Paw Prints - Henry County Schools

Dutchtown Elementary School Newsletter June 2015

Letter from the Principal…

Paw Prints

“”We Are A Family of Learners”

Dutchtown Elementary School 159 Mitchell Rd. Hampton, GA 30228

Phone: (770) 471-0844 Fax: (770) 471-8066

Dr. Sherri Edwards Principal

Dr. Sheila Korvayan Assistant Principal

Greetings! My name is Dr. Sherri Edwards, and it is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself as the new principal here at Dutchtown Elementary! I am very excited about joining the faculty, staff, and community presently serving the students of DES. I have been an educator in Henry County for over 20 years, and I am committed to academic excellence for all children. It is both an honor and a privilege to continue serving Henry County students in this new capacity. A little about me: I am not only a resident of Henry County, but I am also a resident of this very community! I received my bachelor’s degree in Journalism (Public Relations) from Utah State University. I have a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. Further, I have leadership certification from Georgia State University as well as a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from Mercer University. I firmly believe that when we all work together for the advancement of our children, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. Furthermore, I believe that hard work, perseverance, and consistency are keys to success. With all sincerity, I look forward to working alongside you as we continue to nurture our FAMILY of LEARNERS.

Sherri Edwards, Principal [email protected] (770) 471-0844

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.liveoncenter.com/

June 2015 Dutchtown Elementary School Newsletter

Nurse’s Notes

During the summer please check to be sure your child’s Immunizations are up to date. It is also a good time to schedule checkups and any other annual appointments such as eye exams. This is the time to get any doctor’s notes and Medical Action Plans that might be needed at school. If your child is changing schools please check to make sure the school has all necessary documents so that your child will be enrolled and ready for Open House.

Media Center News

Tickets will go on sale when we get back next year. The Dutchtown Elementary Chorus will be singing the National Anthem. The students that wear a Dutchtown Shirt get to parade around the field before the game. The money raised benefits that AR program. It is a fun time for the whole family. Check back for more information in our July newsletter.

https://www.facebook.com/HealthHutMcdonough?rf=343447635766103

http://www.hardingplumbingsupply.com/

https://webmobilefusion.leadpages.net/local-seo/


Media Center News

Information about how to get to the e-books are posted on our website at http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/59080

Cartridge and Cell Phone Recycling (Cell phones will not be taken after June 18th)

Don’t forget to drop off your old cell phones and printer cartridges to our school. We get free technology items from this program and we help the environment at the same time. We are also looking for businesses that would like to help our school with this program. Please contact Ms. Youmans at 770-471-0844 if interested.

Click here to see our goals: www.fundingfactory.com/goal/DES.

Click below for Summer Reading Activities at the Hampton Branch

http://www.henry.public.lib.ga.us/images/forms/fortson_act_SRP.pdf

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570/

http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/Page/59080


http://www.fundingfactory.com/goal/DES

http://www.pinstrikes9.com/

http://www.henry.public.lib.ga.us/images/forms/fortson_act_SRP.pdf

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570/


Special Education

One of our afternoon students graduated from Georgia Pre-K last evening. We are so proud of his

many accomplishments this year. Good Luck in Kindergarten next year. Ms. Lisa and Ms. Karen will

miss you a lot.

Practicing to write our letters is SO much fun in PreK!

Kickball Tournament/field day - Tug-War (DES vs HFC)


Special Education, continued...

Student of the Month

Ms. Barron issued a challenge to her Math class to increase their growth in some way through their use of the ALEKS program. Her students answered the challenge by doing the following:

Damin Nguyen has now increased his proficiency to 91% overall, and also showed a whopping 40% growth in one area of QuickTables! In close second was Tre’vohn Powell, who showed 10% growth overall, AND showed 56% and 58% growth in 2 areas of QuickTables. Kendal Priester rounded out the top 3 with 10% growth overall. All 3 students will be receiving a prize from Ms. Barron.

The following students also showed growth in both ALEKS and QuickTables: Alexis Hernandez, and Rami Mehio. All of Ms. Barron’s other Math students were able to show their growth by increasing their proficiency in at least 1 or 2 areas of Quick Tables. These students included: Markus Bryant, Breanna Brown, Miracle Thomas, Brandon Carter, James Johnson, Nehemiah Johnson, Jayson Williams, and Jordan Alls-Taylor.

