Hear Ye Hear Ye

It is time for Honor Roll recognition. If your child has earned the A or A/B Honor Roll, they will be recognized briefly on the Morning Show this Monday, November 3 at 8:10. Please have them here by 8:00. Thank you! 

Pawmetto Lifeline

Service Learning Project

We need your help! We are in the middle of our first service learning project to help support Pawmetto Lifeline. This is an animal adoption shelter here in the Midlands. 

Some items we are collecting:

dog/cat food-any brand

batteries (AAA or AA)

bleach

dog/cat toys

dog collars

pillowcases

We are collecting until Friday, November 7th. Please help if you can! 

http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/1058213620036

Problems Up!

We sing Problems Up before we complete our Problem Set activity sheets during each math lesson. Check out our music smarts! 

We were finding out which House we are in! We can't wait to start representing our Houses. 

Flat Wilson

Flat Wilson is here! Check our your child's binder to get information on how to use this humorous picture to help our class learn about South Carolina! 

House System Coming Soon!

House Approach

The house approach is intended to encourage a school-wide community where students nurture and encourage each other to be productive citizens.           It allows students to be involved with others outside of their classroom walls in a collaborative team building setting.

Where did it come from?

            The house system is a program modeled after the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Many of our teachers have visited this award-winning school and have seen the benefits of the house system.

What is it?

            It serves several purposes that will greatly benefit the classroom dynamic as well as help foster an environment focused on friendship, compassion, teamwork, confidence, leadership, and accountability.

Friendship?

The bond that builds within a house and within the classroom is amazing to watch. Kids that may normally never get to know each other become the best of friends. Learning to get along with otherwise strangers is a skill that will help build friendships and social skills for students in the future.

Compassion?

Building friendship and teamwork takes a lot of work. Teachers will model opportunities to show compassion to those that need it. A group dynamic leads to compassionate interactions as they work to be a successful house.  

Teamwork?

The whole system is built on working together to accomplish goals. Early on students will struggle with the skills that make a team work. They give and take, and the sharing of ideas will develop and it will help with your learning club interactions as well.

Confidence?

Students will be assigned different rotating roles with their House. Creating opportunities for shy students to shine and lead will create confidence with students.

Leadership?

Working in groups inherently develops leadership. When students assign different tasks to different members of the group, they get opportunities to be leaders. Leadership becomes stronger as it is practiced. Leaders need team followers as well. This is hard for some as they have been alphas their whole life. Following also needs practice.

Accountability?

With the class point system the teachers set-up, students are held accountable to their house. Learning to be held accountable and learning to respectfully hold others accountable are extremely important skills for future leaders and 21st century citizens.

How does it work?

The school staff and students will be split into 4 houses. Houses are selected randomly and each classroom will have approximately the same amount of students in each House. Each House will work together to earn points. Houses will earn monthly and yearly rewards.

How do they earn points?

Each teacher will set up a management system that will allow Houses to earn points.

What is the sorting ceremony?

The sorting ceremony is a way for each teacher/grade level to randomly sort their class into houses. Each teacher/grade level is working to come up with ways to make this an exciting activity.

What else?

Every other Friday all house members (students and staff) will gather in their corresponding color hall for a house meeting. During the meetings the house leaders (eventually moving towards student led meetings) will give pep talks about using the 7 Habits, being a leader, building an entire school community, etc.

Math Resources

Parents, 
I am providing a newsletter resource for you to use as you help your child with their math at home. This newsletter has vocabulary and examples for you to reference as you guide your children at home. It can be found in Edmodo in the Math Modules Resources folder. They are labeled with the Module and the Topic. I hope this is a helpful tool for you. 

Wear Pink

Please join our school as we join the fight against Breast Cancer. Add an element of pink to your child's wardrobe on Friday in support. 

We Need...

Parents, 
I need a bit of help building our treat box. I use this box to reward students for things they do in class as well as birthday treats. I am in need of individually wrapped candy, cool pencils or erasers, bookmarks, bracelets, stickers, etc. I also need large bags of skittles or M&M's. These do not have to be individually wrapped. Thanks so much for what you have already sent, and I appreciate your continuous support! 

Ms. Wilson :)

Muffins for Moms and Donuts for Dads- IMPORTANT

Dear Families,

As you may have heard already, the Smart Snacks in Schools federal legislation began on July 1, 2014.  Due to the new federal regulations and strict guidelines regarding the food that may be served to students before school, we have decided to cancel our Muffins for Moms and Donuts for Dads events this year.  Although we looked into "healthy" options, we were concerned that they may not be very tasty.  Please know that moms and dads continue to be welcome to visit both campuses for breakfast or lunch any day!  Thanks for your support and involvement with our school.

Sincerely,

Mr. Williams & Dr. Berry