March Newsletter 2015 Final - Rockdale County Public Schools

Shoal Creek Elementary News
March 2015
A Message from Principal Toney:
SCE Parents,
The CCRPI is Georgia’s statewide accountability system, implemented in 2012 to replace the No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measurement, after the U.S. Department of Education granted Georgia’s waiver from NCLB
on Feb. 9, 2012. It measures schools and school districts on an easy-to-understand 100-point scale, helping parents and the
public better understand how schools are performing in a more comprehensive manner than the pass/fail system previously in
place under AYP.
The College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) is a comprehensive school improvement, accountability, and communication platform for all educational stakeholders that promote college and career readiness for all Georgia public school
students. The following specific components are calculated to compromise a possible score of 100:
3/4-12 Benchmark Window
3/10
3/10
Testing Strategies to Increase
Reading and Math
Achievement
Parent Workshop
6:00pm
2nd Grade S.T.E.A.M.
Musical
7:00pm
3/13
Teacher Workday
(No School)
3/16
S.T.E.A.M. Day
3/23-27 Book Fair
3/21 Parent Academy
RCA
8:30am-2:30pm
3/24
Romp N Roll
Family Skate Night
6:30pm-8:30 pm
3/27
Chuck E. Cheese’s
Family Night
3:00pm-9:00pm
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
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Achievement Points (60 possible)
Progress Points (25 possible)
Achievement Gap Points (15 possible)
Challenge Points (10 possible extra credit)
Shoal Creek’s 2012-2013 CCRPI Score was 63.7 which included achievement data from the spring 2013 Criterion Referenced
Competency Test administration. Shoal Creek’s 2013-2014 CCRPI Score is 80.5 which includes data from the spring 2014
Criterion Referenced Competency Test administration. The State’s CCRPI average score is 72.6. Shoal Creek garnered a 16.8
point increase and scored higher that the State’s average score. Please visit http://www.gadoe.org/CCRPI/Pages/default.aspx
to find more information about the details of the score.
Shoal Creek’s improvement is based on a myriad of factors the first being our outstanding group of dedicated teachers. The
teachers at Shoal Creek are laser-focused on providing the highest level of instruction to students on a daily basis through a
variety of research-based best practices. In addition, the following five school-wide instructional structures put in place during
the 2013-2014 school year also contributed to this increase:
1. Increased Academic Focus
 High Expectation Level For All Students
2. Master Schedule
 Prevention, Intervention, and Enrichment Block
3. Early Intervention Program (EIP)
 Augmented Model vs Pull Out
4. Professional Learning Community


Collaborative Planning / Data Analysis
Standardized Lesson Planning Format
5. Non-Tuition Based After School Tutorial Program (RAMS)
Lastly but certainly not least is the unwavering support and commitment we receive from our parents and community
stakeholders. Shoal Creek’s community has embraced its mission and vision to provide students with endless possibilities for
academic success. This partnership is paramount for future success.
Thank you,
Mr. Tiwon U. Toney
Principal
Hello SCE Family,
Thank you for taking the time to complete the Title I Parental Involvement Survey. Your feedback was greatly valued and sincerely
appreciated. Feel free to come volunteer and visit your Parent Resource Center which is open daily from 7:05am - 2:10pm to serve
your needs. A Parent Academy registration form was sent home. Please return your completed registration form to your child’s teacher
if you plan to attend this event. School events are posted on the marquis on the front lawn of the building and on our homepage. Like
us on Facebook: Shoal Creek Elementary/RCPS. Thank you for your continued support.
A Message from Prpal
Dates to Remember
Mrs. Danice C. Swift
Parent Liaison
Grade Level News
Kindergarten News
Hello Kindergarten parents,
We hope you all had a restful Winter Intersession. We are back to work and learning many new things! In Language Arts, we will
continue working on sight words, reading and writing skills. Students should know 55 sight words by the end of the school
year. Students should be reading every night at home. Please encourage your child to practice reading and writing sentences nightly.
In Math, Kindergarten students will continue with addition. We will be introducing subtraction as well. Students should be able to
add and subtract within 10 fluently. Practice addition and subtraction facts using manipulatives such as beads, cars, candy, etc.