In Ms. Barron’s ELA classes, Ms. Barron would like to recognize Thakina Li and Matthew Heath for their outstanding progress in Reading, and Craig Gaskins and Isaac Frison for their progress in writing. It was a super year!

Roofing Residential Commercial

770-872-4696 www.excel-build.com

155 Westridge Pkwy Suite 223; McDonough, GA 30253

http://www.excel-build.com/

http://www.excel-build.com


Kindergarten News

Dear Parents,

We have had a very successful kindergarten year! We had a wonderful field trip to Noah’s Ark to see animals. Field Day was also a lot of fun. Parents, we thank you for volunteering throughout the year! Academically, we finished learning about stories and how to compare and contrast characters in a story. We have also been learning about how to research a topic to write about. Lastly, the students have become awesome readers and we don’t want that to stop. So, over the summer your child should practice, practice, practice their reading skills. Over the summer is a great time to visit the public library to choose a “Just Right Book” based on how well your child can read. Also students can review skills we learned during Kindergarten:

*Rhyming words *Blended sounds *Sight words *Antonyms *Write about vacations and fun places you went *Count backwards from 25 -10 *Count to 100 by 1’s, 5’s and 10’s

Field Day was so much fun!!!

We have had a wonderful year and are sending your darlings to first grade!! As you can see based on our kindergarten graduation, they are ready to go!!!!! Sincerely, The Kindergarten Teachers


First Grade News

INTEGRATION OF READING AND SOCIAL STUDIES: INTEGRATED UNITS

We have continued to work on our last integrated unit for the year! The students are learning about Davy Crockett, Annie Oakley, Paul Bunyan and John Henry. We’ve compared goods with services using context clues to determine the meaning of new vocabulary.

We are also studying about Theodore Roosevelt as well as making connections to previously learned historical figures: Thomas Jefferson and George Washington Carver and learning new strategies to help with reading comprehension.

MATH

As students in first grade begin to count larger amounts, they should group concrete materials into tens and ones to keep track of what they have counted. This is our focus in our unit on Understanding Place Value. The students have become familiar with vocabulary such as digit, place, and value as well as mastering the concept of place value. They are learning that digits represent different values depending on their position in numbers.

We are also giving them more “tools” to put in their math “toolboxes” that will assist them in solving math problems. They should come home talking about strategies such as: counting on; counting back; making ten, adding tens and then add on ones. They are also learning how to use the appropriate tools and strategies to solve different math problems.

SCIENCE

In science we are learning about plants and animals. We’ve discussed their characteristics, growth, appearance and basic needs. Our trip to the Georgia Aquarium was FABULOUS!!!! The kids loved seeing, touching and learning about the animals.


This school year has flown by! The 2nd grade teachers are very proud of all the hard work the students put in this year. They have learned so much! We need all of the students to continue to work hard over the summer to ensure they are ready for 3rd grade! Continue to work on reading, writing, math and mental math strategies. Also, visit the school website for student links! The following is a great resource for you and your child as they prepare for 3rd grade.

http://www.readworks.org/rw/summerreads-rising-3rd-4th-5th-graders?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=5.18.15%20Summer%20Reading%20All%20345

Here are some great reading tips:

Set aside a regular family reading and /or read aloud time. Read to your children, even the older ones. Recognize that your child’s own choice and interests are important ingredients

toward reading enjoyment. Let your child see you reading for pleasure. Don’t forget to pack a book wherever you go this summer. Participate in activities at the local library.

Second Grade News

Everyone enjoyed Field Day!

Even the ladybugs have had a great year.

Have a great summer!





Third Grade News

Thank you to our students and parents for your hard work and support this school

year. We know that you are ready for 4th grade and will do a great job next year!!!

Next year, our third grade team at DES is going to look a little different. Mrs.

Sawyer is retiring from Dutchtown Elementary. She will be enjoying her time with

her family and traveling. We are very sad to see Mrs. Sawyer go, but know we will

all keep in touch!

A good review this summer would be to use First In Math, CoolMath, or IXL to

practice math. Encourage your child to use these for 20-30 minutes a day to retain

math facts!

4th Grade Suggested Summer Reading 2014 Reading is a fantastic way to spend some of your free time over the summer

months! We recommend reading at least 20 minutes a day.

