mon, Mar 3-7	Texas Public School Week
Tue, Mar 4	3rd and 4th grade Mock STAAR Math Testing	3rd and 4th grade will take their Mock STAAR Math test on this day. No visitors will be permitted for lunches.
	Stars Mini Camp	There will be a Stars Mini Camp held in the Elementary gym from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Wed, Mar 5	3rd and 4th grade Mock STAAR Reading  Testing	3rd and 4th grade will take their Mock STAAR Reading test on this day. No visitors will be permitted for lunches.
	Stars Mini Camp	Day 2 of Stars Mini Camp will be held in the Elementary gym from 3:30-5:00.
Thu, Mar 6	Bring  Your Parent To School	PK -1st grade will be having a “Bring Your Parent To School Day” from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  7:30-8:00 will be breakfast in the cafeteria.  8:10-8:30 will be music performances and Specials performances.
	Stars Mini Camp	3rd and final day of Stars Mini Camp will be held in the Elementary gym from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
	Stars Mini Camp Show-Off	Participants in the Stars Mini Camp will be having a Show-Off for parents at 5:30p.m. in the Elementary gym.
	Buckeye Book Book Club	Mrs. Meza, Mrs. Broadwell, and Mrs. Bishop’s classes boys only will meet will meet in the Library from 4:00-5:15 p.m.
Fri, Mar 7	Bring Your Parent To School	2nd -4th grade will be having a “Bring Your Parent To School Day” from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  7:30-8:00 will be breakfast in the cafeteria.  8:10-8:30 will be music performances and Specials presentations.
	Early Release Day	.We will have early release beginning at 12:30 p.m
	End of the 4th  6 weeks
Sun, Mar 9	Daylight Savings Time	Don’t  forget to set your clocks ahead one hour.
Mon, Mar 10- Fri, Mar 14	Spring Break	Enjoy your break!!!
Mon, Mar 17	School resumes
Tue, Mar 18	1st -4th grade formative math assessments	1st -4th grade will have their formative math assessments on this day.
	2nd grade TELPAS
Wed, Mar 19	1st -4th grade formative reading  assessments	1st -4th grade will have their formative reading assessments on this day.
	3rd grade TELPAS
Thu, Mar 20	Report cards go home
	4th grade TELPAS
	College Day	Wear your college attire.
	Buckeye Book Club	Mrs. Meza, Mrs. Broadwell, and Mrs. Bishop’s classes boys only will meet in the library from 4:00-5:15.
Fri, Mar 21	CHAMPs Assemblies	PK-1st will be at 8:15. 2nd -4th will be at 2:40.

2nd Grade Teacher, Emily Branch wins Prestigious Award

Emily Branch
2nd Grade Teacher &
Sara B. Reuter Promising Young
Teacher Award Winner

Emily Branch attended the Abydos Conference this past week, and we are happy to announce that she received the Sara B. Reuter Promising Young Teacher's Award.  This award is given to a young teacher that must be a trainee or trainer with no more than 7 years of teaching experience and is under 30.  The teacher must have successful teaching experience and exemplify the traits that we would like to see in all teachers.  The award is given to encourage young teachers to continue in the profession as well as recognize them for their work in education.

Sigrid Yates nominated Emily Branch for this award after observing her in the classroom and seeing how she interacted with the students.   Anytime Sigrid has spoken with Emily, she has been very positive about her grade level, about the campus administrators, and about the growth opportunities Gilmer has provided her.  Emily is a continuous learner as demonstrated by accepting the challenge of the Abydos training while simultaneously working on her M. Ed. In Curriculum and Instruction.  She will be able to use the $750 award as she chooses.

It is just a small gift that Sara's husband gives because Sara worked with young teachers in Duncanville ISD to keep them in the profession and to mentor them.  Mentoring young teachers was Sara's passion, and she was
a strong trainer.  Sara's career was cut short by a debilitating disease, but she went to work every day while her disease progressed rapidly.  She was on a walker at the Abydos Conference before she died that summer.  She was only about 40 when she died. Her husband, a superintendent from another district, wanted to continue Sara's legacy of helping young teachers.  This was how the award began.  Since Sara was a trainer for 11 years, he created the award to be given for 11 years.

We are so proud of Emily for her hard work and dedication to the students and staff of Gilmer Elementary.  She takes on the yearbook all by herself and does an amazing job.  She lead the 2nd grade ELA team and also does an outstanding job facilitating there.  Emily is a fantastic role model and goes above and beyond for our campus.  Please join me in congratulating her for receiving this prestigious honor.