In Social Studies, students will be introduced to American Symbols. The White House, Washington Monument, American Flag,
Georgia Flag, Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, The Star Spangled Banner and The Pledge of Allegiance will all be studied.
In Science, we will be learning about Day and Night. We will learn how our planet goes from day to night and understand what
happens when the sun "goes down" and "comes up". A culminating activity will be a field trip to Fernbank Science Museum to visit
the Planetarium. Please turn in permission slips and fees as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support!
Kindergarten Team
Mrs. Bourdonnay, Mrs. Golden, Mrs. Hardee, Ms. Jones, Mrs. Leigh, Mrs. Stewart
First Grade News
First Grade has been moving full STEAM ahead in all subject areas. In science, students have been learning about the qualities of
magnets and their force. They have discovered the various effects of magnets on other magnets and various objects. In Math, we
are learning about addition and subtraction within 20. By the end of the quarter, students will be equipped with a variety of
strategies to solve addition and subtraction problems. We are learning how to calculate missing addends; we are discovering
different ways to make ten within a number sentence; and we are continuing to evaluate word problems with even greater depth.
In Reading, students are continuing to earn AR points. We are also discussing the main idea and its supporting details within
each text we read. We have learned about yet another part of speech: demonstratives and articles. Have your child continue to
spot various parts of speech in the books you read at home (nouns, pronouns, verbs, articles, etc.). Also, never underestimate the
power of writing—have your child keep a journal to write about whatever may be on his or her mind. You will enjoy the time
you spend together while you read over his/her thoughts!
First Grade Team
Mrs. Barksdale, Ms. Dunlop, Ms. Rivers, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Thomas, Ms. Wright
Second Grade News
Greetings Parents!
Second Graders have been busy learning the songs for the STEAM musical on March 10 th. You will be in for a treat! We will be
attending a field trip to the Center for Puppetry Arts that week also, on March 11 th. They have been busy studying about types of
energy in science. They are learning how to spend and save their money, and what an opportunity cost is in Social Studies. They will
also be learning about an American hero- Jackie Robinson. In Language Arts they have been busy studying Folktales .
Second Grade Team
Mr. Hardy, Ms. Morrison, Mrs. Pitt-Malone, Ms. Ruff, Mrs. Smith, Ms. Weber
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Shoal Creek Elementary News
Third Grade News
The third grade students are full steam ahead with learning. We are diving right into math! Students will demonstrate their
proficiency in fractions and geometry. In reading, the focus this month will be close reading and identifying textual evidence for
constructed response questions. Our unit this quarter will focus on physical science, technology, and engineering. The students will
study heat, how it is measured, and thermal energy. Our students will continue studying famous Americans and economics in Social
Studies. We will also continue to learn about the roles and responsibilities of the three levels and branches of government. During
writing, they will continue to practice writing in all genres.
Third Grade Team
Ms. Collinsworth, Mrs. Housworth, Ms. Moffett, Dr. Prease, Mrs. Rawhoof, and Ms. Shaver
Fourth Grade News
Rolling into the final stretch and moving full steam ahed !!!!
We are moving into the final quarter and the stretch to the finish line. We are beginning to prepare students for the upcoming
assessment this spring. We continue to have fun activities planned for the students. As a follow up visit this month the GSU BioBus
will be back at school to follow up with the students about what they have learned and information they gathered since their last visit.
School/Home Connections
1.Encourage your child to read nightly for at least 30 minutes, do First in Math for at least 15 minutes.
2.Check your child’s agenda for homework and communications from the teacher daily.
3.Visit the school’s website for upcoming events.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Fourth Grade Team
Mr. Cockburn, Ms. Gillespie, Ms. Jones, Mrs. Mickens, and Mrs. Roberts
Fifth Grade News
The 5th grade students have been “Marching” into a world filled with discovery-based learning. Each 5th grade classroom has
been working diligently each and every day on various skills to prepare our children to be productive citizens. For this Quarter (3) the
students are continuing to prepare for the Georgia Milestone Test, (Reading, ELA, Writing, Math, Social Studies, and Science) and the
final Q3 Benchmark test which will be cumulative from Q1-Q3. In preparation for these major tests, students have been learning and
practicing daily on various math skills which include the following: Operations and Algebraic Expression, Numbers and Base Ten (Place
Value), Number and Fractions, Geometry, Data Analysis, and Measurement. In writing, students have been working on Narrative,
Persuasive, Opinion/Argumentative, and Expository Writing. In Reading/ELA students have been working on all 10 standards in the
Literary and Informational Domains as well as learning English Grammar through Conventional Skills, and Speaking and Listening skills.