Beard, Darleen Bailey Annie Glover is Not a Tree Lover Birdsall, Jeanne * The Penderwicks : a summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits,

and a very interesting boy: Bowen, Fred * Fred Bowen Sports Story Buckley, Michael NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society Byars Betsy Tornado Byars, Betsy Dog Diaries: Secret Writings of the WOOF Society Christopher, Matt * Matt Christopher Sports Classics Clements, Andrew * Frindle Creech, Sharon Heartbeat Dahl, Roald * Fantastic Mr. Fox Davies, Jacqueline The Lemonade War DeClements, Barthe* Fourth Grade Wizards DiCamillo, Kate Tale of Despereaux Dowd, Siobhan The London Eye Mystery Fleming, Candace The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School Jacques, Brian * Redwall Series LaFevers, R. L. * Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist Lawson, Robert Ben and Me: a new and astonishing life of Benjamin Franklin

as written by his good mouse Amos Lewis, C. S. * The Chronicles of Narnia Lin, Grace The Year of the Dog : a novel Lowry, Lois * The Willoughbys Martin, Ann M. and Laura Godwin The Doll People McKissack, Pat * Abby Takes a Stand Mills, Claudia Being Teddy Roosevelt Naylor, Phyliss* Shiloh Sachar, Louis * Wayside School is Falling Down Series Scieszka, Jon * Time Warp Trio Series Selznick, Brian The invention of Hugo Cabret : a novel in words and pictures


Third Grade News, continued...

The Summer Challenge was created to give students an opportunity to review the

standards that they have learned throughout the year, while working towards earning a

fun incentive.

Students will be given a copy of the Writing Summer Challenge and the Math Summer

Challenge with their end of year report card on the last day of school, the challenges

will also be available on the school website throughout the summer. Each challenge

will include a list of 40 options for the students to choose from. For 30 days, the

students must complete one task of their choosing from Writing and one task from

Math. Students that complete both the Writing and the Math challenges will be invited

to attend a back to school party.

The goal of the Summer Challenge is to assist students in retaining the information

learned throughout the school year. Each task will challenge the students to stretch

their thinking. The Writing tasks are to encourage students to use their understanding

of the writing process and thoroughly answer writing prompts. Throughout the Math

tasks, students will be asked to answer a question and explain their reasoning. This will

require students to answer all questions completely and include a written explanation

of the steps they took and why. Students should keep their work in a writing/math

journal. You may choose to keep one large journal divided into two sections, or two

separate journals.

The first week of school, students will be asked to bring their Summer Challenge in

and their new classroom teacher will check it for completion. All students that have

completed the challenge for Writing and Math will be invited to attend the first school

party of the year! Hope to see you there!

Please see attached Summer Challenge.

Third graders went on a field trip to the Chick-Fil-A Headquarters in May. We learned about entrepreneurship, and Truett Cathy’s business values and legacy. It was a fun

and knowledge filled trip ending with delicious Chick-Fil-A sandwiches!


http://www.gymtech4kids.com/


Third Grade News, continued...

We have had a lot of fun this year!


Fourth Grade News

4th Graders have crossed the finish line…

On to 5th Grade we go…

It has been a very eventful year here on famed 4th grade hall of DES. So many standards were taught and so many were learned! From four digit multiplication to constructing lines, from ecosystems to inertia, and from the Native Americans to Westward Expansion! We are sending our “Little Learners” to the fifth grade in style!

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.ramtechpcs.com/


Fourth Grade News, continued...

FAREWELL DR. JOHNSON! YOU WILL BE MISSED BY THE FOURTH GRADE TEAM!!

DES has lost an amazing leader and an amazing person in Dr. Winnie Johnson. She’ll be moving on to life’s next journey and she will be sorely

missed. Congratulations Dr. Johnson on your future endeavors. Show them why you are loved so much!!

Dr. Sherri Edwards as the 2nd principal in DES history! Dr. Edwards is a veteran of Henry County Schools as she brings a wealth of knowledge to DES. Welcome!

4th GRADE WELCOMES DR. SHERRIE EDWARDS



FIELD DAY WAS A HIT!!

The Fourth Grade field day was an exciting one, as every class competed. What a great sign of sportsmanship and showmanship. Thank you Coach Edmondson and our parent volunteers.

LOOP-UP DAY WAS A SUCCESS!!

DES participated in a school wide “Looping Day.” Our team was able to acclimate ourselves with the rising fourth graders. We were able to go over rules, expectations, and goals for the 2015-2016 school-year. We expect a mastery of multiplication facts as well as adding and subtracting fluently! READ, READ, READ, and READ some more this summer!

SUMMER REMINDERS & PARENT HELP

In Math the fourth grade team recommends that

upcoming students continue to utilize First in Math, for

skill building and extra practice. As always continue to

practice your multiplication and division facts with

flashcards as a fun activity or by utilizing the multiple

math sites on the DES website where they will find

various sites to help retain math knowledge and prepare

for the new school year while having fun learning!

In Reading the team asks parents to ensure your child is reading each and every

day, this can be achieved by reading maps while traveling, magazines newspapers

and what’s better than a good chapter book while relaxing poolside or under the

backyard shade tree! This summer make reading fun and engaging!

In Writing we will begin our year by writing about your child’s many adventures

and experiences during summer vacation. Please remind them to jot down good

written and mental notes. We look forward to developing exciting and engaging

stories!



Virtual Math Tutoring

www.hippocampus.org

www.freemathhelp.com

www.khanacademy.com

REMEMBER THE FOURTH GRADE SUMMER PACKET IS DUE ON 8/3/2015 THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!

Have a safe, relaxing summer vacation!

Thanks for all you do to assist us in providing an excellent educational experience. Should you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us.

4th Grade team

Mr. Cowels, Mr. Hayes, Mr. Polk, and Mrs. Watkins

http://schoolwires.henry.k12.ga.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=48948

http://www.hippocampus.org/

http://www.freemathhelp.com/

http://www.khanacademy.com/


The fifth grade team is excited about the upcoming school year! We have lots of fun activities planned that will challenge you and inspire you! This month’s

newsletter will give you some important information to help you prepare for the upcoming school year.

Pencils, Pencil Sharpener, Erasers, Highlighters Colored pencils/24 Crayons/Markers Ruler with holes for math binder 2 - Zippered pencil cases for binders 1 pair - Fiskars® student scissors 1 box - Expo® dry-erase markers Pens (Blue/Black) (5-6) Glue Sticks 4 - packs lined Index Cards 2 - Composition books (one subject 100 sheets) Loose Leaf Paper (wide ruled)

1 package - notebook dividers 4 reams - copy paper Headphones for BYOT Flash Drive (2-8 GB) - used for research paper

storage (2) 3-Ring Binders (3 inch with clear overlay) Kleenex® Hand Sanitizer & Hand Soap Paper Towels Disinfectant Wipes

WISH LIST ITEMS

Ziplock® bags (various sizes)

Paper plates

Construction paper

Post it Notes

Individually wrapped hard candy


Fifth Grade News, continued...

5th Grade Novels

Dutchtown Elementary 5th grade students will engage in a variety of novel

studies over the course of the 2015 – 2016 school year. As a result of the

adaptation of the Common Core Standards, the curriculum has shifted

from the use of the traditional basal textbook to the engagement of narrative

and expository works which support literature-based instruction. Our goal is

to facilitate literacy development in our students through high-quality

literature that corresponds with both the English Language Arts Standards,

and the Social Studies Standards for 5th grade. Instead of using the tradition-

al basal textbook, we will use novels as our literary curriculum.

In an effort to support your child’s curriculum, we recommend that each 5th

grade student purchase the novels listed below. Electronic versions (Kindle,

Ipad, Nook, etc.) of the novel are acceptable. If you are unable to purchase

the novels, please visit your local library to borrow the books. We do have

a limited supply of most of these books.

Turn Homeward, Hannalee by Patricia Beatty (out of print so you

cannot purchase-we have limited copies of this book and may, or may

not, read it)

Shades of Gray by Carolyn Reeder (one class set)

Sounder by William Armstrong (very few copies)

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (very few copies)

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (very few copies)

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis (DES has

copies of this novel for students but

you are welcome to purchase the

Thank you so much for supporting your child’s literary growth and development.


Fifth Grade News, continued...

Don’t forget to complete your Summer Reading and Math Activities. They are due on the first day of school.

We are looking forward to an excellent school year!

Paw Prints - Henry County Schools

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