Science has been “Electrifying” on learning about Electricity and Magnetism, Landforms: Construction and Destruction, and Physical and
Chemical Changes. In Social Studies, students must know the reasons for America’s involvement in World War II, the origins and
consequences of the Cold War, key people, events, and developments between 1950-1975, and the important developments in America
since 1975. In addition, there are some great projects being done with each class.
Please view the Georgia Department of Education website for detailed information on all standards including the Georgia
Milestone State Test: www.georgiastandards.org.
Parents, thank you for your continuous support! Please view your child’s agenda daily and the school calendar for upcoming
dates and events.
The 5th Grade Team,
Mrs. Linda Adams, Ed.S, Ms. Emily Begue, Ms. Jessica Chandler, Ms. Jasmin Garcia, Ms. Kathleen Manzella, and Mr. Sid Reeves
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Shoal Creek Elementary News
STEAM DAY News!
Please join us for our first STEAM Day Event, Monday, March 16, 2015 at Shoal Creek Elementary
School. We are proud to showcase our students’ achievements through our school choice initiative of
STEAM. STEAM Day has been designed to introduce a variety of career choices to our students
through Guest Speakers as well as have all of our students engaged in fun filled, discovery projects and
activities related to our STEAM Curriculum. Students will also have the opportunity on STEAM Day
to participate in an interactive activity known as the Big Canyon Balloon. The students will encounter
the world of weathering, erosion, and deposition. Students will be invited to create landforms including
a Canyon, Delta, and Barrier Island. Students may also discover a fossil record that provides clues to
the past.
If you would like to donate necessary supplies to help make our STEAM Day a success, please send an
item or two from our list of needed supplies included below.
Aluminum Foil
Corn Starch
String
Saltine Crackers
Cream
Shoe Boxes
Chocolate
Graham Crackers
Marshmallows
Zip-Lock Bags
Saran Wrap
If you are interested in sharing your college or career choice with our students for STEAM Day
please contact Mrs. Maggie Degenhardt at [email protected]. We would love to
have parents and community members share their experiences and share with our students the
importance of preparing for their future college education and career choices.
STEAM = Science & Technology interpreted through Engineering & the Arts, all based in
Mathematical elements.
Counselor Quest!
We LOVE our kids right? We vow to give them all they need—and we bend when they want us
to give them things they want. We listen, we play, we talk, we nurture….and we pat ourselves
on the back for being great parents! Here’s the BUT…..how well do we KNOW our children?
Next time you have a rainy afternoon or need to hunker down under ice and snow, pour a cup
of hot chocolate and try these questions with your children:
~Who is your child’s best friend? Greatest hero?
~What embarrasses him/her the most? Greatest fear?
~In P. E. would your child rather play basketball, do exercises, or run relays?
~Favorites: music, school subjects, teacher? family occasion? game? color for bedroom?
~What person outside your family has had the most influence on your child’s life?
~What is your child’s biggest complaint about the family?
~Of what accomplishment is your child proudest?
~What REALLY makes your child angry?
~Does your child feel too small or large for his/her age?
~What has been the biggest disappointment in your child’s life this year?
~Does your child feel liked by his classmates?
~What gift-- from you-- does your child cherish most?
~What chore does s/he like the least?
~Vacation choice—would it be camping? Visit to a big city? A boat trip? What?
~If your child could only take ONE (1) item to a desert island, what would it be?
~What book would your child want you to read aloud together?
My daughter watched as I typed this at our kitchen table and said, “Mom, you don’t know all of
these things about me!” And she was right –so now we have our own ritual of getting to
know…she gets to ask questions too. And, at 16 years old, she STILL loves for us to read aloud
together.
Enjoy getting to know your children! They are fabulous humans!
Melissa Keffer
Counselor